Can't feel the pain that I expected
I still place keys in the ignition
I know what will be
One thought is stopping me from sleeping
I saw the future and it's breeding
I know what will be

Could be your last resort
Like gold against your soul

There are three things that I would die for
But I am sure you're not one of them
I know what will be

Could be your last resort
Like gold against your soul

(You think you've got it all wrapped up now
You stumble on so unsuspecting
I know what will be)

I hold your birth control to ransom
The cells divide and grow inside you
I know what will be

I know what will be

I know what will be


Lyrics submitted by FeLKoN

Bonnie the Cat Lyrics as written by Gavin Richard Harrison Colin Edwin Balch

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Downtown Music Publishing

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

Bonnie the Cat song meanings
Add Your Thoughts

12 Comments

sort form View by:
  • +3
    General Comment

    I think this is about a guy who sleeps with a girl but doesn't really love her ("There are three things that I would die for But I am sure you're not one of them") but then she gets pregnant ('I saw the future and it's breeding") and is in love with him so she uses the baby as an excuse ("birth control to ransom" "Could be your last resort Like gold against your soul") but the guy isn't happy about it Maybe that's why the song seems so mean and dark Steve said that most the songs were about "Incidents" and this kinda classifies as one

    GhostofPerdition13on March 26, 2011   Link
  • +1
    My Interpretation

    Here is my interpretation of the song. Since I'm not English, please don't mind my mistakes :-)

    After a breakup, the male person doesn't feel as hurt as he thought, he would (he probably blocks it out). His anger is stronger than his remaining love. Also he still lives his normal life (driving - maybe to work or sth.) He can't sleep, though, because he saw his pregnant wife's baby - probably on an ultrasonic picture. This concerns him and keeps him from sleeping (is it his own kid? or did she cheat on him?)

    The refrain shows, that he knows, that she is pregnant and thinks (in order to raise the child) he might be the the only one, who could help her. Maybe the woman doesn't have any family to support her. He knows, she is going to struggle and she is too blind, to see that.

    His anger and emptiness inside him is expressed by the way the verses are sung. It almost makes the "melodic" "I know what will be" sound like a satisfaction for him. He's happy to see, she cannot make it on her own.

    weirdlfon December 06, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    From what I've heard, this song was originally called Aggressive. However, one of the bandmate's cats was called Bonnie and it was pretty mean. So they changed the song name accordingly.

    As for what the song lyrics mean, I have no idea. It's dark and creepy though, thanks to the Silent Hill styled intro.

    FeLKoNon September 14, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Awesome song! It's so dark and thrilling. Love it.

    Nice job on lyrics, man.

    Dante4444on September 18, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I always thought it's about getting the feeling that something bad's gonna happen, but you go along anyway. Maybe even more so reflecting on that feeling after the bad thing has happened to you.

    "Can't feel the pain that I expected" So the "incident" (so to call) already happened, but the pain is not as hard as expected.

    "I still place keys in the ignition I know what will be" Always had me thinking of when I went to have a "talk" with my then-girlfriend and I had the feeling it's about to end but still I got in my car and drove to her. (It ended on that day, btw.) Only the order of the lines seems slightly odd to support this interpretation.

    Those lines however are a complete mystery to me: "Could be your last resort Like gold against your soul"

    and

    "I hold your birth control to ransom The cells divide and grow inside you" (Could be that the "you" that is reffered to is pregnant, but.. how does it fit into the rest of the song?)

    Firepeteon September 21, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    This song definitely seems to be about the impending birth of a child, or of multiple children, in the future. "I saw the future and it's breeding", "the cells divide and grow inside you", etc.

    To go along with the bitter stage of relationship breakup theory, this would simply add an element of an unborn child to the story. However, IMO the song seems to be centered around the issue of the unborn baby, so if SW really did say in an interview what znoahmarhoadskill said than he definitely way oversimplified it.

    Anyway, this is a great song and it's specific meaning still baffles me. And I like the misleading title :-)

    ricbass78on November 23, 2009   Link
  • 0
    My Opinion

    One random thing: Does anyone else notice that the thumping chorus at the end is the same as The Grand Conjuration or am I making random correlations?!

    jpusaron May 17, 2010   Link
  • 0
    My Interpretation

    I think this song is simply about rape, or at least, forceful rape. Hahaha, if that makes enough sense.

    He goes on and on about how he knows what he's gonna do as if he knows how wrong it is, and what the consequences are.

    My guess is that he wants revenge for a bad breakup? He says, "There are three things that I will die for, and you're not one of them." or whatever, and it sounds like he's not willing to accept it. I have heard that the three things are the Holy Trinity (Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit)...but I don't see how that makes sense...interesting though...

    This is just a dark, nasty, mysterious song. Named after one of the band member's cat. hahaha.

    Steven Wilson said that on The Incident, they were focusing on music and hardly at all on lyrics. So the meaning can't be that great.

    terrorizeron December 04, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    "There are three things that I would die for But I am sure you're not one of them I know what will be"

    One of my favourite lyrics of all time its just so Depressing and full of misery

    greatezaloron January 18, 2011   Link
  • 0
    My Interpretation

    I think this song follows (of course) with the general theme of "The Incident" album which is about varying incidents of some tragic event - from the perspective of those most affected by the tragedy.

    In the case of "Bonnie the Cat" The tragedy is a breakup - where a pregnancy is involved. To make things more more tragic, the pregnancy was used by the woman as a type of relationship "ransom," her "last resort" and a type of "gold against" her soul - or in other words, a way to add value to being in a relationship with her. So, tragic because the woman tries trapping the man with a pregnancy.

    A third level of tragedy is, that the the attempt to hold the pregnancy as a type of relationship ransom, not only doesn't work to keep the man - but tragically leaves him unaffected - cold and uncaring - while even he understands the gravity of the situation and knows he should care more. Instead of caring he's hostile, angry and disaffected.

    This is is all from the man's perspective, so he knows he should care, but he's surprised by how little he is affected: "can't feel the pain that I expected... " And despite the intense drama of a breakup complicated by a pregnancy, like an emotionless machine, he routinely drives away and leaves her anyway, "I put the key in the ignition."

    He shows he understands the gravity: "I know what will be" but again other than being unable to sleep - he leaves the situation anyway. And again, judging from the song's intense tone, he's also feeling very hostile under the circumstances.

    landrover15on April 15, 2014   Link

Add your thoughts

Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.

Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!

More Featured Meanings

Album art
Son Şansın - Şarkı Sözleri
Hayalperest
This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere. In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
Album art
Holiday
Bee Gees
@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday". I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
Album art
Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction vocalist Perry Farrell gives Adam Reader some heartfelt insight into Jane’s Addiction's hard rock manifesto "Mountain Song", which was the second single from their revolutionary album Nothing's Shocking. Mountain song was first recorded in 1986 and appeared on the soundtrack to the film Dudes starring Jon Cryer. The version on Nothing's Shocking was re-recorded in 1988. "'Mountain Song' was actually about... I hate to say it but... drugs. Climbing this mountain and getting as high as you can, and then coming down that mountain," reveals Farrell. "What it feels to descend from the mountain top... not easy at all. The ascension is tough but exhilarating. Getting down is... it's a real bummer. Drugs is not for everybody obviously. For me, I wanted to experience the heights, and the lows come along with it." "There's a part - 'Cash in now honey, cash in Miss Smith.' Miss Smith is my Mother; our last name was Smith. Cashing in when she cashed in her life. So... she decided that, to her... at that time, she was desperate. Life wasn't worth it for her, that was her opinion. Some people think, never take your life, and some people find that their life isn't worth living. She was in love with my Dad, and my Dad was not faithful to her, and it broke her heart. She was very desperate and she did something that I know she regrets."
Album art
Mountain Song
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction vocalist Perry Farrell gives Adam Reader some heartfelt insight into Jane’s Addiction's hard rock manifesto "Mountain Song", which was the second single from their revolutionary album Nothing's Shocking. Mountain song was first recorded in 1986 and appeared on the soundtrack to the film Dudes starring Jon Cryer. The version on Nothing's Shocking was re-recorded in 1988. "'Mountain Song' was actually about... I hate to say it but... drugs. Climbing this mountain and getting as high as you can, and then coming down that mountain," reveals Farrell. "What it feels to descend from the mountain top... not easy at all. The ascension is tough but exhilarating. Getting down is... it's a real bummer. Drugs is not for everybody obviously. For me, I wanted to experience the heights, and the lows come along with it." "There's a part - 'Cash in now honey, cash in Miss Smith.' Miss Smith is my Mother; our last name was Smith. Cashing in when she cashed in her life. So... she decided that, to her... at that time, she was desperate. Life wasn't worth it for her, that was her opinion. Some people think, never take your life, and some people find that their life isn't worth living. She was in love with my Dad, and my Dad was not faithful to her, and it broke her heart. She was very desperate and she did something that I know she regrets."
Album art
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.