Brightman has received over 180 Gold and Platinum sales awards in over 40 different countries around the world and is the only artist to hold #1 spots on the Billboard Classical and Dance charts simultaneously, her other achievements feature her ranking by the Recording Industry Association of America as the best-selling female classical artist of the twenty-first century and a Guinness World Record for the success of “Time to Say Goodbye,” the best-selling single in German recording history.
She has established herself as the world's biggest selling soprano of all time, She has sold 78 million albums worldwide, including 40 million copies of the soundtrack of The Phantom of the Opera (1986 musical), 26 million albums, over two million DVDs and 10 million copies of the single " Time to Say Goodbye "as a soloist.
She made her debut as a dancer in troupes such as Hot Gossip and later released a string of disco singles. She was a musical theatre performer and partner of theatre composer Andrew Lloyd Webber, with whom she originated roles including Christine Daaé in The Phantom of the Opera.
After her divorce, Brightman became a crossover artist with former Enigma producer Frank Peterson. Her style, a blend of classical vocals and pop-inspired instrumentation and arrangement, earned her further success.
She is often cited as the woman who paved the way for other international success stories such as Il Divo, Andrea Bocelli and Josh Groban. She is said to be worth as much as £30m (about US$49m).
Macavity: The Mystery Cat
Sarah Brightman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
For he's the master criminal who can defy the law
He's the bafflement of Scotland Yard, the Flying Squad's despair
For when they reach the scene of crime Macavity's not there!
Macavity, Macavity, there's no one like Macavity
He's broken every human law, he breaks the law of gravity
His powers of levitation would make a fakir stare
You may seek him in the basement, you may look up in the air
But I tell you once and once again Macavity's not there!
Macavity's a ginger cat, he's very tall and thin
You would know him if you saw him for his eyes are sunked in
His brow is deeply lined with thought, his head is highly domed
His coat is dusty from neglect, his whiskers are uncombed
He sways his head from side to side with movements like a snake
And when you think he's half asleep, he's always wide awake
Macavity, Macavity, there's no one like Macavity
For he's a fiend in feline shape, a monster of depravity
You may meet him in a by-street, you may see him in the square
But when a crime's discovered then Macavity's not there!
He's outwardly respectable, I know he cheats at cards
And his footprints are not found in any files of Scotland Yard's
And when the larder's looted or the jewel case is rifled
Or when the milk is missing or another peke's been stifled
Or the greenhouse glass is broken and the trellis past repair
There's the wonder of the thing Macavity's not there!
Macavity, Macavity, there's no one like Macavity
There never was a cat of such deceitfulness and suavity
He always has an alibi and one or two to spare
What ever time the deed took place Macavity's not there!
And they say that all the cats whose wicked deeds are widely known
I might mention Mungojerrie, I might mention Griddlebone
Are nothing more than agents for the cat who all the time
Just controls the operations: the Napolean of crime!
Macavity, Macavity, there's no one like Macavity
He's a fiend in feline shape, a monster of depravity
You may meet him in a by-street, you may see him in the square
But when a crime's discovered then Macavity
Macavity, Macavity, Macavity
When a crime's discovered then Macavity's not there!
Sarah Brightman's song Macavity: The Mystery Cat is a tribute to T. S. Eliot's poem Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats. The song talks about a mysterious cat named Macavity who is a master criminal and is known as the "hidden paw." Macavity is known to defy all human laws and even the law of gravity with his powers of levitation. He is an enigma to Scotland Yard, and whenever they reach the scene of a crime, Macavity is nowhere to be seen.
The lyrics describe Macavity as a ginger cat who is very tall and thin. He has sunken eyes, a highly domed head, and a deeply lined brow. His coat is dusty from neglect, and his whiskers are uncombed. Macavity moves like a snake, and even when he seems half-asleep, he is always wide awake. The song highlights how Macavity is a monster of depravity and deceitfulness, always has an alibi, and never gets caught for his wrongdoings.
Overall, the song is a thrilling portrait of a notorious criminal cat who remains unseen from the authorities. It is a song that brings to life the mystery and intrigue associated with the character of Macavity.
Line by Line Meaning
Macavity's a mystery cat, he's called the hidden paw
Macavity is a cat that is shrouded in mystery; he is known as the cat who covers his tracks well.
For he's the master criminal who can defy the law
Macavity is a knowledgeable cat who can break any law without being caught.
He's the bafflement of Scotland Yard, the Flying Squad's despair
Macavity is a cat that confuses law enforcement officers such as Scotland Yard and the Flying Squad to the point where they become hopeless.
For when they reach the scene of crime Macavity's not there!
Whenever law enforcement reaches the site of a crime, Macavity is not present.
Macavity, Macavity, there's no one like Macavity
There's no cat like Macavity.
He's broken every human law, he breaks the law of gravity
Macavity has broken every law created by humans and even defies the laws of nature such as gravity.
His powers of levitation would make a fakir stare
Macavity can levitate, which would surprise and bewilder a fakir who is traditionally known for their abilities to levitate.
You may seek him in the basement, you may look up in the air
You might look for Macavity in the basement or even up in the sky.
But I tell you once and once again Macavity's not there!
However, as always, Macavity is not present.
Macavity's a ginger cat, he's very tall and thin
Macavity is a tall and slender cat with ginger-colored fur.
You would know him if you saw him for his eyes are sunked in
Macavity's eyes are deep-set, making him easily identifiable.
His brow is deeply lined with thought, his head is highly domed
Macavity has a deep line across his forehead, and his head is domed, indicating he is intelligent.
His coat is dusty from neglect, his whiskers are uncombed
Macavity's fur is dirty and neglected, and his whiskers are unkempt.
He sways his head from side to side with movements like a snake
Macavity moves his head from side to side, similar to the movement of a snake.
And when you think he's half asleep, he's always wide awake
Macavity can appear to be tired, but he is always alert and aware of his surroundings.
For he's a fiend in feline shape, a monster of depravity
Macavity is a wicked cat and a depraved monster.
You may meet him in a by-street, you may see him in the square
Macavity can be found in a back alley or out in plain sight in a public square.
But when a crime's discovered then Macavity's not there!
Whenever a crime has been committed, Macavity cannot be found.
He always has an alibi and one or two to spare
Macavity always has an excuse for his whereabouts and often suggests other possible culprits to deflect suspicion.
What ever time the deed took place Macavity's not there!
Regardless of the time a crime was committed, Macavity is never present.
And they say that all the cats whose wicked deeds are widely known
It is rumored that all cats known for their evil deeds are merely agents for Macavity.
I might mention Mungojerrie, I might mention Griddlebone
There are a few cats, such as Mungojerrie and Griddlebone, who might be part of Macavity's operations.
There never was a cat of such deceitfulness and suavity
No other cat has ever been so suave and deceitful like Macavity.
When a crime's discovered then Macavity's not there!
Whenever a crime is discovered, Macavity cannot be found.
Lyrics © THE BICYCLE MUSIC COMPANY
Written by: ELIOT WEBBER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind