The group was composed of Erik Darling and Bill Svanoe (vocals, guitar) with former jazz singer Lynne Taylor (vocals). Darling put the group together in 1962 specifically to record an updated and uptempo version of a 1920s Gus Cannon folk blues song, "Walk Right In". The trio recorded the song for Vanguard Records, with updated lyrics and an arrangement featuring paired 12-string acoustic guitars. The record became the most successful in Vanguard's history, reaching # 1 on the US pop charts in January 1963, and # 10 in the UK.
The group released several further singles including the minor hit "Tom Cat", played at the Newport Folk Festival in 1963, and released two albums, but their popularity was relatively short-lived and they split up in 1967.
Tom Cat
The Rooftop Singers Lyrics
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Performer：The Rooftop Singers
Composer ：Erik Darling / Thomas Salvatore Geraci / Bill Svanoe / Lin Taylor
Lyricist ：Erik Darling / Thomas Salvatore Geraci / Bill Svanoe / Lin Taylor
I've got an old tom cat
And when he steps out
They begin to shout
There goes a ring tail tom
Struttin' round the town
And if you got your heat turned up
You better turn your damper down
Ringtail tom is a star
He's a boss around this town
He don't allow no other tom cats
Come pussy footin' around
Ringtail tom on the fence
Little pussy cat on the ground
Ringtail tom com-a-off-a that fence
They start rousin’ around
Ringtail tom is a star
He's a natural born crack shot
He finds a new target every night
And he sure does practice alot
I've got an old tom cat
And when he steps out
All the other cats in the neighborhood
They begin to shout
There goes a ring tail tom
Struttin' round the town
And if you got your heat turned up
You better turn your damper down
And if you got your heat turned up
You better turn your damper down
The Rooftop Singers' song Tom Cat is a playful and upbeat tune about a Tom Cat that everyone in the neighborhood seems to know and recognize. The spoken intro sets the scene and immediately draws the listener in. The song describes how all the other cats in the area seem to be intimidated by the Tom Cat, as he has a way of asserting his dominance. The lyrics evoke a sense of pride in the Tom Cat, who is depicted as a natural-born leader and a force to be reckoned with.
The chorus of the song emphasizes how much of a star the Tom Cat is. He is described as a boss around town and someone who does not tolerate other Tom Cats "pussyfootin' around." Even when he is perched atop a fence, the other cats are afraid to come near him, for fear of a rousing around. The playful lyrics paint an image of the Tom Cat as a lovable rogue who goes on nightly rampages to find new targets to practice his skills on.
Overall, Tom Cat is a lighthearted and fun song that captures the essence of the Tom Cat's personality and makes the listener feel a genuine affection for the feline star of the song.
Line by Line Meaning
I've got an old Tom Cat
I own a cat named Tom
And when he steps out
Whenever Tom is outside
All the other cats in the neighborhood
The rest of the cats in the area
They begin to shout
They make noise in response
There goes a ring tail Tom
Tom is a unique and distinctive looking cat with distinctive tail markings
Struttin' round the town
Tom moves around confidently and in a self-important manner
And if you got your heat turned up
If you are angry or agitated
You better turn your damper down
You should try to be calm and avoid provoking Tom
Ringtail Tom is a star
Tom is popular and well-liked
He's a boss around this town
Tom is in charge and controls the other cats
He don't allow no other Tom Cats
Tom does not let any other male cats into his territory
Come pussy footin' around
Sneak around quietly or deceptively
Ringtail Tom on the fence
Tom is sitting on the fence
Little pussy cat on the ground
Another, smaller cat is on the ground
Ringtail Tom com-a-off-a that fence
Tom jumps off the fence
They start rousin around
The other cats become noisy and excited
He's a natural born crack shot
Tom is skilled at hunting and killing small prey
He finds a new target every night
Tom goes after different prey each night
And he sure does practice a lot
Tom spends a lot of time honing his hunting skills
And if you got your heat turned up
If you are angry or agitated
You better turn your damper down
You should try to be calm and avoid provoking Tom
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ERIK DARLING, LYNNE TAYLOR, THOMAS SALVATORE GERACI, WILLARD HOOKER SVANOE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Robert West
What a perfectly blended trio of voices! Back then a lot of groups harmonized and it showed just how talented they all were.
David Ras | RaskinBlog
These songs are just so good! <3
multicaruana
If it wasn't for some silly station in Boston this song would have cracked the top 20. A great song at the height of the folk movement!
Heidi Wilson
Hi. Lynne's daughter here.
The song was banned from ALL national airplay due to it being considered " suggestive"
multicaruana
@Heidi Wilson Hi Ms. Heidi! I am so happy- and honored- that you-Lynne's daughter- replied to me. I can't tell you how much I love the Rooftop Singers, although I was only 11 when Walk Right In hit the airwaves. Your mother had such an infectious, happy smile and voice. I love to watch her in all the videos that are still in existence .I hope you've had a good life- such as they exist. May God bless your mom and the memories she left us.- I hope she knows how much some of us love her- and Eric Darling and Bill!-Harry Katz
Patrick Ochs
@Heidi Wilson great group. Thanks.
marcusdolby1
Very Nice !!
Jon Does
Was there ever a full concert filmed of them?
Heidi Wilson
Nope.😔
David Lentz
Great !