Big Black Dog

Album: Hard Bargain (2011)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Emmylou Harris runs a dog rescue shelter from the back garden of her property called Bonaparte's Retreat. This song is the true tale about a black lab mix named Bella who the singer rescued from the Nashville Metro pound, and provided Harris with company when she was on the road. She explained in 2011: "She goes on the tour bus with me now, along with another one of my rescues. I think of all the years on the road I wasted without a dog. They make it so much more pleasant. I'm making up for lost time now, that's for sure."
  • Emmylou told UK newspaper The Independent about Bonaparte's Retreat: "It's a fenced-in part of the yard and there's a little house at the back which we built for the dogs to sleep in at night," she smiled. "There are rugs and lamps in there, it's air-conditioned and heated. Really, it's one of the greatest things I've ever done. Dogs have such a capacity for joy. No matter how tired you are, or whatever else is going on, they make the day better."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Boz Scaggs

Boz ScaggsSongwriter Interviews

The "Lowdown" and "Lido Shuffle" singer makes a habit of playing with the best in the business.

Jonathan Cain of Journey

Jonathan Cain of JourneySongwriter Interviews

Cain talks about the divine inspirations for "Don't Stop Believin'" and "Faithfully."

Which Restaurants Are Most Mentioned In Song Lyrics?

Which Restaurants Are Most Mentioned In Song Lyrics?Song Writing

Katy Perry mentions McDonald's, Beyoncé calls out Red Lobster, and Supertramp shouts out Taco Bell - we found the 10 restaurants most often mentioned in songs.

Taylor Dayne

Taylor DayneSongwriter Interviews

Taylor talks about "The Machine" - the hits, the videos and Clive Davis.

Women Who Rock

Women Who RockSong Writing

Evelyn McDonnell, editor of the book Women Who Rock, on why the Supremes are just as important as Bob Dylan.

Bob Daisley

Bob DaisleySongwriter Interviews

Bob was the bass player and lyricist for the first two Ozzy Osbourne albums. Here's how he wrote songs like "Crazy Train" and "Mr. Crowley" with Ozzy and Randy Rhoads.