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{{use dmy dates|date=January 2022}}
{{Infobox song
{{Infobox song
| name = The Lovecats
| name = The Lovecats
Line 4: Line 5:
| alt =
| alt =
| type = single
| type = single
| artist = [[The Cure]]
| artist = [[the Cure]]
| album =
| album =
| B-side = {{hlist|"Speak My Language"|"Mr. Pink Eyes"}}
| B-side = {{hlist|"Speak My Language"|"Mr. Pink Eyes"}}
| released = 21 October 1983<ref>{{cite magazine|date=15 October 1983|title=Cure for cats|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Record-Mirror/80s/83/Record-Mirror-1983-10-15-OCR.pdf|magazine=[[Record Mirror]]|page=7|access-date=24 July 2022}}</ref>
| released = 18 October 1983
| recorded = August 1983
| recorded = August 1983
| studio =
| studio =
| venue =
| genre =
| genre = {{flatlist|[[Pop music|Pop]]<ref name=masonam>Mason, Stewart. "[http://www.allmusic.com/song/why-cant-i-be-you-mt0007516608 Why Can't I Be You?]" Allmusic.com. Retrieved on 22 January 2013.</ref><br />[[jazz]]<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.popmatters.com/post/152163-snubbed-why-the-cure-deserves-to-be-in-the-rock-and-roll-hall-of-fam/ | title=Snubbed!: Why the Cure Deserves to Be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame | publisher=[[PopMatters]] | date=13 December 2011 | access-date=15 June 2016 | author=Ramirez, AJ}}</ref>
* [[Jazz]]<ref>{{cite web|last=Ramirez|first=A J|date=13 December 2011|title=Why the Cure Deserves to Be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame|url=https://www.popmatters.com/152163-snubbed-why-the-cure-deserves-to-be-in-the-rock-and-roll-hall-of-fam-2495908128.html|access-date=15 June 2016|website=[[PopMatters]]}}</ref>
* [[new wave music|new wave]]<ref name="allmusic">{{cite web|last=Mason|first=Stewart|title=Why Can't I Be You? by The Cure - Track Info|url=https://www.allmusic.com/song/why-cant-i-be-you-mt0007516608|access-date=22 January 2013|publisher=[[AllMusic]]}}</ref>
⚫
}}
* [[Pop music|pop]]<ref name="allmusic"/>
| length = 3:33
| length = 3:33
| label = [[Fiction Records|Fiction]]
| label = [[Fiction Records|Fiction]]
| writer = [[Robert Smith (musician)|Robert Smith]]
| writer = [[Robert Smith (musician)|Robert Smith]]
| producer = {{flatlist|
| producer =
* [[Phil Thornalley]]
* [[Phil Thornalley]]
* [[Chris Parry (producer)|Chris Parry]]
* [[Chris Parry (producer)|Chris Parry]]
* The Cure
* The Cure
⚫
}}
| prev_title = [[The Walk (The Cure song)|The Walk]]
| prev_title = [[The Walk (The Cure song)|The Walk]]
| prev_year = 1983
| prev_year = 1983
Line 28: Line 29:
}}
}}


"'''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.
"'''The Love Cats'''" (sometimes rendered as "'''The Lovecats'''") is a song by English [[Rock music|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.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.officialcharts.com/artist/20492/cure/ |title=Cure <nowiki>| Full Official Chart History |</nowiki> Official Charts Company |website=[[Official Charts Company|Official Charts]] |access-date=May 15, 2016}}</ref> It also reached number 6 on the Australian chart in early 1984.<ref name="auchart">{{Cite book|title=[[Kent Music Report|Australian Chart Book 1970–1992]] |last=Kent |first=David |author-link=David Kent (historian) |publisher=Australian Chart Book |location=[[St Ives, New South Wales|St Ives, NSW]] |year=1993 |isbn=0-646-11917-6}}</ref> The single later appeared on the [[compilation album]] ''[[Japanese Whispers]]'', released in December 1983.
It was the band's first Top 10 hit in the UK, peaking at number 7.<ref name=uk/> It also reached number 6 on the Australian chart in early 1984.<ref name=aus/> The single later appeared on the [[compilation album]] ''[[Japanese Whispers]]'', released in December 1983.


==Inspiration and recording==
==Inspiration and recording==


At the time the song was written, Robert Smith was very interested in the work of Australian author [[Patrick White]].<ref>The Stud Brothers: "Pictures of Youth (Pt. 1)", ''Melody Maker'', March 7, 1992: 25–26.</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web| work=fortunecity.com | url = http://members.fortunecity.com/jpineres/FAQ.htm | title =Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) file for The Cure | access-date = 2010-06-09}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| work=victoriavirtual.iespana.es| url = http://victoriavirtual.iespana.es/Inspiraciones.html | title =The Cure-Inspiraciones | access-date = 2010-06-09}}</ref> 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 symbolise the most innocent and vulnerable members of society, and the casual cruelty with which they sometimes meet their fate.<ref>White, Patrick. ''The Vivisector''. New York: Viking Press, 1970.</ref>
At the time the song was written, [[Robert Smith (musician)|Robert Smith]] was very interested in the work of Australian author [[Patrick White]].<ref>The Stud Brothers: "Pictures of Youth (Pt. 1)", ''Melody Maker'', 7 March 1992: 25–26.</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web| website=fortunecity.com | url = http://members.fortunecity.com/jpineres/FAQ.htm | title =Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) file for The Cure | access-date = 9 June 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| website=victoriavirtual.iespana.es| url = http://victoriavirtual.iespana.es/Inspiraciones.html | title =The Cure-Inspiraciones | access-date = 9 June 2010}}</ref> 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 symbolise the most innocent and vulnerable members of society, and the casual cruelty with which they sometimes meet their fate.<ref>White, Patrick. ''The Vivisector''. New York: Viking Press, 1970.</ref>


The recording session took place in Paris at Studio Des Dames after the band had played a one-off concert in the west of France, in [[Brittany (administrative region)|Brittany]], in the commune of [[Saint-Jacut-les-Pins]] in August 1983. The band recorded other songs there also in jazz rock style, "Speak my language" and ""Mr. Pink Eyes": both ended up on the b-side of the 12-inch vinyl. A fourth track also recorded in the same session, surfaced in 2006 on ''[[The Top (album)|The Top]]'' deluxe CD reissue.
The recording session took place in Paris at Studio Des Dames after the band had played a one-off concert in the west of France, in [[Brittany (administrative region)|Brittany]], in the commune of [[Saint-Jacut-les-Pins]] in August 1983. The band recorded other songs there also in jazz rock style, "Speak My Language" and "Mr. Pink Eyes": both ended up on the b-side of the 12-inch vinyl. A fourth track ("A Hand Inside My Mouth (Des Dames Studio Demo 8/83)") also recorded in the same session, surfaced in 2006 on ''[[The Top (album)|The Top]]'' deluxe CD reissue.


==Music video==
==Music video==


The music video features a number of cats and a large lampshade falling on the head of bassist [[Phil Thornalley]]. There are many shots of a mansion which the band told a buyer they were interested in buying. They returned the keys in the morning.<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20071007101853/http://imaginaryboys.altervista.org/english/cure/articles/criticalguide.htm</ref> Real cats were supposed to be used but after proving to be troublesome, taxidermied ones were used in the place of cats.<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20080402234455/http://www.impressionofsounds.com/videogr/LOVECATS.html</ref> Smith said of the video: "'The Love Cats' is far from being my favourite song: composed drunk, video filmed drunk, promotion made drunk. It was a joke."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.songfacts.com/facts/the-cure/the-love-cats|title=The Love Cats by the Cure - Songfacts}}</ref> The video features an early rough mix of the song done in Paris which is different from the one released on vinyl (the latter was done in London).
The music video features a number of cats and a large lampshade falling on the head of bassist [[Phil Thornalley]]. There are many shots of a mansion which the band told a vendor they were interested in buying. They returned the keys in the morning.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://imaginaryboys.altervista.org/english/cure/articles/criticalguide.htm |title=Robert Smith's Critical Guide to Robert Smith |website=imaginaryboys.altervista.org |access-date=12 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071007101853/http://imaginaryboys.altervista.org/english/cure/articles/criticalguide.htm |archive-date=7 October 2007 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Real cats were supposed to be used but after proving to be troublesome, taxidermied ones were used instead.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.impressionofsounds.com/videogr/LOVECATS.html |title=Cure video - the Lovecats |website=www.impressionofsounds.com |access-date=12 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080402234455/http://www.impressionofsounds.com/videogr/LOVECATS.html |archive-date=2 April 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
Smith said of the video: "'The Love Cats' is far from being my favourite song: composed drunk, video filmed drunk, promotion made drunk. It was a joke."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.songfacts.com/facts/the-cure/the-love-cats|title=The Love Cats by the Cure|publisher=Songfacts}}</ref> The video features an early rough mix of the song done in Paris which is different from the one released on vinyl (the latter was done in London).


==Track listing==
==Track listing==
; 7"
'''7"'''
#"The Love Cats" (3:33)
#"The Love Cats" – 3:33
#"Speak My Language" (2:39)
#"Speak My Language" – 2:39


;UK & US 12"
'''UK & US 12"'''
#"The Love Cats (Extended Version)" (4:37)
#"The Love Cats" (extended version) – 4:37
#"Speak My Language" (2:39)
#"Speak My Language" – 2:39
#"Mr. Pink Eyes" (2:45)
#"Mr. Pink Eyes" – 2:45


==Personnel==
==Personnel==
Line 58: Line 61:
*[[Phil Thornalley]] – double bass
*[[Phil Thornalley]] – double bass
*[[Andy Anderson (drummer)|Andy Anderson]] – drums
*[[Andy Anderson (drummer)|Andy Anderson]] – drums

==Charts==
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}

===Weekly charts===
{|class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
|+Weekly chart performance for "The Love Cats"
!scope="col"|Chart (1983–1984)
!scope="col"|Peak<br />position
|-
!scope="row"|Australia ([[Kent Music Report]])<ref name=aus>{{cite book|last=Kent|first=David|author-link=David Kent (historian)|title=Australian Chart Book 1970–1992|edition=Illustrated|publisher=Australian Chart Book|location=St Ives, N.S.W.|year=1993|page=79|isbn=0-646-11917-6}}</ref>
|align="center"|6
|-
{{singlechart|Ireland2|15|song=The Love Cats|rowheader=true|access-date=12 January 2022}}
|-
{{singlechart|New Zealand|23|artist=The Cure|song=The Lovecats|rowheader=true|access-date=12 January 2022}}
|-
!scope="row"|United Kingdom ([[UK Singles Chart|CIN]])<ref name=uk>{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/20492/cure/|title=Official Charts > Cure|publisher=[[Official Charts Company]]|access-date=12 January 2022}}</ref>
|align="center"|7
|-
{{single chart|Billboarddanceclubplay|52|artist=The Cure|rowheader=true|access-date=12 January 2022}}
⚫
|}

{|class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|+2009 weekly chart performance for "The Love Cats"
!align="left"|Chart (2009)
!align="center"|Peak<br />position
|-
{{singlechart|Denmark|27|artist=The Cure|song=The Lovecats|rowheader=true|access-date=12 January 2022}}
⚫
|}
{{col-2}}

===Year-end charts===
{|class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|+Year-end chart performance for "The Love Cats"
!Chart (1984)
!Position
|-
!scope="row"|Australia (Kent Music Report)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://i.imgur.com/MyookoA.jpg|title=Kent Music Report No 548 – 31 December 1984 > National Top 100 Singles for 1984|publisher=[[Kent Music Report]]|via=Imgur.com|access-date=12 January 2022}}</ref>
|align="center"|73
|}
{{col-end}}


==References==
==References==


{{Reflist|2}}
{{Reflist}}


== External links ==
== External links ==

Latest revision as of 00:39, 27 July 2024

"The Lovecats"
Single by the Cure
B-side
  • "Speak My Language"
  • "Mr. Pink Eyes"
Released21 October 1983[1]
RecordedAugust 1983
Genre
Length3:33
LabelFiction
Songwriter(s)Robert Smith
Producer(s)
The Cure singles chronology
"The Walk"
(1983) 		"The Lovecats"
(1983) 		"The Caterpillar"
(1984)
Music video
"The Love Cats" on YouTube

"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.[4] It also reached number 6 on the Australian chart in early 1984.[5] The single later appeared on the compilation album Japanese Whispers, released in December 1983.

Inspiration and recording

[edit]

At the time the song was written, Robert Smith was very interested in the work of Australian author Patrick White.[6] 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.[7][8] 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 symbolise the most innocent and vulnerable members of society, and the casual cruelty with which they sometimes meet their fate.[9]

The recording session took place in Paris at Studio Des Dames after the band had played a one-off concert in the west of France, in Brittany, in the commune of Saint-Jacut-les-Pins in August 1983. The band recorded other songs there also in jazz rock style, "Speak My Language" and "Mr. Pink Eyes": both ended up on the b-side of the 12-inch vinyl. A fourth track ("A Hand Inside My Mouth (Des Dames Studio Demo 8/83)") also recorded in the same session, surfaced in 2006 on The Top deluxe CD reissue.

Music video

[edit]

The music video features a number of cats and a large lampshade falling on the head of bassist Phil Thornalley. There are many shots of a mansion which the band told a vendor they were interested in buying. They returned the keys in the morning.[10] Real cats were supposed to be used but after proving to be troublesome, taxidermied ones were used instead.[11]

Smith said of the video: "'The Love Cats' is far from being my favourite song: composed drunk, video filmed drunk, promotion made drunk. It was a joke."[12] The video features an early rough mix of the song done in Paris which is different from the one released on vinyl (the latter was done in London).

Track listing

[edit]

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

[edit]

Charts

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Cure for cats" (PDF). Record Mirror. 15 October 1983. p. 7. Retrieved 24 July 2022.
  2. ^ Ramirez, A J (13 December 2011). "Why the Cure Deserves to Be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame". PopMatters. Retrieved 15 June 2016.
  3. ^ a b Mason, Stewart. "Why Can't I Be You? by The Cure - Track Info". AllMusic. Retrieved 22 January 2013.
  4. ^ a b "Official Charts > Cure". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
  5. ^ a b Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (Illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 79. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  6. ^ The Stud Brothers: "Pictures of Youth (Pt. 1)", Melody Maker, 7 March 1992: 25–26.
  7. ^ "Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) file for The Cure". fortunecity.com. Retrieved 9 June 2010.
  8. ^ "The Cure-Inspiraciones". victoriavirtual.iespana.es. Retrieved 9 June 2010.
  9. ^ White, Patrick. The Vivisector. New York: Viking Press, 1970.
  10. ^ "Robert Smith's Critical Guide to Robert Smith". imaginaryboys.altervista.org. Archived from the original on 7 October 2007. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
  11. ^ "Cure video - the Lovecats". www.impressionofsounds.com. Archived from the original on 2 April 2008. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
  12. ^ "The Love Cats by the Cure". Songfacts.
  13. ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – The Love Cats". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
  14. ^ "The Cure – The Lovecats". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
  15. ^ "The Cure Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
  16. ^ "The Cure – The Lovecats". Tracklisten. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
  17. ^ "Kent Music Report No 548 – 31 December 1984 > National Top 100 Singles for 1984". Kent Music Report. Retrieved 12 January 2022 – via Imgur.com.
[edit]
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