songs about dogs?

July 14, 2005 10:01 AM

Help me fill a CD with songs about dogs!

My sister in law just got a puppy and I want to create a mix CD for her full of songs about dogs. Any style is welcome, and songs don't necessarily have to be happy, but I'd like to keep the country songs to a minimum. Here's what I've got to far:

Dixie the Tiny Dog -- Peter Himmelman, The Musings of Someone
Old King -- Neil Young, Harvest Moon
Queenie's Song -- Guy Clark, The Dark
Lilly -- Pink Martini, Hang on Little Tomato

posted by pmbuko to Pets & Animals (72 answers total)

It's country, but what about Dirty 'ol Egg Suckin Dog - Johnny Cash.

Also country: Old Red - Blake Shelton.

There must be more, non country one's. I'll keep thinking.
posted by dpx.mfx at 10:17 AM on July 14, 2005

How much is that doggie in the window? - (various)
Gonna Buy Me A Dog - the Monkees
I Ain't Nothing But A Hound Dog - Elvis
BINGO - (various)

Isn't there a song called Puppy Love?
posted by dpx.mfx at 10:21 AM on July 14, 2005

From a MoFi mix I recieved last year is a great little song...

Dogs - Nina Nastasia
posted by MsVader at 10:21 AM on July 14, 2005

Everything Reminds Me of My Dog -- Jane Sibbery, Bound by the Beauty
posted by mbrubeck at 10:22 AM on July 14, 2005

How Much Is That Doggie In the Window
posted by poppo at 10:23 AM on July 14, 2005

Jane Siberry's Everything Reminds Me Of My Dog
posted by Capn at 10:24 AM on July 14, 2005

Hell damn and blast!
posted by Capn at 10:24 AM on July 14, 2005

There's Black Dog by Zeppelin by I guess that's not about an actual dog
posted by poppo at 10:25 AM on July 14, 2005

Oh! Cat Stevens, I love my dog.
Hank Williams, Move It On Over
posted by dpx.mfx at 10:25 AM on July 14, 2005

If you can find it anywhere.
Terrier Song - Bruce McCulloch (Kids in the Hall)
posted by sailormouth at 10:27 AM on July 14, 2005

Seamus - Pink Floyd, Meddle
posted by vorfeed at 10:29 AM on July 14, 2005

Hell Hound on my Trail by Robert Johnson
posted by sciurus at 10:29 AM on July 14, 2005

The Dog Song - Nellie McKay (very good dog song)
posted by smackfu at 10:31 AM on July 14, 2005

Oh, and the whole album He Has Left Us Alone But Shafts of Light Sometimes Grace the Corners of Our Rooms by A Silver Mt. Zion is about a dog, particularly the last song, For Wanda.
posted by sciurus at 10:31 AM on July 14, 2005

the Pet Shop Boys -- "I Want A Dog"
the Beatles -- "Hey Bulldog," "Martha My Dear"
posted by lisa g at 10:33 AM on July 14, 2005

Nick Drake - Black Eyed Dog
Dan Bern - Opposable Thumb (about his little dog Gidgit developing one, quite funny)
posted by nelleish at 10:42 AM on July 14, 2005

You can't have a CD like this without "Atomic Dog" by George Clinton and Parliament / PFunk. It ruminates on why dogs must be like that -- why they must chase the cat.

"Dogs" from Pink Floyd's "Animals" has actual dog sounds.
posted by johngoren at 10:44 AM on July 14, 2005

Anything by Bow Wow Wow
posted by jozxyqk at 10:45 AM on July 14, 2005

"Canis Lupis" - the Aquabats
posted by Gary at 10:46 AM on July 14, 2005

Dead Kennedys - Dog Bite
Henry Gross - Shannon
Manic Street Preachers - Damn Dog
posted by thirteenkiller at 10:47 AM on July 14, 2005

The Associates - Even Dogs In The Wild
Bauhaus - Hair Of The Dog
The Cure - Shake Dog Shake
Christian Death - Dogs
David Bowie - Diamond Dogs
Elastica - Mad Dog
Hank Williams Sr. - Move It On Over
Pulp - Dogs Are Everywhere
Relaxed Muscle - Year of the Dog
Rufus Thomas - Walking The Dog
Skinny Puppy - K-9
They Might Be Giants - Dinner Bell?, Youth Culture Killed My Dog
Tindersticks - Just A Dog, Rottweilters And Mace, Harry's Dilemma

Maybe more in a bit...
posted by ktrey at 10:48 AM on July 14, 2005

Mississippi John Hurt - Salty Dog
posted by p3t3 at 10:49 AM on July 14, 2005

The Magnetic Fields - Fido, Your Leash Is Too Long
The Ramones - Howlin' At The Moon?
"Bingo"
posted by ktrey at 10:56 AM on July 14, 2005

It's not about dogs at all, but it has what must be the best use of a dog barking in all of rock: "Been Caught Stealing."
posted by Skot at 10:56 AM on July 14, 2005

I don't have a dog suggestion, but I do have to say that I was about to jump on here and suggest "Dixie the Tiny Dog" until I saw you listed it...best. dog song. EVER. I have friends with dachshunds and they haven't stopped thanking me for adding it to their mix tape awhile back. Well done!

"My body yields no evil inclination, I'm a pure wiener dog..."
posted by Bella Sebastian at 10:58 AM on July 14, 2005

Noel Coward - Mad Dogs and Englishmen
Belle & Sebastian - Dog on Wheels
Underdog - Sly and the Family Stone (though I'm partial to the Dirtbombs cover)
posted by boombot at 11:00 AM on July 14, 2005

The Magnetic Fields - Fido, Your Leash Is Too Long

IMO, the best dog-song ever...
posted by mkultra at 11:04 AM on July 14, 2005

Lobo - Me And You And A Dog Named Boo
Peter Paul & Mary - Blue
posted by DandyRandy at 11:11 AM on July 14, 2005

How about the Oscar Mayer Weiner jingle :)
posted by p3t3 at 11:13 AM on July 14, 2005

All Good Things - Klaatu

Good last song for a dog mix. A nice little 70's ditty about losing a favorite dog.
posted by adamkempa at 11:15 AM on July 14, 2005

"Shannon" by Henry Gross. (That link also mentions "Old Shep" by Elvis Presley.)
posted by JanetLand at 11:16 AM on July 14, 2005

Led Zeppelin, Bron-Y-Aur Stomp

"So, of one thing I am sure,
It's a friendship so pure,
Angels singing all around my door so fine.
Yeah, ain't but one thing to do
Spend my natural life with you,
You're the finest dog I knew so fine."
posted by UKnowForKids at 11:16 AM on July 14, 2005 [1 favorite]

The New Cobweb Summer by Lambchop is partially about a dog.

Andre Williams' I Want To Be Your Favorite Pair of Pajamas has the line, "I want to be your dog, baby, so you can teach me not to bite!" (Then, it also has the line, "I wanna be your pair of Snuggies so I can cling to your thighs...")

The Osmonds' (And They Call It) Puppy Love.
posted by dobbs at 11:28 AM on July 14, 2005

The Jingle Dogs!

You have to find "the Terrier Song" though, sung by Kids in the Hall Bruce McCulloch, backing music by Shadowy Men on a Shadowy Planet!

Sample Lyric:
Terriers are my very favourite breed.
They're cute and cuddly and easy dogs to feed.
They'll bring you up whenever you are down.
Terriers average 20 pounds.
When I walk around in this terrier town,
One thing that makes me down,
Is when people put bandanas on their dogs.
posted by Quartermass at 11:50 AM on July 14, 2005

put me down for a copy of that mix when you finish it!
posted by jacobsee at 12:10 PM on July 14, 2005

especially if you find the terrier song!
posted by jacobsee at 12:10 PM on July 14, 2005

Showcase Showdown - Bark the Vote
The Vandals have a song called "canine euthanasia" that's a pretty sweet testament to a dog, but it's a bit of a downer.

Oh, and that guy from Sublime was always singing about his dog. Well, and the drugs.
posted by Ufez Jones at 12:22 PM on July 14, 2005

Bob Dylan's 'If Dogs Run Free.'

And, while DMX loves dogs, dog metaphors and, uh, barking, I don't know whether any of his songs are actually about 'em.
posted by box at 12:25 PM on July 14, 2005

Wild Pack of Family Dogs by Modest Mouse and Dogs Rule the Night by Porno for Pyros.
posted by saladin at 12:25 PM on July 14, 2005

Response by poster: Thanks for all the ideas so far. Keep 'em coming, though. The best CD mixes are always the ones where you've got too much good material to choose from.
posted by pmbuko at 12:26 PM on July 14, 2005

Definitely "Martha My Dear" by the Beatles, which is much more about dogs than "Hey Bulldog" is. (Here's Paul with Martha the sheepdog.)

Also, "Sleep Dog Lullaby aka Dogsong" by the Be Good Tanyas (lyrics here, scroll down). Their second album has "Dogsong 2" but I haven't heard that album at all. The first one is really sweet though.
posted by librarina at 12:28 PM on July 14, 2005

Don't forget Paul Simon's "Rene and Georgette Magritte With Their Dog After the War"
posted by grateful at 12:28 PM on July 14, 2005

Fear Factory, Dog Day Sunrise
Warren Zevon, Even a Dog Can Shake Hands
Pink Floyd, Seamus (you need this one)
Jethro Tull, Sleeping With The Dog
posted by Wolfdog at 12:32 PM on July 14, 2005

Pond - "My Dog Is an Astronaut Though"
posted by bwilms at 12:39 PM on July 14, 2005

There's also a terrier song featured in the movie "Best In Show" but I don't know if it made it onto a soundtrack - maybe you can rip it from the DVD.
posted by matildaben at 12:39 PM on July 14, 2005

I think it's kind of alt-country, but Bobby Bare Jr's "Your Adorable Beast" is the most endearing dog song I've ever heard!

"I'll chase your enemies away
Lick your momma on the face
I'll only wag my tail when I'm with you"
posted by Bear at 12:53 PM on July 14, 2005

Eels - Christmas is Going to the Dogs
posted by thewittyname at 1:03 PM on July 14, 2005

"Stubb A Dub" by Mr. Bungle

"Gimme Back My Dog" by Slobberbone
posted by Atom12 at 1:31 PM on July 14, 2005

"Dead Puppies"

Dead puppies dead puppies
Dead puppies aren't much fun
They don't come when you call
They don't chase squirrels at all
Dead puppies aren't much fun

My puppy died late last fall
He's still rotting in the hall
Dead puppies aren't much fun
Mom says puppy's days are through
She's gonna throw him in the stew
Dead puppies aren't much fun
posted by glibhamdreck at 1:38 PM on July 14, 2005

"The Day That Lassie Went To The Moon" by Camper Van Beethoven
posted by stefnet at 1:40 PM on July 14, 2005

By-Tor and the Snow Dog - Rush
Sick Dog try to Speak - Mr. Oizo
I am the Dog - Nevermore
That Old Dog - King Missile
Hound Dog - Jimi Hendrix
Dog Eat Dog - Ted Nugent
Space Dog - Tori Amos
Suck My Dog's Dick - Wesly Willis
A Shy Dog - Yo La Tengo
Dogs of War - Pink Floyd
posted by freshgroundpepper at 1:47 PM on July 14, 2005

Leave My Kitten Alone -- The Beatles
Claudia -- The Damned
posted by ZenMasterThis at 2:01 PM on July 14, 2005

Also, though it's not really about dogs per se, Dillinger Escape Plan's "When Good Dogs Do Bad Things" is an awesome song.
posted by saladin at 2:05 PM on July 14, 2005

"Dog Dreams" by The Story (on the "Grace in Gravity" CD) -- a very clever song about dogs in general. (You can listen to it on Amazon to preview.)
posted by nancoix at 2:26 PM on July 14, 2005

'Dog Eat Dog' - Adam and the Ants

you may not like
the things we do
only idiots
ignore the truth

it's easy to
lay down and hide
where's the warrior
without his pride?

we're gonna move real good - yeah right
we're gonna dress so fine - OK
it's
dog eat dog eat dog eat dog
eat dog eat dog eat dog eat dog
leapfrog the dog
and brush me daddy-O
posted by Jikido at 2:47 PM on July 14, 2005

I cannot believe I forgot "Your Adorable Beast" by Bobby Bare Jr., which Bear mentions. You have to check that one out. It's great. And not too country, I don't think.
posted by librarina at 3:11 PM on July 14, 2005

Liz Phair- Dogs of LA
posted by klangklangston at 3:35 PM on July 14, 2005

Bessie Smith "Yellow Dog Blues"
Big Mama Thorton "Hound Dog"
Porno For Pyros "Pets"
posted by kimota at 4:41 PM on July 14, 2005

Has anyone mentioned "The Puppy Song" by Harry Nilsson from the You've Got Mail Soundtrack?

"If only I could have a puppy,
I'd call myself so very lucky,
just to have some company,
to share a cup of tea with me.

I'd take my puppy everywhere,
Lalalala, I wouldn't care.
We'd stay away from crowds
and signs that said, 'No Dogs Allowed.'"
posted by davenportmom at 5:40 PM on July 14, 2005

Aerosmith - The Reason a Dog (from Smoke and Mirrors)
(the reason a dog has so many friends is because he wags his tail instead of his tongue)

Nazareth - Hair of the Dog (Cue the air guitar and "Now you're messin' with a ... a son of a bitch!")

Fat Boys - Don't Dog Me

Homer's Poochie Rap from the Simpsons

Something by Snoop Doggy Dogg? (and Tha Dogg Pound)
posted by attercoppe at 6:31 PM on July 14, 2005

And crap, I forgot to add between Preview and Post:

Ray Stevens - Your Bulldog Drinks Champagne
posted by attercoppe at 6:32 PM on July 14, 2005

Elton John - The Bitch is Back
posted by SPrintF at 6:36 PM on July 14, 2005

Two inappropriate suggestions:

The Misfits - Hellhound

Got a hellhound dog
That hellhound's gonna rip your face off

Edie Brickell - Ghost of A Dog

How can that dog be barking in the backyard?
We ran over him years ago


I planned to follow this up with some cheerier suggestions, but I can't think of any.
posted by climalene at 7:15 PM on July 14, 2005

Ulysses by Jake Thackray
posted by RobotHero at 8:07 PM on July 14, 2005

Mandy by Barry Manilow (according to Casey Kasem on AT40)
posted by rfs at 8:25 PM on July 14, 2005

Saigon Kick's My Dog

Of course, its about a dog getting hit by a car.


oh no
oh god no
he's dead
he's dead
my dog was walking down the street
minding his own buisness
and this fuckin car came
and ran him over
have you seen my dog
playing round and round
and he was looking at me
with those big brown eyes
and he started
shaking and shaking
in other words I didn't know what to do
and blood was just pouring out of his mouth
into a puddle
oh god
he's dead no
have you seen my dog playing
round and round
now he's dead
posted by y0mbo at 8:42 PM on July 14, 2005

I can't believe noone's mentioned the Beatles' "Martha".
Also:
Fred Eaglesmith, "He's a Good Dog"
Possibly:
Ozzy Osbourne, "Bark at the Moon"
Carl Perkins, "Matchbox"
Paul Anka, "Puppy Love"
posted by arto at 10:16 PM on July 14, 2005

Anything by the Lost Dogs?
posted by bigbigdog at 11:57 PM on July 14, 2005

You can also make a case for The Arcade Fire's Laika, or anything by the band Laika (most pointedly, Bitch In Heat, which has a fantastic beat and luckily it's hard to hear the dumbish lyrics).
posted by klangklangston at 12:18 AM on July 15, 2005

Someone might suggest "Me and Little Andy" by Dolly Parton, as Little Andy is a dog, but I'm fairly sure that Little Andy kicks it by the song's end, so you might want to skip it.
posted by Dreama at 2:46 AM on July 15, 2005

And there's the Shaggs classic "My Pal Foot-Foot."
posted by lisa g at 3:02 AM on July 15, 2005

Moxy Fruvous - Laika
The Fiery Funaces - My Dog Was Lost But Now He's Found
Ben Folds - Dog
posted by Joe Schlabotnik at 8:10 AM on July 15, 2005