Biography
Norma Cecilia Tanega (January 30, 1939 – December 29, 2019) was an American singer-songwriter, painter, and experimental musician whose work bridged folk, pop, and avant-garde traditions. Born in Vallejo, California to a Panamanian mother and a Filipino father who was a US Navy bandmaster, Tanega moved to Long Beach at age two and began classical piano lessons at nine. She attended Scripps College on a full scholarship, earning her MFA from Claremont Graduate School in 1962, and was deeply involved in both music and visual arts from an early age.
After traveling Europe, Tanega settled in New York City's Greenwich Village, immersing herself in the vibrant folk scene and performing at coffee houses and summer camps. Her breakthrough came in 1966 with the whimsical hit 'Walkin' My Cat Named Dog,' which reached #22 on the US and UK charts and #3 in Canada. The song's playful lyricism and folk-rock style reflected Tanega's unique approach, blending acoustic guitar, pop-soul production, and poetic storytelling. She also wrote songs for Dusty Springfield, with whom she had a personal and creative partnership. In later years, Tanega returned to California, focusing on teaching, painting, and increasingly experimental music, performing with groups such as Ceramic Ensemble, hybridVigor, Baboonz, and Latin Lizards.
Tanega's legacy endures through her genre-defying catalog and her influence on folk and experimental music. Her song 'You're Dead' found renewed popularity as the theme for the film and TV series 'What We Do in the Shadows.' As a queer woman of color, Tanega was a pioneering figure in both music and art, celebrated for her independence, creativity, and commitment to living authentically. Her work continues to inspire new generations of musicians and artists.
Fun Facts
- Norma Tanega's biggest hit, 'Walkin' My Cat Named Dog,' was inspired by her real-life pet cat, which she named 'Dog' because her apartment did not allow dogs.
- She was a classically trained pianist and earned a Master of Fine Arts before launching her music career.
- Tanega's song 'You're Dead' became the theme for the cult comedy-horror film and TV series 'What We Do in the Shadows,' introducing her music to a new generation.
- She was also a prolific painter and ran an art gallery in Redondo Beach, California, later living in a house designed with dedicated studios for music, pottery, and painting.
Musical Connections
Mentors/Influences
- Joan Baez - Tanega taught herself guitar by playing along with Baez records, absorbing her folk style and approach to songwriting. (Early acoustic compositions and folk performances) [Early 1960s]
- Aaron Copland - Studied classical composers like Copland during her MFA, influencing her understanding of composition and musical structure. (Academic studies at Claremont College) [1960-1962]
Key Collaborators
- Dusty Springfield - Tanega wrote songs for Springfield and was her romantic partner, influencing each other's music and lives. (Springfield's recordings of Tanega's songs) [Late 1960s–early 1970s]
- Herb Bernstein - Producer who discovered Tanega at a summer camp and introduced her to Bob Crewe, leading to her first record deal. (Production of 'Walkin' My Cat Named Dog') [1965-1966]
- Bob Crewe - Songwriter and producer who signed Tanega to New Voice label and produced her debut single. ('Walkin' My Cat Named Dog') [1965-1966]
- Brian Ransom - Collaborated in the Ceramic Ensemble, performing experimental music on handmade ceramic instruments. (Ceramic Ensemble albums and performances) [1980s, 2010s]
- Mike Henderson - Formed the duo hybridVigor, later expanded to a trio. (hybridVigor albums) [1990s]
- Robert Grajeda - Formed the Latin Lizards duo, releasing the album 'Dangerous'. ('Dangerous' (2003)) [1998-2003]
Artists Influenced
- Barry McGuire - Covered 'Walkin' My Cat Named Dog', bringing Tanega's songwriting to a wider folk audience. (Cover of 'Walkin' My Cat Named Dog') [1966]
- Art Blakey and the Jazz Crusaders - Recorded jazz versions of Tanega's hit, showing her cross-genre influence. (Jazz covers of 'Walkin' My Cat Named Dog') [1966]
- Contemporary LGBTQ and experimental musicians - Tanega's independent spirit and genre-defying work have inspired artists in folk, experimental, and queer music communities. (Referenced in retrospectives and anthologies) [2010s–present]
Connection Network
Discography
Albums
| Title | Release Date | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Walkin' My Cat Named Dog | 1966-04-12 | Album |
| I Don't Think It Will Hurt If You Smile | 1971-01-01 | Album |
| In the Shadows | 2019-11-08 | Album |
| I'm the Sky: Studio and Demo Recordings, 1964–1971 | 2022-05-06 | Album |
| I'm the Sky: Studio and Demo Recordings, 1964–1971 | 2022-05-06 | Album |
| I’m the Sky: Studio and Demo Recordings, 1964–1971 | 2022-05-06 | Album |
| I Don't Think It Will Hurt If You Smile | 1971-01-01 | Album |
Top Tracks
- You're Dead (Walkin' My Cat Named Dog)
- Walkin' My Cat Named Dog (Walkin' My Cat Named Dog)
- A Street That Rhymes at 6am (Walkin' My Cat Named Dog)
- Jubilation (Walkin' My Cat Named Dog)
- Treat Me Right (Walkin' My Cat Named Dog)
- I'm the Sky (Walkin' My Cat Named Dog)
- Maggie My Dog (Maggie My Dog)
- Hey Girl (Walkin' My Cat Named Dog)
- Now is the Time (I Don't Think It Will Hurt If You Smile)
- Run, On the Run (In the Shadows)
External Links
References
Heard on WWOZ
Norma Tanega has been played 2 times on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station.
| Date | Time | Title | Show | Spotify |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 7, 2025 | 20:09 | You're Dead | Music of Mass Distractionw/ Black Mold | |
| Oct 29, 2025 | 23:16 | You're Deadfrom Walkin' My Cat Named Dog | Kitchen Sinkw/ A.J. Rodrigue and A.A. |