[2] "Shannon" was written about the death of a pet dog that belonged to Beach Boys member Carl Wilson.

While touring with the Beach Boys in 1975, Gross visited Wilson's home in Los Angeles and in conversation said he had an Irish Setter named Shannon.

Wilson replied that he, too, had an Irish Setter named Shannon, that had recently been killed when hit by a car.

[6] "Shannon" is remembered for being the subject of a profanity-laced tirade by American Top 40 host Casey Kasem, while recording the September 14, 1985 show.

A listener from Cincinnati, Ohio had requested "Shannon" as a "Long-Distance Dedication" (a regular feature of the show) to his own recently deceased dog, named Snuggles.