The meaning of Cool Cat by Queen

First born as an original rock and roll band, Queen has proven her versatility throughout the years by exploring different music genres. "Cool Cat," a track from the album "Hot Space," showcases the band's venture into a more soulful and funky sound. Released in 1982, the song strays away from their usual hard rock ballads and instead explores a softer, more contemporary rhythm and blues theme.

The song begins with a seamless combination of ethereal synthesizers and a smooth mid-tempo beat, creating an ambiance that is both relaxing and tranquil. The lyrics, written by Freddie Mercury and John Deacon, two of the band's members, are evidently about a person who is exuding confidence, embodying the relaxed, nonchalant persona of a "cool cat."

Mercury's silky, seductive vocals only add to the overall groove of the song, delivering the "...looking for a woman..." line with suave and sensuality. This underlines the message of the song, focusing on the allure of an individual who is seemingly unbothered by the world, walking with an air of coolness and confidence that is almost cat-like.

The Ms in “[...] Mercury's smooth vocals” and “message of the song[,]" are closely linked, further reinforcing Mercury's integral influence on ‘Cool Cat’. In crafting a sonnet of indifference, he showcases the ability of Queen to transition fluidly between differing music styles whilst retaining their distinct sound.

Intriguingly, "Cool Cat" also marks an almost collaboration between Queen and another iconic figure, David Bowie. Initially, Bowie provided backing vocals for the track. However, he wasn't impressed with his contribution and asked for it to be erased from the final mix. And while the version featuring Bowie didn't make it to the album, a brief snippet of his haunting falsetto still appears on the track's intro, adding an extra layer of mystique to the cool, funky rhythm of "Cool Cat."

To sum it up, "Cool Cat" is a testament to Queen's musical versatility, featuring a much mellower, smoother sound than most of their iconic anthems. It combines elements of soul, funk, and rhythm and blues, layered with Mercury's sultry vocals and evocative lyrics about cool confidence. Whether you're a long-standing Queen fan or new to their music, "Cool Cat" offers a unique listening experience that further illustrates the adaptability and timeless appeal of this legendary rock band.