Sloopy - Rod McKuen

A time (decades) back I bought an album by Rod McKuen. Even tho I'm not a cat fan, 'Sloopy' was always my favorite cut. The reading had always been a complete video in my mind and finally came out one Christmas Eve in 2005, pre Hi Def days.
A giant Thank You to Mr. McKuen, whose books & records opened up a whole new world to me as a young adult.
Note: By KZbin stats, this video is in the top 1% with over 10,000 views.

[@sandramckenna1204]

I always cry when I hear or read this.

[@RedRockMark]

Truly magical. All of us who have shared our lives with a beloved cat - or any beloved pet - can appreciate and cherish this always. Rest in peace, Mr. McKuen. May you be reunited with Sloopy now.

[@keithneuman4350]

Thank you Rod and the many Animals (God's gifts) that touch our lives. Love to all...KN

[@freedomfighter628]

I haven't listened to Rod Mc Cuen for many years. Such a great talent. This made me cry for every minute I was away from my cats during their lives. You can never get that time with them back. ♥

[@juliepaulsen7306]

Beautiful and sad. Every time l Listen to it l have to shed a few tears . I also have a faithfull cat as a friend.

[@katehayes9557]

when my Stella died, i read this. cats really tug at your hearts, don't they??

[@waltman333]

Beautiful..........very nostalgic, my little Shrimpy left me after 17 years due to illness..........my closest friend. Since then I feed all the stray & feral cats; been doing this for the past 7 years. I'm a cat lover. Walt in Miami

[@stevestearns2241]

Princess feral cat I fed every day at one my colonies I took her home because she was sick and I lost her a week later. At least I tried to give her a comfortable place to rest her body. I cried for days I will never forget her as long as I live. This Rod McKuen song Makes me cry very hard. Cats know how we feel and know the love we give them.

[@baabra1950plus2]

I CAN NOT IMAGINE ANYONE HEARING THIS & NOT CRYING!

[@johngray1253]

Barbara Gray commenting on my late husband's phone, this song breaks my heart as it was broken when I lost my little Jazzy girl she was a beautiful little Siamese cat so sweet I lost her a year ago and it seems like yesterday I will never forget her or any of my pets, yes cats are wonderful. I miss her so.

[@barbarapalmer8224]

What a beautiful song..only just heard it.!! I had 17 cats once. Crying my eyes out now..big softie.that l am. Love cats so much.

[@myrtle.martyn]

I hope Sloopy and Rod meet again in the Sweet Bye and Bye. I know Rod must have suffered the guilt of leaving Sloopy on that fateful day for the rest of his life. Love endures beyond life and time. Sloopy and Rod loved and where loved and nothing can change that! ❤️🙏❤️🙏❤️🙏❤️

[@BrownEyedGirl1367]

This poem, mimeographed, was handed out the first day of 9th grade English class, 1967. The recording was played & almost everyone cried. I collected all the books. I thought after all these many years I’d be able to listen to him read it, but no. It’s just too heartbreaking. Rod McKuen has had some unfavorable criticism, but he spoke to a generation who was open, raw, and hurting.

[@julirensch]

Farewell Sloopy, farewell Rod McKuen...you've left us much!

[@fob1xxl]

He always said how we felt , or what we were thinking. GENIUS FROM THE HEART. THANK YOU, ROD .💙

[@Lindafc2002]

Ive got all his albums but thisis the best of all it just beautiful xx

[@keynotekid]

Linda Cooper Mine also Linda, thank you.

[@2020enoch1]

My mother had this album and "Sloopy" became one of my all time favorites from childhood... I would play this song over and over, then play it for my friends, and we would cry and cry... Still makes me cry today. Thank you so much for the beautiful video and bringing this song back

[@jonnyhog1002]

I love this so much, Thank you for posting , I've always had cats , couldn't live without cats.

[@barbarapalmer8224]

Me too. Jonny.l could not live without cats..had 17 once.0

[@marybrock5465]

I’ve always loved this......so sad when Rod left us.....I currently live with two cats and three dogs.

[@robertdecastro8593]

Beautiful song. Reminds of my beautiful cat Fluffy.

[@amoferia]

Oh my, this makes me cry...very very powerful!

[@johneynon7121]

Thats a very sad and moving ending where he said that he perhaps had never been loved by a human being.

[@FreddyFeet2]

My father whose 69. Tears up to this song. I appreciate it... Love Rod's poems.

[@angelballs1]

+Pulp fiction NY Dear Pulp Fiction, I am a 65 yr old woman who also tears up when I hear Rod sing this song. I found Rod and his scratchy voice when I was probably 20 and I have always loved cats. This song can make many people tear up. Thanks for your sweet comment.

[@FreddyFeet2]

+Gail Frankosky your very Welcome. Beautiful times in our lives

[@angelballs1]

+Pulp fiction NY Yes, they were beautiful times. Thanks for the memories.

[@waranga120]

Loved to listen to this and other works by Rod McKuen. Sad for your passing but rich for your words

[@Ladyinmaine27]

A friend rang me up just as this ended. She couldn't understand why I was crying so hard. Then I explained so she understood. OMG

[@karenlizzie1023]

His poetry is as lovely as his songs.....beautiful

[@shannara11]

I love Rod Mckuen and this one always made me cry. Still does. I spent so many nights listening to his poems and songs. Thanks for posting this. It's a lovely video.

[@keynotekid]

shannara11 thank you

[@gttdkt]

Oh, I remember this poem. Way too sad for me now. But in the day, I really, really dug Rod McKuen. I'm pleased my life is very good and I'm not in that solitary state, that Mr. McKuen seems to enjoy. Thanks for posting.

[@RandomAssaultPodcast]

I literally got 18 seconds into this before I burst into tears

[@quilt2100]

Same here

[@RandomAssaultPodcast]

oh dammit I forgot what this was and I started watching it lol

[@sarahjackson3479]

oh good I am not alone

[@ntuitive1]

I remember this poem, having bought the book when I was a kid. And a friend's cat died recently. She was very special to me. I did not cry about her death until watching this. Thanks, I think I needed that!

[@katehayes9557]

Love this.

[@jleecline8845]

Rod, met you via Eddy Fisher, not the singer. You and he had lived in Paris during the Cold War in an old elegant building. Loved your poetry then, love it now. Long time since the 60's!

[@NCSilverBear]

The nostalgic, sometimes bittersweet memories attached to "Sloopy" & Rod McKeun come flooding back every time I hear his songs/poetry. Of first touch, first love, and first heartbreak. Those gifts of joy and of sadness mingled into life . . .

[@thomasgreene4075]

I once dated a young lady in college in the '60s who introduced me to the poems and recordings of Rod McKuen. They were beautiful then and they still are now. I sometimes wonder where she's gone and how she's doing. It was so long ago...

[@thomasgreene4075]

And yes, my wife and I have a cat. His name is Nutmeg.

[@VIncentSunflowers]

There is no turning back, for some of us, from the first time we heard his music, read a book of his poetry.

[@thomasgreene4075]

barrottceaver So true.

[@richardmckain1116]

She is still working on her nine lives but counting isn't her thing! just trying to get through tomorrow just like us!

[@alangranville284]

+Thomas Greene Forever wilt thou love and she be fair. I hope you resist the temptation to find this young lady. Keep her locked firmly in your heart and when you listen to the peerless Rod think of her.

[@sanctuaryrulze]

I read this and hearing it made me cry.

[@shortwoman100]

THIS IS SO GOOD !

[@rascal0175]

This is wayyy to hard. At 73 I have lost too many cats and dogs, all friends and all family. This is too hard.

[@cliffshell]

Back from service in the late 60's, I returned to my hometown radio station, where they were runiing an FM format called "Music Only for A Woman". I knew it wouldn't succeed, as it margianlized half the audience, but it was an artsy new effort to capture a rapidly shrinking radio market. Rod McKuen was trending at the time and we used a lot of his material as segues into music sets. This piece along with "I'll Catch The Sun" were two of my favorites. He was a talented artist.

[@baabra1950plus2]

My Memory, of the first time I heard Rod Mckuen in my teens at a Beloved Friend's house, we had some wine, Cheese Fondue and the Fireplace lit! I have always loved Poetry and discovering this Poet Was Spectacular! I Weep every time I hear this! Warmly With Hugs, barbie

[@gatewayski1]

Thank you for this one.

[@rickeeeddleman5614]

"TC" was my "Sloopy". Sometimes they're better than peeps.

[@RsFeU]

Rod says it all I have nothing to add.Good by Boagie,Rufie,Squeeky, Harpo and Sam Peace

[@spmoran4703]

Millie my cat is so understanding .

[@jackmolenaar8783]

Pure love.

[@geebeeman1]

I'm gonna cry!!!

[@TheRadicalreels]

I also did this song, but I really enjoyed watching yours! Very well done!

[@eamonmacdonnell2627]

A Wonderful talent........ wonder if the famous Dublin nite club was named after this lovely poem.....

[@keynotekid]

Thank You. I'm glad you enjoyed it. Wayne

[@ryanredacted9841]

in my opinion, still not as bad as "gary come home" that one makes me burst into tears almost instantly

[@mikeyoungblood1706]

Ode to a cat. Move damned cat you're right in my way You prowl all night and sleep all day you kick me awake at the damndest hour cause you found a bug in the shower. You act like you're starving meowing all day when I give your food you just walk away You shredded my couch sharpening your claws I yell for you to stop but you don't even pause. I lay all alone in the darkness of night tears slowly sliding and blurring my sight I buried you today under your favorite tree now I'm so lonely oh woe is me.

[@cynsmi]

Really nice..

[@motorichie]

I lovecats

[@stephenimhoff6817]

There are so many, but Sloopy, Capri and Stanyan Street are my 3 favorites

[@joolspirog]

If you don't want honesty then don't have a cat. I'd be a sadder man without my 4

[@lynnwhitedwhited4865]

Hi

[@eamonmacdonnell2627]

The club was called Sloopys in Fleet St..

[@captainsteve5475]

😪

[@RatPfink66]

Rod is a hopeless sap whose words ring like plastic dishware, but he obviously loves kitties.

[@Joana12363]

Okay, I am going to set your mind free although it hurt at the time. Answer this to yourself ONLY, had you offered to that person a committed monogamy relationship? Did she set her standards and asked for it or was she stupid and didn't? Had you offered to me then? Again: I know what I want and what i can offer and I am not stupid when the time comes i will ask for what It requires to be in a relationship and no freebies my love.

[@eamonmacdonnell2627]

X

[@Joana12363]

Im sloopy? Lol

[@ryantomkyles]

😂