"Atomic Dog" is a song by George Clinton

George Clinton (funk musician)

George Clinton is an American singer, songwriter, bandleader, and music producer and the principal architect of P-Funk. He was the mastermind of the bands Parliament and Funkadelic during the 1970s and early 1980s, and launched a solo career in 1981. He has been cited as one of the foremost...

 from his 1982 album Computer Games

Computer Games (album)

Computer Games is a 1982 album by funk musician George Clinton, released on Capitol Records. Though technically Clinton's first "solo" album, the record featured most of the same personnel who had appeared on recent albums by Parliament and Funkadelic, both formally disbanded by Clinton in 1981...

. The track was released as a single

Single (music)

In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...

 in December 1982 and became the P-Funk collective

Parliament-Funkadelic

Parliament-Funkadelic is a funk, soul and rock music collective headed by George Clinton. Their style has been dubbed P-Funk. Collectively the group has existed under various names since the 1960s and has been known for top-notch musicianship, politically charged lyrics, outlandish concept albums...

's last to reach #1 on the U.S. R&B Chart. The single failed to reach the Top 100 of the Pop Chart at all, though it has arguably attained greater popular stature over the past two decades due in part to its having been sampled in dozens of rap songs.

History

George Clinton’s P-Funk

Parliament-Funkadelic

Parliament-Funkadelic is a funk, soul and rock music collective headed by George Clinton. Their style has been dubbed P-Funk. Collectively the group has existed under various names since the 1960s and has been known for top-notch musicianship, politically charged lyrics, outlandish concept albums...

 reached its commercial and conceptual height during the late 1970s after the release of Mothership Connection

Mothership Connection

In 2003 the TV network VH1 named Mothership Connection the 55th greatest album of all time.In 2003, the album was ranked number 274 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time....

and a series of spectacular concert tours. Each of these concerts ended with a climactic descent of a giant spaceship from the rafters. However, as the band and their concept of funk grew, the organization became entangled in internal dissension, legal disputes, and creative exhaustion. “Atomic Dog” was P-Funk collective’s last single to reach #1 on the U.S. R&B chart.

According to Clinton, most of the song's lyrics were ad libbed during the recording process.

Critical reception and charts

Although “Atomic Dog” is now regarded a classic in black popular music, it was held back from radio stations at first. George Clinton’s bad reputation in the industry, his political consciousness (as seen in his previous albums and recordings), and a general move towards more youthful-looking acts, kept his songs from being circulated on radio stations. Only after very strong sales was the song finally put on the air. The single “Atomic Dog” was released in December 1982 and reached #1 on the R&B charts, but failed to reach the top 100 pop charts.

Chart (1983)	Peak position
UK Singles Chart UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...	94
U.S. Billboard Hot R&B Songs	1

Sampling in other songs

The rhythmic hook

Hook (music)

A hook is a musical idea, often a short riff, passage, or phrase, that is used in popular music to make a song appealing and to "catch the ear of the listener". The term generally applies to popular music, especially rock music, hip hop, dance music, and pop. In these genres, the hook is often...

 from "Atomic Dog" has been widely sampled

Sampling (music)

In music, sampling is the act of taking a portion, or sample, of one sound recording and reusing it as an instrument or a different sound recording of a song or piece. Sampling was originally developed by experimental musicians working with musique concrète and electroacoustic music, who physically...

 by other musicians. Below is a chart of songs which use samples from "Atomic Dog":

Artist	Song
ATL ATL (band) ATL were a vocal group from Atlanta, Georgia. The vocalists are Tré, Will, L-Rock and rapper Danger. They had enlisted R. Kelly to produce their début album The ATL Project, released in July 2004...	“Process Of Elimination”
	“Why Must I Feel Like Dat”
BDK	“Get Down”
	“The Beef Is On”
Biz Markie Biz Markie Marcel Theo Hall better known by his stage name, Biz Markie, is an American rapper, beatboxer, DJ, comedian, singer, reality television personality, and commercial spokesperson. He is best known for his single "Just a Friend", an American Top 10 hit in 1989...	“The Dragon”
Blackstreet Blackstreet Blackstreet is an American R&B group founded in 1991 by Thomas Taliaferro and Teddy Riley, the inventor of New Jack Swing known for his work as a member of Guy. Chauncey Hannibal and Levi Little were signed under production and management contracts with Thomas Taliaferro and were merged into what...	“Booti Call” Blackstreet (album) Blackstreet is the self-titled debut studio album from American R&B group Blackstreet, released in 1994 on Interscope Records.The album peaked at number fifty-two on the Billboard 200 chart. By April of 1995, it was certified platinum in sales by the RIAA, after sales exceeding 1,000,000 copies in...
Compton's Most Wanted Compton's Most Wanted Compton's Most Wanted is an American gangsta rap group and one of the pioneers of the West Coast Hip Hop scene still performing today on independent labels. The leader of the group was MC Eiht.-Biography:...	“I Don't Dance”
	“I Gots Ta Get Over”
College Boyz College Boyz The College Boyz were an American hip hop group composed of R.O.M., Squeak, Humphry and DJ Cue.They were signed to both Virgin Records and Capitol Records....	“Underground Blues”
Consolidated Consolidated (band) Consolidated was an American radical activist recording and performing group, formed in 1988 and best known in the early 1990s as an alternative dance/industrial music band. They were distinguished by left-leaning political activism and politically radical lyrics, as well as their innovative sonic...	“You Suck”
Digital Underground Digital Underground Digital Underground was an alternative hip hop group from Oakland, California. It could have been considered a music "family" rather than a group, as its personnel changed and rotated with each album and tour....	“Doowutchyalike”
	“Bran New Swetta”
	“Good Thing We're Rappin'”
Fu-Schnickens Fu-Schnickens Fu-Schnickens was an American hip-hop trio. Similar to Das EFX for their cartoonish lyrics and near-constant allusions to pop culture staples, they were the first Hip Hop artists to rap in backwards fashion. The Fu-Schnickens' popularity was brief but significant in hip hop history...	“Back Off”
	“Let Me Make...”
Geto Boys Geto Boys Geto Boys is a rap group from Houston, Texas, consisting of Scarface, Willie D and Bushwick Bill. The Geto Boys earned notoriety for its lyrics which included misogyny, gore, psychotic experiences, and necrophilia...	“Homie Don't Play Dat”
Girl Talk Girl Talk (musician) Gregg Michael Gillis , better known by his stage name Girl Talk, is an American musician specializing in mashups and digital sampling. Gillis has released five LPs on the record label Illegal Art and EPs on 333 and 12 Apostles....	“Get It Get It”
Guy	“D-O-G Me Out”
MC Hammer MC Hammer Stanley Kirk Burrell , better known by his stage name MC Hammer , is an American rapper, entertainer, business entrepreneur, dancer and actor. He had his greatest commercial success and popularity from the late 1980s until the mid-1990s...	“Pumps And A Bump”
Ice Cube Ice Cube O'Shea Jackson , better known by his stage name Ice Cube, is an American rapper and actor. He began his career as a member of the hip-hop group C.I.A. and later joined the rap group N.W.A. After leaving N.W.A in December 1989, he built a successful solo career in music, and also as a writer,...	“Better Off Dead”
	“Ghetto Bird”
	“A Man's Best Friend”
	“No Vaseline No Vaseline "No Vaseline" was a highly controversial song by Ice Cube from his second album, Death Certificate. The song was produced by Ice Cube and Sir Jinx... ”
	“Summer Vacation”
	“The Nigga You Love To Hate”
	“2 N Tha Morning”
Ice-T ICE-T * Ice-T, an American rapper and actor* ICE T , a tilting model of the German InterCityExpress series of high-speed trains...	“Funky Gripsta”
Insane Clown Posse Insane Clown Posse Insane Clown Posse is an American hip hop duo from Detroit, Michigan. The group is composed of Joseph Bruce and Joseph Utsler, who perform under the respective personas of the "wicked clowns" Violent J and Shaggy 2 Dope. Insane Clown Posse performs a style of hardcore hip hop known as horrorcore...	"Dog Beats Dog Beats Dog Beats is a 1991 EP by Inner City Posse, later to be known as Insane Clown Posse. It was the first record ever released by Psychopathic Records.- Production :... "
Insane Poetry Insane Poetry Insane Poetry is an American hip hop group from Los Angeles, California. Formed in 1988, Insane Poetry is considered to be one of the first horrorcore groups.-History:...	“How Ya Gonna Reason With A...”
JJ&FP	“Nuthin' But A Dog”
K-9 Corps	“Dog Talk”
KAM Kam (rapper) Kam is an American political emcee known primarily among hip hop fans and music critics during the 1990s. Born in Los Angeles, he is considered an esteemed West Coast underground rapper. He is known for his Nation of Islam-influenced lyrics and membership, and affiliation with his cousin, fellow...	“Peace Treaty”
KMDee	“Here We Go Again”
Kris Kross Kris Kross Kris Kross was an American rap duo of the 1990s comprising Chris "Mac Daddy" Kelly and Chris "Daddy Mac" Smith. The duo are best known for their hit 1992 song "Jump", which was #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for eight weeks and was certified double platinum as a single...	“Party”
K-Solo K-Solo K-Solo is an American rapper from Central Islip, New York who, along with EPMD, Redman, Das EFX, and Keith Murray, was part of the Hit Squad in 1990s.-Late years:...	“I Can't Hold It Back”
MC Ren MC Ren Lorenzo Jerald Patterson , better known by his stage name MC Ren, is a rapper who formed part of the group N.W.A. His moniker is derived from his first name .-Early life:...	“Hound Dogz” Kizz My Black Azz Kizz My Black Azz is an EP by MC Ren, released in 1992. This EP was his first solo release that came after N.W.A broke up.All tracks were produced by Bobby "Bobcat" Ervin except "Hounddogz", which was produced by DJ Train, MC Ren and The Torture Chamber....
Nas Nas Nasir bin Olu Dara Jones, who performs under the name Nas , formerly Nasty Nas, is an American rapper and actor. He is regarded as one of the most important figures in hip hop and one of the most skilled and influential rappers of all-time...	“American Way”
NWH	“Ice Froggy Frog” Fear of a Black Hat Fear of a Black Hat is a 1994 American mockumentary film on the evolution and state of American hip hop music. The film's title is derived from the 1990 Public Enemy album Fear of a Black Planet...
Oren Waters	"Digga Digga Dog" from 102 Dalmatians 102 Dalmatians 102 Dalmatians is a 2000 live-action film, produced by Walt Disney Pictures and starring Glenn Close as Cruella de Vil. It is the sequel to 101 Dalmatians, a live-action remake of the 1961 Disney animated feature of the same name. In the film, Cruella de Vil attempts to steal puppies for her...
Paris Paris (rapper) Oscar Jackson, Jr. , better known by his stage name Paris is an American rapper from San Francisco, California, known for his highly charged political and socially conscious lyrics...	“Bush Killa” Sleeping with the Enemy (Paris album) Sleeping With the Enemy is the second album of U.S. militant political rapper Paris. Released in 1992, it stimulated much controversy with the songs "Bush Killa" and "Coffee, Donuts & Death,"...
Pitbull	Girls
“Coffee, Donuts & Death” Sleeping with the Enemy (Paris album) Sleeping With the Enemy is the second album of U.S. militant political rapper Paris. Released in 1992, it stimulated much controversy with the songs "Bush Killa" and "Coffee, Donuts & Death,"...
Public Enemy	“Pollywanacraka”
PM Dawn	“Comatose”
PR & CLS	“The Basement”
Redman	“Bobyahed2dis” Dare Iz a Darkside -Album:-Singles:"—" denotes releases that did not chart.-Personnel:Information taken from Allmusic.*engineering – Mike Bona, Bob Fudjinski, Dave Greenberg, Bob Morse*executive production – Erick Sermon*mastering – Tony Dawsey...
	“Process Of Elimination”
	“Slide And Rock On”
	“Watch Yo Nuggets”
	“Winicumuhround” Dare Iz a Darkside -Album:-Singles:"—" denotes releases that did not chart.-Personnel:Information taken from Allmusic.*engineering – Mike Bona, Bob Fudjinski, Dave Greenberg, Bob Morse*executive production – Erick Sermon*mastering – Tony Dawsey...
Scarface Scarface (rapper) Brad Terrence Jordan , better known by his stage name Scarface, is an American rapper, and recording artist from Houston, Texas and a member of the Geto Boys. He is originally from South Park, Houston.-Life and career:...	“Diary Of A Madman”
South Central Cartel South Central Cartel South Central Cartel is a Los Angeles-based gangsta rap group. Some of their popular songs include "U Gotta Deal Wit Dis", "Pops Was a Rolla", "Ya Getz Clowned", "Gang Stories", "Servin 'Em Heat", "Knocc on Wood" , and "All Day Everyday" & "Eastside-Westside".-Biography:As one of the original...	“South Central...”
Schoolly D Schoolly D Jesse B. Weaver Jr. , better known by the stage name Schoolly D, is an American rapper from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.- Career :...	“Where'd You Get That Funk From”
Snoop Dogg Snoop Dogg Calvin Cordozar Broadus, Jr. , better known by his stage name Snoop Dogg, is an American rapper, record producer, and actor. Snoop is best known as a rapper in the West Coast hip hop scene, and for being one of Dr. Dre's most notable protégés. Snoop Dogg was a Crip gang member while in high school...	“Who Am I? (What's My Name)?”
Stetsasonic Stetsasonic Stetsasonic was an American hip hop group formed in 1979 in Brooklyn, New York City, New York. It is remembered as one of the first hip hop crews to use a live band, and the group's positive, uplifting lyrics made it forerunners of alternative hip hop and jazz hip...	“Speaking Of A Girl Named Suzy”
Stezo	“It's My Turn”
Term, X	“DJ Is The Selector”
2Pac Tupac Shakur Tupac Amaru Shakur , known by his stage names 2Pac and Makaveli, was an American rapper and actor. Shakur has sold over 75 million albums worldwide as of 2007, making him one of the best-selling music artists in the world...	“Holler If Ya Hear Me” Holla If Ya Hear Me "Holler If Ya Hear Me" is a song by 2Pac, from his second solo album, Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z.. It was the first single released from this album in 1993. The track, which uses a sample from Public Enemy's "Rebel Without a Pause", is an anthem of resistance...
X-Clan X-Clan X-Clan is a hip hop group from Brooklyn, New York, originally consisting of Grand Verbalizer Funkin' Lesson Brother J, Professor X The Overseer, Paradise the Architect, and Sugar Shaft the Rhythm Provider...	“Earth Bound”

Copyright lawsuit

"Atomic Dog" was the subject of Bridgeport Music, Inc. v. UMG, Inc., et al. (Case No. 07-5596, 6th Cir. 2009), a lawsuit filed in 2007 by the holders of the composition rights to "Atomic Dog" against the producers of "D.O.G. in Me," a song recorded by the R&B and hip-hop group Public Announcement

Public Announcement

Public Announcement is an R&B and hip hop group, which was formed in 1990 in Chicago, Illinois, originally backing singer R. Kelly on his first album.-1990-1994: Born Into The 90's:...

 and included on their 1998 album, All Work, No Play. In its complaint, Bridgeport claimed that "D.O.G. in Me" infringed its copyright

Copyright

Copyright is a legal concept, enacted by most governments, giving the creator of an original work exclusive rights to it, usually for a limited time...

 by repeating the phrase, "Bow wow wow, yippie yo, yippie yea" and the sound of rhythmic panting throughout the song, and by repeating the word "dog" in a low tone of voice at regular intervals as a form of musical punctuation. A jury found that the defendants had willfully infringed Bridgeport's rights and awarded statutory damages

Statutory damages

Statutory damages are a damage award in civil law, in which the amount awarded is stipulated within the statute rather than being calculated based on the degree of harm to the plaintiff. Lawmakers will provide for statutory damages for acts in which it is difficult to determine a precise value of...

 of $88,980. In a November 2009 decision affirming the lower court ruling, Circuit Judge Martha Craig Daughtry of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit described the circumstances surrounding the creation of "Atomic Dog":

Songwriters David Spradley, Garry Shider, and George Clinton created "Atomic Dog" in a recording studio in January 1982, working without a written score... Testimony at trial indicated that the song was composed spontaneously – Spradley recorded the initial tracks in the studio and recalled that "when George arrived he had been partying pretty heavily so he was, you know, feeling pretty good," and was unsteady at the microphone. Spradley and Garry Shider "got on either side of him. We just kind of kept him in front of the microphone" while Clinton recorded the vocal tracks that same night... Testimony by David Spradley... also demonstrated that Clinton exercised some degree of creative control over the panting by instructing the performers to create a certain rhythm.

The court further described the "Bow Wow refrain" as the best-known aspect of the song – "in terms of iconology, perhaps the functional equivalent of 'E.T. phone home'" – and held that the jury did not act unreasonably in concluding that there was substantial similarity between the two works.

External links

• [ Song Review] at Allmusic
• Songs That Sample "Atomic Dog"