In addition, Belew is well-regarded for his contributions, particularly on guitar, to various other artists' recordings. In 1977, he performed with Frank Zappa, appearing in Zappa's 1979 concert film Baby Snakes, as well as Zappa's controversial album Sheik Yerbouti. He also supported David Bowie on his "Heroes" tour that was released as "Stage". He also played on the 1990 Sound + Vision tour. On both tours he was musical director, playing guitar and singing backing vocals.
Belew's other session credits include the 1980 album Remain in Light by the Talking Heads, Lights Out by Peter Wolf, and Paul Simon's landmark 1986 album Graceland. He worked with Laurie Anderson during the mid-1980s, appearing in her concert film Home of the Brave. During the 1990s, he contributed to three Nine Inch Nails albums, The Downward Spiral, The Fragile, and Ghosts. He played synthesized guitar on the song "God Shuffled His Feet" by Crash Test Dummies in 1993.
In the late-1980s, Belew formed the pop band The Bears with ex-Raisins members and released two albums, The Bears and Rise and Shine. A third album, Car Caught Fire, followed in 2001.
He features prominently on Tori Amos's 2001 cover album, "Strange Little Girls". He also contributed his lead guitar stylings to Porcupine Tree's album Deadwing (2005) as well as to a track ("I Can't Get Behind That", also featuring Henry Rollins) on the 2004 Ben Folds-produced William Shatner album Has Been.
Big Electric Cat
Adrian Belew Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Smooth and moving
On the prowl through the crowd
To the beat of the city
She glows in the dark
Wherever she parks
Concrete crumbles and the night rumbles
She dances through the street
Like the flame of a fire
Everybody's hypnotized
Everybody perspires
Even little children cry
Grown men shout
The dogs bark
The lights go out
Big electric cat
Adrian Belew's song "Big Electric Cat" is a tribute to the power and allure of big cities, as represented by the figure of the titular feline. The lyrics describe the cat's arrival as a smooth, sleek entity that prowls through the city to the beat of the urban hustle and bustle, leaving a trail of destruction and awe in its wake. In the darkness, the cat's glow is hypnotic and overwhelming, causing concrete to crumble and the night to rumble. The cat's movements are described as a dance, almost like a wild, untamed flame that causes everyone around it to sweat and shiver with excitement. Even the most stoic of people - little children, grown men, dogs - are unable to resist the pull of the cat's magnetism, and the city is plunged into darkness as it passes through.
The lyrics can be read as a celebration of the power and vitality of the city, the way it can inspire awe and wonder in those who experience it. But there's also a sense of danger and unpredictability to the city that's reflected in the image of the big electric cat. Cities can be both alluring and overwhelming, and the cat embodies this dichotomy perfectly. The song is a masterful evocation of the electric intensity of city life, with all its thrills and spills.
Line by Line Meaning
She arrives like a limo
This woman exudes confidence and style upon entering any space, much like a fancy limousine.
Smooth and moving
Her movements are graceful and fluid, causing all eyes to be drawn to her.
On the prowl through the crowd
She moves purposefully among the people, seeking out whatever she desires.
To the beat of the city
The energy of the city pulses through her as she moves to its rhythm.
She glows in the dark
She is radiant even in the dimmest of lighting, drawing attention to herself effortlessly.
Wherever she parks
She holds power and influence over whatever space she occupies.
Concrete crumbles and the night rumbles
Her presence is so intense that it shakes the very foundation of the city, both literally and figuratively.
Big electric cat
She is like a powerful and unpredictable feline, commanding attention and respect from all those around her.
She dances through the street
Her movements are fluid and effortless, like a performer putting on a show for all to see.
Like the flame of a fire
Her energy is bright and intense, like the heat of a flame that draws people in and captivates them.
Everybody's hypnotized
Nobody can resist her charm and allure, falling completely under her spell.
Everybody perspires
Her intensity causes everyone to sweat and feel uncomfortable, yet they can't stop watching her.
Even little children cry
Her energy is so overwhelming that even the most innocent among us can sense and react to it.
Grown men shout
Her power incites strong emotions in even the most mature and composed individuals, making them want to scream out in excitement or fear.
The dogs bark
Even animals can sense her energy and react to it, barking as a warning or a display of excitement.
The lights go out
Her power is so overwhelming that it can even cause the electricity to flicker or go out entirely.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: ADRIAN BELEW
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Audie Belew
This is still one of my favorite songs of my Dad’s. The video is pretty hilariously awesome, but seriously I do think the song is looong overdue for a modern remake 🤷🏻♀️ it’s a badass song!
lefkytheshin
This is purrfect. Never mess with a solid classic.
The Momur
This album is wonderful. The image of the towers is haunting.
John Hearn
I used to play this EVERY DAMN WEEK on WUSC-FM when it was released in 1982. Just splurged on VIP tix to see your pop and JH do their thing in Baltimore for my 61st bday in March. Can't wait to shake his hand and thank him for 40+ years of goodness gracious who is THAT!?
Rah pathy
I posted this on a private chat where we post random pictures, songs and stuffs. This is a gem.
Joseph von bulow
Do you sing this to your cats at home 🤘
benovision
This was fun to make.. I remember driving around NYC with John Sanborn on the roof of the car to get the street video. He had this beat up old station wagon with a cracked windshield. We called it the "crash mobile". He seriously risked his life to get this footage. Especially with me driving.
Richard Bradley
Still awesome!
Norm Appleton
When napster was threatened with shut down in 99, we recorded a lot of of rarities from vinyl. The noise filter thought this entire song was noise and recorded nothing.
Kittenfuud
Awesome. I know this song but never saw the video. I'm doing an AI project on Big Electric Cat Walking The Streets of Seattle right now. Just for fun, no worries about copyrights, it's fun! And so is this video. Thanks for the story! Love that chit. 🍏