"One Man Dog" is the fourth studio album by singer-songwriter James Taylor, released on November 1, 1972. The album features the hit single "Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight," which peaked at number 14 on the Billboard charts in January 1973. Another single, "One Man Parade," also charted but less successfully, reaching number 67 in the U.S. and number 55 in Canada.
The album consists of 18 short pieces interconnected, reflecting a cohesive theme that Taylor described as an affirmation of his life at the time, marked by his recent marriage to Carly Simon and a commitment to sobriety. It climbed to number 4 on the U.S. Billboard Pop Albums chart and included a Quadraphonic mix with alternate takes and extended versions of some tracks.
Critical reception was mixed. Berwyn Life critic Steve Sparacio praised it as Taylor's best album, highlighting its unified quality despite individual songs not standing out initially. In contrast, Allmusic critic William Ruhlmann viewed it as a letdown, noting that much of it felt unfinished compared to Taylor's earlier work. Other critics appreciated the album's departure from previous styles, with Calgary Herald's Jim Rennie particularly praising Taylor's collaboration with Linda Ronstadt on the traditional folk song "One Morning in May."
