About the song
There’s a quiet kind of magic in “The Puppy Song” — especially when performed by the late David Cassidy. Originally written by Harry Nilsson, the song was gifted to Cassidy early in his career, and it became a gentle but meaningful entry in his musical catalog. While Cassidy is often associated with the high-energy pop of The Partridge Family, this song reveals a softer, more introspective side of the performer — one that often gets overlooked.
At first glance, “The Puppy Song” may sound simple, almost childlike in its lyrics about wanting a puppy, a friend, or someone to love. But listen closely, and you’ll find it’s not just about a pet — it’s a metaphor for longing, innocence, and the universal desire to be loved without condition. That’s what makes it resonate, even decades later. The purity of the sentiment, unburdened by cynicism, is both refreshing and surprisingly moving.
David Cassidy’s rendition brings a youthful vulnerability that complements the song’s message perfectly. His voice, still tender and unpolished in the best way, carries a sweetness that gives the song emotional weight. It’s not flashy or overproduced — and that’s its strength. The minimal arrangement allows the lyrics to breathe, letting the listener connect with the quiet hope that lies at the heart of the song.
For older fans who followed Cassidy’s rise and later career, “The Puppy Song” may feel like a time capsule — a moment when pop music was allowed to be soft, sincere, and even a little bit whimsical. In a world that often rewards bravado over vulnerability, songs like this remind us of a gentler emotional landscape.
So if you’re looking to revisit something tender, something that whispers rather than shouts, give David Cassidy’s version of “The Puppy Song” another listen. It may just bring back memories you didn’t know you’d kept — and feelings that still matter.
Video
Lyrics
Dreams are nothing more than wishes
And a wish is just a dream you wish to come trueIf only I could have a puppy, I’d call myself so very lucky
Just to have some company to share a cup of tea with me
I’d take my puppy everywhere, la la la la da, I wouldn’t care
But we would stay away from crowds with signs that said : ‘No dogs allowed’Oh wee, I know he’d never bite me, oh no
Wee, I know he’d never bite meIf only I could have a friend who’d stick with me until the end
To walk along beside the sea and share a bit of moon with me
I’d take my friend most everywhere, la la la la la, I wouldn’t care
But we would stay away from crowds with signs that said : ‘No friends allowed’And oh wee (we’d be so happy together
Odel-Yodelee-Yodelee-Oooo)
(Wee, we’d be so happy to be together
Yodelee-Yodelee-Yodelee-Oooo)But dreams are nothing more than wishes
And a wish is just a dream you wish to come true
(…)Dreams are nothing more than wishes
And a wish is just a dream you wish to come trueDreams are nothing more than wishes
And a wish is just a dream you wish to come true
(…)