Lyrics:

Well, little lady, let me elucidate here
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'Cause everything else is obsolete

Strictly high-button shoes!

A square with a horn makes you wish you weren't born

Ever'time he plays

But with a square in the act
You can set music back

To the cave man days
Cha-cha-ba-dum-bo-day

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 and stuff like that?

When everybody wants to be a cat
A square with a horn makes you wish you weren't born
Ever'time he plays

Oh, a-rinky-tinky-tinky

With a square in the act, you can set music back
To the caveman days

Oh, a-rinky-tinky-tinky

Yes

Everybody wants to be a cat
Because a cat's the only cat who knows where it's at
While playin' jazz you always has a welcome mat
'Cause everybody digs a swingin' cat

If you want to turn me on
Play your horn, don't spare the tone
And blow a little soul into the tune

Let's take it to another key

Modulate, and wait for me
I'll take a few ad-libs and pretty soon

The other cats will all commence
Congregatin' on the fence
Beneath the alley's only light

Where every note is out of sight

Everybody, everybody, everybody wants to be a cat! (Hallelujah!)
Everybody, everybody, everybody wants to be a cat! (I'm telling you!)
Everybody, everybody, everybody wants to be a cat! (Yeah!)
Everybody, everybody, everybody wants to be a cat! (Mmm)
Everybody, everybody, everybody wants to be a cat! (Hallelujah!)
Everybody, everybody, everybody wants to be a cat...