Willis had a tumultuous childhood, growing up in various foster homes. Despite his mental illness, he became creatively active in the early 1990s and sold marker drawings of the Chicago cityscape on the street. He also formed the hard rock band The Wesley Willis Fiasco and released several songs, such as "Jesus is the Answer" and "Casper the Homosexual Friendly Ghost." His music caught the attention of American Recordings, a major record label, and Willis was signed to the title in 1995. He went on to record two albums and produced dozens of others independently.
Willis became known for his trademark headbutting with fans, which he typically performed when approached by them. The large bruise in the center of his forehead resulted from this habit. He also made appearances on MTV and The Howard Stern Show and toured frequently.
Willis died in 2003 due to complications from chronic myelogenous leukemia, having recorded over 1,000 songs in his lifetime but leaving behind a total life savings of less than $300. However, his legacy continues, with many praising him as a punk respite from overproduced pop music and pretentious indie rock.
Bad Dog
Wesley Willis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He is a very wild doggy
He will attack you and give you rabies
He will bite the shit out of you
Bad dog
Bad dog
Bad dog
Don't even think about a leash
This dog pissed on my carpet
He shitted my house up
He tears stuff up
He'd tear up the devil it was there
Bad dog
Bad dog
Bad dog
Bad dog
Don't even think about a leash
This dog will jump all over you
He is a cruel mutt
He will bark at you
He will run you down to the ground
Bad dog
Bad dog
Bad dog
Bad dog
Don't even think about a leash
Rock over London
Rock on, Chicago
Crows' Nest - it's the collector's choice
The lyrics of Wesley Willis's song "Bad Dog" illustrate the unpleasant coexistence of the singer with his unruly animal. The dog is portrayed as a wild mutt that will attack anyone and give them rabies, expressing the danger he represents. The singer has clearly lost control over his dog, as he pisses on his carpet, shits in his house, and tears things up. The situation has become unbearable, and the singer's frustration with his dog is palpable. The dog's behavior is depicted as aggressive, as he jumps all over people, barks, and runs them down to the ground.
The repetition of the phrase "Bad Dog" reinforces the singer's annoyance and frustration towards his animal, but also suggests a lack of control over him. The chorus also mentions that the dog cannot be kept under control even with a leash, suggesting that the singer may have tried to restrain him unsuccessfully. The overall tone of the song is humorous, providing a satirical take on the relationship between a pet and its owner.
Line by Line Meaning
This dog is a wild mutt
This particular canine is untamed, undisciplined, and prone to aggressive behavior
He is a very wild doggy
This doggy's feral nature is not to be underestimated
He will attack you and give you rabies
This dog is so savage, he may bite you and infect you with rabies, a serious disease that affects the nervous system and is often fatal if left untreated
He will bite the shit out of you
If you cross this dog, he will not hesitate to sink his teeth into you, causing serious injury or pain
Bad dog
This dog is undeniably and irreversibly bad
Don't even think about a leash
Attempting to restrain or control this dog with a leash would be a foolish and dangerous endeavor
This dog pissed on my carpet
This dog urinated on my carpet, showing complete disregard for my property and personal space
He shitted my house up
This dog defecated all over my house, leaving behind a smelly and unsanitary mess
He tears stuff up
This dog destroys and damages things, indicating a complete lack of respect for personal property
He'd tear up the devil if it was there
This dog is so destructive, he would even wreak havoc on the devil himself if given the opportunity
This dog will jump all over you
This canine will leap onto you, potentially causing injury or harm
He is a cruel mutt
This mutt has a cruel and sadistic nature that cannot be tamed
He will bark at you
This dog will loudly and aggressively vocalize at you, possibly as a warning of his violent intentions
He will run you down to the ground
This dog will chase and overwhelm you, bringing you down to the ground in pursuit of his own desires
Rock over London
A phrase often used in commercials to signify an exciting and energetic message
Rock on, Chicago
Continuing the energetic and upbeat message, invoking a sense of positivity and forward momentum
Crows' Nest - it's the collector's choice
A mention of Crows' Nest, possibly a record store or music venue, being a top choice for collectors
Contributed by Joseph D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Mark robinson
great song smell you later
Jake Kraweckyj
Kate Bush has nothing on this
Rusty Nickels
She should do some Wesley Willis covers.