Rusted Root is an alternative/bluegrass/jam band which formed in Pittsburgh… Read Full Bio ↴Rusted Root is an alternative/bluegrass/jam band which formed in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 1990. The band consists of Michael Glabicki (vocals, guitar), Colter Harper (guitar), Dirk Miller (guitar), Patrick Norman (bass, percussion), Liz Berlin (percussion, vocals) and Jason Miller (drums, percussion). Every member of the band has proficiency in African drums, and this lends to the band's strong percussion, which draws from Middle-Eastern, African, Latin, Native American and funk influences. The band is best known for their 1995 hit single "Send Me On My Way" which has been featured in dozens of films and television shows.

Cat Turned Blue
Rusted Root Lyrics

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A-what is that you said?
You got a whistle in the wind, a- yeah,
A-go down, go down, a-go down, go down
Feel for me and I will feel for you
Fa-feel, feel, feel whistles in the wind as I go down
Oh, feel, feel, whistles in the wind as I go down, go down
Are you bringin' the dawn, daddy long legger,
The dandelion dawn, baby, when the cat turned blue

Are ya bringin' the dawn daddy long legger
Dandelion dawn

Are ya bringin' the dawn daddy long legger
All a-long when the cat turned blue
(when the cat turned blue)
Ah! when the cat turned blue.

And what is that you said?
You got to whistle in the winds again, yeah
And what is that you said?
You got to whistle in the winds again, yeah.
Feel for me and I will feel for you
Feel for me and I will feel for you
Feel, feel, feel, feel

Fa-feel, feel, feel whistles in the wind as I go down
Feel, feel, whistles in the wind as I go down, go down
Are you bringin' the dawn, daddy long legger,
The dandelion dawn, baby, when the cat turned blue
Are ya bringin' the dawn daddy long legger
Dandelion dawn

Are ya bringin' the dawn daddy long legger
All a-long when the cat turned blue
(when the cat turned blue)
Ah! when the cat turned blue.

Feel for me and I will feel for you

Feel for me and I will feel for you
Feel, feel, feel, feel

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Rusted Root's "Cat Turned Blue" are open to interpretation, but overall, the song seems to be about the transformation and changes that occur in life. The phrase "when the cat turned blue" is a metaphor for when something unexpected happens, and life takes an unexpected turn. The line "Are you bringin' the dawn, daddy long legger, the dandelion dawn, baby?" may be asking if someone is bringing a new phase of life or a new opportunity, represented by the dawn and the flower. The repetition of "feel for me and I will feel for you" seems to suggest a need for empathy and connection with others during times of change and transformation.

The use of the phrase "whistle in the wind" may refer to a feeling of being lost or directionless, like a whistle blown aimlessly by the wind. The lines "Feel, feel, whistles in the wind as I go down, go down" may indicate a descent into a difficult or uncertain period of life.

Overall, the song seems to be about recognizing and accepting the changes that occur in life and finding connection and empathy with others during these transitions.

Line by Line Meaning

A-what is that you said?
Asking for clarification or repetition of a statement

You got a whistle in the wind, a- yeah,
You possess an uncommon skill, talent, or knowledge

A-go down, go down, a-go down, go down
Encouraging an action with rhythmic repetition

Feel for me and I will feel for you
Offering mutual support and empathy

Fa-feel, feel, feel whistles in the wind as I go down
Sensing the energy and emotions of the surroundings while moving forward

Oh, feel, feel, whistles in the wind as I go down, go down
Continuing to detect and interpret the environment as one goes along

Are you bringin' the dawn, daddy long legger,
Asking if someone is heralding a new beginning or era

The dandelion dawn, baby, when the cat turned blue
Connecting the change to a seemingly random or impossible event

Are ya bringin' the dawn daddy long legger
Repeating the question about the new dawn and its source

Dandelion dawn
Describing the unique or delicate nature of the change

All a-long when the cat turned blue
Stating when the change took place unexpectedly or suddenly

(when the cat turned blue)
Additional emphasis on the timing and nature of the change

And what is that you said?
Repeating the request for clarification or repetition

You got to whistle in the winds again, yeah
Acknowledging the person's unique ability once more

Feel for me and I will feel for you
Reiterating the offer of mutual support

Feel, feel, feel, feel
Emphasizing the importance and depth of feelings

Fa-feel, feel, feel whistles in the wind as I go down
Continuing to sense and process the emotions of the environment while progressing

Are you bringin' the dawn, daddy long legger,
Repeating the question about the start of a new era

The dandelion dawn, baby, when the cat turned blue
Linking the change to a rare or unexpected event again

Are ya bringin' the dawn daddy long legger
Asking once more about the source of the new beginning

Dandelion dawn
Describing the beauty and fragility of the upcoming change

All a-long when the cat turned blue
Recalling the sudden and improbable timing of the event

(when the cat turned blue)
Re-emphasizing the unusual nature of the change

Feel for me and I will feel for you
Ending with a reminder and offer of empathy and mutual support

Feel, feel, feel, feel
Final emphasis on the power and significance of feelings

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JENN WERTZ, JIM DISPIRITO, JIM DONOVAN, JOHN BUYNAK, LIZ BERLIN, MICHAEL GLABICKI, PATRICK NORMAN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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