Dogs In The Kitchen

Album: Captain Fantastic And The Brown Dirt Cowboy (1975)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This is one of the more scathing attacks on the music industry that you're likely to hear. Both Elton John and his lyricist Bernie Taupin were on board with the concept that record executives were "vultures," "dogs" and "vampires." Much of the Captain Fantastic And The Brown Dirt Cowboy found John and Taupin dealing with the fallout from their fame while dutifully delivering a hit single: "Philadelphia Freedom." Elton explained that their beef was with record executives who wanted to profit from their success, but didn't want to make any effort to help them get there. He gave an example of executives who would show up at ceremonies and present Gold Records, but had no interest in the music.
  • "Dogs In The Kitchen" was a poem that Bernie Taupin wrote attacking corporate greed in the entertainment industry. Though the lyrics were included in the scrapbook that was part of Captain Fantastic's lavish packaging, it doesn't seem that Elton wrote any music to accompany it and the song was never recorded. A singer called Joe Ward did however, and it is he whom you can see performing the tune on the video.

Comments: 3

  • Septemberblue from New York State, Finger LakesI'm sure I'm years behind on these comments. I thought was losing my mind in my senior yrs listening to Captain Fantastic after far too long when I didn't see or hear Dogs in the Kitchen! So Googling I went seeking why and found this. Still don't know why listed in sleeve but not on album.
  • Howard Cogswell from FloridaThis is a poor attempt. Search out this song by DUMB HAOLE. It’s MUCH better!
  • Paul from Rothesay, Nb, NbThe above seems to imply that "Dogs in the Kitchen" is an actual song and that "Philadelphia Freedom" is on the "Captain Fantastic" album. "Dogs" is just a lyric found in the album's lyric book, while "PF" was a single never released on an album.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Wedding Bell Blues

Wedding Bell BluesSong Writing

When a song describes a wedding, it's rarely something to celebrate - with one big exception.

Pam Tillis

Pam TillisSongwriter Interviews

The country sweetheart opines about the demands of touring and talks about writing songs with her famous father.

Queen

QueenFact or Fiction

Scaramouch, a hoople and a superhero soundtrack - see if you can spot the real Queen stories.

Barry Dean ("Pontoon," "Diamond Rings And Old Barstools")

Barry Dean ("Pontoon," "Diamond Rings And Old Barstools")Songwriter Interviews

A top country songwriter, Barry talks about writing hits for Little Big Town, Tim McGraw and Jason Aldean.

Don Brewer of Grand Funk

Don Brewer of Grand FunkSongwriter Interviews

The drummer and one of the primary songwriters in Grand Funk talks rock stardom and Todd Rundgren.

Sending Out An SOS - Distress Signals In Songs

Sending Out An SOS - Distress Signals In SongsSong Writing

Songs where something goes horribly wrong (literally or metaphorically), and help is needed right away.