Among my longtime trivia obsessions was and is spotting references in
pop, rock, r&b and country records to famous singers, musicians and song titles.
One of the best examples is the 1967 smash hit SWEET SOUL MUSIC
(Conley/Cooke/Redding) by soul singer Arthur Conley on Atco.
Listen to it on this link and you’ll hear Arthur namecheck Lou Rawls,
LOVE IS A HURTIN’ THING, Sam & Dave, HOLD ON I’M COMIN’.
Wilson Pickett, MUSTANG SALLY, Otis Redding, FA-FA-FA-FA-FA
and James Brown. https://youtu.be/mLhEinunQfo
(One other trivia note: the brass-laden intro to SWEET SOUL MUSIC
was ‘borrowed’ from Elmer Bernstein’s MAGNIFICENT SEVEN Theme).
Another instance of famous names quoted in a memorable song is in
Stevie Wonder’s SIR DUKE which he wrote and recorded on Tamla in 1976.
The song itself is a celebratory tribute to Duke Ellington but in its lyric,
Stevie also refers to Count Basie, Glenn Miller, Satchmo and Ella Fitzgerald.
Here’s a YouTube link to the record:
Not that name-dropping in songs hasn’t gone on for years.
Back in 1936, the much-recorded favorite THESE FOOLISH THINGS
(Remind Me Of You) (Link/Marvell/Strachey) by Teddy Wilson & His Orchestra
w/Billie Holiday (Brunswick: 1936) referred to (Bing) Crosby and in that same year
on the same label, Fred Astaire sang about the ST. LOUIS BLUES in
NEVER GONNA DANCE (Jerome Kern/Dorothy Fields). In addition,
the 1942 big band favorite JUKE BOX SATURDAY NIGHT (Stillman/McGrane)
by Glenn Miller & His Orchestra w/Marion Hutton, Tex Beneke & The Modernaires referred to (Benny) Goodman, (Kay) Kyser, (Glenn) Miller, Harry James and also The Ink Spots.
From time to time, references in lyrics changed during the life of a song.
For instance, when Bing Crosby & Rosemary Clooney recorded Burton Lane
& Ralph Freed's breezy ballad HOW ABOUT YOU as a duet on their
1958 RCA LP "Fancy Meeting You Here", Rosie sang
"And Frank Sinatra's looks give me a thrill". Three years earlier,
when the said Mr. Sinatra sang it on his Capitol "Songs For Swingin' Lovers!"
album, he sang that line as "And James Durante's looks give me a thrill".
To put that name-dropping reference in its proper perspective, HOW ABOUT YOU was originally introduced by Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney in the
1941 MGM film "Babes On Broadway" when the lyric line in question ran
"And Franklin Roosevelt's looks give me a thrill"!
Truth be known, there are a zillion examples of musical references in
pop, rock, r&b and country songs and among more recent examples include
DEVIL IN A NEW DRESS by Kanye West Featuring Rick Ross (Roc-A-Fella: 2010)
which refers to Teddy Pendergrass, THE GREATEST (Grant/Antonoff) by Lana Del Rey (Polydor/Interscope: 2019) referring to The Beach Boys, Dennis Wilson and Kanye West, HENDRIX (Jean) by Wyclef Jean (eOne: 2017), IS DAVID BOWIE DYING? (Coyne/Drozd) by The Flaming Lips (Warner Bros: 2012) JOHN AND ELVIS ARE DEAD (Michael/Austin) by George Michael (Epic: 2004) referring to John (Lennon), Elvis (Presley) and also mentioning Marvin (Gaye), JOHN COUGAR, JOHN DEERE, JOHN 3:16 (Copperman/Osborne/McAnally) by Keith Urban(Hit Red: 2015), MARVIN GAYE (Puth/Frost) by Charlie Puth & Meghan Trainor (Atlantic 2015), MOVES LIKE JAGGER (Levine/Levin/Malik/Schustter) by
Maroon 5 Feat. Christine Aguilera (A&M: 2011), SONG TO WOODY (Dylan)
by Bob Dylan (Legacy: 2005) referring to Woody Guthrie, Cisco (Houston),
Sonny (Terry) and Leadbelly, TIM McGRAW (Swift/Rose) by Taylor Swift
(Big Machine: 2006) plus TIK TOK (Sebert/Levin/Gottwald) by Kesha
(Kemosabe: 2009) in which she mentions P. Diddy.
However, I’m concentrating here on songs from the 50’s thru the 90’s.
First of all, here’s a random list of songs in which performers are mentioned
in the actual titles…
ARETHA, SING ONE FOR ME
(Williams/Harris)
by George Jackson
(Hi: 1972)
BALLAD OF JOHN AND YOKO
(Lennon/McCartney)
by The Beatles
(Apple: 1969)
BLOSSOM
(Powell/Ryan)
by Georgie Fame
(UK CBS: 1969)
Tribute to Blossom Dearie.
BO DIDDLEY
(McDaniels)
by Bo Diddley
(Checker: 1955)
As Bo Diddley, Ellas McDaniels crafted
a whole string of Bo Diddley songs. This was the best.
BOB WILLS IS STILL THE KING
(Jennings)
by Waylon Jennings
(RCA: 1975)
BUDDY HOLLY
(Cuomo)
by Weezer
(DGC: 1994)
A CAT CALLED DOMINO
(Orbison/Petty)
by Roy Orbison
(Sun: 1957)
COLE, COOKE AND REDDING
(Holler)
by Wilson Pickett
(Atlantic: 1970)
THE DEATH OF HANK WILLIAMS
(Cardwell)
by Jack Cardwell
(King: 1953)
DEBBIE GIBSON IS PREGNANT WITH MY TWO-HEADED LOVE CHILD
(Nixon)
by Mojo Nixon & Skid Roper
(Enigma: 1989)
ELVIS AND MARILYN
(Russell/Fowley/Diamond)
by Leon Russell
(Paradise: 1978)
ELVIS PRESLEY AND AMERICA
(U2) by U2
(Island: 1984)
EMPTY GARDEN (HEY HEY JOHNNY)
by Elton John
(Geffen: 1982)
Tribute to John Lennon.
EVERYBODY WANTS TO BE HANK WILLIAMS
(Boone/Nelson)
by Larry Boone
(Mercury: 1990)
GENO
(Rowland/Archer)
by Dexy’s Midnight Runners
(UK EMI: 1980)
Tribute to Geno Washington.
I FEEL LIKE BUDDY HOLLY
(Batt)
by Alvin Stardust
(UK Chrysalis: 1984)
I NEED YOUR HELP BARRY MANILOW
(Gonyea)
by Ray Stevens
(Warner Bros: 1979)
I WANT EDDIE FISHER FOR CHRISTMAS
(Javits/Springer)
by Spike Jones & Linda Strangis
(RCA Victor: 1954)
I WISH I COULD SING LIKE JOLSON
(Portway)
by Max Bygraves
(UK HMV: 1954)
HATS OFF TO (ROY) HARPER
(Trad. Arr: Obscure)
by Led Zeppelin
(Atlantic: 1970)
JACKIE WILSON SAID (I’m In Heaven When You Smile)
(Morrison) by Van Morrison
(Warner Bros: 1972)
Also refers to the song REET PETITE.
JAMES BROWN
(Kirk/Mallinder)
by Cabaret Voltaire
(UK Virgin: 1984)
JANIE JONES
(Strummer/Jones)
by The Clash
(Epic: 1979)
JANIS
(McDonald)
by Country Joe And The Fish
(Vanguard: 1967)
Tribute to Janis Joplin
JOHNNY ACE’S LAST LETTER
(Fuller/Geddins/Rosenbaum)
by Johnny Fuller
(Aladdin: 1955)
JOHNNY HAS GONE
(Cadena/Mendelsohn)
by Varetta Dillard
(Savoy: 1955)
Tribute to Johnny Ace.
JUST LIKE VINCE TAYLOR
(Kooymans/Hay)
by Golden Earring
(Track/MCA: 1974)
THE LATE GREAT JOHNNY ACE
(Simon) by Paul Simon
(Warner Bros: 1983)
ME AND JIMMIE RODGERS
(Silverstein)
by Tom T. Hall
(RCA: 1980)
ODE TO JOHN LEE
(Rivers)
by Johnny Rivers
(Imperial: 1968)
Tribute to John Lee Hooker.
ODE TO THE SUPREMES
(Unknown writer)
by Bobby Taylor & The Vancouvers
(Gordy: recorded in ’67 & ’68 but unreleased until 2018)
PURE SMOKEY
(Harrison)
by George Harrison
(Dark Horse: 1976)
Tribute to Smokey Robinson.
SONG FOR BOB DYLAN
(Bowie) by David Bowie
(RCA: 1971)
SWEET GENE VINCENT
(Dury/Jankel)
by Ian Dury & The Blockheads
(Stiff: 1977)
SWEET GEORGIE FAME
(Dearie/Harris)
by Blossom Dearie
(UK Fontana: 1970)
TRIBUTE TO BUDDY HOLLY
(Goddard)
by Mike Berry with The Outlaws
(UK HMV: 1961)
A TRIBUTE TO THE FOUR SEASONS
(Gaudio/Petrillo/Cifelli/Crewe/Linzer)
by Society’s Children
(Atco: 1968)
WHEN SMOKEY SINGS
(Fry/White)
by ABC
(Mercury: 1987)
Tribute to Smokey Robinson.
WILLIE , WAYLON AND ME
(Coe)
by David Allan Coe
(Columbia: 1976)
Also refers to The Byrds, Roger McGuinn, The Eagles
WOOD BEEZ (PRAY LIKE ARETHA FRANKLIN)
(Green/Gamson)
by Scritti Politti
(Warner Bros: 1985)
YOU’RE RIGHT, RAY CHARLES
(Joe Tex) by Joe Tex
(Dial: 1970)
Secondly, here’s an alphabetical list of songs in which the lyrical contents
contain references to performers, musicians and tune titles…
ACCIDENTAL SUICIDE
(Mayall) by John Mayall
(Polydor: 1971)
refers to Jimi Hendrix
ALL THE YOUNG DUDES
(Bowie)
by Mott The Hoople
(Columbia: 1972)
refers to T-Rex, The Beatles, The (Rolling) Stones
ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE
(Lennon/McCartney)
by The Beatles
(Capitol: 1967)
refers to YESTERDAY and SHE LOVES YOU
ALMOST SUMMER
(Wilson/Love/Jardine)
by Celebration Feat. Mike Love
(MCA: 1978)
refers to LITTLE DEUCE COUPE
ANGEL OF HARLEM
(Clayton/Evans/Mullen/Hewson)
by U2
(Island: 1988)
refers to John Coltrane, Lady Day (Billie Holiday)
ARE THE GOOD TIMES REALLY OVER (I Wish A Buck Was Still Silver)
(Haggard) by Merle Haggard
(Epic: 1981)
refers to Elvis (Presley), The Beatles
ARE YOU SURE HANK DONE IT THIS WAY
(Jennings)
by Waylon Jennings (RCA: 1975)
refers to Hank Williams
BACK IN MY ARMS AGAIN
(Holland/Dozier.Holland)
by The Supremes
(Motown: 1965)
refers to Mary (Wilson) and Flo (Ballard)
BALL OF CONFUSION (That’s What The World Is Today)
(Whitfield/Strong)
by The Temptations
(Gordy: 1970)
refers to The Beatles
BAREFOOTIN’
(Parker) by Robert Parker (Nola: 1966)
refers to LONG TALL SALLY
BELIEVE IT OR NOT
(Randolf/Murray)
by Don Covay (Sue: 1958)
refers to various songs incl. CHANTILLY LACE, PEGGY SUE, TUTTI FRUTTI, GOOD GOLLY MISS MOLLY, YAKETY YAK, PURPLE PEOPLE EATER, LONG TALL SALLY, WITCH DOCTOR, ROCKIN’ ROBIN, BETTY LOU GOT A NEW PAIR OF SHOES, DIZZY MISS LIZZY, SPLISH SPLASH.
BICYCLE SONG
(Kledis/Frusciante/Smith/Balzary)
by Red Hot Chili Peppers
(Warner Bros: 2006)
refers to James Brown
BING CROSBY
(Durrie Parks)
by Van Dyke Parks
(Warner Bros: 1972)
refers to Lawrence Tibbett, Nelson Eddy, Donald Novis,
Morton Downey, Kenny Baker, Rudy Vallee, Bing Crosby
BREAKDANCE
(Moroder/Cara/Hull)
by Irene Cara
(Epic: 1983)
refers to THE LOCO-MOTION, THE JERK, THE TWIST
CARY GRANT’S WEDDING
(Scanlon/Carroll/Riley/Smith/Hanley)
by The Fall
(UK Rough Trade: 1980)
refers to Joe Strummer, Jake Burns
THE CHANUKAH SONG
(Sandler/Maxstone-Graham/Morton)
by Adam Sandler
(Warner Bros: 1995)
refers to David Lee Roth, Dinah Shore, Bowzer from Sha Na Na,
DECK THE HALLS, JINGLE BELL ROCK
CHRISTMAS CARD FROM A HOOKER IN MINNEAPOLIS
(Waits)
by Tom Waits (Asylum: 1978):
refers to Little Anthony & The Imperials
CLAP FOR THE WOLFMAN
(Cummings/Wallace/Winter)
by The Guess Who (RCA: 1974)
refers to Wolfman (Jack), DA DOO RON RON, DUKE OF EARL
CLEANING WINDOWS
(Morrison)
by Van Morrison
(Warner Bros: 1982)
refers to Jimmie Rodgers, Leadbelly, Blind Lemon (Jefferson),
Sonny Terry, Brownie McGee, Muddy Waters, I’M A ROLLING STONE
COLD FEET
(King/Jackson Jr.)
by Albert King (Stax: 1968)
refers to Sam & Dave, Rufus & Carla Thomas and Eddie Floyd
COME ON EILEEN
(Rowland/Adams/Patterson)
by Dexys Midnight Runners (Mercury: 1982)
refers to Johnnie Ray
COWBOY HOP
(Tucker) by Ernest Tucker
(Jubilee: 1959)
refers to Roy Rogers, Gene Autry
CROCODILE ROCK
(John/Taupin)
by Elton John (MCA: 1972)
refers to ROCK(ing) AROUND THE CLOCK
CREEQUE ALLEY
(Phillips/Gilliam)
by The Mamas & The Papas
(Dunhill: 1967)
refers to John (Phillips), Mitchy (Michelle), Zal (Yanovsky),
Denny (Doherty), (John) Sebastian, (Roger) McGuinn, (Barry) McGuire,
Mama Cass. The Mugwumps, (Lovin’) Spoonful, CALIFORNIA DREAMIN’
DANCIN' PARTY
(Mann/Appell)
by Chubby Checker
(Parkway: 1962)
refers to MASHED POTATO (TIME), THE WATUSI, TWIST AND SHOUT,
MESS AROUND, THE BRISTOL STOMP, Dee Dee (Sharp), The Orlons
DEDICATED (TO THE SONGS I LOVE)
(Smith/Goldsmith)
by The Three Friends
(Imperial: 1961)
refers to RAMA LAMA DING DONG, MOTHER-IN-LAW,
A HUNDRED POUNDS OF CLAY, WHAT I’D SAY, SPANISH HARLEM,
HALFWAY TO PARADISE, SOME KIND OF WONDERFUL and other titles
DECEMBER WILL BE MAGIC AGAIN
(Bush)
by Kate Bush
(EMI America: 1980)
refers to Bing Crosby, WHITE CHRISTMAS
DEDE DINAH
(DeAngelis/Marcucci)
by Frankie Avalon (Chancellor: 1958)
refers to BONY MARONIE, PEGGY SUE
DON'T CALL US, WE'LL CALL YOU
(Corbetta/Carter)
by Sugarloaf/Jerry Corbetta
refers to John, Paul & George
DRIVE-IN SATURDAY
(Seattle-Phoenix)
(Bowie) (RCA: 1973)
refers to (Mick) Jagger
EVERYONE WAS THERE
(Kayli/Gordy Jr.)
by Bob Kayli
(Carlton: 1958)
refers to over 15 songs incl. NO CHEMISE PLEASE, JENNIE LEE, PATRICIA, YAKETY YAK, WESTERN MOVIES, HARD HEADED WOMAN, Elvis (Presley), HOUND DOG, BONY MORONIE, OH LONESOME ME, PEGGY SUE, WITCH DOCTOR, PURPLE PEOPLE EATER, SPLISH SPLASH, ENDLESS SLEEP.
(Footnote: Bob Kayli aka Robert Gordy is a brother of Motown founder Berry Gordy Jr.)
EV'RYBODY'S CRYIN'
(Wolfson/Hall)
by Jimmie Beaumont
(May: 1961)
refers to Ernie K-Doe, MOTHER-IN-LAW, Ben E. King, STAND BY ME, Roy Orbison, ONLY THE LONELY, RUNNING SCARED, CRYING, Timi Yuro, HURT, The Jarmels, (A LITTLE BIT OF) SOAP, Dee Clark, RAINDROPS, Connie (Francis), MANY TEARS AGO, Sue (Thompson), SAD MOVIES, Elvis (Presley), (A MESS OF) BLUES, MOODY RIVER, Pat Boone, Bobby Vee, (TAKE GOOD CARE OF MY) BABY, Gene McDaniels, TOWER OF STRENGTH, A HUNDRED POUNDS OF CLAY, A TEAR, Dion, RUNAROUND SUE, The Marcels, HEARTACHES, (GIRL OF) MY BEST FRIEND
5-4-3-2-1
(Jones/Hugg/Mann)
by Manfred Mann
(Ascot: 1964)
refers to The Manfreds
FINITE=ALRIGHT
(Byrne)
by David Byrne
(Luaka Bop: 1997)
refers to Jimi Hendrix, HOUSE BURNING DOWN, Elvis
FM (No Static At All)
(Becker/Fagen)
by Steely Dan
(MCA: 1978)
refers to Elvis (Presley)
FRANK MILLS
(Rado/Ragni/MacDermot)
from the musical “Hair”
refers to George Harrison, The Beatles
GARDEN PARTY
(Nelson)
by Rick Nelson
(Decca: 1972)
refers to Yoko (Ono), (Bob) Dylan, HELLO MARY LOU, JOHNNY B. GOODE
GET UP (I FEEL LIKE BEING A) SEX MACHINE
(Brown/Byrd/Lenhoff)
by James Brown
(King: 1970)
refers to SHAKE YOUR MONEYMAKER
GIVE PEACE A CHANCE
(Lennon)
by John Lennon
(Apple: 1969)
refers to John and Yoko, Bob Dylan
HARLEM SHUFFLE
(Nelson/Relf)
by Bob & Earl
(Marc: 1963)
refers to HITCH HIKE and SHAKE A TAIL FEATHER
HAVING A PARTY
(Cooke)
by Sam Cooke
(RCA: 1962)
refers to SOUL TWIST, I KNOW (YOU DON’T LOVE ME NO MORE) and MASHED POTATOES.
HECKLE & JECKEL
(Barnes/Barnes)
by George Jones
(MCA: 1991)
refers to Willie (Nelson), Waylon (Jennings), Dolly (Parton)
HEEBIE JEEBIES
by Ernie K-Doe
(Minit: 1961)
refers to BONY MORONIE, DIZZY MISS LIZZY, LONG TALL SALLY and other titles
HEY NINETEEN
(Becker/Fagen)
by Steely Dan
(MCA: 1980)
refers to 'Retha Franklin
I AM THE WALRUS
(Lennon/McCartney)
by The Beatles (Capitol: 1967)
refers to LUCY IN THE SKY (WITH DIAMONDS), HARE KRISHNA
I DIG ROCK AND ROLL MUSIC
(Dixon/Mason/Stookey)
by Peter, Paul & Mary
(Warner Bros: 1967)
refers to The Mamas & The Papas, Michelle (Phillips), Cass (Elliot), Donovan, The Beatles.
I DON’T LIKE TO SLEEP ALONE
(Anka) by Paul Anka
(United Artists: 1975)
refers to HELP ME MAKE IT THROUGH THE NIGHT, LEAN ON ME
I DREAMED OF A HILL-BILLY HEAVEN
(Dean/Sothern)
by Tex Ritter
on Capitol in 1961 was a remake of a 1955 country hit by singing cowboy Eddie Dean. In his spoken portions, Tex names a host of country legends including Jimmie Rodgers, Hank Williams, Red Foley, Ernest Tubb, Gene Autry, Roy Acuff, Tennessee Ernie, Eddy Arnold, Johnny Horton, Jimmy Dean, Andy Griffith and Roy Rogers.
I FEEL LUCKY
(Carpenter)
by Mary Chapin Carpenter
(Columbia: 1992)
refers to Dwight Yoakam, Lyle Lovett
I LOVE BEING HERE WITH YOU
(Schluger/Lee)
by Peggy Lee
(Capitol: 1961)
refers to (Count) Basie, Ella (Fitzgerald)
I WANT MY BABY BACK
(Botkin/Garfield)
by Jimmy Cross
(Tollie: 1965)
refers to The Beatles and LEADER OF THE PACK
I’M ON MY WAY
(Craig Reid/Charlie Reid)
by The Proclaimers
(Chrysalis: 1989)
refers to Al Jolson
I'M STILL MOVIN' ON
(Silverstein/Snow)
by Hank Snow (RCA: 1977)
refers to Jimmie Rodgers and Hank Williams
THE INTRO AND THE OUTRO
(Stanshall)
by The Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band
(UK Liberty: 1967)
refers to ‘Legs’ Larry Smith, Sam Spoons, Vernon Dudley Bowhay Nowell, Neil Innes, Rodney Slater, Roger Ruskin Spear, Vivian Stanshall, Liberace, Eric Clapton, Roy Rogers, Count Basie, Val Doonican, Max Jaffa
IT DOESN’T OFTEN SNOW AT CHRISTMAS
(Lowe/Tennant)
by The Pet Shop Boys (UK Parlophone)
refers to Bing Crosby
JOHNNY’S CASH AND CHARLEY’S PRIDE
(Coben)
by Mac Wiseman
(RCA: 1969)
refers to Johnny Cash, Charley Pride, Buck Owens, Dolly Parton, Bonnie Guitar, Sue Thompson, Conway Twitty, Johnny Wright, Kitty Wells, Johnny Paycheck, Warner Mac, Merle Haggard, Homer & Jethro, Dottie West, Billy Edd Wheeler, Minnie Pearl, Stonewall Jackson, Tex Ritter, Jeannie C. Riley, Billy Grammer, Ben Colder, Sheb Wooley, Faron Young, Ferlin Huskey, Mervin Shiner, Jack Greene, Claude Gray, Jim Ed Brown, Carl Belew
THE JOKER
(Miller)
by the Steve Miller Band
(Capitol: 1963)
refers to song titles from Steve’s earlier recordings such as SPACE COWBOY, GANGSTER OF LOVE and ENTER MAURICE.
JUST LIKE EDDIE
(Goddard) by Heinz
(UK Decca: 1963)
refers to Eddie (Cochran), C’MON EVERYBODY
KNOCKIN' BOOTS
(Candyman/Clarke/Wright/Hamilton/Wylie/Hamilton)
by Candyman
(Epic: 1990)
refers to James Brown, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE
LAND OF 1000 DANCES
(Kenner)
by Cannibal & The Headhunters
(Rampart: 1965)
refers to BONY MORONIE, MASHED POTATO, THE WATUSI, LONG TALL SALLY, THE JERK
LET’S THINK ABOUT LIVING
(Bryant) by Bob Luman
(Warner Bros: 1960)
refers to Marty Robbins, Patti Page, Don & Phil Everly.
LEVI STUBBS’ TEARS
(Bragg) by Billy Bragg
(UK Go! Discs: 1986)
refers to Norman Whitfield, Barrett Strong, Holland/Dozier/Holland, The Four Tops. (Levi Stubbs was lead singer with The Four Tops)
THE KING IS GONE
(McDowell/Morgan)
by Ronnie McDowell (Scorpion: 1977)
refers to Elvis (Presley)
LIFE ON MARS?
(Bowie) by David Bowie
(RCA: 1972)
refers to (John) Lennon
LITTLE SISTER
(Pomus/Shuman)
by Elvis Presley
(RCA: 1961)
refers to JIM DANDY
LONDON CALLING
(Strummer/Jones/Simonon/Headon)
by The Clash
(Epic: 1980)
refers to Beatlemania
LONG MAY YOU RUN
(Young)
by The Stills-Young Band (Reprise: 1976)
refers to The Beach Boys, CAROLINE NO
LOOKIN' OUT MY BACK DOOR
by Creedence Clearwater Revival
(Fantasy: 1970)
refers to Buck Owens
LOVE COMES A-TUMBLIN' DOWN
(Nielsen)
by Cheap Trick
(Epic: 1980)
refers to JOHNNY B. GOODE
LOVE WILL KEEP US TOGETHER
(Sedaka/Greenfield)
by Captain & Tennille
(A&M: 1975)
As the track fades out, Toni Tennille sings the words “Sedaka’s back”
LUCKENBACH, TEXAS (Back To The Basics Of Love)
by Waylon Jennings
(RCA: 1977)
refers to Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Mickey Newbury, Hank Williams
MAKE A LITTLE
(Wystrach/Carson/Duddy/McAnally)
by Midland (Big Machine: 2017)
refers to DIXIELAND DELIGHT (the 1983 Alabama song)
.
MAKE ME LOSE CONTROL
(Carmen/Pitchford)
by Eric Carmen
(Arista: 1988)
refers to UPTOWN, STAND BY ME, BE MY BABY, BACK IN MY ARMS AGAIN
MAN ON THE MOON
(Stipe/Berry/Buck/Mills)
by R.E.M.
(Warner Bros: 1992)
refers to Mott The Hoople, Elvis (Presley)
MASHED POTATO TIME
(Mann/Bateman/Holland/Dobbins/Gorman)
by Dee Dee Sharp (Cameo: 1962)
refers to THE LION SLEEPS TONIGHT, PLEASE MR. POSTMAN, DEAR LADY TWIST
MIDNIGHT CREEPER
(John/Taupin)
by Elton John
(MCA: 1973)
refers to Tina Turner
MONTEREY
(Burdon/Jenkins/Briggs/Weider/McCulloch)
by Eric Burdon & The Animals
(MGM: 1968)
refers to The Byrds, (Jefferson) Airplane, Ravi Shankar, The Who,
Hugh Masekela, Grateful Dead, Jimi Hendrix, (Brian) Jones
MOTEL MATCHES
(Costello)
by Elvis Costello & The Attractions
(Columbia: 1980)
refers to WHO SHOT SAM (George Jones’ 1959 hit)
THE MOTOWN SONG
(McNally)
by Rod Stewart Feat. The Temptations
(Warner Bros: 1991)
refers to The Miracles, The Temptations
THE MUMMY
(McKuen)
by Bob McFadden & Dor
(Brunswick: 1959)
refers to KOOKIE, KOOKIE (LEND ME YOUR COMB)
MY BOY ELVIS
(Demetruis/Schroeder)
by Janis Martin (RCA: 1956)
refers to Elvis (Presley), HEARTBREAK HOTEL, BLUE SUEDE SHOES, MYSTERY TRAIN
NEVER BEEN TO SPAIN
(Hoyt Axton)
(Dunhill/ABC: 1972)
refers to The Beatles
NIGHTSHIFT
by The Commodores
(Motown: 1984)
refers to Marvin (Gaye), WHAT'S GOING ON, Jackie (Wilson), HIGHER AND HIGHER
NOW YOU HAS JAZZ
(Porter) by Bing Crosby & Louis Armstrong (Capitol: 1956)
refers to the musicians playing with Louis Armstrong namely clarinetist Edmund Hall, trombonist Trummy Young, pianist Billy Kyle, bass player Arvell Shaw and drummer Barrett Deems.
OH NO! NOT ANOTHER ONE
(Sahm) by Doug Sahm
(Evangeline: 2000)
refers to Lefty Frizzell
OLD FRIEND
(Jennings)
by Waylon Jennings (RCA: 1976)
refers to Buddy (Holly)
THE OLD SIDE OF TOWN
(Hall) by Tom T. Hall
(RCA: 1980)
refers to George Jones
ONCE UPON A TIME
(Lydon/Matlock/Jones/Cook)
by Eric Burdon
(SPV: 2004)
refers to Marvin Gaye, LET'S GET IT ON, Otis Redding, (Sittin' On) THE DOCK OF THE BAY, Sam Cooke, BRING IT ON HOME TO ME, Elvis Presley, BLUE SUEDE SHOES
ONE OF THE SURVIVORS
(Ray Davies)
by The Kinks
(RCA: 1973)
refers to Jerry Lee Lewis, Dion & The Belmonts, Johnny & The Hurricanes, HOUND DOG, OH BOY, GREAT BALLS OF FIRE, HIGH SCHOOL CONFIDENTIAL, LITTLE EGYPT, OOH POO PAH DOO, POISON IVY, BLUE SUEDE SHOES
OUR FAVORITE MELODIES
(Farrell/Rogers/Elgin)
by Gary Criss
(Diamond: 1962)
refers to HIT THE ROAD JACK, TAKE GOOD CARE OF MY BABY, GOODBYE CRUEL WORLD, HEY LITTLE GIRL, RUN TO HIM. (Gary’s was the original version here; it didn’t chart but ironically a word-for-word copy by Britain’s Craig Douglas reached #10 on the UK chart.)
PAPA’S GOT A BRAND NEW BAG
(Brown)
by James Brown & The Famous Flames
(King: 1965)
refers to THE JERK, THE FLY, THE MONKEY, MASHED POTATOES and other titles
PEOPLE EVERYDAY (Stone/Thomas) by Arrested Development (Chrysalis: 1992)
refers to Ice Cube
THE PHILLY FREEZE
(Jones/Hayes)
by Alvin Cash & The Registers
(Mar-V-Lus: 1966)
refers to TWINE (TIME)
PLAY THAT FUNKY MUSIC
(Parissi)
by Vanilla Ice
(SBK: 1990)
refers to SUPER-CALI-FRAGIL-ISTIC-EXPI-ALI-DOCIOUS
THE PRINCESS AND THE PUNK
(Mann/Weil)
by Barry Mann
(Arista: 1976)
refers to The Crystals
THE PURPLE PEOPLE EATER
(Wooley)
by Sheb Wooley
(MGM: 1958)
refers to SHORT SHORTS, Little Richard, TEQUILA
.
QUEEN OF THE HOP
(Harris)
by Bobby Darin
(Atco: 1958)
refers to OH JULIE, PEGGY SUE, GOOD GOLLY MISS MOLLY, HELLO MARY LOU, SWEET LITTLE SIXTEEN, SHORT SHORTS, SUGARTIME, LOLLIPOP, THE STROLL
RADAR LOVE
(Hay/Kooymans)
by Golden Earring
(Track/MCA: 1974)
refers to Brenda Lee
RAILROAD SONG
(King/Van Zant)
by Lynyrd Skynyrd
(MCA: 1975)
refers to Jimmie Rodgers and The Hag (Merle Haggard).
REAL REAL GONE
(Morrison)
by Van Morrison
(Mercury: 1990)
refers to Sam Cooke, Wilson Pickett, IN THE MIDNIGHT HOUR, Solomon Burke, IF YOU NEED ME, James Brown, TRY ME, Gene Chandler, RAINBOW
R.O.C.K. In The U.S.A. (A Salute To 60’s Rock)
(Mellencamp)
by John Cougar Mellencamp
(Riva: 1986)
refers to Frankie Lymon, Bobby Fuller, Mitch Ryder, Jackie Wilson, The Shangri-Las, Young Rascals, Martha Reeves, James Brown
ROCK AND ROLL HEAVEN
by The Righteous Brothers
(Haven: 1974)
refers to Jim (Morrison), Janis, Otis, LIGHT MY FIRE, BAD BAD LEROY BROWN, Jimmy (Croce), Bobby (Darin), MACK THE KNIFE
ROCK ON
(Essex)
by David Essex
(Columbia: 1973)
refers to SUMMERTIME BLUES, BLUE SUEDE SHOES
ROCKET
(Lange/Allen/Clark/Collen/Elliott)
by Def Leppard
(1989)
refers to (JUMPIN’) JACK FLASH, ROCKET MAN, SGT. PEPPER, ZIGGY, BENNY & THE JETS, JET BLACK, JOHNNY B., JEAN GENIE, KILLER QUEEN, DIZZY MISS LIZZY, MAJOR TOM
ROLL OVER BEETHOVEN
(Berry)
by Chuck Berry
(Chess: 1956)
refers to ROCKIN' PNEUMONIA and SHOT OF RHYTHM AND BLUES
RUNNIN' DOWN A DREAM
(Petty/Lynne/Campbell)
(MCA: 1989)
refers to Del (Shannon), RUNAWAY
SEARCHIN’
(Leiber/Stoller) by The Coasters (Atco: 1957)
refers to BLUEBERRY HILL
THE SEEKER
(Townshend)
by The Who (Decca: 1971)
refers to Bob Dylan, The Beatles
SHORT FAT FANNIE
(Williams)
by Larry Williams
(Specialty: 1957)
refers to HEARTBREAK HOTEL, TUTTI FRUTTI, (HELLO) MARY LOU, JIM DANDY, BLUEBERRY HILL, BLUE SUEDE SHOES, HOUND DOG.
SMOKE ON THE WATER
(Blackmore/Gillan/Paice/Glover)
by Deep Purple
(Warner Bros: 1973)
refers to Frank Zappa, The Mothers (Of Invention)
SOUL HEAVEN
(Vann)
by The Dixie Drifter (aka Enoch Gregory)
Roulette: 1965)
Spoken word references to Dinah Washington, Nat King Cole & Sam Cooke
.
THE SOUTH’S GONNA DO IT
(Daniels)
by The Charlie Daniels Band (Kama Sutra: 1974)
refers to The Tucker boys (The Marshall Tucker Band), Lynyrd Skynyrd, Richard Betts (aka Dickey Betts), Elvin Bishop, ZZ Top, Willie (Nelson), Barefoot Jerry, C.D.B. (Charlie Daniels Band).
SUMMER RAIN
(Hendricks)
by Johnny Rivers
(Imperial: 1967)
refers to SGT. PEPPER’S LONELY HEARTS CLUB BAND
SURRENDER
(Nielsen)
by Cheap Trick (Epic: 1978)
refers to KISS
SWEET HOME ALABAMA
(King/Rossington/Van Zant)
by Lynyrd Skynyrd (MCA: 1974)
refers to Neil Young, The Swampers
TAKE ME HOME TONIGHT
by Eddie Money (Columbia: 1986)
refers to Ronnie (Spector), BE MY BABY
TEENAGE HEAVEN
(Cymbal/Gale)
by Johnny Cymbal (Kapp: 1963)
refers to Richie Valens, DONNA, Buddy Holly, PEGGY SUE, Eddie Cochran, SUMMERTIME BLUES, The Big Bopper, Ricky Nelson, LONESOME TOWN, Bobby Vee, Brenda Lee, Fabian, Connie Francis, Neil Sedaka, The Fleetwoods, MR. BLUE, Elvis (Presley), LOVE ME TENDER, DON'T BE CRUEL, Duane Eddy, Bobby Darin, Chubby Checker, Dion, Dee Dee Sharp, The Everly Brothers, Bobby Rydell, Frankie Avalon, Little Eva, The Shirelles
TEMPTATION WAS TOO STRONG
(Covay)
by Don Covay & The Goodtimers (1966)
refers to Joe Tex, HOLD WHAT YOU’VE GOT, NINETY-NINE AND A HALF WON’T DO, Wilson Pickett, MY LOVER’S PRAYER, Otis Redding, Solomon Burke, TONIGHT’S THE NIGHT, STAND BY ME, Ben E. King, TEMPTATION WAS TOO STRONG
THERE’S A GUY WORKS DOWN THE CHIP SHOP SWEARS HE’S ELVIS
(MacColl) by Kirsty MacColl
(UK Polydor: 1981)
refers to Elvis (Presley)
THREE STARS
(Dee)
by Tommy Dee
(Crest: 1959)
refers to Ritchie Valens, Buddy Holly, The Big Bopper
TRANSISTOR SISTER
(Slay/Dougherty)
by Freddy Cannon
(Swan: 1961)
refers to Presley, Darin, U.S. Bonds, Fats, Connie and Orbison
THREE STARS
(Dee)
by Tommy Dee (1959)
refers to Ritchie Valens, Buddy Holly and The Big Bopper
TOP FORTY BLUES
(Grean/Hertz)
by Robin (Ward) (Dot: 1963)
Spoken word references to a seemingly endless list of song titles incl. DA DOO RON RON, SURF CITY, WHAT KIND OF FOOL AM I, BLUE ON BLUE, COME GO WITH ME, MY WHOLE WORLD IS FALLING DOWN, THOSE LAZY HAZY CRAZY DAYS OF SUMMER.
A TRIBUTE TO A KING
(Jones/Bell)
by William Bell (Stax: 1968)
refers to Otis Redding
TRUE
(Kemp)
by Spandau Ballet
(Chrysalis: 1983)
refers to Marvin (Gaye)
VAMPIRE'S BALL
(Zanino/Canton)
by Mann Drake (Bethlehem: 1962)
refers to THE TWIST, THE POPEYE, THE LOCO-MOTION, THE MASHED POTATO and MONSTER MASH
WALK OF LIFE
(Knopfler)
by Dire Straits (Warner Bros: 1985)
refers to BE-BOP-A-LULA, WHAT’D I SAY, I’VE GOT A WOMAN
WE DIDN'T START THE FIRE
(Joel)
by Billy Joel
(Columbia: 1989)
refers to Doris Day, Johnnie Ray, Liberace, Santana, ROCK AROUND THE CLOCK, Elvis Presley
WE GOT MORE SOUL
(Christian)
by Dyke & The Blazers
(Original Sound: 1969)
refers to Ray Charles, James Brown, Johnnie Taylor, Aretha Franklin, Nancy Wilson, Pearl Bailey
WHEN I WAS CRUEL No.2
by Elvis Costello (Island: 2002)
refers to DANCING QUEEN
WHEN YOU GOT GOOD FRIENDS
(Collins/Van Zant)
by Lynyrd Skynyrd
(MCA: 1987)
refers to Charlie Daniels, Wet Willie, Marshall Tucker Band, Merle Haggard, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Bob Wills,
WHERE DO YOU GO TO (MY LOVELY)
(Sarstedt) by Peter Sarstedt
(World Pacific: 1969)
refers to Marlene Dietrich, The Rolling Stones, Sacha Distel
WHO’S GONNA FILL THEIR SHOES
(Barnes/Seals)
by George Jones (Epic: 1985)
refers to FOLSOM PRISON BLUES, OKIE FROM MUSKOGEE, THE WABASH CANNOBALL, BLUE SUEDE SHOES, Elvis, Jerry Lee, Charlie (Rich), Luke the Drifter, I SAW THE LIGHT, Marty, Hank and Lefty, Silver Eagle
YER BLUES
(Lennon/McCartney)
by The Beatles
(Apple: 1968)
refers to Bob Dylan
YOU CAN’T DO THAT
(Lennon/McCartney)
by Nilsson
(RCA: 1968)
includes the titles of other Beatle songs incl. A HARD DAY’S NIGHT, DAY TRIPPER and PAPERBACK WRITER
YOU NEVER EVEN CALLED ME BY MY NAME
(Goodman)
by David Allan Coe
(Columbia: 1975)
refers to Waylon Jennings, Charley Pride, Merle Haggard, David Allan Coe, Steve Goodman
Not included in my list are the sizable number of Beatles novelty singles that appeared when Beatlemania first took the world by storm. These ranged from ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS A BEATLE (Benton) by Dora Bryan (UK Fontana: 1963) to I WANT TO KISS RINGO GOODBYE (Strong/Stevens) by Penny Valentine (Liberty: 1965).
Footnote:
Singers have occasionally made brief references to fellow musicians as in the original version of Leiber & Stoller’s KANSAS CITY which was issued under the title K.C. LOVING by Little Willie Littlefield on Federal in 1952. Just before the sax break, Little Willie shouts “Alright Max” which refers to the influential saxophonist/arranger Maxwell Davis.
You might also like to check out one of my earlier bulletins namely
“Celluloid Heroes & Heroines: Name-Dropping Songs citing Movie Stars”
(Vol.4, #21).
As in all my postings, the recordings listed and referenced above
are personal selections and are in no way intended as definitive collections
of the genre.
Please send any comments or suggestions to
Rock on.
Alan Warner
© Alan Warner, 2020. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Alan Warner with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.