Songfacts®:

• R&B and soul singer-songwriter Lyfe Jennings steps in on this Dr. Dre-helmed number from Wu-Tang Clan member Raekwon's fourth solo album, Only Built 4 Cuban Linx II.
• Raekwon discussed the track with Artist Direct: "'Catalina' was a vicious record, and we always knew that was going to be a hit. I remember when I actually sat in the studio with Dr. Dre and he first played it for me. I looked at his face and I could tell that he really loved the beat. I loved it because it's my kind of beat. It was still hip hop, but it had savoir faire to it. It reminded me of a new 'C.R.E.A.M.' That's why you hear me come with a similar style on it. The beat was just knocking, and the first thing I thought about was one of those big yachts that said 'Catalina' on it. If you ride on this s--t, you've got to have money."
• "Catalina" originally featured Busta Rhymes on the hook. Reakwon explained to Artist Direct why he was replaced: "Busta's the one that put me and Dre together. The first hook had a little reference from Busta Rhymes. He was singing and having fun. I liked his hook too, but we decided to change it because we don't people to start thinking Busta's a singer. He's not that kind of artist, plus he was having fun. It wasn't nothing that he was banking on doing. We knew that record was going to the top."
• The song samples from the dialogue and score from the movie The Killer.