The Lost Dogs have been called a country music supergroup, but they conside… Read Full Bio ↴The Lost Dogs have been called a country music supergroup, but they consider themselves to be a roots and alternative music group. They began in 1991 as a one-time collaboration between four very different vocalists and songwriters from four different bands at the behest of their label at that time. Terry Scott Taylor (Daniel Amos, the Swirling Eddies), Gene Eugene (Adam Again), Derri Daugherty (The Choir), and Michael Roe (The 77s) have over the last two decades released nine eclectic albums of traditional American music (country, folk, blues, rock) with a decidedly modern feel. The Lost Dogs' concert performances are filled with between-song jokes and one-liners between the band members (usually poking fun at each other).

Many of the Lost Dogs albums include at least one or two cover songs. Songs covered by the Lost Dogs include Bob Dylan's "Lord, Protect My Child," Leonard Cohen's "If It Be Your Will," The Beatles' "I'm A Loser," and Stephen Foster's "Hard Times Come Again No More." They have also recorded a number of Traditional or Gospel standards such as "Dust On The Bible," and "Farther Along."

In March, 2000, shortly after the release of their Gift Horse album, Gene Eugene died in his sleep at The Green Room, his recording studio in Huntington Beach, California.

2003 saw the release of the band's first DVD, Via Chicago, a black and white concert film released by Lo-Fidelity Records. A follow-up DVD, Via Chicago (All We Left Unsaid), containing additional songs from the concert, was released in 2006.

Although the loss of Eugene is noticeable, the remaining three Lost Dogs members continue to tour and record new albums. In 2004, the band got together with longtime friend Steve Hindalong to produce a special album for their summer tour. The result was entitled Mutt, and included new acoustic versions of nine songs originally written and recorded for each band member's regular rock bands, with one new song. The following year, the band would release one of their most unusual recordings to date, the almost entirely instrumental Island Dreams.

The band's most recent project, Old Angel, was released May 2010. The band — including the newest official "dog," drummer Steve Hindalong — once again hit the road for a national tour in support of their new album.

Bush League
Lost Dogs Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

1,2,3,4
I don't know what I think about it
But I know what I think of you
Well I know I can live without it
And I know what I want to do

I'll pack you a lunch, clear your desk
It's going to be hell to clean your mess

All I know is that you gotta go

I don't know what I think about it
But your bush league days are through
Will you give me a job I doubt it
Here's a bird in the hand for you

Next time you start a storm
You better get you a mess kit, canteen and uniform
Cause we feel like livin' so you've got to go

Your points of light are almost gone
So here's your yellow ribbon-burning song

For Millie and Danny and Saddam and nanny
Babs and Ronnie and Clyde and Bonnie

Clarence and Ollie and the Beave and Wally
And Maggie and Gorby and the new world ordey

Overall Meaning

The song "Bush League" by Lost Dogs is a critique of mediocrity and incompetence. The lyrics express a frustration with someone's lack of ability and the resulting mess they have made. The singer doesn't know what to think about it, but knows what they think of the person who caused the problem. Though they can live without it, they want the person to be held accountable and leave their job.

The next verse is a call to action: "I'll pack you a lunch, clear your desk / It's going to be hell to clean your mess / All I know is that you gotta go." The singer wants the person responsible to be fired and to take responsibility for their actions. They are tired of dealing with incompetence and want to make sure that it is understood that such behavior will not be tolerated.

The final verse references various people in politics and pop culture, suggesting that they too are part of the "bush league." The singer implies that the incompetence on display is not limited to any one person or entity, but is a larger societal issue. The song paints a picture of frustration with those who are not up to par and suggests that it is time for them to step aside.

Line by Line Meaning

1,2,3,4
The song starts with a simple countdown, highlighting the simplicity of decisions to follow

I don't know what I think about it
The singer is unsure about their feelings towards a particular situation

But I know what I think of you
However, they are certain of their negative opinion towards someone

Well I know I can live without it
The artist feels that they do not need this situation or person in their life

And I know what I want to do
The artist has a clear idea of what actions they want to take

I'll pack you a lunch, clear your desk
The singer is ready to fire the person and help them leave the office

It's going to be hell to clean your mess
The singer acknowledges that the person has caused troubles in the office and cleaning up after them would be difficult

All I know is that you gotta go
The artist is adamant about firing the person

But your bush league days are through
The artist believes that the person's unprofessional and careless behavior is no longer acceptable

Will you give me a job I doubt it
The artist is addressing the person they are firing and mocks them suggesting that they would not be able to offer them a job

Here's a bird in the hand for you
The singer is offering the person one last chance to leave without any trouble, through a golden handshake or compensation

Next time you start a storm
The artist warns the person to be more careful in the future and to avoid causing trouble

You better get you a mess kit, canteen and uniform
The singer suggests that the person should be better prepared to face the consequences of their actions

Cause we feel like livin' so you've got to go
The singer is emphasizing that their office needs a more professional and positive environment, and the person who was fired needs to leave for that to happen

Your points of light are almost gone
The singer is pointing out that the person has lost their opportunities and support, and are now left with almost nothing

So here's your yellow ribbon-burning song
The artist is mocking the person by referencing a song that veterans and soldiers sing (Yellow Ribbon) to honor and welcome their loved ones, as a way of showing that the person they are firing is not worthy of such honor or respect

For Millie and Danny and Saddam and nanny
The artist is using a list of names to make a point that many people, including those who are popular or infamous (like Saddam Hussein), may not always have a positive legacy and can be forgotten quickly

Babs and Ronnie and Clyde and Bonnie
The singer continues with the list of names which are a mix of popular personas (like former US Presidents Barbara Bush and Ronald Reagan) and fictional characters (like Clyde Barrow and Bonnie Parker from Bonnie and Clyde)

Clarence and Ollie and the Beave and Wally
The singer is referencing characters from TV shows and movies (like It's a Wonderful Life, Laurel and Hardy, and Leave It to Beaver) and suggesting that even though they were popular at the time, they may not be remembered by everyone

And Maggie and Gorby and the new world ordey
The artist mentions the British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, the Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, and the vision of a New World Order as examples of people or ideas that were popular or influential, but eventually became irrelevant or forgotten

Contributed by Jack H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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