Born on 9th March 1942 in Garnant, Wales, Cale spoke only Welsh until the age of seven, when he began to learn English at school. He went on to study viola at Goldsmiths College, University of London, where he became involved in avant garde music. He traveled to the U.S. to continue his studies, thanks to the help and influence of Aaron Copland, and met and worked with various avant-garde composers, including John Cage, while becoming fascinated with the new Anglo-American art movements.
In 1965, he co-founded the Velvet Underground with Lou Reed. Though best known for his work with the band, Cale has produced a massive body of work that ranges from tastefully arranged strings and piano over Dylan Thomas poetry to barely-suppressed, nigh-psychotic aggression set to high-energy avant-garde rock. Cale's style is almost impossible to pin down, as almost every album contains new experiments and influences. He is also well known as the producer of such works as the debuts of The Stooges, The Modern Lovers, and Patti Smith (the critically acclaimed 'Horses'). He also played a major role in Nico's 'The Marble Index'.
He's released some compilation works such as 'Seducing Down the Door: A Collection 1970-1990' that attempt to show the range and depth of his music. Cale was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as member of the Velvet Underground in 1996, and he was also appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire in 2010. As the years have gone by, he's had a wide variety of tours, additionally dealing with his own personal demons.
Walking the Dog
John Cale Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Silver buttons all down her back
High, low, tipsy toe,
She broke a needle and she can't sew
Walkin' the dog,
Just walkin' the dog
If you don't know how to do it,
I'll show you how to walk te dog
Asked a fellow for fifteen cents,
See the fellow he jumped the fence
Jumped so high he touched the sky,
Never got back till the fourth of July
Walkin' the dog,
Just walkin' the dog
If you don't know how to do it,
I'll show you how to walk the dog
The song "Walking The Dog" by John Cale is an upbeat and catchy blues song that tells a story of a woman walking her dog. The lyrics describe the woman as dressed in black with silver buttons all down her back. She is walking the dog high, low, and tipsy-toe, but has broken a needle and can't sew. Cale then proceeds to the chorus where he sings "just walkin' the dog" and offers to show anyone who doesn't know how to do it how to walk the dog. It is a fun and lighthearted song that is meant to be danced to.
The second verse tells the story of the woman asking a man for fifteen cents. The man jumps the fence and never comes back until the fourth of July, emphasizing the humor in the lyrics. The chorus repeats itself again, with the same lyrics about walking the dog and teaching others how to do so. The song has a cheerful and upbeat melody that compliments the lyrics and adds to the overall playful nature of the song.
In conclusion, "Walking The Dog" by John Cale is a lighthearted and humorous blues song about a woman walking her dog. The song is catchy, upbeat, and sure to get you moving. It is a great example of how blues music can be both serious and playful at the same time.
Line by Line Meaning
Baby's back, dressed in black,
The lady is back, wearing black colored clothes.
Silver buttons all down her back
There are many buttons made out of silver on her back.
High, low, tipsy toe,
She is moving her feet in many different ways.
She broke a needle and she can't sew
She has broken a needle and is unable to sew anymore.
Walkin' the dog,
She is currently taking her dog for a walk.
Just walkin' the dog
She is simply walking her dog for no particular reason.
If you don't know how to do it,
In case you are unfamiliar with how to walk a dog,
I'll show you how to walk the dog
She will explain and demonstrate the proper method of dog walking to you.
Asked a fellow for fifteen cents,
She requested a man for fifteen cents.
See the fellow he jumped the fence
The man whom she asked for money, jumped over a fence.
Jumped so high he touched the sky,
The man jumped exceptionally high.
Never got back till the fourth of July
He didn't return until a significant amount of time had passed.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: RUFUS THOMAS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@johnduncan3755
Nice footage. So happy to find it, and without ads. I saw this tour in Austin, TX. Cale is playing fretless bass btw
@SturgisNikides
Still here ;)
@timneave3240
Top work, sir.
@SturgisNikides
@@timneave3240 Thanks Tim!
@AsparagusG
Wow great (rare!) footage, thanks man.
@GKalabza
Sabotage tour - Irving Plaza, New York 4th August 1979
John Cale - vocals, guitar
Sturgis Nikides - guitar
Peter Muny - bass
Joe Bidewell - keyboards
Robert Medici - drums
Deerfrance - backing vocals
@juankenon
So you know if they recorded the whole show?
@GKalabza
@@juankenon sorry, no idea. You could try and contact the poster or Sturgis Nikides
@krismichael1633
What a brutal version. I wonder what Rufus Thomas would think of it...