How I Want To Live

Album: How I Want To Live: The Catman Chronicles 2 (2006)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This song is about life as seen from the perspective of a desert cat. Cohen believes cats are immortal creatures with 9 lives.
  • A cryonics firm in California plays the song in its corporate waiting room.
  • Producer Henry Iglesias designed the song so it could be an ideal workout piece for aerobics classes.
  • The pronounced sibilance in the song is purposeful because Cohen wanted to create the impression of hissing snakes.
  • Singer Shea Alexander complained months later that she could not get the chorus out of her head no matter how hard she tried. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Arnie - Los Angeles, CA, for all above

Comments: 1

  • Mrs. Sydney from Ajijic Lake Chapala Mexicoyour music is deeply thoughtful with every element of passion
    moving this gran'ma musician to dance, write and sing
    want you to know, we have
    a life style song location, a physical site making senior age people weep with joy
    everyday i wake saying thank you God, you are so real here, i wanna'cry
    everything you sing hope for Catman, we have here... we made this world
    with our behavior and hearts and labor.... Ajijic Lake Chapala...a most unique
    english speaking environment.... a conscious decision not advertised anywhere
    just wanted to let you know... some of us maintain the innocent place
    and we love you.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Richie Wise (Kiss producer, Dust)

Richie Wise (Kiss producer, Dust)Songwriter Interviews

Richie talks about producing the first two Kiss albums, recording "Brother Louie," and the newfound appreciation of his rock band, Dust.

Jackie DeShannon - "Put a Little Love in Your Heart"

Jackie DeShannon - "Put a Little Love in Your Heart"They're Playing My Song

It wasn't her biggest hit as a songwriter (that would be "Bette Davis Eyes"), but "Put a Little Love in Your Heart" had a family connection for Jackie.

Gene Simmons of Kiss

Gene Simmons of KissSongwriter Interviews

The Kiss rocker covers a lot of ground in this interview, including why there are no Kiss collaborations, and why the Rock Hall has "become a sham."

Billy Gould of Faith No More

Billy Gould of Faith No MoreSongwriter Interviews

Faith No More's bassist, Billy Gould, chats to us about his two new experimental projects, The Talking Book and House of Hayduk, and also shares some stories from the FNM days.

16 Songs With a Heartbeat

16 Songs With a HeartbeatSong Writing

We've heard of artists putting their hearts into their music, but some take it literally.

James Williamson of Iggy & the Stooges

James Williamson of Iggy & the StoogesSongwriter Interviews

The Stooges guitarist (and producer of the Kill City album) talks about those early recordings and what really happened with David Bowie.