"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 World May Never Know
Dr. Dog Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I've been happy now for way too long
And oh, we got a lot more to go
I put a trash can by the road
And filled it up just to lighten my load
But oh, I got no where to go
Someone alone fell asleep by the phone
How can it be that a fish in the sea
Could feel like it's completely alone?
The world may never know
I know it hurt you, 'cause you cried
I know it killed you, but nobody died
And oh, the city ain't nothin but show
I found a needle in the hay
I found the sunshine at the end of the day
And oh, I found a pearl in the snow
Someone alone fell asleep by the phone
Waiting like a dog for a bone
How can it be that a fish in the sea
Could feel like it's completely alone?
The world may never know
The song The World May Never Know by Dr. Dog seems to be about finding happiness in life despite the difficulties and loneliness that come along the way. The first verse talks about forgetting what is wrong and experiencing happiness for too long. The singer has even taken the initiative to declutter their surroundings by putting a trash can by the road and filling it up. However, despite the cleanup, they feel like they have nowhere to go.
In the second verse, the singer reflects on someone who is alone, waiting by the phone like a dog waiting for a bone. They can't understand how someone can feel so alone when there are billions of people in the world. The world's size doesn't guarantee companionship or oneness with others. The song ends with the singer finding moments of happiness, something that truly makes them feel alive, despite the city's facade and the world's loneliness.
Overall, the song speaks to the transient nature of happiness, the loneliness that exists everywhere, and the hope that finding small moments of joy can provide.
Line by Line Meaning
I can't remember what is wrong
I can't recall the source of my past unhappiness.
I've been happy now for way too long
I have been content with my life for an extended period of time.
and oh, we got a lot more to go
Despite my current happiness, there is still much to accomplish and experience.
I put a trash can by the road
I disposed of unnecessary items to lessen my burden.
and filled it up just to lighten my load
I removed excess possessions to make my life simpler and more manageable.
but oh, I got no where to go
Despite feeling lighter, I still don't have a clear direction in life.
someone alone fell asleep by the phone
An individual, likely feeling lonely, drifted off to sleep next to the telephone.
waiting like a dog for a bone
This person eagerly awaited a call or some form of attention, like a dog excitedly anticipating a treat.
how can it be that a fish in the sea
The vastness of the ocean should offer comfort to a fish, yet this individual still feels isolated and alone.
could feel like it's completely alone?
Why does this person still feel an overwhelming sense of loneliness despite being surrounded by others?
the world may never know
Perhaps we will never understand the complexity of human emotions and feeling disconnected from others.
I know it hurt you, 'cause you cried
I am aware that I caused pain to someone else because they shed tears over the situation.
I know it killed you, but nobody died
Although it was emotionally taxing, the situation did not result in a physical loss of life.
and oh, the city ain't nothin but show
The busyness and flashiness of urban life can ultimately feel hollow and superficial.
I found a needle in the hay
I discovered something valuable and surprising in an unexpected place or situation.
I found the sunshine at the end of the day
After a long and stressful day, I was able to find a moment of happiness or positivity.
and oh, I found a pearl in the snow
In a place or situation where beauty may not be expected, I discovered something rare and lovely.
someone alone fell asleep by the phone
Once again, a person is feeling disconnected and waiting for contact from others.
waiting like a dog for a bone
The same imagery is used here to emphasize the eagerness and longing felt by the individual awaiting contact.
how can it be that a fish in the sea
The fish analogy is once again used to highlight the loneliness and isolation felt by this person.
could feel like it's completely alone?
Despite being surrounded by others, why does this person still feel an overwhelming sense of singularity?
the world may never know
Perhaps we will never truly understand the complexities of human emotion and experience.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: SCOTT MCMICKEN, TOBY LEAMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind