Cool Cat (song)
| "Cool Cat" | |
|---|---|
| Single by Queen | |
| from the album Hot Space | |
| A-side | "Las Palabras de Amor" |
| B-side | "Cool Cat (Instrumental)" |
| Released |
|
| Genre | |
| Length | 3:29 |
| Label | |
| Songwriter(s) | |
| Producer(s) |
|
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Cool Cat is a song by the British rock band Queen, originally released on their 1982 album Hot Space. Written by Freddie Mercury and John Deacon, it features Mercury on falsetto vocals and electric piano, while Deacon played all other instruments. In 2024, the song was re-released as a limited-edition 7-inch vinyl single for Record Store Day, bringing renewed attention to the track.
Background and recording
"Cool Cat" was developed during the sessions for Queen's 1982 album Hot Space, a record noted for its funk and R&B influences. Mercury performs the song entirely in falsetto while playing electric piano. Deacon contributed all other instrumentation, including bass, guitar, synthesizer, and drum programming.
An early version of the song included backing vocals and ad libs from David Bowie, but he later asked that his contributions be removed, and they were not included on the album’s final release.
Composition and lyrics
The lyrics of "Cool Cat" caution a self-absorbed character against arrogance and superficial behavior. Musically, the track blends laid-back funk and soul elements, standing out within Queen’s catalog for its mellow tone and sparse arrangement.
2024 re-release
In May 2024, "Cool Cat" was reissued as a limited-edition 7-inch pink vinyl single for Record Store Day. The release featured the original track on the A-side and a previously unreleased instrumental version on the B-side. To coincide with the reissue, a new lyric video for the original version was also released.[3]
Critical reception
In a contemporary review of the album, Sounds magazine described "Cool Cat" as having a "languid summer streak" and noted its "slow slide" feel.[4]
In a 2024 retrospective article, Jo Pierri of To Vima called "Cool Cat" a "funky masterpiece," praising its "sexy bassline" and Freddie Mercury’s "intoxicating falsetto."[5]
In a retrospective review for PopMatters, Rich Wilhelm called “Cool Cat” “a smooth and sexy slice of soul” and one of the “few bright spots” on Hot Space, praising Mercury’s falsetto and Deacon’s bassline.[1]
Writing for Ultimate Classic Rock, Eduardo Rivadavia praised “Cool Cat” for its “light, falsetto-driven” groove, noting that it “has aged surprisingly well” and highlights Queen’s “underappreciated gift for groove and subtlety.”[6]
Personnel
- Freddie Mercury – lead vocals, electric piano
- John Deacon – bass guitar, guitar, synthesizer, drum programming
- Reinhold Mack – co-producer
Charts
| Chart (2024) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| UK Official Singles Sales Chart Top 100[7] | 86 |
| US Rock Digital Song Sales[8] | 5 |
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Wilhelm, Rich (24 May 2022). "Queen Hit the Dance Floor on 'Hot Space' 40 Years Ago". PopMatters.
- ↑ Chantler, Chris (27 August 2016). "The 10 Worst Songs By Queen". Louder. Retrieved 9 March 2025.
- ↑ "Queen Release Lyric Video for 'Cool Cat' Alongside RSD Vinyl". uDiscover Music. Retrieved May 26, 2025.
- ↑ Purvis, Georg (2018). Queen: Complete Works. London: Titan Books. p. 161. Search this book on
- ↑ "Song of the Day: Cool Cat – Queen". To Vima. May 2024. Retrieved May 26, 2025.
- ↑ Rivadavia, Eduardo (5 October 2022). "Underrated Queen: The Most Overlooked Song From Each Album". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved 6 July 2025.
- ↑ "Official Singles Sales Chart Top 100". UK Singles Chart. 25 April 2024. Retrieved 15 June 2025.
- ↑ "Queen Chart History (Rock Digital Song Sales)". Billboard. Penske Media Corporation. Retrieved 16 June 2025.
External links
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