Story Behind The Song

A songwriting friend of mine complained that her ex, upon hearing a new song she has written, always asks whether it is about him, and she has to continually tell him no. I thought it would make an excellent song to state that the song is not about an ex, though of course it is.

Song Description

The song is written to an ex-girlfriend, Karenn, though the singer-songwriter claims that the song is really about a dog, Karen. The song, while talking about the dog, of course is a reference to his ex, though the singer feels he can get away with all the zingers, as it is about the dog!

Lyrics

This song's not about you, Karenn, it's not about you.
We were once boyfriend-girlfriend, but those days are through.
This song's not about you, Karenn, it's not about you.
It just so happens the song's about a dog named Karen, too.

Now I met Karen, the dog, at the pound one day.
She looked at me with those big brown eyes, and I let her have her way.
I took her home, and and I thought that all was well.
I didn't mind her fleas and her wet dog smell.

This song's not about you, Karenn, it's not about you.
We were once boyfriend-girlfriend, but those days are through.
This song's not about you, Karenn, it's not about you.
It just so happens the song's about a dog named Karen, too.

Now I loved Karen (the dog), and that's a fact.
And I thought that Karen (the dog), she loved me back.
But you can't ascribe human feelings to the dumber kind.
'Cause that dog left me every night but came back every time.

This song's not about you, Karenn, it's not about you.
We were once boyfriend-girlfriend, but those days are through.
This song's not about you, Karenn, it's not about you.
It just so happens the song's about a dog named Karen, too.

Now when I've played this song for all our friends and family
They seem to get it wrong.
Well you know, you can't change the way people think
All you can do is ask them to sing along

Now I know you're angry 'cause people think that Karen the dog is you.
But I try to set them straight, really I do.
I tell everyone Karen the dog isn't like my ex-girlfirend.
The dog is not pretentious, she spells Karenn with a single "n".

This song's not about you, Karenn, it's not about you.
We were once boyfriend-girlfriend, but those days are through.
This song's not about you, Karenn, it's not about you.
It just so happens the song's about a dog named Karen, too.

Woof, woof, woof goes Karen,
Woof, woof, woof every night
Woof, woof, woof goes Karen,
Her bark is just as bad as her bite
Woof, woof, woof goes Karen,
I wish her yap she'd shut
Woof, woof, woof goes Karen,
That's one crazy mutt.