11 Songs Where the Dogs Are Out! | Playlist

1. DMX, “That’s My Dog”

Ft. The LOX & Swizz Beatz

Exodus • Def Jam • 2021

Sadly, the world lost a musical icon in 2021. Earl Simmons, best known as gruff-voiced, East Coast rapper DMX, passed away at the age of 50 on April 9, 2021.   Yes, Simmons was ‘rough around the edges,’ but the sheer talent and influence he brought to the game, as well as his tremendous faith, is undeniable.  With a brand-new album in the works prior to his tragic death, the world gets to hear ‘X’ once more, shine his light with his posthumous LP, Exodus.

“That’s My Dog” commences Exodus with some oomph.  The LOX and Swizz Beatz guest on this energetic joint anchored by a rhythmic beat and set in a minor key ( Swizz Beatz and AraabMUZIK produce).  Swizz Beatz performs the repetitive, ‘hype man’ styled chorus (and post-chorus), setting up a tough, hardnosed first verse from Jadakiss. Sheek Louch drops the second verse, notably referencing Breonna Taylor and George Floyd on the final line (“Let’s do it for Breonna, let’s do this shit for Floyd”). Styles P takes the third verse, completing contributions for The LOX before the late great X drops the fourth and final verse. He’s gruff and true to self, though the one rub is you wish he appeared more on the track.  Still, it’s a sweet start to Exodus.

2. A$AP Ferg, “Pups”

Ft. A$AP Rocky

Floor Seats • RCA • 2019

“Never tacky, jeans made by Acne / Fuck Governor Pataki and Patakis.” WOO! On “Pups”, the sixth track from Floor Seats, A$AP Ferg enlists bud A$AP Rocky for the assist.  This dog-centric joint has its share of pros, including energy from the respective rappers.  Even if and when the rhymes aren’t the most intellectually stimulating, you’ll ever hear, the energy is through the roof.  Furthermore, the production work ( Frankie P) is quite alluring with its hyper-rhythmic beat, anchored by 808s, and of course, the minor-key synths.

As far as the rubs, well, the barking dog sound effects may fit the title and vibe, but it’s definitely laughable – “Arf, arf, arf!” That said, since this is a list where THE DOGS ARE OUT, we’ll totally excuse it! Dogs welcome, right? Continuing on, the chorus is catchy, though it’s hard too find meaningfulness beyond “Where’s my dawgs at?” As far as the rhymes, well, both rappers talk a whole lot of $h!t.  If nothing else, “Pups” is a vibe, with some memorable lyrical moments.

3. Behemoth, “God = Dog”

I Loved You at Your Darkest • Metal Blade • 2018

Perhaps the biggest anti-God statement and controversy from 2018’s, I Loved You at Your Darkest, the 11^th studio album by Polish death metal band Behemoth, is single “God = Dog.” “God = Dog” arrives as the third track from the LP. Here, the traditionally religious is perverted and reversed (“I am no good shepherd on an ox”), capped off with a question excerpted from The Book of Law, “Is a God to live in a dog? No!” The guitars are jagged, filled with punch and matching the atheism that runs rampant on this record.  That atheism, of course, comes from the front man, Nergal (Adam Darski).

Further confirming the non-belief and lack of faith is a reappearance of a twisted children’s chant that appears from the chilling album opener, “Solve”:

“Elohim! I shall not forgive!
Adonai! I shall not forgive!
Living God! I shall not forgive!
Jesus Christ! I forgive thee not!”

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4. Aesop Rock, “Dog at the Door”

Spirit World Field Guide • Rhymesayers Entertainment LLC • 2020

“Huh? Who’s there? / Dog at the front door barking at the air.” Woof, woof, WOOF! Despite being underrated, underground rapper Aesop Rock (Ian Matthias Bavitz) is absolutely and utterly awesome.  I dare you to argue otherwise! “Dog at the Door,” which runs just a minute-and-a-half, appears on his 2020 album, Spirit World Field Guide.

“Dog at the Door” features a groovy, old-school, underground sound.  Perfect! Aesop Rock handles the production duties himself – what a pro he is! Furthermore, Aesop blesses the listeners with his ever-distinct, colorful flow. Sure, he’s working with a limited duration, but that’s more than enough for him to put his stamp on it. Sigh, gotta love and appreciate his rhymes and distinct style. He closes the sole verse with quite a bang:

“The mutt goes quiet, one last sniff, lopes inside
Fine, it might've been a baby squirrel who tumbled from the nest
It’s probably just you motherfuckers missed.”

Again, woof, woof, WOOF!

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5. Lil Wayne, “Wild Dogs”

Funeral • Young Money • 2020 

The ‘doggy-dog’ song, “Wild Dogs,” is all about ballin’ – a cliché topic for hip-hop. Even so, Grammy-winning rapper Lil Wayne manages to throw in plenty of memorable lines on this number from Funeral.  These lines are definitely true to the artist – only he’d ever muster up these lyrics!

Two such lines occur on the chorus, including, “Bitch, I’m a dog, I turn to a werewolf / Got Sira fuckin’ Alexa,” and, “Look at it too hard, it’s gon’ bust your retina / With diamonds that’s covered like eczema.” Wow, or better yet, woof, woof, WOOF!

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6. Moses Sumney, “Two Dogs”

Græ • Jagjaguwar • 2020

Alternative singer/songwriter Moses Sumney delivered one of the most ambitious musical projects of 2020 with sophomore album, Græ. Sumney ranks among the more distinct musicians of present, unafraid to try new things.  He blends multiple styles, best placed under the umbrella of alternative.  On the challenging yet rewarding Græ, one of his best moments come by way of “Two Dogs,” which initiates the newest material of the album, Græ: Part 2.

“I had two dogs
In the summer of 2004
One was boot black
The other whiter than a health food store...”

“Two Dogs,” a gorgeous ballad, at the most basic level, Sumney literally reminisces about two dogs.  However, as is the case with the majority of Græ, there’s always a ‘bigger message’ or at least more than basics.  Specifically, things get more unsettling as you listen and read the darkly poetic lyrics.  One particular example truly affects:

“I found two dogs
On the hot concrete on the back porch
One in amniotic vomit
The other in fetal contort
... Strange how what heals can also kill.”

7. Blake Shelton, “I’ll Name the Dogs”

Texoma Shore • Warner • 2017

“I’ll Name the Dogs” kicks things off soundly on Texoma Shore, the 2017 album by country standout, Blake Shelton. A palette of sounds, typical of the country music script, forms the backdrop. Shelton, likewise, gives a sound vocal performance, painting on the backdrop like a champ. “I’ll Name the Dogs” centers on building a family, relationship, etc. The chorus is incredibly catchy, helping to make “I’ll Name the Dogs” an enjoyable, fun listen.

“I’ll hang the pictures, you hang the stars
You pick the paint, I’ll pick a guitar
Sing you a song out there with the crickets and the frogs
You name the babies and I’ll name the dogs, yeah.”

No, the dogs aren’t central, at least on this particular song, but the country star is being literal regarding man’s best friend. Arf, arf!

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8. $uicideBoy$, “All Dogs Go to Heaven”

Stop Staring at the Shadows •  G*59 •  2020

The prolific $uicideBoy$ returned in 2020 with their sophomore album, Stop Staring at the Shadows.  Sure, Ruby Da Cherry and Scrim have only released two studio albums, they’ve released numerous projects additionally. The rap duo, comprised of two cousins are quite pessimistic lyrically, which is part of their charm.  On this dog-centric playlist, Ruby and Scrim inform us that “All Dogs Go to Heaven.”

On the banging opener from Stop Staring at the Shadows, Yung Christ (Scrim) drops the first verse, with no shortage of f-bombs, or unapologetic bars for that matter.  “Get the copper, pop a chopper, Dalai Lama / Feel like Silkk the Shocker, I’m a fucking problem.” Indeed! Similarly, Ruby ( Oddy Nuff da Snow Leopard) is equally bold, whether he’s “Snorting blue sand with my cosmic ensemble” (prescription pills) or talking about bitches and hoes.  “All Dogs Go to Heaven” may not be transcendent, but damn, it’s one hell of a banger with badass production to match.

9. Bad Religion, “Big Black Dog”

Age of Unreason • Epitaph •  2019

“The father daughter devil and son / They deal in art / The art of deal / They sing Sieg Heil(s) in aisles of high heels.” Wow, that’s pretty scathing, right? In 2019, veteran punk-rock band Bad Religion returned with a new studio album, Age of Unreason. The band has always been politically and socially ‘woke’ you might say.  Of the album, guitarist/songwriter Brett Gurewitz tweeted, “AoU [Age of Unreason] is mainly about defending enlightenment values.” Very, very interesting.  Of the song at hand, “Big Black Dog,” Gurewitz went on to explain, “The ‘black dog’ of the song is a metaphor for counter-enlightenment ideas or what, in another song, I called the ‘endarkenment.’” That’s deep!

“Big cyber-weapon, little traitor in chief
He’s got a big black dog on a leash.”

Clearly, Bad Religion aren’t fans of President Donald Trump (understatement), hatred, or racism.  They characterize him as a bully, and criticize a lack of empathy, particularly for the less fortunate.  Some other notable happenings on “Big Black Dog” include an awesome guitar solo and the key outgoing lyric, “I’ll be right here when I disappear.” For just a little over two minutes in duration, Bad Religion does big things.

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10. Florence + The Machine, “Dog Days Are Over”

Lungs • Universal Island • 2009

“Happiness hit her, like a train on a track / Coming towards her, stuck still no turning back.” Now that’s poetry! Sometimes, it only takes that one song to put you on the map.  For British standout Florence + The Machine, that one song was “Dog Days Are Over.”  Search for ‘dog’ on Spotify and you’re sure to find “Dog Days Are Over” at the top of the list.

The highlight appears on Lungs, which arrived back in 2009 – hard to believe! Here, Florence Welch shows off her ultra-expressive voice, belting triumphantly on the unforgettable chorus that “THE DOG DAYS ARE OVER / The dog days are done / The horses are coming / So, you better run.” WOOF, “…there it is!”

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11. DMX, “Dogs Out”

Ft. Lil Wayne

Exodus • Def Jam • 2021

Lil Wayne appears on “Dogs Out,” the third track from Exodus, the posthumous LP by iconic rapper, DMX.  “Dogs Out,” the second dog-oriented record from DMX to grace this list ( “That’s My Dog (2021)” appeared earlier), possesses both bark and bite. Swizz Beatz plays the hype man role on the chorus (“(Here we go, woof) Let the dogs out”).  Meanwhile, Weezy brings some toughness and outlandish, entertaining rhymes to the first verse.

Wayne’s rhymes are filled with dog references for good measure:

“Lil Tunechi baddest dog up in the doghouse (Uh)
Keep a bad bitch walk around with my bone out (Uh)
She swallow puppies, you know we got PETA on the phone now (Okay)
I make her pussy rain cats and dogs, ooh, it’s pourin’ down (Damn).”

As for DMX, he puts his stamp on the second verse, slaughtering with his disrespectful lyric, “Serious niggas spit serious shit / When I hear y’all niggas spit, all I hear is a bitch.” Day-ummm!