Walking the Dog

This article is about the Rufus Thomas song. For other uses, see Dog walking (disambiguation).
"Walking the Dog"
Single by Rufus Thomas
from the album Walking the Dog
Released United States September 1963
Format Single
Genre R&B
Length 2:30
Label Stax Records
Writer(s) Rufus Thomas
Producer(s) Jim Stewart
Certification Gold (RIAA)

"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.[1] The lyrics make references to children's nursery rhymes.

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.[2]

Many other artists also recorded the song, including Aerosmith, 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.

Releases

Year Artist Album
1963
Rufus Thomas Walking the Dog
1964
The Rolling Stones The Rolling Stones
1964
The Excels 45 only
1964
Johnny Rivers At the Whisky à Go Go
1965
The Kingsmen The Kingsmen Volume II
1965
The Sonics Here Are the Sonics
1966
Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels Breakout...!!!
1966
The Everly Brothers Beat & Soul
1966
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
1975
Roger Daltrey Ride a Rock Horse
1975
Spirit Spirit of '76
1976
Dr. Feelgood Stupidity
1979
John Cale Sabotage/Live
1983
Ratt Ratt
1993
Green Day Demos tape for Dookie
1998[3]
The Trashmen Bird Call!: The Twin City Stomp of the Trashmen
2013
American Dog & Fin Dogatized (song's title changed to "Rocking the Dog")
2015
Schizophrenic Spacers Live version from "Macumba: Live at Last" https://youtu.be/CX_pFUG3WrM

References

  1. Bullfrog's Pond Billboard Top 100. Retrieved on 20 January 2009.
  2. Betts, Graham (2004). Complete UK Hit Singles 1952-2004 (1st ed.). London: Collins. p. 211. ISBN 0-00-717931-6.
  3. CD Universe Previously unreleased track, recorded between 1961 and 1967.


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