Cool For Cats (song)
Encyclopedia
"Cool for Cats" was the second single
released from Squeeze's Cool for Cats
album. It featured a comparatively rare lead vocal performance from Squeeze lyricist Chris Difford
, one of only two occasions he sang lead on a Squeeze single A-side (the other was 1989's "Love Circles
"). The song, slightly edited from the album track, peaked at #2 on the UK Singles Chart
, making it one of the band's biggest hits. Difford brought a cockney
accent to the way the lyrics were sung which makes it distinctive as well.
The title phrase is a reference to the 1950s/60s UK TV series Cool for Cats
, the first British series to regularly feature rock 'n' roll music acts.
In 1992, thirteen years after its initial release, the track "Cool for Cats" was used in a British TV commercial for milk. The song was then re-issued in the UK, where it charted at #62. The song is also a playable track on Rock Band 2
.
There is a persistent rumour that one of the two women dancing and singing the distinctive "Cool for Cats" chorus in the video to the song is Michelle Collins
, who later found fame as Cindy Beale
in BBC TV's EastEnders
. However, during a radio interview in 2009, Collins said this was untrue (contradicting a 2002 interview).
1992 UK Re-issue
A&M AMCD 694 - Limited Edition Cool Cat Pac
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
released from Squeeze's Cool for Cats
Cool for Cats (album)
Cool for Cats is the British new wave group Squeeze's second album, released in 1979. Cool for Cats contained more charting hit singles than any other album the band has released....
album. It featured a comparatively rare lead vocal performance from Squeeze lyricist Chris Difford
Chris Difford
Chris Difford is a singer, musician, songwriter, and record producer....
, one of only two occasions he sang lead on a Squeeze single A-side (the other was 1989's "Love Circles
Love Circles
"Love Circles" is the second and final single released from Squeeze's eighth album, Frank. It featured a comparatively rare lead vocal turn by Squeeze lyricist Chris Difford — the only other Squeeze single on which Difford sang lead throughout the entire track was 1979's "Cool for Cats"....
"). The song, slightly edited from the album track, peaked at #2 on the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
, making it one of the band's biggest hits. Difford brought a cockney
Cockney
The term Cockney has both geographical and linguistic associations. Geographically and culturally, it often refers to working class Londoners, particularly those in the East End...
accent to the way the lyrics were sung which makes it distinctive as well.
The title phrase is a reference to the 1950s/60s UK TV series Cool for Cats
Cool For Cats (TV show)
Cool For Cats was one of the first shows on British TV to feature music for a teenage audience. It was produced by Associated Rediffusion, part of the ITV network, and ran from December 1956 to February 1961....
, the first British series to regularly feature rock 'n' roll music acts.
In 1992, thirteen years after its initial release, the track "Cool for Cats" was used in a British TV commercial for milk. The song was then re-issued in the UK, where it charted at #62. The song is also a playable track on Rock Band 2
Rock Band 2
Rock Band 2 is a music video game developed by Harmonix Music Systems. It is the sequel to Rock Band and is the second title in the series. The game allows up to four players to simulate the performance of popular songs by playing with controllers modeled after musical instruments...
.
There is a persistent rumour that one of the two women dancing and singing the distinctive "Cool for Cats" chorus in the video to the song is Michelle Collins
Michelle Collins
Michelle Danielle Collins is a British actress best known for her roles on television in the BBC soap opera EastEnders, as Cindy Beale, Coronation Street as Stella Price, and BBC dramas Sunburn and Two Thousand Acres of Sky...
, who later found fame as Cindy Beale
Cindy Beale
Cindy Beale is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Michelle Collins.Cindy always had an eye for the lotharios of Walford and despite trying to settle down repeatedly with the more reliable Ian Beale, she was unable to remain faithful to him. She had a selfish...
in BBC TV's EastEnders
EastEnders
EastEnders is a British television soap opera, first broadcast in the United Kingdom on BBC One on 19 February 1985 and continuing to today. EastEnders storylines examine the domestic and professional lives of the people who live and work in the fictional London Borough of Walford in the East End...
. However, during a radio interview in 2009, Collins said this was untrue (contradicting a 2002 interview).
Track listing
- "Cool for Cats" (3:10)
- "Model" (3:30)
1992 UK Re-issue
A&M AMCD 694 - Limited Edition Cool Cat Pac
- "Cool for Cats"
- "Trust Me to Open My Mouth"
- "Squabs on Forty Five"