Black Dog (Arlo Parks song)

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2020 single by Arlo Parks

“Black Dog” is a song by the British singer and poet Arlo Parks from her first studio album, Collapsed in Sunbeams (2021).[1] Named after Winston Churchill’s term for depression,[2] the song focuses on mental health.[3] “Black Dog” was Parks’ first song to have mainstream radio airplay in the UK, on the A List of the BBC Radio 1 Playlist in July 2020.[4] Critics at NME ranked “Black Dog” as the fourth best song of 2020.[5]

Background and release[edit]

The song was released a month before Parks became an ambassador for the British mental health charity, Campaign Against Living Miserably.[6] It was released as a double-sided single with the song “Eugene” on 4 May 2020. Both songs were produced by Gianluca Buccellati, who also wrote them with Parks.[7] Referring to “Black Dog”, Parks said, “It’s supposed to make people who are struggling feel less isolated and start a conversation surrounding the prevalence of mental health issues in today’s world.”[8]

Critical reception[edit]

The song was placed on Amazon Music’s UK Rising playlist within a week of its initial release.[9]NME described the single as “the years most devastating song”.[3][1]DIY explained the song as being directed at those having to deal with mental health issues.[10] Narzra Ahmed of When The Horn Blows revealed that the meaning of “Black Dog” is a metaphor for depression with the song intended for people suffering with mental health as a result of isolation, and encourages a conversation around the issue.[11] Malvika Padin of Euphoria describes the song as starting a conversation around how people feel about themselves especially with the advent of social media making people question if they are a perfect person and their life.[12] “Black Dog” was also reported on by Redbrick and Office magazines, both of which described the song as one that explores human relationships.[13]

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Music video[edit]

In May 2020, a music video directed by Molly Burdett was released.[14] The 4K video has scenes depicting depression, sadness and family issues.[15]

Track listing[edit]

Title Writer(s) Producer
1. “Black Dog” Buccellati 3:45
2. “Eugene” Buccellati 3:42
Total length: 7:27

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b Richards, Will (20 May 2020). “Arlo Parks: Creator of the year’s most devastating song”. NME. Archived from the original on 28 May 2020. Retrieved 5 June 2020.
  2. ^ Smyth, David (29 May 2020). “Arlo Parks interview: ‘Music was my refuge in a lost space’“. Evening Standard. Retrieved 5 June 2020.
  3. ^ a b Reilly, Nick (5 May 2020). “Arlo Parks shares powerful new track ‘Black Dog’“. NME. Archived from the original on 14 May 2020. Retrieved 5 June 2020.
  4. ^ “Radio 1 Playlist”. BBC. Archived from the original on 10 July 2020. Retrieved 9 August 2020.
  5. ^ “The 50 best songs of 2020”. NME. 8 December 2020. Retrieved 8 December 2020.
  6. ^ “Introducing Arlo Parks, new CALM ambassador”. Campaign Against Living Miserably. 5 June 2020. Archived from the original on 21 May 2020. Retrieved 5 June 2020.
  7. ^ “Black Dog by Arlo Parks on Tidal”. Tidal. Archived from the original on 5 June 2020. Retrieved 5 June 2020.
  8. ^ Kenneally, Cerys (5 May 2020). “Arlo Parks unveils new single “Black Dog”“. The Line of Best Fit. Archived from the original on 5 June 2020. Retrieved 5 June 2020.
  9. ^ “UK Rising (6 May 2020)”. Amazon Music. 6 May 2020. Retrieved 5 June 2020.[dead link]
  10. ^ “Arlo Parks shares new song ‘Black Dog’“. DIY. 5 May 2020. Archived from the original on 12 May 2020. Retrieved 5 June 2020.
  11. ^ Ahmed, Narzra (13 May 2020). “Singer-songwriter and poet Arlo Parks’ confessional style seeps into her powerful new single ‘Black Dog’“. When The Horn Blows. Archived from the original on 5 June 2020. Retrieved 5 June 2020.
  12. ^ Padin, Malvika (11 May 2020). “Arlo Parks releases quietly stunning new song, “Black Dog”“. Euphoria. Archived from the original on 5 June 2020. Retrieved 5 June 2020.
  13. ^ Brown, Elsie (4 June 2020). “Single Review: Arlo Parks – Black Dog”. Redbrick. Archived from the original on 5 June 2020. Retrieved 5 June 2020.
    – Brake, David Aaron (4 May 2020). “Premiere: Arlo Parks, “Black Dog”“. Office. Retrieved 5 June 2020.
  14. ^ Robles, Jonathan (5 May 2020). “Arlo Parks’ new song ‘Black Dog’ is heartbreakingly beautiful”. Variance. Archived from the original on 13 May 2020. Retrieved 5 June 2020.
  15. ^ Parks, Arlo (4 May 2020). “Arlo Parks – Black Dog (Official Video)”. YouTube. Archived from the original on 8 May 2020. Retrieved 5 June 2020.
  16. ^ “Arlo Parks – Black Dog” (in Dutch). Ultratip.
  17. ^ “Arlo Parks – Black Dog” (in Dutch). Ultratop Urban.
  18. ^ “Official Singles Downloads Chart Top 100”. Official Charts Company. Retrieved 24 July 2020.
  19. ^ “Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100”. Official Charts Company. Retrieved 17 July 2020.



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