Recorded at Maze Studios, Southern Gothic (?Make Records Not Bombs?, 2008) is a meandering tour of the underbelly of Atlanta, lead by Jones’ gruff delivery and parabolic lyrics. Lush production invokes the muscular rhythms of ‘70s Fela Kuti, the propelling pop sensibility of the Gorillaz and the vocals of a modern-day Tom Waits. Cee Lo of Gnarls Barkley and newly signed SRC artist Asher Roth are featured on the album, with a revision of Tom Waits’ “Step Right Up” as a centerpiece. Also on the album are Atlanta musicians Brand Hagen (Trances Arc) and Julian Dorio (The Whigs). The Constellations live show consists of a five-man band backing Jones’ trademark vocals and persona: James Arnold, Ryan Davis, Jamie Gordon, Wes Hoffman and Jason Nackers (Second Shift). A crowd-pleasing, all-girl “Clap Squad” covers back-up vocals and completes the spectacle. The band plays locally monthly and will begin touring nationally this summer.
Black Cat
The Constellations Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Crossing my path
It won't change my direction, I ain't ever turnin' back
There's a new man
On the side of the street
He's strummin' on his guitar and a stomping his feet
I said "Now,
On this side of town?
Oh your life, or something you know nothing about?"
He said "Well,
I'll take your time for now
For a simple one's wind
I'll show you 'round the city if you buy me a dime"
And I'm feeling kinda sleepy
Maybe death has come to meet me
Like a black cat crossing my path
My bones are start to achin'
I've been shivering, I've been shaking
Got to get that monkey off of my back
Well there's a rained on
Waitin' for Tom
To come out of the rain
His thing is doggie and stone
There's a dopedealer
Out on the street comin' up
He tryna sell me a little something
That was stringing me along
I said now,
"What's your price that [?] pullin' them dies?"
I bought that little baggy and it ain't nothing nice
So I'm
In this room back, dropped that sh! t in the spoons
Seven seconds, I'd be duper than the sky can show
And I'm feeling kinda sleepy
Maybe death has come to meet me
Like a black cat crossing my path
My bones are start to achin'
I've been shivering, I've been shaking
Got to get that monkey off of my back
Watchin' the cops roll by, my perfection in their glasses
I'm smirking as he passes, pick my six up out the grass
"I'm preceded, sir, I makes my money off this curb"
Gotta bundle up what, I gotta bundle a girl
Sharpened up, with the cut, you get what you deserve
First taste comes free, but a second and third
Rat trapped in the trap, with some money to burn
Black cat in your path, took the wrong turn
In the west end of Atlanta
I got lost in the streetlights
Looking up at the stars
The sky swallowed me whole
Down another dead end road
And I'm feeling kinda sleepy
Maybe death has come to meet me
Like a black cat crossing my path
My bones are start to achin'
I've been shivering, I've been shaking
Got to get that monkey off of my back
The Constellations’ song “Black Cat” describes a night of wandering and experimentation gone wrong. The lyrics reference a number of seedy characters and events, including a drug dealer, a rain-soaked man waiting for something, and a musician looking for a dime. The main character, who is feeling lethargic and ill, decides to buy drugs which he takes in a room and experiences intense effects. The song’s title refers to the superstition that a black cat crossing your path is an omen of bad luck or misfortune, indicating that the singer has made poor choices.
The lyrics suggest that the singer is struggling with addiction and recklessness, and with the feeling that he is being consumed by his vices. The line “got to get that monkey off of my back” is a common phrase referencing drug addiction. Additionally, the references to feeling sleepy or like death is near indicate the singer’s unease with the path he is on. The song overall creates a dark and ominous mood, reflecting the idea that the singer’s actions are leading him down a path filled with danger and perhaps even death.
Line by Line Meaning
Well there's a black cat
There is a black cat crossing my path.
Crossing my path
The black cat has crossed my path.
It won't change my direction, I ain't ever turnin' back
The black cat will not deter me from my path, I will not turn back.
There's a new man
There is a new man on the side of the street.
On the side of the street
The new man is on the side of the street.
He's strummin' on his guitar and a stomping his feet
The new man is playing guitar and stomping his feet.
I said "Now,
I said to the new man,
What's goin' down
What is happening in this area?
On this side of town?
In this part of the town?
Oh your life, or something you know nothing about?"
Is it about your life, or something that I don't know about?
He said "Well,
The man replied,
I'll take your time for now
I will spend time with you for now.
For a simple one's wind
For a small fee.
I'll show you 'round the city if you buy me a dime"
I will give you a tour of the city if you give me some money.
And I'm feeling kinda sleepy
I am getting tired.
Maybe death has come to meet me
I feel like I might die.
My bones are start to achin'
My bones are beginning to hurt.
I've been shivering, I've been shaking
I have been trembling and shaking.
Got to get that monkey off of my back
I need to get rid of my addiction.
Well there's a rained on
There is a person waiting in the rain.
Waitin' for Tom
Waiting for someone named Tom.
To come out of the rain
For Tom to come out of the rain.
His thing is doggie and stone
Tom's interests are unclear.
There's a dopedealer
There is a drug dealer on the street.
Out on the street comin' up
Approaching me on the street.
He tryna sell me a little something
He is trying to sell me drugs.
That was stringing me along
The drug did not have the intended effect.
I said now,
I said to the drug dealer,
What's your price that [?] pullin' them dies?"
How much does it cost?
I bought that little baggy and it ain't nothing nice
I purchased the drugs and it had unpleasant side effects.
So I'm
Therefore, I am
In this room back, dropped that sh! t in the spoons
I am in a room and have prepared the drugs.
Seven seconds, I'd be duper than the sky can show"
I will feel strong effects after seven seconds of use.
Watchin' the cops roll by, my perfection in their glasses
The police are passing by and are closely watching me.
I'm smirking as he passes, pick my six up out the grass
I am observing the policeman and taking precautions.
"I'm preceded, sir, I makes my money off this curb"
I am a drug dealer.
Gotta bundle up what, I gotta bundle a girl
I have to sell many drugs to support my girlfriend.
Sharpened up, with the cut, you get what you deserve
The drugs I sell are mixed with dangerous additives.
First taste comes free, but a second and third
I provide free samples for first-time customers.
Rat trapped in the trap, with some money to burn
The customer is trapped in addiction and has money to spend.
Black cat in your path, took the wrong turn
The black cat is a sign of bad luck for the customer.
In the west end of Atlanta
In the western part of Atlanta.
I got lost in the streetlights
I became distracted by the city lights and lost my way.
Looking up at the stars
Looking at the stars in the sky.
The sky swallowed me whole
I became lost in my own thoughts and surroundings.
Down another dead end road
I took another path that led nowhere.
Writer(s): Elijah Abbott Jones
Contributed by Kaitlyn O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.