Walking the Dog
Encyclopedia
"Walking 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 frequent references to children's nursery rhymes.
The song was covered by The Rolling Stones
in 1964. Unlike most Stones' recordings, the songs features backing vocals by Brian Jones
(most early Stones songs feature either Keith Richards
or Bill Wyman
on backing vocals) making their recording of the song unique among their catalogue.
Many other artists have covered the song, including The Flamin' Groovies, The Sonics
, Aerosmith
, Roger Daltrey
, Green Day
, The Trashmen
, Luv'd Ones
, Bob Paisley and the Southern Grass and Ratt
.
There are three widely-known 1985 performances of this song by the Grateful Dead: April 8, November 11 and November 21, with the last performance generally regarded as the superior of the three.
Rufus Thomas
Rufus Thomas, Jr. was an American rhythm and blues, funk and soul singer and comedian fromMemphis, Tennessee, who recorded on Sun Records in the...
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
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
in December 1963 and remaining on the Hot 100 for 14 weeks. The lyrics make frequent references to children's nursery rhymes.
The song was covered by The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones are an English rock band, formed in London in April 1962 by Brian Jones , Ian Stewart , Mick Jagger , and Keith Richards . Bassist Bill Wyman and drummer Charlie Watts completed the early line-up...
in 1964. Unlike most Stones' recordings, the songs features backing vocals by Brian Jones
Brian Jones
Lewis Brian Hopkins Jones , known as Brian Jones, was an English musician and a founding member of the Rolling Stones....
(most early Stones songs feature either Keith Richards
Keith Richards
Keith Richards is an English musician, songwriter, and founding member of the Rolling Stones. Rolling Stone magazine said Richards had created "rock's greatest single body of riffs", and placed him as the "10th greatest guitarist of all time." Fourteen songs written by Richards and songwriting...
or Bill Wyman
Bill Wyman
Bill Wyman is an English musician best known as the bass guitarist for the English rock and roll band the Rolling Stones from 1962 until 1992. Since 1997, he has recorded and toured with his own band, Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings...
on backing vocals) making their recording of the song unique among their catalogue.
Many other artists have covered the song, including The Flamin' Groovies, The Sonics
The Sonics
The Sonics are an American garage rock band from Tacoma, Washington, originating from the early and mid-1960s. Among The Sonics' contemporaries were The Kingsmen, The Wailers, The Dynamics, The Regents, and Paul Revere & the Raiders...
, Aerosmith
Aerosmith
Aerosmith is an American rock band, sometimes referred to as "The Bad Boys from Boston" and "America's Greatest Rock and Roll Band". Their style, which is rooted in blues-based hard rock, has come to also incorporate elements of pop, heavy metal, and rhythm and blues, and has inspired many...
, Roger Daltrey
Roger Daltrey
Roger Harry Daltrey, CBE , is an English singer and actor, best known as the founder and lead singer of English rock band The Who. He has maintained a musical career as a solo artist and has also worked in the film industry, acting in a large number of films, theatre and television roles and also...
, Green Day
Green Day
Green Day is an American punk rock band formed in 1987. The band consists of lead vocalist and guitarist Billie Joe Armstrong, bassist and backing vocalist Mike Dirnt, and drummer Tre Cool...
, The Trashmen
The Trashmen
The Trashmen are a rock and roll band formed in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in 1962. The group's original lineup was Tony Andreason on lead guitar and vocals, Dal Winslow on guitar and vocals, Steve Wahrer on drums and vocals, and Bob Reed on bass guitar...
, Luv'd Ones
Luv'd Ones
Char Vinnedge's career as lead guitarist / singer began in the early 1960s with her all-girl group The Tremolons, in which she initially played all instrumentals and recorded a single on Wildwood Records for Komotion Music that contained: "Please Let Me Know" and "Theme For A DJ"...
, Bob Paisley and the Southern Grass and Ratt
Ratt
Ratt is an American heavy metal band that had significant commercial success in the 1980s. The band is best known for songs such as "Round and Round," "Wanted Man," "Lay It Down," "You're in Love", "Slip of the Lip", "Back For More", "Dance", "Body Talk", "I Want a Woman", and "Way Cool Jr." Ratt...
.
There are three widely-known 1985 performances of this song by the Grateful Dead: April 8, November 11 and November 21, with the last performance generally regarded as the superior of the three.
Releases
| Year | Artist | Album |
|---|---|---|
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Rufus Thomas Rufus Thomas Rufus Thomas, Jr. was an American rhythm and blues, funk and soul singer and comedian fromMemphis, Tennessee, who recorded on Sun Records in the... |
Walking the Dog |
| |
The Rolling Stones The Rolling Stones The Rolling Stones are an English rock band, formed in London in April 1962 by Brian Jones , Ian Stewart , Mick Jagger , and Keith Richards . Bassist Bill Wyman and drummer Charlie Watts completed the early line-up... |
The Rolling Stones The Rolling Stones (album) -Personnel:The Rolling Stones*Mick Jagger – lead and backing vocals, harmonica, percussion*Keith Richards – guitar, backing vocals*Brian Jones – guitar, harmonica, percussion, backing vocals*Charlie Watts – drums, percussion... |
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Johnny Rivers Johnny Rivers Johnny Rivers is an American rock and roll singer, songwriter, guitarist, and record producer. His styles include folk songs, blues, and revivals of old-time rock 'n' roll songs and some original material... |
At the Whisky à Go Go |
| |
The Sonics The Sonics The Sonics are an American garage rock band from Tacoma, Washington, originating from the early and mid-1960s. Among The Sonics' contemporaries were The Kingsmen, The Wailers, The Dynamics, The Regents, and Paul Revere & the Raiders... |
Here Are the Sonics Here Are The Sonics Here Are The Sonics is the debut album of American garage rock band The Sonics. It was released in 1965 on Etiquette Records. It was re-released in 1999 by Norton Records... |
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The Everly Brothers The Everly Brothers The Everly Brothers are country-influenced rock and roll performers, known for steel-string guitar playing and close harmony singing... |
Beat N Soul |
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Davy Graham | Midnight Man Midnight Man (Davey Graham album) Midnight Man is an album by British musician Davey Graham, released in 1966.- Track listing :# "No Preacher Blues" – 2:18# "The Fakir" – 4:15# "I'm Looking Thru' You" – 2:06... |
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Aerosmith Aerosmith Aerosmith is an American rock band, sometimes referred to as "The Bad Boys from Boston" and "America's Greatest Rock and Roll Band". Their style, which is rooted in blues-based hard rock, has come to also incorporate elements of pop, heavy metal, and rhythm and blues, and has inspired many... |
Aerosmith Aerosmith (album) Aerosmith is the eponymous debut album by American hard rock band Aerosmith, released in January 1973 by Columbia Records. The song "Walkin' the Dog" is a cover song originally performed by Rufus Thomas. Also featured on the album is "Dream On" which became an American top ten single when... |
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Roger Daltrey Roger Daltrey Roger Harry Daltrey, CBE , is an English singer and actor, best known as the founder and lead singer of English rock band The Who. He has maintained a musical career as a solo artist and has also worked in the film industry, acting in a large number of films, theatre and television roles and also... |
Ride a Rock Horse Ride a Rock Horse Ride a Rock Horse is the second solo album by The Who's lead singer, Roger Daltrey. It was first released in 1975. Songs were recorded during Daltrey's filming commitments for Ken Russell's film Lisztomania... |
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Dr. Feelgood Dr. Feelgood (band) Dr. Feelgood are a British pub rock band formed in 1971. The band's name derives from a slang term for heroin or for a doctor who is willing to overprescribe drugs. It is also a reference to a 1962 record by the American blues pianist and singer Willie Perryman called "Dr Feel-Good", which... |
Stupidity Stupidity (Dr. Feelgood album) Stupidity was the third album by Dr. Feelgood. It was released in September 1976, and was their first live album recording. Their mushrooming popularity was confirmed when Stupidity topped the UK charts.... |
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John Cale John Cale John Davies Cale, OBE is a Welsh musician, composer, singer-songwriter and record producer who was a founding member of the experimental rock band The Velvet Underground.... |
Sabotage/Live Sabotage/Live Sabotage/Live was recorded live at CBGB's, New York in June 1979. Reissued on CD by A&M Canada without bonus tracks and reissued again in the UK a decade later with the following bonus tracks:... |
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Ratt Ratt Ratt is an American heavy metal band that had significant commercial success in the 1980s. The band is best known for songs such as "Round and Round," "Wanted Man," "Lay It Down," "You're in Love", "Slip of the Lip", "Back For More", "Dance", "Body Talk", "I Want a Woman", and "Way Cool Jr." Ratt... |
Ratt |
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Green Day Green Day Green Day is an American punk rock band formed in 1987. The band consists of lead vocalist and guitarist Billie Joe Armstrong, bassist and backing vocalist Mike Dirnt, and drummer Tre Cool... |
Demos tape for Dookie |
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The Trashmen The Trashmen The Trashmen are a rock and roll band formed in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in 1962. The group's original lineup was Tony Andreason on lead guitar and vocals, Dal Winslow on guitar and vocals, Steve Wahrer on drums and vocals, and Bob Reed on bass guitar... |
Bird Call!: The Twin City Stomp of The Trashmen |
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Bob Paisley & The Southern Grass | Color of the Blues |
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Dead Eden | Whiskey & Wine |