Black Dog (Arlo Parks song)

"Black Dog" is a song by the British singer and poet Arlo Parks from her first studio album, Collapsed in Sunbeams (2021).[1] Named after Winston Churchill's term for depression,[2] the song focuses on mental health.[3] "Black Dog" was Parks' first song to have mainstream radio airplay in the UK, on the A List of the BBC Radio 1 Playlist in July 2020.[4] Critics at NME ranked "Black Dog" as the fourth best song of 2020.[5]

"Black Dog"
Single by Arlo Parks
from the album Collapsed in Sunbeams
A-side"Eugene"
ReleasedMay 4, 2020 (2020-05-04)
GenreContemporary R&B
Length3:45
LabelTransgressive
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Gianluca Buccellati
Arlo Parks singles chronology
"Eugene"
(2020)		 "Black Dog"
(2020)		 "Hurt"
(2020)
Music video
"Black Dog" on YouTube

Background and release

The song was released a month before Parks became an ambassador for the British mental health charity, Campaign Against Living Miserably.[6] It was released as a double-sided single with the song "Eugene" on 4 May 2020. Both songs were produced by Gianluca Buccellati, who also wrote them with Parks.[7] Referring to "Black Dog", Parks said, "It's supposed to make people who are struggling feel less isolated and start a conversation surrounding the prevalence of mental health issues in today's world."[8]

Critical reception

The song was placed on Amazon Music's UK Rising playlist within a week of its initial release.[9] NME described the single as "the years most devastating song".[3][1] DIY explained the song as being directed at those having to deal with mental health issues.[10] Narzra Ahmed of When The Horn Blows revealed that the meaning of "Black Dog" is a metaphor for depression with the song intended for people suffering with mental health as a result of isolation, and encourages a conversation around the issue.[11] Malvika Padin of Euphoria describes the song as starting a conversation around how people feel about themselves especially with the advent of social media making people question if they are a perfect person and their life.[12] "Black Dog" was also reported on by Redbrick and Office magazines, both of which described the song as one that explores human relationships.[13]

Music video

In May 2020, a music video directed by Molly Burdett was released.[14] The 4K video has scenes depicting depression, sadness and family issues.[15]

Track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)ProducerLength
1."Black Dog"
Buccellati3:45
2."Eugene"
  • Marinho
  • Buccellati
Buccellati3:42
Total length:7:27

Charts
Chart (2020) Peak
position
Belgium (Ultratip Bubbling Under Flanders)[16] 44
Belgium Urban (Ultratop Flanders)[17] 32
UK Singles Downloads (OCC)[18] 61
Scotland (OCC)[19] 92

References
  1. Richards, Will (20 May 2020). "Arlo Parks: Creator of the year's most devastating song". NME. Archived from the original on 28 May 2020. Retrieved 5 June 2020.
  2. Smyth, David (29 May 2020). "Arlo Parks interview: 'Music was my refuge in a lost space'". Evening Standard. Retrieved 5 June 2020.
  3. Reilly, Nick (5 May 2020). "Arlo Parks shares powerful new track 'Black Dog'". NME. Archived from the original on 14 May 2020. Retrieved 5 June 2020.
  4. "Radio 1 Playlist". BBC. Archived from the original on 16 July 2020. Retrieved 9 August 2020.
  5. "The 50 best songs of 2020". NME. 8 December 2020. Retrieved 8 December 2020.
  6. "Introducing Arlo Parks, new CALM ambassador". Campaign Against Living Miserably. 5 June 2020. Archived from the original on 21 May 2020. Retrieved 5 June 2020.
  7. "Black Dog by Arlo Parks on Tidal". Tidal. Archived from the original on 5 June 2020. Retrieved 5 June 2020.
  8. Kenneally, Cerys (5 May 2020). "Arlo Parks unveils new single "Black Dog"". The Line of Best Fit. Archived from the original on 5 June 2020. Retrieved 5 June 2020.
  9. "UK Rising (6 May 2020)". Amazon Music. 6 May 2020. Retrieved 5 June 2020.
  10. "Arlo Parks shares new song 'Black Dog'". DIY. 5 May 2020. Archived from the original on 12 May 2020. Retrieved 5 June 2020.
  11. Ahmed, Narzra (13 May 2020). "Singer-songwriter and poet Arlo Parks' confessional style seeps into her powerful new single 'Black Dog'". When The Horn Blows. Archived from the original on 5 June 2020. Retrieved 5 June 2020.
  12. Padin, Malvika (11 May 2020). "Arlo Parks releases quietly stunning new song, "Black Dog"". Euphoria. Archived from the original on 5 June 2020. Retrieved 5 June 2020.
  13. Brown, Elsie (4 June 2020). "Single Review: Arlo Parks - Black Dog". Redbrick. Archived from the original on 5 June 2020. Retrieved 5 June 2020.
    - Brake, David Aaron (4 May 2020). "Premiere: Arlo Parks, "Black Dog"". Office. Retrieved 5 June 2020.
  14. Robles, Jonathan (5 May 2020). "Arlo Parks' new song 'Black Dog' is heartbreakingly beautiful". Variance. Archived from the original on 13 May 2020. Retrieved 5 June 2020.
  15. Parks, Arlo (4 May 2020). "Arlo Parks - Black Dog (Official Video)". YouTube. Archived from the original on 8 May 2020. Retrieved 5 June 2020.
  16. "Arlo Parks – Black Dog" (in Dutch). Ultratip.
  17. "Arlo Parks – Black Dog" (in Dutch). Ultratop Urban.
  18. "Official Singles Downloads Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 24 July 2020.
  19. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 17 July 2020.


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