How I Want To Live

Album: How I Want To Live: The Catman Chronicles 2 (2006)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This song is about life as seen from the perspective of a desert cat. Cohen believes cats are immortal creatures with 9 lives.
  • A cryonics firm in California plays the song in its corporate waiting room.
  • Producer Henry Iglesias designed the song so it could be an ideal workout piece for aerobics classes.
  • The pronounced sibilance in the song is purposeful because Cohen wanted to create the impression of hissing snakes.
  • Singer Shea Alexander complained months later that she could not get the chorus out of her head no matter how hard she tried. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Arnie - Los Angeles, CA, for all above

Comments: 1

  • Mrs. Sydney from Ajijic Lake Chapala Mexicoyour music is deeply thoughtful with every element of passion
    moving this gran'ma musician to dance, write and sing
    want you to know, we have
    a life style song location, a physical site making senior age people weep with joy
    everyday i wake saying thank you God, you are so real here, i wanna'cry
    everything you sing hope for Catman, we have here... we made this world
    with our behavior and hearts and labor.... Ajijic Lake Chapala...a most unique
    english speaking environment.... a conscious decision not advertised anywhere
    just wanted to let you know... some of us maintain the innocent place
    and we love you.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Brandi Carlile

Brandi CarlileSongwriter Interviews

As a 5-year-old, Brandi was writing lyrics to instrumental versions lullabies. She still puts her heart into her songs, including the one Elton John sings on.

Victoria Williams

Victoria WilliamsSongwriter Interviews

Despite appearances on Carson, Leno and a Pennebaker film, Williams remains a hidden treasure.

Director Mark Pellington ("Jeremy," "Best Of You")

Director Mark Pellington ("Jeremy," "Best Of You")Song Writing

Director Mark Pellington on Pearl Jam's "Jeremy," and music videos he made for U2, Jon Bon Jovi and Imagine Dragons.

Timothy B. Schmit of the Eagles

Timothy B. Schmit of the EaglesSongwriter Interviews

Did this Eagle come up with the term "Parrothead"? And what is it like playing "Hotel California" for the gazillionth time?

Dave Edmunds

Dave EdmundsSongwriter Interviews

A renowned guitarist and rock revivalist, Dave took "I Hear You Knocking" to the top of the UK charts and was the first to record Elvis Costello's "Girls Talk."

Women Who Rock

Women Who RockSong Writing

Evelyn McDonnell, editor of the book Women Who Rock, on why the Supremes are just as important as Bob Dylan.