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: 1

  • 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

Donnie Iris (Ah! Leah!, The Rapper)

Donnie Iris (Ah! Leah!, The Rapper)Songwriter Interviews

Before "Rap" was a form of music, it was something guys did to pick up girls in nightclubs. Donnie talks about "The Rapper" and reveals the identity of Leah.

Timothy B. Schmit

Timothy B. SchmitSongwriter Interviews

The longtime Eagle talks about soaring back to his solo career, and what he learned about songwriting in the group.

Boz Scaggs

Boz ScaggsSongwriter Interviews

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

Best Band Logos

Best Band LogosSong Writing

Queen, Phish and The Stones are among our picks for the best band logos. Here are their histories and a design analysis from an expert.

Philip Cody

Philip CodySongwriter Interviews

A talented lyricist, Philip helped revive Neil Sedaka's career with the words to "Laughter In The Rain" and "Bad Blood."

Billy Steinberg - "Like A Virgin"

Billy Steinberg - "Like A Virgin"They're Playing My Song

The first of Billy's five #1 hits was the song that propelled Madonna to stardom. You'd think that would get you a backstage pass, wouldn't you?