I Want a Dog

Information Page

First released in 1987, this song was a b-side of the Pet Shop Boys song "Rent", the third single from their album Actually. This is a truly unique Pet Shop Boys song. Many of their songs are released then remixed into dance songs, but the original version of this song was a 7-inch dance mix, produced by DJ Frankie Knuckles. The lyrics express a fondness for dogs and a dislike of cats. The song is about how relying on a dog to keep someone company is more appealing than relying on another human being. This could convery a negative message, but the song's music is so upbeat and positive that the lyrics come off a ironic. Personally, I have always interpreted the song as an acknowledgement that both Neil and Chris are gay. The song was released before they acknowledged this publicly. Dogs are often associated with men and masculinity, while cats are often associated with women and femininity. From the perspective, I want a dog could mean I want a man.

I want a dog, a Chihuahua
When I get back to my small flat
I want to hear somebody bark
Oh, you can get lonely
I want a dog

Don't want a cat
Scratching its claws all over my habitat
Giving no love and getting fat
Oh, you can get lonely
And a cat's no help with that

Bulldog, hound and pug and labrador
Collie, retriever and Doberman pincher
Husky, Dalmatian, Saint Bernard und Dachshund
Mongrel, beagle, Cocker spaniel

I want a dog
To walk in the park
When it gets dark
My dog will bark at any passers-by
Oh, you can get lonely
I want a dog

I want a dog, a Chihuahua
When I get back to my small flat
I want to hear somebody bark
Oh, you can get lonely

Written by Tenant/Lowe

Works Cited

A large part of this song analysis was attained from the Pet Shop Boys fansite Geowayne: Commentary, Interpretation, and Analysis of Every Song by Pet Shop Boys. Retrieved from http://www.geowayne.com/newDesign/introspective/dog.htm

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