Tooth and Claw

Status: Complete

I started this piece on 10/17/2020, finishing on 1/4/2021. It’s a song about my cat, Chunga, whom my GF and I adopted in May, 2020. He is very, very, fluffy, and all in all, a very good little beast. But he was very “bitey” when we got him, and though he’s improving, he is particular about when and where he is petted.

One day, I had the very random thought that if Chunga were a bar owner, his bar would be named, “Little Bitey’s Tooth and Claw.” Eventually, I came up with a jingle for it, which is what became the main motif of the piece.

It started out as a project without any real intention or ideas. I needed a name for the project file, and chose “Tooth and Claw” for no apparent reason. Then I tried putting the “tooth and claw motif” over what I already had recorded, to see if I could make it funky. And it grew from there.

Here are the lyrics:

You came to us as Artie, but that wasn’t our thang.
Your name is now Chunga, but we call you Kittang.
Also Little Bitey. We’ve got reasons enough.
Yer mouth is always open, just to show us how tough.

I worry ’bout your mouth always open so wide.
Eventually something’s gonna fly right inside.
Oh, fanged one, this song is dedicated to you.
Now please release my hand on which you currently chew.

Little Bitey’s tooth and claw.
He’s the bitiest of them all. (Hey Little Bitey)
Little Bitey’s tooth and Claw.
There really oughta be a law. (Hey Little Bitey)

A tiny predator at the core of your being.
Looking out the window at the birdies.
Fluffy on the outside but a terror at heart.
If you could you’d surely tear them birdies apart.

But living inside, there isn’t much to attack.
Is that why when I pet you, on my fingers you snack?
And when I walk by, please tell me, I beg.
Little Bitey, why must you take a bite out of my leg?

Little Bitey’s tooth and claw.
He’s the bitiest of them all. (Hey Little Bitey)
Little Bitey’s tooth and Claw.
There really oughta be a law. (Hey Little Bitey)

Little Bitey, Little Bitey, Little Bitey’s Tooth and Claw (4x)

Meow meow meow meow, meow meow meow.

It’s four in the morning. Do you know how I know?
Little Bitey’s on the dresser, knocking things to the floor.
Only two more hours till the meowing will cease.
While you’re feasting on your pellets, I can get me some peace.

We’ll pass the time playing with the laser light.
Little red dot that you keep trying to bite.
I can see that you are hungry even though you can’t talk.
Don’t worry, Little Bitey, it’s Kitten O’Clock!