The Love Cats (song)

"The Lovecats"
Single by The Cure
Released 18 October 1983
Format 7" & 12" vinyl
Recorded June 1983
Genre
Length 3:33
Label Fiction
Writer(s) Robert Smith
Producer(s)
The Cure singles chronology
"The Walk"
(1983)		 "The Love Cats"
(1983)		 "The Caterpillar"
(1984)

"The Love Cats" (sometimes rendered as "The Lovecats") is a song by English rock band The Cure, released as a stand-alone single in October 1983.

It was the band's first Top 10 hit in the UK, peaking at number 7,[3] and number 6 in Australia. It later appeared on the compilation album Japanese Whispers.

Inspiration

At the time the song was written, Robert Smith was very interested in the work of Australian author Patrick White.[4] According to a number of his fans, Smith was inspired to write "The Love Cats" after reading White's novel The Vivisector (1970), although this claim is difficult to verify.[5][6] In the novel, the protagonist, Hurtle, is appalled when his lover's husband drowns a sack of stray cats. White draws a parallel between the way in which the cats are discarded, and the treatment of certain characters in the book; by extension, the cats symbolize the most innocent and vulnerable members of society, and the casual cruelty with which they sometimes meet their fate.[7]

Music video

The music video features a number of cats and a large lampshade falling on the head of bassist Phil Thornalley.

Cover versions

"The Love Cats" has been covered by Luke Doucet, on his album Blood's Too Rich; OK Go, on their Do What You Want EP; Tricky, on his album Vulnerable; Paul Anka, on his 2005 album of covers, Rock Swings; The Hot Rats, on their 2010 debut album Turn Ons; and The Sharp, on their EP Yeah I Want You; and Nouvelle Vague, on their 2016 album I Could Be Happy.

Track listing

7"
  1. "The Love Cats" (3:33)
  2. "Speak My Language" (2:39)
UK & US 12"
  1. "The Love Cats (Extended Version)" (4:37)
  2. "Speak My Language" (2:39)
  3. "Mr. Pink Eyes" (2:45)

Personnel

References

  1. ↑ Mason, Stewart. "Why Can't I Be You?" Allmusic.com. Retrieved on 22 January 2013.
  2. ↑ Ramirez, AJ (13 December 2011). "Snubbed!: Why the Cure Deserves to Be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame". PopMatters. Retrieved 15 June 2016.
  3. ↑ "Cure | Full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". Official Charts. Retrieved May 15, 2016.
  4. ↑ The Stud Brothers: "Pictures of Youth (Pt. 1)", Melody Maker, March 7, 1992: 25-26.
  5. ↑ "Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) file for The Cure". fortunecity.com. Retrieved 2010-06-09.
  6. ↑ "The Cure-Inspiraciones". victoriavirtual.iespana.es. Retrieved 2010-06-09.
  7. ↑ White, Patrick. The Vivisector. New York: Viking Press, 1970.
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