During the 70s, while still in his teens, Mitchell began playing with local bands in the city of Sarnia. After evolving through a few name changes with essentially the same band, Mitchell and a group titled "Zooom" headed off for Toronto, Ontario. The band eventually dissolved, with Mitchell travelling over to the Greek islands.
Upon his return to Canada, he formed the band Max Webster, which managed to finally break through commercially. Besides playing the group, Mitchell and wrote most of the band's songs with fellow Sarnia native and lyricist, Pye Dubois (Paul Woods). Max Webster toured extensively and built a string of hits. Mitchell's solo career began after his departure from Max Webster, with session work and a succession of solo albums.
In early 1985, the song "Go For Soda" from the Akimbo Alogo album became an international hit and perhaps remains his best known song outside of his native Canada.
In 2004, Mitchell entered the radio broadcasting industry, becoming afternoon drive time host on Toronto classic rock radio station Q107.
As of 2005, Mitchell, still does the afternoon drive time on Q107, and is working on a new double CD set for a Spring 2006 release.
In December of 2005, Mitchell had proposed to the Q107 listeners that they write a Christmas song together. The resulting song is entitled "A Christmas Smile". At the end of the song, Mitchell advises his fans not to drink and drive, but to "go for a soda" instead.
Here Among the Cats
Kim Mitchell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I got rock and roll shoes
I got T.V. blues
And I don't have any friends here among the cats heare among the cats
I got the cure for the flues and I really don't mind the screws
I keep tellin' everybody / I keep tellin' everyone everyone
Should 'ave been a doctor
Can't get any soap stone
Won't join the army band
Sell in a general store
Cops won't catch me
Walking in the grass
Or breaking the bank on Sunday to fake some extra cash
Or to keep a sleep upon the wall like a lion stalks in stone
Or to have the visions of a bad or nine plus lives just like a cat
Don't I have any friends here among the cats here among the cats?
I got the cure for the flues and I really don't mind the screws
And I keep tellin' all the fools I should 'ave been a Lectric Cat
I keep tellin' everybody / I keep tellin' everyone everyone
I shoulda been a doctor
Ain't there any visions I can contract
To have night eyes or fly like the crow flies
Oh but don't I have any friends here among the cats here among the cats?
Now ain't there any systems to curb the hiccups and the scratch?
The song Here Among the Cats by Kim Mitchell is an introspective song that reflects on the feeling of disconnection from society and a yearning for belonging. The first lines of the song highlight the contrast between the glamour of rock and roll and the melancholy of feeling lonely. The singer describes himself as someone who doesn't have any friends, offering a possible reason for this in the line "I keep telling everybody / I keep telling everyone everyone / should 'ave been a doctor." This can be interpreted as a sign of regret, as if the singer believes that if he had been a doctor, he would have been more accepted, respected, and valued by society.
The second part of the song is more abstract and includes surreal and ambiguous images. The singer talks about his ability to carve soapstone and continues by saying that he won't join the army band or sell in a general store. This suggests a rebellious attitude that sets the singer apart from mainstream society. The line "Cops won't catch me / Walking in the grass" gives an impression of someone who doesn't want to be constrained by rules and expectations. The reference to hiccups and scratch seems to be a metaphor for the anxieties and uncertainties of life. Ultimately, the singer shows a defiance that is intertwined with a sense of alienation and longing.
Line by Line Meaning
I got rock and roll shoes
I have a passion for rock and roll music.
I got T.V. blues
I feel lethargic and uninspired after watching too much television.
And I don't have any friends here among the cats here among the cats
I feel isolated and alone among my current social circle.
I got the cure for the flues and I really don't mind the screws
I have a solution for common illnesses and I am not afraid of hard work.
I keep tellin' everybody / I keep tellin' everyone everyone / Should 'ave been a doctor
I often express regret at not pursuing a career in medicine.
Can't get any soap stone
I am currently unable to obtain a specific type of stone.
Carve away the war
I use art as a form of expression and to promote peace.
Won't join the army band
I am opposed to military involvement and do not want to be associated with it in any way.
Sell in a general store
I am content with a simple and traditional way of life, such as running a general store.
Cops won't catch me
I lead a lifestyle that allows me to avoid run-ins with the law.
Walking in the grass
I enjoy nature and being outdoors.
Or breaking the bank on Sunday to fake some extra cash
I do not resort to dishonesty or illegal activities to make money.
Or to keep a sleep upon the wall like a lion stalks in stone
I am content with being still and watching the world go by, like a lion perched on a wall.
Or to have the visions of a bad or nine plus lives just like a cat
I am fascinated by the idea of having multiple lives, like a cat in folklore.
I got the cure for the flues and I really don't mind the screws
Repeats previous line.
And I keep tellin' all the fools I should 'ave been a Lectric Cat
I joke about having a superhuman ability, like that of an electric cat.
I shoulda been a doctor
Repeats previous sentiment of regretting not becoming a physician.
Ain't there any visions I can contract / To have night eyes or fly like the crow flies
I wish I could have supernatural abilities, such as night vision or flight.
Oh but don't I have any friends here among the cats here among the cats?
Repeats previous sentiment of feeling alone among his peers.
Now ain't there any systems to curb the hiccups and the scratch?
I wish there were solutions for common ailments like hiccups and itchy skin.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jeffrey Barkin
@J S
Wasn't Gary McCracken the original Drummer?
He moved to Toronto with KIM from Sarnia, I believe...
However, KIM MITCHELL always surrounded himself with The FINEST Musicians in The GTA, when needed, and Every CDN Rocker knew this...
😊
Geoffrey Logsdon
Not only underrated but forgotten band. I once saw them open for Rush (Moving Pictures?), and they killed!!!
J S
The drummer from this album Paul j
Kersery drummed with a band called the wheelers in the early 2000s near Niagara falls canada ..we knew them and used to go watch...they covered this...was awesome
bill white
I saw them open for Rush also, thinking it was 1977 or 78
Jeffrey Barkin
@J S
Wasn't Gary McCracken the original Drummer?
He moved to Toronto with KIM from Sarnia, I believe...
However, KIM MITCHELL always surrounded himself with The FINEST Musicians in The GTA, when needed, and Every CDN Rocker knew this...
😊
J S
@Jeffrey Barkin Paul Kersey was first as far as I know. He's on this album
castlehilldude
I saw this group as the warm up act at a Rush Concert in 1978. Kim was running around the stage in red long johns. I never heard of him before, but I was blown away by his guitar playing. Fast forward about 25 years - I saw him again as part of a three piece group. The long johns were gone, but both he and his band were as awesome as ever.
silvio bentivoglio
too bad their wasn't a long version of this song....this is one song i miss until now and hearing a long version would be epic
michael bond
These guys were so great, the first time I saw Rush and Max opened I thought these bands are going places 1975
Geoffrey Logsdon
The combo of this song with Hangover is unbeatable for a debut album one-two punch. And l love Summer's Up.
Brian smith
Saw them at the Knob Hill Tavern in Scarberia in 73. I talked to a roadie of theirs at the Gas Works a while later and he said that was their first gig. Did an amazing Who medley.Still doing covers at that point. Talk about paying your dues and going nowhere. Rush couldn't break them into the States.