"The Aristocats" is a song sung in the opening credits of the 1970 Disney animated feature film of the same name.
It was performed by Maurice Chevalier, in what would be the final performance of his career.
Production[]
Many years earlier, Richard and Robert Sherman's father, Al Sherman, helped give Monsieur Chevalier his first hit song, "Livin' in the Sunlight, Lovin' in the Moonlight". By the time The Aristocats went into production, Chevalier was already enjoying his retirement, and Richard Sherman recorded the demo of the title song in an imitation of Chevalier. Producer Bill Anderson ended up convincing Chevalier to come out of retirement to record this song, which would end up being his final credit.
Lyrics[]
Which pet's address
Is the finest in Paris?
Which pets possess
The longest pedigree?
Which pets get
To sleep on velvet mats?
Naturellement! The aristocats!
Which pets are blessed
With the fairest forms and faces?
Which pets know best
All the gentle social graces?
Which pets live
On cream and loving fats?
Naturellement! The aristocats!
They show aristocratic bearing
When they're seen
Upon an airing
And aristocratic flair
In what they do
And what they say!
Aristocats are never found
In alleyways or hanging around
The garbage cans where
Common kitties play, oh no!
Which pets are known
To never show their claws?
Which pets are prone
To hardly any flaws?
To which pets
Do the others tip their hats?
Naturellement! The aristocats!
(Instrumental Bridge)
Aristocats, ils sont toujours
Même quand ils font un petit tour
Toujours précieux
Là où ils vont
Ils sont fièrs de leur éducation
Dédaignant les ruelles
Ils préfèrent les bars aux poubelles
Dont se contentent, trop vulgaires
Les chats de gouttière, oh pouah!
Quels miaous réprouvent les gros mots?
Quels chats chouchous s'estiment sans défauts?
Et devant qui, les autres chats tirent leurs chapeaux?
Mais naturellement!
Mais naturellement, voyons!
Oh, mais naturellement!
Les aristocats!
Translation:
Aristocats, they are still
Even when they take a little walk
Always precious
Where they go
They are proud of their education
Disdaining the alleys
They prefer bars to trash cans
Which are content, too vulgar
Alley cats, oh ugh!
What meows disapprove of swear words?
Which darling cats consider themselves flawless?
And in front of whom, the other cats take their hats off?
But of course!
But of course, let's see!
Oh, of course!
The aristocats!
Which pet's address
Is the finest in Paris?
Which pets possess
The longest pedigree?
Which pets get
To sleep on velvet mats?
Naturellement! The aristocats!
Which pets are blessed
With the fairest forms and faces?
Which pets know best
All the gentle social graces?
Which pets live
On cream and loving fats?
Naturellement! The aristocats!
They show aristocratic bearing
When they're seen
Upon an airing
And aristocratic flair
In what they do
And what they say!
Aristocats are never found
In alleyways or hanging around
The garbage cans where
Common kitties play, oh no!
Which pets are known
To never show their claws?
Which pets are prone
To hardly any flaws?
To which pets
Do the others tip their hats?
Naturellement! The aristocats!
(Instrumental Bridge)
They show aristocratic bearing
When they're seen
Upon an airing
And aristocratic flair
In what they do
And what they say!
Aristocats are never found
In alleyways or hanging around
The garbage cans where
Common kitties play, oh no!
Which pets are known
To never show their claws?
Which pets are prone
To hardly any flaws?
To which pets
Do the others tip their hats?
Naturellement! Naturellement!
Naturellement! The aristocats!
Goof[]
- The lyric "The finest in Paris" was originally written in the hopes that Chevalier would sing it with the French pronunciation ("Paree") so that it would rhyme with "pedigree", but instead, he pronounces it the English way ("Pariss").
