Rain Dogs

Album: Rain Dogs (1985)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • The phrase "rain dogs" in this song refers to a habit dogs have of leaving home, then getting lost when it rains, because the rain has washed away the markers they have left to guide them. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    James - Lexington, KY
  • According to 1985 interviews, Tom saw the phrase "Rain Dogs" as metaphor for lost human beings, people in pain with no sense of direction. People who sleep in doorways, people who don't have a social or physical place to belong.
  • "The Rose of Tralee" mentioned in the lyric refers to an 19th century Irish ballad about a girl named "Mary, the Rose of Tralee."
  • This song is referenced in the lyrics of the Bush song Everything Zen.

Comments: 2

  • Unclesmedley from Westerly, RiThis video is like Cabaret on meth.
  • Vinny from Boston, MaThis song refers to homeless people.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

James Bond Theme Songs

James Bond Theme SongsMusic Quiz

How well do you know the 007 theme songs?

Dexys (Kevin Rowland and Jim Paterson)

Dexys (Kevin Rowland and Jim Paterson)Songwriter Interviews

"Come On Eileen" was a colossal '80s hit, but the band - far more appreciated in their native UK than stateside - released just three albums before their split. Now, Dexys is back.

Director Wes Edwards ("Drunk on a Plane")

Director Wes Edwards ("Drunk on a Plane")Song Writing

Wes Edwards takes us behind the scenes of videos he shot for Jason Aldean, Dierks Bentley and Chase Bryant. The train was real - the airplane was not.

Metallica

MetallicaFact or Fiction

Beef with Bon Jovi? An unfortunate Spandex period? See if you can spot the true stories in this Metallica version of Fact or Fiction.

Director Paul Rachman on "Hunger Strike," "Man in the Box," Kiss

Director Paul Rachman on "Hunger Strike," "Man in the Box," KissSong Writing

After cutting his teeth on hardcore punk videos, Paul defined the grunge look with his work on "Hunger Strike" and "Man in the Box."

Spooner Oldham

Spooner OldhamSongwriter Interviews

His keyboard work helped define the Muscle Shoals sound and make him an integral part of many Neil Young recordings. Spooner is also an accomplished songwriter, whose hits include "I'm Your Puppet" and "Cry Like A Baby."