I am looking for examples of songs whose title is different from what most people call it. Most of the time people will assume the title of a song is the phrase that is repeated in the chorus (and many times it is), but in some cases the actual words in the real title of the song are either never mentioned at all or are subtley buried in the verse lyrics. Four examples that come to mind:
[ul]
[li]Baba O’Riley by the Who- Most people think it’s called “Teenage Wasteland”.[/li][li]Good Riddance by Green Day- Everyone calls it “The Time of Your Life”.[/li][li]For What’s It’s Worth by Buffalo Springfield- I’m not sure what everyone calls it. All I know is that it’s a song from the Vietnam War era.[/li][li]Brass in the Pocket by the Pretenders- She sings this line once at the beginning, but most people might think the song’s title is “I’m Special”.[/li][/ul]
My other question is, why do bands assign non-intuitive names like this to their songs? If it becomes a popular song everyone is going to call it by what they hear in the chorus, which may annoy the band and fans alike. Is it a way to identify who the real fans are? Like, “Most people call it ‘Teenage Wasteland’ but any real Who fan worth his salt knows it’s called ‘Baba O’Riley’.”
“Starry, Starry Night” by Don McLean – but the real title is “Vincent”
“So This is Christmas” by John Lennon – but the real title is “Happy Christmas (War is Over)”
Joni Mitchell’s Big Yellow Taxi is usually remembered as “They Paved Paradise, Put Up a Parking Lot.”
Everyone remembers Bob Dylan’s “Rainy Day Women #12 and 35” as “Everybody Must Get Stoned.” Dylan was a master at cryptic song titles that had little to do with the song.
You beat me to it. I’ll just add that I had the devil of a time back in the day finding the album with “Ballad of a Thin Man” on it, because I was looking for “Mister Jones.”
Rupert Holmes’ song was originally titled Escape But everyone knew it as The Pina Colada song, so it was retitled. It’s now officially Escape (the Pina Colada song)
Everclear’s “Santa Monica” seems to be commonly known as “Santa Monica (Watch the World Die)” even though the latter part of that title has never appeared on any official release.
I’ve met several people who thought Elvis’ “Can’t Help Falling In Love” was called “Wise Men Say” and that Kenny Loggins’ song covered in Canada by Anne Murray was either “Even 'Though We Ain’t Got Money” or “Chain Of Love” but it’s actually “Danny’s Song.”
Also, you see the Beatles’ “Revolution 9” referred to as “Revolution # 9” or “Revolution No. 9” as much as by the actual title. I guess once people hear that “number nine” clip repeated enough, they assume it’s got to be part of the title.
I’m not sure how common this mistake is, but the Doobie Brother’s song “Long Train Runnin’” would be more intuitively titled, “Without Love (Where Would You Be Now?)”
I’ve heard that song referred to “Fools Rush In,” which is confusing as there is completely different song written by Johnny Mercer that has that title.
The song “Dance: Ten, Looks: Three” from A Chorus Line is often called “Tits & Ass.”
Heh…good timing. My wife and I went out for drinks over the weekend and the band was playing most 80’s & 90’s rock/new wave/punk. When the band launched into The Clash’s Train In Vain, one of the guys sharing the dartboard with us turned to his buddy and yelled “Yes! Stand Behind Your Man! I love this tune!”
