List of songs containing covert references to real musicians

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This is an incomplete list of songs, which can or may never satisfy any objective standard for completeness. Revisions and additions are welcome.

Songwriters occasionally write songs that make covert references to real musicians and bands.

Entries are listed with the following syntax:

• "Song Title" by musical artist(s) most associated with song references musicians and/or bands referred to.

Contents: Top - 0–9 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

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[edit] 1

• "1974" by Robyn Hitchcock references David Bowie ("'Rebel Rebel' was your favorite song")
• "29x The Pain" by The Wildhearts references Starz, Big Black, Queen, Cheap Trick, The Clash and Jason and the Scorchers.

[edit] A

• "Accident Waiting to Happen" by Billy Bragg references The Kinks": "a dedicated swallower of fascism" is a reference to "Dedicated Follower of Fashion"^[1]
• "Adam's Song" by Blink 182 references "Come as You Are" by Nirvana. The line "I took my time/I hurried up/The choice was mine/I didn't think enough" is a reference to "Take your time/hurry up/the choice is yours/don't be late"
• "A New England" by Billy Bragg references Simon & Garfunkel (The lines "I was 21 years when I wrote this song, I'm 22 now, but I won't be for long" are taken from "Leaves That Are Green").
• "American Pie" by Don McLean references Buddy Holly;^[2] and, according to Bob Dearborn, probably (in order of mention, and not listing non-musicians to whom it alludes) Elvis Presley and Connie Francis ("The king and queen"), Bob Dylan ("the jester"), John Lennon ("Lenin/Lennon read a book on Marx"), The Byrds ("Eight miles high and falling fast"), The Beatles ("sergeants played a marching tune", The Rolling Stones ("Jack Flash sat on a candle-stick" and probably a further allusion to the Stones in several references to the Devil; in particular, "no angel born in hell" is probably a reference to Hells Angels at the Stones' Altamont Free Concert of December 1969), and possibly Janis Joplin ("a girl who sang the blues") and various others.^[3]
• "And It Stoned Me" by Van Morrison may reference Jelly Roll Morton ("…it stoned me just like jelly roll").
• "Apache" by Sugarhill Gang, references Hot Butter's Popcorn song, Rapper's Delight by Sugarhill Gang and "Apache" by The Incredible Bongo Band, It also mentions Monster Mash by Bobby "Boris" Pickett.
• "Autobiography" (officially unreleased) by John Cale references J.J. Cale ("I never wrote a song called "Cocaine"/I never wrote a song called "After Midnight").

[edit] B

• "Baby Britain" by Elliott Smith references The Beatles ("Revolver's been / turned over / and now it's ready once again")^[4]
• "Be My Yoko" by The Bobs references John Lennon (as if the singer is Lennon).
• "Bloody Mother Fucking Asshole" by Martha Wainwright indeed references her father, Loudon Wainwright III.
• "Blonde on Blonde" by Nada Surf references Bob Dylan (Blonde on Blonde).
• "Bringing Back the Balls to Rock" by Lordi references KISS, Ozzy Osbourne, Alice Cooper (Through behavior and stage shows), Twisted Sister, Accept, W.A.S.P., Judas Priest, Mötley Crüe, and Skid Row (through songs like "SMF," "Metal Heart," "L.O.V.E. Machine," "Breaking the Law," "Looks That Kill," and "Youth Gone Wild.") As well as KISS's "Creatures of the Night."
• "But Julian, I'm a Little Older Than You" by Courtney Love references Julian Casablancas singer for The Strokes.
• "Bye Bye Love" by George Harrison from Dark Horse (1974), references Eric and Patti Clapton, who also perform on it.

[edit] C

• "Californication" by the Red Hot Chili Peppers references Courtney Love, Kurt Cobain and David Bowie
• "Carrie-Anne" by The Hollies references Marianne Faithfull^[5]
• "Chelsea Hotel No.2" by Leonard Cohen references Janis Joplin^[6]
• "Clambake" by Mark Knopfler references Elvis Presley
• "Collapsing New People" by Fad Gadget references the industrial group Einstürzende Neubauten, a band that performed some backup instrumentation on that track and others from the same album (Gag). "Einstürzende Neubauten" is literally translated from German to English as "collapsing new buildings".
• "Come Together" by The Beatles may be referencing Chuck Berry
• "Country House" by Blur references Oasis

[edit] D

• "Daddy Could Swear, I Declare" by Gladys Knight & the Pips references Ray Charles. ("...as he sang to me 'What'd I Say?'")
• "Deadhead" by The Teen Idles references The Grateful Dead. ("I'll be grateful when you're dead", and lyrics from the Grateful Dead song "Casey Jones" are quoted.)
• "Death Singing" by Patti Smith references Benjamin Smoke. (Smith has said the song is about him, and recites the lyrics in a documentary about Smoke.)
• "Destroy Rock 'N' Roll" by Mylo references a list of artists: Michael Jackson, Prince, Bruce Springsteen, Tina Turner, David Bowie, Van Halen, Madonna, Huey Lewis & The News, The Cars, Herbie Hancock, Bonnie Tyler, Stevie Nicks, Men At Work, ZZ Top, Paul MCartney & Michael Jackson, Weird Al Yankovic, Cyndi Lauper, Pink Floyd, The Pretenders, Billy Joel, Billy Idol, Elton John, Neil Young, Sheena Easton, Patty Smyth & Scandal, Fashion, Big Country, Morris Day & The Time, John Lennon, Apollonia 6, REO Speedwagon, David Gilmour, The Rolling Stones, Pat Benatar, Hall & Oates, Wham, Rebbie Jackson, Adam Ant, Bananarama, Christine McVie, Queen, John Cougar Mellencamp, U2, Fleetwood Mac, The Alan Parsons Project, Rick Springfield, The Thompson Twins, Missing Persons, Duran Duran, The Police, Eurythmics, Culture Club, Band Aid and Stevie Wonder.
• "Demographics" by Segarini references Fleetwood Mac
• "Diamonds and Rust" by Joan Baez references Bob Dylan^[7]
• "Distopian Dream Girl" by Built to Spill references David Bowie, ("My stepfather looks just like David Bowie/he hates David Bowie/I think Bowie's cool")
• "Dinner at Eight" by Rufus Wainwright references Loudon Wainwright III (as "Daddy").
• "DJ Culture" by Pet Shop Boys references Madonna, ("She after Sean").
• "Don't Believe a Word I Say" by Segarini references Peter Frampton
• "Down Rodeo" by Rage Against the Machine references Bob Marley ("We hungry but them belly full," referencing the song "Them Belly Full (But We Hungry)" from Natty Dread).

[edit] E

• "Empty Garden (Hey, Hey, Johnny)" by Elton John references John Lennon.^[8]
• "Everything Zen" by Bush references David Bowie ("Mickey Mouse has grown up a Cow", part of "Life On Mars" lyric; the song also overtly references Elvis Presley).

[edit] F

• "The Fat Angel" by Donovan references "Mama" Cass Elliot (the title refers to her),^[9] and openly Jefferson Airplane.
• "For You Blue" by The Beatles references Elmore James and Chuck Berry ("Elmore James got nothing on THIS, baby!"; "Go, Johnny go", from "Johnny B. Goode")
• "The Freed Pig" by Sebadoh references J Mascis.^[10]
• "Friend of a Friend" by Foo Fighters references Kurt Cobain and Krist Novoselic.
• "The Frog Prince" by Keane. Tim Rice-Oxley hasn't said for which musician is this song but the following had been suggested: Noel Gallagher (Oasis), James Blunt, Morrissey, Chris Martin (Coldplay) and Tom Chaplin (Keane)
• "From Hank To Hendrix" by Neil Young references Hank Williams and Jimi Hendrix, and openly Madonna.

[edit] G

• "Get Dancin'" by Disco Tex & The Sex-O-Lettes references Golden Earring ("Radar Love").
• "Gimme Back My Brain" by Therapy? references the Stooges ("I need a new source of raw power").
• "Glory Of The 80s" by Tori Amos references Kim Carnes ("I'll clone myself like that blonde chick who sings "Bette Davis Eyes'")
• "Goodbye Pork Pie Hat" by Charles Mingus references Lester Young

[edit] H

• "Have You Ever" by Incubus references Billy Joel ("a prophet did once say that honesty is a lonely word")
• "Here It Goes Again" by OK Go references The Pixies ("the second side of Surfer Rosa")
• "How Do You Sleep?" by John Lennon references Paul McCartney.^[11]
• "Hydra" by Dir en grey references the Sex Pistols. ("I wanna be an anarchist, too")

[edit] I

• "I Don't Love Anyone" by Belle & Sebastian references Felt.^[12]
• "I Dreamed I Saw Phil Ochs Last Night" by Billy Bragg references Joe Hill (and overtly references Phil Ochs).
• "In This River" by Black Label Society references Darrell Abbott "This river's taken me my only friend."
• "Into Your Shtik" by Mudhoney probably references Courtney Love.
• "I Go Back" by Kenny Chesney references "Jack and Diane" by John Mellencamp, "Only The Good Die Young" by Billy Joel, and "Keep on Rockin' Me Baby" by the Steve Miller Band
• "I'll Remember You" by Michael Nesmith makes references to Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, as well as The Beatles, Mainly John Lennon. (One of his close friends.) He refers to them as 'Fred and Ginger', and 'John, my friend'. (Paul, George, and Ringo, too.) The song and the video is touching, as it thanks them for all the things they did to make him happy throughout the years.

[edit] J

• "JCB" by Nizlopi references Christy Moore ("Don't forget your shovel if you want to go to work").
• "Jean Genie" by David Bowie may be referencing Iggy Pop^[13]
• "Jelle" by Slimme Schemer feat. Tido references De Kast (and overtly references Twarres, Venice and Normaal).

[edit] K

• "The Kids" by Jamiroquai references Gil Scott Heron. ("I say the revolution will be televised.")
• "Killing Me Softly With His Song" by Roberta Flack references Don McLean.^[14]
• "Konstantine" by Something Corporate references Jimmy Eat World.

[edit] L

• "Laser Show" by Fountains of Wayne references heavy metal band Metallica by namechecking their lineup at the time of the song's release: "Sit back, relax, watch the stars / James and Jason; Kirk and Lars"
• "Let it Rain" by Tilly and the Wall references Madonna's lyrics, "Get into the Groove Boy, You've Got to Prove Your Love to Me" in the first line
• "Life in a Northern Town" by The Dream Academy is about Nick Drake.^[15]
• "Life Is A Rock (But The Radio Rolled Me)" by Reunion references The Eagles ("Take It Easy"), probably Sly & the Family Stone and/or Ike & Tina Turner ("take me higher" and "wanna take you higher"), Little Eva and/or Grand Funk Railroad ("Locomotion"), The Rolling Stones ("Satisfaction", "Gimme Shelter"), The Edsels ("Rama Lama" [Ding Dong]), Little Anthony & the Imperials ("Shimmy, Shimmy, Koko Bop"), Hank Ballard and/or Ike & Tina Turner ("Finger Poppin'"), Music Explosion and/or Marmalade ("Can't stop now"), possibly The Monkees ("Mary, Mary"), Frankie Avalon ("De De Dinah"), probably Leadbelly ("C.C. Rider"), The Beach Boys ("Good Vibrations", "Help Me Rhonda", "Surfer Girl", "Little Honda"), Tommy James and/or Alive and Kicking ("Tighter, Tighter"), possibly ABBA ("Honey, Honey"), The Archies ("Sugar, Sugar"), Ohio Express ("Yummy, Yummy"), and The Four Tops (ending chorus uses "Baby I Need Your Loving" tune)
• "Lights Camera Action" by The Miracle Workers references Courtney Love
• "London Boys" by Johnny Thunders references The Sex Pistols
• "Love" by Mos Def references Eric B. and Rakim
• "Love Story" by Segarini references John Lennon and Paul McCartney

[edit] M

• "Mad Man in Manchester" by Frank Chickens is about Mark E. Smith of the Fall
• "Made in England" by Elton John references Elvis Presley ("the boy from Tupelo") and Little Richard ("the sweet Georgia peach")
• "Meet Me In The Bathroom" by The Strokes references Courtney Love according to statements made by band members.
• "Memphis Skyline" by Rufus Wainwright is about Jeff Buckley.^[16]
• "Mic Check" by Rage Against the Machine references Bob Marley and The Wailers ("Come with the fire only Marley could catch" echoes the title of the album Catch a Fire).
• "Mighty K.C." by For Squirrels references Kurt Cobain in the title.
• "Mirror Man" by Human League is about Adam Ant, the band admitted.
• "Mix Tape" by Brand New references Morrissey and The Smiths.

[edit] N

• "Nevermind" by Red Hot Chili Peppers references Duran Duran, The Gap Band, Hall & Oates
• "New York" by The Sex Pistols references The New York Dolls
• "The Night I Fell in Love" by Pet Shop Boys references Eminem.^[17]
• "Nobody Home" by Pink Floyd references Syd Barrett, Richard Wright and Jimi Hendrix^{[citation needed]}
• "No Time" by The Monkees makes a reference to George Harrison and Ringo Starr during some dialog.
• "No, you don't" by Nine Inch Nails references to Courtney Love

[edit] O

• "Octavarium" by Dream Theater references Pink Floyd, Genesis (band), The Who, Spock's Beard, Nightmare Cinema, Primus, Dream Theater, Judas Priest and The Beatles.
• "The Other Side Of Summer" by Elvis Costello references John Lennon, Madonna, David Bowie and Roger Waters.

[edit] P

• "Planet Earth" by Devo references Alice Cooper ("I saw a man on a stage / scream "Put me back in my cage!" / I saw him hanged by his tie")
• "Play It All Night Long" by Warren Zevon references Lynyrd Skynyrd ("Sweet Home Alabama, play that dead band's song").^[18]
• "Porcelain Monkey" by Warren Zevon references Elvis Presley, although less than flatteringly.^[19]
• "Punk Rock Girl" by the Dead Milkmen references Minnie Pearl, Mojo Nixon, the Beach Boys, Dan Quayle, and Gene Chandler ("Duke of Earl").^[20]
• "Punky Reggae Party" by Bob Marley references The Damned, The Jam and The Clash.

[edit] R

• "Radio" by Rancid references The Clash ("Radio Clash, Magnificent Seven, I was a choir boy, you showed me no heaven")
• "Reminisce, Part One" by Dexys Midnight Runners references Stevie Wonder ("I heard that blind man, the man with the glasses, I heard him singing... um, I didn't like the song you understand, but I did know what he meant about the 'higher ground'.")
• "Rip It Up" by Orange Juice references Buzzcocks ("my favourite song’s entitled Boredom", followed by part of that song's guitar solo)
• "Randy Scouse Git" by The Monkees makes a reference to The Beatles. Line: "The four kings of EMI are sitting stately on the floor." This is because Micky Dolenz wrote this song after attending a party the Beatles had thrown for the Monkees in London while on tour.

[edit] S

• "She Belongs To Me" by Bob Dylan references Joan Baez^[21]
• "Shine On You Crazy Diamond" by Pink Floyd references Syd Barrett.^[22]
• "Shoe Song" by Shellac references "Good Morning Captain" by Slint.^[23]
• "Sick Man" by Foetus references Nick Cave.^[24]
• "Signs" by Justin Timberlake and Snoop Dogg, references the song "Early in the Morning" by the Gap Band (referenced with the lyrics "I was young and foolish").
• "Slide Show" by Travis references the song "A Design for Life" by the Manic Street Preachers ('Cause there is no design for life); "Devil's Haircut" by Beck (There is no devil's haircut in your mind); and "Wonderwall" by Oasis (There is not a wonderwall to climb or step around).
• "Slightly American Music" by Brian Wilson references many musicians both overtly and covertly - hinted at but never mentioned by name are Motown, Hank Williams Sr., George Gershwin, Chuck Berry, Dick Clark
• "The Spiderbite Song" by The Flaming Lips references the musicians in The Flaming Lips; the whole song is about various events in their past.
• "The Spirit of Radio" by Rush references Simon & Garfunkel ("And the words of the prophets were written on the studio wall/Concert hall/And echoes with the sounds of salesmen")
• "Stainless Steel Providers" by the Revolting Cocks references The Beach Boys ("I Get Around")
• "Starfuckers, Inc" by Nine Inch Nails references Marilyn Manson and Carly Simon.
• "So Long Jimmy" by James Blunt references Jim Morrison of The Doors.
• "Summertime Siren" by "Junkyard Jane" references Summertime by George Gershwin.
• "Sweet Home Alabama" by Lynyrd Skynyrd references Southern Man by Neil Young.

[edit] T

• "Take It Away" by The Used references My Chemical Romance ("I'm the one with no more chances, and I've lost all doubt in a chemical romance")
• "The Things That Dreams Are Made Of" by the Human League covertly references The Ramones by referring to three of the Ramones ("... Johnny, Joey, Dee Dee, good times....")
• "Thirteen" by Big Star references the Rolling Stones' "Paint It Black" and possibly "Rock'n'Roll Is Here To Stay" by Danny & the Juniors
• "Three Minute Boy" by Marillion refers to Elvis Presley and The Beatles.
• "Trans-Europe Express" by Kraftwerk references Iggy Pop and David Bowie
• "Tribute" by Tenacious D references Led Zeppelin.
• "Tripping" by The Pretty Things covertly references Bob Dylan ("the songs you write, Mr. D, are strange")
• "True" by Spandau Ballet references Marvin Gaye ("listening to Marvin all night long")^[25]
• "Tunic" by Sonic Youth references Karen Carpenter (as if singer Kim Gordon is Ms. Carpenter)^[26]
• "Tupelo" by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds references Elvis Presley ("The King was born in Tupelo")

[edit] W

• "Wake Up" by Rage Against the Machine references EPMD ("And like E-Double 'I'm Mad'...")
• "Wednesday" by Tori Amos references Prince ("I start humming 'When Doves Cry'")
• "When We Was Fab" by George Harrison references his old band The Beatles (the music video for this song is more explicit in the reference).^[27]
• "When the Sun Goes Down" by Arctic Monkeys references "Roxanne" by The Police ("And he told Roxanne to put on her red light")
• "(White Man) In Hammersmith Palais" by The Clash references The Jam ("They got Burton suits, you think it's funny / turning rebellion into money", which Joe Strummer later said was about The Jam).
• "Wild Horses" by the Rolling Stones references Marianne Faithfull ("faithless lady").^[28]
• "Wish You Were Here" by Pink Floyd references Syd Barrett^[29]
• "Without a Face" by Rage Against the Machine references Naughty by Nature ("Ya down with DDT, yeah you know me" echoes the chorus from O.P.P.).
• "Writing to Reach You" by Travis references Oasis ("What's a Wonderwall anyway?")
• "Went to see the Gypsy" by Bob Dylan references Elvis Presley in Las Vegas.^[30]

[edit] Y

• "You Can't Always Get What You Want" by Rolling Stones references Jimi Hendrix
• "Young Americans" by David Bowie references The Beatles ("I heard the news today, oh boy", from "A Day in the Life").
• "You're So Vain" by Carly Simon is commonly believed to refer to Mick Jagger, a previous lover of Simon's, though she has never verified who the song is in fact about. Other possibilities raised have been Cat Stevens, Kris Kristofferson, James Taylor, or actor Warren Beatty.
• "You Were Right" by Built to Spill references Bob Marley ("You were wrong when you said/Everything's gonna be alright."), Neil Young ("You were right when you said/All that glitters isn't gold."), Kansas ("You were right when you said/All we are is dust in the wind."), Pink Floyd ("You were right when you said/We are all just bricks in the wall"), Jimi Hendrix ("And when you said manic depression's a frustrating mess."), The Rolling Stones ("You were right when you said/You can't always get what you want."), Bob Dylan ("You were right when you said/It's a hard rain's gonna fall."), Bob Seger ("You were right when you said/We're still running against the wind."), John Mellencamp, ("And life goes on after the thrill of living is gone."), and The Doors ("You were right when you said/This is the end.").
• "You Get What You Give" by The New Radicals references The Dust Brothers, Beck, Hanson, Courtney Love and Marilyn Manson.

[edit] Notes

[edit] See also

• List of songs containing overt reference to real musicians
• List of songs referencing Kurt Cobain