Warm Kitty

"Warm Kitty" is a children's song, popularized by the characters Sheldon and Penny in the American sitcom The Big Bang Theory where it is rendered as "Soft Kitty".[1] The words to "Warm Kitty" were written by Edith Newlin, and are still under copyright. The tune was taken from a traditional English children's song, "Little bird, have you heard…", whose melody is identical to the German song "Hänschen klein", but the note values had to be changed to fit the new words, as a comparison of the two versions shows.[2]

In the The Big Bang Theory, the lyrics are:

"Soft Kitty, Warm Kitty,
little ball of fur.
Happy Kitty, Sleepy Kitty,
purr, purr, purr."[3]

This is sung by Sheldon, Penny, and Sheldon's mother. They sing it to each other when one of them is sick, though Sheldon is the common recipient.

Versions of the song have been released by Australian children's performer Patsy Biscoe, and by the long-running ABC children's programme Play School. However, their rendition has the lyrics:

"Warm Kitty, Soft Kitty,
little ball of fur.
Sleepy Kitty, Happy Kitty,
purr, purr, purr."[4]

By Christmas 2011, "Soft Kitty" merchandise such as a plush stuffed singing cat or T-shirt with The Big Bang Theory version of the lyrics could be purchased.[5][6]

References

  1. ↑ Seidman, Robert (16 November 2010). "CBS.com Launches "Soft Kitty" Contest Inspired by Popular Song From CBS Hit 'The Big Bang Theory'". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved 4 August 2013.
  2. ↑ Laura Pendleton McCartney (1937). Songs for the Nursery School (Imperial 662 ed.). Cincinnati, Ohio: Willis Music Company. p. 21. OCLC 1024186. Retrieved 3 August 2013.
  3. ↑ "Big Bang - Warm Kitty, Soft Kitty (Sheldon's Lullaby Sick Song) Instrumental Version Lyrics - MetroLyrics". MetroLyrics. Retrieved January 30, 2015.
  4. ↑ "Play School - Warm Kitty, Soft Kitty lyrics - Musixmatch". musiXmatch. Retrieved January 30, 2015.
  5. ↑ Elavsky, Cindy (25 November 2011). "Celebrity Extra". The Dearborn Heights Times-Herald. Retrieved 3 August 2013.
  6. ↑ "The Big Bang Theory Singing Soft Kitty Plush out now!". The Big Bang Theory.com. 2011. Retrieved December 27, 2011. Singing Soft Kitty Plush out now!