Cat Scratch Fever

by

Ted Nugent

Album: Cat Scratch Fever

Released: 1977

Charted:

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Cat Scratch Fever is a real condition - it's an infectious disease caused by a cat scratch that usually effects young children. Nugent, however, changes the meaning to make it much more lustful, with the "cats" being women. The song is about sex and his rampant desire for it, or put more succinctly by Nugent, it's "about pussy."

Nugent sang lead on this - something he didn't do early in his career. Cat Scratch Fever was Nugent's third album, and featured vocal contributions from Derek St. Holmes, who also sang on Nugent's first album before being replaced by Meat Loaf for the second - Free For All. St. Holmes left for good after this album, as Nugent realized singing the songs himself was the best way to command the most attention.

Regarding his songwriting technique, Nugent says he keeps a notebook with song titles and lyric ideas, and he writes music in his dressing room before shows. When he plays his guitar and some music comes out that fits one of his titles, he puts them together and works on the song.

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Comments (16):

I think Ted liked Ketamine too much.

- Baker, Los Angeles, CA

"Ted Nugent is to American Hard Rock music, as what Apple Pie is to the United States. A symbol of American Heritage."

- Chomp01, PenArgyl, PA

(from Wikipedia): "Cat Scratch Fever" is a rock song by Ted Nugent that appears on thecalbum ofthe same name. The song is well known for its signature riff, which is a 3-tone "blues scale" melody harmonized in parallel fourth. In 2009 it was named the 32nd best hard rock song of all time by VH1. -- (Pantera Cover): The tune was covered by Pantera for the Detroit Rock City CD soundtrack. Their version peaked at 40 on the Mainstream Rock chart. Nugent criticized the version claiming, "It was exceedingly white. No soul, no balls, no feel. Caucasian all the way." Nugent later released more possitive comments on the group and even mourned the death of Dimebag Darrell saying, "It's a heartbreaker." --(song was released on May, 1977 on Epic Records. Length: 3:41 .).

- Chomp01, PenArgyl, PA

Stanza two seems to clearly suggest it's some sort of STD (crabs would fit)

- Cyberpope, Richmond, Canada

I know a girl who thought that the title was "Jack Scrath Tea-Bird"!!

- Squigle, Columbus, OH

Ted Nugent's best!

- Squigle, Columbus, OH

today , Ted Nugent owns a Archery Camp ; where he teaches young children how to use the bow and arrow for hunting . He spends much of his time hunting dears and has his own hunting show on Outdoor Network . He also hunts his own food (mostly Bucks [ male deers ]). He did a commercial onced for the "Energizer Battery" ; where he pretended he was selling his own pork rinds , and the Energizer Rabbit came in and stopped him as the announcer says , "Still going..Nothing outlast the Energizer battery. ..It keeps going..andgoing..and.." .

- Chomper, Franjkin County, PA

And mark which is about six mor than you'll ever have for I suspect you are even a more minor player in you narrow world. Enjoy your john lennon yeah he's a rocker.

- robert, los angeles, CA

Derek St. Holmes sang lead vocals on "Just What the Doctor Ordered" and "Dog Eat Dog". Derek St. Holmes did not sing lead on "Cat Scratch Fever".

- Bryan, Morgantown, KY

I thought this site was about music? Hey Mark from Byrdstown, at least he doesnt play any Dixie Chicks songs in concert! Has anyone seen their latest CD cover? Those broads look like the freakin' Addams Family!...YIKES! Remember music fans...Meat Is Murder...Tasty, tasty murder!
THE MOTOR CITY MADMAN FOREVER...Guys who bring a knife to gun fight, NEVER!

"great song and there is a fantastic cover by pantera" o man panteras version is garbage, its got no feel to it.

"wow! songfact is incorrect, ted does sing on this song, compare it to just what the doctor ordered or dog eat dog" maybe ur were listening to one of his newer live albums where ted does sing it

- Bam, London, Canada

I always thought this song was about a case of the crabs

- Carrie, , MI

Nugent had about 5 good songs.Now that he has become this crazed macho Republican killing machine I cant even listen to any of his 5 songs.No great loss....Nugent is a minor player in the world of rock.

- Mark, byrdstown, TN

i bet you youngsters never heard of his early acid type album ---journey to the center of the mind! example one song was named why is a carrot more orange than an orange!

- wes, sherwood, AR

Great song. Nuge is huge.

- Luis, São Paulo, Brazil

great song and there is a fantastic cover by pantera

- Justin, Albany, NY

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