Everybody Wants To Be A Cat
Scatman Crothers Phil Harris Thurl Ravenscroft & Liz English Lyrics

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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'Cause everything else is obsolete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 song "Ev'rybody Wants to Be a Cat" from the movie "The Aristocats" is a fun and upbeat tune that explores the idea of why everyone wants to be a cat. The opening line, "Everybody wants to be a cat, because a cat's the only cat who knows where it's at," sets the tone for the rest of the song. The lyrics suggest that cats are cool and laid-back creatures that always seem to know what's going on around them.

The song goes on to contrast the cat's coolness with that of a "square with a horn," which makes you wish you weren't born every time he plays. The song suggests that a cat's ability to swing and play jazz is what sets them apart from other animals, and that everyone wants to be a cat for that reason.

The lyrics also make reference to the idea that cats are independent, and that they don't conform to the same rules that other animals do. This independence is part of what makes them so cool and desirable.

Overall, "Ev'rybody Wants to Be a Cat" is a fun and lighthearted tune that celebrates the coolness and independence of cats, while also highlighting the fact that everyone wants to be like them.

Line by Line Meaning

Well, little lady, let me elucidate here
Let me explain this to you

Everybody wants to be a cat
Everyone wants to be a cool cat

Because a cat's the only cat who knows where it's at
Because cats have got it all figured out

Tell me, everybody's pickin' up on that feline beat
Everyone's starting to dance to the cat's rhythm

'Cause everything else is obsolete
Because everything else is old news

A square with a horn
A boring musician

Makes you wish you weren't born
Makes you regret ever being born

Every time he plays
Whenever he starts playing his music

But with a square in the act
But if that boring musician joins in

You can set music back to the caveman days
The music becomes primitive and basic

I've heard some corny birds who tried to sing
I've heard some bad singers before

Still a cat's the only cat
But even bad singers can't beat a cat

Who knows how to swing
At least a cat knows how to have fun

Who wants to dig a long-haired gig stuff like that?
Who wants to listen to boring music like that?

When everybody wants to be a cat
When everybody wants to be cool

Oh riki-tiki-tinky
Jazzy sounds made by cats

If you want to turn me on
If you want me to like you

Play your horn don't spare the tone
Play some good music with your instrument

And blow a little soul into the tune
Play with passion and heart

Let's take it to another key
Let's change the music to a different key

Modulate, and wait for me
Change it up and I'll catch up

I'll take a few ad-libs and pretty soon
I'll do some improvising, and soon

The other cats will all commence
The other cool cats will join in

Congregatin' on the fence
They'll gather around on the fence

Beneath the alley's only light
Under the only light in the alley

Where every note is out of sight
Where anything can happen musically