An obvious one: 

Abraham, Martin & John by Dion.

Speaking of the late president, Life In A Northern Town by Dream Academy (if that isn't quite an oldie) has this reference:

In winter 1963,
It felt like the world would freeze,
With John F. Kennedy and The Beatles.

"Life Is A Rock" by Reunion came to mind as perhaps mentioning more names than any other song that I know. But then I thought of another one that similarly mentions one famous name after another -- Billy Joel's "We Didn't Start The Fire". However, I never thought much of the way that the lyrics of both songs basically just randomly throw together names in order to have them rhyme and fit the meter of the songs. But that got me thinking of a song that I do like: Mark Dinning's "Top 40, News, Weather And Sports", which depicts him doing his homework on current affairs while getting sleepy and listening to the radio, and then finding the next morning that he's mixed up names in the news with singers, songs, and even the weather.

Glass Onion - The Beatles

"The Walrus was Paul"

You Haven't Done Nothing - Stevie Wonder

The song is about the legacy  - or lack of one - regarding Richard Nixon. At one point, Stevie, backed by the Jackson 5, shouts "Sing it Dickie!"

"Dickie" was Tricky Dickie, one of Nixon's infamous nicknames. 

Mrs Robinson - Simon and Garfunkel
(the lyric below, not the title)

Where have you gone, Joe DiMaggio?

Garden Party - Rick Nelson

Mr. Hughes hid in Dylan's shoes

I'm Henry the Eighth I Am - Herman's Hermits

 

Last edited by GrimsbyFan (October 30, 2025 8:54 pm)

One who made it in both sections of this topic...."Clap For The WOLFMAN" is the title!!
"Monster Mash" included in the lyrics a salute to the WOLFMAN!
"Let's Think About Livin'" mentioned "Cathys Clown" and the Everly Brothers, as well as Marty Robbins and Patti Page.

Jack the Ripper - Screaming Lord Sutch
 
Lady Godiva - Peter & Gordon
 
Yogi - The Ivy Three
Also mentions Boo Boo

Lizzie Borden - Chad Mitchell Trio  

How to Be a Country Star - The Statler Brothers
Mentions several country singers
 
Key Largo - Bertie Higgins
Bogie and Bacall

Last edited by Taz (November 2, 2025 9:05 am)

Sunshine Superman - by Donovan
Superman and Green Lantern
 
I Taut I Taw a Puddy Tat - Mel Blanc
my name is Tweety Pie
 
I Wanna Be Loved By You - Betty Boop

Rubber Duckie - Ernie
 
Candle In The Wind - Elton John
Norma Jeane (Marilyn Monroe)
 
James Dean - Eagles
 
The Christmas Song - The King Cole Trio
Jack Frost
 

Mr. Bojangles - Nitty Gritty Dirt Band

Do You Remember These - The Statler Brothers
Sadie Hawkins
Howdy Doody
James Dean
The boogie man
Captain Midnight
Roy Rogers
Veronica and Betty
Dewey