“Dogs“, originally composed as “You Gotta Be Crazy”, is a song by the English progressive rock band Pink Floyd. It was released on the album Animals in 1977. The image of dogs is a metaphor for megalomaniacal businessmen who destroy those around them and themselves by obsessing over their own egos and careers. The song features lyrics by Roger Waters and music by David Gilmour.
Dogs are used to represent megalomaniacal businessmen who destroy themselves and those around them by obsessing over their egos and their careers. A number of comparisons are made and metaphors used to show how close these businessmen are with dogs, for example “Got to be able to pick out the easy meat with your eyes closed” the meat representing deals and opportunities for the businessmen. It is a long, increasingly haunting song at over seventeen minutes.
The final verse explores a number of aspects of business life and how it compares to dogs, for example taking chances and being “trained not to spit in the fan”, losing their individuality “broken by trained personnel”, obeying their superiors “fitted with collar and chain”, getting treats for good behaviour “given a pat on the back”, being better than everyone else “breaking away from the pack” and getting to know everyone but spending less time with family “only a stranger at home”. Every line of this verse begins with the word “Who”, which prompted comparison to Allen Ginsberg’s poem Howl.[1]
This song and the use of the word “Who” at the beginning of every line of the final verse also illustrates the influence that Roy Harper had on the band. Roy Harper had used this technique on the song “The Lord’s Prayer” from his 1973 Lifemask album. Harper sang over 90 lines of a verse beginning with the words “whose” and “who”. Roy Harper also sang on the song “Have a Cigar” from the Wish You Were Here album.
The song concludes with these “Dogs” working themselves to death until they are “found dead on the phone” having been dragged down by “the stone”, a metaphor for “the weight they used to need to throw around”.
Amazing song. Put a set of headphones on or put it on a good set of speakers, hit play, space out.
The Combover 