Founded by Farrell and original bass guitarist Eric Avery, following the disintegration of Farrell's previous band Psi Com, Jane's Addiction was one of the first bands from the early 1990s alternative rock movement to gain both mainstream media attention and commercial success in the United States. Jane's Addiction's first release was a self-titled live album in 1987 and quickly caught the attention of Warner Bros. Records. The band's first two studio albums, Nothing's Shocking (1988) and Ritual de lo Habitual (1990), were released to widespread critical acclaim, and an increasing cult fanbase. As a result, Jane's Addiction became icons of what Farrell dubbed the "Alternative Nation". The band's initial farewell tour, in 1991, launched the first Lollapalooza, which has since become a perennial alternative rock festival.
The band briefly reunited in 1997, with Flea, of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, replacing Avery on bass guitar. In 2001, a second reunion took place, with Martyn LeNoble—and later Chris Chaney—occupying the role of bass guitarist. In 2003, the band released its third studio album, Strays, before dissolving again the following year.
In 2008, the band's original line-up reunited and embarked on a world tour. Eric Avery, however, subsequently left the band in early 2010 as the group began working on new material. The band released its fourth studio album The Great Escape Artist in 2011, with Chaney returning to the band for its recording and subsequent tour. In 2016, Jane's Addiction were nominated for induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
Maceo
Jane's Addiction Lyrics
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He's a little man in a cat's body.
He yawns, just like I do.
He's convinced that I won't eat him.
I think he thinks that I'm his dad,
cause I saved him from the pound.
Well we went down, down to the pound.
Cat catcher said to me, "Go ahead and pick one out."
Well Maceo said, "Let me out!"
He sleeps right where I do.
Then we wrestle in the morning.
Comes to you if you don't bother him.
He just likes to do his own thing. (Do his own thing.)
Well, My cat's name is Maceo,
He's a little man in a cat's body.
The lyrics to Jane's Addiction's song My Cat's Name is Maceo seem to be about the lead singer's pet cat, Maceo. The song presents Maceo as a little man in a cat's body, suggesting that the singer sees the cat as more than just an animal. The singer saves Maceo from the pound and believes that the cat thinks of him as his father. Maceo appears to be a comforting presence for the singer, sleeping where he does and wrestling with him in the morning.
The song suggests a strong bond between the singer and his cat, as evidenced by Maceo's trust in the singer that he won't eat him, and his preference to be left alone to do his own thing. The fact that the song focuses on the feelings and experiences of a man and his cat also suggests a certain vulnerability or openness on the part of the singer. Rather than writing a typical macho rock song, the singer is expressing a sentimental and personal connection with his beloved pet.
Overall, the song My Cat's Name is Maceo is a sweet, lighthearted ode to the bond between a pet owner and their furry companion. The lyrics capture the affection and quirks of one particular cat, and in doing so express a universal truth about the depth of feeling that can exist between animals and their human companions.
Line by Line Meaning
My cat's name is Maceo.
I have a cat named Maceo.
He's a little man in a cat's body.
Maceo has a personality that's similar to a human's.
He yawns, just like I do.
Maceo has mannerisms that are comparable to mine.
He's convinced that I won't eat him.
Maceo trusts me and doesn't think I'll harm him.
I think he thinks that I'm his dad,
Maceo views me as his parental figure.
cause I saved him from the pound.
I rescued Maceo from the animal shelter.
Well we went down, down to the pound.
I went to the animal shelter with the intention of adopting a cat.
And that's where we saw Maceo.
That's where Maceo caught my eye.
Cat catcher said to me, "Go ahead and pick one out."
The animal shelter employee gave me permission to choose a cat.
Well Maceo said, "Let me out!"
Maceo was vocal about wanting to be adopted.
He sleeps right where I do.
Maceo likes to sleep near me.
Then we wrestle in the morning.
Maceo and I play fight when we wake up.
Comes to you if you don't bother him.
Maceo will approach you if you leave him alone.
He just likes to do his own thing. (Do his own thing.)
Maceo is independent and does what he pleases.
Well, My cat's name is Maceo,
Once again, my cat's name is Maceo.
He's a little man in a cat's body.
Repeating the point that Maceo has human-like qualities.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: PERRY FARRELL, MACEO JR. PARKER, DAVID MICHAEL NAVARRO, STEPHEN ANDREW PERKINS, ERIC ADAM AVERY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@jenskeroro
This song is so cute.