“Shannon” by Henry Gross

In 1975, singer/songwriter Henry Gross was touring with the Beach Boys when he was invited to the home of Beach Boys member Carl Wilson. While visiting, Gross mentioned that he had an Irish setter named Shannon and learned that Wilson had also owned an Irish setter with the same name who had been tragically killed by a car. Gross was so struck by the coincidence that he wrote a song about the dog. Titled “Shannon,” it was released in 1976, and became an instant hit, reaching No. 6 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and No. 5 on the Cash Box Top 100 that year. 

Sung in the countertenor/falsetto that characterized much of the Beach Boys’ songs and was wildly popular during the late 60s and 70s, “Shannon” begins with the narrator wondering how he can tell his mother that their beloved dog has been killed — a feeling familiar to anyone who has ever had to break tragic news to someone they love. 

Another day is at end
Mama says she’s tired again
No one can even begin to tell her
I hardly know what to say
But maybe it’s better that way
If Papa were here I’m sure he’d tell her

It then quickly transitions to the refrain, in which the narrator envisions Shannon doing what she loved best.

Shannon is gone I heard,
She’s drifting out to sea
She always loved to swim away
Maybe she’ll find an island
With a shaded tree
Just like the one in our backyard.

Again, an experience familiar to anyone who has ever experienced the death of someone they love — human or pet. There is comfort in believing, or at least imagining, that they are somewhere that is familiar and safe, yet free of the suffering they may have endured. 

A One-Hit-Wonder

Sadly for Gross, “Shannon” was his first and only song to hit the top of the charts, though he achieved a modicum of success with several subsequent albums. He was also a popular session guitarist who played on recordings by Jim Croce (I Got A Name) and Judy Collins (Home Again) among others. His songs have also been recorded by well-known artists such as Mary Travers,  Cyndi Lauper, Jonathan Edwards, Southside Johnny and more. He currently lives in Fort Myers, Florida, where he continues to record original music with multi-instrumentalist and recording engineer John McClane on his own label, Zelda Records.

Henry Gross in 1976

Despite Gross’ disappearance from the pop-music scene after its success,“Shannon” is still an iconic song. Not only a lament for a much-loved dog, it is a lasting tribute to the love that lives within us long after our loved ones are gone. 

Listen to “Shannon” while watching a heart wrenching slideshow of a beautiful Irish setter in the video below.