Cho is probably now considered the first lady of left wing comedy, dealing with the edgier issues of gender, race, drugs, wanton sexuality etc. In her own words: "I don't play violin... I didn't f**k Woody Allen."
Hey Big Dog
Margaret Cho Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Why are you afraid of the wind?
It will always blow them doors
And windows in
Wind is real
It′s always there
Baby big dog
Hey big mama
Why do you always wait by the phone?
Don′t you know that bad man
Will always leave you alone
He likes to say he will
But he never says when
I will bite him
If he comes around again
We're silly creatures
Who need teachers
We got problems
Can we solve them together?
Ooooh, together
Hey big dog
Why do you howl at the moon?
I never heard such a sad
And mournful tune
Didn't you know
The moon is your friend
It′s the only one there
For you in the end
Hey big mama
Why you let that man come around?
I don′t like the way he looks
I don't like the way he sounds
And I didn′t tell you
But he stepped on my tail
And he smells just like he
Like he's fresh out of jail
Stop licking your paws
I like the taste
I am the boss
Squirrels gotta be chased
Don′t pee on the rug
Then don't do drugs
You′re just a pup
Stop messing things up
We're silly creatures
Who need teachers
We got problems
Can we solve them together?
Ooooh, together
Margaret Cho's song "Hey Big Dog" is a unique take on the concept of self-discovery and self-improvement. The lyrics speak to the insecurities and fears inherent within all of us, personified through the form of a big dog and a big mama. The opening line inquires about the dog's fear of the wind, portraying the dog's reluctance to embrace change or new experiences. However, the chorus reinforces a gentle reminder that the wind is just a force of nature, which will eventually lead to doors opening and windows closing. In essence, the lyrics suggest that the fears we let rule us are often insignificant in the grand scheme of things.
Margaret Cho continues her exploration of human nature by shifting the focus to the big mama, who always waits by the phone for the bad man who promises to return but never does. The lyrics suggest that the big mama is ignoring the obvious and continuing to put herself through an emotional rollercoaster. In contrast, the big dog promises to be the big mama's protector if the bad man comes around again. The verse concludes with the lyrical phrase, "We're silly creatures who need teachers," emphasizing the need for external guidance and advice to combat the internal struggles we face.
Throughout the song, the chorus structure serves as a reminder that we all have problems and that the only path to overcoming them is to solve them together. Interestingly, the dog, who is supposed to be a pet, is portrayed as the one set of eyes with the clarity to see the destructive habits of his human counterpart. In summary, "Hey Big Dog" is a reminder that the journey to self-improvement is ultimately about finding the right support system that can help us overcome our fears, insecurities, and self-destructive habits.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey big dog
Addressing the dog with a question
Why are you afraid of the wind?
Asking the reason for the dog's fear of the wind
It will always blow them doors
And windows in
Explaining the natural phenomenon of wind and its effects on doors and windows
Wind is real
It’s always there
Baby big dog
It's only moving air
Assuring the dog that wind is real but it's not something to be afraid of
Hey big mama
Addressing the mother dog with a question
Why do you always wait by the phone?
Asking the reason why the mother dog always waits by the phone
Don't you know that bad man
Will always leave you alone
Telling the mother dog that bad people never stay around for long
He likes to say he will
But he never says when
I will bite him
If he comes around again
Even though the bad man promises to stay, he never delivers, so the dog will bite him if he comes around again
We're silly creatures
Who need teachers
We got problems
Can we solve them together?
Ooooh, together
Acknowledging that both humans and dogs have problems, but we can solve them if we work together
Hey big dog
Addressing the dog with a question
Why do you howl at the moon?
Asking the reason for the dog's howling at the moon
I never heard such a sad
And mournful tune
Commenting on the dog's howling
Didn't you know
The moon is your friend
It's the only one there
For you in the end
Telling the dog that the moon is its friend and always there for it
Hey big mama
Addressing the mother dog with a question
Why you let that man come around?
I don't like the way he looks
I don't like the way he sounds
Asking the mother dog why she lets the man come around despite not liking him
And I didn’t tell you
But he stepped on my tail
And he smells just like he
Like he's fresh out of jail
Revealing that the dog doesn't like the man because he stepped on its tail, and he smells like a criminal
Stop licking your paws
I like the taste
I am the boss
Squirrels gotta be chased
Don't pee on the rug
Then don't do drugs
You're just a pup
Stop messing things up
Giving the dog some instructions like not licking paws, chasing squirrels, not peeing on the rug, and not messing things up
Contributed by Samuel Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@reginaldsfarm7541
Hey big dog
Why are you afraid of the wind?
It will always blow them doors
And windows in
Wind is real
It's always there
Baby big dog
It's only moving air
Hey big mama
Why do you always wait by the phone?
Don't you know that bad man
Will always leave you alone
He likes to say he will
But he never says when
I will bite him
If he comes around again
We're silly creatures
Who need teachers
We got problems
Can we solve them together?
Ooooh, together
Hey big dog
Why do you howl at the moon?
I never heard such a sad
And mournful tune
Didn't you know
The moon is your friend
It's the only one there
For you in the end
Hey big mama
Why you let that man come around?
I don't like the way he looks
I don't like the way he sounds
And I didn't tell you
But he stepped on my tail
And he smells just like he
Like he's fresh out of jail
Stop licking your paws
I like the taste
I am the boss
Squirrels gotta be chased
Don't pee on the rug
Then don't do drugs
You're just a pup
Stop messing things up
We're silly creatures
Who need teachers
We got problems
Can we solve them together?
Ooooh, together
@1feloniouspunk
I like it. Soulful song. And Fiona's amazing as usual!
@elizabethdelgado8844
I loved this video and the song is great to harmonize with! Best wishes for you and your pup!
Liz
@reginaldsfarm7541
Hey big dog
Why are you afraid of the wind?
It will always blow them doors
And windows in
Wind is real
It's always there
Baby big dog
It's only moving air
Hey big mama
Why do you always wait by the phone?
Don't you know that bad man
Will always leave you alone
He likes to say he will
But he never says when
I will bite him
If he comes around again
We're silly creatures
Who need teachers
We got problems
Can we solve them together?
Ooooh, together
Hey big dog
Why do you howl at the moon?
I never heard such a sad
And mournful tune
Didn't you know
The moon is your friend
It's the only one there
For you in the end
Hey big mama
Why you let that man come around?
I don't like the way he looks
I don't like the way he sounds
And I didn't tell you
But he stepped on my tail
And he smells just like he
Like he's fresh out of jail
Stop licking your paws
I like the taste
I am the boss
Squirrels gotta be chased
Don't pee on the rug
Then don't do drugs
You're just a pup
Stop messing things up
We're silly creatures
Who need teachers
We got problems
Can we solve them together?
Ooooh, together
@thecoolestluzer123
Margaret's voice is so pretty. So is Fiona's.I love this haha
@PlayFairParty
I tear up every time I hear this song -- it is unbelievably good
@missmadnesswavelength8163
I love Fiona and Margaret doing old folk style country. this is amazing lol
@Tanru2000
Really liking Margaret Cho's voice in this! The dog is very cute! :)
@msgeek703
I want to see a "making of" video of this. I'm totally impressed. Best video of the bunch so far. And yes, your dog knows the bad guys from the good guys. So does your cat, actually.
@LyricsBYFionaAppleIT
very verry sweet song...thumbs up!! I'm glad to hear Fiona again :)
@Richieripp7
I wish Fiona was in the video! She's planning on coming back on the scene soon! I can't wait. Margaret, you're amazing.