The Love Cats (song)

"The Love Cats"
Song

"The Love Cats" is a 1983 single by The Cure. It was the band's first Top 10 hit in the UK, peaking at number seven, and also hit number six in Australia. It later appeared on the compilation album Japanese Whispers. The original UK-only single appears to list the title as "The Lovecats", as do various compilations.

Inspiration

At the time the song was written, Robert Smith was very interested in the work of Australian author Patrick White. 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.

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.

Music video

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

Track listing

UK 7"

1. "The Love Cats" (3:33)
2. "Speak My Language" (2:39)

UK 12" / US 12"

1. "The Love Cats" (Extended Version) (4:37)
2. "Speak My Language" (2:39)
3. "Mr. Pink Eyes" (2:45)

Personnel

• Robert Smith - vocals, guitar, keyboards, harmonica on "Mr. Pink Eyes"
• Lol Tolhurst - vibraphone
• Phil Thornalley - double bass
• Andy Anderson - drums

Covers

• Luke Doucet covered the song on his album Blood's Too Rich.
• OK Go released a cover on the Do What You Want (EP).
• Tricky covers the song on the album Vulnerable.
• Paul Anka covers the song on his 2005 album of covers, Rock Swings.
• The Hot Rats covered the song on their 2010 debut album Turn Ons.
• The Sharp cover the song on their EP Yeah I Want You.