Damn Yankees was an American hard rock supergroup, well known for the singl… Read Full Bio ↴Damn Yankees was an American hard rock supergroup, well known for the single High Enough, formed in 1985, consisting of Jack Blades (Night Ranger), Tommy Shaw (Styx), Ted Nugent and drummer Michael Cartellone. Presumably inspired by the musical of the same name, Nugent once also explained that he coined the name because whenever someone asked him how he and Tommy Shaw would sound playing together, he would always reply by saying they would sound like "a bunch of damn Yankees." With Tommy Shaw from Alabama, Jack Blades from California, Mike Cartellone from New York, and Ted Nugent from Michigan, it did seem as if the band represented all four corners of the nation.

Dirty Dog
Damn Yankees Lyrics

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Can't you see I'm a lovable man
Got a plaque on the wall
Baby can I help you understand
Times a-wastin' and I'm ready to rock
Well did I show you omy clock
It's got diamonds all around the band
Try to touch you, you push me away
All I hear you say is

Get down dirty dog
You don't know right from wrong
And I'm not one of your bitches
Get back you dirty dog
Been messin' where you don't belong
Stop sniffin' round my britches
Can't take it when you're callin' me names
Yeah I think it's a shame
You can do me like the way you do
You big teaser now you throw me bone
Then you hurry me home
Honey what am I supposed to do
I don't deserve it
You're makin' me pay
You push me away when you say
Get down dirty dog
You don't know right from wrong
And I'm not one of your bitches
You said get back you dirty dog
Been messin' where you don't belong
Stop sniffin' round my britches
Well that's a dog gone lie
You gotta give me a try
I'm walkin' out that door
Ain't gonna scratch no more
Gonna sever my relation
Dig a little deeper hole
Get a little self control
One more night out in the cold
Face down in my doggie bowl
She said
Get down dirty dog
You don't know right from wrong
And I'm not one of your bitches
Get back you dirty dog

Been messin' where you don't belong
Stop sniffin' round my britches

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Damn Yankees' "Dirty Dog" depict a man who has been trying to win the affection of a woman who sees him as a "dirty dog," one who is not worthy of her. He tells her that he is a "lovable man" who has a plaque on the wall, indicating that he is successful and accomplished. He tries to convince her to give him a chance, but she continues to push him away, calling him names and telling him to "get back." The man is frustrated and hurt, and feels that he does not deserve her harsh treatment.

The chorus of the song repeats the phrase "get down, dirty dog" and emphasizes the woman's disdain for the man. She does not see him as a viable partner, and he is left feeling rejected and alone. Despite his attempts to win her over, he is met with resistance and continues to be viewed as unworthy. The song depicts the struggle to reconcile one's own feelings with the rejection of another.

Overall, "Dirty Dog" is a humorous and lighthearted take on the feeling of rejection in romantic relationships. It highlights the frustration and hurt that can come from being constantly turned away, and emphasizes the importance of maintaining self-respect and dignity even in the face of rejection.

Line by Line Meaning

Can't you see I'm a lovable man
I'm a charming and affectionate person.

Got a plaque on the wall
I have an award or certificate displayed on my wall.

Baby can I help you understand
Do you need help comprehending something?

Times a-wastin' and I'm ready to rock
Time is passing us by, and I'm ready to have a good time.

Well did I show you omy clock
Have I shown you my watch?

It's got diamonds all around the band
My watch has diamonds surrounding it.

Try to touch you, you push me away
When I try to get close to you, you reject my advances.

All I hear you say is
All I can hear from you is

Get down dirty dog
You are rude and uncaring.

You don't know right from wrong
You do not understand how to properly act.

And I'm not one of your bitches
I refuse to be treated like an object.

Get back you dirty dog
Leave me alone and stop bothering me.

Been messin' where you don't belong
You are going where you are not welcome.

Stop sniffin' round my britches
Stop trying to get too close to me.

Can't take it when you're callin' me names
I cannot tolerate your derogatory language.

Yeah I think it's a shame
I believe it's terrible.

You can do me like the way you do
You are mistreating me.

You big teaser now you throw me bone
You are playing with my emotions and then giving me false hope.

Then you hurry me home
You want to leave quickly.

Honey what am I supposed to do
What am I supposed to do?

I don't deserve it
I don't deserve your mistreatment.

You're makin' me pay
You're punishing me for something.

You push me away when you say
You reject me when you say

Well that's a dog gone lie
That's a big lie.

You gotta give me a try
You should give me a chance.

I'm walkin' out that door
I am leaving.

Ain't gonna scratch no more
I will not bother or annoy anyone anymore.

Gonna sever my relation
I will end our relationship.

Dig a little deeper hole
Let's make things worse.

Get a little self control
Exercise some self-discipline.

One more night out in the cold
One more lonely night.

Face down in my doggie bowl
Depressed and alone, like a rejected dog.

She said
She declared

Get down dirty dog
Act properly with respect to others.

You don't know right from wrong
You are lacking in ethical understanding.

Been messin' where you don't belong
You are meddling where you do not belong.

Stop sniffin' round my britches
Stop trying to get too close to me.

Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, Universal Music Publishing Group, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Jack Blades, Ted A. Nugent, Tommy R. Shaw

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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