Dog Years
by Rush

Album: Test For Echo (1996)
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  • In a dog's life
    A year is really more like seven
    And all too soon a canine
    Will be chasing cars in doggie heaven

    It seems to me
    As we make our own few circles 'round the sun
    We get it backwards
    And our seven years go by like one

    Dog years
    It's the season of the itch
    Dog years
    With every scratch it reappears

    In the dog days
    People look to Sirius
    Dogs cry for the moon
    But those connections are mysterious

    It seems to me
    While it's true that every dog will have his day
    When all the bones are buried
    There is barely time to go outside and play

    Dog years
    It's the season of the itch
    Dog years
    With every scratch it reappears
    Dog years
    For every sad son of a bitch
    Dog years
    With his tail between his ears (tail between his ears)

    I'd rather be a tortoise from Galapagos
    Or a span of geological time

    I'd rather be a tortoise from Galapagos
    Or a span of geological time

    Than be living in these dog years
    Living in these dog years

    In a dog's brain
    A constant buzz of low-level static
    One sniff at the hydrant
    And the answer is automatic

    It seems to me
    As we make our own few circles 'round the block
    We've lost our senses
    For the higher-level static of talk

    Dog years
    For every sad son of a bitch
    Dog years
    With his tail between his ears

    In the dog years (oh)
    In the dog years (oh)
    In the dog years (oh)
    In the dog years (oh)

    (Oh) in the dog years (oh Writer/s: Alex Zivojinovich, Gary Lee Weinrib, Neil Elwood Peart
    Publisher: Anthem Entertainment
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 8

  • Irrushionalfan from SandiegoLove this song. Its obviously over most peoples heads. The metaphors are brilliant and reflect the nature of our times. It cleverly conveys the entrapped human condition wherein we don't believe what our eyes are seeing in favor of the lies that we are told.
  • M Sandiego from San DiegoGreat song, unfairly dismissed by Rush fans. Neil was allowed to have fun, folks! And it's a great rocker as well.
  • G from DenverI just don't like it. Its really harsh to the ear and although I get the puns and the silliness, its just not my thing.
  • Claude from Kingston, MaNot my favorite Rush song, but I always like the line "for every sad son of a bitch." There's something really clever there....
  • Tom from Newbury Park, CambodiaOn average, humans live seven times as long as dogs, and so have seven times as much time to enjoy.

    Are you getting seven times the value and accomplishment out of your seven years than a dog is getting out of his one?

    Are do you spend so much of that time *talking* about stuff that you only end up *doing* (and enjoying) as much as the dog?
  • Sam from Violet, LaThis is a great song. Its one of my favs.
  • Avlight from Anytown, Ncit is a corny 'filler' type of song. Hovever, the bass line is very unique.
  • John from Asheville, NcThis is probably my least favorite Rush song. The lyrics walk that line of "cheeky fun" but I think clever veers into silly then collides headlong into stupid. The chorus melody also does not sit well in my ear.
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