The three attempted a collaboration project in 1970 but Beck suffered a head injury in a car accident that year which sidelined him for well over a year. Bogert and Appice, who previously were members of Vanilla Fudge, instead formed the group Cactus with guitarist Jim McCarty and singer Rusty Day. After several Cactus releases, the band split and Bogert and Appice were again searching for a new band. Beck, after recovering from the head injury, formed a new Jeff Beck Group and released several LPs before disbanding in 1972.
With all three members out of work they decided to revive the old idea of a collaboration and started work on their eponymous debut album Beck, Bogert & Appice. The album had solid sales in 1973 and had a hit single "Superstition", which was a cover of Stevie Wonder's original composition of the same name. Later that year the band released a live album in Japan (now an extremely sought after rare album), Live in Japan. The group began work on a second studio album, but Beck suddenly left the band in early 1974, forcing a dissolution.
Black Cat Moan
Beck Bogert & Appice Lyrics
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Sunshine coming over the hills
Through my window pane
Sunshine coming over the hills
Might as well be pain
Got the black cat moan
Got the black cat moan
Got the black cat moan
Laying by the side of the road
With the disels flying by
Looks like my head is gonna roll
Don′t know the reasons why
Got the black cat moan
Got the black cat moan
Got the black cat moan cause I wanna go home
Got the black cat moan
Going back to Memphis
To find my sugar rey
Going back to Memphis
Cause that's where I want to be
Got the black cat moan
Got the black cat moan
Got the black cat moan I wanna go home
Got the black cat moan
The song “Black Cat Moan” by Beck Bogert & Appice is a blues rock song that covers the themes of loneliness, homesickness, and the pain of separation from loved ones. The singer is struggling with the pain of loneliness and the desire to be with his loved ones. He is experiencing the black cat moan, which is a metaphor for being oppressed by bad luck, misery, and misfortune.
The first verse describes the singer's despair as he wakes up to the sunshine coming over the hills. He is feeling the pain of separation and the absence of his loved ones. The chorus repeats the phrase “Got the black cat moan” three times, emphasizing the depth of his suffering. The second verse describes the singer's loneliness as he lies by the side of the road, with diesel engines flying by. He is experiencing the fear of death, and he doesn't know why he is feeling this way.
The last verse sees the singer trying to find meaning in his life by going back to Memphis to find his sugar ray. He wants to be with his loved ones and seek solace in their company. The chorus is repeated one last time, underlining the desperation of the singer to go home and find relief from his pain. Throughout the song, the wailing guitar and pounding rhythm section perfectly convey the mood of despair and desperation.
Line by Line Meaning
Looky here
Listen to me
Sunshine coming over the hills
It's a beautiful day
Through my window pane
I can see the sun shining through my window
Might as well be pain
Despite the beautiful day, it doesn't make me feel any better
Got the black cat moan
I'm feeling down and depressed
Laying by the side of the road
I feel abandoned and alone
With the disels flying by
Trucks are passing me by
Looks like my head is gonna roll
I'm feeling dizzy and disoriented
Don′t know the reasons why
I'm unsure why I'm feeling this way
Got the black cat moan cause I wanna go home
I miss my home and loved ones
Going back to Memphis
I'm returning to a place I feel comfortable
To find my sugar rey
I'm looking for my lover or companion
Cause that's where I want to be
I want to be in Memphis with my loved one
Writer(s): D. Nix
Contributed by Jonathan F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.