Lyric discussion by boredombredbricks 

Cover art for Black Dog on My Shoulder lyrics by Manic Street Preachers

The song kind of reminds me of the phrase "hair of the dog that bit me" as well - when he sings "there's a black dog on my shoulder again" it implies a sense of continuity, as if he dislikes the black dog/depression, and yet still keeps coming back to it.

Bradfield went to Australia to clean himself up after almost becoming an alcoholic following Edwards disappearance. The song is about an alcoholic - black dog is drink, 'licking my neck saying she's my friend"