When the group was first formed in 1971, they were called Shacklock after their guitarist Alan Shacklock. Members included Janita Haan and Dave Hewitt, with Dave Punshon and Dick Powell later joining. The first release was their single "Elusive"; their first album, First Base, went gold in Canada. In 1973, Ed Spevock replaced Powell and Chris Holmes replaced Punshon on the second album. In 1975, Steve Gurl, keyboardist from Glenn Cornick's Wild Turkey replaced Holmes for the third album. The same year, Shacklock exited and Bernie Marsden (Wild Turkey) joined the team for the fourth album. After this, Haan and Hewitt left.
Though no original member remained, the group incorporated Ellie Hope and Ray Knott for the fifth album in 1976. Shortly before Babe Ruth disbanded, they were joined by the 17 year-old Birmingham born Simon Lambeth who made a few appearances on their last tour. Lambeth's hauntingly naïve sound on rhythm guitar, behind the lead of Marsden, promised much but sadly it was too late; Marsden moved on to bigger things and joined Whitesnake. Simon changed careers and sadly was lost to the music scene - Hope did an outstanding job on the LP, later releasing her own solo effort in the booming disco era. Unfortunately, these later efforts are harder to pin down.
A disco cover of Babe Ruth's classic "The Mexican" appeared in the late 70s, performed by the Bombers. This version inspired an electro/freestyle cover produced by John Jellybean Benitez in 1984, for which he managed to recruit Haan on vocals - the cover subsequently becoming noted for its popularity as an underground dance hit.
Between late 2005 and early 2006, Haan, Shacklock, Punshon, and Hewitt recorded new material together in Nashville, with Spevock recording his drums in London. The album was completed September 2006, and after being made available in digital form via the band's official web site, it was released on CD through Revolver Records in the first quarter of 2009.
Dancer
Babe Ruth Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Kids ain't seen you home all day, you're a gentleman born to roam
Black dog don't believe in sin
Think of where the black dog's been
Think of where he's been today
Have you seen the black dog's teeth, sharp like a knife?
Have you seen him tear apart a throat, to take a life?
Think of where the black dog's been
Think of where he's been today
Have you seen the black dog's eyes starin' in the fire?
It would not occur to him to question your desire
Black dog don't believe in sin
Think of where the black dog's been
Think of where he's been today
I've always had a fear of creatures cryin' in the dark
And every form of evil seems to bear an evil mark
Black dog don't believe in sin
Think of where the black dog's been
Think of where he's been today
My man lay beside me and my black dog's at my feet
He keeps me from my wanderin' life and he robs me of my sleep
Black dog don't believe in sin
Think of where the black dog's been
Think of where he's been today
Now I don't know the black dog's name but when I call him he will come
How'd I ever get that black dog? Lord, he's shown me what he wants
Black dog don't believe in sin
Think of where the black dog's been
Think of where he's been today
Black dog don't believe in sin
Think of where the black dog's been
Think of where he's been
Black dog don't believe in sin
Think of where the black dog's been
Think of where he's been
The lyrics of Babe Ruth's song "Dancer" seem to be exploring the concept of a "black dog" and its metaphorical implications. The black dog is personified throughout the song, described as having sharp teeth and staring eyes. It is portrayed as a creature that roams free and does not believe in sin. The singer is both fearful and somewhat reverent of this animal, recognizing its power and the implications of where it has been.
In the second stanza, the singer asks if anyone has seen the black dog's teeth and how it can tear apart a throat, emphasizing the animal's wildness and ferocity. The third stanza portrays the black dog's eyes as staring hypnotically into the fire, with no questioning of its desires. The fourth stanza reveals the singer's fear of "evil" and the black dog's ability to bear an "evil mark." The fifth stanza brings in the personal aspect of the song, revealing that the black dog is with the singer's partner and is seen as a force that keeps them grounded in their life.
The final stanza reveals that the singer is unsure of where the black dog came from, but recognizes its power over them. The repetition of the line "Black dog don't believe in sin / Think of where the black dog's been" emphasizes the theme of the animal's wildness and untamed nature.
Line by Line Meaning
Black dog up and sniffed his plate a-steamin' on the stove
The dog sniffs the food on the stove.
Kids ain't seen you home all day, you're a gentleman born to roam
The dog has been away from home all day and is naturally inclined to wander.
Have you seen the black dog's teeth, sharp like a knife?
The dog's teeth are sharp and dangerous.
Have you seen him tear apart a throat, to take a life?
The dog is capable of killing.
Have you seen the black dog's eyes starin' in the fire?
The dog is focused on the fire, unconcerned with anything else.
I've always had a fear of creatures cryin' in the dark
The singer has a fear of unknown creatures that make noise in the dark.
And every form of evil seems to bear an evil mark
The singer believes that evil has a distinct appearance or quality.
My man lay beside me and my black dog's at my feet
The artist's dog is sleeping at their feet while their partner is beside them.
Now I don't know the black dog's name but when I call him he will come
The artist does not know the dog's name, but he is obedient when called.
How'd I ever get that black dog? Lord, he's shown me what he wants
The artist questions how they acquired the dog and believes it has its own desires.
Contributed by Samuel D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.