BURNING THE GROUND EXCLUSIVE 1983
“The Love Cats” (sometimes rendered as “The Lovecats”) is a song by English band The Cure, released as a stand-alone single in October 1983.
It was the band’s first Top 10 hit in the UK, peaking at number 7, and number 6 in Australia. It later appeared on the compilation album Japanese Whispers.
At the time the song was written, Robert Smith was very interested in the work of Australian author Patrick White. According to a number of his fans, Smith was inspired to write “The Love Cats” after reading White’s novel The Vivisector (1970), although this claim is difficult to verify. In the novel, the protagonist, Hurtle, is appalled when his lover’s husband drowns a sack of stray cats. White draws a parallel between the way in which the cats are discarded, and the treatment of certain characters in the book; by extension, the cats symbolize the most innocent and vulnerable members of society, and the casual cruelty with which they sometimes meet their fate.
SIDE A:
The Love Cats (Extended Version) 4:38
Written-By – Smith*
SIDE B:
Speak My Language 2:41
Written-By – Tolhurst*, Smith*
Mr. Pink Eyes 2:44
Written-By – Tolhurst*, Smith*
VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Sire – 0-20161, Sire – 20161-0A
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 45 RPM, Maxi-Single
Country: US
Released: Oct, 1983
Genre: Rock
Style: New Wave
CREDITS:
Bass [Double] – Phil Thornally*
Cover – Parched Art
Drums – Andy Anderson
Engineer – Phil Thornalley
Engineer [Assistant] – Jean Yres*
Producer – Chris Parry, Phil Thornalley, The Cure
Vibraphone [Vibes] – Laurence Tolhurst
Voice, Guitar, Piano – Robert Smith
NOTES:
Made in USA
Find the 12″ on DISCOGS
EQUIPMENT USED:
Turntable: Pro-Ject Debut Carbon (DC)
Cartridge: Ortofon 2M
Stylus: Ortofon OM Stylus 30
Platter: Pro-Ject Acryl-It platter
Stabilizer: Pro-Ject Record Puck
Phono Pre-amp: Bellari VP130 Tube Phono Preamp
Tube: Tung-Sol 12AX7ECC803-S Gold Electron Tube
Soundcard: ESI Juli@
Record Cleaning: VPI HW 16.5 Record Cleaning Machine
Artwork Scans: Brother MFC-6490CW Professional Series Scanner
SOFTWARE USED:
Recording/Editing: Adobe Audition 3.0 (Recording)
Down Sampling: iZotope RX Advanced 2
Artwork Editor: Adobe Photoshop CS5
Click Removal: Manual
FLAC/MP3 Conversion: dBpoweramp
M3U Playlist: Playlist Creator
RESTORATION NOTES:
All vinyl rips are recorded @ 32bit/float
FLAC (Level Eight)
MP3 (320kbps)
Artwork scanned at 600dpi
Can’t wait to hear this one – THANK YOU!
Enormous pop demograph, this song. Love this version.
This was thE one Cure-track that got my parents foottapping and headbopping, looking relieved during long car rides with mixtapes, after A Forest, full length, mind you. They were into James Last, normally.
And, pre-goths dressed in mostly black with eyeliner, transforming from trees to kittens on the dancefloors.
Fun times.
Hey, thanks for your great work! LOVE IT! If you had The Cure`s “Primary” 12` Version in your collection, please ripp it. This version is until now never release on CD! Also the “Hanging Garden” / “100 Years” Single B-Sides, the amazing live Versions of “A Forest” and “Killing an Arab”! <3
Sven
Hi Paul thanks very much for this one. The Cure have always had great remixes. Would you happen to have the 12″ of “Primary”? Cheers from OZ
hi Paul, long time listener, first time comment-er here! I was sure Robert Smith had said it was based on Aristocats, and it seems it was:
http://thecurelyrics.tumblr.com/post/43896620401/lovecats-meaning
PS thank you so much for this and all the other great posts… as someone who recently lost a hard drive with a lot of stuff on it you’re sure helping me plug a lot of gaps!
One of my favourite singles by The Cure. I don’t think I remember this version though.
Thanks for posting this gem Paul 🙂
Oh Yeah….Thanks Paul.
A purrfect choice. This is a really fun one, more of a full version than a real remix, but a true rarity. I always though this song was a reference to the Aristocats, with it’s jazzy overtones.
You’re welcome Joey. I was amazed when I read the history of the the song. Would have been cool if it was in reference to the Aristocats 🙂
So wonderfully wonderfully wonderfully wonderfully pretty – you know I’d do anything for you!
We should have each other to tea
We should have each other with cream
Curl up by the fire and sleep for awhile
It’s the grooviest thing – It’s the perfect dream
Miss you, hiss boo … lovelovelovelovelovelovelovelovelovelovelovelovelovelovelovelovelovelovelovelovelovelovelovelovelovelovelovelove!
Love!
Such great lyrics 🙂
Great stuff, Paul! Love all The Cure’s 12s.
I will try to post what I have micmij 🙂
yes!
Enjoy Dean! 🙂
Good post Paul, what’s not to like about 80s Cure? So many great singles, and album tracks too.
I was listening to their album Faith just last week, and just love, love the track All Cats Are Grey. So simple, so good. 🙂
Don’t know if I know this Love Cats mix you’ve posted, look forward to hearing it. 🙂
Hope you end up liking this one Jermajesty 🙂
Paul!!! As a feline fanatic myself, I give you a melodious purr of satisfaction over this posting!! I love this track so much and I am tickled pink over it. This just set me in the “purr-fect” mood and I really needed it too. Music just satisfies me and this is indeed, “catnip” to my ears!!!
Meeee-OOOOOOOWWWWW!!!!!
Jeff
I will play this tonight for my beloved Love Cat, Eclipse!! He’ll be loving it just as much as Karen and me.
Jeff
Sounds purrrfect Jeff 🙂
Thanks Paul. I love this single by The Cure, as well as Let’s Go To Bed. BTW could you post the 7″ of The Forest if you have it? Thanks.
You’re welcome Omar 🙂