Top 10 Greatest Dog Songs

OK, this is instrumental (from the film), but inextricably linked to the most famous dog of all time. Jan A.P. Kaczmarek's piano music perfectly captures the unconditional loyalty and heartbreak of Hachiko. When you hear this, you see the dog waiting in the snow. It's the ultimate musical translation of the bond between human and animal. Heartbreakingly beautiful and for many the definition of dog love.

Many people thought this was about a woman, but Paul McCartney wrote it for his beloved Bobtail (Old English Sheepdog), Martha. It's a cheerful piano song with a music-hall atmosphere. The lyrics are affectionate ("You have always been my inspiration"). McCartney's talent for melody makes an ordinary song for his pet a timeless pop gem.

The ultimate tear-jerker. Elvis sang this as a ten-year-old at a talent show. It tells the heartbreaking story of a boy and his dog Shep, growing up together until the dog becomes too old and suffers. It's country weeping at its best. Where many songs use dogs as a symbol, this is purely about the painful farewell from a loyal animal. Tissues required.

You can't get around it. It's maybe wrong, it's repetitive, but it's THE dog anthem of the century. Originally a soca song, it became a worldwide party hit. The barking in the chorus is done by everyone, from toddlers to drunk uncles at weddings. The song is secretly about men misbehaving in a club, but nobody cares.

A cheerful country song with banjo, written for Young's deceased dog King. He took the dog on tour in his bus and tells stories of their adventures. "I kicked the habit of smoking back, but I can't kick the habit of having a dog". A beautiful, simple ode to friendship and the loss of a mate.

A unique blues track on the album Meddle. The 'singer' is Seamus, the dog of Steve Marriott (Small Faces), who began howling and barking in the studio during the music. It's a joke by the band, but musically an authentic delta-blues. The dog's howling fits surprisingly well with David Gilmour's slide guitar.

At first glance, it seems like a cheerful love song, but Robert Plant sings the love to his dog, Strider. "There ain't no companion like a blue-eyed merle". It's an acoustic stamper full of zest for life. Plant celebrates the walks in the woods and friendship with his animal. It shows a surprisingly soft and playful side of the hard rock legends.

Not a nice song, but pure, raw proto-punk. Iggy Pop uses the dog as a metaphor for total submission and lust. The guitar riff is dirty and repetitive. The piano (played by John Cale of The Velvet Underground) hammers on one note. It's wild, hard and primordial.

The debut single of Cat Stevens (Yusuf). A simple, honest declaration: he loves his dog as much as his beloved (maybe even more, because the dog won't ever leave him). The melody is warm and acoustic. The sentiment is recognizable to every dog owner: the unconditional loyalty of an animal is incomparable.

A delightful 70s soft-rock classic. It's the ultimate road-trip song about a man, his girlfriend and their dog Boo traveling through the country in an old car. The atmosphere is carefree and free. It captures the hippie ideal of simple living and traveling with your faithful animal. A sunny song that makes you happy.