Tuesday Tunes 219: Animals

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Over the years of Tuesday Tunes I have done several posts themed around birds and other aspects of nature and the environment, but I haven’t ever done one of songs with animals in their title. It feels like I should put that right: I’ve collected a list of quite a few that I could play, so today could be the first of more than one. Here are the first five, each with a different animal as their subject.

I’m starting with one by a guy I think I’ve underplayed, given how many great records he has made:

Peter Gabriel released Shock The Monkey as the first single from his fourth album, Peter Gabriel, which was renamed Security for the US. Both the album and the single came out in September 1982: the album peaked at #6 in the UK and #28 in the US, while the single made #58 in the UK and #29 in the US. Both actually performed better in Canada, where the album reached #2 and the single #10. This was the last of his albums just to bear his name as its title, though all have since picked up other unofficial titles. It was also the second for which he recorded a separate version in German, though maybe he didn’t need to bother: it only got to #84 there! If you’re wondering what the song is about, Wikipedia tells us that, due to its title and the content of the video, it is frequently assumed to be either an animal rights song or a reference to the experiments by Stanley Milgram described in his book Obedience to Authority. They then say that it is neither: Peter has himself characterised it as “a love song” that examines how jealousy can release one’s basic instincts; the monkey is not a literal monkey, but a metaphor for one’s feelings. So now you know!

The next tune is also metaphorical, and I suspect that many will know it:

Having devoted a whole post last week to George Harrison’s fantastic All Things Must Pass album, it somehow feels right to follow that with one of the songs he managed to persuade The Beatles to record and put on an album. As the video shows, Piggies was a track on the double album officially titled The Beatles but more widely known as the White Album due to its sleeve. It was released in November 1968, just in time for me to add it to my Christmas present list, and Santa duly delivered (alright, it was Mum and Dad, I know). The album made #1 in the UK, the US, and just about every other country that Wikipedia lists, and has sold more than 12m copies in the US and 600k in the UK. George actually contributed four of its thirty tracks, including two of my favourites on it: While My Guitar Gently Weeps and Long, Long, Long. Piggies is a satire on greed and materialism in modern society, and was intended by George to be a gentle dig, including a line suggested by his Mum: “what they need’s a damn good whacking” was apparently hers. The song took on a more sinister feel when it was adopted as a mantra by Charles Manson and his gang, who daubed some of the lyrics on the walls at the scenes of their murders, including that of Sharon Tate. Despite that, I’ve always liked it as a tune and the way it has a baroque feel to it, largely due to the harpsichord played by Chris Thomas, who co-produced the track with George Martin.

I’m going back a couple of years earlier for my next tune, a favourite from my early teenage times:

Although that live performance dates from 1971 Cat Stevens actually released I Love My Dog as his debut single in  September 1966, when I had just turned 13. I guess I was quite impressionable, as it struck a chord with me: we had a dog in those days, a Golden Cocker Spaniel called Sue, and I loved my dog too! It peaked at #28 in the UK, and led the way for his next release, Matthew And Son, to be a big hit here, reaching #2. Both tracks were included on his first album, Matthew And Son, which was released in March 1967 and got to #7 in the UK – and #173 in the US! One of the other tracks was Here Comes My Baby, which was covered by The Tremeloes and gave them a big UK hit (#4). On the original records the bass guitar was played by a session musician by the name of John Paul Jones – I wonder what happened to him?

I don’t imagine that many would have had either a monkey or a pig as a family pet, but dogs very much were, as were this next animal:

Cool For Cats was both a single and the title track of the second album by Squeeze. The single was released in March 1979, the album followed a month later. The album made #45 in the UK but the single was their big breakthrough, reaching #2 here and #5 in Australia, gaining them a Gold Disc in the process. As they have had little chart success in the US I’m guessing that this one will be unfair to readers over there, and Chris Difford’s Cockney singing style will probably baffle some! It was hugely popular here, though, and the album – which I bought – was great fun. I never saw them play live but I wish I had: I bet their shows were very enjoyable. Their keyboard player at the time was Jools Holland, who has gone on to make records with his own band and to present the long-running Later…With Jools Holland TV show. He has also played in many other collaborations, for example as part of the ensemble that gave us the Concert For George in 2002 to mark the first anniversary of George Harrison’s passing. Squeeze have soldiered on as a band, through two break ups, and have been together in their current incarnation since 2007, and are still led by original members Glenn Tillbrook and Chris Difford.

I’m closing today with another long time favourite, from a band I have loved since they started. This isn’t one of their biggest hits, but I’ve always liked it. There are a couple of videos on YouTube of live performances, but they are shortened from the original release, so I’m playing the full version in audio-only:

The Byrds included Chestnut Mare on their album (Untitled), which was released in September 1970, and peaked at #40 in the US and #19 in the UK. It was a hybrid double album, comprising a studio record and a second which was an amalgam of two live concert performances in New York. The live album is a bit of a greatest hits show, and includes an epic version of Eight Miles High, which at over 16 minutes filled a whole side on its own. Chestnut Mare is the opening track on the studio album, and was the one single taken from it: it was released in October 1970 in the US, only reaching #121 there, but the January 1971 UK release did much better, getting to #19. I bought the album at the time and loved it – I still do.

That’s a wrap for today, but as I said at the outset there may well be more animals to come. I’ll see you again soon, and hopefully we can all survive the temperature drops and torrential rain we are forecast to be experiencing this week. Take care, and take cover! 😊

75 thoughts on “Tuesday Tunes 219: Animals”

  1. Pingback: October | Take It Easy

  4. Well Clive … you’ve certainly helped broaden my horizons this week, for I did not know a single one of those songs!!! When I got to the 2nd one, Piggies, I almost immediately began chuckling! A serious topic, but the song just struck me as funny from the start! Thanks for some new tunes! My favourites were Piggies and Cat Stevens’ I Love My Dog!

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      • I would not expect you to know that, so no foul. But if no one speaks up, there is no learning. Colonial white men did not bother to understand what a word they heard might actually mean. Not just in Turtle Island cultures, but in indigenous cultures all around the globe.For tne most part they thought they were the only “civilized” people on Earth. Sadly they were very mistaken, and their mistakes still haunt today!

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      • Absolutely right. It’s not as though we even need those mistakes, as many of the so-called ‘civilised’ countries are making new ones all of their own. History repeats itself, not least in the arrogance of some countries.

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      • In the case of colonialism, they taught their mistakes to the “savages” they met, while stealing all kinds of things from them.
        Slowly, very slowly, artifacts that once belonged to my ancestors are being returned, but we will never get back the wealth that made Europe rich while condemning us to abject poverty — but noone ever even mentions that! (I include all indigenous peoples in that statement.)

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      • Many of the treasures in our museums are the result of theft. We need to do much better in attempting to make amends, if that is even possible.

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  9. I play this only because it probably never reached Englsnd, though who knows…

    Also thought about Animal Crackers by Melanie (Safka), but it doesn’t mention a specific species, although the cravkers were all in specific shapes.

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    • You’re right, it didn’t reach here, and to be honest I wouldn’t have played it anyway! The same goes for the Melanie one, I’m afraid – not one of my favourites of hers.

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  10. This one of those themes that could go on for weeks if you wanted it to. Two rise above all the others for me this week. My top choices are Peter Gabriel and Cat Stevens this week.

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  11. Excellent video selections, Clive; I knew 4 out of the 5, as Cool For Cats was new to me. It was a catchy, fun and lively tune and I really enjoyed it.
    So glad to see Peter Gabriel here with my favorite song of his! He’s such a cool performer.
    Piggies … epic.
    Love Cat Stevens and it’s always great to hear the Byrds.
    Thanks for playing some very special tunes, Clive. 😊

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    • I thought Squeeze would be unknown over there. As you say, it’s a fun song and like most of theirs it has clever lyrics. I’m pleased you enjoyed hearing again the ones you knew, too 😊

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      • It’s an epic! I bought the Foxtrot album and played it a lot during my uni days. Haven’t listened to it for ages, though maybe I will now you’ve prompted the memory. But at 23 minutes I don’t think I’ll be playing Supper’s Ready on the blog 😊

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      • Yikes, Clive! I’m usually not this far off the mark! You and I were having conversations about two different things. When you asked if I was going with it, I didn’t realize you were referring to Supper’s Ready. I thought we had moved on to the subject of long videos at that point in our thread and that’s what I was referring to … a collection of unique videos on the same subject which, when added up, equal a good amount of time. Sorry to disappoint but I’m not featuring Genesis or Supper’s Ready for MMB. And you’re right … they would make a great subject for the next SLS.

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      • That’s what we had been talking about, unless my eyes deceive me! 🤣

        But I’m still looking forward to what you post.

        Genesis would be good for Sunday but I’ve already decided who I’ll be playing, and it isn’t them 😉

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      • No argument; your eyes were not deceiving you. I misunderstood what you asked me (and I can’t even blame the pain meds as I’m not taking them any longer!). Genesis would be a good subject for Sunday but I’m sticking with my original choice of Adam and the Ants …. NOT! 😂

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      • You started it by asking what I thought of Supper’s Ready, then it seems to have gone downhill 🤣

        Good to know you aren’t still taking the pain meds – I hope that means you’re well on the mend.

        Adam and the Ants would be a good SLS choice if Jim ever set the theme as ‘a band you are pleased are no longer together.’ 😉

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      • Yes to all three. I’m pleased to say I am doing/feeling much better. Each week brings signs of progress, less pain, more things I can do. I have a way to go (still using a cane at the moment) and I may never be the same as I once was but at least I now know I’m going to be ok. Thanks for your good wishes, my friend. 🫶🏼

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      • That’s great, I’m really pleased to hear that! Just keep taking it gently, doing things at a speed that suits you, and I’m sure you’ll soon be fine again.

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      • That I shall! Bill has been an extraordinary caretaker, doing everything around the house, seeing to my needs, driving me to appointments, etc. I’m extremely lucky and grateful. I truly miss driving and now that I’m off the meds I hope to get the go-ahead at my follow-up appointment next week. Thanks, Clive! 🚗

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    • I’m pleased you enjoyed it all, including the cartoons! I think Piggies is one of George’s best, though like most of his songs in the band it tended to get overlooked.

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  15. I am glad I am back from vacation and didn’t miss this one. Even if you did make me tear up some with Cat Steven’s song. Looking forward to another edition of animal songs.
    Stay safe amidst the torrential rain.
    We are getting a lot of rain now due to the hurricane from down South, but nothing compared to what the poor people in the Carolinas and Florida are dealing with. SO SAD.

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    • So sorry! As you pointed out, I missed this one! I hope you had a lovely holiday and I’m pleased you got back in time for this. Cat Stevens’ songs often do that, don’t they!

      The rain here has been bearable, thankfully – not driven by a hurricane, so at least we don’t get Trump visiting to give his own brand of sympathy and support!

      More next week – and I won’t be playing Nellie The Elephant!

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      • No problem! Just wanted to make sure that you saw it. Thanks, it was a lovely time away. 😊
        Yes, Cat Steven’s songs are often moving.

        Glad the rain is bearable and you don’t have Trump visiting which would make it unbearable! I hope the sun does come out for you soon!

        LOL! Looking forward to more songs next week. What about Dominic the Donkey? 🤣

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      • Glad it was good! The rain seems to have moved on for a while, and we’ve actually got some weak sunlight at present.

        I rate that one as much as Nellie! No chance!

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  16. Good comprehensive review of some classic songs involving animals…. I guess ‘cats’ doesn’t carry the same urban punch as it did in ‘our day’.
    Chestnut Mare was a great favourite of mine during the Byrds ‘Country’ era. Captured the whole theme of the ‘tale’ told by one fellah around the campfire or at the bar.
    Brought to mind McGuinn’s take on another animal song…the fine traditional song ‘Old Blue’ off of ‘Dr Byrds and My Hyde’

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    • It is, isn’t it! The two girls weren’t part of the band but were nicknamed ‘the Wealthy Tarts’ by Jools Holland. They liked it, and expanded the name to ‘the Fabulous Wealthy Tarts’ when they became the backing singers for Paul Young.

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    • Thanks, John. I thought about that album but it isn’t really suited to this: two tracks of just over a minute each and three well into double figures for minutes. There is a track on one of their earlier albums, but it’s a bit weird!

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  21. I wouldn’t have thought that a song with such an un-promising title as ‘I Love My Dog’ would be my favourite of these, but it’s a very clever song. And I’ve heard Chestnut Mare many times without knowing what its title was.

    Yet more things I’ve learned from your blog!

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    • Cat showed early promise with that song, and built a stellar career from it. He has been a favourite of mine since the beginning.

      Happy to have enlightened you on Chestnut Mare 😊

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