The members of The Band first worked together as The Hawks, the backing band of rockabilly singer Ronnie Hawkins from 1959 until 1963. Shortly afterwards, Bob Dylan came to Toronto and recruited the quintet for his history-making 1965/1966 world tour. The Band also worked with Dylan on the initial Blonde on Blonde sessions which, bar two tracks, were ultimately abandoned in favour of versions recorded with Nashville session musicians.
After a motorcycle accident in mid-1966, Dylan retreated from the public eye to his country house near Woodstock, New York. He was joined by the Band for some informal jam sessions starting in the autumn of 1967, nearly all of which were recorded. After being heavily bootleged, Columbia Records finally released The Basement Tapes in 1975, a selection of the better tracks recorded during the sessions along with new recordings by The Band.
Bob Dylan and The Band were reunited in 1974, recording Planet Waves for Asylum Records, Dylan's first album recorded for a record label other than Columbia. Although the album was released under Dylan's name alone, The Band joined Dylan for his first tour in eight years in support of Planet Waves, with some of the material recorded and released on the 1975 concert record Before the Flood.
Columbia Records finally released The Bootleg Series Vol. 11: The Basement Tapes Complete in November 2014, featuring every surving recording from the original sessions in Woodstock.
Big Dog
Bob Dylan and The Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That little dog sittin' on a porch
Ain't nothin' that he wants more
Than to treat that self-desire
Feel real big, settin' hearts on fire
When the day's in town
He comes unwound
Big dog
That big girl comes around
Shakin' up that whole damn town
Up and down every street she goes
She can strut that stuff
She can move real slow
When the danes in town
They all come unwound
She's a big dog
Big dog
She's a big dog when she comes to town
Got them boys all howlin' out
Like a full lit moon on a cold and eerie night
She's the one who rules
Who makes dogs drool
Her bark that's big but oh so cool
It turns them on
They got their heads up high
Sometimes she's hard to get
This dog, he just won't quit
Makes a move, she feels the groove
He knows he's only got one chance
When the danes in town
They all come unwound
She's a big dog
Big dog
She's a big dog when she comes to town
Got them boys all howlin' out
Like a full lit moon on a cold and eerie night
She's the one who rules
Who makes dogs drool
Her bark that's big but oh so cool
It turns them on
They got their heads up high
She's a big dog come to town
All the big boys hangin' out
Lighted moon on a cold and eerie night
She's a big dog here,
Yeah she bites
She's a big dog when she comes to town
Got them boys all howlin' out
Like a full lit moon on a cold and eerie night
She's the one who rules
Who makes dogs drool
Her bark that's big but oh so cool
It turns them on
They got their heads up high
The song "Big Dog" by Bob Dylan and The Band explores the concept of power and attraction through the metaphor of a dog. The lyrics depict a small dog sitting on a porch, yearning for something more. This small dog represents a person who desires to feel important and influential. They want to set hearts on fire and make an impact.
However, the real power lies with the "big girl" who comes to town. She shakes up the whole town and commands attention wherever she goes. She possesses the ability to move slowly and deliberately, captivating everyone around her. The "danes" in town, symbolizing other powerful figures, also come undone in her presence. She exudes a confidence and allure that turns heads and makes people weak in the knees.
Despite her power and attractiveness, she can be hard to win over. She is not easily swayed or conquered. The dog who desires her knows he only has one chance to make a move, and he must be patient and persistent. He recognizes the competition and the risk he takes by pursuing her.
At the end of the song, the lyrics reinforce the notion of the big dog's dominance and impact. She arrives in town, and all the big boys gather around her. Like a brightly lit moon on a cold and eerie night, she commands attention and awe. Her power is not just in her physical presence but also in her ability to make others drool and turn them on. The imagery suggests that she possesses a commanding presence and an enchanting aura that leaves a lasting impression.
Overall, "Big Dog" explores themes of power, attraction, and the pursuit of significance. The metaphor of the big dog serves to highlight the desire for influence and the impact certain individuals can have on others. It also portrays the challenges and risks involved in pursuing someone who holds such power. The lyrics combine playful imagery and metaphor with deeper insights into human desires and complexities.
Line by Line Meaning
That little dog sittin' on a porch
The small, insignificant desires that occupy one's mind
Ain't nothin' that he wants more
The strong desire to fulfill one's own self-interests
Than to treat that self-desire
The act of satisfying one's own desires
Feel real big, settin' hearts on fire
The satisfaction and ego boost gained from capturing the attention and admiration of others
When the day's in town
When there is an opportunity or a suitable environment for self-gratification
He comes unwound
He becomes unrestrained and indulges in his desires
She's a big dog
Referring to an influential and powerful individual
That big girl comes around
An influential and captivating figure
Shakin' up that whole damn town
Causing a disruption and capturing the attention of the entire community
Up and down every street she goes
Moving through different social circles and attracting attention wherever she goes
She can strut that stuff
Confidently displaying her attractive qualities and charm
She can move real slow
She can control the pace and dynamics of a situation to her advantage
When the danes in town
When those with power and influence are present
They all come unwound
They also become unrestrained and succumb to their desires
She's a big dog when she comes to town
When she arrives, she exerts her influence and dominates the social scene
Got them boys all howlin' out
Elicits strong reactions and desires from the men in the town
Like a full lit moon on a cold and eerie night
Her presence is captivating, like a bright and mysterious celestial body in the darkness
She's the one who rules
She is the one in control and holds power over others
Who makes dogs drool
She captivates and entices those who are attracted to her
Her bark that's big but oh so cool
Her confident and authoritative demeanor, which is both impressive and attractive
It turns them on
Stimulates and excites their desires and attraction towards her
They got their heads up high
They are filled with admiration and are completely enthralled by her
Sometimes she's hard to get
She can be elusive and challenging to win over
This dog, he just won't quit
Despite the difficulties, the admirer is persistent and determined to pursue her
Makes a move, she feels the groove
When the admirer takes action, she recognizes his confidence and charm
He knows he's only got one chance
He understands that he must seize the opportunity as it may be his only shot with her
She's a big dog come to town
An influential individual who arrives and asserts their dominance
All the big boys hangin' out
The important and influential people of the town gather and pay attention
Lighted moon on a cold and eerie night
Her presence is like a radiant moon in the darkness, capturing all the attention
She's a big dog here
She holds significant power and influence in this particular context
Yeah, she bites
She can be assertive and aggressive when needed, asserting her dominance
Lyrics © O/B/O DistroKid
Written by: ROBERT DEAN BARTON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind