I spend a disproportionate amount of my time tending to my accident-and-illness-prone cat, Lila, so I suppose it was only a matter of time before I ended up writing a song about her.
This arrangement turned out sounding a bit weirder than I thought it would, but I think I actually kind of like that about it. I might redo it later to make it sound a bit less “sinister/odd” … or I may decide to just stick with it the way it is.
Well, she’s a calico cat with a crook in her tail
When we first met her, she was thin as a rail
We brought her to the city but she didn't like that
‘Cause our cat Lila she's a jungle cat
Well, since we got here, I don’t know what to do
‘Cause every time we turn around, it’s something new
Tummy problems, ear infection, losing your fur
Abscess, broken nails, it’s all a blur
Lila, Lila
Why are you such an unlucky cat?
Lila, Lila
My friends say it's karma or something like that
One day I heard a noise coming from outside
I opened up the window and what did I spy
Lila danglin’ from the roof, her feet waving’ round
Then she fell into the compost with a sickening sound
Now I ask you:
What kind of a cat falls off a roof?
And for the record, cats don't always land on their feet
And I know this…
’Cause my cat Lila is living proof
Lila, Lila
I crush up your pills and put ‘em in your treats
Lila, Lila
You eat ‘em like a junkie who’s been jonesin’ for weeks
Lila, Lila
The vet’s assistants all know you by name
Lila, Lila
You better get used to that cone of shame
There's a cat named Smoky who lives in our ‘hood
Whatever he gets up to, he gets up to no good
Sneakin’ in the house and eating all her food
He's Lila's arch nemesis, they’re havin’ a feud
Lila, I know Smoky makes you mad
But please don’t fight him, Lila, he’s so bad
You’ve beaten dogs and lizards and even some snakes
But Smoky is the meanest thing on four legs
Lila, Lila
People get one life, cats get more
Lila, Lila
But don’t mess with Smoky, it’s all-out war
Lila, Lila
Why are you such an unlucky cat?
Lila, Lila
My friends say it's karma or something like that
Lila, Lila
The vet’s assistants all know you by name
Lila, Lila
You’re lookin’ mighty fine in that cone of shame
@juoppis Feb 2022
I didn't remember this one from the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical!
This is just perfectly rhymed and and performed, it's definitely a big band number and a beautiful at that. The harmonized Lilas at the end are the icing on the cake.
@feb21sundari Feb 2022
The song is very well done. It almost inspires me to hear voice and percussion in this way. I like the story and how you tell it singing.
@cblack Feb 2022
Ha! Love it! Such a strong vocal performance, and the lyrics were great. Really nice music, too, but my favourite part was the vocals.
@eas3637 Feb 2022
I think I would *love* Lila. Love the jazzy vibe to this song and the spoken interlude! Also - this lyric made me laugh out loud: "Lila, Lila
I crush up your pills and put ‘em in your treats/Lila, Lila/You eat ‘em like a junkie who’s been jonesin’ for weeks." Plus your voice sounds terrific and the production is fantastic!
@kadmad202 Feb 2022
Cat song-writers unite! Natalie, this is absolutely magic! You had me at that first cow-bell beat. Such a great decision to speak the “cat falling off a roof” section. Lyrically you have captured the cat-owning experience to a tee, not to mention setting it to a fantastic beat and style, and giving us all a good laugh : ) I’d say Lila is one LUCKY kitty to be sharing life with you!
@mikeb Feb 2022
This could certainly be treated to the full 'big band' sound, but the sparser arrangement you have works well, and the multi-part harmonies of the chorus grab the ears!
Fun lyrics and there are parts that hit home with every cat owner!
@karlsburg25 Feb 2022
ahh and i feel this song having got to know Lila so so well. bless her. I hope she's doing well. And OMG how mazingly talented are you to come up with something like this. so so clever. And what kind of cat falls of the roof ha ha LILA of course. oooo those harmonies on lila are so so lush. I honestly don't know how you do it Nat. You are awesome xx
@cloudhopper Feb 2022
sweet song!
@wylddandelyon Feb 2022
Oh this is so much fun! Intrepid kitties aren't all so unlucky, thank goodness! The background and singing just really set off these lyrics so well. I am now heading to clean up the mess my cat made knocking over my paper shredder, but with a smile. The surgery associated with those cones of shame is expensive, and at least all I have to deal with is sweeping up confetti.