Jellicle Songs for Jellicle Cats

"Jellicle Songs for Jellicle Cats" is the first full production number in Cats. In it, the Cats introduce the audience to the concept of Jellicle Cats.

Summary
The number starts with Demeter caught in car headlights, which startles her and she runs for cover. Gradually, one by one, the entire tribe pop up and add their voice what it means to be a Jellicle cat. The number builds into a full song and dance routine showcasing Gillian Lynne's amazing choreography. The number moves through several sections at varying paces, including the iconic "Pyramid" pose as the ensemble gathers as a choir, only to have a massive boot thrown at them, presumably by a human rudely awoken by their singing, scattering the Cats back into action.

As this is the first number in the show, various featured cats are present in their "chorus" costumes. Rum Tum Tugger is probably the most recognizable, as he still wears his black and gold unitard. However, he has legwarmers covering his spotted ankles and lacks his mane, wearing instead a shorter, simpler wig. Old Deuteronomy wears a grey tabby costume, often resembling a less detailed Munkustrap. Grizabella's chorus costume ("Babygriz") consists of grey with brown markings. She can be hard to spot in the ensemble, but often is the cat to carry the boot offstage. Asparagus, the chorus identity of the actor who plays both Gus and Bustopher Jones, gets a moment in the spotlight at the end of the song as he stops the action when he spots a man who's not heard of a Jellicle Cat.

Video






Lyrics
Are you blind when you're born? Can you see in the dark? Dare you look at a king? Would you sit on his throne?

Can you say of your bite

that it's worse than your bark?

Are you cock of the walk

when you're walking alone?

Because Jellicles are and Jellicles do

Jellicles do and Jellicles would

Jellicles would and Jellicles can

Jellicles can and Jellicles do

When you fall on your head, do you land on your feet?

Are you tense when you sense there's a storm in the air?

Can you find your way blind when you're lost in the street?

Do you know how to go to the Heaviside Layer?

Because Jellicles can and Jellicles do

Jellicles do and Jellicles can

Jellicles can and Jellicles do

Jellicles do and Jellicles can

Jellicles can and Jellicles do

Can you ride on a broomstick to places far distant?

Familiar with candle, with book and with bell?

Were you Whittington's friend? The Pied Piper's assistant?

Have you been an alumnus of heaven or hell?

Are you mean like a minx? Are you lean like a lynx?

Are you keen to be seen when you're smelling a rat?

Where you there when the pharaohs commissioned the Sphinx?

If you were and you are, you're a Jellicle cat

Jellicle songs for Jellicle cats

Jellicle songs for Jellicle cats

Jellicle songs for Jellicle cats

Jellicle songs for Jellicle cats

Jellicle songs for Jellicle cats

We can dive through the air like a flying trapeze

We can turn double somersaults, bounce on a tire

We can run up the wall, we can swing through the trees

We can balance on bars, we can walk on a wire

Jellicles can and Jellicles do

Jellicles can and Jellicles do

Jellicles can and Jellicles do

Jellicles can and Jellicles do

Jellicle songs for Jellicle cats

Jellicle songs for Jellicle cats

Jellicle songs for Jellicle cats

Jellicle songs for Jellicle cats

Can you sing at the same time in more than one key

Duets by Rossini and waltzes by Strauss?

And can you, as cats do, begin with a 'C'

That always triumphantly brings down the house?

Jellicle cats are queens of the nights

Singing at astronomical heights

Handling pieces from the Messiah

Hallelujah, angelical choir!

The mystical divinity of unashamed felinity

Round the cathedral rang "Vivat!"

Life to the everlasting cat!

Feline, fearless, faithful and true

To others who do what

Jellicles do and Jellicles can

Jellicles can and Jellicles do

Jellicle cats sing Jellicle chants

Jellicles old and Jellicles new

Jellicle song and Jellicle dance

Jellicle songs for Jellicle cats

Jellicle songs for Jellicle cats

Jellicle songs for Jellicle cats

Jellicle songs for Jellicle cats

Practical cats, Dramatical cats

Pragmatical cats, Fanatical cats

Oratorical cats, Delphic-Oracle cats

Skeptical cats, Dyspeptical cats

Romantical cats, Pedantical cats

Critical cats, Parasitical cats

Allegorical cats, Metaphorical cats

Statistical cats and Mystical cats

Political cats, Hypocritical cats

Clerical cats, Hysterical cats

Cynical cats, Rabbinical cats

Jellicle songs for Jellicle cats

Jellicle bells that Jellicles ring

Jellicle sharps and Jellicle flats

Jellicle songs that Jellicles sing

Jellicle songs for Jellicle cats

Jellicle songs for Jellicle cats

Jellicle songs for Jellicle cats

Jellicle songs for Jellicle cats

Jellicle songs for Jellicle cats

There's a man over there with a look of surprise,

As much as to say, "Well now how about that!"

Do I actually see, with my own very eyes

A man who's not heard of a Jellicle cat?

What's a Jellicle cat? What's a Jellicle cat?