The Lovin' Spoonful - Nashville Cats (Audio)

"Nashville Cats" by The Lovin' Spoonful
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Lyrics:
Nashville Cats, play clean as country water
Nashville Cats, play wild as mountain dew
Nashville Cats, been playin' since they's babies
Nashville Cats, get work before they're two
Well, there's thirteen hundred and fifty two
Guitar pickers in Nashville
And they can pick more notes than the number of ants
On a Tennessee anthill
Yeah, there's thirteen hundred and fifty two
Guitar cases in Nashville
And any one that unpacks 'is guitar could play
Twice as better than I will
Yeah, I was just thirteen, you might say I was a
Musical proverbial knee-high
When I heard a couple new-sounding tunes on the tubes
And they blasted me sky-high
And the record man said every one is a Yellow Sun
Record from Nashville
And up North there ain't nobody buys them
And I said, "But I will"
And it was
Nashville Cats, play clean as country water
Nashville Cats, play wild as mountain dew
Nashville Cats, been playin' since they's babies
Nashville Cats, get work before they're two
Well, there's sixteen thousand eight hundred 'n' twenty one
Mothers from Nashville
All their friends play music, and they ain't uptight
If one of the kids will
Because it's custom made for any mother's son
To be a guitar picker in Nashville
And I sure am glad I got a chance to say a word about
The music and the mothers from Nashville
Nashville Cats, play clean as country water
Nashville Cats, play wild as mountain dew
Nashville Cats, been playin' since they's babies
Nashville Cats, get work before they're two
Pick it!
#TheLovinSpoonful #NashvilleCats #OfficialAudio

[@SuzanneSmith-q4c]

I haven't heard this song in 50 years!! I can't stop smiling...the best music I've heard in a long time. Thank you!

[@hummycarton]

Played once every 6 weeks on Retro Charts Radio, on an equal playing field with every other UK Top 40 hit from 1952 to 1999! Ad free too :)

[@leekjd]

Check out the Flatts & Scruggs version.

[@bigbass421]

The irony here- THE Quintessential New York City band from the mid sixties- singing about the greatness of country music. Just listen to the great guitar work here- from The Late Zal Yanovsky- double irony- a Canadian by birth. I loved and still love The Lovin' Spoonful- a huge part of my youth.

[@seanemmettfullerton]

Awesome! I've always loved this record. Wholesome, good humor, solid songs, and sooooo unpretentious - gotta love these guys :)

[@jeffwohnsiedler50]

Always loved the Lovin' Spoonful.

[@lucypotato8793]

Me too!

[@angusmcpherson8599]

A truly underappreciated group. You can't listen to any of their songs without humming/singing along, and smiling as your feet tap to the great tunes!

[@wsnone9934]

THEY WERE ALWAYS APPRECIATED BY ME!

[@joefairweatherblues8511]

@@wsnone9934 and me too!

[@loiskapernick2769]

Me too

[@johnsee7269]

i will 😺

[@hubertroscher1818]

Ja, sie waren 1966 neben den Rolling Stones und den Beatles in den USA die bedeutendste "Single Platten"-Gruppe. Und dann haben sie Zal und Steve mit ihrer Marihuana Geschichte ruiniert.

[@davidharrow9025]

What can I say....this band was incredible.

[@FredPickett]

One of the best Groups We ever had.

[@fundifferent1]

"Been playin’ since they'z BABIES!"

[@木倉谷哲也]

Lyrics: Nashville cats play clean as country water Nashville cats play wild as mountain dew Nashville cats been playin’ since they’re babies Nashville cats get work before they’re two Well, there 1352 guitar pickers in Nashville And they can pick more notes than the number of ants on a Tennessee ant hill Yeah, there’s 1352 guitar cases in Nashville And anyone that unpacks his guitar Can play twice as better than I will Yes, I was just 13, you might say I was the musical proverbial knee-high When I heard a couple new soundin’ tunes on the tube And they blasted me sky high And the record man said everyone is a yellow sun Record from Nashville And up north there ain’t nobody buys them And I said, but I will, and it was Nashville cats play clean as country water Nashville cats play wild as mountain dew Nashville cats been playin’ since they’re babies Nashville cats get work before they’re two Well, there’s 16,821 mothers from Nashville All their friends play music and they ain’t uptight If one of the kids will Because it’s custom made for any mother’s son To be a guitar picker in Nashville And I sure am glad I got the chance to say a word About the music and mothers from Nashville Nashville cats play clean as country water Nashville cats play wild as mountain dew Nashville cats been playin’ since they’re babies Nashville cats get work before they’re two Pick it

[@donaldfewell8908]

Thanks!

[@ginajones2328]

Thank you Cause I loved the Lovin Spoonful......great song but a smile on my face after watching the Grammys Perfect Nashville Cats ❤

[@flashfish123]

The Beatles were particularly interested in the Spoonful. Both groups were focused on presenting their own material and playing their own instruments. Often one group would herar another's song and create their own versions. No Reply is an update on Silhouettes (Not a Spoonful song but you get my point). The Beach Boy's In My Room was answered by There's a Place by the Beatles. Good Day Sunshine was a response to a Lovin" Spoonful cut Daydream. They all listened to one another and learned. Twas a golden time...

[@maryguy9013]

yes it was a golden time with a lot of good memories

[@dougrobinson6683]

I may have heard this song in the background as a kid (I am not yet 40), but I only really listened to it for the first time here on KZbin recently. It immediately hit me that Paul was trying to do his version of this pastiche when he wrote Rocky Raccoon. And, with that in mind, the Spoonful did it much better. In fact, after going back through both catalogs recently, the Spoonful were a more original band overall. Love them both, but I've found a new appreciation for The Lovin' Spoonful.

[@gregoryclemen1870]

I can never get enough of this tune!!!!, I have it on a 45 R.P.M. single

[@DanielRamirez-li6zc]

This group was feloniously underrated!!

[@blackfly56]

I’m here in Nashville for work, and had to pull this song out of my hat. LOVE these guys !!!

[@josephlemko3027]

I have always loved this band & this is one of their best tunes.I saw them at ST. JOHN'S U. in early 1968 with Spanky & Our Gang opening the concert. I always smile when I recall this concert.😊✌

[@daviddaytondevine1886]

I loved this song from the first day I heard it! I never could get quite enough! It’s so down to earth why I smile till I burst! there’s just no way around it!

[@steveker5084]

John Sebastian wrote a lot of great songs. And the Spoonful was a great group.

[@paulettereed5735]

Im a proud Mom of one of then

[@literacylabyrinth4018]

Heard on radio today. Such a cool song.

[@lesclochesdusud4713]

thank you valve for intruducing me to this wonderfull band

[@jimlucia3625]

Great song ,covered by many Bluegrass bands.

[@rositacampbell4308]

Brings back great memories. Saw them in concert many years ago. 🤗

[@khriscaplinger483]

This song had true class! Something that music really likes today! Thank god for the good ole tunes from the good ole days!

[@steveker5084]

Fantastic song. Great group. John Sebastian, great song writer. Welcome Back Kotter. Quite a switch.

[@thegreatbamboozler4837]

My cat loves this song....❤

[@geraldcrowder1687]

Timeless and unique.

[@oldpoppy]

I still love this song 57 years after I first heard it. Pick it!

[@randallkennedy2066]

Such a unique band.

[@kjchicago1]

Johnny Cash-Like Country Song By The Lovin' Spoonful

[@lonicarpenter3378]

Love that lead guitar great music 🎶 toe tappin music !!! ❤️

[@doughoward6401]

I remember when this song came out !!!! But then I'm 71 years old too .

[@sylviaespinoza8530]

​@@doughoward6401...I hear you...but bet it's a very young 71 on the inside! 😂

[@golden.lights.twinkle2329]

John Sebastian is a great song-writer. This one is pure bluegrass.

[@phyllischarpentier4585]

❤

[@gregoryclemen1870]

he also played the theme tune "WELCOM BACK COTTER"!!!!

[@reneleclerc6119]

Song refers to "yellow Sun Record(s) from Nashville." Sun Records was in Memphis.

[@BigAussieJoe]

2NBC-FM played this, recently... Along with a heap o' Lovin' Ladel full of JeeZus!🤣

[@ustheserfs]

Love this one

[@donw5641]

Awesome song.

[@joycemanning1254]

One of my favourites

[@ardalla535]

masterful lyrics

[@tiffsaver]

I took me 50-years to fully understand the actual meaning of this classic song. Better late, than never!

[@joefairweatherblues8511]

@tiffsaver --- well i'm still a mullin it over, clear as country water,🤔

[@mikulaszach2652]

What's the meaning? honestly

[@tiffsaver]

@@joefairweatherblues8511 This pretains to the technique of country pickers... they don't embellish their playing with things like giant Marshall amplifiers or electronic pedals. They instead use their clean style to get across. Just study people like Chet Atkins or Glen Campbell for some great examples of this.

[@tiffsaver]

@@mikulaszach2652 Read my recent explanation to "Joe Fairweather Blues."

[@mikulaszach2652]

@@tiffsaver tnx

[@dereklarson1403]

great song

[@terrycooper2188]

My Grampy loves this

[@knudrobert]

Det Er noget af det smukkeste og mest enkle stor musik kan spilles på, prøv lige at høre guitaren, og den,s løb sammen med sangen.Genialt, for mig at se, en stor overset supergruppe. Enestående musikere og stort melodimateriale. En fantastisk musik gr. Niels

[@anthonyfoutch3152]

There is a movie about "The Wrecking Crew" but why isn't there a movie about "The Nashville Cats"?

[@houstonrebel4449]

Or The Swampers from Muscle Shoals, Alabama. They recorded with a lot of the greats, from Wilson Pickett to The Rolling Stones, and everybody else in between.

[@it1988a]

This goofy song has been an earworm in my head since it came out

[@joycemanning1254]

Love them still! Talent fun

[@ladykws]

I love you, John Sebastian. You've always been one of my top crushes.

[@Tmanaz480]

Sounds like a Roger Miller song.

[@marciacastro1005]

When l had my oldest son on January 7th of 1967 , his baby book asked for a popular song l put down Nashville Cats and Snippy and the Red Baron.

[@joefairweatherblues8511]

@@marciacastro1005 too favorites o mine two,😹

[@donaldfewell8908]

yes!

[@knudrobert]

Musikken Melodien ,Og ikke mindst guitar spillet, menn selvfølgelig Nashville.

[@shirleyjennings5787]

Awesome!

[@YewtBoot]

Nashville cats, play clean as country water Nashville cats, play wild as mountain dew Nashville cats, been playin' since they's babies Nashville cats, get work before they're two Well, there's thirteen hundred and fifty two guitar pickers in Nashville And they can pick more notes than the number of ants on a Tennessee ant hill Yeah, there's thirteen hundred and fifty two guitar cases in Nashville And any one that unpacks 'is guitar could play twice as better than I will Yeah, I was just thirteen, you might say I was a musical proverbial knee-high When I heard a couple new-sounding tunes on the tubes and they blasted me sky-high And the record man said every one is a yellow sun record from Nashville And up north there ain't nobody buys them, and I said, "But I will!" And it was Nashville cats, play clean as country water Nashville cats, play wild as mountain dew Nashville cats, been playin' since they's babies Nashville cats, get work before they're two Well, there's sixteen thousand eight hundred 'n' twenty one mothers from Nashville All their friends play music, and they ain't uptight If one of the kids will Because it's custom made for any mothers son to be a guitar picker in Nashville And I sure am glad I got a chance to say a word about the music and the mothers from Nashville Nashville cats, play clean as country water Nashville cats, play wild as mountain dew Nashville cats, been playin' since they's babies Nashville cats, get work before they're two. Pick it ~ John Sebastian

[@kathleenrodrigues8453]

I remember this band! And their catchy tunes! Harmonizing! Cool 😎

[@PatriciaJhonson-r5i]

Seems like you got a different uniqueness over the 1452 guitar pickers in Nashville cats sometimes though. Lol. ❤

[@cathystruska1558]

Rivals anything of The Byrds or any hippie country bands

[@danoneill2846]

Sub'd saw you on the Twins Channel !! Life long fan !

[@jackgriffin8511]

Man they really short changed that last bar by not fully stringing out what should have been a beautiful slide outro- ending.

[@robertlange1772]

Forgot about this one, thanks a lot! Love it!

[@CharlieNiner_OW]

Is this where an Arena Football team got the name from?

[@jackgriffin8511]

The guitar playing in this song reminds me of Chet Atkins.

[@IDLESFan_2000]

I usually think of Arena Football by that name. Except the team is spelled with a K and not a C.

[@Hingle_McCringlebarry]

Great song!!!

[@justinellison4214]

1966! Sounds great !

[@knudrobert]

Du ve, det der guitar spil, du godeste

[@lazur1]

0:11:The chunky rhythm guitar morphs. Alternate bass part's gone, & it's crisper. Zal wasn't playing licks yet, so I assume *_he_* 'chunked' for 11 seconds, & (tho Zal's rhythm's still there, turned-down quite a bit), John "took it', as Zal added riffs. (Is this what John called 'sponge-rubber guitar'?) One of the great guitar duos. Still inspiring, 58yrs later.

[@michaelglickman1300]

For those wondering, the other musicians are clarinetist Henry Diltz and Jew's harpist Larry Hankin.

[@alan4sure]

and steel guitar?

[@nhmooytis7058]

Love this but neither Sebastian nor Yanovsky were good ole boys, former was from NYC and latter was Canadian ;).

[@joefairweatherblues8511]

sons o' guns, a city slicker 'n a kanuck, by crikey! Erm, weren't Robbie Robertson also from Vancouver, or were it Toronto? Calgary?

[@nhmooytis7058]

@@joefairweatherblues8511 Wikipedia says TO. My family has some Canuck roots, am ancestor went to Montréal in 1653, eventually they ended up in Michigan.

[@joefairweatherblues8511]

@@nhmooytis7058 That's interesting, all the way back almost 500 years... my goddaughter's married to a Canadian, an English & Maths teacher. They have two kids, boy and girl. Really nice chap too, once played drums in a rock band before settling down, for the long haul, :)

[@nhmooytis7058]

@@joefairweatherblues8511 I’ve liked the Canadians I met but no use for Justine !

[@joefairweatherblues8511]

@@nhmooytis7058 Yes, Justine, what a disappointment... He won't survive the next election, he's a gonna as they say

[@knudrobert]

Ja Hvilket Band, og tag lige at høre guitaristen , hvilket talent og musiks bidrag han har lagt i dette nummer. Men uanset hvad, et fantastisk band. Niels - Denmark

[@joefairweatherblues8511]

Whole heartedly agree,🤔

[@gregoryjclark81]

"...and I sure am I got a chance to say a word about the music and the mothers from Nashville...' So good.

[@whickwithy]

I was just trying to go to a FATM concert in Nashville (front row seats! didn't work...) and, of course, this song came to mind.

[@ArmsDealer06]

We appreciated them. Still do. You just weren’t born yet.

[@bayoulafourche]

Lol love it. A little before my time but they say Nashville just like my mammaw did!

[@dawgsta123]

toe tapping ....Ruth Heard........

[@wabblewater]

My transition in too country back in the eary 60s

[@JohnT-i5z]

A brilliant tribute to studio musicians.

[@Minpingirl1958]

Smiling...what a cute song

[@sammylebacq5678]

prima nummer

[@krachenford9594]

Immernoch gut!!!

[@garyschultz7768]

Wonderful finish

[@jarodr6818]

Smoothe as buttah...

[@donaldfewell8908]

Thanks!

[@tbear44]

❤

[@harryscott9533]

🤯

[@randychancemusic]

A lot of people do appreciate the Lovin'Spoonful. They are only underappreciated because, as time went by, "nasty" took the place of "peace and love."

[@joycemarshall1396]

🌐😊😄😃