Walking the Dog

"Walking the Dog" (or "Walkin' the Dog") is a song written and performed by Rufus Thomas.[1] 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.[2]

"Walking the Dog"
Single by Rufus Thomas
from the album Walking the Dog
B-side"Fine and Mellow"
ReleasedSeptember 1963
GenreR&B
Length2:30
LabelStax Records
Songwriter(s)Rufus Thomas
Producer(s)Jim Stewart
Rufus Thomas singles chronology
"The Dog"
(1963)
"Walking the Dog"
(1963)
"Can Your Monkey Do the Dog"
(1964)

Background

The Rufus Thomas version begins with the quoting of the first 14 notes of Mendelssohn's Wedding March from "Midsummer's Night's Dream". This version is noted for Rufus whistling and calling out for his dog, to go walking with him. The lyrics make references to children's nursery rhymes, especially Miss Mary Mack.

The Dennisons recording

The only hit version in the UK was by the Dennisons, whose recording reached number 36 on the UK Singles Chart in 1964.[3]

Releases

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. Many other artists have 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, The Lincolns, 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-1980s.

Year Artist Album
1963
Rufus Thomas Walking the Dog
1964
The Rolling Stones The Rolling Stones
The Excels 45 only
Johnny Rivers At the Whisky à Go Go
1965
The Kingsmen The Kingsmen Volume II
The Sonics Here Are the Sonics
1966
Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels Breakout...!!!
The Everly Brothers Beat & Soul
Davy Graham Midnight Man
1967
Ace Cannon Memphis Golden Hits
1969
Sandie Shaw Reviewing the Situation
1971
The Flamin' Groovies Teenage Head
1973
Aerosmith Aerosmith
1975
Rick Derringer Spring Fever
Roger Daltrey Ride a Rock Horse
Spirit Spirit of '76
1976
Dr. Feelgood Stupidity
Michel Pagliaro Faire Le Trottoir (in French)
1977
Hurriganes Domestic release: Tsugu Way (International: Use No Hooks)
1979
John Cale Sabotage/Live
1983
Ratt Ratt
1983
The Lincolns
1991
Dave Stewart & Barbara Gaskin Spin
1993
Green Day Demos tape for Dookie
1994
Kidsongs Boppin' with the Biggles
1998
Jason & the Scorchers Midnight Roads & Stages Seen
1998[4]
The Trashmen Bird Call!: The Twin City Stomp of the Trashmen
2009
Tony Spinner Rollin' & Tumblin'
2013
American Dog & Fin Dogatized (song's title changed to "Rocking the Dog")
2015
Schizophrenic Spacers Live version from "Macumba: Live at Last"
2017
Jackie Shane Any Other Way

References

  1. "Rufus Thomas – Walking The Dog / You Said". Discogs.com. September 1963. Retrieved March 17, 2021.
  2. Bullfrog's Pond, Billboard Hot 100. Retrieved on 20 January 2009.
  3. Betts, Graham (2004). Complete UK Hit Singles 1952-2004 (1st ed.). London: Collins. p. 211. ISBN 0-00-717931-6.
  4. CD Universe Previously unreleased track, recorded between 1961 and 1967.


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