Everybody Wants To Be A Cat
Liz English Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Well, little lady, let me elucidate here

Everybody wants to be a cat
Because a cat's the only cat who knows where it's at
Tell me, everybody's pickin' up on that feline beat
'Cause everything else is obsolete
A square with a horn
Makes you wish you weren't born
Every time he plays
But with a square in the act
You can set music back
To the caveman days

I've heard some corny birds who tried to sing
Still a cat's the only cat
Who knows how to swing
Who wants to dig a long-haired gig stuff like that?
When everybody wants to be a cat

A square with a horn
Makes you wish you weren't born
Every time he plays
Oh riki-tiki-tinky
With a square in the act
You can set music back to the caveman days (Oh riki-tiki-tinky)

Everybody wants to be a cat
Because a cat's the only cat who knows where it's at
When playin' jazz he always has a welcome mat
'Cause everybody digs a swingin' cat

If you want to turn me on
Play your horn don't spare the tone
And blow a little soul into the tune

Let's take it to another key
Modulate, and wait for me
I'll take a few ad-libs and pretty soon
The other cats will all commence
Congregatin' on the fence
Beneath the alley's only light
Where every note is out of sight

Everybody, everybody
Everybody wants to be a cat
Hallelujah
Everybody, everybody
Everybody wants to be a cat
Everybody, everybody
Everybody wants to be a cat




Everybody, everybody
Everybody wants to be a cat

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Liz English's song Ev'rybody Wants to Be a Cat can be interpreted as an ode to the coolness and freedom that cats embody. The song suggests that everyone wants to be like cats because they are the only creatures that know what's happening in the world (or at least act like they do). The lyrics make a clear distinction between cats and everything else, stating that the feline beat is the only thing that's not obsolete. The lyrics suggest that people are tired of listening to music played by squares with horns, who sound outdated and old-fashioned.


However, when a square joins forces with a cool cat, they can make music that takes listeners back to the beginning of time (cavemen days). The song praises the unique sound of cats, which sets them apart from birds who can also sing. Anyone who wants to turn on the singer of the song can do so by playing their horn with lots of soul, much like what cats do when they play jazz.


The lyrics of "Everybody Wants to Be a Cat" celebrate music, and how it has the power to bring people together. The singer asks for a key modulate, hoping everyone will join in and all the cats will convene beneath a single light, playing music that is "out of sight." The song tells us that everyone wants to be like cats because of their cool demeanor and how they live life as they please.


Line by Line Meaning

Well, little lady, let me elucidate here
Let me explain it to you clearly.


Everybody wants to be a cat
Everyone desires to be like a cat.


Because a cat's the only cat who knows where it's at
Cats are the only ones who truly understand life.


Tell me, everybody's pickin' up on that feline beat
People are starting to catch on to the rhythm of cats.


'Cause everything else is obsolete
Everything else is outdated compared to cats.


A square with a horn
Someone who doesn't understand jazz music.


Makes you wish you weren't born
Their playing is terrible, making you regret having to listen.


Every time he plays
Whenever he attempts to play music.


But with a square in the act
If they're forced to join in a musical performance.


You can set music back
It ruins the music, taking it back to a time before sophistication.


To the caveman days
Referring to a time before music as we know it existed.


I've heard some corny birds who tried to sing
I've heard some terrible singers in my lifetime.


Still a cat's the only cat
Even with bad singers out there, cats are still the best.


Who knows how to swing
Cats are the only ones who truly understand music and how to make it sound good.


Who wants to dig a long-haired gig stuff like that?
Who really wants to listen to music that's overly complicated?


When everybody wants to be a cat
Everyone wants to be like a cat because they understand the essence of music and know how to enjoy it.


Oh riki-tiki-tinky
A nonsense phrase used to represent bad music.


If you want to turn me on
If you want to impress me musically.


Play your horn don't spare the tone
Play your instrument passionately and don't hold back on the sound.


And blow a little soul into the tune
Play with emotion and put a piece of yourself into the music.


Let's take it to another key
Let's switch to a different mode of music.


Modulate, and wait for me
Follow me as we transition to a new sound.


I'll take a few ad-libs and pretty soon
I'll make up some words and ideas that fit with the music.


The other cats will all commence
The other musicians will join in with me.


Congregatin' on the fence
Gathering to play music together.


Beneath the alley's only light
In a dark and secluded place where they can truly lose themselves in the music.


Where every note is out of sight
Where the music takes over and they're in their own world, detached from the real world.


Everybody, everybody
Everyone is included in this love of music.


Hallelujah
An expression of joy when playing music.


Everybody, everybody
We all share this love of music.


Everybody wants to be a cat
Everyone wants to get lost in the rhythm and enjoy music like a cat.


Everybody, everybody
Everyone can enjoy music, unite and share their love of music.


Everybody wants to be a cat
Everyone wants to escape, let loose and enjoy music the way cats do.




Lyrics Β© O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Al Rinker, Floyd Huddleston

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@katiefedele1813

If your party isn't this lit, don't invite me.

@KaylaJohnson1995

Katie Fedele time to get some cats lmao

@wat3rg0ddess

If I go to a party....there has got to be a cat who plays the trumpet or I'm out. XD

@sengler1991

Right πŸ˜‚

@enoch3874

"That's not real music and I'm just shouting and screaming but that's how your supposed to at an anarchist meeting " what? I cant like aristocats and discharge at the sametime?

@russia4823

Well then come over my guy the party’s I throw are completely like dis

6 More Replies...

@Angelnychole

So when you hear the cats late at night yowling and fighting. They’re really just singing

@anothernuzzle2818

Or having sex

@inkstar7521

You’re just not cat enough to hear the music

@kylemendoza8860

@@anothernuzzle2818
In the cat world is not really a difference between the two.

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