Stray Cats And The Lyric Brian Setzer Came Up With While Brushing His Teeth In A Truck Stop

April 3, 2025

On a chilly morning in the late 1970s, Brian Setzer stood in front of a grimy bathroom mirror at a truck stop somewhere in America. The bright fluorescent lights flickered above him, casting a harsh glow on his tousled hair and tired eyes. He had just finished a long night of playing his guitar at a small bar, and as he brushed his teeth, his mind wandered through a whirlwind of thoughts about life, dreams, and the future. He was young, with a guitar in his hands and big dreams in his heart, but the road was tough, and success felt like a distant star.

As he rinsed his mouth, a catchy beat began to form in his mind. Stray cats! The phrase jumped out at him, swirling amidst his dreams and aspirations. He could picture them – those spirited cats that wandered the alleys, feral yet free, surviving against the odds. They lived life on their own terms, with more grit than glamour. In that dingy bathroom, inspired by these wild creatures, he quickly grabbed a scrap of paper and jotted down the lyric that would change everything: “Stray cats, they roam the night, living free—just like me.”

That moment sparked a fire in Setzer, igniting his creative spirit. He could feel the rhythm pulsing through him as he envisioned a band that captured the raw, rebellious energy of the streets. When he emerged from the truck stop, he was filled with renewed energy and determination. Over the next few years, he would form the Stray Cats, a rockabilly band that blended vintage rock with new wave excitement. Their sound resonated with a generation yearning for authenticity in music.

Despite many challenges, such as financial struggles and the ups and downs of the music industry, Setzer and his band refused to give up. They poured their hearts into their performances, swapping the cramped truck-stops for bustling concert halls. Their first album, “Stray Cats,” became a massive hit, and the band skyrocketed to fame, their catchy singles filling radio waves across the country. Each performance was a celebration of life, reminding audiences to embrace their freedom and chase their dreams, just as the stray cats did.

Years later, as Brian Setzer looked back on that pivotal moment in the truck stop, he felt a deep sense of gratitude. That simple lyric was more than just a catchy phrase; it was a declaration of independence. It represented resilience, the power of creativity, and the beauty of pursuing one’s passion. His journey showed that even in moments of doubt and uncertainty, inspiration could strike anywhere, even in the unlikeliest of places. Today, Brian Setzer continues to inspire young musicians around the world, encouraging them to embrace their unique voices and live life boldly, just like the stray cats roaming the streets.