Cat songs that overlap with various emotions. A richly diverse collection of cat tunes.
February 22 is known as Cat Day!
In Japan, it was established in 1987.
Cats can be delightfully free-spirited—keeping their distance one moment, then suddenly getting affectionate the next.
There are many songs that sing about or relate to “cats,” and many people might feel that there are quite a few classics among them.
From heart-fluttering cute tunes to songs that express a cat’s feelings, wishes like “I want to be a cat,” and moving tracks that overlay human emotions with feline traits—there are countless cat-themed songs.
In this article, we’ve picked out our top recommendations among cat songs.
If you’re a cat lover who actually has a feline friend, be sure to listen together and enjoy a happy time!
Cat songs that resonate with many feelings. A diverse variety of cat tunes (1–10)
KBUMP OF CHICKEN
It tells the story of an unfortunate cat who carries letters for a painter.
It’s a track included on the second album, THE LIVING DEAD, released in 2000.
The story makes me cry no matter how many times I listen to it.
It’s a cat-themed song that’s extremely popular among fans.
Song of the Black Catback number
Kuroi Neko no Uta by back number, released as a digital single in 2016.
The song served as the theme for the film Rudolph and Ippai Attena.
The movie features cats as its protagonists, and this track was written specifically for it.
While it paints a world of cats, it also resonates naturally when applied to humans—especially those who are lost or troubled.
It’s a song that captures the kind of direct, emotionally charged expression characteristic of back number.
I am a cat.BURNOUT SYNDROMES
This is a song by BURNOUT SYNDROMES, a rock band from Osaka Prefecture.
It’s included on their second album, Peacock, released in 2018.
It’s a gentle track that makes you want to clap along to the beat.
Be sure to check out the must-see music video, a collaboration with the popular cat manga Kuruneko.
catDISH//
One of DISH//’s signature songs and a long-running hit, Neko.
The track is also well known for being written and composed by Aimyon.
Although it originally appeared as a B-side to the single Bokutachi ga Yarimashita, an acoustic version was later released digitally.
It’s a poignant love song about romance and heartbreak from a male perspective.
The feelings toward a former girlfriend who is no longer here—and the way she’s likened to a “cat”—convey a deep sense of sadness and the sting of a broken heart.
Cat (Live at Ueno Onshi Park Outdoor Stage on 2018-10-07)Aimyon
“Neko,” one of DISH//’s signature songs.
It’s also well-known that Aimyon wrote the lyrics and composed the music, and this is her self-cover.
Sung in a female voice, the song takes on a different expression.
The choice of words feels very Aimyon-like, and it’s a heartbreak song that brings a rush of emotions to your chest.
It likens the ex-girlfriend who left to a cat—an emblem of capriciousness.
While the lyrics portray her as the embodiment of whim, they gradually convey a longing to see that “cat” no matter what, along with hopes of what to do if they meet again—making it an even more tear-jerking track.
foxtail grassRADWIMPS
“Nekojarashi” is a song about finding the “happiness right by your side” amid the rush of everyday life.
The hugely popular rock band RADWIMPS wrote it specifically for Kirin’s “Gogo no Kocha” TV commercial featuring Kyoko Fukada.
The lyrics are moving, making you feel a renewed tenderness for the important people in your life—family, friends, and loved ones.
The warm, gentle band sound heightens the emotional mood even more.
It’s a song you’ll want to listen to with someone special.
Summer-patterned catOfficial HIGE DANDism
This song, “Natsumoyou no Neko,” is included on Official HIGE DANDism’s HELLO EP released in 2020.
It’s a very short and simple track, yet it somehow evokes a sense of nostalgia and paints vivid scenes that make your heart flutter.
It’s both a cat song and a summer song.
While many summer songs conjure heat and clear blue skies, this one captures a very quiet morning in summer, imbued with stillness.
The piano melody adds a gentle warmth to the piece.