Walking the Dog

"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, especially Miss Mary Mack.

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
ReleasedSeptember 1963
GenreR&B
Length2:30
LabelStax Records
Songwriter(s)Rufus Thomas
Producer(s)Jim Stewart

The Rufus Thomas version begins with the quoting of the first 14 notes of Mendelssohns 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 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, Johnny Rivers, John Cale, Georgie Fame and the Blue Flames, 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
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
1991
 Dave Stewart & Barbara Gaskin Spin
1993
 Green Day Demos tape for Dookie
1994
 Kidsongs Boppin' with the Biggles
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"
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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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