Get Down

Despite the line, "You're a bad dog baby, but I still want you around," this song is not about an actual dog, although it has long been rumored to be. Gilbert O'Sullivan says it's about "an overzealous lady," not a poorly trained pooch. The dog rumor started when the BBC played it on their Christmas 1973 edition of Top Of The Pops. Their dance troupe, Pan's People, did a routine to the song where the five dancers chastised four very patient pooches (one ran off early on) as part of the choreography. This very literal interpretation of the song has hung around for decades.

In America, O'Sullivan is best known for his #1 hit "Alone Again (Naturally)," but in the UK, his chart-toppers were "Clair," followed by "Get Down." This made O'Sullivan the first Irish-born artist with two UK #1 hits (he grew up in England, where his family moved when he was young).

This funky, rock-oriented song marked a change in direction from O'Sullivan's previous singles, which were mostly ballads. The musicians supplementing Gilbert's piano included Chris Spedding (guitar) and Herbie Flowers (bass).