"Everybody Wants to Be a Cat" is a song featured in Disney's The Aristocats. This song is sung by Scatman Crothers as Scat Cat, Phil Harris as Thomas O' Malley, Thurl Ravenscroft as Billy Boss the Russian Cat, Robie Lester as Duchess, and Liz English as Marie. It was also released as a now rare 45 rpm single, in a version sung only by Phil Harris, which lacks the cartoon voices of the common release. The soundtrack CD released in 1996 contains an edited version of the song. The lines sung by Shun Gon the Chinese cat, voiced by Paul Winchell, now seen as politically incorrect, are removed.
This song was also included on the VHS tape, Disney Sing Along Songs: The Bare Necessities, and was later reused for Disney Sing Along Songs: Circle of Life.
Lyrics
Scat Cat:
(Spoken) 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
Thomas O'Malley:
Tell me!
Everybody's pickin' up on that feline beat
'Cause everything else is obsolete
Scat:
Strickly high button shoes!
O'Malley:
A square with a horn
Makes you wish you weren't born
Scat:
Every time he plays
O'Malley:
But, with a square in the act
You can set music back
Scat:
To the caveman days
Cha cha ba dum bo day
O'Malley:
I've heard some corny birds
Who tried to sing
Scat:
But still a cat's the only cat
Who knows how to swing
Billy Boss the Russian Cat:
Who wants to dig a long-haired gig
Or stuff like that...
O'Malley and Scat:
...When everybody wants to be a cat?
A square with a horn
Makes you wish you weren't born
Every time he plays
O'Malley:
Oh a rinky tinky tinky
O'Malley and Scat:
With a square in the act
You can set music back
To the caveman days
Marie:
Oh a rinky tinky tinky
Marie, O'Malley and Scat:
Yes, everybody wants to be a cat
Because a cat's the only cat
Who knows where it's at
While playin' jazz
You always has a welcome mat
'Cause everybody digs a swinging cat
(Harp begins)
Duchess:
If you want to turn me on
Play your horn, don't spare the tone
And blow a little soul into the tune
O'Malley:
Let's take it to another key
Scat:
Modulate, and wait for me
I'll take a few ad-libs and pretty soon...
O'Malley:
The other cats will all commence
Congregatin' on the fence
Underneath the alley's only light
Duchess:
Where every note is out of sight
(Jazz music begins again)
Scat & Crew:
Everybody, everybody, everybody wants to be a cat!
Scat:
Hallelujah!
Scat & Crew:
Everybody, everybody, everybody wants to be a cat!
Scat:
I'm telling you!
Scat & Crew:
Everybody, everybody, everybody wants to be a cat!
Scat:
Yeah!
Scat & Crew:
Everybody, everybody, everybody wants to be a cat!
Scat:
Mmmm!
Scat & Crew:
Everybody, everybody, everybody wants to be a cat!
Scat:
Hallelujah!
Scat & Crew:
Everybody, everybody, everybody wants to be a cat...!
Reprise
Alley cats:
Everybody, everybody, everybody wants to be a cat!
Everybody, everybody, everybody wants to be a cat!
Frou-Frou:
Everybody, everybody, everybody wants to be a cat!
Uncle Waldo:
Everybody... Whoopee! Everybody wants to be a cat
Alley cats:
Everybody, everybody, everybody wants to be...a...cat!
Trivia
- The song "Everybody Wants to Be a Cat" was later referenced in the live-action remake of 101 Dalmations, which the puppies ended up watching before switching to Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey.
