Walking the Dog

"Walking the Dog"
Single by Rufus Thomas
from the album Walking the Dog
Released 1963
Format Single
Genre R&B
Length 2:30
Label Stax Records
Writer(s) Rufus Thomas
Producer Jim Stewart

"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 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.

Releases

Year Artist Album
1963
 Rufus Thomas Walking the Dog
1964
 The Rolling Stones The Rolling Stones
1964
 Johnny Rivers At the Whisky à Go Go
1965
 The Sonics Here Are the Sonics
1965
 The Everly Brothers Beat N Soul
1966
 Davy Graham Midnight Man
1973
 Aerosmith Aerosmith
1975
 Roger Daltrey Ride a Rock Horse
1976
 Dr. Feelgood Stupidity
1979
 John Cale Sabotage/Live
1983
 Ratt Ratt
1993
 Green Day Demos tape for Dookie
1998[2]
 The Trashmen Bird Call!: The Twin City Stomp of The Trashmen
2007[3]
 Bob Paisley & The Southern Grass Color of the Blues
2009
 Dead Eden Whiskey & Wine

References

  1. ^ Bullfrog's Pond Billboard Top 100. Retrieved on 20 January 2009.
  2. ^ CD Universe Previously unreleased track, recorded between 1961 and 1967.
  3. ^ http://www.rhapsody.com/bob-paisley/color-of-the-blues