Mýa Marie Harrison (born October 10, 1979), professionally known as Mýa or … Read Full Bio ↴Mýa Marie Harrison (born October 10, 1979), professionally known as Mýa or Mýa Harrison, is an American R&B singer-songwriter, record producer, actress, dancer, model and choreographer.

Born and raised in Washington, D.C., Harrison’s eponymous debut album with Interscope Records was released in April 1998, and sold over a million copies in the United States, producing the gold-certified top ten single “It’s All About Me” featuring Sisqó. In addition to her solo work, Mýa was also a featured artist with Ol’ Dirty Bastard on Pras’ 1998 Grammy Award-nominated hit, “Ghetto Superstar”, from the Bulworth soundtrack and “Take Me There” from The Rugrats Movie soundtrack, with Blackstreet and Mase.

Her second studio album, platinum-selling Fear of Flying, was released in 2000 and became a success stateside and worldwide, with lead single “Case of the Ex” becoming Mýa’s breakthrough hit, reaching number two on the Billboard Hot 100, number three on the UK Singles Chart, and number one on the Australian Singles Chart. A year after, Harrison won her first Grammy Award for the worldwide number-one hit “Lady Marmalade,” a cover version she recorded alongside Christina Aguilera, Lil’ Kim, and Pink for the soundtrack of the film Moulin Rouge! (2001).

The singer’s third album Moodring was released in July 2003 stateside and eventually certified gold by the RIAA. It peaked at number three on the Billboard 200 selling more than 113,000 in its first week of sales, making it Mýa’s highest first week sales ever. The first single, the Missy Elliott-produced “My Love Is Like…Wo,” became a top twenty hit in the U.S. due to its success on mainstream radio.

Following several label changes, Mýa’s often-delayed fourth studio album, Liberation (2007), received a download-release in Japan only and led to her 2008 Japan-exclusive album Sugar & Spice.

Having expanded her career to acting and product endorsement deals, Harrison has been engaged in product endorsement deals with brands such as Coca-Cola, Iceberg, Tommy Hilfiger, and Motorola and has appeared in films such as Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights (2004), Shall We Dance? (2004) and Cursed (2005). In 2002, she had a supporting role in the film adaptation of the 1975 Broadway musical Chicago, for which she won a Screen Actors Guild Award.

Mýa is currently working on her 6th studio album due this summer and to be released on her own independent label, entitled Planet 9. She’s recently signed a new deal with Young Empire Music Group and slated to release a new mixtape called Beauty & The Streets Vol.1

Pussycats
Mýa Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Where my ladies at?
Where the fellas at?
Now where the dogs at?
Where the cats at?

Pussycats
(Yeah all the ladies)
Keep it tight

(Say what?)
Even if they bark all night
(Now lemme see why'all wave your hands from side to side)
With a knick knack patty wack
Don't give a dog a bone
'Cause if he hit it
You gonna be all alone

Mama you should've seen what he done to me
I said mama
I should've took your advice

'Cause Palo was a woman's thorn
Wherever he laid his hat was his home
Stay away from those hot boys
Cause I don't want you to get burned

Pussycats
(Shut 'em down, shut 'em down)
Keep it tight
(No matter what they do)
Even if they bark all night
(All night, all night)
With a knick-knack patty wack
Don't give a dog a bone
'Cause if he hit it
You gonna be all alone

Said pussycats
(Said shut 'em down, keep it closed)
Keep it tight
(No matter what they may do)
Even if they bark all night
(All night, all night)
With a knick-knack patty wack
Don't give a dog a bone
'Cause if he hit it
You gonna be all alone

Girlfriend
Innocent woman on the streets
Fed into seduction
After wanting the street poetry

Like a virgin touched for the very first time
She got open unaware of the seven signs
She fell victim to the darker side
But I'm here to tell you why

Said pussycats
(Said shut 'em down, shut 'em down)
Keep it tight
(They can say whatever they want to)
Even if they bark all night
(All night, all night)
With a knick-knack patty wack
Don't give a dog a bone
'Cause if he hit it
You gonna be all alone

Pussycats
(Pussycats, pussycats)
Keep it tight
(All why'all keep it tight, keep it tight)
Even if they bark all night
(All night, all night)
With a knick-knack patty wack
Don't give a dog a bone
'Cause if he hit it
You gonna be all alone

The fellas, the ladies uh
The dogs, my cats uh

No matter what they do
No matter what they say
No matter how hot they are
Don't let them play
No matter what they do
No matter what they say
Don't let 'em in girls
No, no way

No matter what they do
No matter what they say
No matter how hot they are
Don't let them play
No matter what they do
No matter what they say
Don't let 'em in girls
No, no way

Pussycats
(All the ladies shut 'em down, shut 'em down)
Keep it tight
(No matter what they do or say)
Even if they bark all night
(All night, all night)
With a knick-knack patty wack
Don't give a dog a bone
Cause if he hit it
You gonna be all alone

Pussycats
(Uh pussycats, pussycats)
Keep it tight
(Mama always used to tell me)
Even if they bark all night
(All night, all night)
With a knick-knack patty wack
Don't give a dog a bone
'Cause if he hit it
You gonna be all alone

Now lemme clear something up here
I know there's a lot of real men out there
Much love to why'all
But we talking the dogs out there tonight
To all the pussycats out there
Don't give it, don't give it up

Don't give a dog a bone

Don't give a dog a bone
Don't give a dog a bone

Overall Meaning

The song "Pussycats" by Mya is a feminist anthem that emphasizes the importance of self-respect and agency in romantic relationships. The lyrics open with a call for both ladies and guys to take notice, and then a nod to their animal counterparts: dogs and cats. The chorus, "Pussycats, keep it tight, even if they bark all night," is a direct message to women to not allow themselves to be manipulated or used by men. The lyrics go on to describe a woman's regret for not heeding her mother's advice and getting involved with a man who is a womanizer. The song's bridge seems to offer sympathy for women who have found themselves in similar situations, encouraging them to resist predatory men.

The chorus's "knick-knack patty wack" refers to the call-and-response phrase "give the dog a bone." It relates to the idea that a woman should not throw herself at a man because he will be easy prey and only use her. It represents male predation and female self-preservation. The song also alludes to "Like a Virgin" by Madonna, with the line "She got open, unaware of the seven signs," bringing to mind Madonna's famous lyrics, "like a virgin, touched for the very first time."

The song's message is a direct descendant of the feminist and womanist movements of the '70s and '80s, which emphasized women's rights and empowerment. However, what sets "Pussycats" apart from other such songs is the emphasis on self-agency and personal responsibility, rather than identifying men as the source of women's oppression. Mya offers a message of solidarity and sisterhood while educating her listeners to be careful, think independently, and respect themselves and their bodies.

Line by Line Meaning

Where my ladies at?
Addressing the ladies of the audience to come forth.

Where the fellas at?
Addressing the men of the audience to come forth.

Now where the dogs at?
Addressing the less-than-desirable men of the audience in a derogatory manner.

Where the cats at?
Addressing the women of the audience in a term of endearment.

Pussycats
Referring to the women of the audience.

(Yeah all the ladies)
Acknowledging and addressing the women again.

Keep it tight
Urging the women to keep themselves and their situations under control.

(Say what?)
Asking the women to vocalize their agreement or affirmation.

Even if they bark all night
Stay strong and resolute in the face of difficult or trying situations.

(Now lemme see why'all wave your hands from side to side)
Requesting that the women in the audience participate in the performance.

With a knick knack patty wack
Reference to a children's song that was given a new meaning for this song.

Don't give a dog a bone
Do not acquiesce to or indulge in the demands of undeserving men.

'Cause if he hit it
If the man is allowed to have his way, he will not stay or invest in the woman in the long-term.

You gonna be all alone
The woman will be left alone if she indulges in the man.

Mama you should've seen what he done to me
Reacting to the negative actions of a past partner.

I said mama
Addressing her mother for advice regarding men.

I should've took your advice
Regretting not taking her mother's advice regarding men.

'Cause Palo was a woman's thorn
Referring to a previous lover who caused her pain.

Wherever he laid his hat was his home
The previous lover was a wanderer without commitment.

Stay away from those hot boys
Avoid men who are undeserving, despite their appearances.

Cause I don't want you to get burned
Warning other women to avoid the same pain she has experienced.

Girlfriend
Addressing a female individual in the audience.

Innocent woman on the streets
Referring to the vulnerability of women in certain situations.

Fed into seduction
Became an unwitting participant in a seduction.

After wanting the street poetry
Seeking a romantic experience that ultimately led to negative consequences.

Like a virgin touched for the very first time
Reference to a Madonna song, indicating that the woman is inexperienced.

She got open unaware of the seven signs
Became vulnerable without being aware of the warning signs.

She fell victim to the darker side
Was taken advantage of by a man.

But I'm here to tell you why
Sharing a cautionary tale with other women.

Said pussycats
Addressing the women again.

(Said shut 'em down, keep it closed)
Urging the women to shut down undeserving men.

(No matter what they may do)
Do not give in to the demands of undeserving men.

All night, all night
Persist through the night, despite obstacles.

Uh pussycats, pussycats
Addressing the women again.

(Mama always used to tell me)
Referencing the advice given by her mother.

(All why'all keep it tight, keep it tight)
Encouraging women to maintain control.

(No matter what they do or say)
Do not falter or lose resolve in the face of adversity.

Don't give it, don't give it up
Encouraging women to stay strong and in control.

Don't give a dog a bone
Do not indulge the undeserving men.

No, no way
Persist in saying no.

The fellas, the ladies uh
Addressing both men and women in the audience.

No matter what they do
Encouraging the audience to stay strong despite opposition.

No matter what they say
Encouraging the audience to stay true to their beliefs.

No matter how hot they are
Not to be influenced by physical attraction alone.

Don't let them play
Do not give into the demands or games played by undeserving people.

Pussycats
Addressing the women in the audience.

(All the ladies shut 'em down, shut 'em down)
Urging the women to shut down undeserving men.

(They can say whatever they want to)
Do not be swayed by what someone says.

(All night, all night)
Persist through the night, despite obstacles.

(Uh pussycats, pussycats)
Addressing the women again.

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JIMMY ELTON COZIER, JERRY DUPLESSIS, MYA MARIE HARRISON, WYCLEF JEAN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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