Note: These lyrics were transcribed from a bootleg and are presented here for archival and educational purposes only.
This song, since the musical’s inception, had been a rock ‘n’ roll song with Rum Tum Tugger himself being a vain and arrogant Mick Jagger-like rock star dressed largely in leather....
[RUM TUM TUGGER, spoken]
Me-ow!
[COMPANY]
The Rum Tum Tugger is a curious cat
[MALE CAT]
If you offer him pheasant he'd rather have grouse
[FEMALE CAT]
If you put him in a house he would much prefer a flat
[MALE CAT]
If you put him in a flat then he'd rather have a house
[FEMALE CAT]
If you set him on a mouse then he only wants a rat
[MALE CAT]
If you set him on a rat then he'd rather chase a mouse
[COMPANY]
The Rum Tum Tugger is a curious kitten
For he will do as he will do
And there's no doing anything about it!
The Rum Tum Tugger is a terrible bore!
[MALE CAT]
If you let him in, then he wants to be out
[MUNGOJERRIE]
He's always on the wrong side of every door
[BOMBALURINA]
And as soon as he's at home, then he'd like to get about
[MUNGOJERRIE]
He likes to lie in the bureau drawer
[MALE CAT]
But he makes such a fuss if he can't get out
[COMPANY]
The Rum Tum Tugger is a curious cat
For he will do as he will do
And there's no doing anything about it!
The Rum Tum Tugger is a curious beast
His disobliging ways are a matter of habit
[MALE CAT]
If you offer him fish then he always want a feast
[MALE CAT]
When there isn't any fish then he won't eat rabbit
[BOMBALURINA]
If you offer him cream then he'll sniff and sneer
[MALE CAT]
If you put it away on the larder shelf
[COMPANY]
Then you'll catch him in it right up to his ears
[RUM TUM TUGGER, spoken]
For I only like what I find for myself
I'm a big bad cat, I make my own decisions
Never try to control me 'cause I won't listen
I'm a curious, furious, the strongest beat
An alley cat's got it whack, I'm running the streets
They say you should hear me hiss
On the edge of your seat
I'm a rebel on the level with a devilish streak
You give me a grouse, I want pheasant
You give me a mouse? I'm not a peasant!
You give me the biggest house down south to live in
But I'm asking for a flat where the rats are biggest
In fact, forget the flat, I want a house in Kingston!
[COMPANY]
The Rum Tum Tugger is a curious cat
(spoken)
Uh huh!
[RUM TUM TUGGER]
Let me in, I wanna be out
[COMPANY]
Uh huh!
[RUM TUM TUGGER]
When I'm at home, I wanna be about
Attack you with my sharp scratchy claws
I'm always on the wrong side of every door
I've heard people say I'm a terrible bore
You might catch me chillin' in the bureau drawer
Catchin' Zs when I please when I snooze and snore
But sure never met a cat like me before
(sung)
[COMPANY]
For he will do
As he will do
(spoken)
[RUM TUM TUGGER]
If you feed me a fish then I'll shout for a feast
Give me what I want or you'll get serious grief
[COMPANY]
Uh huh!
[RUM TUM TUGGER]
If you give me cream then I'll sniff and sneer
And you'll catch me in it right to my ears
I'm artful and knowing, I start the trouble
I'm rowin' and I'm growin' and you're quicker than [???]
I don't want hugs, don't care for snuggles
When you're on my fur, I don't purr, I struggle
Jumping on your sewing, now your task is doubled
There's nothing I like more than a horrible muddle
(sung)
[COMPANY]
The Rum Tum Tugger is a curious cat
For he will do
As he will do
And there's no doing anything about it!
The Rum Tum Tugger is a curious cat
For he will do
As he will do
[RUM TUM TUGGER]
And there's no doing anything
And there's no doing anything
And there's no doing anything about it!
The Rum Tum Tugger (2014 London Revival Cast) was written by Andrew Lloyd Webber.