Song of the Day 11/11: Squeeze, “Gone to the Dogs”

The idiom is so old its origins are uncertain, but for centuries now going to the dogs has meant going downhill, if not to outright ruin. Now it’s America’s turn.

This song appeared on Squeeze’s “Play” album, but it was written as the possible theme song for a British sitcom set in the world of dog racing, a six episode mini-series called, yes, “Gone to the Dogs.” For inspiration, Chris Difford and Glenn Tilbrook visited the greyhound track at Walthamstow in North London, since closed and turned into a housing complex. The producers passed on the tune for the show, which aired in 1991, the same year “Play” was released.

Here’s the theme music they went with instead.