“Cat Food” needs little explanation, but I personally don’t eat much white flour, white bread or white sugar these days."
White flour, white bread, and white sugar are all processed foods, more of which are described in the lyrics.
King Crimson originally released Cat Food written by Robert Fripp and Pete Sinfield.
Cat Food
King Crimson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Knocks in the manager's door
Grooming to the muzak from a speaker in shoe rack
Lays out her goods on the floor
Everything she's chosen is conveniently frozen
"Eat it and come back for more!"
Lady Window Shopper with a new one in the hopper
Croaking to a neighbor while she polishes a saber
Knows how to flavor a stew
Never need to worry with a tin of "Hurry Curry"
"Poisoned especially for you!"
No use to complain
If you're caught out in the rain
Your mother's quite insane
Cat food cat food cat food again
No use to complain
If you're caught out in the rain
Your mother's quite insane
Cat food cat food cat food again
Lady Yellow Stamper with a fillet in a hamper
Dying to finish the course
Goodies for the table with a fable on the label
Drowning in miracle sauce
Don't think I am that rude if I tell you that it's cat food
"Not even fit for a horse!"
The lyrics of King Crimson's "Cat Food" are a commentary on the modern consumerist culture and the way it exploits and manipulates people's desires and needs. The song describes several characters who are caught up in the spectacle of shopping and consumption, oblivious to the reality of what they are buying and consuming. The first verse introduces Lady Supermarket, who is depicted as a mindless drone, listening to corporate music and buying frozen goods that are designed to keep her coming back for more. The second verse introduces Lady Window Shopper, who is more self-aware but equally cynical, using toxic chemicals and artificial flavors to make her food taste better. The chorus then comments on the futility of complaining or rebelling against this system, as it has become so normalized and ingrained in society that it is almost like a form of insanity.
The third verse introduces Lady Yellow Stamper, who is presented as an upper-class elitist who cares more about appearances and status than the actual quality of her food. She buys expensive fillets and gourmet sauces, but the song reveals that they are actually made from cat food, which is not even fit for a horse. This metaphorical twist underscores the idea that the whole system of consumerism is based on deception and manipulation, and that people are willing to overlook even the most egregious offenses as long as they can maintain their illusions of luxury and convenience.
Overall, "Cat Food" is a biting critique of consumer culture that exposes its hollow promises and hidden dangers. The lyrics are cleverly written and full of dark humor, but they also have a serious message that still resonates today.
Line by Line Meaning
Lady Supermarket with an apple in her basket
A woman shopping in the supermarket with a basket of food.
Knocks in the manager's door
Asks to see the manager of the store.
Grooming to the muzak from a speaker in shoe rack
She is listening to the music playing over the intercom.
Lays out her goods on the floor
She displays the items she wants to buy on the floor.
Everything she's chosen is conveniently frozen
All the food she has chosen is frozen and easy to store.
"Eat it and come back for more!"
The store encourages her to buy and eat more of their products.
Lady Window Shopper with a new one in the hopper
Another woman window shopping with new ideas of what to buy next.
Whips up a chemical brew
She prepares a mixture of chemicals.
Croaking to a neighbor while she polishes a saber
She talks to her neighbor while cleaning a sword.
Knows how to flavor a stew
She knows how to add flavor to her cooking.
Never need to worry with a tin of "Hurry Curry"
She has a can of curry that cooks fast, so she never worries about what to make.
"Poisoned especially for you!"
The food she made is not actually poisoned, but it is not good for her health.
No use to complain
There's no point in complaining.
If you're caught out in the rain
When you face trouble, like being in the rain.
Your mother's quite insane
Your mother may not be in her right mind.
Cat food cat food cat food again
She keeps coming back to the same issue of bad food, like cat food.
Lady Yellow Stamper with a fillet in a hamper
Another woman shopping while carrying a basket of meat.
Dying to finish the course
Eager to finish her meal.
Goodies for the table with a fable on the label
The food has an interesting story on the label.
Drowning in miracle sauce
The dish is covered in a special sauce that makes it taste good.
Don't think I am that rude if I tell you that it's cat food
She is not rude for saying it, but the food she is eating looks and tastes more like cat food than human food.
"Not even fit for a horse!"
The food is so bad it isn't good enough even for a horse to eat.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, O/B/O DistroKid
Written by: Ian McDonald, Peter John Sinfield, Robert Fripp
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@queennai6471
Lady Supermarket with an apple in her basket
Knocks in the manager's door
Grooming to the muzak from a speaker in shoe rack
Lays out her goods on the floor
Everything she's chosen is conveniently frozen
"Eat it and come back for more!"
Lady Window Shopper with a new one in the hopper
Whips up a chemical brew
Croaking to a neighbor while she polishes a saber
Knows how to flavor a stew
Never need to worry with a tin of "Hurry Curry"
"Poisoned especially for you!"
No use to complain
If you're caught out in the rain
Your mother's quite insane
Cat food cat food cat food again
No use to complain
If you're caught out in the rain
Your mother's quite insane
Cat food cat food cat food again
Lady Yellow Stamper with a fillet in a hamper
Dying to finish the course
Goodies for the table with a fable on the label
Drowning in miracle sauce
Don't think I am that rude if I tell you that it's cat food
"Not even fit for a horse!"
@bobklahn42
This came out in the late '60s, according to my wife. She looked it up on Youtube and tells me she likes it even more than before.
I will probably never listen to it again.
She appreciates the technique, the ability of the musicians, and composers, then again, she is a graduate of the Bowling Green State University School of Music, and some 60+ years of playing the violin, as well as other instruments. I come from a background of listening to music.
She taught music, I worked on radios and TVs and computers and more.
I like music I can listen to and see it in my mind, she likes music that blows your mind. As she was getting ready to go out the door I was listening on my headphones. I noticed she was moving with the rhythm, only when I took off my headset there was no music playing. She said she is listening to it in her mind. She actually does that, music is her life, it's an enhancement to mine.
So, who ever posted this video, you got very high end fans who actually understand what they did. And some of us going back to "Who will Answer", and "McArthur Park".
@user-js6el7vn2r
Дама из ночлежки с яблоком в тележке
Стук-тук-тук заведующему в дверь.
Мурлыча под колонку, стоящую в сторонке,
Товар свой выгружает, дескать, «сверь»!
Всё что было сложено — удобно заморожено,
«Ешь — и приходи ещё раз, дщерь!»
Дама Шопоголик трёт стоит до колик,
Что не пожелаешь и врагу.
Говорит соседке, полируя сетки,
Главное, чтоб перец был в рагу.
Есть же чем гордиться, там в рагу корица
«Отравлена, но только ни гу-гу!»
Что же это, глядь,
Дождь накрыл всех, бл*ть?!
Чокнулась ты, мать, —
«Вискас», «вискас», «вискас» снова жрать?
Что же это, глядь,
Дождь накрыл всех, бл*ть?!
Чокнулась ты, мать, —
«Вискас», «вискас», «вискас» снова жрать?
Дама в магазине с филе в большой корзине
Хочет, очень хочет рыбку съесть.
Продукты "Всё для дома» и бутылка рома —
Тесть её уесть сочтёт за честь.
Нет, я не тяпнул виски, но весь тот сраный «вискас»
Даже драный кот не станет есть.
@user-js6el7vn2r
Песня "Cat Food" группы King Crimson, кажется, исследует тему обмана, манипуляции и коммерциализации товаров и впечатлений. Тексты создают образ различных персонажей, в основном женщин, занимающихся необычными действиями, связанными с пищей.
В первом куплете мы знакомимся с "Леди Супермаркет", которая стучится в дверь менеджера и выкладывает свои удобно замороженные товары на пол. Это можно трактовать как комментарий к потребительскому обществу и легкости, с которой люди готовы потреблять готовую и обработанную пищу, не задумываясь о ее питательной ценности или качестве ингредиентов.
Во втором куплете появляется "Леди Витринщица", которая смешивает химический настой и хорошо разбирается в приправах для рагу. Здесь тексты подразумевают более темную сторону ее деятельности, указывая на то, что она знает, как отравить приготовленную ею пищу. Это подчеркивает потенциальную опасность или вред, связанный с слепым доверием к качеству и безопасности того, что мы потребляем.
Припев "Не стоит жаловаться, если тебя застигнет дождь, твоя мать совершенно сумасшедшая" можно рассматривать как метафору для принятия обществом обманчивых практик. Это подразумевает, что даже если человек осознает обман или низкое качество продуктов, которые он потребляет, мало что можно сделать, так как те, кто отвечает за предоставление этих товаров, считаются неконтролируемыми или иррациональными.
В третьем куплете мы встречаем "Леди Желтый Штамповщик", у которой есть филе в корзине и она с нетерпением желает закончить блюдо. Однако скрытый поворот происходит, когда говорится: "Не думай, что я такая грубая, если я скажу тебе, что это кошачья еда, даже не годится для лошади!" Эта строка еще больше подчеркивает презрительное качество предлагаемой пищи, указывая на то, что персонажи в песне довольствуются низкокачественными или даже нездоровыми вариантами.
В целом, "Cat Food" служит критикой потребительской культуры, подчеркивая опасности слепого принятия и потребления продуктов без вопросов о их происхождении, ингредиентах или влиянии на благополучие человека. Это сатирическое изображение побуждает слушателей быть более внимательными к выборам, которые они делают в своих покупках и потребительских привычках.
@avaram10
after a decade of searching King Crimson on youtube and finding nothing but cover bands and 8 bit remixes, I'm so happy to see them actually upload their music.
@mikelouis9389
14 years for me, but who's counting 😉
@thegreenbird795
@@mikelouis9389 FRIPP FINALLY CHILLED OUT
@VisualSOLUTIONSMedia
Well, you could always BUY their songs or albums. I know, an extreme opinion these days, but if you love an artist, you support them, right?
@The-priest-of-darkness
@VisualSOLUTIONS Media i honestly don't know where to find them
@sirllamaiii9708
I wouldn't call it an extreme opinion, just a very odd opinion since music streaming is the norm@@VisualSOLUTIONSMedia
@viciousdope66
I’m delighted that King Crimson actually left the comments open!!! Most of these “artist channels” don’t give us the luxury of commenting on their music…a damn shame in my opinion. I love this song, always have. I first heard this on the “21st Century Guide to King Crimson” boxed set, released around 2005. The boxed set was stolen from me many years ago, but was still an excellent stepping stone as it introduced me to some of the best studio and live cuts from Crimson. My only complaint would be the lack of songs from “Lizard” on that compilation…“Lizard” is best heard all by itself, the whole thing is perfect!
@savinostillavato2808
it’s not their fault,i think the problem is with youtube or who manages the uploading
@xxx_nightcorepro_xxx
Youtube autouploads had comments, but now they're turned off
@kpaasial
Automatic uploads are done by Youtube in co-operation with the publisher of the music and the artist has no say in whether comments should be on or off on those. This however is uploaded directly by Mr. Fripp so he gets to decide if comments are allowed or not.