What's New Pussycat? (song)

"What's New Pussycat?" is the theme song for the eponymous movie, written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David,[1] and sung by Welsh singer Tom Jones. The original single included a 13-second instrumental introduction, ending in the sound of shattering glass, but later issues omitted this introduction.[2]

"What's New Pussycat?"
Single by Tom Jones
from the album What's New Pussycat?
B-side	"The Rose"
Released	5 June 1965 (US) 9 August 1965 (UK)
Genre	Traditional pop
Length	2:18
Label	Decca
Songwriter(s)	Burt Bacharach and Hal David
Producer(s)	Peter Sullivan
Tom Jones UK singles chronology
"With These Hands" (1965) "What's New Pussycat?" (1965) "Thunderball" (1966)

Chart performance

It was Jones' third UK top 30 record, and peaked at number 11.[3] In the US, "What's New Pussycat?" peaked at number 3, and was Jones' second entry on the top 40.[4]

Accolades

It was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Original Song in 1966, it lost to "The Shadow of Your Smile".

In popular culture and cover versions

It has also been performed by:

• Bobby Darin
• Steve Lawrence
• Anita Kerr,[5]
• The Wailers
• The Four Seasons.[2]
• Barbra Streisand performed several lines in her "Color Me Barbra Medley" from the TV special and album Color Me Barbra.
• The song was covered by Alvin and the Chipmunks in their 1965 album Chipmunks à Go-Go.
• It has also been referenced in John Mulaney’s popular segment “The Salt and Pepper Diner,” the last segment in his stand up routine The Top Part.[6]
• Wendy Carlos recorded a version performed with a moog synthesizer on her album By Request (1975). This version features cat's meow voices imitated with a synthesizer.[7][8]
• A metal version of the song was recorded by Leo Moracchioli for his YouTube channel, Frog Leap Studios.[9]
• The song was also at the episode of The Simpsons where Milo (voiced by Jack Black) plays the Korean-language version.
• In Flushed Away, the song appeared in the credits.
• In Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted, in the casino in Monte Carlo, Alex lifts up the disguise of the King of Versailles to reveal the chimps and the penguins. Mason covers himself saying, "What's new, pussycat?"
• In Turbo, the song played on Turbo's music shell while moving in the glass.
• Carole Baskin performed the song in Episode 2 on Dancing With The Stars 29th season.

References

1. Matthew Greenwald. "What's New Pussycat? - Tom Jones | Listen, Appearances, Song Review". AllMusic. Retrieved 2014-03-25.
2. Dominic, Serene (2003). Burt Bacharach, Song by Song: The Ultimate Burt Bacharach Reference for Fans, Serious Record Collectors, and Music Critics. Schirmer Trade Books. ISBN 9780825672804.
3. "TOM JONES | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". Officialcharts.com. Retrieved 2016-09-29.
4. Whitburn, Joel (2004). The Billboard Book of Top 40 Hits: Eighth Edition. Record Research. p. 333.
5. Anita Kerr. "Anita Kerr Singers - Reflect On The Hits Of Burt Bacharach & Hal David / Velvet Voices And Bold Brass". Amazon.com. Retrieved 2016-09-29.
6. Various Artists - Topic (2016-11-11), The Salt and Pepper Diner, retrieved 2018-10-26
7. http://www.wendycarlos.com/+br.html#tracks
8. https://www.allmusic.com/album/wendy-carlos-by-request-mw0000311872
9. What´s New Pussycat (metal cover by Leo Moracchioli) on YouTube