Hot Dog (song)
Encyclopedia
"Hot Dog" is a recorded song on English
rock
band Led Zeppelin
's 1979 album, In Through the Out Door
. It is the only song on the album not co-written by bassist/keyboardist John Paul Jones
. A rollicking tune done in the style of a country hoe-down, it features some Elvis Presley
-like vocals from singer Robert Plant
.
Rockabilly
music. It emerged from the band's London pre-production rehearsals, at which it was typical for them to run through old Elvis and Ricky Nelson
material from the 1950s. This is notable since Elvis actually had a song called "Hot Dog" which he performed in the motion picture Loving You in 1957.
The lyrics about a girl in Texas
who "Took my heart" may have been based on a real woman in Plant's life, but he called this a tribute to Texas and the state of mind of the people who lived there. Plant also mentions the name "U-Haul
" in one of the song's verses, referencing the American
-based, "move-it-yourself" company. The title of the song - Hot Dog
- refers to a distinctly American cuisine.
Upon listening closely it is possible to hear Jimmy Page
counting to four and a slight electronic buzz before the song begins. Page used a Fender Telecaster
on this song, outfitted with a device called a B-Bender.
This device, which raises the pitch of the guitar's B String via interface with the musician's guitar strap, can be heard at the end of the song's guitar solo.
"Hot Dog" was performed live at Led Zeppelin's performances at Knebworth
in August 1979, placed rather incongruently between "Ten Years Gone
" and "The Rain Song
" in the first concert on August 4, and on their tour of Europe in 1980
. It was made available to the record industry in America by Swan Song Records
. However, the track was omitted from the Led Zeppelin DVD, which was released in 2003 and instead featured various other songs performed by the band at Knebworth. This is possibly because Plant forgot some of the lyrics of the song when it was played at Knebworth.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
rock
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
band Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin were an English rock band, active in the late 1960s and throughout the 1970s. Formed in 1968, they consisted of guitarist Jimmy Page, singer Robert Plant, bassist/keyboardist John Paul Jones, and drummer John Bonham...
's 1979 album, In Through the Out Door
In Through the Out Door
In Through the Out Door is the eighth studio album by the English rock band Led Zeppelin. It was recorded over a three week period in November and December 1978 at ABBA's Polar Studios in Stockholm, Sweden, and released by Swan Song Records on 15 August 1979...
. It is the only song on the album not co-written by bassist/keyboardist John Paul Jones
John Paul Jones (musician)
John Paul Jones is an English multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, composer, arranger and record producer. Best known as the bassist, mandolinist, and keyboardist for English rock band Led Zeppelin, Jones has since developed a solo career and has gained even more respect as both a musician and a...
. A rollicking tune done in the style of a country hoe-down, it features some Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley
Elvis Aaron Presley was one of the most popular American singers of the 20th century. A cultural icon, he is widely known by the single name Elvis. He is often referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll" or simply "the King"....
-like vocals from singer Robert Plant
Robert Plant
Robert Anthony Plant, CBE is an English singer and songwriter best known as the vocalist and lyricist of the iconic rock band Led Zeppelin. He has also had a successful solo career...
.
Overview
The song was influenced by AmericanUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Rockabilly
Rockabilly
Rockabilly is one of the earliest styles of rock and roll music, dating to the early 1950s.The term rockabilly is a portmanteau of rock and hillbilly, the latter a reference to the country music that contributed strongly to the style's development...
music. It emerged from the band's London pre-production rehearsals, at which it was typical for them to run through old Elvis and Ricky Nelson
Ricky Nelson
Eric Hilliard Nelson , better known as Ricky Nelson or Rick Nelson, was an American singer-songwriter, instrumentalist, and actor...
material from the 1950s. This is notable since Elvis actually had a song called "Hot Dog" which he performed in the motion picture Loving You in 1957.
The lyrics about a girl in Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
who "Took my heart" may have been based on a real woman in Plant's life, but he called this a tribute to Texas and the state of mind of the people who lived there. Plant also mentions the name "U-Haul
U-Haul
U-Haul International, Inc. is an American equipment rental company, based in Phoenix, Arizona, that has been in operation since 1945. The company was founded by Leonard Shoen U-Haul International, Inc. is an American equipment rental company, based in Phoenix, Arizona, that has been in operation...
" in one of the song's verses, referencing the American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
-based, "move-it-yourself" company. The title of the song - Hot Dog
Hot dog
A hot dog is a sausage served in a sliced bun. It is very often garnished with mustard, ketchup, onions, mayonnaise, relish and/or sauerkraut.-History:...
- refers to a distinctly American cuisine.
Upon listening closely it is possible to hear Jimmy Page
Jimmy Page
James Patrick "Jimmy" Page, OBE is an English multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and record producer. He began his career as a studio session guitarist in London and was subsequently a member of The Yardbirds from 1966 to 1968, after which he founded the English rock band Led Zeppelin.Jimmy Page...
counting to four and a slight electronic buzz before the song begins. Page used a Fender Telecaster
Fender Telecaster
The Fender Telecaster, colloquially known as the Tele , is typically a dual-pickup, solid-body electric guitar made by Fender.Its simple yet effective design and revolutionary sound broke ground and set trends in electric guitar manufacturing and popular music...
on this song, outfitted with a device called a B-Bender.
B-Bender
B-Bender is a guitar accessory that enables a player to mechanically bend the B-string up a whole tone to C-sharp. There are several different designs, but all use levers or pulleys inside or outside the guitar body that are activated by a pull or push of the guitar neck, body, or bridge...
This device, which raises the pitch of the guitar's B String via interface with the musician's guitar strap, can be heard at the end of the song's guitar solo.
"Hot Dog" was performed live at Led Zeppelin's performances at Knebworth
Knebworth Festival 1979
The Knebworth Festival 1979 consisted of two concerts performed by the English rock band Led Zeppelin and other artists at Knebworth House, Hertfordshire, England, in August 1979.-History:...
in August 1979, placed rather incongruently between "Ten Years Gone
Ten Years Gone
"Ten Years Gone" is a song by English rock band Led Zeppelin from their 1975 album Physical Graffiti.-Overview:Originally intended to be an instrumental piece, Jimmy Page used some 14 guitar tracks to overdub the harmony section. Robert Plant later added lyrics, which are dedicated to an old...
" and "The Rain Song
The Rain Song
"The Rain Song" is a ballad song from English rock band Led Zeppelin's fifth album Houses of the Holy, released in 1973.-Recording:"The Rain Song" is a love ballad of over 7 minutes in length. Guitarist Jimmy Page originally constructed the melody of this song at his home in Plumpton, England,...
" in the first concert on August 4, and on their tour of Europe in 1980
Tour Over Europe 1980
Tour Over Europe 1980 was the last concert tour by the English rock band Led Zeppelin. The tour commenced on June 17 and concluded on July 7, 1980...
. It was made available to the record industry in America by Swan Song Records
Swan Song Records
Swan Song Records was a record label launched by the English rock band Led Zeppelin on 10 May 1974. It was overseen by Led Zeppelin's manager Peter Grant and was a vehicle for the band to promote its own products as well as sign artists who found it difficult to win contracts with other major labels...
. However, the track was omitted from the Led Zeppelin DVD, which was released in 2003 and instead featured various other songs performed by the band at Knebworth. This is possibly because Plant forgot some of the lyrics of the song when it was played at Knebworth.
Personnel
- Robert PlantRobert PlantRobert Anthony Plant, CBE is an English singer and songwriter best known as the vocalist and lyricist of the iconic rock band Led Zeppelin. He has also had a successful solo career...
- vocalsSingingSinging is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments... - Jimmy PageJimmy PageJames Patrick "Jimmy" Page, OBE is an English multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and record producer. He began his career as a studio session guitarist in London and was subsequently a member of The Yardbirds from 1966 to 1968, after which he founded the English rock band Led Zeppelin.Jimmy Page...
- guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
s - John Paul JonesJohn Paul Jones (musician)John Paul Jones is an English multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, composer, arranger and record producer. Best known as the bassist, mandolinist, and keyboardist for English rock band Led Zeppelin, Jones has since developed a solo career and has gained even more respect as both a musician and a...
- bass guitarBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
, pianoPianoThe piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
, mandolinMandolinA mandolin is a musical instrument in the lute family . It descends from the mandore, a soprano member of the lute family. The mandolin soundboard comes in many shapes—but generally round or teardrop-shaped, sometimes with scrolls or other projections. A mandolin may have f-holes, or a single... - John BonhamJohn BonhamJohn Henry Bonham was an English musician and songwriter, best known as the drummer of Led Zeppelin. Bonham was esteemed for his speed, power, fast right foot, distinctive sound, and "feel" for the groove...
- drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
Cover versions
- 1993: Dread ZeppelinDread ZeppelinDread Zeppelin is an American band best known for performing the songs of Led Zeppelin in a reggae style as sung by a 300 pound Vegas Elvis impersonator. Over the years they would also perform songs originally by Elvis Presley, Bob Marley and The Yardbirds. The group toured extensively around the...
(Hot & Spicy BeanburgerHot & Spicy BeanburgerHot and Spicy Beanburger, released in 1993, is the fourth studio album by Dread Zeppelin. This album marks the return of Tortelvis, the lead singer who left the band and was not on the previous album, It's Not Unusual, which was criticized by many fans due to its focus on disco songs.On Hot and...
) - 1996: Ritual Device & KilldozerKilldozer (band)Killdozer was an American noise-rock band, formed in Madison, Wisconsin in 1983, with members Bill Hobson, Dan Hobson and Michael Gerald. They took their name from the 1974 TV movie, directed by Jerry London, itself based on a Theodore Sturgeon short story. They released their first album,...
("When the Levee Breaks" CD single) - 2002: Shawn AmosShawn AmosShawn Ellis Amos is an American songwriter, singer, record producer, web personality and content creator, and pop culture commentator....
(In Between) - 2002: Clumsy LoversClumsy LoversThe Clumsy Lovers are a folk rock/bluegrass/Celtic jam band based in the Vancouver, British Columbia suburb of Coquitlam, with more than 2000 live performances in a decade to its credit...
(Under the Covers)
Sources
- Lewis, Dave (2004) The Complete Guide to the Music of Led Zeppelin, ISBN 0-7119-3528-9
- Welch, Chris (1998) Led Zeppelin: Dazed and Confused: The Stories Behind Every Song, ISBN 1-56025-818-7