This is Millie, the new addition to our family. Too soon? I did think so... but I've been proved wrong. A welcome blast of sunshine and fun in these darkest of times...
The big problem with songs about kittens is that they're rarely actually about kittens. Kitten, is seems, is a popular metaphorical term of endearment, and just about the only song on this list which appears to be about an actual kitten is about a dead one. So I'm not dedicating any of these to Millie. Ten great songs, nevertheless...
10. Bellowhead - Moon Kittens
Bellowhead go John Williams. Better than that might sound.
9. Whitesnake - Kitten's Got Claws
The thing about Whitesnake was, around about the time this came out, they were showing their kitten side more than their claws. Power ballads had taken them into the charts and their metal beginnings were all but forgotten. This was them showing they still had their claws. You won't like it, it ain't cool, but it did the job for teenage rock fans back in the mid 80s.
Can you believe this is the first time Whitesnake have featured on this blog? I can't.
8. The Kelley Deal 6000 - When He Calls Me Kitten
What Kelley did when she got out of rehab.
7. Lily Rae & The Saturday Girls - Little Kittens
Dark and creepy - Nick Cave would be proud. From Lily's debut record, available on The Indelicates' Corporate Records label. Since then she's gone on to form the band Fightmilk: also worthy of your attention.
Don't forget that little kittens have the sharpest claws!
6. Hefner - Hello Kitten
Another song about...
I'm gonna make myself go blind tonight...well, not kittens.
5. British Sea Power - Electrical Kittens
I've featured this here before, but no reason not to do so again. My favourite song from the latest BSP album.
4. REM - Star Me, Kitten
I guess that should be **** Me, Kitten... or @%$# Me, Kitten. It's one of those songs that sounds beautiful, but if you study the lyrics you'll choke on the metaphors. Of course, you could also scare yourself half to death with the REM & William S. Burroughs version...
3. Riff Raff - Kitten
Billy Bragg and Wiggy, back when they were still in short pants.
2. Angelica - Why Did You Let My Kitten Die?
Forgotten noughties indie from half of The Lovely Eggs. Indie-girly-pop loveliness with a sting in the tail.
1. Little Willie John - Leave My Kitten Alone
"Laying in the back seat, listening to Little Willie John..."
Yes, it was Elvis Costello who introduced this song to me... but it was Robbie Robertson who introduced me to Little Willie. And the original has added meows!
Any cuddly kitten songs in your collection?
