"I'll Take the Dog" | ||||
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Single by Jean Shepard and Ray Pillow | ||||
from the album I'll Take the Dog | ||||
B-side | "I'd Fight the World" | |||
Released | April 1966 | |||
Recorded | January 1966 | |||
Studio | Columbia (Nashville, Tennessee) | |||
Genre | Country [1] | |||
Length | 2:32 | |||
Label | Capitol | |||
Songwriter(s) |
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Producer(s) | Marvin Hughes | |||
Jean Shepardsingles chronology | ||||
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Ray Pillowsingles chronology | ||||
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"I'll Take the Dog" is a duet song by American country singers Jean Shepard and Ray Pillow. Released as a single, it reached the top ten of the US country songs chart in 1966. The song was described as a "comedy duet" centered on a couple about to divorce. It received a positive response from Record World magazine following its release and was included on the pair's album of the same name.
Jean Shepard first found country music success in the 1950s and had 20 years of hit singles. This included "A Dear John Letter" (1953), "A Satisfied Mind" (1955) and "Second Fiddle (To an Old Guitar)" (1964). During the 1960s, she had 15 top 40 singles, which included a duet with Ray Pillow. [2] Pillow was known as both a music publisher (working with Capitol Records) and as a musical artist. He had a top 20 single with 1965's "Thank You Ma'am" followed by several more chart records, among them his duet with Shepard. [3] Described as a "comedy duet" by The New York Times , [4] "I'll Take the Dog" tells the story of a couple who is about to file for divorce. Because they cannot choose which partner will take custody of their pet dog, they ultimately choose to stay married. [5] It was written by Margie Barton and Johnny MacRae. The song was produced by Marvin Hughes in January 1966 at the Columbia Studios in Nashville, Tennessee. [6]
"I'll Take the Dog" was released as a single by Capitol Records in April 1966. It was distributed as a seven-inch vinyl single. On its B-side was another duet between Pillow and Shepard titled "I'd Fight the World". [6] The single was reviewed positively by Record World magazine which wrote, "Separated couple argues about who gets to keep the dog. Surprise ending will keep country folks happy. Duo delights." [1] The single reached number ten on the US Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. It became Shepard's seventh single to place in the Billboard country top ten. It was Pillow's only top ten single and highest-charting on Billboard. [7] Later the year it was included on the duo's studio album of the same name. [8]
Chart (1966) | Peak position |
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US Hot Country Songs ( Billboard ) [9] | 9 |
Ollie Imogene "Jean" Shepard, was an American country singer who was considered by many writers and authors to be one of the genre's first significant female artists. Her early successes during the 1950s decade were said to influence the future careers of Loretta Lynn, Dolly Parton and Tammy Wynette.
The discography of American country singer Jean Shepard contains 29 studio albums, 12 compilation albums, two live albums, 1 box set album, 72 lead and collaborative singles, four promotional singles, two other charted songs and nine album appearances. Her first singles were released by Capitol Records in 1953, beginning with "Crying Steel Guitar Waltz". Her next two releases featured vocals by Shepard and a recitation by Ferlin Husky. The first was "A Dear John Letter", Shepard's only number one single on the US Hot Country Songs chart. It also reached number four on the US pop chart and number three in Australia. The second was "Forgive Me, John", which reached the US country top five, the US pop top 30 and the Australia top 20. In 1955, her solo singles "A Satisfied Mind" and "Beautiful Lies" both reached number four on the US Hot Country Songs chart. Their B-sides also charted on the US country chart: "Take Possession" and "I Thought of You". The latter peaked in the US country top ten.
"Slippin' Away" is a song written by American singer-songwriter Bill Anderson and was originally recorded by American country singer Jean Shepard. Inspired to write the song while watching an old film, Shepard chose to the song to record and it was released as her first single for the United Artists label in 1973. It became her first top ten US country song in several years and was issued on an album of the same name.
Herbert Raymond Pillow was an American country music singer, music publisher, and artists and repertoire (A&R) representative. In his career, he had 18 singles on the Billboard country songs chart, with his highest-peaking song being the number 9 single "I'll Take the Dog", a duet with Jean Shepard. After charting for the last time in 1981, Pillow founded Sycamore Records with Larry McFadden, and later worked in the A&R department of Capitol Records.
Lonesome Love is a studio album by American country artist Jean Shepard. The album was released in December 1958 by Capitol Records and was produced by Ken Nelson. It was another album released by another central theme, focused mostly on songs about lost love. The album was a collection of 12 tracks, featuring both new material and cover tunes. It was met with positive reviews from music publications following its release.
"Beautiful Lies" is a song written by Jack Rhodes and recorded by American country singer Jean Shepard. It was released in September 1955 by Capitol Records as a single. It became Shepard's fifth top ten single on the US country chart in her career and was given positive reception by critics.
"Many Happy Hangovers to You" is a song written by Johnny MacRae that was originally recorded by American country singer Jean Shepard. It was released as a single by Capitol Records in 1966, reaching the US country top 20 that year. It received a positive review from Billboard magazine following its release and was included on her 1966 studio album of a similar name.
"If Teardrops Were Silver" is a song written by Don Wayne that was originally recorded by American country singer Jean Shepard. It was released as a single by Capitol Records in 1966, reaching the US country top ten that year. It received positive responses from Cashbox and Record World magazines. It was included on her 1967 studio album of a Heart, We Did All That We Could.
"Heart, We Did All That We Could" is a song written by Ned Miller that was originally recorded by American country singer Jean Shepard. It was released as a single in 1967 and reached the top 20 of the US country songs chart. It received positive reviews from music publications was included on Shepard's studio album of the same name. The song has been performed routinely in the Country Bear Jamboree entertainment attraction at Walt Disney World.
"Your Forevers (Don't Last Very Long)" is a song originally recorded by American country singer Jean Shepard. It was written by Wes Buchanan, Cliffie Stone and Scott Turner. Released as a single by Capitol Records in 1967, it reached the top 20 of the US country songs chart. It received a positive review from Cash Box magazine and appeared on a studio album of Shepard's with a Your Forevers Don't Last Very Long.
"Then He Touched Me" is a song originally recorded by American country singer Jean Shepard. Written by George Richey and Norro Wilson, it reached the top ten of the US country chart and was nominated by the Grammy Awards. It was Shepard's ninth top ten single in her career and was included on her 1970 album A Woman's Hand.
"At the Time" is a song written by Bill Anderson that was recorded by American country singer Jean Shepard. Released as a single by United Artists Records, it reached the top 20 of the US country chart in 1974. It was the second single written by Anderson that Shepard recorded. It was given positive reviews from magazines and books following its release.
"I'll Do Anything It Takes (To Stay with You)" is a single by American country music artist Jean Shepard written by Curly Putman, Larry Butler and Jan Crutchfield. Released in May 1974, it was the second single from the album I'll Do Anything It Takes. The song reached number 17 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart and was given reviews by publications in the years that followed.
"Have Heart, Will Love" is a song written by Sid Tepper and Roy C. Bennett. It was originally recorded by American country singer Jean Shepard. Released as a single in 1959, it reached the top 30 of the US country chart.
I'll Take the Dog is a studio album by American country artists Jean Shepard and Ray Pillow. It was released in November 1966 by Capitol Records and was a collection of duets between the duo. The album's songs focused on marital conflicts and other themes. Its title track was a top ten single on the US country chart in 1966. The album itself reached the top 20 of the US country chart. The album was met with positive reviews from Cash Box and Record World.
Heart, We Did All That We Could is a studio album by American country singer Jean Shepard. It was released in March 1967 by Capitol Records and featured 12 tracks. The album's material centered on heartbreak and despair. Six of the tracks were originally singles released between 1963 and 1967. Both "Second Fiddle " and "If Teardrops Were Silver" reached the US country top ten, while the title track reached the top 20. The album itself reached the US country top ten in 1967. The disc received positive reviews from both Billboard and Cashbox.
A Real Good Woman is a studio album by American country singer Jean Shepard. It was released in October 1968 by Capitol Records and was her twelfth studio album. It consisted of 12 tracks, two of which were originally singles: "An Old Bridge" and the title track. The latter was a top 40 single on the US country chart. A Real Good Woman received positive reviews by music publications following its release.
Best by Request is a studio album by American country singer Jean Shepard. It was released in March 1970 by Capitol Records and was her fifteenth studio album. The songs were re-recordings Shepard revisited, which were considered her best known songs such as "A Satisfied Mind" and "Beautiful Lies". Best by Request made the US country albums chart following its release and received a positive review from Cash Box magazine.
A Woman's Hand is a studio album by American country singer Jean Shepard. It was released in September 1970 by Capitol Records and was her sixteenth studio album. The collection of ten tracks featured a series of cover tunes by male country artists. Some of the songs were new material. Among them were its three singles: "Then He Touched Me", "I Want You Free" and the title track. Of the three, "Then He Touched Me" was its highest-charting, reaching the top ten on the US country chart. A Woman's Hand was reviewed positively by both Billboard and Cash Box magazines.
Slippin' Away is a studio album by American country singer Jean Shepard. It was released by United Artists Records in September 1973 and was her twentieth studio album. The album was named for Shepard's top five US and Canadian country single of the same name. The album itself was Shepard's first for United Artists after many years with Capitol Records. It received a positive response from both Billboard and Record World magazines.