Bowie's Controversial "Dog Genitalia"

Very few copies of the original cover art of David Bowie's, Diamond Dogs, painted by comic book artist Guy Peellaert depicting the half-dog, half-Bowie figure are currently in circulation. This controversial cover made its way into limited distribution during its 1974 release. Unfortunately, the record executives requested concealing the genitalia from the original design by airbrushing the area in question. Also rejected was a photograph featuring Bowie wearing a cordobes hat holding with a very large ravenous dog. According to the collectors publication, Goldmine Magazine, this original cover is considered to be one of the most expensive record collectibles of all time bringing in bids as high as $1000.00 for a single copy. Rykodisc/EMI decided it was time to reveal the original design proudly when they re-issued the album in 1991.

Wanna Learn a Dog Song?

Old Blue (trad.)

[D] Well I had an old dog and his name was Blue
Yes I had an old dog and his [A] name was [D] Blue
Well I had an old dog and his name was Blue
I bet you five dollars he’s a [A] good dog [D] too

Old Blue chased a possum up a holler limb
Blue chased a possum up a holler limb
Blue chased a possum up a holler limb
The possum growled, Blue whined at him

[D] Bye Bye [Bm] Blue, [G] you good dog [D] you
Bye Bye [Bm] Blue, you [G] good dog [D] you

When old Blue died he died so hard
He shook the ground in my back yard
We lowered him down with a golden chain
and every link we called his name

My old Blue was a good old hound
You’d hear him holler miles around
When I get to heaven first thing I’ll do
is grab my horn and call for Blue

The Byrds “Dr.Byrds And Mr.Hyde”
Columbia Records 1968

Roger McGuinn - McGuinn Music (BMI)
Lyrics and chords courtesy of Roger McGuinn's fabulous blog:
http://www.reveries.com/folkden/old_blue.html

What are "Good Vibrations"?

In a 2004 Rolling Stone interview, Brian Wilson tells the story of how the word 'vibrations,' scared him as a child. His mother, Audree, was explaining to him why dogs barked at some people and not others. Brian reiterates how, "A dog would pick up vibrations from these people that you can't see but you can feel. And the same thing happened with people." This bit of wisdom inspired what was to become one of Brian's song-writing and production masterful achievements, "Good Vibrations." Brian also says, "This is a very spiritual song, and I want it to give off good vibrations."

Paul McCartney and Martha

Paul McCartney’s, “Martha My Dear,” featured on the Beatle’s classic White Album is a song about his favorite pooch. McCartney, known for his pop song craftsmanship, admits that this tune wasn’t filled with any in-depth meaning. In a 1968 Radio Luxembourg interview about how this song was inspired McCartney stated that, “I just start singing some words with a tune, you know what I mean. I don't ever write a song thinking; 'Now I'll write a song about...' I do sometimes, but mainly I don't. Mainly I'm just doing a tune and then some words come into my head, you know. And these happened to be 'Martha My Dear, though I spend my days in conversation.' It doesn't mean anything, you know, but those just happened to come to my head. So that's what this song is about... it is about my dog. I don't mean it, you know. I don't ever try to make a serious social comment, you know. So you can read anything you like into it, but really it's just a song. It's me singing to my dog."