Get Down - Gilbert O'Sullivan (1973) 3/1/22

In 1973, Gilbert O'Sullivan released "Get Down, "his final "Great Song of the '70s," and the lyrical misinterpretation immediately began.

The line, ""You're a bad dog baby, but I still want you around," was taken by many to be literal.

For example, during a 1973 Christmas special on BBC-TV , a dance troupe choreographed the song around trained dogs that were actually involved in the routine.

But Gilbert has always maintained it was about a girlfriend who wouldn't leave him alone. He wasn't REALLY calling her a dog...he just thought she was ACTING like one. Okay, Gilbert, If you say so... Apparently no one really cared one way or another, because "Get Down" was a HUGE worldwide hit...reaching the Top 10 in EIGHTEEN countries! The song topped the charts in Canada, The UK, Ireland and West Germany. In the US, it peaked at #3 on Billboard's Easy Listening Chart and #7 on the Hot 100. Trivia: Rick Finch of KC & The Sunshine Band claims the song inspired their 1975 hit, "Get Down Tonight." "Get Down" may have been Gilbert O'Sullivan's last charting single, but he went out with a "Great Song of 1973," and I'm "Down" with that!