DAILY DOSE OF ART

As prescribed by Paulina Constancia

Dogs Divine 2: Cat says ‘I Love My Dog’

Cat says ‘I love my Dog’. It may sound ironic but it’s true. The Cat we’re talking about is CAT STEVENS (now known as Yusuf Islam) , a recording artist. That ironic line was the title of his first single and first hit, released in 1966.
Today we examine the lyrics, we listen to the song and we look at the true story behind the lines.

THE SONG:

“I Love My Dog”
by Cat Stevens

 I love my dog as much as I love you
But you may fade, my dog will always come through.

 All he asks from me is the food to give him strength
All he ever needs is love and that he knows he’ll get

 So, I love my dog as much as I love you
But you may fade, my dog will always come through.

 All the pay I need comes shining through his eyes
I don’t need no cold water to make me realize that

 I love my dog as much as I love you
But you may fade, my dog will always come through.

 Na, na, na, na, na, na, nana…

 I love my dog as much as I love you
But you may fade, my dog will always come through.

 Na, na, na, na, na, na, nana…

 I love my dog, baby, I love my dog. na, na, na…
I love my dog, baby, I love my dog. na, na, na…

The Story Behind “I Love My Dog”
via songfacts 


 “Stevens wrote this about a dachshund he found tied to a post when he was young. When nobody claimed the dog, he took it home and grew attached to it. According to the United States Humane Society, four million cats and dogs per year are put down because they cannot find a home. They recommend spaying and neutering to help control the breeding of more unwanted pets. Among many celebrities who help get the message of humanity to animals out, long-running TV game show host Bob Barker made a pitch for this message at the end of most episodes of the Price is Right.

This was Stevens’ first single. It became a hit on pirate radio stations in England, helping launch his career. Producer Mike Hurst, who was a former member of the Folk-Pop group The Springfields, heard Stevens play this and had him record it. Stevens got a record deal with Dream (an imprint of Decca designed as a showcase for British talent) and within 3 months this became a UK hit.” *Learn more on song facts 

Cat Stevens with the dog that inspired the song
via tarkus-magicmac
“In 1976, Stevens converted to Islam. This happened after a near-death experience off the coast of Malibu, California, during which time he believes that he was spared to do God’s work. After converting to Islam, he changed his name to Yusuf Islam. He continues to answer to the title to this day, having started releasing Islamic gospel music in the 1990s.

The name change has a link to this song, because Stevens revealed that the tune was inspired by “The Plum Blossom” by jazz musician Yusef Lateef.  We’d just like to point out the irony of a singer named Cat Stevens making this song.” Read more on Songfacts

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This entry was posted on January 21, 2014 by in Uncategorized.

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