# Does each musician have a SIGNATURE song? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 21, 2001, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-each-musician-have-a-signature-song/83115 "2001-09-21T23:36:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![middleman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e9a140/32.png) [@middleman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/middleman)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2001, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-each-musician-have-a-signature-song/83115/1 "2001-09-21T23:36:04Z")
There are certain bands out there, that I so associate with one song that I consider them to be their signature song. Anyone else like that? Elvis’ is Houndog. Garth Brooks- Friends in Low Places Rolling Stones- Satisfaction U2- With or Without You Beatles (Early Years)- Hold Your Hand Beatles (Later Years)- Hey Jude Aerosmith- Sweet Emotion N’Sync- Like I know a freaking N’Sync song… Michael Jackson- Billy Jean Madonna- Material Girl George Michael- Faith Bob Dylan- Rolling Stone Whitney Houston- Star Spangled Banner (apparently) Lynard Skynard- Sweet Home Alabama Beach Boys- California Girls Eric Clapton- Layla (either version) Doors- Other Side Anyone else? Disagreements? ---
**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:** [September 22, 2001, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-each-musician-have-a-signature-song/83115/2 "2001-09-22T00:07:55Z")
The Doors should be “Light My Fire.” Kinks – Lola The Who – Don’t Get Fooled Again Jefferson Airplane – White Rabbit (or Somebody to Love) Cream – Sunshine of Your Love Santana – Evil Ways (Or Smooth) Grateful Dead – Casey Jones ---
**Author:** ![Laughing\_Lagomorph](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/6bbea6/32.png) [@Laughing\_Lagomorph](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Laughing_Lagomorph)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2001, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-each-musician-have-a-signature-song/83115/3 "2001-09-22T02:24:57Z")
Bruce Springsteen: Born to Run Led Zeppelin: Stairway to Heaven Queen: Bohemian Rhapsody Ramones: I Wanna be Sedated ---
**Author:** ![Laughing\_Lagomorph](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/6bbea6/32.png) [@Laughing\_Lagomorph](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Laughing_Lagomorph)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2001, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-each-musician-have-a-signature-song/83115/4 "2001-09-22T02:27:38Z")
Eagles: Hotel California (or Take it Easy?) ABBA: Dancing Queen I know a lot of REM’s songs, but none really stand out as a signature song for them. Any ideas? ---
**Author:** ![More\_Cowbell](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5a626/32.png) [@More\_Cowbell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/More_Cowbell)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2001, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-each-musician-have-a-signature-song/83115/5 "2001-09-22T02:57:57Z")
I would think REM would be “End of the World (I feel fine)” Others I can think of… David Bowie: Space Oddity Billy Joel: Piano Man Barry Manilow: Copa Cabana Better Midler: The Rose Jim Croce: Bad Bad Leroy Brown John Lennon: Imagine Ramones: Sedated As for disargreements: Lynard Skynard has to be “Freebird” I’d go with “Jailhouse Rock” for Elvis ---
**Author:** ![Kaitlyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/73ab20/32.png) [@Kaitlyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kaitlyn)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2001, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-each-musician-have-a-signature-song/83115/6 "2001-09-22T02:57:59Z")
Elvis Presley: “Heartbreak Hotel” Billy Joel: “Piano Man” Elton John: “Benny and the Jets” or “Rocket Man” The Doors: “Light My Fire” John Denver: “Rocky Mountain High” The Carpenters: “Close to You” Roy Orbison: “Oh Pretty Woman” Glenn Campbell: “Rhinestone Cowboy” The Police: “Every Breath You Take” Pink Floyd: “Another Brick in the Wall” Rod Stwear: “Do Ya Think I’m Sexy” Simon and Garfunkle: “Mrs. Robinson” or “Sounds of Silence” Paul Simon: “50 Ways to Leave Your Lover” John Mellencamp: “Small Town” Jim Croce: “You Don’t Mess Around With Jim” James Taylor: “Fire and Rain” Styx: “Babe” Huey Lewis and the News: “Heart of Rock and Roll” Jerry Lee Lewis: “Great Balls of Fire” ---
**Author:** ![Kaitlyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/73ab20/32.png) [@Kaitlyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kaitlyn)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2001, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-each-musician-have-a-signature-song/83115/7 "2001-09-22T03:00:57Z")
As I lost the simulpost showdown with Mayor Quimby, I will concede Jim Croce. But Elvis is “Heartbreak Hotel”. ---
**Author:** ![Freudian\_Slit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2001, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-each-musician-have-a-signature-song/83115/8 "2001-09-22T03:07:20Z")
My list: (Some disagreements, some agreements, and new artists) Rolling Stones: Sympathy for the Devil Meat Loaf: A toss up between Bat Out of Hell and Paradise by the Dashboard Lights Pink Floyd- Another Brick in the Wall Green Day- Basket Case REM- Losing My Religion (but maybe I’m biased, as it’s the first song I really ever heard by them) Jethro Tull- Aqualung Neil Young- Hey Hey My My (Out of the Blue) Janis Joplin- Another toss up, either Piece of my Heart or Me and Bobby McGee ---
**Author:** ![More\_Cowbell](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5a626/32.png) [@More\_Cowbell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/More_Cowbell)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2001, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-each-musician-have-a-signature-song/83115/9 "2001-09-22T03:21:54Z")
Hmmm… Heartbreak Hotel? I almost said “Suspicious Minds”, Elvis is a tough one. Some more: AC/DC: Shook me all night long Monkees: Daydream Believer Jimmy Buffet: Magarittaville Bee Gees: Stayin’ Alive Johnny Cash: Ring of Fire Of those mentioned Meatloaf: Paradise by the Dashboard Light (agree) Simon & Garfunkel: Bridge under Troubled Water The Who: Baba O’Reilly Eagles: Hotel California Disclaimer: I meniton these but most aren’t my favorite songs by the artist and some I don’t even like. But when I think of an artist, these songs pop up in my mind right away. ---
**Author:** ![middleman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e9a140/32.png) [@middleman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/middleman)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2001, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-each-musician-have-a-signature-song/83115/10 "2001-09-22T14:39:57Z")
Grateful Dead – Touch of Grey Bruce Springsteen: Born in the USA Led Zeppelin: Stairway to Heaven (Yup) Queen: Rock You/Champion Eagles: Hotel California Billy Joel: Piano Man Barry Manilow: I write the songs Better Midler: Wind…wings Jim Croce: Bad Bad Leroy Brown John Lennon: Imagine Elton John: Candle in the Wind Roy Orbison: “Oh Pretty Woman” (though my fave in Only the Lonely) Glenn Campbell: “Rhinestone Cowboy” The Police: “Every Breath You Take” Rod Stwear: Maggie Simon and Garfunkle: “Mrs. Robinson” John Mellencamp: Pink Houses James Taylor: “Fire and Rain” Huey Lewis and the News: Hip to be Square Jerry Lee Lewis: “Great Balls of Fire” REM- Man on the Moon AC/DC: Shook me all night long Monkees: I’m a Believer Jimmy Buffet: Magarittaville (Name another JB song besides Cheeseburger in Paradise…no cheating…) Bee Gees: Stayin’ Alive ---
**Author:** ![Skijumper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3e96dc/32.png) [@Skijumper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skijumper)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2001, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-each-musician-have-a-signature-song/83115/11 "2001-09-22T15:17:32Z")
IMHO - Elvis Presley - ‘Blue Suede Shoes’ Bob Dylan - ‘Blowing in the Wind’ The Band - ‘The Weight’ REM - ‘Stand’ Dire Straits - ‘Money for Nothing’ Kenny Rogers - ‘The Gambler’ Patsy Cline - ‘Crazy’ Willie Nelson - ‘On the Road Again’ Don McLean - ‘American Pie’ 10CC - ‘I’m Not in Love’ Supertramp - ‘It’s Raining Again’ Aretha Franklin - ‘Respect’ Elton John - ‘Candle in the Wind’ James Taylor - ‘Fire & Rain’ Carole King - ‘You’ve Got a Friend’ Guns n Roses - ‘Sweet Child O’ Mine’ Neil Young - ‘Heart of Gold’ Bruce Springsteen - ‘Born in the USA’ John Mellencamp - ‘Jack & Diane’ Rod Stewart - ‘Maggie May’ The Clash - ‘Should I Stay or Should I Go’ /‘London Calling’ Amazingly, I can’t think of anything more recent. ---
**Author:** ![23skidoo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/2/f04885/32.png) [@23skidoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/23skidoo)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2001, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-each-musician-have-a-signature-song/83115/12 "2001-09-22T15:35:41Z")
Here’s my list… AC/DC: Back in Black The Cure: Just Like Heaven The Pixies: Gigantic Minor Threat: Minor Threat They Might Be Giants: Birdhouse in My Soul/ Istanbul not Constantinople Operation Ivy: Knowledge Descendents: Myage The Misfits: Last Caress/ Where Eagles Dare The Sex Pistols: Anarchy in the UK The Dead Kennedys: California Uber Alles The Smiths: How Soon is Now? The Jam: That’s Entertainment ---
**Author:** ![frock75](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ad7895/32.png) [@frock75](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/frock75)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2001, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-each-musician-have-a-signature-song/83115/13 "2001-09-22T16:05:35Z")
ok here we go! Counting crows- Mr. Jones B-52s- Love Shack Bob Marley- No Woman No Cry Creedance Clearwater Revival- fortunate son Jim Croce- Operator or Time in a Bottle The Cult- Fire Woman Fleetwood Mac- Landslide The Pogues- Sunny Side of the Street Jame Taylor- Carolina in my Mind Joe Cocker- A Little Help From My Friends Marvin Gaye- Sexual Healing Morrissey- Everyday Is Like Sunday B. B. King- The Thrill Is Gone Neil Diamond- Sweet Caroline Sex Pistols- Anarchy in the UK The Cure- Lovesong As for naming Jimmy Buffett songs…how about Come Monday A Pirate Looks At Forty The Volcano Song Boat Drinks He Went To Paris Pencil Thin Moustache Son of a Son of a Sailor Changes in Lattitude, Changes in Attitude Weather Is Here, Wish You Were Beautiful …just some off the top of my head. ---
**Author:** ![Laughing\_Lagomorph](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/6bbea6/32.png) [@Laughing\_Lagomorph](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Laughing_Lagomorph)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2001, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-each-musician-have-a-signature-song/83115/14 "2001-09-22T22:20:20Z")
Talking Heads: Once in a Lifetime. Peter Gabriel: In Your Eyes (what else?) For Fleetwood Mac I would have said Go Your Own Way, or Don’t Stop Thinking About Tomorrow. ---
**Author:** ![syncrolecyne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f08c70/32.png) [@syncrolecyne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/syncrolecyne)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2001, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-each-musician-have-a-signature-song/83115/15 "2001-09-23T00:09:02Z")
I tried to think of songs that weren’t always ‘greatest hits’, but capture the personality in a signature way. Frank Sinatra - The Lady is a Tramp (I only know Sinatra as a gruffy old guy). Elvis Presley - That’s Alright Mama (Pure Elvis, before fame ruined him) Little Richard - Lucille Bob Dylan - Positively 4th Street Lennon/Beatles - Strawberry Fields Forever McCartney/Beatles - Good Day Sunshine Rolling Stones - Under My Thumb Doors - The End Eric Clapton - Crossroads Paul Simon - Bridge Over Troubled Waters (as of last night) John Lennon - God Led Zeppelin - Babe I’m Gonna Leave You Police - Spirits in the Material World Pretenders - Kid U2 - Sunday Bloody Sunday Bruce Springsteen - Glory Days Nirvana - Rape Me ---
**Author:** ![rayniday](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ecc23a/32.png) [@rayniday](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rayniday)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2001, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-each-musician-have-a-signature-song/83115/16 "2001-09-23T00:14:04Z")
Oo! Oo! Me now! Prince-When Doves Cry Charlie Daniels Band-Devil went down to Georgia Garth Brooks-The Dance Madonna-Like a Virgin Weezer-Buddy Holly Metallica-Enter Sandman Fleetwood Mac-The Chain Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young-Ohio (I think???) Of course, YMMV ---
**Author:** ![AwSnappity](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a3d4f5/32.png) [@AwSnappity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AwSnappity)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2001, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-each-musician-have-a-signature-song/83115/17 "2001-09-23T03:54:36Z")
Pearl Jam: Jeremy Twisted Sister: We’re Not Gonna Take It Green Day: Basketcase The Clash: Rock the Casbah Black Sabbath: Iron Man No Doubt: Don’t Speak Tori Amos: Me and a Gun Nine Inch Nails: Closer or Head Like a Hole ---
**Author:** ![CrankyAsAnOldMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crankyasanoldman/32/11670_2.png) [@CrankyAsAnOldMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CrankyAsAnOldMan)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2001, 4:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-each-musician-have-a-signature-song/83115/18 "2001-09-23T04:28:29Z")
Hm, I woulda picked “Radio Free Europe” for REM. Squeeze would be Tempted, probably. ---
**Author:** ![middleman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e9a140/32.png) [@middleman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/middleman)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2001, 5:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-each-musician-have-a-signature-song/83115/19 "2001-09-23T05:14:30Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by frock75 \* > \*\*As for naming Jimmy Buffett songs…how about > Come Monday > A Pirate Looks At Forty > The Volcano Song > Boat Drinks > He Went To Paris > Pencil Thin Moustache > Son of a Son of a Sailor > Changes in Lattitude, Changes in Attitude > Weather Is Here, Wish You Were Beautiful > > …just some off the top of my head. \*\* There’s always one parrothead in the bunch. 🙂 Sinatra I gotta say “My Way” ---
**Author:** ![frock75](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ad7895/32.png) [@frock75](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/frock75)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2001, 6:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-each-musician-have-a-signature-song/83115/20 "2001-09-23T06:34:54Z")
Oops. Forgot… Why Don’t We Get Drunk And Screw [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-each-musician-have-a-signature-song/83115.md?page=2)