Cat People (Putting Out Fire)
"Cat People (Putting Out Fire)" is a song by David Bowie, originally released for the movie, Cat People, in 1982 and also on the album, Let's Dance on April 14, 1983. It was covered by a group consisting of Dave Gahan, Mark Lanegan, Martyn LeNoble, and Christian Eigner and released as a charity single on August 2, 2016 to benefit the American Liver Foundation.
Lyrics
(from original recording)
I can stare for a thousand years
Colder than the moon
It's been so long
Feel my love enraged
It's just the fear of losing you
Don't you know my name
You've been so long
And I've been putting out fire
With gasoline
See these eyes so red
Red like jungle burning bright
Those who feel me near
Pull the blinds and change their minds
It's been so long
Still this pulsing night
A plague I call a heartbeat
Just be still with me
Ya wouldn't believe what I've been through
You've been so long
Well it's been so long
And I've been putting out the fire with gasoline
Putting out the fire
With gasoline
See these tears so blue
An ageless heart that can never mend
These tears can never dry
A judgement made can never bend
See these eyes so green
I can stare for a thousand years
Just be still with me
Ya wouldn't believe what I've been through
You've been so long
Well it's been so long
And I've been putting out fire with gasoline
Putting out fire with gasoline
Well its been so long
(Been so long)
I've been putting out fire
(Been so long)
And its been so long
Been putting out fire (Been so long)
Well it's Been (Been so long)
Putting out fire (Been so long)
Been so long (So long so long)
Been so long (So long so long)
Been putting out fire
(Been so long so long so long)
Been putting out fire
(Been so long so long so long)
Been so long
Been putting out fire
Been so long so long so long
Yeah putting out fire
(Been so long so long so long)
Been so long
Been so long so long so long
Been so long so long so long
My Take
Let me start off by saying that I really enjoy both of David Bowie's versions of this song, with the 1982 recording being my favorite of the two. In that one, I love how it dramatically transitions from the slow and droning verses into the big and upbeat chorus. And I especially get a kick out of the way David goes from soft to practically screaming in that first instance of "And I've been putting out fire...WITH GASOLIIIINE!" Thus with all of that said and my praises about the originals, I need to confess up front that I had very high expectations for this cover because of who it features- that is Mark Lanegan and Dave Gahan who are epic in their own right and who are both big admirers of David Bowie. So, I have to say I definitely commited a faux pas by judging a book by its cover...or is this judging a cover by its cover? Anyway, what I mean by that is I was definitely expecting something epic and big, perhaps something like a duet between the two. But that is the not the case. Mark Lanegan actually takes the lead on the whole song here, with Dave serving more as backup, only coming in at the second half with the "been so long..." part. I admit that I was also hoping to hear similar dramatic transitions like I mentioned liking in the 1982 version. But this cover pretty much remains at a slow and droning pace the entire time. I will also selfishly admit that I was hoping to hear much more of Dave here. Other than that, it is a good cover in its own right and I think Mark did a great job in capturing the seductive and dusky mood of the song.
Music Video
There is no music video for this song.