Salty Dog
Cat Power Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Salty dog, salty dog
I don`t want to be your Annie doll
Honey let me be your salty dog
Candyman

Two old maids
Sittin` in the sand
One were a she
The other were a man
Salty dog
Candyman

Worst day I ever had in my life
My best friend caught him kissin' his wife
Salty dog
Candyman

Salty dog, salty dog
I don`t want to be your Annie doll




Honey let me be your salty dog
Candyman

Overall Meaning

In Cat Power's song Salty Dog, the lyrics depict a desire to break free from societal expectations and gender roles. The repeated phrase "salty dog" seems to represent the idea of independence and self-sufficiency, while the reference to not wanting to be an "Annie doll" implies a rejection of the traditional feminine role of being subservient and dependent on a man. The call for the subject of the song to "let me be your salty dog" suggests a desire for a mutually respectful and egalitarian relationship. The inclusion of the verses about "two old maids" and the singer's friend being caught with another woman adds to the theme of unconventional relationships and challenging societal norms.


Line by Line Meaning

Salty dog, salty dog
Addressing a man, who may be the woman's lover, calling him a salty dog


I don`t want to be your Annie doll
The woman does not want to be objectified by being compared to a doll named Annie. She wants to be her own person.


Honey let me be your salty dog
The woman is offering to be the man's salty dog, which could signify her willingness to be his lover or perhaps a pet.


Candyman
The man referred to as the candyman may represent a walking temptation for the woman, much like how a candyman would be for a child.


Two old maids
The woman may be referring to herself and the man as old maids, emphasizing their lack of youth and vitality.


Sittin` in the sand
The two old maids are sitting in the sand, possibly symbolizing their feelings of being stuck or trapped in their lives.


One were a she
One of the old maids is a woman, which could imply that the other old maid is a man, or suggest a non-binary gender identity.


The other were a man
Further emphasizing the gender identities of the two old maids, one of whom is male.


Worst day I ever had in my life
The woman is describing a day that was the worst of her life. This could relate to the themes of loss and heartbreak that are present in the song.


My best friend caught him kissin' his wife
The woman's best friend caught the man in question kissing his wife, indicating that he may not be faithful to the woman. This could be a source of heartbreak for her.




Lyrics © BEGGARS MUSIC, LTD.
Written by: MARSHALL

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Peter Pumkinghead


on He-War

i love the cats