Currently, the Cat Empire comprises Ollie McGill (keyboard and backing vocals), Ryan Monro (bass and backing vocals), Felix Riebl (percussion and vocals), Harry James Angus (trumpet and vocals), Will Hull-Brown (drums) and Jamshid "Jumps" Khadiwhala (decks, percussion). They also have recurring guest musicians. A strong, recurrent theme of their music is a rejection of excessive materialism, war and intolerance and an enthusiastic embrace of cultural diversity and a simple, carefree life. The band treats their fans kindly, doing things like sending out personally messaged and autographed postcards to members of their volunteer promotional teams across Australia.
The band's name was taken from the title of a drawing by Felix Riebl's younger brother, Max, and its distinctive cat's eye icon, which is also known as "Pablo", was created by Ian McGill, Ollie McGill's father.
Article Taken From Wikipedia
So Long
Cat Empire Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We've done this five nights and tomorrow's free
Oh I say, tomorrow's free
And I seem to meet it in the morning and no sleep
But I can't keep myself from wandering
Next night down in Montreal
And when it rains I guess it pours
Pours and we go down into the
Saint street keeping our feet of the ground
Till we find ourselves at breakfast in our super town
So long well hey hey hey
Though I'd see you all again
So long and hey hey hey
The bus driver yonder in the morning light
Look out of the window baby and what a sight we say
Well hey hey hey
I now a girl who's got eyes on her feet
So when she starts dreaming she roams
And she'll know where she's going
She looks alright that's Romina she's dancing on the speakers
And speaking of moving Ruben's places started
Jumping with the campisis
So long hey hey hey
Though I'd see you all again
So long and hey hey hey
Thursday was solid and Friday's cool
Saturday was messy in the best way possible
Sunday should be for rest but these
Cats on the corner and I can't keep my chest from a
Rumbling the same way it did when I was young and blessed
So long well hey hey hey
Though I'd see you all again
So long and hey hey hey
The bus driver yonder in the morning light
Look out of the window baby and what a sight we say
Well hey hey hey
So long hey hey hey
Remember me and that it's all OK now baby
So long hey hey hey
The song “So Long” by Cat Empire talks about the life of a band on tour. The singer describes five nights that he spent in different cities, and how each night brings a new experience. They are eager to meet the morning, despite having no sleep, because it means they will have a day off. They travel to different cities on the bus, and each time they arrive, they marvel at the new place they find themselves in. In Montreal, they experience a heavy rain, but it doesn’t dampen their enthusiasm. They visit the Saint street, where they have breakfast and explore the area.
The singer also talks about his fellow band members. He mentions Romina, who has “eyes on her feet” and loves to dance. Ruben is another band member who is famous for getting the place jumping. The band seems to have a lot of fun, even on their days off. They explore new cities, hang out with each other and the locals, and experience the vibe of different places.
The song is a celebration of life on the road, and how every day brings new experiences. The band members seem to be fully immersed in their lives, and they are enjoying every bit of it. The song ends with the singer bidding farewell to his friends, but hoping to see them again. The bus driver also looks out of the window and marvels at the beauty of the morning.
Line by Line Meaning
The bus drives over on a mellow scene
The bus is driving in a calm and peaceful place
We've done this five nights and tomorrow's free
We have been on this trip for five nights and have tomorrow off
Oh I say, tomorrow's free
I am excited to have tomorrow off
And I seem to meet it in the morning and no sleep
I wake up early without having slept enough
But I can't keep myself from wandering
I can't stop myself from exploring and discovering new things
Next night down in Montreal
The following night is spent in Montreal
And when it rains I guess it pours
When it starts to rain, it really pours hard
Oh I say, when it rains it
I remark that when it starts to rain, it really pours hard
Pours and we go down into the Saint street keeping our feet of the ground
We walk down Saint street carefully, trying to not trip or slip
Till we find ourselves at breakfast in our super town
Eventually, we find ourselves having breakfast in a great town
So long well hey hey hey
A farewell greeting with enthusiasm and positivity
Though I'd see you all again
Even though I hope to see everyone again in the future
The bus driver yonder in the morning light
The bus driver is visible in the morning light
Look out of the window baby and what a sight we say
We exclaim out loud about the beautiful view outside of the window
I now a girl who's got eyes on her feet
I know a girl who can dance very well
So when she starts dreaming she roams
When she starts to dance, she moves around freely
And she'll know where she's going
She will move with confidence and intention
She looks alright that's Romina she's dancing on the speakers
Romina looks great, dancing on the singers
And speaking of moving Ruben's places started
Ruben has started dancing
Jumping with the campisis
Jumping with enthusiasm and energy
Thursday was solid and Friday's cool
Thursday was good, and Friday is even better
Saturday was messy in the best way possible
Saturday was wild and fun
Sunday should be for rest but these
Sunday should be a day of rest, but instead
Cats on the corner and I can't keep my chest from a rumbling the same way it did when I was young and blessed
I feel excited and energized just like I did as a young and carefree person
Remember me and that it's all OK now baby
Please remember me, and know that everything is okay now
Contributed by Kennedy L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@themoneyman2033
Groovy
@fattdamon5342
Don't think I've ever heard them play this live which is a shame cause it's such a funky tune. Always thought it would be a good one to end a set with before the encore.
@doncrouch2964
GOOD GOD these folks are funky!!! Maybe someday they'll make the West Coast Festival Circuit....
@user-xc5fq7sy1n
Love this song