1) The Choir were a ro… Read Full Bio ↴There have been two bands known as The Choir:
1) The Choir were a rock band in the mid-1960s from Cleveland Ohio, best known for the oft-covered song "It's Cold Outside". With the addition of singer Eric Carmen, they became The Raspberries in 1970. The band consisted of Dann Klawon on rhythm guitar, Dave Smalley on vocals & rhythm guitar, Wally Bryson on vocals, lead guitar, & bass, and Jim Bonfanti on vocals & drums.
2) The Choir (originally The Youth Choir) is an atmospheric alternative Christian rock band, led by Derri Daugherty on guitar and vocals, Steve Hindalong on drums -- who also writes most of the band's lyrics -- and Dan Michaels on lyricon, electric flute and saxophone. Originally formed in Southern California in the early 1980s, the band members moved to the Nashville, Tennessee area in the 1990s. Past members include guitarist Marc Byrd and bass guitarists Michael Sauerbrey, Robin Spurs, Bill Batstone, and the late Tim Chandler.
Each band member also has a depth of musical history outside of The Choir. Hindalong produced four successful City On A Hill albums, writing the well-known song "God of Wonders" with Marc Byrd. Daugherty has been a member of the Christian-alterna-pop-supergroup The Lost Dogs since it started in 1991, and Hindalong joined the group in 2006. Chandler was the bass player for years for Daniel Amos and that band's alter egos The Swirling Eddies, and passed away in 2018. Byrd was a member of Common Children, recorded with his wife Christine Glass as Glassbyrd, and is currently half of the post-rock duo Hammock. Michaels has been a Senior Vice President of Fair Trade Services (formerly INO Records) since 2000.
Sled Dog
The Choir Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'd love to take you for a ride
I need affection, drink, and food
You don't have to yell out rudely
Absolutely not
'Cause I'm a sled dog
Don't tether me to a pole
I'm a sled dog
I'm your sled dog
10 or 12 degrees below
I'm happy trudging through the snow
I'll enter any chariot race
You can see the pride on my face
I'll get us through the fog
I'm a sled dog
I'll take you for a ride
You don't have to whip my hide
Never tether me to the pole
I'm a free flying soul
I'm a sled dog
I'm your sled dog
Sled dog
Yeah, I'm your sled dog
The Choir's song "Sled Dog" is a song that is written from the perspective of a sled dog. The dog is eager to please as it asks not to be whipped, and is willing to take its owner for a ride. The dog asks for nothing more than affection, food, and water. The dog takes pride in its work as it happily trudges through the snow, even entering chariot races. The dog's feelings mimic that of a loyal companion, willing to go above and beyond for its owner.
The song can also be interpreted as a metaphor. The sled dog can represent individuals who feel tethered to their work, relationships or responsibilities. The song could be seen as a call to those individuals to break free from those chains and live, like the sled dog, as a free-flying soul.
Overall, "Sled Dog" is a heartwarming song about loyalty, dedication and the joy of hard work.
Line by Line Meaning
You don't have to whip my hide
You don't have to use force or violence to control me
I'd love to take you for a ride
I'm eager to cooperate with you and work together
I need affection, drink, and food
I require love, nourishment, and hydration to function properly
You don't have to yell out rudely
You don't need to be harsh or disrespectful in your communication with me
Absolutely not
I completely reject such behavior and will not tolerate it
'Cause I'm a sled dog
I'm a canine animal bred for pulling sleds and working in cold, snowy environments
Don't tether me to a pole
Don't restrict my freedom of movement or keep me in one place
Put something in my bowl
Provide me with food to sustain my energy and strength
I'm your sled dog
I'm your loyal and dedicated working companion
10 or 12 degrees below
I can withstand low temperatures and harsh weather conditions
I'm happy trudging through the snow
I find enjoyment and fulfillment in fulfilling my natural instincts and abilities
I'll enter any chariot race
I'm willing to participate in any competition or challenge involving sled pulling
You can see the pride on my face
My body language and behavior show my sense of honor and achievement
I'll get us through the fog
I can navigate through difficult and unclear situations with confidence and skill
Never tether me to the pole
Again, don't restrict me or limit my abilities
I'm a free flying soul
I have a natural spirit of adventure and independence
Sled dog
I am a type of dog bred for pulling sleds and working in cold, snowy environments
Yeah, I'm your sled dog
I'm your trusted working partner and companion, ready to take on any challenge
Contributed by Landon M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.