“Go Cat Go”: Norma Jean Co-opts the Rockabilly Battle Cry

I like how the beleaguered singer of this song ironically subverts the mythic rockabilly refrain “Go Cat Go” into a cry of liberation from her no-good, double-crossing partner:

“Go Cat Go“

Norma Jean (1964)

Norma Jean’s demand for independence (penned by Harlan Howard) peaked at #8 on Billboard‘s Country chart for the week ending December 5, 1964 and was included on 1965 LP, Pretty Miss Norma Jean, her highest-charting album, which peaked at #3. “Go Cat Go” even “bubbled under” the Billboard Hot 100 chart at #134 for the week ending October 3, 1964.