Hey dog lovers! If you’re looking for the ultimate playlist to celebrate your furry best friend, I’ve got you covered with the 13 best songs about dogs. These tunes span genres and decades, capturing the loyalty, love, and joy our pups bring into our lives. Let’s dive into each dog song’s story, vibe, and some fun facts; perfect for your next walk or snuggle session with your canine pal!
Here’s our list of the best songs about a dog:
1. “I Love My Dog” – Cat Stevens (1966)
Cat Stevens (aka Yusuf) dropped this folk-rock gem as his debut single, singing about the unwavering love of his dog over fading human relationships. Inspired by a Dachshund he found outside a bookshop as a kid, Stevens wrote, “I love my dog as much as I love you, but you may fade, my dog will always come through.” The dog song hit #28 on the UK charts and earned Cat a record deal at just 18. A must-listen for anyone who knows pet love is forever!
Thought: Cat Stevens never mentions the name of his dog, but I assume it was, “Dog Stevens?”
2. “Cracker Jack” – Dolly Parton (1974)
Dolly Parton’s heartfelt country ballad is a true story about her childhood stray dog, Cracker Jack, who stole her heart. With lyrics like “You were really something, Cracker Jack,” she reminisces about their bond through love and loss. This track from her Jolene album resonates with anyone who’s had a special pup. Dolly’s love for dogs shines through; she’s had several songs about a dog, but Cracker Jack remains her gold standard.
3. “Martha My Dear” – The Beatles (1968)
Did you even know this song was about a dog? Paul McCartney penned this jazzy tune from The White Album for his Old English Sheepdog, Martha, who brought out his softer side. “When you find yourself in the thick of it, help yourself to a bit of what is all around you,” he sings, capturing their cuddly bond. McCartney once said John Lennon was shocked to see him so affectionate with Martha; she was that special.
Fun fact: Paul kept Martha’s entire litter of puppies after her passing in 1981.
4. “Old King” – Neil Young (1992)
Neil Young’s country-flavored eulogy from Harvest Moon honors his hound dog, Elvis, a tour bus companion who heard all his secrets. “Old King sure meant a lot to me, but that hound dog is history,” Young sings, reminiscing about their adventures. It’s a bittersweet tribute to the highs and lows of dog parenthood, perfect for anyone who’s lost a loyal friend. Young’s raw emotion makes this song about his dog a tearjerker.
“King went a runnin’ after deer,
Wasn’t scared of jumpin’ off the truck in high gear,
King went a sniffin’ and he would go,
Was the best old hound dog I ever did know”
5. “I Love My Dog” – Sublime (1996)
Sublime’s reggae-rock ode is a love letter to Bradley Nowell’s Dalmatian, Lou Dog, the band’s mascot and album cover star. An interpolation of Bad Brains’ “I Love I Jah,” it’s a chill vibe with lyrics like “I love my dog, he’s my best friend.” Lou Dog even appears in the music video, stealing the show. This sunny track is perfect for a laid-back walk with your pup.
Lou Dog is referenced in other Sublime songs like, “What I got“ when Bradley says, “I got a Dalmatian, I can still get high… I don’t cry when my dog runs away, I don’t get angry at the bills I have to pay… Living with Louie Dog’s the only way to stay sane… ” Ha!
6. “A Love Profound” – Bully (2017)
Alicia Bognanno of Bully pours her heart into this indie-rock ballad about her dog Mezzi, who passed away. “Oftentimes the softness in your gaze brought me to the next day,” she sings, capturing the grief of searching for her lost canine companion. It’s a weep-worthy track for anyone who’s felt the sting of losing a pet, but also a beautiful reminder of the profound love dogs give us.
7. “Seamus” – Pink Floyd (1971)
This bluesy track from Meddle features a Border Collie named Seamus, who belonged to Humble Pie’s Steve Marriott, howling along to the music. Pink Floyd captured his “singing” in the studio, creating a quirky, experimental vibe. “Seamus went a-howlin’ after deer,” the band sings, blending Delta blues with doggy vocals. It’s a fun, offbeat addition to any dog lover’s playlist.
8. “Gonna Buy Me a Dog” – The Monkees (1966)
This playful pop tune from The Monkees’ self-titled debut album is a lighthearted take on heartbreak—Davy Jones and Micky Dolenz sing about getting a dog to replace a lost love: “I’m gonna buy me a dog, ‘cause I need a friend now.” Written by Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart, it captures the band’s quirky charm and hit the Billboard 200 as part of their chart-topping album.
Fun fact: Micky Dolenz ad-libbed the spoken bits, cracking up in the studio, which adds to the song’s goofy vibe.
More Popular Dog Songs:
These songs weren’t written about one specific dog, but they were all hugely popular and worth mentioning at the bottom of our list of songs about dogs.
9. “Hound Dog” – Big Mama Thornton (1952) / Elvis Presley (1956)
This bluesy rock-and-roll classic, first recorded by Big Mama Thornton, is a fiery metaphor for a no-good, unfaithful lover – “You ain’t never caught a rabbit, and you ain’t no friend of mine.” Thornton’s version topped the R&B charts for seven weeks, but Elvis Presley’s 1956 cover became a global sensation, selling over 10 million copies and cementing his status as the King of Rock and Roll.
Did you know that Elvis once performed Hound Dog on The Steve Allen Show to a real basset hound in a top hat?
Tip: I think that Big Mama Thornton would be a great name for a little dog!
10. “Dog Days Are Over” – Florence + The Machine (2009)
Florence Welch’s indie-pop anthem from Lungs isn’t literally about dogs but uses the phrase “dog days” to symbolize escaping hardship: “The dog days are over, the dog days are done.” It peaked at #21 on the Billboard Hot 100 and went triple platinum, becoming a festival fave. Welch wrote it in a tiny studio, inspired by a sign on London’s South Bank, and its euphoric energy (complete with harp riffs!) makes it a great pick for a celebratory run with your furry friend.
Fun fact: Florence once said she recorded the song in one take, fueled by pure adrenaline!
11. “How Much Is That Doggie in the Window” – Patti Page (1953)
Patti Page’s cheerful novelty song topped the Billboard charts for eight weeks, selling over 2 million copies. “How much is that doggie in the window? The one with the waggly tail,” she sings, dreaming of a pup to keep her sweetheart company. The original song even had barking credited to “Joe and Mac.”
Page later updated it in 2009 to “Do You See That Doggie in the Shelter” for the Humane Society, boosting pet adoptions—a true tail-wagger!
12. “Atomic Dog” – George Clinton (1982)
George Clinton’s funky R&B hit is a barking good time with its iconic “Bow-wow-wow-yippie-yo-yippie-yeah.” Clinton improvised the track in two takes while, as he admitted, pretty out of it, with just the word “dog” in his head. It’s a metaphor-filled celebration of dogs, sampled in countless hip-hop tracks and featured in movies like 102 Dalmatians.
13. “Who Let the Dogs Out?” – Baha Men (2000)
This high-energy dance anthem by Baha Men became a global hit, winning a Grammy for Best Dance Recording in 2001. Originally a 1998 track called “Doggie” by Trinidadian artist Anslem Douglas, it’s a playful jab at men catcalling women, with the iconic “Woof, woof, woof, woof” chorus. Despite Rolling Stone calling it the third most annoying song ever, it’s a bark-along favorite at parties and sporting events.
I think that “who let the dogs out” could be one of those Zen koans that really make you think; like, “What is the sound of one hand clapping?” (Did God let the dogs out?!)
I Sing to My Dog, Too
It’s easy to see how some of the best musicians ever were inspired to write songs about their dogs.
Even though I’m not a rock star or even musically talented, I often sing to my dog, too. Sometimes it’s even original and nonsensical little songs that I freestyle on the spot.
It’s easy to get inspiration from dogs which have served as man’s best friend and muse for many centuries.
Thanks for reading our list of top songs about dogs. Now, go write an inspired song about your own dog!