Song Lyric Sunday — What’s New?

Fandango

Helen Vahdati was late in posting her theme for this week’s Song Lyric Sunday prompt, but we forgive her because she’s been dealing with some health issues recently. But she finally posted did post her theme, which is “new.”

Now I have a confession to make. It’s almost midnight my time and I was out and about most of the day and I’m dog tired, but as soon as I read Helen’s theme for this week, a song popped into my head and I had to write a post about it. The song? “What’s New Pussycat?” by Tom Jones.

“What’s New Pussycat?” was the title song for the movie of the same name starring Peter Sellers. Sung by British singer Tom Jones, and written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David, it was released in June 1965 and peaked at number 3 in the U.S. Billboard chart that year.

The song is intentionally outrageous, with the singer telling a girl to powder her pussycat nose so he can kiss her “sweet little pussycat lips.” At the time, Jones was developing an image as a ribald pop star, and this song played right into it. Burt Bacharach knew that Jones had the chops to convey the right tone in the song, and convinced him to do it.

“What’s New Pussycat?” was nominated for an Academy Award for best original song in 1966, but did not win that year.

Here are the song’s lyrics.

What’s new, Pussycat?
Whoa, whoa
What’s new, Pussycat?
Whoa, whoa

Pussycat, Pussycat, I’ve got flowers
And lots of hours
To spend with you.
So go and powder your cute little pussycat nose!

Pussycat, Pussycat, I love you
Yes, I do!
You and your pussycat nose!

What’s new, Pussycat?
Whoa, whoa
What’s new, Pussycat?
Whoa, whoa

Pussycat, Pussycat, you’re so thrilling
And I’m so willing
To care for you.
So go and make up your cute little pussycat eyes!

Pussycat, Pussycat, I love you
Yes, I do!
You and your pussycat eyes!

What’s new, pussycat?
Whoa, whoa
What’s new, pussycat?
Whoa, whoa

Pussycat, Pussycat, you’re delicious
And if my wishes
Can all come true
I’ll soon be kissing your sweet little pussycat lips!

Pussycat, Pussycat, I love you
Yes, I do!
You and your pussycat lips!
You and your pussycat eyes!
You and your pussycat nose!

21 thoughts on “Song Lyric Sunday — What’s New?”

  1. rugby843 December 30, 2018 / 3:51 am

    I was just singing this a few days ago. It has that type of melody.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  3. John Holton December 30, 2018 / 8:37 am

    I thought for a minute you were going with Linda Ronstadt’s “What’s New?” This one’s good, thought!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • Marleen December 30, 2018 / 9:45 am

      I went to the live concert in an outdoor venue (The Muny in st. louis) when Ronstadt was doing that kind of music. I very much enjoyed the show.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  4. Marleen December 30, 2018 / 9:49 am

    Tom Jones music played in my house on reel-to-reel (and in our car) when I was little. I’m familiar with this song. I used to sing along.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  5. Bill December 30, 2018 / 10:17 am

    Second time this week this song has come up for me. Great selection.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  7. msjadeli December 30, 2018 / 12:07 pm

    I *almost* chose this one. I was fortunate enough to see Tom Jones live a few years back. Women — possibly some men? — were literally throwing their panties on stage. It was wild and fun. I love this song because he sings it but also for the music!

    Liked by 1 person

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    • Fandango December 30, 2018 / 10:37 pm

      I never quite understood women throwing their undergarments on stage at a performer. What do these women expect? For him to pick up their dainties and sniff them? Eww.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      • msjadeli December 31, 2018 / 4:33 am

        He’s lucky those women didn’t jump up on stage and just sit on his face! What can I say…

        Liked by 1 person

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          • msjadeli December 31, 2018 / 8:24 am

            I can’t see the emoji, it shows up as a box with tiny numbers in it.

            Liked by 1 person

            Reply
            • Fandango December 31, 2018 / 8:48 am

              That’s strange. Let me try a different one. How about this: 😱

              Liked by 1 person

  8. ghostmmnc December 30, 2018 / 1:03 pm

    haha love this song! (I posted this song too!) We’ve always sang it to our own kitties! I think they like it too. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  10. Felicia Denise December 30, 2018 / 9:19 pm

    NICE choice! Happy New Year! 😊

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

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