Henry Gross’ “Shannon” Lyrics Meaning
This hit song is actually about the death of a dog whose name is “Shannon”. The narrator (Henry Gross), as well as someone whom he refers to as “Mama”, are in an emotional state due to this loss. Indeed Mama even starts to cry at one point of the song. Shannon was a cherished part of their family. In fact if a listener is not aware beforehand that this song is about a pet, they can easily conclude that the singer is referring to a human being, since there is nowhere in the lyrics where he specifies that he is singing about an animal. Also Henry is arguably so stricken with grief that he cannot even refer to Shannon’s death directly, instead using metaphors such as her “drifting out to sea”.
Indeed like most beloved pets, Henry more or less refers to “Shannon” as a person herself, as in giving her human characteristics. For instance, he puts forward the notion that this dog, in the afterlife, is aware that he and “Mama” miss her.
So all things considered, this a very-sentimental song. For even in knowing that Mr. Gross is not singing about a dog, most listeners still cannot help but to feel sad, as in sympathize with the pain he is going through.
Shannon was a real dog
Henry Gross indeed had a pet dog named Shannon, who was gifted to him by his fiancée, Kathy Reinmann (whom might be the “Mama” mentioned in the lyrics). However, the “Shannon” this song is based on was actually the pet of one of his friends, the Beach Boys’ Carl Wilson (1946-1998).
Both of their Shannons were of the same breed (Irish Setter). However, when Gross and Wilson became aware of these commonalities, while Henry was visiting Carl’s home in 1975, Wilson also revealed to him that his Shannon was killed by a car. Thus the “Shannon” referred to in this song is actually that of Carl Wilson’s.
Release Date of “Shannon”
This classic was officially released by Lifesong Records during February of 1976. It was featured on Henry Gross’s album Release, which was his first under Lifesong.
A commercially successful song
This track proved to be very-successful and in fact is the signature song of Henry Gross’s career. It climbed to number 6 in America (on the Billboard Hot 100). In the United Kingdom (the UK Singles Chart), it reached number 32. It also charted in Australia and actually reached number one in Canada and New Zealand.
The Casey Kasem incident
This song also contributed, unintentionally, to cherished American Top 40 host Casey Kasem (1932-2014) going on an infamous, foul-mouthed rant. This occurred in 1985 when a listener called in, requesting that “Shannon” be played in dedication to his own deceased dog named Snuggles. And the producers of the show decided to do so after an (in Casey’s own words) “up-tempo” song, which he deemed to be inappropriate. This eventually led to Mr. Kasem spazzing on what has since been dubbed as the “Snuggles Tape”.
Who wrote “Shannon”?
Henry Gross wrote it. And it was produced by the duo of Terry Cashman and Tommy West.
When I first heard this song was about the death of a dog, and heard the part “she’s drifting out to sea”, I thought that the dog was on a boat and fell overboard (I know, morbid, I’m sorry.). Still sad that it’s about the passing of a cherished pet. 🙁
No, not at all. I thought the same thing. There’s a 2nd line later on that sort of fits that thought line…..”Maybe she’ll find and Island………”
I always thought this song was about a dog, but never suspected it was about a real dog. Having lost several dogs over my 63 years, I can relate to the pain expressed in the tune. I remember when Shannon came out – I was d.j. at a college radio station – and the first time I played it I had to play another song immediately afterward I was crying so hard. I still get weepy – I can hear it just THINKING about it.
Absolutely! Love the song, but I get weepy thinking about it and dread the day my dog passes.
When I heard it back in the 70s, I thought maybe Shannon was a sister. It was sad then. But now that I know it was about a beloved dog, I get choked up just thinking about it. Like you, Paul, I really dread that day when our Skye passes on. This song is precious to me.
When I first heard this song. It brought to tears..Even today it still brings me to tears. I think about all my beloved fur babies that I have lost over the years. They take a piece of your with them. My heart is for sure full scares. If I make Heaven. I know that I’ll see them again.
I so pray this is so ….
I always felt it was about a dog, and I thought she had gotten caught up in the waves and drowned. It is a beautiful song. I know how it is to lose a cherished pet. They are family.
I thought the same thing Diane did.
Love this song so much. I also had a dog that I considered a family member .
All my dogs I have owned are/ were my kids just like 3 children. This to me is one of the most beautiful sings ever. It’s even more endearing knowing the entire story why Henry gross wrote it!!!
This song was a good one for the mid-70’s
I gave my girlfriend a puppy she named it Shannon after this song . Now she is my wife of 41 years.
Sweet ❤️
I hear a lot of Beach Boys! On this song and another song i heard from him.
I just found out the meaning of the song this afternoon and can’t stop tearing up. I’m not sure I could ever listen to it again (unless alone) even though it’s a beautiful song.
Definitely understand the tears. The song captures so much, so simply.
Actually the dog that died was a Malinois and the Wilson brother had her at the oceans beach where he threw frisbees for her. She loved to swim and bring them back. She was caught in a riptide and was never to return. Henry’s Shannon was an Irish Setter. Very sad song. And that is why the lyrics about drifting out to sea
Actually no, Henry Gross even states she was Carl Wilson’s Irish setter and she was hit by a car.
Where does he state this?
Many, many places. Google it. There are Henry Gross interviews where he describes it. His website describes it. There are two Irish Setters in the true Shannon story. His, and Carl’s. Story goes: Henry had lunch at Carl’s, whose huskies (or malamutes) ate their lunch off the counter. Carl apologized and in their talk of dogs, they learned they both coincidently had had Irish Setters named Shannon. Carl’s had been hit by a car. Henry wrote the song a short time after.
Yes, Deb…you’re correct. As is true, unless it comes straight from the horses mouth, that we could all have ‘some’ facts wrong in-and-around this song. HOWEVER, Char, I believe you have decided that your story fits the narrative a wee bit better and have decided to sell it as truth. Truth, as per Henry Gross (the songs creator) was that she was an Irish Setter named Shannon, she was hit by a car and died. Henry also had an Irish Setter named Shannon…hence the inspiration to memorialize the dog…
PERIOD.
FUN FACTS!
1) My name is also Shannon. I was teased relentlessly when the song came out, and for SEVERAL subsequent years after it became common knowledge that it was about a dog.
2) When I was a child I met my very first beautiful Irish Setter at my friends neighbours house. Her name!? SHANNON! I remember feeling flattered that I had the same name as this gorgeous animal
3) I now own an Irish/Doodle (can’t tackle the dog fur everywhere, so we had to do-the-doodle thing…however, his name is Shultzy! Lol We can’t have more than one Shannon in the house. Lol
My sister’s name was Shannon, she died. I don’t know why I find comfort in this song, but I still cry every time I hear it.
❤
Until now I associated the song to losing someone to dementia, very sad about the dog, but it’s still sentimental to me about losing a loved one to dementia where they drift away and the pain of watching it happen
What makes our hearts swell when we FEEL this song is one of countless Devine sparks which we hopefully invite in and Embrace and to grow. Love for a sentient creature is a wonderous gift… and glimpse. “Someday we’ll know just as we are known”.
Shannon is the name of a pet, an Irish Setter, but the dog was not Henry Gross’ dog, she belonged to Carl Wilson of the Beach Boys, and she had been tragically killed by being hit by a car.
I love dogs, and knew an Irish setter named Shannon, so the song really touched my heart. That’s why I had my middle name legally changed to Shannon.
As a 89 year old guy from the big band era, I have to say this is one of the most beautiful songs I have ever heard! We have had seven dogs in our 66 years of marriage. Lost a Golden and that is the last dog we will ever own. Now I hang out at the Humane Society to help out and dog sit for neighbors. Mr. Gross could write a song about BUDDY, my late Golden.
I also had an Irish Setter named Shannon back in the day. This song has always been too real for me.But I will still always love it. I’ve had 3 setters in my life. They just take my breath away.
This song reminds me of three of my dogs over my life time. They were all important to us and we still miss them. Snowy, a small husky, all white was sick, I had surgery on my ankle and had to go out of town…..Snowy was in our garage, he had food, water and a warm place to sleep. We came home and he had passed, I wish so very much I was there for him. I still cry over him…………………………God please forgive me.
God knows you loved Snowy unconditionally….he will forgive you. God bless.
I also believe that you are forgiven. I felt exactly as you do, when I had to make the awful decision to put my companion Milkshake down just last week due to old age and infirmity. How can I have that power over life? I don’t know. Only God should have that power, and maybe He made the decision and I was His instrument. Who knows?
I also believed that I would never forgive myself, but we do the best we can. Our little dog was a rescue, at 6 years old, and we had her a further 10 years. She was with me every day and night, we never even went out to dinner or a movie the whole decade. I think you also gave Snowy the best life possible, and fate intervened. Unfortunately, that is life and it can be unfair, but you did the best you could, at the time when you had to. If there is a God, and I believe there is, I also believe that our dogs are in Heaven waiting for us, and waiting to forgive us. God Bless You, Joe.
I’d comment but I can’t stop crying thinking this was a pet. Only an owner would understand.
Beautiful song I just love it takes me back to when I lost my little dachshund beautiful song I Love It God bless you chocolate my little dachshund Daddy loves you
I thought the song was about: a girl drowned swimming and her bod was never found, and it was her brother that was telling his mother what he thought happened, lol, sorry about the dog tho, a Beautiful song just the same: Allen
My mother used to console me by telling me there were animals in heaven. Maybe so, read Isaiah 11:6-9. My childhood dog Koko l got when I wss 10 y/o lived to be 18. Have had 5 dogs like family members since then. Have an English pointer Sophie now. All have been rescues except Koko
One of the very best solo songs of the 70s, it certainly marks that era, and of male vocalists.
Anyone who has a dog companion in their life, and especially after losing their pet for any reason, cannot help but tear up at the haunting lyrics and beautiful vocals. One of my favorite songs!
I will never meet Henry Gross, but if I did, I would give him a big hug. What a contribution he made to music and humanity, the cherished legacy for any artist.
I was cycling across the United States in 1976 and seemed to hear the song at every turn…in light of having been informed by parents that our aged family pet dog was to be put down while I was away. I listened to that song all summer and mourned.
When I arrived home after completing my tour, someone opened our front door and that fog, a dachshund / terrier mix launched herself from our front porch and hit me dead in the chest.
There I was, just shy of nineteen years ago old, holding that dog and sobbing. I still tear up.
When I first learned many years later this song was about a dog. I laughed
To me it sounds like a person (or dogs) ashes were sprinkled into the ocean “drifting out to sea”. To find an island and a tree. The thought is very comforting. I am a Christian so I KNOW IN MY HEART AND SOUL where I will go for eternity. But it is still a nice thought. I know that some people will find this inappropriate think about it you will spend eternity somewhere…heaven or hell…..IT IS YOUR CHOICE…
I think I thought it was the brother telling the saga of his sister, Shannon as one commenter above describes. I had a little Jack Russell I named, Cheddar. Each year on the anniversary of his passing, I write a poem to him and post it with a different photo of him over the years. It has helped; however, I will never have another dog. Losing him was like losing my Mom.
I have to say that as a dog owner and lover of my dogs, this song is not about dogs. This song has made me cry as a dog owner and dog lover. But even the author may not know that this song is actually about a dog. It is about the loss of the family unit to aging and death. It’s a huge and looming part of everyone’s life and makes it even more powerful.
I loved this song from the very beginning when it first came out. Ironically, I was “coming Out” too as a young gay man and had a close friend, also gay, who had just been killed by a gang of anti-gay murderers. His name was Shawn and this song, with a name close to his, gave me so much feeling and sadness that I had to own the 45 rpm record and played it until it couldn’t be played anymore! You might say that I am in love with this song because I get so emotional and fall apart, crying every time I hear it. Even now, almost 50 years later!
What do you mean by, “For even in knowing that Mr. Gross is not singing about a dog …”?
My dog Shannon a tri -color collie died of kidney failure. She was one year old. Then out of the blue this song came out on the radio. I sobbed and sobbed.
The one bad thing about dogs? They don’t live long enough. I had a yellow lab. Didn’t know what to name her as a pup until the song Maggie May came on. That was her name. She died seven years ago of kidney failure. To this day I can’t listen to that song again.
I love that song. I am 75 years old. Every dog in my life was like a family member.so loyal . I believe all dogs go to heaven. So I hope that I get there because I will just be so happy to be loved in heaven. Just the same way they loved me on earth. Yes I cry every time I hear that song
From the author’s mouth in 2023, to correct the record: “Carl’s dog, Shannon, was a Samoyed. I had the Shannon Irish setter! Carl was an amazing guy, as you likely know! The Beach Boys, who were and remain friends of mine, were not on the record “Shannon” The backgrounds were Tommy West, Marty Nelson, Mike Corbett and myself!”
I cry every time I hear “Shannon”. I have had many dogs in my lifetime and I treated them like members of the family. My dogs even slept with me. The pain of losing them is unbearable and I always tell myself I`m not going to get another one but I always do. They teach us how to love and I know that death cannot even break that bond of love. When I die, all of my beloved dogs will greet me.