The Old Dog
The Wild Beasts Lyrics

The first two lines of the song "The Old Dog" by The Wild Beasts are a very straightforward reference to casual sex with a less than desirable partner in the form of a hard up thug. The lines go on to talk about taking drugs to have a good time, which can possibly be an extension of the carefree attitude that comes with casual sex. However, the song takes a turn in the next line, "a human is hauled from the wombs wired jaw," which is a graphic depiction of birth and possibly even something as traumatic as a Caesarean section or forceps delivery. The combination of these two seemingly unrelated themes shows that the song is a commentary on the duality of life: one moment we can be indulging in hedonistic pleasures and the next we are witnessing the complicated nature of birth and death.

The chorus of the song seems to be a statement on life's futility, even in the face of our liberalism and civility. The lyrics "Darling I regret there's life in the old dog yet" could be interpreted as a resignation to the fact that there is still hope despite the challenges we face. The phrase "old dog" is often used to describe someone who is well past their prime and has become complacent with their current situation. However, the inclusion of the word "life" suggests that there is still something left to live for.