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Rolling Stones songs: Walking the Dog
Silver buttons all down her back/ High hose, tippy toes/ She broke the needle and she can sew…
Rufus Thomas: The Soulful King of Dog Songs and Dancefloor Jams
Rufus Thomas wasn’t just a soul singer—he was a Memphis icon, a master of novelty dance tracks, and a one-man soundtrack to funky footwork. Hailing from Mississippi, Thomas carved out a niche for himself with an unforgettable blend of rhythm, charm, and canine-inspired titles. Mojo magazine once crowned him “the king of the dog songs”, a fitting title given his string of bark-worthy hits like Can Your Monkey Do The Dog, The Dog, Somebody Stole My Dog (and Walking the Dog, eventually)
Before he ruled the airwaves in 1963 with Walking the Dog, homas had already made a name on Beale Street’s Elks Club. His journey led him from Sun Records with Sam Phillips to the rising Stax label—then known as Satellite—where he recorded ‘Cause I Love You alongside his daughter Carla, herself a future R&B star. Rufus made dance music bark, strut, and shake with soul.
Walking the Dog: The Stones, Brian Jones, and a Hidden Wink
Long before Mick Jagger swaggered across stages worldwide, it was Brian Jones steering the Rolling Stones’ musical direction. A devoted fan of American soul and rhythm & blues, Jones was instrumental in shaping the band’s early sound—and it was his influence that led them to record Walking the Dog on their 1964 debut album. The choice was more than a nod to Rufus Thomas; it was Jones’ way of grounding the Stones in the gritty grooves of Black American music.
But beneath the playful title and infectious beat lies a cheeky layer of innuendo. As with many R&B tracks of the era, Walking the Dog dances with double meaning. When Mick Jagger croons, “If you don’t know how to do it, I’ll show you how to walk the dog,” he’s not just talking about a pet. The song winks at listeners with suggestive undertones—an early glimpse into the band’s provocative style.
