"There's a little folk, blues, indie rock, soul, bluegrass--and a whole lot of down-home harmonizing. It conjures images of old friends sitting on a porch swapping instruments and just letting the tape recorder run." - Doug Wallen
Dr. Dog has been creating music in various incarnations for four years now. Beginning with The Psychedelic Swamp, a concept album realized in the damp ruin of a flooded basement with waterlogged guitars and a digital delay pedal, the band has simmered on the back burner of our musical lives for most of its existence but we've recently renewed our resolve to forge ahead and give Dr. Dog the attention we think it deserves.
Although Dr. Dog has as many as 20 honorary "members" who have assisted in various (mostly spiritual) capacities through the years, the core of the band consists of five musicians. Our standard instrumentation includes two guitars, bass, drums, keyboard and three part harmonies. The Beach Boys, The Beatles, Tom Waits, David Bowie and Neil Young are influences, but we would be remiss in not acknowledging our debt to Pavement, Palace Brothers, R. Stevie Moore or Roy Wood.
Currently, the lineup is as such: Toby Leaman on bass and singing, Scott McMicken on woof+mud distortion solo guitar and voice, Frank McElroy on lean clean occasionally tremolo'd guitar, Zach Miller on keyboard(s) and Eric Slick on drums.
We've all done our share of playing. Toby and Scott have played together in a myriad of bands including Raccoon, Unleash the Bastards, and Beard; Andrew played bass in Raccoon and managed the phenomenal The Teeth; Zach has played with Bradford Trojan and Traffic Jam and studied jazz guitar.
Aside from the aforementioned Swamp album - a self-produced, self-recorded low-fi four track recording - we have two other recordings. Toothbrush is a compilation of fourth generation eight-track recordings culled from the past few years. Easy Beat was the first proper record, followed by the 2006 EP Takers and Leavers and two full-length albums, 2006's We All Belong and 2008's Fate. The latest release is called Shame, Shame, and was released April 6th, 2010.
The Sun
Dr. Dog Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And it seems there's no way out
Lizards run by, roots are so dry
And I just can't even shout
Drying up here, this is my fear
I would leave, I don't know how
Sights are hazy, feeling lazy
It must be the lethargy
But out here, it's anarchy
Vultures swoon over their food
The desert takes its toll on me
I long to get some rest
To ease this pressure in my chest
Out here is a loaded gun
Drying in the heat of the sun
Losing effort, broken record
Saying the same things again
Day after day, things never change
And it feels like it's the end
Lamb to slaughter, need some water
And the hours start to blend
Someone save me, going crazy
And there are no tourists here
One and only, feeling lonely
And there's no one to hold dear
Never agile, roots are fragile
And I've lost all of my cheer
I long to get some rest
To ease this pressure in my chest
Out here is a loaded gun
Drying in the heat of the sun
I long to get some rest
To ease this pressure in my chest
Out here is a loaded gun
Drying in the heat of the sun
The lyrics to Dr. Dog's song "The Sun" paint a vivid picture of someone feeling trapped and overwhelmed in a harsh environment. The opening lines portray a sense of isolation and hopelessness, with the singer surrounded by dirt and mountains, unable to find a way out. The imagery of lizards running by and dry roots further emphasizes the desolation and lack of life in this environment. The line "I just can't even shout" suggests a feeling of powerlessness, as if the person's voice is swallowed up by the barrenness around them.
The song continues to describe the deteriorating state of the singer, as they struggle with the heat and lethargy. The sun becomes a source of both symbolism and irony, as it is supposed to represent warmth and hope, but in this context, it accentuates the anarchy and despair. Vultures swooping over their food adds a touch of morbidity and emphasizes the toll that the unforgiving desert is taking on the singer's well-being. The repetition of the line "I long to get some rest, to ease this pressure in my chest" signifies a deep exhaustion and a desperate yearning for relief.
The lyrics also explore the feelings of loneliness and vulnerability. The singer mentions feeling lonely, with no one to hold dear, and they express a sense of being a lamb led to slaughter. The brittle roots and the loss of cheer suggest a lack of resilience and the erosion of their spirit. The repeated refrain of "out here is a loaded gun drying in the heat of the sun" encapsulates the danger and instability of their situation, presenting a powerful image of a person on the brink of breaking under the immense pressure.
Overall, "The Sun" conveys a sense of being trapped in a harsh and unforgiving environment, feeling both physically and emotionally drained. It explores themes of isolation, exhaustion, vulnerability, and the desperation for a reprieve from the relentless struggle.
Line by Line Meaning
Dirt and mountains, I'm surrounded
I feel trapped and overwhelmed by the challenges and obstacles surrounding me.
And it seems there's no way out
I can't see a solution or escape from my current situation.
Lizards run by, roots are so dry
The environment is harsh and inhospitable, causing my resources to wither.
And I just can't even shout
I feel incapable of expressing my frustrations or seeking help.
Drying up here, this is my fear
I am afraid of being drained and depleted in this arid and unforgiving place.
I would leave, I don't know how
I desire to escape, but I'm uncertain of the means or options to do so.
Sights are hazy, feeling lazy
My perspective and motivation are clouded and I lack energy or motivation.
It must be the lethargy
This lack of energy and enthusiasm is likely due to exhaustion and weariness.
Sun is beaming, must be dreaming
The intense heat and sunlight make me question if I am imagining or hallucinating.
But out here, it's anarchy
In this chaotic and lawless environment, everything seems unpredictable and tumultuous.
Vultures swoon over their food
I am surrounded by scavengers who thrive on others' suffering and misfortune.
The desert takes its toll on me
The desert environment exhausts and drains me physically and mentally.
I long to get some rest
I yearn for a moment of respite and relaxation.
To ease this pressure in my chest
I want to relieve the stress and heaviness I feel in my heart and mind.
Out here is a loaded gun
Being in this harsh environment feels dangerous and threatening.
Drying in the heat of the sun
I am slowly withering and deteriorating under the scorching heat of the sun.
Losing effort, broken record
My attempts and actions feel futile and repetitive, like a broken and repetitive cycle.
Saying the same things again
I find myself stuck in a pattern of repeating the same words and phrases.
Day after day, things never change
I experience a monotonous and stagnant existence where nothing ever improves.
And it feels like it's the end
I have a sense of hopelessness, as if I have reached the finality of my circumstances.
Lamb to slaughter, need some water
I am in a vulnerable and defenseless position, desperately in need of sustenance and hydration.
And the hours start to blend
Time becomes indistinguishable, blending together in a disorienting manner.
Someone save me, going crazy
I plead for someone to rescue me from this deteriorating mental state of madness and instability.
And there are no tourists here
There is no one visiting this desolate place, offering no relief or distraction.
One and only, feeling lonely
I am the sole presence in this deserted space, experiencing profound isolation and loneliness.
And there's no one to hold dear
I lack emotional connections or loved ones who can provide support and comfort.
Never agile, roots are fragile
I am not adaptable to this harsh environment, and my foundations are fragile and easily broken.
And I've lost all of my cheer
I have lost my happiness and enthusiasm, leaving me in a state of emotional emptiness.
Lyrics © DistroKid
Written by: Brian Gaudet
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
kaspars sedliņš
In a perfect world
Of my own design
I'd get rid of the sun
In favor of the moonshine
And if the natural order
Were mine to define
The light in the tunnel
Would be a neon sign
'Cause I've always thought the nighttime
It feels like mine
If it were only up to me
The sun would never ever shine
Well the moon's invitation
It's gentle and it's kind
And it leaves everyone alone
And to me that is divine
With its mightiest demonstration
I feel so much less confined
And towards that kind of light
I will always be inclined
'Cause I've always thought the nighttime
It feels like mine
If it were only up to me
The sun would never ever shine
If I could go out on a limb
And make so bold a leap
I'd tell you, sun
To go down
And sink into the deep
'Cause I've always thought the nighttime
It feels like mine
If it were only up to me
The sun would never ever shine
SPED LED
Saw these guys play near Joshua Tree. No lights. Just stars.
Mushroom Pot
I've seen them over 20 times but never like that. May that experience stay with your soul 4EVER!!!!
lonetruthseeker
That sounds amazing.
Sai Vikas
3:32 This part reaches into my soul and brings so much joy
Lenny Rose
In the same vane (vein?) As Mac Demarco's "Moonlight On The River" . I love it. Will be listening to this a lot
Andre Crotte
Thought the same thing
the stranger
Vaien
Benjamin Bills
Erik Frost thanks for the suggestion
kaspars sedliņš
In a perfect world
Of my own design
I'd get rid of the sun
In favor of the moonshine
And if the natural order
Were mine to define
The light in the tunnel
Would be a neon sign
'Cause I've always thought the nighttime
It feels like mine
If it were only up to me
The sun would never ever shine
Well the moon's invitation
It's gentle and it's kind
And it leaves everyone alone
And to me that is divine
With its mightiest demonstration
I feel so much less confined
And towards that kind of light
I will always be inclined
'Cause I've always thought the nighttime
It feels like mine
If it were only up to me
The sun would never ever shine
If I could go out on a limb
And make so bold a leap
I'd tell you, sun
To go down
And sink into the deep
'Cause I've always thought the nighttime
It feels like mine
If it were only up to me
The sun would never ever shine
Alexandru .R
Thanks m8