Belly — Slow Dog
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Length: 4:00
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Leave him by the road
'Cause the dog won't run it
Picking through spit out leaves the dog won't even touch
Meant to shoot that dog long ago
Just can't leave that dog alone
Maria, carry a rifle
Maria, carry a dog on her back
That dog is hit again
That slow dog is hit again
With his see-through skin
The kind of skin you can see through
He's shot again
He's shot again
Heal me by a river
Man retires his wife, says:
But she was so sad and sick
His heart breaks in the mud
Thought I'd leave this world by twenty-one
Couldn't leave that dog alone
Maria, carry a rifle
Maria, carry a dog on her back
That dog is hit again
That slow dog is hit again
With his see-through skin
He's shot again
He's shot again
He's shot again
'Cause the dog won't run it
Picking through spit out leaves the dog won't even touch
Meant to shoot that dog long ago
Just can't leave that dog alone
Maria, carry a rifle
Maria, carry a dog on her back
That dog is hit again
That slow dog is hit again
With his see-through skin
The kind of skin you can see through
He's shot again
He's shot again
Heal me by a river
Man retires his wife, says:
But she was so sad and sick
His heart breaks in the mud
Thought I'd leave this world by twenty-one
Couldn't leave that dog alone
Maria, carry a rifle
Maria, carry a dog on her back
That dog is hit again
That slow dog is hit again
With his see-through skin
He's shot again
He's shot again
He's shot again
Comments (198)add comment
cc_rider wrote:
The lyrics have always bugged me, so I googled it and found the same thing Carl did. From an interview with Tanya Donelly:
"Can we talk about “Slow Dog”? For years I was dying to find out the meaning behind that song – until I did.
That one’s almost an embarrassing story because it was one of my most manipulated lyrics ever. Usually they just come and I work with it a little bit to make it more listenable, but that one was a story I read about ancient Chinese culture. It was a piece of fiction about a woman who was an adulteress, and as punishment had a dead dog stuck to her back until it decomposed. That image – I couldn’t shake it. So I started to write it as a poem, and it took on this Southern Gothic character to it, so I framed it there, in the American South.
But it’s a jubilant song! How…?
Oddly, it ends up being about her liberation. Once the dog is gone – and I put it so that the dog was some sort of metaphor – she’s free."
All SPCA members can relax.
c.
Thank You for the info!
The lyrics have always bugged me, so I googled it and found the same thing Carl did. From an interview with Tanya Donelly:
"Can we talk about “Slow Dog”? For years I was dying to find out the meaning behind that song – until I did.
That one’s almost an embarrassing story because it was one of my most manipulated lyrics ever. Usually they just come and I work with it a little bit to make it more listenable, but that one was a story I read about ancient Chinese culture. It was a piece of fiction about a woman who was an adulteress, and as punishment had a dead dog stuck to her back until it decomposed. That image – I couldn’t shake it. So I started to write it as a poem, and it took on this Southern Gothic character to it, so I framed it there, in the American South.
But it’s a jubilant song! How…?
Oddly, it ends up being about her liberation. Once the dog is gone – and I put it so that the dog was some sort of metaphor – she’s free."
All SPCA members can relax.
c.
Thank You for the info!
reallylost wrote:
LOL! ...you gotta define crazy!
There I was, just sitting down minding my own business and this came on. I had to get up and dance. The dog thinks I'm crazy.
LOL! ...you gotta define crazy!
This is just so good 
cc_rider wrote:
The lyrics have always bugged me, so I googled it and found the same thing Carl did. From an interview with Tanya Donelly:
"Can we talk about “Slow Dog”? For years I was dying to find out the meaning behind that song – until I did.
That one’s almost an embarrassing story because it was one of my most manipulated lyrics ever. Usually they just come and I work with it a little bit to make it more listenable, but that one was a story I read about ancient Chinese culture. It was a piece of fiction about a woman who was an adulteress, and as punishment had a dead dog stuck to her back until it decomposed. That image – I couldn’t shake it. So I started to write it as a poem, and it took on this Southern Gothic character to it, so I framed it there, in the American South.
But it’s a jubilant song! How…?
Oddly, it ends up being about her liberation. Once the dog is gone – and I put it so that the dog was some sort of metaphor – she’s free."
All SPCA members can relax.
c.
love this. thanks.
The lyrics have always bugged me, so I googled it and found the same thing Carl did. From an interview with Tanya Donelly:
"Can we talk about “Slow Dog”? For years I was dying to find out the meaning behind that song – until I did.
That one’s almost an embarrassing story because it was one of my most manipulated lyrics ever. Usually they just come and I work with it a little bit to make it more listenable, but that one was a story I read about ancient Chinese culture. It was a piece of fiction about a woman who was an adulteress, and as punishment had a dead dog stuck to her back until it decomposed. That image – I couldn’t shake it. So I started to write it as a poem, and it took on this Southern Gothic character to it, so I framed it there, in the American South.
But it’s a jubilant song! How…?
Oddly, it ends up being about her liberation. Once the dog is gone – and I put it so that the dog was some sort of metaphor – she’s free."
All SPCA members can relax.
c.
love this. thanks.
Proclivities wrote:
yessir! turn it up every time i hear it!
hope we can hear hey geppetto (sp?) sometime!
Great song; kick-ass energy.
yessir! turn it up every time i hear it!
hope we can hear hey geppetto (sp?) sometime!
It's alright, too bad they're so blue pilled.
I like it!
Good Tune!
6.2, really? It's not Pink Floyd but come on.
There I was, just sitting down minding my own business and this came on. I had to get up and dance. The dog thinks I'm crazy.
6am est, my coffee is just kicking in. RP playing this right after Jr Walker's shotgun. ...Wake me up! ...Thanx RP!
Guitar reminds me of Split Enz - Bold as brass
Carl wrote:
According to triviafairy, a poster at SongMeanings, "it's from an old Chinese (I think) custom of hanging a dead dog around the neck of an adulteress. The dog in the song is both the decaying animal she's saddled with (here's hoping it's a metaphor) and the jerk she's been sleeping with."
Wow. The things you learn at this site!!!
According to triviafairy, a poster at SongMeanings, "it's from an old Chinese (I think) custom of hanging a dead dog around the neck of an adulteress. The dog in the song is both the decaying animal she's saddled with (here's hoping it's a metaphor) and the jerk she's been sleeping with."
Wow. The things you learn at this site!!!
When this came on the party was already out of bounds.
Carl wrote:
According to triviafairy, a poster at SongMeanings, "it's from an old Chinese (I think) custom of hanging a dead dog around the neck of an adulteress. The dog in the song is both the decaying animal she's saddled with (here's hoping it's a metaphor) and the jerk she's been sleeping with."
The lyrics have always bugged me, so I googled it and found the same thing Carl did. From an interview with Tanya Donelly:
"Can we talk about “Slow Dog”? For years I was dying to find out the meaning behind that song – until I did.
That one’s almost an embarrassing story because it was one of my most manipulated lyrics ever. Usually they just come and I work with it a little bit to make it more listenable, but that one was a story I read about ancient Chinese culture. It was a piece of fiction about a woman who was an adulteress, and as punishment had a dead dog stuck to her back until it decomposed. That image – I couldn’t shake it. So I started to write it as a poem, and it took on this Southern Gothic character to it, so I framed it there, in the American South.
But it’s a jubilant song! How…?
Oddly, it ends up being about her liberation. Once the dog is gone – and I put it so that the dog was some sort of metaphor – she’s free."
All SPCA members can relax.
c.
According to triviafairy, a poster at SongMeanings, "it's from an old Chinese (I think) custom of hanging a dead dog around the neck of an adulteress. The dog in the song is both the decaying animal she's saddled with (here's hoping it's a metaphor) and the jerk she's been sleeping with."
The lyrics have always bugged me, so I googled it and found the same thing Carl did. From an interview with Tanya Donelly:
"Can we talk about “Slow Dog”? For years I was dying to find out the meaning behind that song – until I did.
That one’s almost an embarrassing story because it was one of my most manipulated lyrics ever. Usually they just come and I work with it a little bit to make it more listenable, but that one was a story I read about ancient Chinese culture. It was a piece of fiction about a woman who was an adulteress, and as punishment had a dead dog stuck to her back until it decomposed. That image – I couldn’t shake it. So I started to write it as a poem, and it took on this Southern Gothic character to it, so I framed it there, in the American South.
But it’s a jubilant song! How…?
Oddly, it ends up being about her liberation. Once the dog is gone – and I put it so that the dog was some sort of metaphor – she’s free."
All SPCA members can relax.
c.
I'm getting Friends opening vibes from this - insta turn off, even though I should be liking this. Humans are strange...
If I were a bad dog you'd all be dead.
©Tim Smith, Cardiacs, RIP
©Tim Smith, Cardiacs, RIP
Proclivities wrote:
You have good taste.
Great song; kick-ass energy.
You have good taste.
unclehud wrote:
Sometimes a bad dog is just a bad dog.
Interpretations?
Dog = bad boyfriend/husband?
Dog = bad boyfriend/husband?
Sometimes a bad dog is just a bad dog.
Interpretations?
Dog = bad boyfriend/husband?
Dog = bad boyfriend/husband?
Nice work Bill!
There's always room for Belly, Thank You !!!
Jeez, what did he eat to warrant all that shatting?
I love that the comments for this song go back to 2002. I was never a huge Belly fan, but this tune still has some currency.
This song just screams "early-90's alt-chicks" (is that a sexist term?), but I really like it...way more than their "Feed the Tree" hit from the same era.
I saw them in 1995 supporting The Cranberries, Oasis and REM...they had the biggest impact of any band I saw that day...just a fabulous warm-up band, they really deserved much more recognition...
Great song; kick-ass energy.
Baby_M wrote:
How 'bout that: I like it but hate the rest of the song...
noelski wrote:
Very cool! What were you doing for them?
That refrain is just annoying.
How 'bout that: I like it but hate the rest of the song...
noelski wrote:
I used to work with Belly they were the nicest bunch of people to work for.
Great to hear this again, most excellent.
Great to hear this again, most excellent.
Very cool! What were you doing for them?
Feed the Tree was their peak although this B52 tribute sounds pretty cool
What fun!
HOORAY! I've always loved this song... as I said in these comments in 2006 and 2002. My, I've been here a long time! And it's been worth every minute! 
Back on the Fens in the early 1990's, Lemonheads, Buffalo Tom, and the like and I will be reliving Bean Town Happiness, a great few years.
kingart wrote:
Hah. That's exactly what it's like! Great comment.
I went to 8.
Silly fun. It's like an updated Bangles slammed into the Indigo Girls tour bus. How about a 7?
Hah. That's exactly what it's like! Great comment.
I went to 8.
An underappreciated classic that has definitely held up to the test of time.
See on hea.
A bellyful of belly! Luv it
sick of this song!
Beating the snot out of the acoustic or just the drums in the background during chorus. Sounds like a washboard.
I used to work with Belly they were the nicest bunch of people to work for.
Great to hear this again, most excellent.
Great to hear this again, most excellent.
That refrain is just annoying.
Bully for Belly
jen3005545 wrote:
You are a cowboy - I am not!
Haha I love this whole album! 
You are a cowboy - I am not!
Haha I love this whole album!
DEATH CAB FOR BELLY!
just what i needed to hear this afternoon. woohoo!
No matter how many chinese proverbs we invoke, it's still rubbish
Make it stop! My ears are bleeding!!!!!
Cynaera wrote:
According to triviafairy, a poster at SongMeanings, "it's from an old Chinese (I think) custom of hanging a dead dog around the neck of an adulteress. The dog in the song is both the decaying animal she's saddled with (here's hoping it's a metaphor) and the jerk she's been sleeping with."
I love the music, but the lyrics appear to be about Maria shooting a dog, again and again. I hope it's metaphorical, because if it isn't I'll have to really hate this song.
According to triviafairy, a poster at SongMeanings, "it's from an old Chinese (I think) custom of hanging a dead dog around the neck of an adulteress. The dog in the song is both the decaying animal she's saddled with (here's hoping it's a metaphor) and the jerk she's been sleeping with."
Silly fun. It's like an updated Bangles slammed into the Indigo Girls tour bus. How about a 7?
Retreating into my duodenum.
Cynaera wrote:
I might have said this before, but I think dogs are people, too. On a side note, I spoke with my sister today, and she has a dog, too.
I love the music, but the lyrics appear to be about Maria shooting a dog, again and again. I hope it's metaphorical, because if it isn't I'll have to really hate this song.
I might have said this before, but I think dogs are people, too. On a side note, I spoke with my sister today, and she has a dog, too.
Delightful.
Ugh. Very POPish. Does have a catchy beat but I can live without that today.
Probably Belly's best song. Thanks RP for the fun surprise!
I miss Belly! talk about taking me back to high school....
One of those rare RP songs that cause me to turn the volume down.
That dog is hit again! Love it maxed the volume and jumping around like a total dick.
I miss this band...
Thanks for playing this. It's lovely.
Thanks for playing this. It's lovely.
I love the music, but the lyrics appear to be about Maria shooting a dog, again and again. I hope it's metaphorical, because if it isn't I'll have to really hate this song.
Its ok ,but nothing special.
AwwwYesssss! Oh how I wish I couda...woulda...seen Tanya live, and up close! 
Jared wrote:
+1 and Tanya D is a gem. Great era for this stuff.
I love 90's alt with female lead singers! Garbage, Veruca Salt, Elastica, etc.
+1 and Tanya D is a gem. Great era for this stuff.
nalle wrote:
Thought it was the Bangles. Powerpop indeed!
Power pop at it´s best. Love it!
Thought it was the Bangles. Powerpop indeed!
Arcade Fire - The Suburbs 
Belly - Slow Dog
Belly - Slow Dog "He shat again"? Ee-yooh, gross :(
vandal wrote:
annoying
I have to mute this, because it's one of those songs that I can't get out of my head for days. I still like it though, but I've just heard it too many times to hear it any more.
annoying
I have to mute this, because it's one of those songs that I can't get out of my head for days. I still like it though, but I've just heard it too many times to hear it any more.
What is this song about?
I love Belly, had this CD since it came out! FEED THE TREE!
Lovin' it . Got to go deep on Belly, Tanya, Kristen, Breeders, Throwing Muses, Mrs. John Murphey etc.
Power pop at it´s best. Love it!
Very repita-a-a-a-tive
Catchy little pop tune....
Very upbeat and poppy! Perfect for this happy day in Eugene, Oregon. Jeff Luers has finally flown the coop after being in for over nine years! He's welcomed back by our community in sunshine and temps in the 50s. >^_^< Such a great song!
1993, it´s timeless. Rock´n´roll, very very....
Easy to stomach this one. 7
i love this song!
Love Tanya.
Ok, the more I hear this song, the less I like it.
Another dog, but not nearly good as big mama!
Where's Veruca Salt these days? Oh, and isn't that Meg on drums? And to see Gail Greenwood up on the stage playing bass was ... ummmm .. something to see indeed.
I'm sorry, but Belly is no better than the Bangles. And that's not a compliment.
Love the song and the album. Only shame about this Belly album is it was when i found out there would not be another Throwing Muses album with both Kristin Hersh and Tanya Donelly.
This demands something lower than "1".
Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah... no.
vandal wrote:
annoying
The guitar attack could be borderline, I agree, but it's got the just the right qualities to put it into the "this rocks" category.
annoying
The guitar attack could be borderline, I agree, but it's got the just the right qualities to put it into the "this rocks" category.
Jared wrote:
Yes!...Cocteau Twins, the Sundays, Lush, Curve, etc.
I love 90's alt with female lead singers! Garbage, Veruca Salt, Elastica, etc.
Yes!...Cocteau Twins, the Sundays, Lush, Curve, etc. Mack wrote:
Ha!!!!!!!
The slow dog shat again? Don't let him in the house.
Ha!!!!!!!
I love 90's alt with female lead singers! Garbage, Veruca Salt, Elastica, etc.
I usually don't like Belly, but this song is cool!
Proclivities wrote:
Yep!
F%#&ing great song!
Yep!
; "Mrgreen")
F%#&ing great song!
This gets it.
All hail Tanya! Great CD and artist...love her work.
thanks for the Belly acid dance flashback Bill! I loved this album ,not solid all the way through, but 10 years ahead of its time... ... "Red Moon" is great... just a bit of a Bowie twinge to it.
" "Slow Dog," which tells about the Chinese folk tale in which an unfaithful woman is tied with a dead dog to her back, has no right to be as joyous and celebratory as it is, considering its subject matter."
" "Slow Dog," which tells about the Chinese folk tale in which an unfaithful woman is tied with a dead dog to her back, has no right to be as joyous and celebratory as it is, considering its subject matter."
ObsidianInfinity wrote:
RPs getting a little poppy these days, eh?
The 80s and early 90s were a classic time for Boston rock bands.
ROSSinDETROIT wrote:
i must be a bad googler, because i couldn't find anything. care to help me out?
The subject matter that this song was developed from is really disturbing. Don't look it up if you have a weak stomach or a tendency toward nightmares.
i must be a bad googler, because i couldn't find anything. care to help me out?
The subject matter that this song was developed from is really disturbing. Don't look it up if you have a weak stomach or a tendency toward nightmares.
RadioDoc wrote:
And on a dog theme, no less! Yes, the world is beautiful!!
Frank Zappa into Belly. All is right with the world for a brief moment...
And on a dog theme, no less! Yes, the world is beautiful!!
The slow dog shat again? Don't let him in the house.
damn i love this song. can't not move to it or sing alone. LOVE IT.
had it at 8, what was I thinking...10!
scott4261 wrote:
You need to tell her.
If I were straight I'd want Tanya Donelly to have my baby!
You need to tell her.
Frank Zappa into Belly. All is right with the world for a brief moment...
Thanks for playing this! I love this song! I miss Belly :-(
One of my faves from this album.
If I were straight I'd want Tanya Donelly to have my baby!
YEAH!!! BELLY!!! WOO HOO!!!
All pop music should be this freak'n good.
A blast from the past! Fond memories of seeing these guys here in Seattle at the long-gone RKCNDY.
I remember they had all used black tape to cover the double-Ls at the end of "Marshall" on their amps. Brady Bunch fans I presume!
gernick wrote:
i way dig it, this song RULES
this song got me into Belly, and i have almost everyting by the marvellous Belly and can i say Belly more in a singel sentence?
(not a chick though, sorry to mess up your theory there)
Have you her great "Judy Staring At The Sun" with Wheel?
Ah Ah Ah Ah Ah like it!
wow! forgot about this one. love it!
Interesting lyrics.
Trip out! I was singing this song to myself on my morning bike commute, wondering when I'd hear it again on RP. Well, now I know!
Ha!
I had this on a cassette that I got on holiday in the UK nearly 10 years ago...
takes me back...
Cybrid wrote:
Hound Dog to Slow Dog - hahahahaha! sweet
Next....Black Dog.
I'm getting Friends opening vibes from this - insta turn off, even though I should be liking this. Humans are strange...
Yes!!! I’m coming to the party a couple of years later, and that’s all I can hear …