Released 18 October 1983 Recorded June 1983 Length 3:33 | Format 7" & 12" vinyl Genre New wave
pop
jazz Label Fiction | |
"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.
Contents
It was the band's first Top 10 hit in the UK, peaking at number 7. It also reached number 6 on the Australian chart in early 1984. The single later appeared on the compilation album Japanese Whispers, released in December 1983.
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.
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
- "The Love Cats" (3:33)
- "Speak My Language" (2:39)
- "The Love Cats (Extended Version)" (4:37)
- "Speak My Language" (2:39)
- "Mr. Pink Eyes" (2:45)