Image Credit: Phil Dent/Redferns/Getty ImagesRegular PopWatch readers will know that I never pass up an opportunity to mention my cat, Semmi (pictured…the one with pointy ears, in case you can’t tell). So I found it hard to resist writing this post once I stumbled upon news that Tokyo researchers discovered that dogs find classical music most relaxing. Because however embarrassing it was to write the headline of this post, it’s even more so to acknowledge that, yes, I know my cat’s favorite song: Michael Jackson’s “Keep the Faith.” How do I know this? Well, because every time the song plays on my iTunes — which is far too often, considering its general cheesy horribleness (remember this?) — Semmi drops whatever dust bunny part of her own body cat toy she’s currently attacking, and stretches out into a calm, purring, blissful sleep. (True fact: the song began playing when I took this picture. See that calm look in her eye? It’s her Tylenol PM!)
Apparently, this is a very embarrassing admission, based purely on how few responses I got from the EW.com staff when I asked for their own solicitations. Even Annie Barrett — someone not afraid to discuss her love for a Christie Brinkley-penned book — only bothered to respond with, “I don’t care for animals,” which just means she plays Matthew Morrison‘s version of “Thong Song” whenever she sees a feline or canine. (How cruel!) But here are some answers from a few brave souls:
Mike Bruno: “My old dog liked ‘Been Caught Stealing,’ that hit from Jane’s Addiction with dogs barking.” (An obvious one, right?)
Samantha Harmon: “My cat is named Lucy. So obviously her favorite song is ‘Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds.’” (Or she just really likes hallucinogenic drugs.)
Mandi Bierly: “When I was in elementary school, the family dachshund, Katy, seemed to enjoy Kool & the Gang’s ‘Cherish,’ which I played non-stop on vinyl. Could have been the seagulls.”
So, come on, PopWatchers, embarrass yourselves too: What is your pet’s favorite song? And the first reader to guess the pop culture origin of my cat’s name wins an imaginary cupcake!
Usually I wouldn’t give this post a second glance, but recently I’ve noticed my dog gets super excited when Chelsea Dagger comes on. It’s weird, and I think there might be something wrong with his tiny tiny brain
Our dog Lenny seems to really like The Doors “Moonlight Drive”. Or maybe it’s just that he recognizes it seeing as I play music by The Doors pretty much all the time.
It would be so perfect if our dog Gobias liked “The Final Countdown” or “It Ain’t Easy” but he seems to really like “Judy Is a Punk”.
All of my pets are rocking out to “Tik Tok”
Is your cat named after arsenio hall’s character from living in America? Do I get the imaginary cupcakes?!?!
You win! I hope you like imaginary red velvet!
Not a song, but we used to have a cat that was mesmerized whenever she saw Rudy Giuliani on tv – no comment!
Any time the theme song to the Golden Girls comes on, my chihuahua, Judd, stops whatever she is doing and stares at the TV for the entire duration of the song. Once the song is over, she goes on about her business. This has been going on for many years!
My cats don’t necessarily care about music on the stereo, but they *love* it when I sing to them. Usually I make up words about them to other songs. For example, most songs about my cat Frankie are to the tune of Mr. Hanky, the Christmas Poo from South Park. If any humans ever heard me, it would truly embarrassing.
Oh, I do that all the time, too. About my cat Jeter, set to the opening tunes of wake me up before you go-go: “Jeter Cat lives in my house/(meow meow)/He goes poop, poop, poop/ then he sheds on my clothes” I REALLY hope my neighbors never overhear!
For my cat Lenny, I do a version of Benny & the Jets, “Lenny is my pet” that is very dorky!
I sing the theme to Super Smash Bros. Brawl with my dog’s name being the only words. He likes the attention.
I change the words to “I like to move it” to “I like to Bones-y” while singing to my cat Bones. She just blinks at me. I’m so glad I’m not the only one!!
We have 2 cats and a dog, but I only sing to the cats. Is that weird? I also never sing them the regular song, but sub in lines about them.
I sing to my parents’ ancient cat all the time. Her name is Callie Maria (yes, we give our pets middle names), so I usually sing her the Santana/Wyclef Jean song, with modified lyrics: “Maria, Maria/She reminds me of a cross-eyed kitty” and so on. For my cat, Milo, I just sing the theme to Milo & Otis.
Thank you all for making me feel like I’m in good company in my dorkiness!
My cat Callie has two favorite songs: “Going to back to Cali” and “California Love.” Actually, she might not like the second one too much, because during the “Shake, shake it, Cali” part, I have been known to hold her front feet up in the air and make her shake her belly in time to the music… And yes, I DO need a boyfriend, thankyouverymuch!
I had a parrot that either loved or hated it when Alice in Chains’ “Would” played. Not sure if the squawking was in approval or agitation.
I also decided at one point that my cat loved Hot Chocolate’s “You Sexy Thing” and thus forced her to stand on her hind legs and dance around like an idiot. I also called her growling “purring.”
My dachshund loves Queen’s “I want to break free”. He perks up and stares at the computer every time it comes on. And, it’s not a song, but my other dog loves Phil’s voice on The Amazing Race. He watches the TV so intently when Phil comes on!
I like to think my Cavapoo (Cavalier King Charles Spaniel / Toy Poodle Mix) Oliver’s favorite song is none other than Harry Nilsson’s “The Puppy Song,” but I think that’s just wishful thinking. He does perk up whenever I am singing, to anything, but I’m not sure if he’s enjoying it or disturbed. I am a decent singer but I sort of think he DOESN’T like it…
My lab relaxes on car trips to George Winston’s December album. She’ll be all crazy, and as soon as she hears the first soothing notes of George’s magical piano, she stretches, lays down and is out for the count until the last note on the album finishes.
I can tell you that my cat hates the Oscar Mayer Bologna song. I’m not sure what he likes, though.
My dog Vito jumps up and down for Single Ladies.
I used to have a Guinea Pig named Brandy – and I couldn’t stop singing “Brandy (You’re a fine girl)” every time I saw her. I’m not sure if she liked it as much as it never got out of my head.
My family always sang that to our late dog Brandy! I have the same feeling about it, but it was fun to have a song for her.
Mine too! She would also go wild for Turn Me On by The Tubes.