Where Have All the Dog Songs Gone?
I got a puppy about a month ago. So naturally, I became instantly obsessed with dogs as if I was the first person to actually own one. I have all the books, I watch Animal Planet non-stop and spend about $150 a week at PetSmart on toys this little guy has no interest in. I’ve done everything short of getting a my-dog-is-smarter-than-your-dog bumper sticker. But what I keep wondering is, why there are no good country songs about dogs?
Plenty of today’s country stars have and love dogs. Billy Ray Cyrus is rarely photographed without his German shepherd. Taylor Swift has her mini-pinscher in her arms every chance she gets. LeAnn Rimes adores her Pomeranian (or is it Pomeranians?). Tim McGraw and Gretchen Wilson both have farms with dogs running around. And Dierks Bentley’s Web site even has a message board devoted to his dog, Jake.
Then there was all that work Loretta Lynn and Dolly Parton did for PETA’s “Unchain a Dog” campaign. And now Emmylou Harris has Bonaparte’s Retreat to help rescue dogs. So clearly, there’s no shortage of passion for these furry companions. Yet since Blake Shelton’s “Ol’ Red” was released in 2001, there have really been no songs devoted to that passion.
Is it because listeners would rather listen to songs about love gone wrong than songs about the unconditional love between man and beast? I highly doubt that. According to my amateur research, about 90 percent of country fans own dogs. So wouldn’t it make sense to have some songs about the one thing artists and fans really have in common?
©2008 Country Music Television, Inc., a Viacom company. A division of
carriefan says:
You should check out Carrie Underwood’s CD with… “The more boys I meet, the I love my dog”
kayefun says:
I would go for more ‘dog’ songs. I was gifted with a solid pewter plate that says, “Love Me, Love My Dogs”. It means not loving my dogs is a deal breaker for me “Love Me, Love My Dogs” might just offer some song writing inspiration because if that ain’t a song title, then nothing is. (If you think I’m crazy about my dogs - then you are right!)
Alison says:
For the record, my dog is way way cuter than Dierks’. Mine is a Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, and will be 120 lbs when he’s full grown.
Ollie says:
They may not be traditional country artists but at his concert at The Ryman which was filmed for the “Heart of Gold” movie, Neil Young sang with Emmylou Harris an ode to his dog, “Old King.” Also, Patty Griffin’s most recent album has a song on it called “Heavenly Day” which she describes in concert as her “first love song” and she then explains that she wrote it for her dog.
gail says:
Going way back in time (60s). Best dog song ever “I Love my Dog as Much as I Love You” ~~ Cat Stevens. Theme song for the movie “Year of the Dog” which was on the big screen a little over a year ago. Actually even when I hear “supposed human” love songs I think of my dogs. Joe Cocker(not Cockerspaniel) - “You are so Beautiful to Me”. I sung that to my ebony eyed cockerspaniel many times & the gleam in his eyes said “Ditto!!!!”
Amy says:
Dog Zen. Gotta love it. For a free LIFE IS SHORT. EAT BISCUITS! bumper sticker, visit http://www.eatbiscuits.com
Brady says:
I don’t think you can talk about dog songs without mentioning Red Foley’s “Old Shep”; it’s like talking about dog movies without mentioning “Old Yeller.”
Tanya says:
Well brady that’s a good classic, but what about now, like songs on the radio. That Blake Shelton song was good but even that seems old now and they never play it. I tried to find songs on iTunes so I could suggest a mix but theyre really aren’t any good new dog songs. Lets see…what rhymes with sit, stay, heel and NO!!!
Bill Walker says:
“Bugler” by the Byrds made me cry the first time I heard it, forty years ago, and it can still do it today. That has to count as country music.
shesgood says:
i think they should make more dogs songs too! but there is pro. not to much th sing about but yeah i feel yea brady
Edith says:
“Big Old Newfie Dog” co-written by country music entertainers Artie McLaren and Michael T. Wall both Canadians and published by Michael T. Wall is a wonderful tribute song to the beautiful Newfoundland Dogs renowned world wide for their life-saving ability. This is a “must have” for all Dog lovers.
Edith says:
My comment should have said published by Michael T. Wall
(Socan)
Marilyn Bellamy says:
How about “The Dog Song” by Canada’s Be Good Tanyas?
Bill says:
You have to add “Dog Dreams” to your collection. Absolutely great song, about a dog dreaming. How he and his dog bud (Rex) steal a car and raid garbage cans, go after “bitches to see if they meant what they said from the end of the leash”, “run over all the neighborhood cats”, etc. It’s in a minor key, which helps the feel of it. Found it on “Big Times in a Small Town” CD (great CD). Check amazon, hopefully they have a sample for you to check…or just go ahead and get the CD. It’s worth it.
Melanie says:
What about “Old Red” by Blake Shelton!!