The Oldies Music Board

You are not logged in. Would you like to login or register?



August 28, 2019 3:10 pm  #1


Hits That Don't Mention Their Own Titles In The Lyrics

A long time ago, back when CHUM was still an oldies station, they used to do a Top 10 at 10 every weekday morning – the same feature that AM 740 does these days. Each one had a specific theme. And there’s one that I could never quite get out of my mind.
 
The theme that day was “The Top 10 Songs That Never Mention Their Titles In The Lyrics.” I’ve been trying to remember what they were, but the only one that comes back to this addled old brain is “Sunshine Superman” by Donovan. Obviously there were at least nine more. (And clearly, instrumentals don’t count.)
 
After ruminating on it for far more time than it deserves, the only other ones I can think of are “The Ballad Of John & Yoko” by The Beatles, “Annie’s Song” by John Denver and “Danny’s Song” by Anne Murray. I suppose “Romeo’s Tune” by Steve Forbert would fit as well.
 
Oh and here’s another obscure one – “Rainy Day Women #12 & 35” by Bob Dylan, although I don’t recall this being a huge hit at the time.
 
I wish I could remember what was on that countdown. I thought it was an unusual Top 10.  

 

August 28, 2019 3:36 pm  #2


Re: Hits That Don't Mention Their Own Titles In The Lyrics

Beatles - "A Day in the Life"
Queen - "Bohemian Rhapsody"

There must be lots more...still pondering.

 

August 28, 2019 3:46 pm  #3


Re: Hits That Don't Mention Their Own Titles In The Lyrics

Another obvious one -
Bee Gees - "New York Mining Disaster, 1941"

 

August 28, 2019 4:43 pm  #4


Re: Hits That Don't Mention Their Own Titles In The Lyrics

A few others have come to mind:

White Rabbit - Jefferson Airplane
Dyer Maker - Led Zeppelin
Ode To Billie Joe - Bobbi Gentry
Superstar - Carpenters
Sukiyaki - Kyu Sakamoto

That last one was a bit of a cheat - its real title in Japanese translates to something like "I Look Up When I Walk." They chose Sukiyaki for the title because they figured North American audiences would have heard the word and would have no idea what the song was about anyway. 
 

     Thread Starter
 

August 28, 2019 6:08 pm  #5


Re: Hits That Don't Mention Their Own Titles In The Lyrics

There are several more, but I'll just add one...  Unchained Melody by both Al Hibbler and The Righteous Brothers.

 

August 29, 2019 5:12 am  #6


Re: Hits That Don't Mention Their Own Titles In The Lyrics

Black Dog - Led Zeppelin
The Killing of Georgie, Part I & II - Rod Stewart

 

August 29, 2019 6:17 am  #7


Re: Hits That Don't Mention Their Own Titles In The Lyrics

Jimmy Reed sings "Baby, why you wanna let go" instead of "Baby What You Want Me To Do." The song title is not in the lyrics.

 

August 29, 2019 9:01 am  #8


Re: Hits That Don't Mention Their Own Titles In The Lyrics

"He Will Break Your Heart" by Jerry Butler.  When Tony Orlando and Dawn recoded it several years later they changed the title to "He Don't Love You (Like I Love You)."

 

August 30, 2019 10:43 pm  #9


Re: Hits That Don't Mention Their Own Titles In The Lyrics

A Lover's Concerto - The Toys
Opus 17 - The Four Seasons
White Rabbit - Jefferson Airplane


Tom Diehl
 

August 31, 2019 12:06 am  #10


Re: Hits That Don't Mention Their Own Titles In The Lyrics

Cary wrote:

Jimmy Reed sings "Baby, why you wanna let go" instead of "Baby What You Want Me To Do." The song title is not in the lyrics.

Don't think so.  Jimmy, being Jimmy, said Baby What You Wan Me to do
 

 

August 31, 2019 12:27 am  #11


Re: Hits That Don't Mention Their Own Titles In The Lyrics

Well, the words "Baby what you want me to do" were said at the beginning of the recording of this song  ... but not by Reed.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cEkepygs_bM
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baby_What_You_Want_Me_to_Do
 

 

September 2, 2019 11:04 pm  #12


Re: Hits That Don't Mention Their Own Titles In The Lyrics

Aquarius / Let the Sunshine In (The Flesh Failures) - The 5th Dimension
The Boxer - Simon & Garfunkel
I'll Never Fall In Love Again - Tom Jones
Mr. Sun, Mr. Moon - Paul Revere & The Raiders
Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye - Steam


Tom Diehl
 

Board footera

 

Powered by Boardhost. Create a Free Forum