Results: Name Dropping, Musically Speaking
Published on 06/02/2019
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Musicians, just like anyone, have their inspirations and their idols. Some talk about it, and some like to sing about it. While some are clear cut and easily identified, some are more subtle. How many of these songs did you know were written about these people?
Stevie Wonder, "Sir Duke" - Written for his 1976 record Songs in the Key of Life as a tribute to jazz legend Duke Ellington, who had passed away two years earlier.
20%
412 votes
John Cale, "Mr. Wilson" -- On his fifth solo album Slow Dazzle, John Cale reveals his love for Brian Wilson and The Beach Boys.
6%
115 votes
Bob Dylan, "Song to Woody" -- One of Bob Dylan's earliest compositions is "Song to Woody," a tribute to the folk singer Woody Guthrie.
18%
378 votes
Sonic Youth, "Tunic (Song for Karen)" -- Sonic Youth truly sings about the eating disorder that killed her in this song written for Karen Carpenter.
5%
111 votes
U2' "Angel of Harlem" -- Written about blues singer Billie Holiday
11%
225 votes
Florence + The Machine "Patricia" -- Written about punk rock legend Patti Smith (just had to included this song here from my favorite)
3%
69 votes
None
64%
1336 votes
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Of course, the most obvious tributes are easily recognized. Are any of these songs on this list favorites of yours?
Gillian Welch, "Elvis Presley Blues"
5%
106 votes
Flaming Lips, "Thank You Jack White (For the Fiber-Optic Jesus That You Gave Me)"
4%
91 votes
Nerf Herder, "Van Halen"
6%
123 votes
MGMT, "Brian Eno"
3%
65 votes
Kim Carnes "Betty Davis Eyes"
36%
748 votes
None
54%
1126 votes
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Sometimes the song isn't really about a specific person, but a famous celebrity is just "name dropped" into the song for whatever reason. How many of these famous name dropping songs are you familiar with?
Cheap Tric "Surrender" Mentions … got my Kiss records out
12%
246 votes
The Red Hot Chili Peppers "Californication" Mentions...Cobain can you hear the spheres singing songs off station to station (references David Bowie's album Station to Station)
19%
385 votes
Lynyrd Skynyrd "Sweet Home Alabama" Mention...Well I heard mister Young sing about her Well, I heard ole Neil put her down Well, I hope Neil Young will remember
38%
794 votes
Electric Light Orchestra "Shangri La" Mentions...My Shangri-la has gone away, Faded like the Beatles on Hey Jude
12%
243 votes
Bruce Springsteen "Thunder Road" Mention... Like a vision she dances across the porch as the radio plays Roy Orbison singing for the lonely
21%
429 votes
None
49%
1029 votes
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And some songs just like to list celebrities (and some famous events too) like a laundry list, which makes for some surprisingly good songs. Which ones of these do you know?
The Righteous Brothers "Rock And Roll Heaven"
23%
473 votes
Billy Joel "We Didn't Start The Fire"
44%
918 votes
Edguy "England"
4%
74 votes
Better than Ezra "Extra Ordinary"
4%
78 votes
None
46%
962 votes
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