Cats on the Ceiling

"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.^[1]

"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.^[2]

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."^[1]

A music video directed by Olivia De Camps was released on 18 October 2024, and centers on Ruel getting a buzz cut.^[3]

The Note called it a "joyous and shiny pop tune addressing love, loss and letting go."^[1]

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."^[4]

• Digital download and streaming

1. "Cats on the Ceiling" — 3:33

• Digital download and streaming (Purrfectly Altered)

1. "Cats on the Ceiling" — 3:33
2. "Cats on the Ceiling" (acoustic) — 3:32
3. "Cats on the Ceiling" (catnip version) — 3:04
4. "Cats on the Ceiling" (catnap version) — 4:22
5. "Cats on the Ceiling" (acapella) — 3:33
6. "Cats on the Ceiling" (hisstrumental) — 3:33

• 12" Record Store Day 2025 Exclusive^[5]

Side A:

1. "Cats on the Ceiling"
2. "Cats on the Ceiling" (Stripped)
3. "Bonus Track #1"

Side B:

1. "Made it Awkward"
2. "Made it Awkward" (Stripped)
3. Bonus Track #1

Credits adapted from Apple Music.^[2]

• 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