Mean-Eyed Cat

"Mean-Eyed Cat" (or "Mean Eyed Cat") is a song written and originally recorded by Johnny Cash.[3][4]

"Mean-Eyed Cat"
Single by Johnny Cash and the Tennessee Two
A-side"Mean Eyed Cat"
"Port of Lonely Hearts"
ReleasedOctober 1960 (1960-10)
GenreRockabilly[1]
LabelSun 347
Songwriter(s)Johnny Cash[2]
Music video
"Mean-Eyed Cat" (audio only) on YouTube

The song was recorded by Cash at Sun Records on July 30, 1955.[3] Sun released it as a single (Sun 347, with "Port of Lonely Hearts" on the opposite side)[5][6][7][8][9] in October 1960[10][11][12] when Cash had already left the label for Columbia.

Cash also made a completely revised cover of this song for his 1996 album Unchained (a Rick-Rubin produced follow-up to American Recordings.[13][14]

Composition

"Mean Eyed Cat" is an all-out rockabilly rave-up about a fellow who gives his woman money to shop at the general store, just so she can go and spend it on "store-bought cat food for her mean eyed cat." The cat conceit is stretched a bit, since that's the only time it's used in the song. She ultimately leaves him with a "Dear John" note on her pillow as he heads to town to bring her back. Again, the train becomes a symbol of escape and freedom, as the hard-pressed woman catches an eastbound train.

— John M. Alexander. The Man in Song: A Discographic Biography of Johnny Cash[1]

Charts
Chart (1960) Peak
position
US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[15] 30
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References
  1. John M. Alexander (16 April 2018). The Man in Song: A Discographic Biography of Johnny Cash. University of Arkansas Press. pp. 41–. ISBN 978-1-61075-628-0.
  2. "Mean Eyed Cat / Port Of Lonely Hearts". Discogs. Retrieved 2019-01-20.
  3. John L. Smith (1 January 1999). Another Song to Sing: The Recorded Repertoire of Johnny Cash. Scarecrow Press. ISBN 978-0-8108-3629-7.
  4. "Cover versions of Mean Eyed Cat by Johnny Cash". SecondHandSongs. Retrieved 2019-01-25.
  5. John Edwards Memorial Foundation (1974). JEMF Quarterly. John Edwards Memorial Foundation.
  6. Joel Whitburn (2002). Top Country Singles, 1944 to 2001: Chart Data Compiled from Billboard's Country Singles Charts, 1944-2001. Record Research. ISBN 978-0-89820-151-2.
    Joel Whitburn (2005). Joel Whitburn's Top Country Songs: 1944-2005, Billboard. Record Research. ISBN 978-0-89820-165-9.
  7. Tim Neely (2004-05-01). Goldmine Records & Prices. Krause Publications. ISBN 978-0-87349-781-7. Mean Eyed Cat Port of Lonely Hearts Sun 347.
  8. Colin Escott; Martin Hawkins (1980). Sun Records: The Brief History of the Legendary Recording Label. Quick Fox. ISBN 978-0-8256-3161-0. Mean Eyed Cat Port of Lonely Hearts.
  9. George Albert (1984-01-01). The Cash Box Country Singles Charts, 1958-1982. Scarecrow Press. ISBN 978-0-8108-1685-5.
  10. Peter Lewry (2001). I've Been Everywhere: A Johnny Cash Chronicle. Helter Skelter. ISBN 978-1-900924-22-1.
    October
    “Mean Eyed Cat"/"Port Of Lonely Hearts” (Sun 347) released.
  11. The Johnny Cash Record Catalog. Greenwood Publishing Group. 1994. pp. 21–. ISBN 978-0-313-29506-5.
  12. Colin Escott; Martin Hawkins (2011-03-01). Good Rockin' Tonight: Sun Records and the Birth of Rock 'n' Roll. Open Road Media. pp. 415–. ISBN 978-1-4532-1314-8.
    Colin Escott; Martin Hawkins (1 August 2017). Good Rockin' Tonight: Sun Records and the Birth of Rock 'N' Roll. St. Martin's Press. ISBN 978-1-250-18211-1.
  13. John M. Alexander (16 April 2018). The Man in Song: A Discographic Biography of Johnny Cash. University of Arkansas Press. pp. 41–. ISBN 978-1-61075-628-0.
  14. Steve Turner (30 October 2005). The Man Called CASH: The Life, Love and Faith of an American Legend. Thomas Nelson. pp. 246–. ISBN 978-1-4185-7809-1.
  15. "Johnny Cash Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 2019-01-25.
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