Songs that mention celebrities.

[Janice Johnson]

There are some songs that mention celebrities............:)

1.Nelly-My Grillz

Call me George Foreman cause I'm sellin everybody grillz

Gotta bill in my mouth like I'm Hillary Rodham


Kim Carnes-Bette Davis Eyes

Hello? Need I say more? The title is self explanatory



Madonna-Vogue

The whole "name dropping" part.

[tv star collector]

There are lots of 'em. Billy Joel's 1989 hit "We Didn't Start the Fire" mentions
Harry Truman, Doris Day, Johnny Ray, Joe McCarthy, Richard Nixon, Eisenhower,
Liberace, Joseph Stalin, Rockefeller, Einstein, James Dean, Elvis Presley, Davy
Crockett, Khruschev, Princess Grace, Mickey Mantle, Marilyn Monroe, Charles
DeGaulle, Buddy Holly, Castro, Kennedy, Chubby Checker, Hemingway, Dylan,
John Glenn, Pope Paul, Malcolm X, Reagan, and Sally Ride (among others).

Elton John's "Candle in the Wind" is an ode to Marilyn Monroe, and his
"Candle in the Wind 1997" to Princess Diana.

Ronnie McDowall's "The King Is Gone" is a tribute to Elvis Presley, and George
Harrison's "All Those Years Ago" is his memorial tribute to John Lennon.

Jimmy Dean's "PT 109" is a salute to John F. Kennedy.

Walter Brennan recorded "The Epic Ride of John H. Glenn" as a salute to the
astronaut.

Jump 'n the Saddle made "The Curly Shuffle," dedicated to The Three Stooges.

I'm sure there are others, but that's all I can think of at the moment.

[ekkostar]

Bowling for Soup's 1985.

[Ireneparalegal]

There are lots of 'em. Billy Joel's 1989 hit "We Didn't Start the Fire" mentions
Harry Truman, Doris Day, Johnny Ray, Joe McCarthy, Richard Nixon, Eisenhower,
Liberace, Joseph Stalin, Rockefeller, Einstein, James Dean, Elvis Presley, Davy
Crockett, Khruschev, Princess Grace, Mickey Mantle, Marilyn Monroe, Charles
DeGaulle, Buddy Holly, Castro, Kennedy, Chubby Checker, Hemingway, Dylan,
John Glenn, Pope Paul, Malcolm X, Reagan, and Sally Ride (among others).

Elton John's "Candle in the Wind" is an ode to Marilyn Monroe, and his
"Candle in the Wind 1997" to Princess Diana.

Roddy McDowall's "The King Is Gone" is a tribute to Elvis Presley, and George
Harrison's "All Those Years Ago" is his memorial tribute to John Lennon.

Jimmy Dean's "PT 109" is a salute to John F. Kennedy.

Walter Brennan recorded "The Epic Ride of John H. Glenn" as a salute to the
astronaut.

Jump 'n the Saddle made "The Curly Shuffle," dedicated to The Three Stooges.

I'm sure there are others, but that's all I can think of at the moment.

You forgot Elton John's "Hey Johnny" a song he wrote for John Lennon after his murder.
and Philadelphia Freedom for Billie Jean King. Although, he doesn't mention her name in the song.

[Steve M.]

Roddy McDowall's "The King Is Gone" is a tribute to Elvis Presley, and George
Harrison's "All Those Years Ago" is his memorial tribute to John Lennon.


You mean Ronnie McDowell. He was the country singer who sounded like Elvis. Roddy McDowall was the British actor who played Cornelius in Planet of the Apes. He died in 1998.

[Steve M.]

"All the Young Dudes" by Mott the Hoople

"And my brother's back at home with his Beatles and his Stones."

Plus T. Rex.

[tv star collector]

You mean Ronnie McDowell. He was the country singer who sounded like Elvis. Roddy McDowall was the British actor who played Cornelius in Planet of the Apes. He died in 1998.
You're absolutely right! I just spotted the mistake myself and corrected it.

[Kazza]

Weird Al mentions Eddie Vader and Alanis Morissette.

[Janice]

Key Largo - Bertie Higgins

"We had it all, just like Bogie and Bacall"

[Janice Johnson]

I Got What You Need by Bust Rymes, Mariah Carey, and two lesser known Rap/hip-hop/R&B singers.

"Like Mulder and Scully" though Mulder and Scully are character names, and not real people.........;)

[dlemond]

Here are a few-

"Smoke on the Water" (Deep Purple) - mentions Frank Zappa and the Mothers

"Thunder Road" (Springsteen) - mentions Roy Orbison

"Surrender" (Cheap Trick) - mentions KISS

"Sounds Like a Melody" (Alphaville- anyone remember them?) - mentions Cary Grant and (Grace)Kelly

"Sweet Home Alabama" (Lynrd Skynrd) - mentions Neil Young

"Werewolves Of London" (Warren Zevon) - mentions Lon Chaney Jr.

"Celluloid Heroes" (Kinks) - mentions Greta Garbo, Mickey Rooney, Rudolph Valentino, Bela Lugosi, Bette Davis, George Sanders, Marilyn (Monroe)

[Steve M.]

Songs mentioning U.K. politicians:

Protection - Graham Parker and the Rumour
"So Winston Churchill said; I could have smacked his head."

Taxman - the Beatles (mentions Prime Minister Harold Wilson and Leader of the Opposition [later Prime Minister] Edward Heath)

Step Into My office, Baby - Belle and Sebastian (mentions Margaret Thatcher)

[Steve M.]

Elton John has a song called "Roy Rogers." :D

[Steve M.]

1.Nelly-My Grillz

Call me George Foreman cause I'm sellin everybody grillz.

Two songs that mention the Greatest:

"I Shall Be Free #10," Bob Dylan

"Well, I was shadow boxing the other day, I figured I was ready for Cassius Clay."

"Tuff Enuff," the Fabulous Thunderbirds

"I'd climb the Empire State and fight Muhammad Ali / Just to have you, baby, close to me." :D

[Kazza]

Weird Al also mentions Jerry Springer and Yoda.

[theshark8777]

Tom Petty- Jammin' me

Take back Vanessa Redgrave
Take back Joe Piscopo
Take back Eddie Murphy
Give 'em all some place to go

[Steve M.]

"Key West Intermezzo (I Saw You First)" by John Mellencamp

"They crucified John Lennon."

[tv star collector]

"Steve McQueen" - Sheryl Crow
"Abraham, Martin and John" - recorded by Dion (1968), the Miracles (1969) and
Moms Mabley (1969); alludes to Abraham Lincoln, Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.,
John F. Kennedy and Robert F. Kennedy
"Never Been to Spain" - Three Dog Night (mentions The Beatles)
"That Don't Impress Me Much" - Shania Twain (Brad Pitt and Elvis are spoken
in between the lyrics)

[Steve M.]

"Hey Nineteen," Steely Dan

"Hey nineteen, that's 'Retha Franklin."

"The Seeker," the Who

"I asked Bobby Dylan, I asked the Beatles / I asked Timothy Leary, but he couldn't help me either."

[SBTB Geek]

Madonna, "Superpop"

Isaac Newton
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Cassius Clay
Frida Kahlo
Marlon Brando

[seventies_sitcoms]

Riding with James Dean- Joan Jett

Celluloid Heroes- Joan Jett (originally a Kinks song I think)

Mabel Rock- Lunachicks (song about Mabel King from What's Happening).

Come Back Traci- Sloppy Seconds (song about Traci Lords)

St. Lita Ford Blues- Redd Kross

Annette's Got the Hits- Redd Kross (Annette Funicello song)

John Wayne Is Big Leggy- Haysi Fantayzee

Joan Crawford- Blue Oyster Cult

Amy Grant- The Young Fresh Fellows (also mentions Barry White).

Dear Michael- Kim Fields (Tootie's dedication to Michael Jackson).

Clara Bow- Cleaners From Venus

Queen Aretha- Fanny

Michael Caine- Madness

War Songs- Gary Numan (mentions 40's singer Vera Lynn)

Radio Dream-The Orchids (mentions singers such as The Chantals, Mary Wells, The Crystals, etc)

Look At Me I'm Sandra Dee- Rizzo from Grease

[Dean Winchester]

Song For Bob Dylan - David Bowie
Andy Warhol - David Bowie

Francis Farmer Will Have Her Revenge On Seattle - Nirvana

The Ballad Of Dorothy Parker - Prince (Joni Mitchell)
Annie Christian - Prince (John Lennon)

I Just Shot John Lennon - The Cranberries

[Steve M.]

The Ballad Of Dorothy Parker - Prince (Joni Mitchell)


Plus Dorothy Parker! ;)

[Steve M.]

Motorpyscho Nightmare - Bob Dylan

"I was sound asleep when I heard somethin' jerkin,'
There stood Rita lookin' just like Tony Perkins."

"I had to say something to strike him very weird,
So I yelled, "I like Fidel Castro and his beard!"

:rofl:

[Plastic Vicar]

Bicycle Race - Queen

"You say John, I say Wayne"

Annie Christian - Prince

"She killed john lennon,
shot him down cold,
she tried to kill Reagan
every body say GUN CONTROL"


Without Me - Eminem (not to mention ever other song he does, lol)

"ever since Prince turned himself into a symbol.."
"I am the worst thing since Elvis Presley" etc

[ABlairican Pie]

"Lenny Bruce"--Bob Dylan
"James Dean"--The Eagles
"I Wish You Could Have Seen Her Dance"--T-Bone Burnett ("She said I looked just like Monty Python's Eric Idle")
"Elvis Presley and America"--U2
"Lightnin' Hopkins"--REM
"Alex Chilton"--The Replacements (one member of the underrated 70's power-pop bands Big Star)
"Robert DeNiro's Waiting"--Bananarama
"Jim Morrison's Grave"--Steve Taylor

[Race's Girl]

Eminem's "Hi, My Name Is", "the Real Slim Shady" and "Without Me"

[seventies_sitcoms]

The Bangles- Dover Beach (mentions Michaelangelo if that counts)

The Bangles- Manic Monday (Rudolph Valentino)

Bauhaus- Bela Lugosi Is Dead

The Waitresses- No Guilt (mentions John Belushi)

Redd Kross- Linda Blair

Transvision Vamp- Andy Warhol's Dead

Transvision Vamp- I Want Your Love (mentions Marilyn Monroe and Bobby Darrin).

Lou Reed- Walk on the Wild Side (mentions Andy Warhol Superstars such as Joe Dallesandro, Holly Woodlawn, Jackie Curtis, Candy Darling and gives James Dean a mention too)

Dead Kennedys- numerous songs about Ronald Reagan

[Janice Johnson]

Shake Ya Tailfeather-Nelly, P Diddy, and Murphy Lee

"I had to tell her she's a young Janet Jackson live in living color."

Golddigger by Kanye West featuring Jamie Foxx.

"She walk around looking like Michael"(EVERYONE knows which "Michael" Kanye is talking about as Kanye says "Michael"after saying she got "Lipo");)

[Steve M.]

"A Simple Desultory Phillipic (Or How I Was Robert McNamara'd Into Submission)," Simon and Garfunkel

Norman Mailer (author)
Maxwell Taylor (U.S. Army general, I think he was JFK's Joint Chiefs chairman)
Jon O'Hara (author)
Robert McNamara (secretary of defense under JFK and LBJ)
The Rolling Stones (with a seperate mention of Mick Jagger later)
The Beatles
Ayn Rand
Phil Spector
Lou Adler (Monterey Pop Festival promoter)
Barry Sadler (Army sergeant who recorded "The Ballad of the Green Berets")
Lenny Bruce (comedian)
Bob Dylan
Dylan Thomas (whoever he was - the man ain't got no culture! :lol: )
Andy Warhol
Roy Halee (Simon and Garfunkel's recording engineer)
Art Garfunkel (some backup singer :rofl: )

Plus, a thinly veiled reference to Dylan manager Albert Grossman in the fadeout.

[Ireneparalegal]

THEE ULTIMATE SONG OF MENTIONING ANOTHER CELEBRITY:

artist:BO DIDDLEY
song: BO DIDDLEY
:rolleyes:

[Steve M.]

A Change Would Do You Good -Sheryl Crow

(mentions actress Mercedes Ruehl, who played Josh Baskin's mom in Big)

[seventies_sitcoms]

Gary Gilmore's Eyes- The Adverts

[Steve M.]

Gary Gilmore's Eyes- The Adverts


It's spelled "Gilmore."

[Steve M.]

On and On - Stephen Bishop

"Puts on Sinatra and starts to cry."

[seventies_sitcoms]

Catholic Girls- A Boy For Me (Errol Flynn)

Venus and the Razorblades- Punk-A- Rama (Ramones, Patti Smith, New York Dolls, The Runaways, Sex Pistols, The Hollywood Stars).

B-52's- Debbie (about Debbie Harry)

The Clash- Sean Flynn

Scritti Politti- Wood Beez (Aretha Franklin)

Angel and the Reruns- Beaver Cleaver Fever

Angel and the Reruns- Buffy Come Back (Anissa Jones of Family Affair)


Screamin' Sirens- Mr. T Luv Boogie (Mr. T./ Michael Jackson/ Muhammad Ali)

Mr. T Experience- Danny Partridge (Danny Bonaduce)

Mr. T Experience- I'm In Love with Paula Pierce (Paula Pierce of The Pandoras)

Ramones- Do You Remember Rock "N Roll Radio?- (Ed Sullivan, murray the K, Alan Freed, Jerry Lee Lewis, T. Rex, John Lennon)

Motorhead- R.A.M.O.N.E.S.

Nina Hagen- New York New York (mentions David Bowie)

Cher- Just Like Jesse James

Camper Van Beethoven- Tania (Patty Hearst)

Dexy's Midnight Runners- Come On Eileen (singer Johnnie Ray)

Phranc- Everywhere I Hear The Go-Go's

Phranc- Caped Crusader (Pope John Paul II)

Angry Samoans- Get Off the Air (Rodney Bingenheimer KROQ DJ, David Bowie, Joan Jett,


Divine (John Waters Star)- Jungle Jezebel (mentions Aunt Jemima- "I'm not your Aunt Jemima, and honey you're not my pimp)

Bratmobile-Panik (Joan Jett)

The Sherberts- Joan Jett's Dog

The Pariahs- Joan Jett

Dead Milkmen- Instant Club Hit (You'll Dance To Anything)- mentions Siouxsie Sioux, Andy Warhol, The Communards, Book of Love, The Smiths, Depeche Commode (Mode), Public Image Ltd., Naked Truth)

Dead Milkmen- Moron (Depeche Mode, Hitler, Ronald Reagan, Jerry Falwell)

[eltonfan80]

madonna vouge

[Steve M.]

You Are the Love of My Life - Carly Simon

(She lists everything she loves, including Woody Allen's movies - the second person is addressing is her child)

[Steve M.]

Bandages and Scars - Son Volt

(. . .the words of Woody Guthrie ringing in my head. . .")

[Plastic Vicar]

The Miracle by queen "Jimi hendrix to the tower of babel"

[Steve M.]

Long Tall Glasses (I Can Dance) - Leo Sayer

"Before you eat, you gotta dance like Fred Astaire." :)

[Steve M.]

"Midnight Creeper," Elton John - mentions Tina Turner

[Number 9 Dream]

Man on the Moon by R.E.M. is about the late Andy Kauffman

[Steve M.]

Louisiana 1927 - Randy Newman

(mentions President Calvin Coolidge)

[Dee-Dee]

Bomfunk Mc's-"Freestyler"

...question: do you carry protection
or will your heart go on
like Celine Dion?
Karma Kameleon
...you know they can't handle us
like Debbie does Dallas
yeah we come scandalous
so who the ---- is Alice?
is she from Buchingam palace?

i know i might have misspelled some words. sorry.

[phoebe7165]

Long Tall Glasses (I Can Dance) - Leo Sayer

"Before you eat, you gotta dance like Fred Astaire." :)

"Decadence Dance" - Extreme

Just buy a brand new pair of Fred Astaire shoes

"Bandstand Boogie" - Barry Manilow

Hey, Mr.Dick Clark, what a place you got here...

3 from Dream Theater:

"Take Away My Pain" He said, look at poor Gene Kelly

"Just Let Me Breathe" A daily dose of MTV, will flush your mind right down the drain, Shannon Hoon and Kurt Cobain, make yourself a household name.

"Full Circle" jack the ripper owens wilson phillips...

[TheGenius]

The GZA - Fame

They was told not to ride in Patty's +Hearse+
and stay out of Charles' +Manson+
Took Abraham's +Lincoln+ through the Todd +Bridges+ espansion
Willis +Reid+s a map that marks the spot showin
On his left George +Burns+ a blunt William's holdin
Tara +Bank+ed the money that Chaka +Khan+ed the poor
Alicia +Key+ed his car for givin Melbourne +Moore+
For the Redd +Foxx+ who bought off the block, but though twice
As Debora +Cox+ the gun cuz she beat Kelly's +Price+
When Rosa +Park+ed the truck on the farm that Kim +Fields+
Linda +Tripp+ed for tryna to walk in Lauryn's +Hills+
Water dripped outta Farrah's +Fawcett+ in the glass
She was "Superfly", Curtis +Mayfield+ her ass
Chris +Tucker+ to a show, Ted +Turner+ to a hoe
Robert +Diggs+ the beat, but ain't feelin the flow
But he signed it fast, for half of Johnny's +Cash+
+Nia Long+ed for the album to drop, cameras flashed
Tom +Sawyer+ at the Lucielle +Ball+ up at the foyer
He confronted Richard +Pryor+ to hiring his lawyer
Suge's +Knight+ removed the rook off the board
Donna +King+ was checked and Al +Sharpton+ the sword


[Verse 2]
The saints marched in, Kurtis +Blow+ing his horn
Tom +Cruise+d the boulevard, Chris +Rock+ed the song
For the hundredth time, they pressed rewind to the beginning
They toast to the rhyme, the juice spilt from John's +Lennon+
They took her to Elizabeth +Taylor+ to dry clean
The lone seamstress, who was schemin on Al's +Green+
You know they shoot for the stars and buckwild
Like the kids in the yard who play with +Jane's Child+
A beautician laced Erykah's +Badu+
Sean +Comb+ed through the evidence, just to get a clue
The needle in the haystack, from outta earth this kid
The tiger would kill him once thrown in Brad's +Pitt+
Jesse +Owen+ the money from the weed Bubba +Sparxxx+
They was journeys seen far as he walked in Dick's +Clark+
Jeffery +Lyons+ stuck with a thorn from George's +Bush+
Paul +Pierce+d in the heart as the crowd pushed
Acting alone... Drew +Barrymore+ bones
of the victims, three blocks from Jim's +Brownstone+
They shared the same bowl, he caught Natalie's +Cole+d
The producer, threw the butter on Esther's +Rolle+
Dempsey +Russel+ed him down, got his jaw wide
In a instant, Brooke +Shields+ him from the gunfire
Angie +Stone+d him to death, with those vocals
Keith +Sweat+ from the workout, just from runnin local

[Verse 3]
Larry's +Bird+ flew outta Nicholas' +Cage+
Joe +Tex+ messages from Satchel's +Paige+
Betty +Wright+ letters with ink from Sean's +Penn+
Infinite bars, you couldn't tell where the song end
Glenn +Close+ enough to quickly duck the tapes
Richard +Gere+ ripped while he was climbin Bill +Gates+
He was a southerner, posing as a, native New Yorker
The Jason +Kidd+ took his first steps in Jimmy's +Walker+
He stayed on line chattin with rap celebs
Used Bernie's +Mack+ to search Veronica's +Webb+
It cost them their life for the advice you gave
Now Pete +Rose+ lay on Vanessa's +Redgrave+



Close thread

[James]

Ray Stevens' 1985 song "The Haircut Song" has a line about Kojak looking like Bill Golden. Kojak, as you recall, was bald, and Bill Golden (actually, William Lee Golden) is the baritone for the Oak Ridge Boys with a long beard. Mr. Golden even has his own website at www.williamleegolden.com (http://www.williamleegolden.com/)!

[Janice Johnson]

Pink-Don't Let Me Get Me

Lyrics: "Sick of being compared to damn Britney Spears, she's so pretty, that just ain't me."

[Fonzarelli]

The Kinks- Celluloid Heroes:

Don’t step on Greta Garbo as you walk down the boulevard,
She looks so weak and fragile that’s why she tried to be so hard
But they turned her into a princess
And they sat her on a throne,
But she turned her back on stardom,
Because she wanted to be alone.

Rudolph Valentino, looks very much alive,
And he looks up ladies’ dresses as they sadly pass him by.
Avoid stepping on Bela Lugosi
’cause he’s liable to turn and bite,
But stand close by Bette Davis
Because hers was such a lonely life.

If you covered him with garbage,
George Sanders would still have style,
And if you stamped on Mickey Rooney
He would still turn round and smile,
But please don’t tread on dearest Marilyn
’cos she’s not very tough,
She should have been made of iron or steel,
But she was only made of flesh and blood.
----------------------------------------------------

Don McLean- American Pie:

When the jester sang for the king and queen,
In a coat he borrowed from James Dean

And while Lenin read a book on Marx,
The quartet practiced in the park,
-----------------------------------------------------

Simon & Garfunkel- Mrs. Robinson:

Where have you gone, Joe DiMaggio
Our nation turns its lonely eyes to you, woo woo woo
What's that you say, Mrs. Robinson
Joltin' Joe has left and gone away, hey hey hey
-------------------------------------------------------

[Steve M.]

"Hackensack," Fountains of Wayne

mentions Christopher Walken

[consentida]

Octavo Dia by Shakira mentions Michael Jackson, Bill Clinton and Tarzan (lol does he count?).

[James]

Barbara Mandrell's 1981 hit "I Was Country When Country Wasn't Cool" mentions George Jones, and he sings some at the end, much to the delight of the audience!

[Steve M.]

"Long May Who Run," the Stills-Young Band

"Maybe the Beach Boys have got you now."

(The song was about a car. :) )

[James]

"Long May Who Run," the Stills-Young Band

"Maybe the Beach Boys have got you now."

(The song was about a car. :) )

Actually, the title is "Long May You Run." I don't think it promotes Roger, Keith, Pete, and John. :lol: Also, I thought only Neil Young performed it; it was on one of his albums.

[James]

Here are a couple more:

The Little River Band's 1978 hit "Reminiscing" talks about a time when Glenn Miller's band (presumably the Glenn Miller Orchestra) was "better than before."

Mac Davis' 1981 hit "Hooked on Music" is about Elvis Presley :elvis: , also mentioning having tickets to see him even though "The King" was already dead by then.

[Steve M.]

Actually, the title is "Long May You Run." I don't think it promotes Roger, Keith, Pete, and John. :lol: Also, I thought only Neil Young performed it; it was on one of his albums.


Aw, nertz - that was a typo! :mad: :eek:

[Steve M.]

"Life In a Northern Town" by the Dream Academy

(mentions Sinatra and JFK)

[James]

Two more:

John Cougar Mellencamp's "R. O. C. K. in the U. S. A." in 1985 mentions a bunch of 1960s acts since it is a tribute to the music of that era.

The Commodores' "Nightshift", also in 1985, was a tribute to Marvin Gaye and Jackie Wilson, both of whom died the previous year.

[ABlairican Pie]

"It's the End of the World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)" by REM mentions
comic Lenny Bruce, rock critic Lester Bangs, composer Leonard Bernstein, and Soviet primier Leonid Breshnev (all names beginning with "Le").

[Steve M.]

"Jackie Wilson Said (I';m In Heaven When You Smile)", Van Morrison

Guess. :D

[Steve M.]

"How-Hi-The-Li," Family

"And we'd like to know if Mr. Chou En-Lai, he gets high with all the tea in China."

(Chou En-Lai was prime minister of China from 1949 to 1975.)

[Ohio8]

Neil Young: "Downtown" (Jimi Hendrix and Jimmy Page).
Simon & Garfunkel: "Mrs. Robinson" (Joe Dimaggio).
The Animals: "Monterey" (The Who and Ravi Shankar, among others).
Creedence Clearwater Revival: "Lookin' out My Back Door" (Buck Owens).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Dinosaur controller
Listenin' to Buck Owens.

"Doo doo doo
Lookin' out my back door." -- Creedence Clearwater Revival

[Ohio8]

Actually, the title is "Long May You Run." I don't think it promotes Roger, Keith, Pete, and John. :lol: Also, I thought only Neil Young performed it; it was on one of his albums.
DUDE! It was on The Stills-Young Band's one and only album. It was also on Neil Young's Decade comp. album.

[Steve M.]

The Bangles's "Manic Monday," written by Prince, mentions Rudolph Valentino.

[Jaqui-Michel]

After The Fire By Roger Daltrey
"I saw Matt Dillon in black and white there ain't no colour in memories
He rode his brother's Harley across the TV while I was laughing at Dom DeLuise"

Tribute (Right On) By The Pasadenas
"Talking about Sam Cooke
Jackie Wilson was their names
Ever since then things ain’t been the same
(ain’t be the same)
Otis Redding God may rest his soul
Play back James Brown
How slides I don’t know"

[James]

"Rock and Roll Heaven" by the Righteous Brothers mentions a few dead singers, often by their first names, including Janis (for Joplin), and Jimi (for Hendrix).

[Steve M.]

"Rock and Roll Heaven" by the Righteous Brothers mentions a few dead singers, often by their first names, including Janis (for Joplin), and Jimi (for Hendrix).

There's a line about how their music would always light a fire, so "remember Jim (Morrison) that way."

A reference to "Leroy Brown" refers to Jim Croce, who had just died in a plane crash. :(

[Steve M.]

"Parker's Band" by Steely Dan is about CHarlei Parker, with a refernce to his nickname - "It's a bird in flight that just can't quit you."

"We will spend a dizzy weekend," in the same song, refers to one John Birks Gillespie. :) ;)

[James]

How about Waylon Jennings' 1975 hit "Are You Sure Hank Done It This Way", a tribute to Hank (Senior, not Junior, by the way) Williams? On the flip side is "Bob Wills Is Still The King", a tribute to none other than Bob Wills of western swing fame.

[Steve M.]

"Black Diamond Bay" by Bob Dylan mentions watching Walter Cronkite, and Cronkite and Eric Sevareid are referred to by their first names in CCR's "It Came Out of the Sky."

Also mentioned in that 1969 Creedence song is then-Vice President Spiro Agnew, and the lyric "Ronnie the Popular said it was a communist plot" refers to a right-wing incompetent B-movie actor who in 1969 controlled only one state. :rofl:

[Janice Johnson]

ABC has a song called, "When Smokey Sings." Is "Smokey" in the song Smokey Robinson? They do say, "When Smokey Sings," and the only "Smokey" I know that sings is Smokey Robinson. If it is, then I should add this to the list of songs that mention celebrities.

[Steve M.]

ABC has a song called, "When Smokey Sings." Is "Smokey" in the song Smokey Robinson? They do say, "When Smokey Sings," and the only "Smokey" I know that sings is Smokey Robinson. If it is, then I should add this to the list of songs that mention celebrities.

You got it, Janice! It is indeed about Smokey Robinson, and so is Geroge Harrison's "Pure Smokey" from 1976.

[lockdown06]

"I heard Ol' Neil put her down"

Sweet Home Alabama --- Skynyrd

[James]

Tanya Tucker's 1978 hit "Texas (When I Die)" mentioned something about hearing Willie Nelson sing a song and, I believe, Merle Haggard.

[Steve M.]

"We'd Like To Thank You, Herbert Hoover" (the 31st U.S. President), a sarcastic song from the musical Annie

The theme song from "All In the Family" also mentions Hoover as well, saying we could use a man like him again. :)

[Steve M.]

"Behind A Wall Of Sleep" by the Smithereens

mentions British supermodel Jean Shrimpton in the opening line

[James]

Wasn't there a song that went (if not was entitled; I cannot find it in my almanacs) "just like Greta Garbo"? There was another phrase about "coming out the rain" or similar. I want to say it was from the mid-late 1970s because the artists sounded like they were influenced by the Starland Vocal Band, England Dan and John Ford Coley, etc.

[jpcanes]

Wasn't there a song that went (if not was entitled; I cannot find it in my almanacs) "just like Greta Garbo"? There was another phrase about "coming out the rain" or similar. I want to say it was from the mid-late 1970s because the artists sounded like they were influenced by the Starland Vocal Band, England Dan and John Ford Coley, etc.

I believe you are thinking of "Right Before Your Eyes" by America
First charted on the Hot 100 on 11/27/82.

Right Before Your Eyes

Every day i sit beside you
On the bus to madison avenue
Work in the big gray store
With the revolving doors

You don't even know my name
I guess that i'm to blame
Don't know the right things to say
So i pretend away

That i'm rudolph valentino
Pull up in my limousine
Oh, won't you come in out of the rain
Things'll never be the same

And then just like greta garbo You stare like there's no tomorrow
And you'll know what i'm thinking of
Right before your eyes i fall in love with you

Do, do, do ...

Today i'm done with games (today i'm done with games)
Gonna ask you for your name
Say i've been watching you
I even know what you do

Maybe today i'll tell you (maybe today i'll tell you)
I've found the nerve to sell you

[jpcanes]

A few more I can think of:

"Black Superman"-Johnny Wakelin (song about Muhammad Ali)
"Poor Happy Jimmy"-Gino Vannelli (tribute to Jim Croce)
"Harry Truman"-Chicago

[James]

I believe you are thinking of "Right Before Your Eyes" by America
First charted on the Hot 100 on 11/27/82.

I think you're right. Thank you very much!

[Chain Gang Member]

Beantown by John Cena-Kevin McHale

[Chain Gang Member]

This Is How We Roll by John Cena-Kobe Bryant

[Steve M.]

"These Dreams Of You," Van Morrison

"And Ray Charles was shot down, but he got up to do his best."

[Penny Lane]

Rock and roll heaven mentions these deceased singers;
Jim Morrison
Jim Croce
Bobby Darin
Janis Joplin

Dion and The Belmonts mention Zsa Zsa Gabor in "Prima Donna"

[Steve M.]

Here's a Beatles song that mentions a long-dead historical figure. . ."I'm So Tired."

"And curse Sir Walter Raleigh, he was such a stupid git." :lol:

[James]

"Kids Of The Baby Boom" by the Bellamy Brothers mentions the (Rolling) Stones, as well as (Merle) Haggard and (George) Jones. I used parentheses because those words were not used in the lyrics.

[Steve M.]

Someone might have mentioned "Bette Davis Eyes," but here's another song that mentions Davis - "Desolation Row" by Bob Dylan. . . a line about Cinderella and how "she puts her hands in her back pocket, Bette Davis-style."

[Steve M.]

"Up On Cripple Creek" by the Band

"Me and my mate were back at the shack, we had Spike Jones on the box." :lol:

[Steve M.]

"New Frontier" by Donald Faigen

"Introduce me to that big blonde, she's got a touch of Tuesday Weld."

;)

[Steve M.]

"The Year of the Cat" by Al Stewart

mentions Humphrey Bogart, plus an image of "strolling through the crowd like Peter Lorre contemplating a crime."

[-*Forever*-]

Killer Queen - Queen

"Building a remedy for Krushchev and Kennedy" and I think there's more in that song, but I forget.

[Steve M.]

"Stephensville, Texas" by Jewel

mentions Martha Stewart teaching housewives things on TV

[gilligan fanatic]

Great song

_________________

Last night I dreamed I went to hillbilly heaven. And you know who greeted
me at the gate? The ole cowboy-philosopher himself, Will Rogers. He said
to me, he said Tex, the Big Boss of the riders up here has asked me to
kinda show you around. Now, over yonder are a couple of your ole
compadres. My, was I glad to see them, Carson Robison and the
Mississippi blue yodeler Jimmie Rodgers.

Singing:
I dreamed I was there in hillbilly heaven

Spoken:
He introduced me to Wiley Post, and he showed me the Hall of Fame with
all the gold guitars and fiddles hanging on the walls. Then he said,
Tex, step over this way, there are two more of your friends I know
youll want to see, theyre waitin for you. There they were standin
side by side and smilin at me--Hank Williams and Johnny Horton.

Singing:
I met all the stars in hillbilly heaven

Spoken:
Then I asked him who else do you expect in the next, uh, say a hundred
years? He handed me a large book covered with star dust. Will called it
the Big Tally Book. In it were many names and each name was branded in
pure gold. I began to read some of them as I turned the pages: Red Foley,
Ernest Tubb, Gene Autry, Roy Acuff, Eddy Arnold, Tennessee Ernie, Jimmy
Dean, Andy Griffith, Roy Rogers, Tex Ritter

Tex Ritter? Oh, well, thats when I woke up, and Im sorry I did, because

Singing:
I dreamed I was there in hillbilly heaven

[D.J.]

"Lullaby" by Shawn Mullins mentions Dennis Hopper, Bob Seger, Sonny, and Cher.

[Steve M.]

"Tombstone Blues" by Bob Dylan

"Now I wish I could give Brother Bill his great thrill / I would set him in chains at the top of the hill / Then send out for some pillars and Cecil B. DeMille / He could die happily ever after."

[jacktripper1]

We Didn't Start The Fire- Billy Joel - (basically a short history lesson, lol)

[Steve M.]

Long May You Run - the Stills-Young Band

"Maybe the Beach Boys have got you now."

(The song is about a car. :) )

[hatwink]

Cherchez La Femme mentions Tommy Motola in the opening verse.

[Steve M.]

"Don Henley Must Die" by Mojo Nixon

"Don Henley must die / Don't let him get back together / With Glenn Frey.":eek:

[Steve M.]

"Thunder Road" by Bruce Springsteen

"Roy Orbison singing for the lonely."

[Ohio8]

The Beatles: both "Revolution" versions mention Chairman Mao.

The Guess Who's "Truckin' Off Across the Sky" mentions Fabian, Frankie Avalon, Jeannie C. Riley and Conway Twitty.

Bob Dylan recorded a song about boxer Ruben "Hurricane" Carter.

[James]

I heard the 1971 song "Rings" by Cymarron (a one hit wonder) last night, and I learned it contains the phrase "James Taylor on the stereo."

[Penny Lane]

Rock and Roll Heaven- The Righteous Brothersmentions;

Jim Morrison
Jimi Hendrix
Janis Joplin
Bobby Darin
Jim Croce
Otis Redding

[Janice Johnson]

In True by Spandeu Ballet, they sing, 'Listening to Marvin all night long". I am assuming that "Marvin" is Marvin Gaye.:)

[Steve M.]

Elton John's "The Club At the End of the Street" mentions Marvin Gaye, though maybe someone already mentioned that.

[Ohio8]

Kid Rock's "Wastin' Time" mentiond former Detroit Red Wings capain Steve Yzerman in the "I'm in it to win like Yzerman."

[Ohio8]

The Yardbirds' "Psycho Daisies" mentions B-movie actress Mary Hughes in "...with Mary Hughes," pictured here (she's the blonde). At the time she was dating Yardbirds guitarist Jeff Beck.

[Ohio8]

Kid Rock's "Wastin' Time" also mentions Morris Day, the 1980s funk musician. His "Forever" mentions Al Roker, Oprah Winfrey, and himself.

The Yardbirds' "Like jimmy reed again" mentions bluesman Jimmy Reed in the title (it's an instrumental).

[Ohio8]

David bowie's "Young American" mentions President Nixon.

[Ohio8]

The Guess Who's "Clap for the Wolfman" is about legendary DJ Wolfman Jack.

[dragster58]

I hope no-one saiìd the song "Muhammed Ali" yet!:confused:

[Steve M.]

I mentioned "Tuff Enuff" by the Fabulous Thunderbirds, which went: "I'd climb the Empire State and fight Muhammad Ali / Just to have you, baby, close to me."

[dragster58]

Uhm, "Muhammed Ali" was the title of the song I mentioned and it talked about his career..there is a lyric "...stung like a bumble bee....." in it somewhere, but I don't remember which band/artist did it??!

[Steve M.]

Blood And Sand - Roger Chapman

"Carmen Miranda was lovely."

[Steve M.]

Get It Like You Like It - Ben Harper

It mentions Babe Ruth leaving the Red Sox, then it mentions Johnny Damon breaking the Red Sox curse. :)

[Janice Johnson]

LFO-Summer Girls

Lyric: "New Kids On the Block had lots of hits.";)

[Steve M.]

Cleaning WIndows - Van Morrison

It mentions Jimmie Rodgers, Sonny Terry, Brownie McGhee, and Muddy Waters.

[Steve M.]

Thunder On the Mountain - Bob Dylan (new song)

Mentions Alicia Keys.

[Skywalker]

"Robert DeNiro's Waiting" by Bananarama

"Radar Love" by Golden Earring mentions Brenda Lee

"Lookin' Out my Back Door" by CCR mentions Buck Owens

"Running Down a Dream" by Tom Petty mentions Del Shannon

"Star Star" by the Rolling Stones mentions, Ali McGraw, Steve McQueen and John Wayne

"You Wear it Well" by Rod Stewart mentions Jaqueline Kennedy Onassis

[Steve M.]

"Creque Alley" by the Mamas and the Papas mention themselves individually, of course, and it also mentions folk rockers Zal Yanofsky, John Sebastian, Roger McGuinn, and Barry McGuire.

And California dreamin' is becomin' a reality. :D

[Steve M.]

"Slow Turning" by John Hiatt

"Bangin' on the drums like Charlie Watts." :) :drummer:

[Ohio8]

Neil Young: "Downtown" (Jimi Hendrix and Jimmy Page).
Simon & Garfunkel: "Mrs. Robinson" (Joe Dimaggio).
The Animals: "Monterey" (The Who and Ravi Shankar, among others).
Creedence Clearwater Revival: "Lookin' out My Back Door" (Buck Owens).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Dinosaur controller
Listenin' to Buck Owens.

"Doo doo doo
Lookin' out my back door." -- Creedence Clearwater Revival


Eric Burdon & The Animals's "Monterey" mentions in order: The Byrds, The Jefferson Airplane, Ravi Shankar, The Who, Hugh Masekala, The Grateful Dead, Jimi Hendrix, and Brain Jones.

[Ohio8]

Blood And Sand - Roger Chapman

"Carmen Miranda was lovely."

Jimmy Buffett's "They Don't dance Like Carmen No More" is about actress Carmen Miranda.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
"You want to find the truth in life
Don't pass music by." -- Eric Burdon & The Animals.

[Penny Lane]

Eric Burdon- the "Egg Man" in I Am The Walrus

[Steve M.]

"Janie Runaway" by Steely Dan mentions Sinatra.

[robyrob]

some of weezer's songs:

"Buddy Holly" mentions Buddy Holly and Mary Tyler Moore

"el Scorcho" mentions Public Enemy (and actually uses the same line from Anthrax/Public Enemy's "I'm the Man")

"In The Garage" mentions Kiss, Ace Frehley and Peter Chris

"Susanne" names "Izzy, Slash, and Axl Rose" - although the ORIGINAL version of the lyrics used Kurt Cobain, but they decided to change it because it would've been some BAD timing due to his death right around same time.

[Steve M.]

"In The Garage" mentions Kiss, Ace Frehley and Peter Criss

Cheap Trick's "Surrender"

"Rolling numbers, rock and rolling, got my Kiss records out." :D

[Ohio8]

"Timothy Leary" by The Moody Blues.

[James]

"Timothy Leary" by The Moody Blues.

I thought that song was called "Legend Of A Mind."

[LuLu Rogers]

Any songs that mention Jack Nicholson? :D

[Ohio8]

I thought that song was called "Legend Of A Mind."

You're correct!

Pink Floyd's "Pigs(Three Different Ones)". The third verse mentions Mary Whitehouse, who at the time was Britain's official censor.
Ringo Starr's "Early 1970": it talks about former Beatles members Paul McCartney, John Lennon, and George Harrison in that order. They're not mentioned by name, but by the descriptive verses.

[Ohio8]

Pink Floyd's "Shine On You Crazy Diamond" is about PF founding member/original guitarist Syd Barrett.
Eric Clapton's "Tribute to Elmore," an instrumental, mentions Elmore James in the title.
Led Zeppelin's "Hats Off to (Roy) Harper" mentions British folk singer Roy Harper in the title.

[Janice Johnson]

I know this totally doesn't count since the boygroup came out AFTER this song, but Billy Joel's "Uptown Girl." Lyric: "I bet she never met a Backstreet Guy.":happyface :crazy: :lol: ;) :p :) :talk: :wave:

[Ohio8]

You're correct!

Pink Floyd's "Pigs(Three Different Ones)". The third verse mentions Mary Whitehouse, who at the time was Britain's official censor.
Ringo Starr's "Early 1970": it talks about former Beatles members Paul McCartney, John Lennon, and George Harrison in that order. They're not mentioned by name, but by the descriptive verses.

Here are the lyrics to the Starr song.

[catlover79]

The Mamas & Papas did a remake of the Beatles' "I Call Your Name". Throughout the song, Cass whispers "John, John..." It's well-documented that Cass had a serious crush on John Lennon.

Speaking of John Lennon, he dedicated "Woman" to his Yoko, and "How Do You Sleep" was a swipe at Paul McCartney. Paul also wrote several songs about his wife, fellow Wing Linda, such as "My Love" and "The Lovely Linda".

Lionel Richie wrote "Missing You" in honor of Marvin Gaye, and Diana Ross took the song to the Top 10 in 1985. To date, that is still her most recent Top 10 hit.

Ray Stevens did a novelty hit called "I Need Your Help Barry Manilow".

June Carter wrote "Ring of Fire" about her forbidden love and passion for Johnny Cash, who was at the time still married to his first wife. Johnny Cash then made "Ring of Fire" one of his best known hits. Soon thereafter, he made June Carter his wife.

[Ohio8]

The Mamas & The Papas: Their "Creeque Alley" mentions member Mama Cass.

[Penny Lane]

The Mamas & The Papas: Their "Creeque Alley" mentions member Mama Cass.


This song also mentions Barry McGuire-"Eve Of Destruction" and Roger McQuinn(The Byrds) It also mentions John, Denny and Michelle.:)

[Ohio8]

Rod Stewart's "You Wear it Well" mentions Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis in the line "Jacqueline Onassis got nothing on you."

[James]

Sting's 1986 song "Russians" mentioned "Mr. Reagan," as in the President at that time. Unfortunately it portrayed him negatively. :(

[Steve M.]

"Running Down a Dream" by Tom Petty mentions Del Shannon ("Me and Del were singing 'little runaway,' I was flying.")

[Steve M.]

"Motorpyscho Nightmare" by Boy Dylan

"I was asleep when I thought I that heard something jerkin',
There stood Rita lookin' just like Tony Perkins.
She said, 'Would you like to take a shower? I'll show you to the door.'
I said, 'Oh no, I've been through this movie before.'"

Later in the song, Dylan declares, "I like Fidel Castro and his beard."