# Name a song that mentions a specific year in its lyrics (please read OP) **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 5, 2013, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-song-that-mentions-a-specific-year-in-its-lyrics-please-read-op/649401 "2013-02-05T17:23:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![robardin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/43a26b/32.png) [@robardin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robardin)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2013, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-song-that-mentions-a-specific-year-in-its-lyrics-please-read-op/649401/61 "2013-02-05T20:16:09Z")
**1892** : “Big Sam left Seattle, in the year of '92…”, “North To Alaska”, Johnny Horton Where the river is windin, big nuggets they’re findin’ - North! To Alaska!, They go north, the rush is on! ---
**Author:** ![Freddy\_the\_Pig](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a587f6/32.png) [@Freddy\_the\_Pig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freddy_the_Pig)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2013, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-song-that-mentions-a-specific-year-in-its-lyrics-please-read-op/649401/62 "2013-02-05T20:17:39Z")
**1899** “In 18 hundred and 99, when everybody sang Auld Lang Syne . . .” Twentieth Century’s Almost Over, Steve Goodman The zero years are a challenge, because they don’t rhyme well. Anyone got anything for 1960, 1970, 1980? ---
**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:** [February 5, 2013, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-song-that-mentions-a-specific-year-in-its-lyrics-please-read-op/649401/63 "2013-02-05T20:22:26Z")
I already mentioned this one in the “days of the year” thread, but it works here too: **1990**. “On May 1, 1990, something changed inside me” - May 1, 1990 by Adrian Belew ---
**Author:** ![Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e47c2d/32.png) [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biffy_the_Elephant_Shrew)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2013, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-song-that-mentions-a-specific-year-in-its-lyrics-please-read-op/649401/64 "2013-02-05T20:28:47Z")
**1980**. “They’ll be building it up in the air, ever since 1980” - Hijack by Paul Kantner (Also mentions 1990, but **Thudlow** has that one covered.) ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2013, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-song-that-mentions-a-specific-year-in-its-lyrics-please-read-op/649401/65 "2013-02-05T20:29:15Z")
**1965.** _“Demon-warp is coming alive in 1965”_ Thunder Kiss '65 by White Zombie ---
**Author:** ![Richey84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f475e1/32.png) [@Richey84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richey84)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2013, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-song-that-mentions-a-specific-year-in-its-lyrics-please-read-op/649401/66 "2013-02-05T20:29:48Z")
**1972.** “Don’t leave your torch behind, a power cut ahead, 1972, you know.” - Late Night, Maudlin Street by Morrissey ---
**Author:** ![batsto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b2d939/32.png) [@batsto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/batsto)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2013, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-song-that-mentions-a-specific-year-in-its-lyrics-please-read-op/649401/67 "2013-02-05T20:31:01Z")
1958- “Born in a mining town in '58,when black and white TV was up to date”, Born in '58, by Bruce Dickinson 1945- “I left Kentucky back in '45 and went to Detroit working on an assembly line”, One Piece at a Time, by Johnny Cash 1844–“In 1844, the Democrats were split”, James K. Polk, They Might Be Giants 1990–“It’s a brand new record for 1990”, Flood, by They Might Be Giants ---
**Author:** ![Richey84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f475e1/32.png) [@Richey84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richey84)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2013, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-song-that-mentions-a-specific-year-in-its-lyrics-please-read-op/649401/68 "2013-02-05T20:31:11Z")
**1967.** “1967, Colt .45, holding back the vampires, keeping me alive.” - Coffee by Aesop Rock ft. John Darnielle ---
**Author:** ![robardin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/43a26b/32.png) [@robardin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robardin)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2013, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-song-that-mentions-a-specific-year-in-its-lyrics-please-read-op/649401/69 "2013-02-05T20:31:59Z")
> [@Freddy\_the\_Pig](#): > > The zero years are a challenge, because they don’t rhyme well. Anyone got anything for 1960, 1970, 1980? Hmmm. Well, the thread title asks us to “name a song that mentions a specific year”, and there are song lyrics I can think of that mention _events_ from years such that you could date them precisely, but do not actually say the year by number. Do those count? If so, **1970** - “This summer I hear the drummin’, four dead in Ohio” - “Ohio” by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young [referring to the Kent State shootings of **May 4, 1970**] If that’s allowed, well there are lots of things to glean from 1949-1989 from Billy Joel’s “[We Didn’t Start The Fire](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/We_Didn%27t_Start_the_Fire)” 🙂 and - **1968** - “Early morning, April 4 - a shot rings out in the Memphis sky”, “Pride (In The Name of Love)”, by U2 [referring to the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. on **April 4, 1968**] (lyrical nitpick: it was 6:01pm when he was shot, not in the morning) **1969** - “I’ve been known to the do the impossible, like Broadway Joe”, “Scenario” by A Tribe Called Quest [referring to Joe Namath leading the Jets to victory in Super Bowl III on **January 12, 1969**] ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2013, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-song-that-mentions-a-specific-year-in-its-lyrics-please-read-op/649401/70 "2013-02-05T20:33:52Z")
**1982:** “And now you find yourself in '82.” - The Heat of the Moment by Asia. **1986:** “And after 1986, what else could be new?” - Modern Woman by Billy Joel. ---
**Author:** ![Sternvogel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bc79bd/32.png) [@Sternvogel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sternvogel)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2013, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-song-that-mentions-a-specific-year-in-its-lyrics-please-read-op/649401/71 "2013-02-05T20:38:09Z")
**1957** : “I get off on '57 Chevys; I get off on screaming guitar.” “I’ve Got A Rock ‘n’ Roll Heart”, Eric Clapton **1960** : "Out past the cornfields where the woods got heavy/ Out in the back seat of my '60 Chevy " “Night Moves”, Bob Seger **1962** : “Started humming a song from 1962”, also “Night Moves” by Bob Seger ---
**Author:** ![robardin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/43a26b/32.png) [@robardin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robardin)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2013, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-song-that-mentions-a-specific-year-in-its-lyrics-please-read-op/649401/72 "2013-02-05T20:40:46Z")
**1964** - “Back ’ 64, before you were born…”, “[Back in '64](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=beFT4OQEcJY)” by the Rutles (from their film and album, “All You Need Is Cash” ;)) - Back in '64, before you were born, No one had time for pouring scorn On dreams of love and peace, And no-one was obese, Only tight trousers were worn…\* ---
**Author:** ![Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/earl_snake-hips_tucker/32/3269_2.png) [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2013, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-song-that-mentions-a-specific-year-in-its-lyrics-please-read-op/649401/73 "2013-02-05T20:49:30Z")
“In May of 1941, the war had just begun. . . .” “Sink the Bismark” by Johnny Horton. ---
**Author:** ![mascaroni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/dc4da7/32.png) [@mascaroni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mascaroni)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2013, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-song-that-mentions-a-specific-year-in-its-lyrics-please-read-op/649401/74 "2013-02-05T20:56:10Z")
1. Leonard Cohen - ‘It seems so long ago Nancy’ “She never said she’d wait for us although she was alone, I think she fell in love for us in nineteen sixty one, in nineteen sixty one.” Also… not a recorded song, but after going twenty three years without a win at Old Trafford (Manchester Utd.'s ground), Tottenham supporters sang “We’re gonna have a party like it’s 1989” ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2013, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-song-that-mentions-a-specific-year-in-its-lyrics-please-read-op/649401/75 "2013-02-05T21:22:35Z")
**1939**. “In the year of '39 assembled here the volunteers” - '39 by Queen ---
**Author:** ![Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e47c2d/32.png) [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biffy_the_Elephant_Shrew)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2013, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-song-that-mentions-a-specific-year-in-its-lyrics-please-read-op/649401/76 "2013-02-05T21:30:13Z")
**4 B.C.** “Israel in 4 B.C. had no mass communication” - Superstar by Murray Head ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2013, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-song-that-mentions-a-specific-year-in-its-lyrics-please-read-op/649401/77 "2013-02-05T21:30:19Z")
Hey all, please try to keep to the following format: YEAR. “Song lyric that mentions that year.” Song Title by Artist. It makes it a lot easier to compile the master list. Thanks! mmm ETA: > [@](#): > > 4 B.C. “Israel in 4 B.C. had no mass communication” - Superstar by Murray Head Good one, Biffy! ---
**Author:** ![njtt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ecd19e/32.png) [@njtt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/njtt)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2013, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-song-that-mentions-a-specific-year-in-its-lyrics-please-read-op/649401/78 "2013-02-05T21:32:15Z")
**1969.** “Sixty-nine, was cheapo wine, have a good time, what’s your sign,” - The Saturday Gigs by Mott the Hoople. The song also goes on to mention **'70** , **'71** , **'72** , **'73** , and **'74**.) ---
**Author:** ![MadTheSwine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9fc29f/32.png) [@MadTheSwine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MadTheSwine)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2013, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-song-that-mentions-a-specific-year-in-its-lyrics-please-read-op/649401/79 "2013-02-05T21:34:33Z")
**1954**. _“The year was 1954”_- The Late Great Johnny Ace by Paul Simon. **1964**. “\*It was 1964 \*”-The Late Great Johnny Ace by Paul Simon. **1836**. _"Back in 1836, Houston said to Travis:_- Ballad of the Alamo by Marty Robbins. ---
**Author:** ![njtt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ecd19e/32.png) [@njtt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/njtt)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2013, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-song-that-mentions-a-specific-year-in-its-lyrics-please-read-op/649401/80 "2013-02-05T21:39:08Z")
**1956** (and **1957** ). “Said welcome to the spirit of 1956, Patient in the bushes next to '57” - Roadrunner by Jonathan Richman and The Modern Lovers. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-song-that-mentions-a-specific-year-in-its-lyrics-please-read-op/649401.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-song-that-mentions-a-specific-year-in-its-lyrics-please-read-op/649401.md?page=5)