Stray Cat Blues
Johnny Winter Lyrics
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I know you're no scare-eyed honey
There'll be a feast if you just come upstairs
But it's no hanging matter
It's no capital crime
I can see that you're fifteen years old
No I don't want your I.D.
But it's no hanging matter
It's no capital crime
Oh yeah, you're a strange stray cat
Oh yeah, don'tcha scratch like that
Oh yeah, you're a strange stray cat
Bet your mama don't know you scream like that
I bet your mother don't know you can spit like that
You look so weird and you're so far from home
But you don't really miss your mother
You don't look so scared, I'm no mad-brained bear
But it's no hanging matter
It's no capital crime, oh yeah
I bet your mama don't know that you scratch like that
I bet she don't know you can bite like that
You say, you got a friend, that she's wilder than you
Why don't you bring her upstairs
If she's so wild then she can join in too
It's no hanging matter
It's no capital crime
Oh yeah, you're a strange stray cat
Oh yeah, don'tcha scratch like that
Oh yeah, you're a strange stray cat
I bet you mama don't know you can bite like that
I'll bet she never saw you scratch my back
Johnny Winter's song Stray Cat Blues is a controversial track that explores the sexual relationship between an older man and a teenage girl who may be a runaway. The song opens up with the sound of the girl's footsteps on the stairs leading to the man's room. The man knows that the girl is not scared and he invites her to come upstairs, promising her a feast. He makes it clear that what they are about to do is no hanging matter and no capital crime.
The lyrics suggest that the girl is around fifteen years of age and she is far away from home. The man doesn't want to see her ID and doesn't care about her age. However, the girl seems to be some sort of wild cat, scratching and biting like a stray cat. The man encourages her to bring her friend if she has one that's wilder than she is. He suggests that they can all join in, without fear of consequence or punishment, as it's no hanging matter and no capital crime.
The song has faced accusations of promoting pedophilia and been the subject of controversy. However, some suggest that the song was meant to be a satirical commentary on the sexual freedom of the 1960s. The song is said to have inspired other rock artists like the Rolling Stones and Led Zeppelin to create their sexualized songs.
Line by Line Meaning
I hear the click-clack of your feet on the stairs
I can hear the sound of your footsteps on the stairs
I know you're no scare-eyed honey
I know you're not a frightened girl
There'll be a feast if you just come upstairs
I have something great to offer you if you come upstairs
But it's no hanging matter
It's not something worth punishing severely
It's no capital crime
It's not a serious crime
I can see that you're fifteen years old
I can tell that you're fifteen years old
No I don't want your I.D.
You don't need to show me your identification
I can see that you're so far from home
I can tell that you're a long way from your home
Oh yeah, you're a strange stray cat
You're a peculiar and unconventional girl
Oh yeah, don'tcha scratch like that
Don't scratch me like that
Bet your mama don't know you scream like that
I bet your mother is not aware that you scream like that
I bet your mother don't know you can spit like that
I bet your mother is not aware that you can spit like that
You look so weird and you're so far from home
You appear to be very strange and you're far away from where you live
But you don't really miss your mother
It seems like you're not really missing your mother
You don't look so scared, I'm no mad-brained bear
You don't seem to be frightened, I'm not a crazy person
I bet your mama don't know that you scratch like that
I bet your mother is not aware that you scratch like that
I bet she don't know you can bite like that
I bet she's not aware that you can bite like that
You say, you got a friend, that she's wilder than you
You're telling me that you have a friend who is even more unconventional than you
Why don't you bring her upstairs
Why don't you bring her up here
If she's so wild then she can join in too
If she's as unconventional as you say, she can participate as well
I'll bet she never saw you scratch my back
I'm pretty sure your friend has never seen you scratch my back before
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Abkco Music Inc.
Written by: Keith Richards, Mick Jagger
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Joseph Marshall
This guy blows my mind.
Finally discovered a master on guitar
ontariobuds
When you wrote your original comment had you just discovered Johnny Winter? If so I’m very envious of you.
I wish I could hear Johnny for the first time again. ENJOY!!!
Paulo Ribeiro
Simply the best version of this fantastic song. Johnny Winter rocks!!! Miss him very much.
cgraber
This version is similar to how the Stones played it live. I always loved Keith's guitar work on this live, but Johnny is in a class by himself.
Martin Stephenson
@Gerhard Henning But even he can't help the Stone's match Johnny's version.
Gerhard Henning
Mick taylor played that great part, not keith.
Robert Tattoo
Great Blues Guitar Player Rest in peace Johnny Winter
alanbrokenspoke
great playing by JW, one of my favs , so much passion and talent , proggresive blues experiment is the best blues album on the planet
PJ Kerns
Every time I listen to johnny I can't comprehend why he's not in the top 5 guitarist of all time.And as good if not better than Hendrix. Saw him at least 5 times live,speechless!
Léo Laércio Oliveira
Johnny era um excelente guitarrista e sempre se cercava de músicos do mesmo naipe.