Early in his career Setzer was a member of the NYC band Bloodless Pharaohs, and later fronted the popular rockabilly revival band, Stray Cats. The Stray Cats particularly caught America's attention with the 1982 album Built for Speed, which included the two Top Ten hits, "Rock This Town" (#9) and "Stray Cat Strut" (#3), as well as with the follow-up 1983 album Rant 'N Rave, which included the two successful singles "(She's) Sexy + 17" (#5), and "I Won't Stand In Your Way" (#35).
In the mid 1990s, Setzer led a comeback of sorts for swing music and big band music, when he formed Brian Setzer Orchestra. The band has released at least 5 albums to date and one live DVD. This group had one hit, "Jump, Jive, and Wail" around the same time swing revival acts like the Cherry Poppin' Daddies' "Zoot Suit Riot" had been received favorably in mainstream America.
Brian Setzer also recorded some solo albums during Stray Cats' break in the 1980s along with some in the 1990s. In 2001 he released an album titled Ignition with his band '68 Comeback Special. A new solo album titled Rockabilly Riot Vol. 1: A Tribute To Sun Records was released on July 26, 2005, in the United States.
From: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brian_Setzer
Stray Cat Strut
The Brian Setzer Orchestra Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Black and orange stray cat sittin' on a fence
Ain't got enough dough to pay the rent
I'm flat broke but I don't care
I strut right by with my tail in the air
Stray cat strut I'm a ladies cat
I'm a feline Casanova hey man that's that
Get my dinner from a garbage can
Meow. Yeah, don't cross my path!
I don't bother chasing mice around
I slink down the alley lookin' for a fight
Howlin' to the moonlight on a hot summer night
Singin' the blues while the lady cats cry
"Wild stray cat , you're a real gone guy"
I wish I could be as carefree and wild
But I got cat class and I got cat style
The Brian Setzer Orchestra's "Stray Cat Strut" is a rockabilly-infused song that features Setzer's signature guitar work and his high-energy vocals. The lyrics center around a black and orange stray cat sitting on a fence, who's flat broke and can't pay rent. The cat struts right by, despite his financial situation, with his tail in the air, exuding confidence and style. The cat describes himself as a "ladies' cat," a "feline Casanova," who's always on the lookout for a good fight, howling at the moonlight on hot summer nights. Although the other cats may think of him as wild and carefree, he asserts that he's got "cat class and cat style."
The song paints a picture of a confident and free-spirited cat who lives life on his own terms, regardless of his financial situation. The lyrics suggest that a life of adventure, chasing women, and howling at the moon is much more important than worrying about the mundane problems of paying rent, a message that undoubtedly resonates with many. Setzer's catchy rhythms and lyrics make for a timeless classic that can be enjoyed by rockabilly enthusiasts of all ages.
Line by Line Meaning
Black and orange stray cat sittin' on a fence
A homeless black and orange cat perched on a fence
Ain't got enough dough to pay the rent
The cat is broke and can't afford to live anywhere else
I'm flat broke but I don't care
Despite being broke, the cat is carefree
I strut right by with my tail in the air
The cat walks confidently with its tail up
Stray cat strut I'm a ladies cat
The cat struts around as if it's popular with female cats
I'm a feline Casanova hey man that's that
The cat thinks of itself as a feline ladies' man
Get a shoe thrown at me from a mean old man
The cat gets into trouble with an angry human
Get my dinner from a garbage can
The cat scavenges for food in the garbage
Meow. Yeah, don't cross my path!
The cat warns others not to mess with it
I don't bother chasing mice around
The cat is too cool to bother with mice
I slink down the alley lookin' for a fight
The cat prowls through alleys seeking a challenge
Howlin' to the moonlight on a hot summer night
The cat spends hot summer nights howling at the moon
Singin' the blues while the lady cats cry
The cat feels sad while female cats cry
Wild stray cat , you're a real gone guy
Other cats admire the independent and adventurous cat
I wish I could be as carefree and wild
The cat sometimes wishes it could be carefree and wild like its reputation
But I got cat class and I got cat style
Ultimately, the cat knows it still has an air of sophistication and style
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BRIAN SETZER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@josephvitaliano3226
It amazes me to this day that you could play "The Pink Panther Theme" anywhere and most people will welcome hearing it. And I love how these amazing musicians incorporated Henry Mancini's iconic theme into their act. Loved it!
@walterpoluzzi9846
No words to describe this version !! Thank you Brian !!
@ChespiritoChavo322
Are you sure? Because the title of the video describes it very well 😬😬
@AlbertVerwij-tm4hu
The only one 😊😊😊😊
@Aint_no_senators_son
When I was in high school listening to this song play on the radio I could never have dreamed how long his career would span. Love the Cats, the Orchestra, and his amazing guitar work
@kurtb8474
I saw Brian in concert 2 days ago. 25 years after this performance. He still rocks!
@everybodysfavoritepenguin6353
i love how they put pink panther in the middle and it fit right in. the beauty of music right there
@leointhecity
Black and orange stray cat turns pink. News at eleven.
@markdemell3717
Every one is having a great time and they are tight ,yeah,I am a stray cat !
@prettyvacant3605
😻