By Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart
You know my girl just called me up
And she woke me from my sleep
You should have heard the things she said
You know she hurt my feelings deep.
I'm gonna buy me a dog [A dog, a dog! Why?]
'Cause I need a friend now. [Say, you need all the friends you can get]
I'm gonna buy me a dog,
My girl, my girl, don't love me no how.

She used to bring me my newspaper
'Cause she knew where it was at.
She used to keep me so contented.
But I can teach a dog to do that.
I'm gonna buy me a dog,
'Cause I need a friend now
I'm gonna buy me a dog,
My girl, my girl, don't love me no how.


Lyrics submitted by Dempyrean

Gonna Buy Me a Dog Lyrics as written by Tommy Boyce Bobby Hart

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

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Gonna Buy Me A Dog song meanings
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8 Comments

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  • +3
    General Comment

    The thing about this song is, it was originally written by Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart. Don Kirshner originally wanted the boys to sing it just like a normal song...no wisecracks. The Monkees, along with Boyce and Hart, thought the song would be dull and kinda stupid...and if you think about it, it would be!! So...they had a trick up their sleeve to just ad lib funny things during the recording, without Kirshner's consent. When they finally did it, Don Kirshner ended up loving it, and it was released on "The Monkees" album.

    classictvgirl50on February 09, 2006   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    i love this song! it cracks me up every time, man.. "i'd buy a raccoon but john already has one." "35 bucks." lol.. great song, why is no one commenting?!

    ps i love youon April 18, 2003   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    davy and micky were making fun of the songs stupid lyrics. evil don kirshner apparently has a sense of humor and used this version. the raccoon was a pet of mike's friend John London. supposedly, it cost 35 bucks. I love this song. it's soo funny!

    jen110988on July 05, 2003   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    i love this song! it cracks me up every time, man.. "i'd buy a raccoon but john already has one." "35 bucks." lol.. great song, why is no one commenting?!

    ps i love youon April 18, 2003   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I think it was just Davy and Micky stoned out of their minds,and just having fun!After all these years I still don't know what the whole racoon thing is about!Thanks for the memories! A true LOL!

    hippiechick54on May 06, 2003   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I totally agree with everyone here. Those who don't know much about the Monkees think it's a stupid pre-written song, but it really is them making fun of Donny Kirshner. He didn't get it I guess so Donny put it out on their album!

    QueenofMarigoldon March 05, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Micky's damn-fool ad-libbing at the end absolutely makes this song for me, especially when he gives that little chuckle in the middle of it. That, and his laughing over the lyrics "I can teach a dog to do that." It makes me laugh every. single. time. I didn't realize there was a misconception that all the little in-jokes were written into the song.

    aventurineon April 01, 2012   Link
  • 0
    My Interpretation

    Love this, makes me laugh every time. Even without the ad-libbing I think it's pretty clever, going for a nice spin on the "my girl left me / I can't find a girl" songs and finding optimism in some four-legged companionship instead.

    Goatllamaon November 30, 2019   Link

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