It’s “Purrrfect”: Songs with Cats in The Title

Cat’s in the Cradle – Harry Chapin

Just to clarify, this song has never been recorded by Cat Stevens, although many people say it was! Harry Chapin wrote this song in 1974 and it became his only US number 1. It wasn’t released as a single in the UK (although a later cover version by Ugly Kid Joe was). The whole mix up about Cat Stevens having recorded this comes down to a mislabelled mp3 that can be downloaded online. If you do download it you will find that it is Harry Chapin that is singing.

Year of the Cat – Al Stewart

The song appeared on the Al Stewart album called ‘Year Of The Cat’, released in 1976. It is probably his most famous album and his most famous song. On being released as a single, it peaked at number 8 in the US in 1976 and the year later reached number 33 in the UK. It put Al Stewart on the map.

Cat Among The Pigeons – Bros

Bros were twin brothers Matt and Luke Goss, aswell as friend Craig Logan. The song ‘Cat Among The Pigeons’ was the fifth and last single to be released from their debut album ‘Push. It reached number 2 in the UK charts. It was pretty much all down hill for the group after this.

The Stray Cat Strut – The Stray Cats

The Stray Cats were classed as a ‘rockabilly’ band, whatever that really means! This song was almost a self-titled one and became one of their biggest hits. It reached number 11 in the UK charts. It was released in the US the next year where it raced up to number the number 3 spot. The video recieved heavy air-play on MTV.

The Cat Came Back – Sonny James

On listening to this, it is sometimes hard to remember that this is actually more than 50 years old. It was released way back  in 1956. Sonny James was born James Loden and was an American Country music singer and songwriter. This song was released in the UK and reached number 30 in the charts.

The Love Cats – the Cure

The Cure were led by frontman Rober Smith and they are generally classed as being a ‘Gothic’ band. During their early years they soon gathered a large fan-base but failed to make the breakthrough commercially but that was all to change. The song ‘the Love Cats’ had a massive influence in their future. It crashed into the top 10 in the UK peaking at number 7 in 1983.

Cool for Cats – Squeeze

Squeeze had released a few singles in the late 1970’s that had not really bothered the charts, but that was all to change when this song crashed into the top 10 in 1979. It failed to reach the top spot but did manage to get to number 2. Perhaps there is something about including the word cat in the title that causes it to be successful.

Cat Crept In – Mud

This wasn’t the only song by Mud to mention a cat, they had already reached number one in the UK charts with Tiger Feet. Perhaps they sensed there was something in using an animal in the title that caused success. Cat Crept In didn’t reach the top of the charts but did manage to reach the number 2 spot; close enough.

What’s New Pussycat – Tom Jones

Tom Jones hit number 11 in the UK charts with this song way back in 1965. It is one of his most famous songs. It was written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David an was nominated for an Academy Award. It originally came from the film of the same title, starring Peter Sellers, Peter O’Toole and Ursula Andress.

Cat’s In The Cradle – Ugly Kid Joe

Couldn’t resist putting this cover version of the Harry Chapin song in this list. Although the original was not released as a single in the UK, this cover version was. Ugly Kid Joe reached number 7 in the UK charts with it back in 1993. It was the last time that they bothered the higher echelons of the charts.