Stray Cat Blues

Song infobox
Name = Stray Cat Blues


Artist = The Rolling Stones
Album = Beggars Banquet
Released = 6 December 1968
track_no = 8
Genre = Rock
Length = 4:40
Writer = Jagger/Richards
Label = ABKCO
Producer = Jimmy Miller
Chart position =
prev = "Prodigal Son"
prev_no = 7
next = "Factory Girl"
next_no = 9

"Stray Cat Blues" is the eighth song on the Rolling Stones' album "Beggar's Banquet". It was written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards and produced by Jimmy Miller. Miller's production of the song is very representative of his style, featuring a very prominent hi hat beat, droning piano, a distorted electric guitar and vocals from Jagger kept even in the mix. According to Mick Jagger the song was inspired by 'Heroin' by the Velvet Underground. The intro of Stray Cat and Heroin are similar.

The lyrics were considered very controversial for 1968, and are even considered risque by many today. The song is told from the perspective of a man pining after a 15 year old girl, reasoning that he will violate her because "it's no hanging matter, it's no capital crime".

A live performance was captured during the Stones' American Tour 1969 and released on the 1970 live album "Get Yer Ya-Ya's Out!" but, unlike the studio version, it is very slow and mellow sounding. Additionally, the lyrics are more provocative as the girl's age was changed to 13.

The song has been reprised in more recent set lists , as well. Notably the Licks Tour.

Soundgarden later covered the song for their "Jesus Christ Pose" single in 1991.

Nitzer Ebb covered this song on the "I Give To You" single in 1991.