Black Cat

Album: Rhythm Nation 1814 (1989)
Charted: 15 1
Play Video
  • All the lonely nights I spend alone
    Never 'round to love me
    You're always gone
    'Cause you're hangin' out
    Breakin' the rules
    Oh, the man has come
    Lookin' for you

    You're a rebel now
    Don't give a damn
    Always carrying on
    With the gang

    I'm tryin' to tell ya, boy
    It's a mistake
    You won't realize
    'Til it's too late

    Don't understand
    Why you insist
    On ways of living such a dangerous life
    Time after time, you stay away
    And I just know that you're telling me lies

    Black cat, nine lives
    Short days, long nights
    Livin' on the edge
    Not afraid to die
    Heart beat, real strong
    But not for long
    Better watch your step
    Or you're gonna die

    You're so together, boy
    But just at a glance
    You'll do anything
    If given the chance

    Scheming, planning lies
    To get what you need
    So full of promises
    That you never keep

    Don't you tell yourself
    That it's okay
    Sick and tired of
    All of your games

    And you want me to stay
    Aw, better change
    Makes no sense to me
    Your crazy ways

    Don't understand
    Why you insist
    On ways of living such a dangerous life
    Time after time, you stay away
    And I just know that you're telling me lies

    Not afraid to die, guitar

    Black cat
    Black cat
    Man, I don't understand your ways
    Livin' on the edge

    Don't understand
    Why you insist
    On ways of living such a dangerous life
    Time after time, you stay away
    And I just know that you're telling me lies

    (Fellas) black cat, nine lives
    Short days, long nights
    Livin' on the edge
    Not afraid to die (talking about me)
    Heart beat real strong
    But not for long
    Better watch your step
    Or you're gonna die (sing it up)

    Black cats, nine lives
    Short days, long nights (yeah, yeah)
    Livin' on the edge
    Not afraid to die (no, don't don't die)
    Heart beat real strong
    But not for long
    Better watch your step
    Or you're gonna die

    Black cats
    Livin' on the
    Heartbeat
    Better watch your step Writer/s: Janet Jackson
    Publisher: Sentric Music
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 1

  • Hannah from Hopkinton, MaThe song entered the Billboard Hot 100 in 9/15/1990. Six weeks later on 10/27/1990, it reached the top spot for one week. It was the third Rhythm Nation #1 hit after "Miss You Much" and "Escapade".
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Carol Kaye

Carol KayeSongwriter Interviews

A top session musician, Carol played on hundreds of hits by The Beach Boys, The Monkees, Frank Sinatra and many others.

Dave Mason

Dave MasonSongwriter Interviews

Dave reveals the inspiration for "Feelin' Alright" and explains how the first song he ever wrote became the biggest hit for his band Traffic.

Ed Roland of Collective Soul

Ed Roland of Collective SoulSongwriter Interviews

The stories behind "Shine," "December," "The World I Know" and other Collective Soul hits.

Colin Hay

Colin HaySongwriter Interviews

Established as a redoubtable singer-songwriter, the Men At Work frontman explains how religion, sobriety and Jack Nicholson play into his songwriting.

Spooner Oldham

Spooner OldhamSongwriter Interviews

His keyboard work helped define the Muscle Shoals sound and make him an integral part of many Neil Young recordings. Spooner is also an accomplished songwriter, whose hits include "I'm Your Puppet" and "Cry Like A Baby."

Bands Named After Real People (Who Aren't In The Band)

Bands Named After Real People (Who Aren't In The Band)Song Writing

How a gym teacher, a janitor, and a junkie became part of some very famous band names.