Who Let The Dogs Out

Album: Who Let The Dogs Out (2000)
Charted: 2 40
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Songfacts®:

  • This was written by Anslem Douglas, a musician from Trinidad who wrote it two years before The Baha Men recorded it - his original version is called "Doggie." Various versions were hits in the Caribbean, but The Baha Men toned down the calypso rhythm to make it more appealing to American listeners.
  • We have yet to meet someone who can remember any words to this song other than the chorus, which is: "Who let the dogs out? Woof, woof, woof, woof, woof." The song does have verses and even a hint of meaning - the lyrics are about disrespectful men who hit on women at a party.
  • In 2015, when we asked Rik Carey of Baha Men about this song's appeal, he gave this explanation: "People are just into their dogs."

    So how does he feel about the song years later? "It's a blessing, so I wouldn't ever want to change that," Carey said. "It gave us all this experience, so I'm not going to fight it."
  • A key component of this song is the bellowing voice that asks the question, "Who let the dogs out!" Every group member auditioned for this line, which went to Marvin Prosper, who was a vocalist in the group.
  • Considering what a sensation this song was in America, it had a surprisingly low chart position, peaking at just #40. While the song seemed to be everywhere, its omnipresence was due more to cultural references than to record sales or airplay. Few radio stations put the song in rotation, and in this pre-download era, consumers had little interest in owning the single. To put it in perspective of other one-hit wonders of the era, Lou Bega's "Mambo No 5 (A Little Bit Of)" made #3, and "Macarena" spent a shocking 14 weeks at #1.
  • Knowing most radio stations would have no interest in this song, it was marketed through sports, with the single sent to various baseball, basketball, football, hockey and soccer teams in hopes that they would play it at games.

    The radio promotion machine was built around calls and visits to program directors in an effort to win favor, and this same approach was made to promote this song, except they courted the musical directors of the arenas instead of the PDs. These personal appeals worked, and the song entered rotation at a slew of sporting events, often used after the home team made a big play.

    Most of the music played during sporting events is during lulls in the action - after a foul ball in a baseball game or when a football team is in the huddle - which is only room for about 12 seconds of a song. Songs with quick, high energy, easily understood hooks work well, and "Who Let The Dogs Out" fit the bill for these jock jams.
  • The Baha Men recording of this song was the brainchild of their producer, Steve Greenberg, who heard a version of the song by Fat Jakk and his Pack of Pets in 1998. Greenberg hated the song but loved the hook and was convinced he could work it into a hit. He convinced the Baha Men to record it and let the charge to get the song distributed and heard.

    Greenberg had some experience foisting catchy, unorthodox tunes on unsuspecting listeners: He was executive producer of the 1997 Hanson hit "MMMbop."
  • The title became a popular catch phrase in America when it was used in the 2000 World Series between the Mets and Yankees. At one point, an exasperated reporter who was sick of hearing the same questions over and over asked Yankees manager Joe Torre if he knew who let the dogs out.
  • This caused a spat with the Seattle Mariners baseball team, which was the first pro franchise to put the song in rotation. Catcher Joe Oliver was using it as his theme music, but shortstop Alex Rodriguez wanted it for himself. Rodriguez got his way because he was the star. The next year, Rodriquez signed a record $252 million contract with the Texas Rangers.
  • Eric Heimbold, who also did "Jump, Jive an' Wail" for The Brian Setzer Orchestra, directed the video, which was shot in various locations around Miami.
  • This is very popular with kids. It won Favorite Song at the 2001 Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards, and the following year Baha Men won for Favorite Band.
  • Shortly before Baha Men recorded this song, their lead singer, Nehemiah Hield, left the group. Steve Greenberg and his team went to the Bahamas to hold tryouts, and found three young singers to add to the band. These guys provided a more video-friendly look for the group, and their youthful energy came in handy when they had to travel the world performing this song over and over.
  • This won the 2000 Grammy for Best Dance Recording.
  • This was used in the 2000 movie Rugrats In Paris - the deal was made before the song became a hit. Other films that have used the song include:

    Rat Race (2001)
    Bubble Boy (2001)
    Men in Black II (2002)
    The Hangover (2009)

    Among the TV series to use the song:

    South Park ("About Last Night..." - 2008)
    Melissa & Joey ("Up Close & Personal" - 2010)
    The Big Bang Theory ("The Engagement Reaction" - 2011)
  • Baha Men are one-hit wonders in America, but wildly popular in their home country of the Bahamas, where their upbeat tunes exhibit the friendly, relaxed nature of the islands. "Who Let The Dogs Out" has a Caribbean sound, but many of their other songs are distinctly Bahamian, with junkanoo rhythms formed by goat-skinned drums, whistles and horns. The group prides themselves on live performance, but had a hard time showing their skills in the "Dog" days.
  • Desmond Child helped produce this song. He is a prolific hitmaker who had worked with many artists, including Bon Jovi, Cher, Kelly Clarkson, Aerosmith, Alice Cooper and Joan Jett. His slick production helped make this accessible to a mainstream audience.
  • Rik Carey is the only member of the 9-piece Baha Men not to own a dog. He only owned cats.
  • Baha Men had one more hit on the Hot 100: "You All Dat" (featuring Imani Coppola) made #94 in 2001. The following year, they had some success collaborating with Aaron Carter on "Summertime," and also with the stadium-friendly "Move It Like This." Their 2004 album Holla! was their last until 2015, when they issued Ride With Me on Sony Records.
  • The Baha Men performed this live on ESPN's Sportscenter in 2000.
  • The group updated this song on their 2015 track "Off The Leash," which finds them getting wild at party.
  • The group appeared twice on The Simpsons, always parodying this song. In the 2002 episode "Large Marge," they sing it as "Who Let the Milk Out?"; and "Who Let Her Jugs Out?" In the 2005 episode "Thank God It's Doomsday," they do it as "Who Wants a Haircut?" The later was included on The Simpsons 2007 album Testify.

Comments: 31

  • Siahara Shyne Carter from United StatesI heard this many times in Movies too! It is a pride for dogs <3
    RIP for my dogs
    Chucky and Barclay my boys and Wacky thier mom I still remember them xcccc
  • Siahara Shyne Carter from United StatesYeahhhhhh!!!! This is the theme
    song in movies with dogs as The main Actor lmao I love it. I also love dogs than mostly people :}
  • Adam from Cartersville , GaI don't care who let the dogs out I just love seeing all them sexy women working there bodies
  • Tom from Hammond , OnOh my name is Thomas Lovesy. Hammond Ontario Canada. Yes it's my family's song but rewritten... changed.
  • Tom from Hammond , OnThis is the song my family started. I was given no credit for the song.
    the same beat at the beginning. Its about my dogs and who let the dogs out. It was you that let dogs out. It's a family song that was twisted to this, just as I said to Amando, who knew someone that could do something with this... nobody will remember anything but the words who let the dogs out. I was correct.
  • Jas from Clifton, TxThe first 500 times I heard this, it was pretty good. The first 200 times I heard it played at a sporting event, it was still decent. The first 50 times a group of guys claimed that it was obviously about them because they're the wildest people on the planet, it was fine. The 1 time I heard it in The Hangover, it was great. After all of that, it became the single most annoying thing this side of a Macarena/Rickroll sandwich. This song is overused and long past the point where it's still novel. Someone needs to take it out back and shoot it. They shoot lame horses...
  • Daniel Adams from Northumberland, PaThis is a great song that helped kick off the 2000's.
  • Sam from Gardiner, MeThe Baha men are the best for their who let the dogs out song it never gets boring. They are my most favored band. They rock.
  • Ce from Miami, Flrahul, how can you find it irritating!
  • Ce from Miami, FlI think this is a great song, but if you had to listen to this song for a long time it would get on your nerves.
    P.S this is one of my favorite songs!
  • Margie from St. Louis, MoI really liked the song when it came out (I was only in 5th grade, thank god I have better taste in music)Although, I have to say, they're music is upbeat, but I'm thinking about letting their album go. I even have a review on Baha Men at http://rogue-wizard.angelfire.com/blog/
  • Rahul from Chennai, Indiadude... when it was realeased i thought it was good.... but after a few days i felt it irritating... very irritating.. the voice, the chorus.... bwah!!!!
  • Roman from Barrie, Onat the post office the mailmen used to sing along with this tune when it was playing on the radio and then they would hit the street and hope they did not have to run into a dog.....it was like a ritual before a game or contest or challenge
  • Karl from Akron, , Oh I remeber baby sitting my then 4 year old Grand daughter and while she left to go to the "Potty" I'm hearing her sing that silly song while she was doing her thing....... Well I guess that could be concidered a bathroom song for little kids. After all we adults have "Staiway to Heaven" as our "bathroom song" at least that's what a lot of D.J's say
  • Maxwell from Houston, TxI LET THE DOGS OUT!
  • Tyler from Petaluma, Cathe worst song ever written, hands down, it totoally ruined alot of films released in 2001/2 MIB:II, Shrek, ect. People couldn't get enough of it, I swear the next time I hear it on the radio I'm never going to listen to that station agian.
  • Matt from Uniontown , PaYou know, i was always under the impression that this song was about: (close your eyes, little kids) sex from behind. but i guess thats just me.
  • Lynn from Honolulu, HiCall me naive.I stiil say that this song is about dogs.:0)
  • Nathan from Defiance, OhBarbie girl is somewhat pallatible, this is the worst song ever by far. Even worse than Achy-Breaky Heart.
  • Matt from Millbrae, Caok one of the most annoying songs ever. behind such favorites as barbie girl, blue (da ba dee) and other europop b.s.
  • Morgan from Palmer Rapids, CanadaI love this song. It is a major hit!I am using it for a project
  • Keith from Slc, UtThe best use of this song was in "Men In Black 2," as Frank (the dog) is barking to it on the radio.

    The phrase was popular in Southern California as a body-slam put-down back in the 1970s.
  • Dylan from St. Charles, Mohah definently one hit wonder, but i got so annoyed when all the little kids at my school kept screaming this wherever i went
  • Jello from Miamisburg, OhThree words: ONE HIT WONDER
  • Belinda from Miami, FlThis song was actually written by Desmond Child. He came and spoke at my school. He also helped Aerosmith co-write some of their later songs.
  • Andrew from Brooklyn, Nythe song is about horny men. when they say dogs they r referring to men.
  • Nick from Paramus, NjYeah, there are actually words to the song besides "who let the dogs out?" but no one knows what they are.
  • Brian from Vacaville, CaMY GOD. people like the baha men? i just thought they were a crappy one hit wonder. They are for people with no love for real music.
  • Deana from Indianapolis, InMy grandkids loved it in Shrek :-)
  • Setmour from Canberra, Australiawho let the dogs out is like really coooooooooooooooool
  • Simon from Nowheresville, AzImplication of lyrics in the UK, at least in my head, is that a lot of ugly women have suddenly appeared.
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