The Who - The Singles 1967-1973: Dogs, song review

Doggerel

Listening to this collection at the moment – one of many compilations made of The Who’s single releases over the years – and the standout for me is always, perhaps oddly, Dogs from 1968, and I have the vinyl single from that time. It is a brilliant pop song, the guitar and percussion opening quite superb, and it is sweetly melodic in its hooks and chorus. I also liked it as a Yank recently moved to England [in 1967] because of its spoken Cockney, put in italics in the following printed lyrics [and I’m sure that is a feature of my equal fondness for The Small Faces’ Lazy Sunday Afternoon and 'Cor blimey hello Mrs Jones, how’s your Bert’s lumbago?'].

A secret: the lyrics printed here aren’t the ones I have been singing all these years! This is the first time I have ever read them. I’m not going to say what 40 years of ‘bigger than beer’ has actually been, but it is about as bad as 40 years of ‘bird’s lumbago’!

The first time we met you were a kennel maid
You gave me a tip, I got me forecast paid
You were holding the greyhound in trap number one
Your white coat was shining in the afternoon sun

Now we're both together
We're never gonna break apart, no no
'Cause we're a happy couple you and me
With a greyhound at either knee

I'll have ten shillings to win on Camira Flash, young man
What dog's that? It's the Duke's dog, ennit

There was nothing in my life bigger than beer
There was nothing in my life bigger than beer
Exceptin' you little darling, exceptin' you little darling 

We're a happy couple you and me
With a greyhound at either knee

We go to the dog track on Saturday nights
We put all our money on a dog that we like
A kiss and a cuddle an' hot meat pie
Two dollar tickets and a starry sky

There was nothing in my life bigger than beer
There was nothing in my life bigger than beer
Exceptin' you little darling, exceptin' you little darling 

We're a happy couple you and me
With a baby at either knee

Yes it's you little darling
Yes it's you little darling
Now it's you little darling
Now it's you

Where's me wage packet? I need it
Ah I'll put twenty-five knicker please on yellow printer
Oh, I hope the wife don't find out
Yes, it's sure to win, isn't it?
Yes, I know, it's a good dog, I saw it run at White City
Just last week, broke the record, yellow printer
Nice dog, yes, lovely form, lovely buttocks

-          

         -  Pete Townshend