In the early days of the Wailing Souls, the first name that the group came … Read Full Bio ↴In the early days of the Wailing Souls, the first name that the group came up with in the late 60's was the Renegades. This group consisted of Winston 'Pipe' Matthews on lead vocals, Lloyd 'Bread' McDonald, and George 'Buddy' Haye. This line-up recorded backing vocals for an Ernest Ranglin album before breaking up in 1968.

'Pipe' and 'Bread' teamed up with two other singers after that, Oswald Downes and Norman Davis, and recorded the single "Gold Digger" for producer, Lloyd "Matador" Daley. From there they went on to work with Coxsone Dodd's famous Studio One label recording label, considered the "Motown" of Jamaica.

They recorded a number of singles there, and were also billed as the Classics, in addition to their Wailing Souls name. In the early 70's, the Souls recorded for Bob Marley's Tuff Gong label, as Pipe and The Pipes. There at Tuff Gong they had hits with "Harbor Shark" and "Back Biter". The groups vocal power, and song writing ability has kept the group in the spotlight, and in 1974 the group changed again when Downes and David left and 'Buddy' Haye rejoined. The 'godfather of reggae', Joe Higgs, also worked with the group in the mid-70's, but left to work with Jimmy Cliff as his musical director on tour.

The group entered another era of their careers as they began work with famed producer "Jo Jo" Hookim and his Channel One label. With Hookim, they recorded more classics like "Things and Times," "Joy With Your Heart," and "Very Well." Shortly after in 1976, Rudolph 'Garth' Dennis one of founding members of Black Uhuru, joined the group.

The Souls then started their own label in 1977 called Massive, and hit with their first singles "Bredda Gravilicious" and "Feel The Spirit." In the early 80's the quartet worked with a number of hot producers including Sly and Robbie recording "Old Broom"on their Taxi Label, "Fire House Rock" for "Junjo" Lawes' Volcano Label, and for producer/singer Linval Thompson.

Their touring and recording continued throughout the 80's. After recording these classic tracks for genius producer King Jammy in 1988-89, the group broke up again, but Pipe and Bread have continued the Wailing Souls on their own throughout the 90's recording (two Grammy nominated albums included) and touring worldwide. 'Garth' Dennis rejoined Black Uhuru to work with them in the early/mid 90's and "Buddy" Haye has taken a leave from singing since.

Dog Bite
Wailing Souls Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Oh it's night out a' Rae Town (ha-hai)
Say dem outta sight (oh yes)

Dog bite, tear out, bite out
A wha' de daughter dem love
Tear out, bite out, dog bite (oh yes)
Dog bite, tear out, bite out
A wha' de daughter dem wear

Tear out, bite out, dog bite (oh yes)

Here comes sista lova
Say she comin' ova
Wearing her colors
She sweet like any flowers
Here comes sista charmin'
Lookin' just the same
Goin' out a' Rae Town
She wearing her bite out, too

Dog bite, tear out, bite out
A wha' de daughter dem love
Tear out, bite out, dog bite (oh yes)
Dog bite, tear out, bite out
A wha' de daughter dem love
Tear out, bite out, dog bite (oh yes)

Say dem outta sight (outta sight!)
Say dem Irie (irie!)
Say dem nice (nice!)
Look how dem lovely (lovely!)

You say you see dem leg, you see dem leg,
You see dem leg - don't laugh, ha-hai!
Say you see dem leg, you see dem leg,
You see dem leg - don't laugh, a ha-hai!

A dog bite, tear out, bite out
A wha' de daughter dem love
Tear out, bite out, dog bite (oh yes)
Dog bite, tear out, bite out
A wha' de daughter dem love
Tear out, bite out, dog bite (ha-hai)

High fashion inna London (in London)
New fashion inna New York (in New York)
Down in Jamaica (in Jamaica)
De daughter dem love it
For when I check the stock sa and look on dem frock sa

A dog bite, tear out, bite out
A wha' de daughter dem love
Tear out, bite out, dog bite (dem say the latest fashion)
Dog bite, tear out, bite out
A wha' de daughter dem love
Tear out, bite out, dog bite (oh yes)

You see dem leg, you see dem leg, you see dem leg
Don't laugh ha-hai
Say you see dem leg, you see dem leg, you see dem leg
Don't laugh ha-hai

A dog bite, tear out, bite out (oh yes)
Tear out, bite out, dog bite (ha-hai)
Dog bite, tear out, bite out

A wha' de daughter dem love
Tear out, bite.

Overall Meaning

The Wailing Souls' song "Dog Bite" appears at first to be a fun, light-hearted party tune about the latest fashion trends among young women in Jamaica. The chorus repeats the phrase "dog bite, tear out, bite out" and asks "a wha' de daughter dem love" and "a wha' de daughter dem wear." However, a closer listen reveals underlying messages about societal pressures and the objectification and exploitation of women. The song presents a contrasting view of the daughters who are striving to keep up with the latest trends and those who are "outta sight" and "Irie," suggesting that perhaps conformity to societal norms comes at a cost to individuality and self-expression.

The line "You say you see dem leg, you see dem leg, you see dem leg - don't laugh ha-hai!" suggests that women are often reduced to just their physical appearance and treated as objects to be gawked at and ridiculed. However, the song also acknowledges that these fashion trends are not just limited to Jamaica but are part of a global phenomenon. The lyrics mention "high fashion inna London" and "new fashion inna New York" and suggest that young women everywhere are under similar pressures to conform to societal expectations.

Overall, "Dog Bite" is an expertly crafted song that appears light and fun at first listen but contains deeper messages about societal pressures and the objectification of women. It serves as a reminder that there is often more than meets the eye in seemingly simplistic songs.

Line by Line Meaning

Oh it's night out a' Rae Town (ha-hai)
It is nighttime in the neighborhood of Rae Town.

Say dem outta sight (oh yes)
They are not visible, they are hiding.

Dog bite, tear out, bite out A wha' de daughter dem love Tear out, bite out, dog bite (oh yes) Dog bite, tear out, bite out A wha' de daughter dem wear Tear out, bite out, dog bite (oh yes)
Women love to wear fashionable clothes, some of which are revealing, and they are aware of the risks like being bitten by a dog - this could refer to the idea that the latest fashions can be dangerous or come with risks.

Here comes sista lova Say she comin' ova Wearing her colors She sweet like any flowers Here comes sista charmin' Lookin' just the same Goin' out a' Rae Town She wearing her bite out, too
Sista Lova and Sista Charmin are two women who are coming over to Rae Town dressed in fashionable clothing that may well result in their revealing more skin than usual.

Say dem outta sight (outta sight!) Say dem Irie (irie!) Say dem nice (nice!) Look how dem lovely (lovely!)
They are out of sight, but seem to be doing well and appear nice and lovely.

You say you see dem leg, you see dem leg, You see dem leg - don't laugh, ha-hai! Say you see dem leg, you see dem leg, You see dem leg - don't laugh, a ha-hai!
They are wearing revealing clothing with their legs showing, and one should not laugh at them.

High fashion inna London (in London) New fashion inna New York (in New York) Down in Jamaica (in Jamaica) De daughter dem love it For when I check the stock sa and look on dem frock sa
Fashion trends in London and New York influence the styles in Jamaica and women there love them.

A dog bite, tear out, bite out (oh yes) Tear out, bite out, dog bite (ha-hai) Dog bite, tear out, bite out A wha' de daughter dem love Tear out, bite out
The risks of being bitten by a dog and having clothing torn do not dissuade women from wearing fashionable clothing.

Writer(s): Winston Matthews, Lloyd Mcdonald

Contributed by Grace I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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