About the song
“Gonna Buy Me a Dog” by The Monkees is one of the band’s most quirky and lighthearted songs, released in 1967 as part of their album “More of The Monkees”. Known for their charming blend of pop, rock, and comedy, The Monkees became one of the most popular groups of the 1960s, thanks to their TV show and catchy hits. While most of their songs centered around romantic themes and youthful rebellion, “Gonna Buy Me a Dog” stands out for its playful tone and humorous lyrics.
The song was written by Neil Diamond, a prolific songwriter known for crafting timeless hits for other artists, including “Sweet Caroline” and “I Am… I Said”. However, “Gonna Buy Me a Dog” has a more comical and whimsical feel, contrasting with the deeper, more serious songs that dominated the era. With its tongue-in-cheek lyrics, the song is essentially a fun, light-hearted expression of frustration with romantic relationships. The narrator of the song declares his intention to buy a dog after experiencing dissatisfaction with his relationship, suggesting that a dog might offer more loyalty and companionship than his partner. The lyrics are playful and absurd, adding a dose of humor and wit to The Monkees’ typically feel-good music.
Released as part of the album “More of The Monkees”, which was the band’s second studio album, “Gonna Buy Me a Dog” was a reflection of the band’s shift toward a more self-aware and occasionally tongue-in-cheek approach to songwriting. While the song wasn’t released as a single, it still holds a place in pop culture as one of the band’s most memorable and humorous tracks. The album itself was a commercial success, topping the charts and solidifying The Monkees’ popularity with their target audience of young, fun-loving listeners.
“Gonna Buy Me a Dog” also showcases the band’s playful approach to music-making, which was a hallmark of their early success. The Monkees were often seen as a manufactured group, created for a TV show, but their music, particularly songs like “Gonna Buy Me a Dog”, revealed their sense of humor and ability to poke fun at themselves. In an era when pop music was beginning to take itself more seriously, this song stood out for its lightheartedness and sense of fun, offering a brief respite from the emotional heaviness of some of the more serious pop songs of the time.
In terms of social impact, the song reflects the growing trend of playful and irreverent music that became increasingly popular in the late 1960s. The Monkees, though often considered a “bubblegum” pop band, were tapping into the countercultural shift in music that emphasized fun, freedom, and a rejection of traditional norms. Songs like “Gonna Buy Me a Dog” were in stark contrast to the intense, politically charged music of the time, offering an alternative for listeners who simply wanted to enjoy themselves and escape from the weight of the world.
In conclusion, “Gonna Buy Me a Dog” by The Monkees is a whimsical, humorous song that showcases the band’s playful nature and offers a lighthearted commentary on relationships. While it may not have the depth or social relevance of some other hits from the era, it remains a fun, memorable piece of pop history that perfectly captures the spirit of The Monkees and the 1960s pop scene. Its carefree attitude and catchy melody continue to make it a beloved track for fans of the band, representing the joyful, sometimes absurd, nature of love and life.
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Lyrics
Now?You know my girl, now?No?You know, my girl just called me upAnd she woke me from my sleepYou should have heard the things she saidYou know she hurt my feelings deepI’m gonna buy me a dogA dog? (A dog?)Why? (Why?)‘Cause I need a friend nowBabe, you need all the friendsYou can get, I’m tellin’ youI’m gonna buy me a dogMy girl, my girl don’t love me no howDon’t ruin my song manIt’s the only song I haveIt was already ruined when it was wroteUh, where’s the verse?She used to bring me my, my newspaperYou don’t even know where it’s at‘Cause she knew where it was atShe used to keep me so contentedBut I can teach a dog to do thatI’m gonna buy me a dogYou couldn’t teach a dog to do thatYou can only train elephants‘Cause I need a friend nowI need a friend now (now), yeahI’m gonna buy me a dogA dog, here Rover, Fido, Spot!My girl, my girl don’t love me no howOne (two), three (four)One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, hike!Hike! (Hike!)I was late on that oneI just got back from Africa, you knowI was playing cards with the nativesOh, Zulus?No, I usually won, ah, ah!I wish I had a glass of waterWhy? You thirsty?No, I want to see if my neck leaksI’d buy a raccoon, but John already has oneThirty-five bucksWhere do I come in, here?I, I’m gonna buy me a dogDog!A dog hmm! (Yeah!)As I need a friend nowYeah, yeahBoop, boop, sh-bop, bop, ramalamaI’m gonna buy me a dogWant my girl?My girl don’t love me no how, howNow, now brown cowI think I’m gonna buy me a dog, yes sirI’m gonna buy me a dogIf I was looking for a word to describe what I’m gonna buyI think dog would be the wordWould it? Would it be dog? (It would be dog)It would come springing from my lipsDogSpringing from!Let’s get out of here, comeSpringing from myIs that it Tony? Can you turn it off please?Can somebody open the door and let us out?They are coming to take us away!