"Cats on the Ceiling" is a song recorded by Australian singer-songwriter, Ruel. It was released on 18 October 2024 through Recess Records and Giant Music. It was Ruel's first original solo track since "I Don't Wanna Be Like You" in March 2023.
Background and composition "Cats on the Ceiling" was written by Ruel Vincent Van Dijk, Elias Danielsen, Sam Romans, Jake Torrey, Mark Landon, with the latter serving as the co-producer of the song under his stage name, M-Phazes, alongside Joshua Shpak.
On the single release, Ruel commented: "I think there is so much more out there for us to experience in this life if we can just 'let go' of all that pent up self-control from time to time. I wrote 'Cats' to express the joy that comes from giving in to the great unknown and I want people to be able interpret that in whatever way feels good to them."
Music video A music video directed by Olivia De Camps was released on 18 October 2024, and centers on Ruel getting a buzz cut.
Reception The Note called it a "joyous and shiny pop tune addressing love, loss and letting go."
Nicole Otero from Euphoriazine said "'Cats on the Ceiling' opens with a shiny pop production that comes with buoyancy and makes you feel like you're floating. Also saying "The song also comes with a very specific narrative that expands onto the relationship of two people bringing the best out of each other, a whimsical concept very well presented."
Track listings Digital download and streaming "Cats on the Ceiling" — 3:33
Digital download and streaming (Purrfectly Altered) "Cats on the Ceiling" — 3:33 "Cats on the Ceiling" (acoustic) — 3:32 "Cats on the Ceiling" (catnip version) — 3:04 "Cats on the Ceiling" (catnap version) — 4:22 "Cats on the Ceiling" (acapella) — 3:33 "Cats on the Ceiling" (hisstrumental) — 3:33
12" Record Store Day 2025 Exclusive
Side A: "Cats on the Ceiling" "Cats on the Ceiling" (Stripped) "Bonus Track #1" Side B: "Made it Awkward" "Made it Awkward" (Stripped) Bonus Track #1
Personnel Credits adapted from Apple Music.
Ruel Vincent Van Dijk – vocals, composer, lyrics Elias Danielsen – composer, lyrics, guitar Sam Romans – composer, lyrics Jake Torrey – composer, lyrics M-Phazes (Mark Landon) – producer, composer, lyrics, synthesizer, drums, percussion, drum machine Joshua Shpak – producer, trumpet, keyboards, synthesizer, background vocals, guitar Jack Siegel – guitar Pera Krstajic – bass Adam Moore – guitar, background Vocals Meredith Moore – keyboards, background vocals Leonard "Kaeyos" Latouche – drums Philip Saabye – mastering engineer, mixing engineer
Charts +Chart performance for "Cats on the Ceiling"Chart (2024)Peak positionNew Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)39
Release history +"Cats on the Ceiling" release historyRegionDateFormat(s)LabelVersionRef.Various18 October 2024Original18 December 2024Purrfectly AlteredAustralia April 2025 12" vinylRecord Store Exclusive
References