Pitney began playing drums at 6 and guitar at 12. He played in a bluegrass band with his brother and a friend. Pitney moved to Nashville, Tennessee, where he signed to Curb Records and began working with record producer Tony Brown.
Pitney released his single "Country", in December 2014. He co-wrote the song with Bill Anderson and Bobby Tomberlin. Billy Dukes of Taste of Country reviewed the single positively, saying that "Mo isn't making a statement, and he's not the sign of some traditional country revolution in 2015. But he's a reminder of how good a simple country song sung by a man who believes in God and George Strait can feel." Johnny Nevin of Huffington Post also reviewed Pitney's music favorably, saying that "Mo Pitney knows a couple of really important things about being Country, real Country. One of them is that he knows who he is, and that's always going to be important, because it's the only way anyone can keep becoming the person they really want to be. Just as important though, it seems like Mo Pitney never forgets about everybody else, and how important they are too." It was the third most-added country song its first week at radio. The song entered Top 40 on Country Airplay on the chart dated for the week ending June 20, 2015, its 19th week on that chart.
His second single, "Boy & a Girl Thing", released to country radio on August 31, 2015. It reached #50 on Hot Country Songs in October 2016. His debut album is Behind This Guitar. The album's third single, "Everywhere", was released to country radio in December 2016. The song went for adds at country radio on February 13, 2017.
Pitney's debut album, Behind This Guitar, was released on October 7, 2016 and featured collaborations with Morgane Stapleton and Mac McAnally. It charted at #10 on Billboard's Top Country Albums in its first week.
IT'S JUST A DOG
Mo Pitney Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Saw her walking on the side of the highway alone.
It was raining like hell and I kept telling myself
"Not my problem, keep on driving, just like everybody else."
Why should I be the one pulling over on the shoulder at night?
It's just a dog, right?
From the cab of my truck, to the foot of my bed,
Digging holes in the yard, chasing cars down the street
Till one got her and when I found her, I thought it hit me.
Took half of my savings to save her, and I didn't think twice.
It's just a dog, right?
Just an old mutt riding shotgun, getting my seats all muddy.
Just the one who I come home to, just my best fishin' buddy.
We were walking that spring in the sand on the beach.
You know she was the reason, Amy walked up to me.
She lost her place on the couch, but she kept her cool.
She was crazy about Amy and she knew I was too.
And the night that girl left me, she kept me from losing my mind.
But it's just a dog, right?
It's 83° today and man I can hardly wait
To get this truck down to the lake, I bet the bass' are hittin'.
Boats in my rear view mirror, got my tackle box and all my gear,
The wind is right, the sky is clear, there's only one thing missin'.
Just an old mutt riding shotgun, getting my seats all muddy.
It just hit me she's not with me like she was this past Sunday.
Why am I pulling over on the shoulder with tears in my eyes?
It's just a dog, right?
She was just a dog, right?
Mo Pitney's song "It's Just A Dog" is a sentimental ode to his beloved pet, a dog that he rescued on the side of the highway ten years ago. The lyrics recount his initial reluctance to get involved with the stray dog but his eventual decision to take her in and make her a part of his life. He reminisces about the times they spent together, from the foot of his bed to fishing trips, and how she kept him company during difficult times, such as the departure of a loved one.
The repetition of the phrase "it's just a dog, right?" underscores the poignant nature of the song. Pitney recognizes that while society may view pets as mere animals, his relationship with his dog is much deeper and more meaningful than a casual observer might realize. The chorus, which describes the dog as "just an old mutt" and "getting my seats all muddy," highlights the simple, everyday moments that make up our lives that can be enhanced by the love and companionship of a pet.
Line by Line Meaning
Ten years ago I was on my way home,
Ten years ago, while on my way home, I saw her walking alone on the side of the highway as it was raining heavily.
It was raining like hell and I kept telling myself
Despite the heavy rain, I kept trying to convince myself that she wasn't my concern and I should just keep driving like everyone else.
"Not my problem, keep on driving, just like everybody else."
I kept telling myself that it wasn't my responsibility to help her, and that I should just ignore her like everyone else who passed by.
Why should I be the one pulling over on the shoulder at night?
I didn't think it was right for me to stop and help her at night on a deserted road.
It's just a dog, right?
I even convinced myself that she wasn't worth saving because she was just a dog.
From the cab of my truck, to the foot of my bed,
Ever since that day, she became part of my life, from riding with me in my truck to sleeping at the foot of my bed.
To a new pair of boots that she chewed in shreds.
Although she caused me some trouble, like chewing my boots to shreds, I never thought of giving her away or abandoning her.
Digging holes in the yard, chasing cars down the street
She enjoyed doing things like digging holes in the yard and chasing cars down the street.
Till one got her and when I found her, I thought it hit me.
However, when a car hit her and I found her seriously injured, I realized how much she meant to me.
Took half of my savings to save her, and I didn't think twice.
I didn't hesitate to use half of my savings to pay for her medical expenses and save her life.
It's just a dog, right?
At the time, she was just a dog, and yet I was willing to spend a lot of money on her without a second thought.
Just an old mutt riding shotgun, getting my seats all muddy.
Over time, she became my constant companion, riding shotgun in my truck and getting my seats all muddy.
Just the one who I come home to, just my best fishin' buddy.
She was the one who greeted me when I got home, and my best friend when I went fishing.
We were walking that spring in the sand on the beach.
One spring, we took a walk on the beach together.
You know she was the reason, Amy walked up to me.
She helped me meet a girl named Amy, who approached me because of my canine companion.
She lost her place on the couch, but she kept her cool.
When Amy came into our lives, she lost her spot on the couch, but she was still her friendly self.
She was crazy about Amy and she knew I was too.
She knew how much Amy meant to me, and was fond of her too.
And the night that girl left me, she kept me from losing my mind.
When Amy broke up with me, she was the one who kept me company and helped me through it.
But it's just a dog, right?
Even when she was comforting me during my heartbreak, she was still just a dog in my mind.
It's 83° today and man I can hardly wait
Now, years later, the weather is beautiful and I'm excited to go fishing.
To get this truck down to the lake, I bet the bass' are hittin'.
On my way to the lake, I expect the bass to be biting.
Boats in my rear view mirror, got my tackle box and all my gear,
As I drive, I can see other boats behind me and my tackle box and other fishing gear are ready to go.
The wind is right, the sky is clear, there's only one thing missin'.
Conditions are perfect for a great day of fishing, but she's not with me anymore.
Just an old mutt riding shotgun, getting my seats all muddy.
I realize that I miss the times she used to ride shotgun in my truck, even if it meant getting my seats all muddy.
It just hit me she's not with me like she was this past Sunday.
The realization that she's not with me anymore, just like she was last Sunday, strikes me.
Why am I pulling over on the shoulder with tears in my eyes?
As I think of her, I cannot help but pull over to the shoulder and cry.
She was just a dog, right?
Despite all of what we've experienced together, I still think of her as just a dog. Even so, I cannot help but feel the pain of her absence.
Lyrics © OLE MEDIA MANAGEMENT LP, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JIMMY MELTON, PITNEY MO, BOBBY WAYNE TOMBERLIN, DAVID R. TURNBULL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
John Doe
Had to put my dog down today and it just so happened that this song played on Spotify while driving home afterwards and I literally had to pull over on the shoulder because I couldn’t hold back the tears. Such a beautiful song. RIP Mia :( greatest dog there ever was.
Road Junky
I'm so sorry
Jp
She couldn’t of been as good as our Mia we miss her too so much😔
Hugo Wiberg
God timed that song?
That was a big part of your healing.
I'm sure you still feel the scar left on your heart by Mia.
Question I have for God is why couldn't they be designed to live as long as us? It's hard.
I hope he don't mind me asking...
Jp
Sorry about your girl but gotta say my Mia was the best too❤️❤️
Nikki Buchanan
@Jp actually disgusting to see people belittle other people's suffering
Elmer Mason
I'm sitting here with tears in my eyes. What a beautiful song. Hardest thing in the world to say goodbye to your dog. It's just a dog, right. Not even close.....Thanks Mo.
Rodney Wright
I had to put my best friend down last week after 17 years... It was so hard 😢
Kitty Goodwin
I'm having to put my 11 year old baby down today.
My heart is killing me and I've been crying since she woke me up at 3am this morning.
This song hits home because there are way to many people out there who believe that dogs are just a dog or cats are just cats.
They have b feelings, emotions or able to love and care for others.
I believe these people have no soul.
Joey Paluga
Absolutely Elmer! Great song by a Great artist. If ya get the chance, see Mo Live 🤠
Great Singer Songwriter Entertainer