Walking the Dog

John Cale

About Walking the Dog

"Walking the Dog" (or "Walkin' the Dog") is a Rufus Thomas song. It was released on his 1963 album Walking the Dog. It was his signature hit and also his biggest, reaching number 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 in December 1963 and remaining on the Hot 100 for 14 weeks. The lyrics make references to children's nursery rhymes, especially Miss Mary Mack. The song was recorded several months later by the Rolling Stones in 1964. Unlike most Stones' recordings, the song features harmony vocals on the chorus solely by Brian Jones (most early Stones songs feature Jones and Bill Wyman on backing vocals, with Keith Richards replacing the two not long after), which makes their recording of the song unique in their catalogue. The only hit version in the UK was by the Dennisons, whose recording reached number 36 on the UK singles chart in 1964. Many other artists also recorded the song, including Aerosmith, Johnny Rivers, John Cale, Georgie Fame and the Blue Flames, Roger Daltrey, Green Day, Hans Theessink, the Flamin' Groovies, the Kingsmen, the Sonics, Ace Cannon, Jackie Shane, the Trashmen, Luv'd Ones, Bob Paisley and the Southern Grass and Ratt. It was performed live occasionally by the Grateful Dead in 1966, 1970, and the mid-eighties. 


Year:
2007
6:11
34 
#1

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Baby's back, dressed in black,
Silver buttons all down her back
High, low, tipsy toe,
She broke a needle and she can't sew
Walkin' the dog,
Just walkin' the dog
If you don't know how to do it,
I'll show you how to walk te dog

Asked a fellow for fifteen cents,
See the fellow he jumped the fence
Jumped so high he touched the sky,
Never got back till the fourth of July
Walkin' the dog,
Just walkin' the dog
If you don't know how to do it,
I'll show you how to walk the dog

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John Cale

John Davies Cale, OBE (born 9 March 1942) is a Welsh musician, composer, singer-songwriter and record producer who was a founding member of the experimental rock band The Velvet Underground. more »

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Written by: Rufus Thomas

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


6 facts about this song

Aerosmith
1. "Walking the Dog" was included in Aerosmith's eponymous debut studio album, "Aerosmith," released in 1973. 2. Aerosmith's version of the song brings a more rock and roll feel to it, in line with the band's signature style. 3. The band frequently performed "Walking the Dog" in their initial years, even before their album release.
John Cale
1. "Walking the Dog" became a feature of John Cale's live set in the 1980s, though it's not included in any of his studio albums. 2. Cale's way of performing the song was known for his traditional blues emphasis mixed with experimental tendencies. 3. John Cale's version of the song focuses on the strength of the musicianship rather than the charm of the lyrics like the original.
Roger Daltrey
1. Roger Daltrey, lead singer from the rock band 'The Who', covered "Walking the Dog" in his second solo studio album, "Ride a Rock Horse" in 1975. 2. Daltrey's version of the song was a departure from the traditional rhythm and blues style of the original and falls more into rock. 3. Unlike the other versions, Daltrey's version of the song has a more complex arrangement, including a larger number of instruments.
Rufus Thomas
1. "Walking the Dog" was originally recorded by Rufus Thomas and was his biggest hit. 2. Rufus Thomas's original version of the song was released by the legendary Memphis label, "Stax Records," in 1963. 3. Thomas's original recording was subsequently covered by many bands and artists including the Rolling Stones and Aerosmith.
The Rolling Stones
1. "Walking the Dog" was covered by the Rolling Stones in their debut album, "The Rolling Stones," in 1964. 2. The Stones' version of "Walking the Dog" features their early bluesy and raw rock & roll sound. 3. It is one of the few cover songs included in their debut album, indicating their admiration for Rufus Thomas's music.
The Sonics
1. The Sonics covered "Walking the Dog" in their debut studio album, "Here are The Sonics," released in 1965. 2. The Sonics' version of the song helped them establish their aggressive garage-rock sound, which heavily influenced punk rock. 3. They interpreted the song in a fast-paced, aggressive style compared with other covers, which aligns with their signature sound.

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