"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 Way the Lazy Do
Dr. Dog Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In the night so black
Dreaming of sweet love
Just beneath above
There's a light on in the house
See the bug see the mouse
Hear em fight, hear em shout
It's just that time of the year
That brings them here
Yesterday the day got colder
Passed away got one day older
Now it seems that everything is new
Then today a rock rolled over
Came to life to kill the clover
Left to way the way the lazy do
In the dirt of the flood
There's a stick in the mud
But in the heat of the sun
It is cool to be one
It's just that time of the year
So stick right here
Yesterday the day got colder
Passed away got one day older
Now it seems that everything is new
Then today a rock rolled over
Came to life to kill the clover
Left to lay the way the lazy do
May your thoughts be kind
May your knots unwind
May your dogs drink wine
May your days kill time
And may your fears go blind
As your regret rewinds
A little peace of mind
May you wake to find
It's just that time of the year
That holds you dear
The lyrics for Dr. Dog's song The Way the Lazy Do are open to interpretation, but it seems to be about the cyclical nature of life, and how we all have our own ways of living and experiencing it. The first verse creates a contrast between the singer's dreamy state and the commotion happening in the house nearby. The repetition of "just beneath above" implies that there is a connection between the two, despite the distance. The chorus establishes that "it's just that time of the year that brings them here," suggesting that this cycle of things happens annually.
The second verse takes a turn and talks about an event that breaks the cycle. A rock rolls over and "came to life to kill the clover" suggests that something unexpected or even destructive happened to a previously safe and established aspect of life. The reference to the "way the lazy do" could imply that this change happened because of inaction or complacency. The third verse is perhaps the most enigmatic, though it continues with the theme of cycles. The stick in the mud vs. the coolness in the sun could be a metaphor for the different ways we experience life at different times.
The last verse is a set of wishes for the listener, and it seems to tie together some of the themes present throughout the song. The idea of knots unwinding and fears going blind suggests that there is a release from some kind of tension or anxiety. The mention of dogs drinking wine is amusing, but it also could signify a sense of indulgence or relaxation. Ultimately, the idea is to find "a little peace of mind" and to recognize that there is a natural rhythm and order to life.
Line by Line Meaning
Lying on your back
Relaxing on your back, taking a break from being upright
In the night so black
During nighttime with low visibility
Dreaming of sweet love
Daydreaming about romantic experiences
Just beneath above
Very close, almost touching
There's a light on in the house
Light can be seen coming from a house
See the bug see the mouse
Observing insects and rodents
Hear em fight, hear em shout
Hearing them argue and yell
Hit the lights and go out
Turn off the lights and leave the area
It's just that time of the year
A particular season or time period
That brings them here
Attracting certain creatures or events
Yesterday the day got colder
The previous day had a lower temperature
Passed away got one day older
The day has ended and time has progressed
Now it seems that everything is new
A fresh perspective on familiar surroundings
Then today a rock rolled over
An unexpected action occurred
Came to life to kill the clover
Something came alive and destroyed vegetation
Left to way the way the lazy do
Left behind in a carefree and leisurely manner
In the dirt of the flood
Sediment that has been washed up due to water overflow
There's a stick in the mud
A stick has become stuck in the mud
But in the heat of the sun
During warm temperature
It is cool to be one
It is comfortable to be still and relax
So stick right here
Stay in this place, remain stationary
May your thoughts be kind
Wishing for positive and considerate thinking
May your knots unwind
Hoping for relaxation and relief of stress
May your dogs drink wine
A humorous wish for an enjoyable life
May your days kill time
Wishing for time to pass without stress or boredom
And may your fears go blind
Wishing for fears to disappear
As your regret rewinds
Reflecting on past actions and letting go of regret
A little peace of mind
Hoping for calmness and contentment
May you wake to find
Wishing for pleasant surprises or events
That holds you dear
The time of year is meaningful and cherished
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: SCOTT MCMICKEN, TOBY LEAMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@MiraSubieGirl
Im like a way older version of you :P my parents showed me all the best music too.
Your parents sound badass and great! But Dr.Dog has said in interviews they are a direct inspiration of the Beatles.
Check out some lesser known Beatles songs this one is probably my fave and never gets radio plays etc.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=En4fyOf-X1E
Keep hunting good music <3
@sherondapramusog
Met them in 09 changed my life
Hanging outside with talking about how much they inspire me. Good times that make me feel like everything is new all over again
@gen-lj7oy
I'm 11 now, but I've always loved this song because my mum used to play a lot of Dr. Dog on our long road trips when I was young. Thank you mum <3
@MiraSubieGirl
Im like a way older version of you :P my parents showed me all the best music too.
Your parents sound badass and great! But Dr.Dog has said in interviews they are a direct inspiration of the Beatles.
Check out some lesser known Beatles songs this one is probably my fave and never gets radio plays etc.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=En4fyOf-X1E
Keep hunting good music <3
@manchildusa
That's a cool childhood
@clarkb5137
Nåti M don't forget about The Band too!
@brandonbarzini2679
Such a good band!
@jimjimjim6186
Go Hug Yr Mama Right Now, & Say Thank You
@PowaOfPink
used to listen to this in 2012 while i was in 8th grade. now im 25 and im just thinking to myself man what a crazy trip life is
@imonster242DRohrer44
this is my rainy day song. I put it on every time it rains on repeat. It's currently raining. Love Dr. Dog long live!! :)
@blintblohnson6948
One of my fav songs of all time