# Album cover art that references other album cover art **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 2, 2018, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/album-cover-art-that-references-other-album-cover-art/818989 "2018-08-02T17:00:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2018, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/album-cover-art-that-references-other-album-cover-art/818989/1 "2018-08-02T17:00:55Z")
What album cover art deliberately references other well known album covers? For example, _[We’re Only in it for the Money](https://cps-static.rovicorp.com/3/JPG_500/MI0003/380/MI0003380210.jpg?partner=allrovi.com)_ is an obvious parody of the iconic Sgt. Pepper cover. There have been [many](https://img.discogs.com/axdC2iIlbL5yvgjmbuHrHuEdmTo=/fit-in/300x300/filters:strip_icc():format(jpeg):mode_rgb():quality(40)/discogs-images/R-1400281-1458251136-2448.jpeg.jpg) [parodies](https://blog.unifiedmanufacturing.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/album_1197169690.jpg) of the iconic _Whipped Cream and Other Delights_ Zappa had [a cover](https://images.eil.com/large_image/FRANK_ZAPPA_FILLMORE%2BEAST%2BJUNE%2B1971-271351.jpg) used directly by [John Lennon](https://i.pinimg.com/originals/4a/ad/3b/4aad3b44081e45c841dff72c8af10ee0.jpg) A favorite of mine is Flash and the Pan, whose _[Lights in the Night](https://img.discogs.com/cN5xkMojAWIDMMgH_joRg-QYWBw=/fit-in/600x591/filters:strip_icc():format(jpeg):mode_rgb():quality(90)/discogs-images/R-2369549-1280030443.jpeg.jpg)_ album had a black wash over the [cover of their first album](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/61a85Xg32pL.jpg) so it was just barely visible. This was obvious on the original albums, but CDs could not reproduce the effect (though you can see it if you look carefully at the scratch). What are other examples? ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2018, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/album-cover-art-that-references-other-album-cover-art/818989/2 "2018-08-02T17:12:16Z")
Obviously, **The Rutles** can’t be used, but [here’re their albums](https://www.google.com/search?tbm=isch&sa=1&ei=9jljW5WLBpSRjwTLgKyAAQ&q=rutles+album+covers&oq=rutles+album+covers&gs_l=img.3..0.164069.166623.0.168768.6.6.0.0.0.0.101.522.5j1.6.0....0...1c.1.64.img..0.6.518...0i7i30k1j0i7i5i30k1.0.5Fgn-fCUwtM) anyway. ---
**Author:** ![EinsteinsHund](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/einsteinshund/32/8400_2.png) [@EinsteinsHund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EinsteinsHund)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2018, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/album-cover-art-that-references-other-album-cover-art/818989/3 "2018-08-02T18:30:59Z")
> [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](#): > > Obviously, **The Rutles** can’t be used, but [here’re their albums](https://www.google.com/search?tbm=isch&sa=1&ei=9jljW5WLBpSRjwTLgKyAAQ&q=rutles+album+covers&oq=rutles+album+covers&gs_l=img.3..0.164069.166623.0.168768.6.6.0.0.0.0.101.522.5j1.6.0....0...1c.1.64.img..0.6.518...0i7i30k1j0i7i5i30k1.0.5Fgn-fCUwtM) anyway. I’d have to get my copy of “1000 Record Covers” by Taschen, there’s tons of that stuff, but off the top of my head: Beatles - [Abbey Road](https://imgc.allpostersimages.com/img/print/poster/the-beatles-abbey-road_a-G-10573747-0.jpg) Red Hot Chili Peppers - [The Abbey Road E.P.](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/71m5l2kSp2L._SX355_.jpg) Booker T And The MG’s - [Mclemore Avenue](https://img.cdandlp.com/2012/09/imgL/115566134.jpg) * * * Herp Alpert - [Whipped Cream And Other Delights](https://img.discogs.com/vHwoeQKdP2kCQAxsJ8MKtKz7JOU=/fit-in/600x600/filters:strip_icc():format(jpeg):mode_rgb():quality(90)/discogs-images/R-578954-1220133001.jpeg.jpg) Soul Asylum - [Clam Dip And Other Delights](https://www.twincities.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/03-karlmueller.jpg) * * * Elvis Presley - [Elvis Presley](http://www.laut.de/Elvis-Presley/Alben/Elvis-Presley-70023/elvis-presley-123076.jpg) The Clash - [London Calling](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41175AICvgL.jpg) (the last ones being two of the greatest LP covers ever) ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2018, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/album-cover-art-that-references-other-album-cover-art/818989/4 "2018-08-02T18:41:46Z")
[Dread Zeppelin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dread_Zeppelin) is a band that’s known for their reggae-flavored covers of Led Zeppelin songs, with a lead singer (“Tortelvis”) who’s an Elvis impersonator. The cover of their album “[5,000,000 (\*Tortelvis Fans Can’t Be Wrong)](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/45/Dread_Zeppelin_-_5%2C000%2C000.jpg/220px-Dread_Zeppelin_-_5%2C000%2C000.jpg)” is an homage to the cover of “[Led Zeppelin IV](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/61qTE9kINgL._SX466_.jpg),” while the title itself is a reference to Presley’s “[50,000,000 Elvis Fans Can’t Be Wrong](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/b/b5/Elvis%27_Gold_Records%2C_Vol._2_original_LP_cover.jpg/220px-Elvis%27_Gold_Records%2C_Vol._2_original_LP_cover.jpg).” ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2018, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/album-cover-art-that-references-other-album-cover-art/818989/5 "2018-08-02T18:49:05Z")
Sonny Rollins - [Vol. 2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sonny_Rollins,_Vol._2) Joe Jackson - [Body and Soul](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Body_and_Soul_(Joe_Jackson_album)) * * * Little Richard - [Little Richard](https://www.amazon.com/Little-Richard/dp/B00927GXLC) The 77s - [Sticks and Stones](https://www.amazon.com/Sticks-Stones-77s/dp/B007X3RAGY) * * * David Bowie - [Heroes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%22Heroes%22_(David_Bowie_album)) David Bowie - [The Next Day](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Next_Day) ---
**Author:** ![x-ray\_vision](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/x-ray_vision/32/351_2.png) [@x-ray\_vision](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/x-ray_vision)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2018, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/album-cover-art-that-references-other-album-cover-art/818989/6 "2018-08-02T19:12:50Z")
Sesame St - [Born to Add](http://d37tn6c1xe3y8i.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/sesamestreet21.jpg) Bob Dylan - [Desire](https://c2.staticflickr.com/4/3655/3336322045_0b5e92d512_b.jpg) John Phillips - [John Phillips (John, the Wolf King of L.A.)](http://images.eil.com/large_image/JOHN_PHILLIPS_JOHN%2BPHILLIPS-516118.jpg) Rancid - […And Out Come the Wolves](http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-56KMWnsmg90/UFIRuBzXdDI/AAAAAAAADTA/mLpWaXPhnTY/s1600/___And_Out_Come_The_Wolves_by_inspirational_dreams.jpg) Minor Threat - [Minor Threat](http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_AfnWPBFmZA0/TGHHZHb-QDI/AAAAAAAAFOo/AvRcniv3lck/s1600/Complete+Discography.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2018, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/album-cover-art-that-references-other-album-cover-art/818989/7 "2018-08-02T19:24:23Z")
**The Residents** - [Meet the Residents](https://www.cherryred.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/RESIDENTS-Meet.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2018, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/album-cover-art-that-references-other-album-cover-art/818989/8 "2018-08-02T19:37:57Z")
[Born Not To Run](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51hpm84MlLL._SX496_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg) – Car Talk’s More Disrespectful Car Songs ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2018, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/album-cover-art-that-references-other-album-cover-art/818989/9 "2018-08-02T19:53:04Z")
The Beatles did a photo shoot for their 1963 EP [_The Beatles (No.1)_](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Beatles_(No._1)) A similar photo from this shoot was used for the cover of the “[red album](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1962%E2%80%931966)” (_1962–1966_). They later arranged a photo shoot to recreate this image. It ended up later being used on the “[blue album](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1967%E2%80%931970)” (_1967-1970_). It could have been a four-fer. The shoot was intended to be the cover for the _Get Back_ album which instead was replaced by _Let It Be_ which had a different cover. ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2018, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/album-cover-art-that-references-other-album-cover-art/818989/10 "2018-08-02T20:35:05Z")
Wasn’t the Rolling Stones’ “Her Satanic Majesties Request” cover meant to be a sarcastic take on the Beatles’ Sargeant Pepper’s album? Wikipedia says it was thought to be similar > **[Their Satanic Majesties Request](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Their_Satanic_Majesties_Request)** > > Their Satanic Majesties Request is the 6th British and 8th American studio album by the English rock band the Rolling Stones, released in December 1967 by Decca Records in the UK and by London Records in the US. It is their first to be released in identical versions in both countries. The album's title is a play on the "Her Britannic Majesty requests and requires..." text that appears inside a British passport. > The band experimented with a psychedelic sound on Satanic Majesties, incorporating... ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2018, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/album-cover-art-that-references-other-album-cover-art/818989/11 "2018-08-02T22:42:45Z")
Sgt. Pepper references the Rolling Stones, and Satanic Majesty has pictures of the Beatles (all four on the original lenticular version). ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2018, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/album-cover-art-that-references-other-album-cover-art/818989/12 "2018-08-02T23:02:40Z")
In metal, **Black Sabbath** is not just a baseline but a benchmark. Their cover for [_Master Of Reality_](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Master_of_Reality#/media/File:Bsmor.jpg), arguably one of the worst album covers of all time, has been copied/parodied/satired/respected over the years by numerous other bands. For instance: Al Jourgenson and Paul Barker (both of **Ministry** , etc.) did a one-off project called **1000 Homo DJs** that not only gave us one of the best Sabbath covers ever with their version of [Sweet Leaf](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xjho-zVgDXo), they copied this cover art too for the 12" release. **Mister Bones** was a Canadian stoner/doom band that released a couple of albums in the Oughts; their second long player, [_Monster Burn and the Power Seekers_](https://www.discogs.com/Mister-Bones-Monster-Burn-And-The-Power-Seekers/release/2261782), used the MoR concept. They were a pretty good band but they changed their name to **The Georgian Skull** (terrible band name, btw) and then that band broke up 2 years later; check out [Road Saw](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EVJR84ECeq0). A rapper that goes by the name **Blacastan** copped the concept a couple of years ago, too, for his album _The Master of Reality_. Here’s a track from him, too: [Crac-A-Stan](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5rL_7cqPkxw) which makes me laugh because that song has a sample from the era and even the genre, kinda, but it’s not **Black Sabbath**. Bonus points for anyone who recognizes it :D, but if you don’tIt’s the opening keyboard riff from [**Iron Butterfly** ’s _In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida_](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UIVe-rZBcm4/new). Prolly my favorite tho, is from a band called **Church of Misery**. They’re a doom band from Japan. For those who don’t know, doom metal is a genre that specifically cites **Black Sabbath** as the start of and the epitome of what it’s all about, both musically and lyrically. **Church of Misery** is a “theme” band tho, in that all their songs are about serial killers. And they basically copied/paid respect to/one-upped Sabbath with their cover for [_Master of Brutality_](https://www.metalblade.com/us/releases/church-of-misery-master-of-brutality/). Here’s a track from them, too: [Megalomania (Herbert Mullin)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BVEob6Ed6j0). ---
**Author:** ![eunoia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eunoia/32/97_2.png) [@eunoia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eunoia)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2018, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/album-cover-art-that-references-other-album-cover-art/818989/13 "2018-08-03T01:29:11Z")
> [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > Al Jourgenson and Paul Barker (both of **Ministry** , etc.) did a one-off project called **1000 Homo DJs** that not only gave us one of the best Sabbath covers ever with their version of [Sweet Leaf](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xjho-zVgDXo), they copied this cover art too for the 12" release. “Two-off” since this was 1000 Homo DJs second release following 1988’s _Apathy_. What’s weird is that Supernaut isn’t on Master of Reality. [Never Mind The Bollocks 1983](https://www.discogs.com/The-Bollock-Brothers-Never-Mind-The-Bollocks-1983/master/102275) ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2018, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/album-cover-art-that-references-other-album-cover-art/818989/14 "2018-08-03T01:40:28Z")
['Nuff sed.](https://i.chzbgr.com/full/2341142272/hD99C2DA7/) ---
**Author:** ![installLSC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/54ee81/32.png) [@installLSC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/installLSC)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2018, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/album-cover-art-that-references-other-album-cover-art/818989/15 "2018-08-03T01:52:11Z")
> [@blondebear](#): > > [Born Not To Run](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51hpm84MlLL._SX496_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg) – Car Talk’s More Disrespectful Car Songs [Sesame Street was a big fan of that album too.](http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yG0nQ-_OhS8/TUH5pa6dEFI/AAAAAAAAACA/kSRmFroaQ-o/s1600/DSCN5734.JPG) ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2018, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/album-cover-art-that-references-other-album-cover-art/818989/16 "2018-08-03T03:14:23Z")
Post #6. ---
**Author:** ![Kimble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kimble/32/19185_2.png) [@Kimble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimble)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2018, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/album-cover-art-that-references-other-album-cover-art/818989/17 "2018-08-03T03:22:04Z")
Sleater-Kinney’s _Dig Me Out_ is [pretty clearly](https://78.media.tumblr.com/f7beb307332806ce5945cbd600e4b4c9/tumblr_inline_ofvgisHNjW1qzy3k4_1280.png) a reference to _The Kink Kontroversy_. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2018, 5:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/album-cover-art-that-references-other-album-cover-art/818989/18 "2018-08-03T05:00:22Z")
Journey has done a pretty good job of this over the years, at least with their early albums, and Rush’s “Exit: Stage Left” does it too. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2018, 11:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/album-cover-art-that-references-other-album-cover-art/818989/19 "2018-08-03T11:31:08Z")
I’d say the cover of **Another Monty Python Album** , but I think that the “real” album cover underneath is a hack\*. At any rate, I can’t find it anywhere: [![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/e/e0/ANOTHER_MONTY_PYTHON_RECORD.jpg) ](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/e/e0/ANOTHER_MONTY_PYTHON_RECORD.jpg) Too bad, in a way. The Pieter Brueghel painting would make a great Beethoven album sleeve. \*Especially because the “notes” on the back are clearly a joke. ---
**Author:** ![Dave.B](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9f8e36/32.png) [@Dave.B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dave.B)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2018, 12:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/album-cover-art-that-references-other-album-cover-art/818989/20 "2018-08-03T12:43:13Z")
The cover of Donald Fagen’s **The Nightfly** features the cover of Sonny Rollins’ **Sonny Rollins and the Contemporary Leaders**. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/album-cover-art-that-references-other-album-cover-art/818989.md?page=2)