Stray Cat Blues
The Rolling Stones Lyrics
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I know you're no scare-eyed honey
There'll be a feast if you just come upstairs
But it's no hanging matter
It's no capital crime
I can see that you're fifteen years old
No I don't want your I.D.
But it's no hanging matter
It's no capital crime
Oh yeah, you're a strange stray cat
Oh yeah, don'tcha scratch like that
Oh yeah, you're a strange stray cat
Bet your mama don't know you scream like that
I bet your mother don't know you can spit like that.
You look so weird and you're so far from home
But you don't really miss your mother
Don't look so scared I'm no mad-brained bear
But it's no hanging matter
It's no capital crime
Oh, yeah
Woo!
I bet your mama don't know that you scratch like that
I bet she don't know you can bite like that
You say you got a friend, that she's wilder than you
Why don't you bring her upstairs
If she's so wild then she can join in too
It's no hanging matter
It's no capital crime
Oh yeah, you're a strange stray cat
Oh yeah, don'tcha scratch like that
Oh yeah, you're a strange stray cat
I bet you mama don't know you can bite like that
I'll bet she never saw you scratch my back
The Rolling Stones' "Stray Cat Blues" is a song that explores the forbidden love between an older man and an underage girl. The song describes the moment when the singer hears the girl's footsteps and invites her to his room, assuring her that "it's no hanging matter, it's no capital crime". The lyrics are filled with sexual tension and innuendos, explicitly referring to the girl's youth and the taboo nature of their encounter. The singer appears aware of the morality and legality of the situation but resorts to downplaying its severity. The chorus repeats the phrase "Oh yeah, you're a strange stray cat" and emphasizes the girl's wild, unconventional nature, which makes her particularly attractive to the singer.
The song's lyrics have been interpreted in different ways, with some critics arguing that they are part of the Stones' subversion of the moral values of the time, while others have criticized them for glorifying underage sex. Despite the controversial nature of the lyrics, "Stray Cat Blues" has become one of the Rolling Stones' most enduring and popular songs, with its catchy guitar riffs and bluesy rhythm captivating audiences over the years.
Line by Line Meaning
I hear the click-clack of your feet on the stairs
I can hear the sound of your footsteps ascending the stairs
I know you're no scare-eyed honey
I know you're not easily frightened, sweetie
There'll be a feast if you just come upstairs
If you come upstairs, there will be a lot of pleasure
But it's no hanging matter
It's not a matter of life or death
It's no capital crime
It's not a serious criminal offense
I can see that you're fifteen years old
I can see that you're only fifteen years of age
No I don't want your I.D.
I don't need to see your identification
And I've seen that you're so far from home
I can tell that you're very far away from your residence
Oh yeah, you're a strange stray cat
You're a peculiar, lost individual
Oh yeah, don'tcha scratch like that
I don't like the way you're scratching me
Bet your mama don't know you scream like that
I bet your mother doesn't know you scream so loudly
I bet your mother don't know you can spit like that.
I'm sure your mother doesn't know you can spit so disgustingly
You look so weird and you're so far from home
You appear very abnormal and are very far away from your residence
But you don't really miss your mother
You don't seem to be homesick for your mother
Don't look so scared I'm no mad-brained bear
Don't be frightened, I'm not an insane, uncontrollable animal
Oh, yeah
Expressing agreement or enthusiasm
Woo!
Expressing excitement or triumph
I bet your mama don't know that you scratch like that
I'm sure your mother doesn't know you scratch so fiercely
I bet she don't know you can bite like that
I'm pretty sure she doesn't know you can bite so hard
You say you got a friend, that she's wilder than you
You claim to have a friend who is even more uninhibited than you
Why don't you bring her upstairs
Why don't you invite her to come upstairs
If she's so wild then she can join in too
If she's as uninhibited as you say, she can participate as well
Oh yeah, you're a strange stray cat
You're still a bizarre, lost individual
I bet you mama don't know you can bite like that
I'm sure your mother doesn't know you can bite so fiercely
I'll bet she never saw you scratch my back
I doubt she's ever witnessed you scratching my back in this manner
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Abkco Music Inc.
Written by: Keith Richards, Mick Jagger
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@hobisblueside
Back when I was a 15 year old girl, this song and these lyrics turned me on. They still do. Haters, don’t take it all so seriously.
@stichtingraspoetin8495
knew girls back then who said the same, now 68 & recently was told by a young woman from paris, she just wanted to get rid of her virginity when she was 14, she lost it, was relieved & is a strong bright great woman of 26 now! & by the way, myself I was always way too shy......
@matthewzizzo4586
It’s cool that the lyrics still hit you the same way today…. Are you still a female ?
@hobisblueside
Always have been, but now more than ever before.@@matthewzizzo4586
@CartesianNullification
🤣🤣🤣
@Louis-zc7im
One of the best by the Stones. Charlie is killing it on drums. RIP
@dragondagger24
It’s about screwing a 15 yr old girl. Do u screw 15 yr old girls?
@chriscampbell9191
Keith Richards on an open-tuned Les Paul Custom. What a sound. That lead bit at the end is classic.
@randyfrazier1885
Most of today's music is genetic shit with no meaning
@ElectricLabel
That's a single coil guitar sound if I ever heard one. I would have reckoned a Tele.