Who Let The Dogs Out
The Party Cats Lyrics

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Who let the dogs out
(woof, woof, woof, woof)
(woof, woof, woof, woof)
(woof, woof, woof, woof)
(woof, woof, woof, woof)

Who let the dogs out (woof, woof, woof, woof)
Who let the dogs out (woof, woof, woof, woof)

(woof, woof, woof, woof)

When the party was nice, the party was jumpin' (Hey, Yippie, Yi, Yo)
And everybody havin' a ball (Hah, ho, Yippie Yi Yo)
I tell the fellas "start the name callin'" (Yippie Yi Yo)
And the girls report to the call
The poor dog show down

Who let the dogs out (woof, woof, woof, woof)
Who let the dogs out (woof, woof, woof, woof)
Who let the dogs out (woof, woof, woof, woof)
Who let the dogs out (woof, woof, woof, woof)

I see ya' little speed boat head up our coast
She really want to skip town
Get back off me, beast off me
Get back you flea infested monger

Who let the dogs out (woof, woof, woof, woof)
Who let the dogs out (woof, woof, woof, woof)
Who let the dogs out (woof, woof, woof, woof)
Who let the dogs out (woof, woof, woof, woof)

I'm gonna tell {Hey, Yippie, Yi, Yo}
To any girls calling them canine {Yippie, Yi, Yo}
Tell the dummy "Hey Man, It's part of the Party!" {Yippie Yi, Yo}
You fetch a women in front and her mans behind {Yippie, Yi, Yo}
Her bone runs out now

Who let the dogs out (woof, woof, woof, woof)
Who let the dogs out (woof, woof, woof, woof)
Who let the dogs out (woof, woof, woof, woof)
Who let the dogs out (woof, woof, woof, woof)

Say, A doggy is nuttin' if he don't have a bone
All dogy hold ya' bone, all doggy hold it
A doggy is nuttin' if he don't have a bone
All dogy hold ya' bone, all doggy hold it

Wait for y'all my dogs, the party is on
I gotta get my girl I got my myind on
Do you see the rays comin' from my eye
What could you be friend
That Benji man that's breakin' them down?
Me and My white short shorts
And I can't seek a lot, any canine will do
I'm figurin' that's why they call me faithful
'Cause I'm the man of the land
When they see me they doah-ooooo(howl)

Who let the dogs out (woof, woof, woof, woof)
Who let the dogs out (woof, woof, woof, woof)

Who let the dogs out (woof, woof, woof, woof)
Who let the dogs out (woof, woof, woof, woof)

Overall Meaning

The Party Cats's 2000 song "Who Let The Dogs Out" is a high energy track that features repeated barking sounds and a catchy chorus. The lyrics appear to be about a party that has been overtaken by male dogs or dudes. When the lyrics say "the party was nice, the party was jumping," the singer is describing a party, probably a big one, which seems to be a lot of fun. Then they start talking about the men at the party and how they need to start calling out (as in howling, not on the phone) like dogs. The women respond the call of the males, likened to dogs running towards their masters. The song then goes on to suggest that the men represent dogs and the party-goers are having a dog show.

There's also a mention of someone on a speedboat who wants to skip town, but who has attracted the attention of some sort of flea-ridden creature. Overall, the song appears to be about letting go and having a good time, but the supposed metaphor of men being dogs and women being drawn in by their calls raises some questions.

Line by Line Meaning

Who let the dogs out
Asking who allowed the dogs to come out

(woof, woof, woof, woof)
Sound of dogs barking

When the party was nice, the party was jumpin' (Hey, Yippie, Yi, Yo)
The party was exciting with everyone enjoying themselves

And everybody havin' a ball (Hah, ho, Yippie Yi Yo)
Everyone was having fun

I tell the fellas "start the name callin'" (Yippie Yi Yo)
Encouraging men to call out to the women

And the girls report to the call
Women respond to the men's calls

The poor dog show down
A competition between the dogs

I see ya' little speed boat head up our coast
Referring to a person trying to leave

She really want to skip town
The person wants to leave quickly

Get back off me, beast off me
Telling an annoying person to move away

Get back you flea infested monger
Insulting the person and calling them dirty

To any girls calling them canine {Yippie, Yi, Yo}
Referring to the women as dogs

Tell the dummy "Hey Man, It's part of the Party!" {Yippie Yi, Yo}
Saying that it is acceptable to call the women dogs because it is part of the party atmosphere

You fetch a women in front and her mans behind {Yippie, Yi, Yo}
Telling the men to be bold and approach women

Her bone runs out now
Referring to the woman running out of options

Say, A doggy is nuttin' if he don't have a bone
Saying that dogs need a bone to be happy

All dogy hold ya' bone, all doggy hold it
Encouraging the dogs to hold onto their bone

Wait for y'all my dogs, the party is on
Telling friends that the party is starting

I gotta get my girl I got my myind on
Determined to get the attention of a specific woman

Do you see the rays comin' from my eye
Confident and sure of himself

What could you be friend
Asking who is nearby

That Benji man that's breakin' them down?
Asking if someone named Benji is affecting the mood negatively

Me and My white short shorts
Referring to his clothing

And I can't seek a lot, any canine will do
Saying he is not picky and will talk to any woman

I'm figurin' that's why they call me faithful
Assuming that he is called faithful because he talks to many women