This is just a great song, possibly my favorite Primus song.
Tommy The Cat isn’t the deepest song in the world–essentially it’s the tale of an alleycat looking for love and boasting about his adventures–but it’s certainly fun. Tom Waits handles the voice of Tommy adroitly, giving the feeling of a top cat telling a story to a group of captivated younger cats, wishing to bask in his experience.
However, what really makes this song work for me is Les Claypool’s bass playing. I truly believe this is his peak, as he goes from outright funky to delivering a solo that might make John Entwistle roll in his grave with envy. Definitely the high point for me.
And of course, the lyrics:
“I remember as it were a meal ago”
Said Tommy the Cat as he reeled back to
clear whatever foreign matter may have
nestled its way into his mighty throat.
Many a fat alley rat had met its demise
while staring point blank down the
cavernous barrel of this awesome prowling
machine.
Truly a wonder of nature this urban predator.
Tommy the cat had many a story to tell,
But it was a rare occasion such as this
that he did.
“She came slidin’ down the alleyway like
butter drippin’ off a hot biscuit.
The aroma, the mean scent, was enough
to arouse suspicion in even the oldest of
Tigers that hung around the hot spot in
those days.
The sight was beyond belief.
Many a head snapped for double - even
triple - takes as this vivacious feline made
her her way into the delta of the alleyway
where the most virile of the young tabbys
were known to hang out.
They hung in droves. Such a multitude of
masculinity could only be found in one
place…
And that was O’malley’s Alley.
The air was thick with cat calls
(no pun intended),
But not even a muscle in her neck did
twitch as she sauntered up into the heart
of the alley.
She knew what she wanted.
She was lookin’ for that stud bull, the he
cat.
And that was me.
Tommy the Cat is my name and I say unto
thee…
“Say baby do you wanna lay down by me”
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