Catch The Cat

Cherry Laine's song 'Catch The Cat' is a vivid portrayal of chaos and disorder, using the metaphor of a mischievous cat to symbolize the unpredictable and often destructive nature of life. The repeated refrain 'Catch the cat!' underscores a sense of urgency and desperation, as the cat's actions lead to a series of unfortunate events. The cat's killing of the budgie and causing fright to the grandmother are symbolic of small actions leading to larger, more significant consequences, disrupting the balance of everyday life.

The song also touches on broader themes of societal madness and instability. The lines 'The world's turning circles' and 'The world's filled with madness' suggest a world that is out of control, where rationality has been replaced by chaos. The cat, in this context, becomes a scapegoat for the world's problems, a convenient target for blame in a society that is struggling to maintain order. This is further emphasized by the repeated assertion that 'the cat's to blame,' highlighting how people often look for simple explanations for complex issues.

Additionally, the song delves into personal turmoil and the breakdown of relationships. The verse about the man running away with the till and the manager's subsequent illness, leading to his wife's distress, illustrates how individual actions can have a ripple effect, causing widespread emotional pain. The imagery of a daughter being sly and a mother crying because she doesn't understand why her daughter has 'kissed her future goodbye' adds a layer of personal tragedy to the overarching theme of chaos. The song's portrayal of a world where 'everybody's going mad' and 'always feeling pain' captures the essence of human suffering in a disordered world, making 'Catch The Cat' a poignant commentary on the fragility of order and the pervasive nature of chaos.