10 Famous Songs All About Cats – the Ultimate Cat Playlist
The holidays are here, so it’s time to turn up the joy! Get ready to celebrate and release your inner cool cat as you sing and dance along to our ultimate cat-themed playlist.
There are so many to choose from, but we’ve narrowed it down to ten feline-friendly songs for cat lovers. Do you agree with our choices? Let us know!
10. ‘Cat’s in the Cradle’ by Harry Chapin
Starting at number 10, this iconic ‘70s hit is a bittersweet song with a cat in the title about fatherhood and time.
Harry Chapin tells the story of a father who is too busy to spend time with his son. Regardless, the son aspires to grow up and be just like his father. When the father grows old and finally has time, his son is now an adult and is too busy. Poetic irony, huh?
This song is a cautionary tale about appreciating time and our loved ones, both of the two-and four-legged variety.
9. ‘Peter and the Wolf, Op.67: The Cat’ by Sergei Prokofiev
Peter and the Wolf is a symphonic children’s tale that follows a young boy, Peter, as he bravely captures a dangerous wolf with the help of many animal friends – eventually taking the wolf to the zoo.
Every animal in the symphony has a distinct sound, and Ivan the Cat in particular is a peaceful, fun-loving, but shy creature. He can often be quite mischievous, prone to prowling around, but is also very smart and is the only one who stays with Peter through the entire tale. Sounds like our loyal kitties!
And while we’re on the subject, did you know that cats respond to classical or species-specific songs? Well, they do!
8. ‘Phenomenal Cat’ by The Kinks
Written by Ray Davies, Phenomenal Cat is part of the album The Kinks are the Village Green Preservation Society (try saying that 5 times fast), which has a dreamy and nostalgic feel. The song tells the story of a mystical cat that has travelled all over the world and now lives a peaceful village life.
The cat in this song represents the wise appreciation of the simple life. Is this like your own cat’s behavior, or are they more of a Rum Tum Tugger?
7. ‘The Rum Tum Tugger’ From Cats the Musical
How could we carry on this list without mentioning the musical, Cats!
Back in the ‘80s, long-time cat lover Andrew Lloyd Weber wanted to create a different type of musical, so naturally he began setting T.S. Eliot’s Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats (1939) to verse. What started as a small project became the musical we know and love.
In Eliot’s poem, Rum Tum Tugger is a fussy and contradictory cat who always does the opposite of what he should. However, on stage, he is a rock-star like diva who is playful, rebellious and beloved by all cats.
6. ’Harpsichord Sonata in G minor (The Cat’s Fugue)’ by Domenico Scarlatti
An exception to the songs with cats in the title in this list, Baroque composer Domenico Scarlatti’s harpsichord Sonata in G minor is nicknamed ‘The Cat’s Fugue’.
This haphazard and erratic piece gets its name from the legend that Scarlatti supposedly heard his cat walk across the harpsichord keys, and he then developed this quirky theme into a fugue. Who knows… maybe your cat could inspire a great melody too?
5. ‘Honky Cat’ by Elton John
One of Elton John’s earliest hits, Honky Cat is not in fact a song about a cat at all.
It’s written as a sort of conversation between a young man, who has grown up in the “backwoods”, and his neighbors. The narrator longs for a big-city life full of adventure, but his family and friends warn him not to go.
The song becomes a decisive declaration of moving forward, breaking free of expectation and youthful rebellion. Not unlike our young kittens, as they set out on their first adventures.
4. ‘Ev’rybody Wants to Be a Cat’ by Scatman Crothers
A favorite song for cat lovers and music fans alike, this jazzy hit comes from Disney’s 1970s animated film, The Aristocats. Written by Floyd Huddleston and Al Rinker, this song was performed by Scatman Crothers and has since been covered by many artists.
Through this song, one of the leading cats, Duchess, and her kittens are introduced to the world of jazz. The song celebrates the idea that being a ‘cat’ – both literally and as jazz slang for a cool musician – means living freely, stylishly, and joyfully.
3. ‘Smelly Cat’ by Phoebe Buffay
“Smelly cat, smelly cat, what are they feeding you…everybody!”.
This comedic song about cats was written by writers Adam Chase and Betsy Borns with musician Chrissie Hynde for Friends, the classic sitcom. Performed by Lisa Kudrow in multiple episodes of the loved show, the song has since taken on a life of its own. It has even been performed by famous cat parents Lady Gaga and Taylor Swift!
Known the world over, most people will recognize the tune within the first two words of this famous cat song. Which is probably a good thing, because there’s less than 80 words in the entire thing….
2. ‘Cool Cat’ by Queen
This is another song with a cat in the title which may not specifically be about cats. This is a smooth funk/ R&B track from one of Queen’s most controversial albums, Hot Space (1982).
According to Freddy Mercury, the record was inspired by his love of cats, but the lyrics are hard to tell whether the “cool cat” is actually a person or indeed a real cat. Sung entirely in falsetto, it’s one of Queen’s most experimental songs and though initially unpopular has become a cult classic, due to resurfaced original recordings with vocals by David Bowie.
1. ‘What's New Pussycat?’ by Tom Jones
Love it or hate it, this classic tune deserves its top spot and is a favorite song of cat lovers! I’m sure you’re already singing along in your head (if not out loud!).
Written for the film of the same title, What's New Pussycat? is a loud and almost jarring song that can be recognized from the very first notes. It became a hit single in the ‘60s, reaching the Top 10 in both the US and UK and helped Welsh icon Tom Jones to cement his early career.
Feline-Friendly Mixes
Now that you’ve got your playlist started, let’s talk about your cat’s very own mix.
Studies have shown cats like music that mimic purring or suckling rhythms and pitches closer to their own vocal range. Some can also respond to species specific music like David Teie’s compositions, which are based around natural sounds like birds’ chirps and purring.
It’s best to avoid loud, erratic music and opt for calming tones during stressful times like fireworks. Our ready-made YouTube playlists are a great resource – and best paired with a soothing pheromone diffuser like FELIWAY® Optimum.
If you’d like to learn more, find more ways to settle nervous cats here.
And if there’s one thing to take away, it’s this: your cat is unique, and so is their music taste! Watch for their reactions to different genres and discover their perfect feline-themed playlist.
For more interesting facts about cat breeds, continue exploring our FELIWAY® blog online. And don’t forget to sign up for our newsletter to stay in the loop with everything we’re up to!
