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?
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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!!
Myrtle Beached Whale says:
Old dogs, children and watermelon wine by tom t hall
darrell says:
most of them songs you fellers listed aint country, since old sheps done mentioned im gonna say “queenie’s song” by guy clark and “ol’ blue” by a few artist from way back im fairly sure willie nelson has the song on his rainbow connection Cd, good luck findin the song on the internet to listen to tho, seems rare.
Gomez says:
Years ago I saw a show on TV, maybe Austin City Linits, where two old boys were singing a song and the lyrics went something like “it’s hard to be humble with a dog making love to your leg”. Anyone familiar with this song or the artist?
BiBiBennett says:
I have a wonderful dog song and would like to get it to a female CW singer. Any tips/addresses of managers so I can get the words and the tape to them? It’s a song about a dog’s last nite, written about a real dog, for his real two footed Mom who just had a stem cell transplant - I wrote the poem for her, it turned into a tune in my head, it’s now a song - waiting to be sung by someone more professional than I so the world can share the love between two best friends. Thanx!
carl lowe says:
I’m trying to find the complete lyrics for a song called “Rags”.
Rags, I call him Rags,,,he has a funny little tail and how it wags,,,
I heard this on an old record in 1952..
Does any one know all the words??
Stephanie says:
“Get Down” by Gilbert O’Sullivan. My dad used this song in a video tribute to his dogs, and I did the same. Lyrics: “You’re a bad dog baby, but I still want you around.”
I also agree with the above post Joe Cocker’s “You are so beautiful.” Great human/dog song!
John Henny says:
What about Feed Jake by Pirates of the Mississippi? Best dog song ever. Followed closely by I Love my Dog by Cat Stevens.