The Cat In The Window
Petula Clark Lyrics


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Fly away, fly away
There's a cat in the window
And he's watching all the birds go passing by
He'd love to fly out the window
Go where the wind goes
And so would I
Like that cat in the window
Who keeps wishing for some wings to take a ride
I'd love to glide to a rainbow
Off where the clouds go dancing by
And if I could fly
You wouldn't find me hangin' around
Watching the birds go by
Yes the cat in the window
Has a tear in his eye
I should leave today, fly away
Why, oh why should I stay like the cat in the window
Who keeps watching the birds
Go by from the window
If I could fly though




You won't find me
Don't even try to

Overall Meaning

The song "The Cat in the Window" by Petula Clark is written from the perspective of someone who is watching a cat in the window, while also imagining a life where they could fly away and escape the mundane reality of life. The lyrics suggest a desire for freedom and adventure, embodied by the cat's longing to fly away and the singer's fantasies of soaring to a rainbow and dancing with the clouds. The cat's tear in his eye emphasizes the pain of being trapped inside, reflecting the singer's own feelings of being stuck and yearning for something more.


The song can be interpreted as a metaphor for the human desire to escape from the everyday routine and explore the unknown. The cat represents the part of us that longs for adventure, while the window represents the barriers that hold us back from realizing our dreams. The lyrics suggest that if we could break free from these barriers, we could live a life filled with endless possibilities and boundless joy.


Line by Line Meaning

Fly away, fly away
Yearning for the freedom to soar through the sky


There's a cat in the window
Observing the world outside from a stationary position


And he's watching all the birds go passing by
Enviously watching the birds effortlessly glide through the air


He'd love to fly out the window
Wishing to join the birds outside and experience the exhilaration of flight


Go where the wind goes
Following the path of the wind and exploring new horizons


And so would I
Sharing the cat's desire for adventure and escape


Like that cat in the window
Drawing a parallel between the cat's longing and the singer's own restless spirit


Who keeps wishing for some wings to take a ride
Fantasizing about the ability to take flight and escape the confines of the window


I'd love to glide to a rainbow
Imagining the pure joy of flying towards a beautiful, colorful destination


Off where the clouds go dancing by
Following the clouds and being carried away by their whims


And if I could fly
Contemplating the possibility of flight as a means of escape


You wouldn't find me hangin' around
Assuming that freedom would lead to a departure from the current circumstances


Watching the birds go by
No longer content to simply observe others living a life of freedom


Yes the cat in the window
Calling attention back to the initial metaphor and highlighting the cat's sadness


Has a tear in his eye
Expressing the cat's grief over the inability to escape and take flight


I should leave today, fly away
Resolve to take action and pursue freedom


Why, oh why should I stay like the cat in the window
Inquiring about the reasons behind one's inaction, despite the desire for change


Who keeps watching the birds
Questioning the value in being a passive observer of life


Go by from the window
Acknowledging the irony of observing others living freely from a position of confinement


If I could fly though
Holding onto the hope that change is possible and that freedom could someday be attained


You won't find me
Asserting one's independence and ability to break free from the constraints of the window


Don't even try to
Warning others not to try and hold back the desire for flight and freedom




Lyrics Β© BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ALAN LEE GORDON, GARRY OWEN BONNER

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@fannycraddock99

My fav Pet single. Wishing her a very happy 91st birthday.

@dimitrisspan276

OUR PRECIOUS PETULA CLARK
WHO BUILD AND SHAPE THE SOUNDTRACK OF OUR LIVES !!!

@Italy55

Beautiful stated ✨

@user-mn1gr2zh9c

I am always so entranced by Petula Clark that it has taken me a lifetime to process the cat's life in The Cat In The Window. The lyrics make me sad as I shout out my beloved cats, Mr. B, Olivia, Newbie, Grey, Stripes, Black Jr & Snow. Hopefully all waiting for me at Rainbow bridge. Happy 90th birthday, Pet. And as the Birdwoman in broadway's Mary Poppins, Don't Sleep In The Subway, Petula

@shyman99

Bravo! A lesser known, but still a top 40 single in 1967. Before anyone complains, this song is not edited. The single really was only 1:57 long. Because it doesn't conform to the normal structure of pop songs, it takes a few listens to really appreciate the brilliance.

@kevingoins9858

And it was one of the few Warner/Vogue singles Petula recorded with the Wrecking Crew in Los Angeles.

@Callipygous1975

@Kevin Goins Another Sullivan lip-sync πŸ˜’

@gmailaccountholder4925

I have always loved that song

@MoonlightNothing

So heartbreaking πŸ’” beautifully composed and written Petula Clark

@ericdurand103

Sublime Petula Clark dont nous avons la preuve d'une carrière mondiale

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