wildcat
The Rosebuds Lyrics


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When they talked, her eyes
Were wide as a wildcat's in the night
She seemed so hard-pressed for air
So he calmed her and smoothed her hair
They sat under the carport light
Then they kissed and held each other tight
Their hearts held a thousand stars
Trembling in her small town yard

He had a plan to slip away
She said "not tonight, it's okay
Things inside me will run their course
And if I'm not here it would get much worse
It could all come down on my sister,"

He'll worry and miss her
But he knows when cornered
A wildcat will fight
Those born foreign to flight, they say
Teenage kids can't get it right
They don't know some older sisters

He'll worry and miss her
But he knows when cornered a wildcat
He'll worry and miss her




But he knows when cornered
A wildcat will fight

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to The Rosebuds's song "Wildcat" tell a story of two young lovers caught in a difficult situation. The first verse paints the picture of the young girl's apprehension and fear, as she appears "hard-pressed for air." However, her lover provides comfort and reassurance, holding her tight under the carport light. The second verse reveals that the couple has a plan to run away together, but the girl is hesitant because of the potential consequences for her sister.


Throughout the song, the wildcat is used as a symbol for the girl's spirit and tenacity. Even though she may feel trapped or cornered, she won't go down without a fight. The chorus repeats the line "He knows when cornered, a wildcat will fight," highlighting the strength and resilience of both the girl and their love for each other.


Overall, "Wildcat" is a testament to the power of young love in the face of adversity. The Rosebuds capture the emotions and complexities of teenage relationships, balancing fear and uncertainty with a deep-seated passion.


Line by Line Meaning

When they talked, her eyes
As they conversed, her eyes were open wide with excitement and passion


Were wide as a wildcat's in the night
Her eyes were as open as those of a wildcat prowling in the darkness


She seemed so hard-pressed for air
She appeared to be struggling and out of breath


So he calmed her and smoothed her hair
He reassured and consoled her, gently stroking her hair


They sat under the carport light
The couple sat together, illuminated by the light under the carport


Then they kissed and held each other tight
They embraced passionately, wrapping their arms tightly around each other


Their hearts held a thousand stars
They were filled with indescribable joy and happiness


Trembling in her small town yard
Their joy and passion was so intense that it caused her to tremble in her own small town yard


He had a plan to slip away
He had a secret plan to leave soon


She said "not tonight, it's okay
She declined his plan for the night, but let him know it was alright


Things inside me will run their course
She had personal issues she needed to handle on her own


And if I'm not here it would get much worse
If she was not there, a difficult situation would worsen


It could all come down on my sister,"
If she left, her sister might bear the brunt of those difficult circumstances


He'll worry and miss her
He is concerned and will miss her


But he knows when cornered
He understands that when pushed to the edge, people react differently


A wildcat will fight
Those pushed to the brink will fight back fiercely, like a wildcat


Those born foreign to flight, they say
Some believe that people who do not naturally flee from danger are more prone to fight back


Teenage kids can't get it right
Young people often struggle to make the right decisions in difficult situations


They don't know some older sisters
They lack the experience and perspective that comes with having an older sister




Lyrics © ROUGH TRADE PUBLISHING, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Ivan Howard, Kelly Crisp

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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