Ev'rybody Wants to Be a Cat

Phil Harris

Well, little lady, let me elucidate here

Everybody wants to be a cat
Because a cat's the only cat who knows where it's at
Tell me, everybody's pickin' up on that feline beat
'Cause everything else is obsolete
A square with a horn
Makes you wish you weren't born
Every time he plays
But with a square in the act
You can set music back
To the caveman days

I've heard some corny birds who tried to sing
Still a cat's the only cat
Who knows how to swing
Who wants to dig a long-haired gig stuff like that?
When everybody wants to be a cat

A square with a horn
Makes you wish you weren't born
Every time he plays
Oh riki-tiki-tinky
With a square in the act
You can set music back to the caveman days (Oh riki-tiki-tinky)

Everybody wants to be a cat
Because a cat's the only cat who knows where it's at
When playin' jazz he always has a welcome mat
'Cause everybody digs a swingin' cat

If you want to turn me on
Play your horn don't spare the tone
And blow a little soul into the tune

Let's take it to another key
Modulate, and wait for me
I'll take a few ad-libs and pretty soon
The other cats will all commence
Congregatin' on the fence
Beneath the alley's only light
Where every note is out of sight

Everybody, everybody
Everybody wants to be a cat
Hallelujah
Everybody, everybody
Everybody wants to be a cat
Everybody, everybody
Everybody wants to be a cat
Everybody, everybody
Everybody wants to be a cat