After dropping out of high school, Marshall started performing under the name Cat Power, while in Atlanta, backed by musicians Glen Thrasher, Mark Moore, and others. She soon moved to New York City, New York, United States in 1992, then later opening for Liz Phair in 1994, she met Steve Shelley of Sonic Youth and Tim Foljahn of Two Dollar Guitar, who encouraged her to record, and played on her first two albums, 1995's Dear Sir and 1996's Myra Lee. In 1996 she was signed to Matador Records, and released her third album, What Would the Community Think, which spawned a single and music video, "Nude as the News".
Shortly following the release of What Would the Community Think Marshall disappeared from the musical scene, initially working as a baby sitter in Portland, Oregon and then moving to a farmhouse in Prosperity, South Carolina with boyfriend Bill Callahan (who performs under the name Smog). The plan was to permanently retire from music but during a sleepless night resulting from a nightmare, Marshall wrote several new songs. These songs would make up the bulk of Moon Pix. The album was recorded at Sing Sing Studios in Melbourne in eleven days with backing musicians Mick Turner and Jim White of the Dirty Three. The album was well-received by critics, and gained her recognition in the indie rock scene. However, during the subsequent tours she grew tired of her own material. This resulted in a series of shows during 1999 involving Marshall providing musical accompaniment to a series of screenings of the silent movie The Passion of Joan of Arc. The shows combined original material and many covers, many of which would later see release on The Covers Record, a collection of cover songs recorded at various sessions in 1998 and 1999. A selection of covers that didn't make it on to the album were recorded at Peel Acres, home of the highly influential and legendary British DJ John Peel. The session was broadcast on his BBC Radio 1 show and featured Marshall's own interpretations of Bob Dylan's "Hard Times in New York Town" amongst others.
In 2003 she resumed releasing original material with You Are Free, a diverse and critically acclaimed album that featured guest musicians such as Eddie Vedder, Dave Grohl, and the Dirty Three's Warren Ellis.
2004 saw the release of Speaking for Trees, a critically polarizing DVD which featured a single two-hour static shot of Marshall performing in a woodland. It was accompanied by an audio CD containing the 18-minute song "Willie Deadwilder", which featured M. Ward on guitar. 2005 found Cat Power out on the road again, touring the world and playing sold-out solo shows, including an Australian tour supporting Nick Cave. The shows largely consisted of material for her next album.
Cat Power's seventh record, The Greatest, was released in January, 2006. This was not a "Greatest Hits" record but rather a collaboration with Al Green's guitarist Teenie Hodges and many other well-known R&B musicians. A tour followed in the fall of 2006.
Early in 2006, Marshall announced the cancellation of her upcoming United States tour, citing "health-related issues". A few days later, Matador announced the cancellation of her two shows in London and Paris. She resumed touring in April 2006, playing some of the most well received shows of her career both with the Memphis Rhythm Band and as a solo performer.
In 2007, she played live music for the spring/ summer Chanel Haute Couture collection in Paris and appeared in Wong Kar Wai's film My Blueberry Nights as Katya. Also in 2007, she became the first female ever to win the Shortlist Music Prize when The Greatest was voted album of the year in June. Earlier in the year she was nominated in the Best International Female category at the annual Brit Awards, alongside more mainstream artists like Christina Aguilera and Nelly Furtado.
On January 22, 2008, Cat Power released a second collection of covers called Jukebox--her eighth LP overall. It included versions of songs by artists such as Hank Williams, James Brown, Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, Patsy Cline and Janis Joplin.
Since then, she has released an EP called "The Dark End of the Street" on vinyl, only.
Cat Power released her first original song since 2008 just before Christmas 2011 when an MP3 of "King Rides By" was made available on her official site, in exchange for a donation of at least $0.99 to the Festival of Children Foundation and the Ali Forney Center charities. (King Rides By Songfacts).
In 2012, Cat Power released her 9th studio album, Sun which received generally positive reviews from critics. The album was included in several year-end lists by music critics and publications. Rolling Stone magazine, in their list of the "50 Best Albums of 2012", ranked it at sixteenth place, writing "the idea of the brilliantly morose Chan Marshall making a dance-rock record is almost absurd. Yet the groove-powered Sun is a perfect fit." The A.V. Club placed the album at number twenty-two on their list of the "Best Albums of 2012." Billboard also placed the album at number nine in their list of the "10 Best Albums of 2012."The L.A. Times and Filter magazine both placed the album at number six in their lists of the best albums of 2012. Sun was also included on two separate "Best Music of 2012" lists compiled by NPR, appearing at number five on the list compiled by Bob Boilen,while topping the list compiled by Robin Hilton. The album was also listed twenty-eighth on Stereogum's list of top 50 albums of 2012. Thus, becoming Cat Power's most successful original album.
In April 2015, Marshall announced that she recently had a baby.
In February 2016, Marshall had to cancel her New Zealand shows due to health reasons. According to an official press release, this is the first time in Marshall's 18-year touring history she has been forced to postpone, but is "determined to make it back ASAP, and in good health".
Love and Communication
Cat Power Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
At this very moment 'cuz I found you on the phone
You called me
And you were not hunting me
Learning more and more about less and less and less
On the edge of your seat in some dark movie
Can you memorize the scenes
Can you tell me can you tell can you tell
If there is something better
'Cuz you know there always is
There always is
Drawn to the party like a spider filling up your guts
Don't hate the night with what you shouldn't have
Come along for the ride you just know you should
You just know you should
Can you tell me can you tell can you tell
If there is something better
'Cuz you know there always is
There always is
Hated to see you sad when I left
There's just no good in that but the good part was
That I came at all 'cuz I don't venture out
Into the lives of the new
I want you to come along for the ride
How long will you stay for your whole life
You just know you should
Can you tell me can you tell can you tell
If there is something better
'Cuz you know there always is
There always is
Love and communication you were here for me
At this very moment 'cuz I found you on the phone
You called me
And you were not hunting me
In Cat Power's song Love and Communication, the singer talks about the importance of love and communication in her life. She sings about how grateful she is to have someone who is there for her, to call her and not just when they need something from her. The idea that love and communication require effort is also highlighted in the lyrics, as she talks about learning more about her loved one, asking them if they can predict the future of their relationship or if there's always something better out there.
The second verse is more ambiguous, with the reference to a "dark movie" and memorizing scenes that will be different next week. This may suggest that relationships can be unpredictable and ever-changing, and one must be ready for anything that comes their way. However, the chorus repeats the idea that there is always something better, possibly hinting at the fear of missing out on something better by being committed to one person or relationship.
The last part of the song is about the singer leaving, but feeling happy about the time she spent with her loved one. She invites them to come along for the ride, asking how long they will stay for their whole life, hoping that they would want to commit to their relationship as well. The final repetition of the chorus emphasizes the importance of love and communication and how it brings people together.
Line by Line Meaning
Love and communication you were here for me
The singer values the love and communication she shares with someone and expresses gratitude for their presence in her life.
At this very moment 'cuz I found you on the phone
The singer appreciates the immediacy of communication through the phone and the ability to connect with someone instantly.
You called me
The other person took the initiative to reach out to the singer, which is appreciated.
And you were not hunting me
The singer is grateful that the other person is not pursuing her in an aggressive or unwanted way.
Learning more and more about less and less and less
The singer recognizes the infinite complexities of the world and the impossibility of truly mastering or understanding them all.
On the edge of your seat in some dark movie
The singer imagines the other person being fully absorbed and captivated by the drama of life, just like a movie.
Can you memorize the scenes
The singer wonders if the other person is able to recall the vivid details of their experiences and surroundings.
They'll be different next week
The singer acknowledges the impermanence of life and reminds the other person that things are constantly changing.
Can you tell me can you tell can you tell
The singer asks the other person for confirmation or assurance that they are on the same page or have similar goals and values.
If there is something better
The singer wonders if there is something more fulfilling or satisfying out there, beyond what they already have or know.
'Cuz you know there always is
The singer assumes that there is always room for growth and improvement, and that the other person is aware of this as well.
Drawn to the party like a spider filling up your guts
The singer compares the other person's attraction to a party to a spider consuming its prey, highlighting the intense and almost overpowering nature of the desire.
Don't hate the night with what you shouldn't have
The singer advises against dwelling on missed opportunities or regrets, and instead focuses on enjoying the present moment.
Come along for the ride you just know you should
The singer encourages the other person to take risks and embrace the adventure of life despite uncertainties and potential challenges.
Hated to see you sad when I left
The singer feels regretful for causing the other person emotional distress when she had to leave.
There's just no good in that but the good part was
The singer acknowledges the negative consequences of her departure, while also recognizing the positive aspects of their shared experience.
That I came at all 'cuz I don't venture out
The singer reveals that she is not usually one to take risks or seek out new experiences, but felt compelled to do so in this instance.
Into the lives of the new
The singer may feel intimidated or uncomfortable in unfamiliar situations or around new people.
I want you to come along for the ride
The singer desires companionship and shared experiences with the other person.
How long will you stay for your whole life
The singer wonders if the other person is committed to staying in her life for the long haul or just passing through for a short period of time.
If there is something better
The singer continues to contemplate the idea of something more fulfilling or satisfying existing elsewhere, and wonders if the other person feels the same way.
'Cuz you know there always is
The singer reiterates her belief that there is always room for growth and improvement, and hopes that the other person shares this perspective.
Lyrics © WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC
Written by: CHAN MARSHALL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Peter Pumkinghead
on He-War
i love the cats