In 1950, McPhatter joined Billy Ward & the Dominoes, and was present for the recording of "Sixty Minute Man", which was a huge hit in 1951, and was one of the earliest rock and roll records. After several more hits, McPhatter quit the group in 1953 because he made little money and gained virtually no fame, in spite of his voice being the lead on most of the group's songs. McPhatter then signed to Atlantic Records after forming a group, The Drifters. "Money Honey", "Such a Night", "Honey Love", "White Christmas" and "Whatcha Gonna Do" became huge hits.
In 1954, McPhatter was drafted but was assigned in the U.S., allowing him to continue recording. He soon left The Drifters and launched a solo career. His first solo hit occurred just after being discharged - "Love Has Joined Us Together" (with Ruth Brown). He released several R&B hits in the next few years, but only made one serious dent in the pop charts with the Brook Benton penned song "A Lovers Question", which made it to #6 in 1958. White groups usually covered his best compositions and achieved more widespread mainstream success. In spite of this, McPhatter became one of the most popular black musicians among white listeners. His 1956 recording of "Treasure of Love" saw him enjoy just one week in the UK singles chart. The lack of any subsequent entry gave him the unenviable tag there of being a one hit wonder
McPhatter soon signed to MGM Records, and released several more hits. "I Told Myself a Lie" and "Think Me a Kiss" (1960) became minor pop hits, as was "Ta Ta", his first single for Mercury Records. "I Never Knew" and "Lover Please" (1962) became even bigger pop hits, but his career started suffering due to his alcoholism. Other black artists were following McPhatter's blueprint into pop audiences, including Rudy Lewis, Johnny Moore, Sam Cooke and an all new line-up of The Drifters. McPhatter's unreliability kept him from maintaining his career in the face of this competition. As the 1960s wore on, McPhatter's career kept falling in spite of a few minor hits.
In the early 1970s, McPhatter spent some time living in England, where he still had a significant audience, but this was short-lived. Back again in America, Clyde McPhatter died of a heart attack in 1972, at the age of 39.
In 1987, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. His pioneering contribution to the genre has been recognized by the Rockabilly Hall of Fame.
Don't Dog Me
Clyde McPhatter Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What you want is a fool
Well, I'm stubborn baby
Just as stubborn as
An old country mule
Cause I love you
Yes, I love you
Well, I can love you forever
But I′ll never be your fool
So don't dog me
Don't dog me all over town
Don′t dog me
Don′t dog me and put me down
Don't dog me
Don′t dog my heart around
Don't dog me
Don′t dog me like a clown
Break my heart
Go on and make me cry
But youll never no, never
Break my pride
Oh, don't dog me around
Well, you want me to run baby
Everytime you clap your little hand
But the only way you′re gonna keep me
Is to start treatin' me like I'm a man
So, so please don′t dog me
Don′t dog me
I'll make things right
Don′t dog me
Don't dog me
We′ll never fight
Oh, don't dog me around.
The lyrics of Clyde McPhatter's song Don't Dog Me convey the frustration, pride, and determination of a man who is in love with a woman who does not reciprocate his feelings. The first stanza establishes the man's stubbornness and unwillingness to be taken advantage of by the woman who only wants to use him. He makes it clear that he loves her deeply but would never allow himself to be taken for granted. In the chorus, McPhatter repeats the phrase "don't dog me" to emphasize that he will not tolerate being mistreated or disrespected. He urges the woman not to play with his heart and emotions, or embarrass him in public like a clown.
Continuing in the second stanza, McPhatter addresses the woman's manipulative behavior and tells her that he is tired of being treated like a toy. He challenges her to break his heart, but he will not let her break his pride. The bridge of the song takes a softer tone as McPhatter implores the woman to treat him with respect if she wants to keep him in her life. He promises to make things right, and they will never fight if she stops "dogging" him. Throughout the song, McPhatter employs repetition to emphasize his point and uses clever lyrical phrases like "stubborn as an old country mule" to paint a picture of his steadfastness.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, you don′t want a lover
You don't seek love in a relationship.
What you want is a fool
All you need is someone stupid enough to fall for your games and manipulations.
Well, I'm stubborn baby
I'm unyielding, even if you push me around.
Just as stubborn as an old country mule
My obstinacy is comparable to that of a sturdy and inflexible farm animal.
Cause I love you
I'm deeply in love with you.
Yes, I love you
Yes, I really mean it.
Oh, Lord, Lord knows I do
I swear, I'm telling the truth!
Well, I can love you forever
My love for you is everlasting.
But I′ll never be your fool
However, I'll never allow you to deceive me like a fool.
So don't dog me
Therefore, don't mistreat me.
Don't dog me all over town
Don't gossip about me or spread lies behind my back.
Don′t dog me and put me down
Don't belittle or insult me to anyone.
Don't dog my heart around
Don't play with my emotions or lead me on.
Don't dog me like a clown
Don't make fun of me or treat me as a joke.
Break my heart
You can hurt me emotionally.
Go on and make me cry
I'll shed tears because of you.
But you'll never no, never
But you'll never break my spirit or self-respect.
Break my pride
You won't have the power to get me down or humiliate me.
Oh, don't dog me around
Please, treat me decently and with respect.
Well, you want me to run baby
You want me to obey your whims and fancies.
Everytime you clap your little hand
Whenever you snap your fingers.
But the only way you're gonna keep me
However, if you want to retain my affection and loyalty.
Is to start treatin' me like I'm a man
You must treat me as a person worthy of respect, with feelings and needs.
So, so please don't dog me
Therefore, please stop disrespecting me.
I'll make things right
I'm willing to fix any problems or issues in our relationship.
We'll never fight
We won't argue or quarrel again.
Oh, don't dog me around.
Please, let's treat each other with mutual respect.
Writer(s): Ertegun, Wexler
Contributed by Zachary L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@stephenlfuchs
One of my favorites! McPhatter's rnge and genius are on open display!
@stephenfuchs772
Great song (possibly his greatest although there are other contenders) by Clyde McPhatter!
@grahamgibson4921
I can't find the lyrics to this song anywhere, and it is definitely one of my top five favourite Drifter tunes, so I slowed the song down and took down the lyrics. If anyone thinks I got anything wrong leave a comment, and I will probably make the correction. I just love this song, so soulful and just incredible. Something about this song just strikes a chord with me, I can't get enough. Anyways, enjoy the lyrics
Well you don't, want a lover
All you want is a fool
Well I'm stubborn baby,
Just as stubborn, as an old country mule
Cause I love you
Yes, I love you
Oh Lord, Lord knows I do
Well I can love you forever,
But I'll never be your fool
Don't dog me
Don't dog me all over town
Don't dog me
Don't dog me and put me down
Don't dog me
Don't dog my heart around
Don't dog me
Don't dog me like a clown
Break my heart, go on make me cry
But you'll never, no never, break my pride
Don't dog me around
Well you want me, to run baby
Every time you clap your little hands
But the only way you're going to keep me,
Is to start treating me like I'm a man
So, so, please don't dog me
Don't dog me I'll make things right
Don't dog me
Don't dog me we'll never fight
Don't dog me around