# Let's break the fourth wall, musically! **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [November 16, 2004, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-break-the-fourth-wall-musically/275107 "2004-11-16T19:43:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2004, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-break-the-fourth-wall-musically/275107/1 "2004-11-16T19:43:58Z")
Quick question: How many songs can you name that - essentially (whether they really DO or not, they give the appearance of it, anyway) - refer to the fact that they’re songs? For instance, in _Philosophy_, by Ben Folds Five, he sings, “And now it’s time for this song to end” Elton John, of course, has _Your Song._ The Spin Doctors, in _Little Miss Can’t Be Wrong_, say “I hope you heard this song, and it pissed ya off,” along with “whatcha gonna do to get into another one of these here rock and roll songs?” Carly Simon’s _Your So Vain_ is probably the best-known example of this. And I think there’s a song called _One Song Glory_ from **Rent**. Any others you can think of? ---
**Author:** ![JohnBckWLD](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d6d6ee/32.png) [@JohnBckWLD](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnBckWLD)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2004, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-break-the-fourth-wall-musically/275107/2 "2004-11-16T20:09:40Z")
Most live versions of songs that have a spoken word introduction. The most recent song fitting the OP’s criteria that comes to mind: [Bowling For Soup](http://sg1.allmusic.com/cg/smp.dll?link=wrw21htvsspt1e7gqiipez9&r=20.asx)’s ‘_My Hometown_’ which pays homage to the people that knew them before they were famous and uses lines like: This song goes out to my good friends I had before the Grammy nominations, my big brother, the girls who spoke to me in high school - I hope this song finds you well ---
**Author:** ![Trunk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/87869e/32.png) [@Trunk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trunk)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2004, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-break-the-fourth-wall-musically/275107/3 "2004-11-16T20:18:58Z")
This is the theme to Garry’s Show, The opening theme to Garry’s show. This is the music that you hear as you watch the credits. We’re almost to the part of where I start to whistle. Then we’ll watch “It’s Garry Shandling’s Show”. This was the theme to Garry Shandling’s show. ---
**Author:** ![Enginerd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/bcef8e/32.png) [@Enginerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enginerd)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2004, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-break-the-fourth-wall-musically/275107/4 "2004-11-16T23:07:37Z")
> [@Billy Bragg](#): > > I was twenty one years when I wrote this song > I’m twenty two now but I won’t be for long… From _A New England_ ---
**Author:** ![GorillaMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/50afbb/32.png) [@GorillaMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GorillaMan)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2004, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-break-the-fourth-wall-musically/275107/5 "2004-11-16T23:29:31Z")
Oooh, this is a good topic… Nick Cave - _The Weeping Song_ (obviously), and at a push _The Curse of Millhaven_ (the chorus emerges to be the manic song of Loretta). Dammit, I’ve had too much to drink, I can’t think of others… ---
**Author:** ![TJdude825](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/dec6dc/32.png) [@TJdude825](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TJdude825)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2004, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-break-the-fourth-wall-musically/275107/6 "2004-11-16T23:57:19Z")
**Rockin’ Robin** , by a million different people: Somethin’ and a-somethin’ all day long Somethin’ and a-somethin’ and a-singin’ this song Rockin’ Robin (Tweet!) In **That’s Your Funeral** from the musical **Oliver** , Mr. Bumble sings, “I don’t think this song is funny!” and it usually gets a laugh. I’m sure I could think of more. I’ll get back to you. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Scrivener](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@The\_Scrivener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Scrivener)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2004, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-break-the-fourth-wall-musically/275107/7 "2004-11-17T00:06:03Z")
“Sunday Bloody Sunday” by U2. “Is This the Single?” by The Negro Problem. “Simple Song” by Poi Dog Pondering (I just wanna state this simply/Inside this simple song…") “G Turns to D” by Sloan refers to its own chord changes. “Naive Melody” by Talking Heads. The title refers to the band members presumably switching instruments with each other, so that no one’s doing something they’re really good at. (It always sounded good to me, though.) They should probably also get some credit for the self-consciously arty title of their second album: More Songs About Buildings and Food. I don’t remember if “You’ll Dance to Anything” by The Dead Milkmen refers to itself per se, but it manages to diss a whole bunch of other artists, at least. (“You’ll dance to anything… by The Cure…”). I think it might refer to itself at the very end. ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2004, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-break-the-fourth-wall-musically/275107/8 "2004-11-17T00:07:55Z")
Another one that just occured to me was _I Bet You They Won’t Play This Song On the Radio_, by Monty Python. ---
**Author:** ![Ghanima](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Ghanima](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ghanima)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2004, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-break-the-fourth-wall-musically/275107/9 "2004-11-17T00:09:48Z")
The Beautiful South’s _Song for Whoever_: “Oh Cathy, oh Allison, Oh Phillipa, Oh Sue, You made me so much money I wrote this song for you” ---
**Author:** ![The\_Scrivener](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@The\_Scrivener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Scrivener)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2004, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-break-the-fourth-wall-musically/275107/10 "2004-11-17T00:26:47Z")
A few by The Beatles: Julia: “So I sing a song of love, Julia…” Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da: “And if you want some fun – take Ob-La-Di-Ob-La-Da!” [“Savoy Truffle” also references this song by title.] “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” and “With a Little Help From My Friends” make a very postmodern and self-referential twin-spin… the first song is basically an extended intro to the [fake] band and to the second song, and “With a Little Help…” has the “Billy Shears” character apologizing if he “sing[s] out of tune,” etc. etc. ---
**Author:** ![Roland\_Orzabal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c2a13f/32.png) [@Roland\_Orzabal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roland_Orzabal)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2004, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-break-the-fourth-wall-musically/275107/11 "2004-11-17T00:32:21Z")
“Goodnight Song”, by Tears For Fears, refers to itself by name: _Goodnight Song Played so wrong Blame the crowd, they screamed so loud, so long_ So does “My Iron Lung”, by Radiohead: _This, this is our new song Just like the last one A total waste of time My Iron Lung_ ---
**Author:** ![JohnBckWLD](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d6d6ee/32.png) [@JohnBckWLD](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnBckWLD)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2004, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-break-the-fourth-wall-musically/275107/12 "2004-11-17T00:32:33Z")
> [@John Peel (1995)](#): > > If there has been anything in the history of popular music which could be described as a work of art in a way that people who are involved in other areas of art would understand, then Trout Mask Replica is probably that work Pena: Mascara Snake: Fast & bulbous Captain Beefheart: That’s right Mascara Snake, fast & boulbous Mascara Snake: Bulbous also tapered Captain Beefheart: But you’re supposed to wait til I say my line; ‘Also a tin tear-drop’ Mascara Snake:Oh Christ Frank Zappa (In recording booth): From the beginning… Hair Pie: Bake 2: Captain Beefheart (holding a microphone in front of outdoor shrubbery): We’re out here recording a bush. The name of the composition is 'Neon Meate Dream Of A Octafish …No, wait. It’s called ‘Hair Pie’. “What do you think?” 2 Teenaged Observers: “It sounds good.” ---
**Author:** ![Garfield226](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Garfield226](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Garfield226)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2004, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-break-the-fourth-wall-musically/275107/13 "2004-11-17T00:43:54Z")
_Title of the Song_ by Da Vinci’s Notebook is a hilarious parody of the innumerable boy-band break-up/please-forgive-me songs. A snippit: > [@Title of the Song](#): > > Acknowledgment that I acted foolishly > Increasingly desperate pleas for your return > Sorrow for my infidelity > Vain hope that my sins are forgivable > Appeal for one more opportunity > Drop to my knees to elicit crowd response > Prayers to my chosen deity > Modulation and I hold a high note… ---
**Author:** ![AHunter3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ahunter3/32/368_2.png) [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2004, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-break-the-fourth-wall-musically/275107/14 "2004-11-17T00:53:22Z")
Pink Floyd got their licks in early with “Jugband Blues” on _Saucerful of Secrets_: > [@](#): > > It’s awfully considerate of you to think of me here > And I’m much obliged to you for making it clear > That I’m not here > And I never knew we could be so thick > And I never knew we could be so blue > And I’m grateful that you threw away my old shoes > And brought me here instead dressed in red > And I’m wondering who could be writing this song ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2004, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-break-the-fourth-wall-musically/275107/15 "2004-11-17T02:23:45Z")
Moving this thread from IMHO to Cafe Society. ---
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2004, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-break-the-fourth-wall-musically/275107/16 "2004-11-17T02:30:07Z")
> [@The Scrivener](#): > > A few by The Beatles: Not to mention George Harrison’s horrifically catchy “This Song,” from his 1976 album _33 1/3_: \*This song has nothing tricky about it This song ain’t black or white and as far as I know Don’t infringe on anyone’s copyright, so . . . This song we’ll let be This song is in E This song is for you and . . .\* ---
**Author:** ![Jurph](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/50afbb/32.png) [@Jurph](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jurph)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2004, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-break-the-fourth-wall-musically/275107/17 "2004-11-17T02:41:41Z")
**They Might Be Giants** are famous for this. Among others, you have: “and now this song is over now, this song is over now” “It’s a brand new record, for 1990: They Might Be Giants’ brand new album _Flooooood_!” “Make a hole with the gun perpendicular to the name of this town on a desktop globe: exit wound through a foreign nation, showing the home of the one this was written for,” and later in the same song: “Everything sticks like a broken record - everything sticks like a broken record - everything sticks until it goes away…” “I like to play the drums; I think I’m getting good but I can handle criticism. I’ll show you what I know and you can tell me if you think I’m getting better on the drums…” (while the drummer goes from a clever light beat to an aggressive caveman bashing) And in their perfect pop/techno song _Man It’s So Loud In Here_, they use every single cliché ever used in dance music including some of the best drum machine programming ever, and sing “Baby, check this out, I’ve got something to say – Man, it’s so loud in here! – when they stop the drum machine and I can think again, I’ll remember what it was.” **Mark Knopfler** sings about not wanting to make a guitar “cry or sing” in _Sultans of Swing_, but then proceeds to do exactly that in the spaces between lines – that whole song is practically a tutorial on how to be subtle and brilliant playing electric guitar in a rock song, but it’s disguised as a paian to a forgotten swing band. And of course, I need to mention **Alan Jackson** for his _Three Minute, Positive, Not-too-country, Up-tempo Love Song_, which starts with the line “This is a three-minute song” and ends at 2:56 with a guitar note, held for four seconds as the singer talks to his producer: “Hey Keith, how much time was that?” “About 2:56.” “We need four more seconds!” Guitar hit, and the song _actually_ ends, precisely at 3:00. …and, as much as I hate to admit it, rappers have been doing this for ages. “My name is (whoever) and I’m (whatever) and I have so much effing money and cars and (whatever)”. Yawn. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2004, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-break-the-fourth-wall-musically/275107/18 "2004-11-17T02:58:48Z")
I’ve written about this before because I love it: Life in a Glasshouse, the last song on Radiohead’s _Amnesiac_, ends “There’s someone listening in…” It’s not a direct breaking of the fourth wall, but it works on that level as well as well as being a part of the song (it’s the last line of all the choruses). It brings you outside of the music and it’s a very jarring way to end an album. ---
**Author:** ![Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Otto)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2004, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-break-the-fourth-wall-musically/275107/19 "2004-11-17T03:05:53Z")
Cher’s _Song for the Lonely_ Cher’s _Different Kind of Love Song_ Which were, oddly, the first two songs on the same album. ---
**Author:** ![ReuvenB](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9fc348/32.png) [@ReuvenB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ReuvenB)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2004, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-break-the-fourth-wall-musically/275107/20 "2004-11-17T03:13:32Z")
“Fight” by Pain: “And if the fight’s right, the fighters just might decide to be friends and make amends. And as we get closer to the end, it’s time to sing the chorus once again!” [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-break-the-fourth-wall-musically/275107.md?page=2)