Jerry Garcia Band employs many of the same elements and similar style to the Grateful Dead, such as rock influenced by blues, folk, country, and jazz.
Over the years, the lineup of the Jerry Garcia Band changed a number of times. The one constant member besides Garcia himself was bassist John Kahn. Melvin Seals had the next longest tenure, serving as keyboardist from 1980 onward. Seals became band leader following Garcia's death and changed the band's name to JGB.
Cats Under The Stars
Jerry Garcia Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Someone plays guitar that sounds like clarinet.
I ain't ready to go to bed,
I think I'll take a walk downtown instead.
Cats on the bandstand, Give'em each a big hand,
Anyone who sweats like that must be all right.
No one wants to fight; no blackeye,
Cats in the limelight, feels like it's alright,
Everybody wants something they might not get.
I ain' ready yet, it ain't complete,
That's why I am headin' down to Alleycat Street.
Satin blouse unbuttoning, satin blouse unbuttoning,
Time is a stripper's doin', it's just for you.
Time is a stripper's doin', it's just for you.
Knock in the brass tacks, cover up your tracks Jack,
You ain't nowhere till you can pay your own way back.
What else do you lack to make it right,
But cats down under the stars tonight.
In this song, the singer is describing a bustling and exciting night on the town. He starts with observing the various animals and sounds around him - cats on the blacktop and a bird in the treetop. He notes the music being played, describing it as guitar that sounds like clarinet. He then expresses that he is not quite ready to go to sleep and decides to take a walk downtown instead.
The scene changes to the bandstand where he observes the musicians and gives them credit for their hard work. There is a sense of camaraderie and non-violence among the people around him, as no one wants to fight. He then moves to the limelight and acknowledges that everyone has desires that they may not be able to fulfill. He continues to express that he is not yet ready to settle and heads to Alleycat Street.
The last verse has a more serious tone as it talks about paying one's own way and covering up tracks. Despite this, the singer reaffirms that everything will be alright with the cats under the stars tonight.
Line by Line Meaning
Cats on the blacktop, birdie in the treetop,
There are cats on the street and birds on the tree, symbolizing the serenity of the night.
Someone plays guitar that sounds like clarinet.
The guitar is played in such a melodious manner that it resembles the sound of a clarinet.
I ain't ready to go to bed,
I'm not ready to go to sleep yet.
I think I'll take a walk downtown instead.
Instead of sleeping, I plan to take a walk in the downtown area.
Cats on the bandstand, Give'em each a big hand,
A band is performing, and they deserve an applause for their efforts.
Anyone who sweats like that must be all right.
The performers are playing with such passion that they're drenched in sweat, signifying that they're giving their all.
No one wants to fight; no blackeye,
There's no reason to fight or have a black eye; everyone's peaceful and harmonious.
Just another cat beneath the stars tonight.
The night is perfect, and everyone is enjoying themselves.
Cats in the limelight, feels like it's alright,
The performers are in the spotlight and it feels amazing.
Everybody wants something they might not get.
Everyone has desires that they may not fulfill.
I ain' ready yet, it ain't complete,
I'm not ready or satisfied yet, there's something missing.
That's why I am headin' down to Alleycat Street.
To find what's missing, I'm going to Alleycat Street.
Satin blouse unbuttoning, satin blouse unbuttoning,
A woman is taking off her satin blouse, revealing herself.
Time is a stripper's doin', it's just for you.
Time is like a stripper who performs only for us, the audience.
Time is a stripper's doin', it's just for you.
Time is like a stripper who performs only for us, the audience.
Knock in the brass tacks, cover up your tracks Jack,
Be practical and take care of everything properly.
You ain't nowhere till you can pay your own way back.
You haven't arrived anywhere until you can pay your own way.
What else do you lack to make it right,
What else do you need to improve the situation and make it right?
But cats down under the stars tonight.
But tonight, everyone is happy and content, living their lives under the stars.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JEROME J. GARCIA, ROBERT C. HUNTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@TheRealForrestGeorge
Cats down under the stars
Cats down under the stars
Cats on the blacktop, birdies in the treetop
Someone plays guitar that sounds like a clarinet
I ain't ready yet, to go to bed
Think I'll take a walk downtown instead
Cats down under the stars
Cats down under the stars
Cats in the limelight, feels like it's all right
Everybody wants something they might not get
I ain't ready yet, to go to bed
Think I'll take a walk downtown instead
Cats down under the stars
Cats down under the stars
Cats on the bandstand, give 'em each a big hand
Anyone who sweats like that must be all right
No one wants sometimes, no black eye
Just another cat beneath the stars tonight
Cats down under the stars
Cats down under the stars
Satin blouse unbuttoning
Satin blouse unbuttoning
Time's is doing it just for you
Time's a stripper, doing it just for you
Just for you
Just for you
Just for you
Just for you
Hammering the brass tacks, cover up you tracks, Jack
Ain't nowhere till you can pay your own way back
What else do you lack to make it right
Cats down under the stars tonight?
Cats down under the stars
Cats down under the stars
Cats down under the stars
Cats down under the stars
@synthesis12
He had to have... A few lyrics that pop out..
Someone plays guitar that sounds like clavinet,
I ain't ready to go to bed,
I think I'll take a walk downtown instead.
Cats on the bandstand, Give'em each a big hand,
Anyone who sweats like that must be all right.
I ain' ready yet, it ain't complete,
That's why I am headin' down to Alleycat Street.
Satin blouse unbuttoning, satin blouse unbuttoning,
Time is a stripper's doin', it's just for you.
Knock in the brass tacks, cover up your tracks Jack,
You ain't nowhere till you can pay your own way back.
What else do you lack to make it right,
But cats down under the stars tonight.
It must be references to band members unwinding after a show. The one line "cover your tracks" possibly about smack? Brass tacks instead of brass tax? Did they ever have brass works back then for using? Not sure but the line is odd.
@Halcyon156
This is one of the best songs ever.
@chuckamucksc
My all time favorite Jerry song to dance to!
@erickdeveau8635
My cat Otis died this morning. He was almost fourteen. Absolutely beside myself. Oh man it hurts.
@liraven7676
I never got over mine- I refused another (pain was too much)..but then years later, another came my way thru circumstance- it was like a gift sent by my first one..so strange, but I knew right away. And I accepted my first as apart of this larger cat presence, so to speak. You will never get over Otis. Ever. Fact. But otis will help u to..the Cat is ancient and wise❤ condolences
@erickdeveau8635
@Li Raven Thanks so much, I do have one left, I had taken in five strays over the last twenty years, they all just showed up, Even two at a time, a woman down the block kept feeding so many but wouldn't let them in, once they figured out my "cat door" they just came in and never left. Otis came with his buddy who he actually was taking care of, he would clean his wounds and looked after him like a he was his dad, I know it sounds crazy, we had never seen anything like it. Another one we found outside lost/abandoned and was too little to not have her mother, so our dog actually became her mom, produced milk for her and completely took over as her mother. It was amazing. I had always been maybe more of a dog person, but we always had a family cat too. Anyway, family is gone and now it's just me and one left. People used to question me about the money for all the vet bills. Like I was an idiot for doing what I did, it's okay if they don't get it, or get me. I'm 54 now, my health isn't so good and sometimes I think that I shouldn't have any more animals cause I'm afraid if they out live me.... I can't trust anyone but me to take care of them correctly. I've seen how they took care of their own. Sorry to ramble, I just wanted to say thanks very much for your kindness. Thank you.
@deluxeasshat8547
RIP to Otis 😔❤️
@brianorledge4535
It's hard. Peace to you.
@charlielester6396
Sorry to hear of loss
@folklifecreative
RIP Jerry. Its 2019 and I still think of you every day.
@thedancingclown8006
Stephen Blanquie ❤️