His music today is more popular within the rockabilly scene than it ever has been in the past. Many of his recordings can be heard at record hops today and some of his big songs are:
"Ain't I'm A Dog "
"Flame Of Love"
"Bop-A-Lena"
"You're So Right For Me"
Ain't I'm a Dog
Ronnie Self Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Well, I come in this morning 'bout a half past three
My good gal said she was a-leavin' me
I said, now wait a minute, baby, let me help you pack
'Cause when you leave, you know you can't come back
Oh, ain't I'm a dog
Yeah, ain't I'm a dog
(Ain't I'm a dog)
(Ain't I'm a dog)
Yeah, ain't I'm a dog, I'm always steppin' around
(Chuck chuck, chuck chuck a boom)
Well, I tell her myself that I'ma gonna be good
And do all the things that a good man should
A good lookin' woman starts a-walkin' my way
I tell myself there's another day
Oh, ain't I'm a dog
Yeah, ain't I'm a dog
(Ain't I'm a dog)
Oh yes, now ain't I'm a dog
(Ain't I'm a dog)
Yeah, ain't I'm a dog, I'm always steppin' around
(Chuck chuck, chuck chuck a boom)
Well, a good lookin' woman is a-mighty fine
To give a young man a little peace of mind
I know it ain't safe just to kiss and run
But forget about the danger, girl and think of the fun
Oh, ain't I'm a dog
Yeah, ain't I'm a dog
(Ain't I'm a dog)
Oh yes, now ain't I'm a dog
(Ain't I'm a dog)
Yeah, ain't I'm a dog, I'm always steppin' around
(Chuck chuck, chuck chuck a boom)
Well, a good lookin' woman is a-mighty fine
To give a young man a little peace of mind
I know it ain't safe just to kiss and run
But forget about the danger, girl and think of the fun
Oh, ain't I'm a dog
Yeah, ain't I'm a dog
(Ain't I'm a dog)
I said, now ain't I'm a dog
(Ain't I'm a dog)
Yeah, ain't I'm a dog, I'm always steppin' around
(Chuck chuck, chuck chuck a boom)
I said now ain't I'm a dog, I'm always steppin' around
Ain't I'm a dog
The song "Ain't I'm a Dog" by Ronnie Self is a classic rock and roll song that was released in 1958. The song may seem like a lighthearted tune about a man who can't seem to stay faithful to his girlfriend or wife, but it has deeper underlying themes.
The lyrics describe a man who comes home one morning to find his girlfriend leaving him. He offers to help her pack but warns her that she can't come back once she leaves. The chorus of the song repeats the line "Ain't I'm a Dog" several times, which can be interpreted as the man feeling like he's not good enough for his partner or like he's a dog who can't control his impulses.
In the second verse, the man promises to be a good partner and do all the right things, but he can't resist the temptation of a good-looking woman. He acknowledges that it's not safe to "kiss and run," but he tells the woman to forget about the danger and think of the fun. The chorus repeats again, emphasizing the man's feelings of inferiority and his struggle to stay faithful.
Overall, the song can be interpreted as a commentary on the societal expectations placed on men to be faithful and committed partners. The man in the song feels like he's not good enough and like he can't control his impulses, which leads to his partner leaving him.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, I come in this morning 'bout a half past three
I arrived home very late, at around 3:30am
My good gal said she was a-leavin' me
My girlfriend told me she was breaking up with me
I said, now wait a minute, baby, let me help you pack
I asked her to let me assist her in packing her belongings
'Cause when you leave, you know you can't come back
I warned her that if she left, she wouldn't be allowed to return
Oh, ain't I'm a dog
I'm a real player
Yeah, ain't I'm a dog
That's right, I'm a ladies' man
(Ain't I'm a dog)
Oh, yes, now ain't I'm a dog
Absolutely, I'm a player
(Ain't I'm a dog)
Yeah, ain't I'm a dog, I'm always steppin' around
I'm constantly flirting with and pursuing other women
(Chuck chuck, chuck chuck a boom)
Well, I tell her myself that I'ma gonna be good
I promise her that I'll behave and treat her well
And do all the things that a good man should
I vow to do all the things that a decent man should do in a relationship
A good lookin' woman starts a-walkin' my way
An attractive woman walks in my direction
I tell myself there's another day
I rationalize that I'll have time to be faithful another day
Well, a good lookin' woman is a-mighty fine
Beautiful women are very appealing
To give a young man a little peace of mind
They provide comfort and excitement to young men
I know it ain't safe just to kiss and run
I'm aware that it's not wise to engage in one-night stands
But forget about the danger, girl and think of the fun
However, I encourage the woman to focus on the enjoyment rather than the risks
I said, now ain't I'm a dog
I reiterated that I'm a real player
(Ain't I'm a dog)
Yeah, ain't I'm a dog, I'm always steppin' around
I remind everyone that I'm constantly flirting and pursuing other women
(Chuck chuck, chuck chuck a boom)
I said now ain't I'm a dog, I'm always steppin' around
I repeated that I'm constantly playing the field
Ain't I'm a dog
In summary, I am a real player
Writer(s): Wayne Walker, GEORGE SHERRY
Contributed by Cooper G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
roland johansson
Sure, heard it 100 times but never get tired of this classic.
Gary Morris
A rock god for sure, at his best here. Thanks for posting this.
ausfan100
Better than "Bop-A-Lena". That sneering tone and heavy reverb in the guitar break captures everything that's great about Ronnie's recordings.
Miss Holley King
Loved playing this on my radio show today!
JustDane !
what a great song!
Chance Watkins
Great song. Thanks for sharing; Jesus Christ Bless! :)
ausfan100
A top 30 hit for Ronnie in Australia in 1957.
Paul Joseph
Really? Where? Hardly had Top 40 back then. No Aussies recorded i. Never on oldies shows
Paul Joseph
Really? Where? Hardly had Top 40 back then. No Aussies recorded i. Never on oldies shows
Paul Joseph
About as good as it gets. Mean sound. Companion is Date Bait. Yes way back then. Had a good label behind him. Sorta new teen idol. Just a little too out there for the day. He was really country but like many gave rock a try while it ruled. Still does