A Velvet Reverie: When Glam Met the Shadow Self in “Cat Black”
A haunting exploration of duality and the darker corners of the human psyche, “Cat Black” paints a vivid, almost mystical portrait of internal conflict and the seductive allure of the unknown.
Ah, Marc Bolan. A name that conjures images of glitter, feather boas, and a voice that seemed to drip with stardust. But beneath the shimmering facade, there was a depth, a complexity, a fascination with the shadowy side of existence that found its most compelling expression in tracks like “Cat Black.” While not a chart-topping single, this gem, nestled within the expansive landscape of T. Rex’s work, specifically within the album “The Slider” (1972), serves as a potent reminder of Bolan’s lyrical and musical versatility. “The Slider” itself reached number 4 on the UK Albums Chart and number 17 on the US Billboard 200, a testament to the band’s widespread popularity during the glam rock era. However, “Cat Black” remained an album cut, a treasure for those who ventured beyond the hits.
The story behind “Cat Black,” like many of Bolan’s more esoteric compositions, is shrouded in a kind of dreamy ambiguity. It wasn’t a radio staple, nor was it a song that received extensive media coverage. Instead, it existed as a whisper, a secret shared among devoted listeners who were drawn to its enigmatic charm. Bolan, ever the mystic, was known for his fascination with fantasy, mythology, and the occult. This inclination permeates “Cat Black,” infusing it with a sense of otherworldly intrigue.
The meaning of the song, while open to interpretation, seems to delve into the duality of human nature. The “cat black” itself can be seen as a metaphor for the darker, more mysterious aspects of the self, the hidden desires and impulses that lurk beneath the surface. Bolan’s lyrics, with their evocative imagery and almost incantatory delivery, create a sense of ritual, of a journey into the depths of the subconscious. It’s a song that invites introspection, a contemplation of the shadows that reside within us all.
Bolan’s vocal delivery, almost a hushed whisper, heightens the song’s sense of intimacy and mystery. The arrangement, with its subtle, almost hypnotic rhythm and its sparse instrumentation, allows the lyrics to take center stage. There’s a sense of timelessness to “Cat Black,” a quality that transcends the glam rock era in which it was born. It’s a song that resonates with a sense of ancient wisdom, a reminder of the enduring power of myth and metaphor.
For those of us who remember the heady days of the early ’70s, when T. Rex reigned supreme, “Cat Black” is a reminder of Bolan’s artistic ambition and his willingness to explore uncharted territory. It’s a track that stands apart from the more straightforward rock ‘n’ roll anthems that defined his mainstream success. It’s a testament to the fact that even in the midst of glam rock’s glitter and spectacle, there was room for introspection, for a journey into the shadows, a quiet, profound exploration of the human soul. The song’s legacy lives on, a testament to the enduring power of Bolan’s artistic vision, a vision that dared to delve into the depths of the human psyche, leaving behind a hauntingly beautiful, and eternally relevant, piece of music.