40+ Songs About Cats
Here at Extra Chill, we’re absolutely smitten with our feline friends, and we know many of our readers are too. So, we couldn’t resist the temptation to combine two of our passions – cats and music – and seek out as many good songs as we could find about cats.
We’ve selected a wide range of cat-centric tunes that showcase the meow-velous impact our whiskered companions have had on the music world throughout the years.
From jazz and blues to rock and pop, we’ve explored every corner of the musical landscape to find the purr-fect songs for cat enthusiasts like you. We’ve got classics like “The Siamese Cat Song” from Disney’s Lady and the Tramp, all-time favorites like “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” by The Tokens, and even some hidden gems that’ll have you tapping your paws in delight.
So, put on your headphones, snuggle up with your favorite furball, and prepare to embark on a musical journey that’s sure to make your whiskers tingle with excitement!
Find below our exploration of songs about cats, sorted by year of release.
1. Paul Whiteman and His Orchestra – “Felix the Cat” (1928)
This instrumental jazz tune was inspired by the popular cartoon character Felix the Cat.
2. Peggy Lee – “The Siamese Cat Song” (1955)
Peggy Lee not only sang this iconic song from Disney’s “Lady and the Tramp,” but she also voiced both Siamese cats, Si and Am, as well as the character Peg, a dog in the movie.
3. The Coasters – “Three Cool Cats” (1958)
“Three Cool Cats” by The Coasters was written by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, who also wrote hits for Elvis Presley, The Drifters, and other artists.
4. Roy Orbison – “Cat Called Domino” (1961)
5. Doctor Ross – “Cat Squirrel” (1961)
This Doctor Ross and the Orbits original was later cut by the rock bands Cream (1966) and Jethro Tull (1968).
6. The Tokens – “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” (1961)
7. Hoyt Curtin – “Top Cat” (1961)
Hoyt Curtin, who composed the theme song for the popular animated TV series “Top Cat,” was also responsible for many other iconic Hanna-Barbera theme songs, such as “The Flintstones,” “The Jetsons,” and “Scooby-Doo, Where Are You!”
8. Bent Fabric – “Alley Cat” (1962)
The Danish pianist and composer Bent Fabricius-Bjerre, known internationally as Bent Fabric, wrote this instrumental tune. It became an unexpected hit, reaching No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and even winning a Grammy Award for Best Rock & Roll Recording in 1962.
9. Tom Jones – “What’s New Pussycat?” (1965)
Written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David, this song was originally the title track for the 1965 comedy film What’s New Pussycat? starring Peter Sellers and Peter O’Toole.
Be warned – this is one of the most annoying songs you will ever hear. This song was also featured in the popular John Mulaney comedy skit about the Salt & Pepper Diner.
10. The Kinks – “Phenomenal Cat” (1968)
11. Muddy Waters – “Tom Cat” (1968)
12. Grateful Dead – “China Cat Sunflower” (1969)
In one of many incredible collaborations, the music for “China Cat Sunflower” was written by Jerry Garcia, while the lyrics were written by Robert Hunter.
Note that I have chosen to include a live version for this one, with a segway into “I Know You Rider” as “China Cat Sunflower” was a live staple for the Grateful Dead, a live band. For those interested we have a growing Grateful Dead knowledge base here at Extra Chill.
13. Harry Chapin – “Cats in the Cradle” (1974)
Harry Chapin’s song is based on a poem his wife, Sandra Chapin, wrote about her ex-husband’s relationship with his father. The song went on to become Harry Chapin’s only No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
14. Al Stewart – “Year of the Cat” (1976)
15. Muddy Waters – “Crosseyed Cat” (1977)
16. Ted Nugent – “Cat Scratch Fever” (1977)
“Cat Scratch Fever” is famous for its catchy guitar riffs and driving rhythm, as well as its controversial lyrics about sexual attraction and desire. The above video features a live take on the track from 1977 where Nugent raunchily addresses the crowd for a minute or so before launching into it.
17. Jerry Garcia Band – “Cats Under the Stars” (1978)
“Cats Under The Stars” is another of the many excellent Robert Hunter and Jerry Garcia collaborations from throughout their careers and the career of Garcia’s band, the Grateful Dead.
18. Squeeze – “Cool for Cats” (1979)
19. Fred Penner – “The Cat Came Back” (1980)
“The Cat Came Back” by Fred Penner is a traditional children’s song that tells the story of a man who tries unsuccessfully to get rid of his persistent feline companion. Fred Penner’s version helped to jumpstart his career.
20. U2 – “An Cat Dubh” (1980)
The title of this song from U2’s debut album, “Boy,” is Gaelic for “The Black Cat.” It is believed that the song’s lyrics explore themes of desire and temptation, possibly inspired by the band members’ Irish Catholic upbringing.
21. The Cure – “All Cats Are Grey” (1981)
22. Stray Cats – “Stray Cat Strut” (1981)
23. David Bowie – “Cat People (Putting Out Fire)” (1982)
This popular David Bowie song was written for the soundtrack of the 1982 film Cat People and was produced by Giorgio Moroder.
24. The Cure – “The Lovecats” (1983)
The Cure was originally intended as a joke song, but ended up becoming one of their biggest hits.
25. Poison – “Look What the Cat Dragged In” (1986)
26. Sugarcubes – “Cat” (1988)
“The Cat” by The Sugarcubes is a post-punk tune that features Björk’s distinctive vocals and lyrics about a mysterious, alluring feline.
27. Bros – “Cat Among the Pigeons” (1988)
28. Janet Jackson – “Black Cat” (1989)
“Black Cat” by Janet Jackson was released as the sixth single from her album “Rhythm Nation 1814” and was her fourth consecutive No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
29. Gorilla Biscuits – “Cats and Dogs” (1989)
30. Bob Dylan – “Cat’s in the Well” (1990)
31. Spin Doctors – “Cleopatra’s Cat” (1994)
“Cleopatra’s Cat” by Spin Doctors is a funk rock song that features John Popper of Blues Traveler on harmonica and a playful, tongue-in-cheek lyrics about the Egyptian queen’s beloved feline friend.
32. The Presidents of the United States of America – “Kitty” (1995)
This quirky alternative rock is all about the relationship that a man shares with his girlfriend’s cat.
33. Brian Setzer – “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” (1998)
34. Jack off Jill – “My Cat” (1998)
35. The Weakerthans – “Plea From A Cat Named Virtute” (2003)
This indie rock song is written from the perspective of a cat named Virtute, who tries to comfort and motivate its depressed owner. The Weakerthans wrote a follow-up song, “Virtute the Cat Explains Her Departure,” on their 2007 album, Reunion Tour.
36. The Head and the Heart – “Cats and Dogs” (2011)
37. Long Miles – “Cool Cats” (2012)
Long Miles are a reggae rock band that split their time between Charleston, SC and Philadelphia, PA. Frontman John Shields went on to form the popular hip-hop duo Little Stranger.
38. The Living Tombstone – “Cats” (2013)
The group has recently released a 2023 remixed edition of the popular song, plus a full 1 hour animated video version where the long loops repeatedly. For the heads.
39. Phish – “Your Pet Cat” (2014)
“Your Pet Cat” was debuted by Phish in 2014 at a Halloween show in Las Vegas, where they took the sounds from the 1964 Disney album Chilling, Thrilling Sounds of The Haunted House and crafted jams around them to make their own, original musical creation.