The video for the title track famously included a Michael Jackson look-alike whose hair catches fire. The video parodied corporate rock, the pretensions of advertising and Michael Jackson in particular. It was initially banned by MTV after legal threats from Michael Jackson's attorneys (although the Canadian music channel, MuchMusic ran it immediately). After becoming a hit on MuchMusic, MTV reconsidered their decision to yank the video and put it into heavy rotation, finally giving it the MTV Video Music Award for Best Video of the Year for 1989. The video was directed by Julien Temple and written by Charlie Coffey. It was nominated for a Grammy in the category of "Best Concept Video" of 1989 but lost to "Weird Al" Yankovic's Michael Jackson video spoof of "Bad", "Fat".
Since Harold Melvin, founder of the R&B group Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes, took legal action against Young over use of the "Bluenotes" name, the album is now credited as a Neil Young solo recording. The backup band Young used for this album was renamed "Ten Men Workin'" (after the album's lead-off song). The cover of this album is reportedly a photo taken in the back lane of the 200 block of Main Street Winnipeg, which housed the Blue Note Cafe. Neil was known to play unannounced in the Blue Note Cafe while in Winnipeg.[citation needed] "Ordinary People", an epic 18 minute outtake described as "Cortez the Killer with horns", finally saw release in 2007 on Young's Chrome Dreams II.
Doghouse
Neil Young & the Bluenotes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And much to my surprise
I was thrown right across the kitchen floor
She hit me right between the eyes
Now I'm living in the doghouse, doghouse
Doghouse, doghouse
Doghouse, doghouse
We were feeling mighty fine
And we sure was movin' fast
And I didn't make it back on time
And she put me in the doghouse, doghouse
Doghouse, doghouse,
Doghouse, doghouse
I had a big tall red with one of my friends
He was feeling mighty fine
When I came home late that night
She hit me right between the eyes
And she put me in the doghouse, doghouse
Doghouse, doghouse
Doghouse, doghouse
She put me in the doghouse
Doghouse, doghouse
I'm living in the doghouse
Doghouse, doghouse
Doghouse, doghouse
So if you find yourself in a party mood
Let your conscience be your guide
Don't be like me and let Lefty win
Or you'll find yourself outside
Living in the doghouse, doghouse
Doghouse, doghouse
Doghouse, doghouse
The lyrics to Neil Young & the Bluenotes's song "Doghouse" depict a situation where the singer comes home late one night and is met with aggression and punishment from his partner. As he enters the kitchen, he is unexpectedly thrown across the floor and struck between the eyes. This incident is the catalyst for his current predicament – living in the doghouse.
The doghouse metaphorically represents being in the state of disfavor or being in trouble within a relationship. It suggests that the singer has done something to upset his partner, possibly involving infidelity or neglect. The repeated phrase "Doghouse, doghouse" emphasizes the repetition and intensity of his consequences.
In the second verse, the singer explains that he was out with a friend and enjoying himself, but he failed to return home in a timely manner. This further agitates his partner and solidifies his position in the doghouse. The third verse adds another layer to the story, mentioning a drink he had with another friend before coming home and facing the same outcome.
The song concludes with a cautionary message directed towards the listener. The singer encourages them to let their conscience be their guide and not make the same mistakes he did. He warns against allowing temptations and distractions to win, as it will result in finding oneself on the outside, living in the doghouse.
Overall, "Doghouse" is a straightforward and lighthearted song that portrays the consequences of not being faithful or considerate in a relationship. Through its catchy chorus and relatable theme, it effectively delivers a message about the importance of trust and communication.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, I came home late one night
I arrived back at my house at a very late hour
And much to my surprise
To my great astonishment
I was thrown right across the kitchen floor
I was forcefully propelled across the floor of the kitchen
She hit me right between the eyes
She struck me directly in the area between my eyes
Now I'm living in the doghouse, doghouse
Currently, I reside in a state of disfavor or punishment
I was out with a friend of mine
I was spending time outside with an acquaintance
We were feeling mighty fine
We were experiencing a great sense of contentment
And we sure was movin' fast
And we were undeniably progressing quickly
And I didn't make it back on time
And I failed to return within the expected timeframe
And she put me in the doghouse, doghouse
Consequently, she subjected me to her disapproval or punishment
I had a big tall red with one of my friends
I consumed a large alcoholic drink of a red variety alongside one of my companions
He was feeling mighty fine
He was experiencing a profound sense of contentment
When I came home late that night
Upon my delayed return to my residence during the evening
She hit me right between the eyes
She struck me directly in the area between my eyes
And she put me in the doghouse, doghouse
Thus, she subjected me to her disapproval or punishment
She put me in the doghouse
She placed me in a state of disfavor or punishment
I'm living in the doghouse
I currently reside in a state of disfavor or punishment
So if you find yourself in a party mood
Therefore, if you discover yourself in a festive disposition
Let your conscience be your guide
Allow your moral compass to direct your actions
Don't be like me and let Lefty win
Do not resemble me and allow a troublemaker to achieve victory
Or you'll find yourself outside
Otherwise, you will discover yourself on the exterior
Living in the doghouse, doghouse
Residing in a state of disfavor or punishment
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC
Written by: Neil Young
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind