Dog Years
by Rush

Album: Test For Echo (1996)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • The line, "Every dog has his day" is from a 1863 children's book called Water Babies by the English novelist and clergyman Charles Kingsley.
  • This song (on their 23rd album) contains the line "One sniff at the hydrant" - Rush's (13th album) Signals features on the cover a dog sniffing at the hydrant. >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Mike - Darkside of the Moon, for above 2
  • The line, "In the dog days, People look to Sirius" is a clever pun. One meaning is that in the summer people are often serious but as written it means that people are looking to the dog star "Sirius." >>
    Suggestion credit:
    George - Manassas, VA

Comments: 8

  • Irrushionalfan from SandiegoLove this song. Its obviously over most peoples heads. The metaphors are brilliant and reflect the nature of our times. It cleverly conveys the entrapped human condition wherein we don't believe what our eyes are seeing in favor of the lies that we are told.
  • M Sandiego from San DiegoGreat song, unfairly dismissed by Rush fans. Neil was allowed to have fun, folks! And it's a great rocker as well.
  • G from DenverI just don't like it. Its really harsh to the ear and although I get the puns and the silliness, its just not my thing.
  • Claude from Kingston, MaNot my favorite Rush song, but I always like the line "for every sad son of a bitch." There's something really clever there....
  • Tom from Newbury Park, CambodiaOn average, humans live seven times as long as dogs, and so have seven times as much time to enjoy.

    Are you getting seven times the value and accomplishment out of your seven years than a dog is getting out of his one?

    Are do you spend so much of that time *talking* about stuff that you only end up *doing* (and enjoying) as much as the dog?
  • Sam from Violet, LaThis is a great song. Its one of my favs.
  • Avlight from Anytown, Ncit is a corny 'filler' type of song. Hovever, the bass line is very unique.
  • John from Asheville, NcThis is probably my least favorite Rush song. The lyrics walk that line of "cheeky fun" but I think clever veers into silly then collides headlong into stupid. The chorus melody also does not sit well in my ear.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Kip Winger

Kip WingerSongwriter Interviews

The Winger frontman reveals the Led Zeppelin song he cribbed for "Seventeen," and explains how his passion for orchestra music informs his songwriting.

Carl Sturken

Carl SturkenSongwriter Interviews

Hitmaker Carl Sturken on writing and producing for Rihanna, 'N Sync, Christina Aguilera, Kelly Clarkson, Donny Osmond, Shakira and Karyn White.

Amy Grant

Amy GrantSongwriter Interviews

The top Contemporary Christian artist of all time on song inspirations and what she learned from Johnny Carson.

Grammar In Lyrics

Grammar In LyricsMusic Quiz

Lyrics don't always follow the rules of grammar. Can you spot the ones that don't?

Classic Metal

Classic MetalFact or Fiction

Ozzy, Guns N' Roses, Judas Priest and even Michael Bolton show up in this Classic Metal quiz.

Richie McDonald of Lonestar

Richie McDonald of LonestarSongwriter Interviews

Richie talks about the impact of "Amazed," and how his 4-year-old son inspired another Lonestar hit.