This, That, and the Other

For this week’s Thursday Inspiration post from Jim Adams, he gave us the image above and the word “new.” My mind immediately took me to the Tom Jones song, “What’s New Pussycat?”

The song was written by Burt Bacharach for the Peter Sellers’ character in the movie What’s New Pussycat? It was an instrumental first and then, according to Bacharach, words were put on it. “If it’s got a good melody it can always fit the lyric,” he said.

In the song, Welsh singer and sex symbol Tom Jones is 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. Jones said, “Most songs are about the relationship between men and women, and so sex is involved. I act it out as best I can.”

Burt Bacharach knew Jones had the chops to convey the right tone in the song, and convinced him to do it. “When I first heard it I thought, Christ! What the bloody hell do they want me to sing this for?” Jones said. “But Burt Bacharach explained, ‘I want the big voice to sing this bloody crazy song, and you put it on, it’s a classic.’” Bacharach was right.

Here are the lyrics to “What’s New Pussycat?”

What's new pussycat? Whoa, whoa, whoa
What's new pussycat? Whoa, whoa, whoa, oh 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, whoa
What's new pussycat? Whoa, whoa, whoa, oh whoa

Pussycat, pussycat, you're so thrilling
And I'm so willing to care for you
So go and make up your big little pussycat eyes
Pussycat, pussycat, I love you, yes I do
You and your pussycat eyes

What's new pussycat? Whoa, whoa, whoa
What's new pussycat? Whoa, whoa, whoa, oh 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 (whoa, whoa)
You and your pussycat eyes (whoa, whoa)
You and your pussycat nose