Everybody wants to be a cat Because a cat's the only cat who knows where it's at Tell me, everybody's pickin' up on that feline beat 'Cause everything else is obsolete A square with a horn Makes you wish you weren't born Every time he plays But with a square in the act You can set music back To the caveman days I've heard some corny birds who tried to sing Still a cat's the only cat Who knows how to swing Who wants to dig a long-haired gig stuff like that? When everybody wants to be a cat A square with a horn Makes you wish you weren't born, Every time he plays Oh riki-tiki-tinky With a square in the act You can set music back to the Caveman days Everybody wants to be a cat Because a cat's the only cat who knows where it's at When playin' jazz he always has a welcome mat 'Cause everybody digs a swingin' cat