Go Cat Go
| "Go Cat Go" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Norma Jean | ||||
| from the album Pretty Miss Norma Jean | ||||
| B-side | "Lonesome Number One" | |||
| Released | September 1964 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 2:06 | |||
| Label | RCA Victor | |||
| Songwriter | Harlan Howard | |||
| Producers | ||||
| Norma Jean singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
"Go Cat Go" is a song written by Harlan Howard that was originally recorded by American singer, Norma Jean. Released as a single, it reached the top-10 on the US country songs chart, becoming one of several top-10 songs she had in her career. It received positive reviews from publications following its release.
Background, recording and content
[edit]Porter Wagoner's touring partner and a regular of his television show, Norma Jean also had a string of hit country songs during the 1960s about working class values. Wagoner helped her get signed with RCA Victor and she had first commercial success with the top-15 single, "Let's Go All the Way". "Go Cat Go" would prove to be a greater chart success in her career.[3] It was composed by Harlan Howard and co-produced between Chet Atkins and Bob Ferguson.[4] "Go Cat Go" describes a woman who wants to separate from her overly-social male partner. The song's tempo is set to a shuffle with elements of bluegrass embedded into its musical style.[2]
Release, critical reception and chart performance
[edit]"Go Cat Go" was released as a single by RCA Victor in September 1964 and was distributed as a seven-inch vinyl disc, featuring the B-side, "Lonesome Number One".[4] The single was given positive reviews from publications. Billboard called it "another winning side" and concluded, "Norma lets loose on this swinging weeper. Plenty get up and go."[1] Cash Box described the tune as "ultra commercial" and believed it would "repeat the success" of her previous singles.[2] This proved true when "Go Cat Go" reached the top-10. Debuting on the US Billboard Hot Country Songs chart on October 10, 1964, it spent 22 weeks there, reaching the number eight position. It was one of three top-10 Billboard country singles Norma Jean had in her career. It also reached number 34 on the Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart, becoming her only single to reach that chart.[5] It was later included on her second studio album titled Pretty Miss Norma Jean (1965).[6]
Track listing
[edit]7" vinyl single[4]
- "Go Cat Go" – 2:06
- "Lonesome Number One" – 2:18
Charts
[edit]| Chart (1964) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Bubbling Under Hot 100 (Billboard)[5] | 34 |
| US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[5] | 8 |
References
[edit]- 1 2 "Singles Reviews: Country" (PDF). Billboard. September 19, 1964. p. 16. Retrieved 29 July 2026.
- 1 2 3 "Country Reviews: The Cash Box Bullseye" (PDF). Cash Box. September 19, 1964. p. 32. Retrieved 29 July 2026.
- ↑ Manheim, James. "Norma Jean Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 29 July 2026.
- 1 2 3 ""Go Cat Go"/"Lonesome Number One" (7" vinyl single)". RCA Victor. U.S. September 1964. 47-8433.
- 1 2 3 Whitburn, Joel (2008). Joel Whitburn Presents Across the Charts: The 1960s. Record Research, Inc. p. 282. ISBN 978-0898201758.
- ↑ "Pretty Miss Norma Jean (Liner Notes)". RCA Victor. U.S. October 1965. LPM-3449 (LP mono); LSP-3449 (LP stereo).