# Song lyrics that mention famous people in passing **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** music\ **Created:** [August 2, 2019, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-lyrics-that-mention-famous-people-in-passing/838065 "2019-08-02T15:40:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2019, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-lyrics-that-mention-famous-people-in-passing/838065/41 "2019-08-02T18:39:04Z")
Key Largo-Bertie Higgins We had it all Just like Bogie and Bacall Starring in our old late, late show Sailing away to Key Largo ---
**Author:** ![Casey1505](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dc4da7/32.png) [@Casey1505](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Casey1505)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2019, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-lyrics-that-mention-famous-people-in-passing/838065/42 "2019-08-02T18:56:56Z")
> [@Happy\_Lendervedder](#): > > Eminem’s Lose Yourself: > > “Cause man, these goddamn food stamps don’t buy diapers > And there’s no movie, there’s no Mekhi Phifer, this is my life.” Nothing to add other than I’m listening to my playlist and this exact lyric played in my ear just as I scrolled to your post. ---
**Author:** ![Nars\_Glinley](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nars_glinley/32/8177_2.png) [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2019, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-lyrics-that-mention-famous-people-in-passing/838065/43 "2019-08-02T18:58:33Z")
> [@KneadToKnow](#): > > Coincidentally, I’m listening to Pink Floyd today. > > _Does anybody here remember Vera Lynn?_ Speaking of Pink Floyd, “The Fletcher Memorial Home.” Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome, Reagan and Haig, Mr. Begin and friend, Mrs. Thatcher, and Paisly, Hello Maggie! Mr. Brezhnev and party. Who’s the bald chap? The ghost of McCarthy, The memories of Nixon. ---
**Author:** ![xizor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xizor/32/102_2.png) [@xizor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xizor)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2019, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-lyrics-that-mention-famous-people-in-passing/838065/44 "2019-08-02T19:03:10Z")
Kind of obscure, but it got radio play in the late 80s _Red Blue Jeans_ by John Kilzer “She got Stalin on the wall, Beatles in her box flags in the hall, Lennon in a locket.” ---
**Author:** ![Author\_Balk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e0b2c6/32.png) [@Author\_Balk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Author_Balk)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2019, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-lyrics-that-mention-famous-people-in-passing/838065/45 "2019-08-02T19:44:30Z")
Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go by Wham! You make the day shine brighter than Doris Day ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2019, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-lyrics-that-mention-famous-people-in-passing/838065/46 "2019-08-02T19:48:15Z")
> [@Personal](#): > > “Radar Love” – Golden Earring: > > “Peggy Lee’s comin’ on strong.” It is actually Brenda Lee. ---
**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, 2019, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-lyrics-that-mention-famous-people-in-passing/838065/47 "2019-08-02T19:51:47Z")
_I saw Matt Dillon in black and white, there ain’t no colour in memories He rode his brother’s Harley across the TV while I was laughing at Dom DeLuise…_ –After The Fire by Roger Daltrey ---
**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:** [August 2, 2019, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-lyrics-that-mention-famous-people-in-passing/838065/48 "2019-08-02T19:54:34Z")
_Shut Up_ by Joe Walsh mentions his fellow Eagles. \*Hey Joe, how ya doin’, how’s your album, how’s your tour How’s Don Henley, how’s Glenn Frey, And who, what where and when and why \* ---
**Author:** ![Twoflower](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/twoflower/32/22_2.png) [@Twoflower](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Twoflower)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2019, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-lyrics-that-mention-famous-people-in-passing/838065/49 "2019-08-02T19:58:27Z")
The Beatles “Taxman” mentions “Mr. [Harold] Wilson” and “Mr. [Edward] Heath”, the British party leaders of the day. ---
**Author:** ![zimaane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/a3d4f5/32.png) [@zimaane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zimaane)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2019, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-lyrics-that-mention-famous-people-in-passing/838065/50 "2019-08-02T20:14:03Z")
Bertie Higgins’ soft rock masterpiece “Key Largo” ? _We had it all just like Bogie_ and Bacall\*\* starring in out own late late show sailing away to Key Largo\* \*Humphrey Bogart \*\* Lauren Bacall ---
**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, 2019, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-lyrics-that-mention-famous-people-in-passing/838065/51 "2019-08-02T20:29:02Z")
> [@blondebear](#): > > _I saw Matt Dillon in black and white, there ain’t no colour in memories > He rode his brother’s Harley across the TV while I was laughing at Dom DeLuise…_ > > –After The Fire by Roger Daltrey Written by Pete Townshend. I only mention it because I like to think that Pete especially wrote this for song for his old bandmate and friend. I hope that it’s true. I love this song, if sung by Roger or by Pete. ---
**Author:** ![Periwinkle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Periwinkle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Periwinkle)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2019, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-lyrics-that-mention-famous-people-in-passing/838065/52 "2019-08-02T21:34:56Z")
“Style” by Taylor Swift. “You got that James Dean daydream look in your eyes” “The Night they Drove Old Dixie Down”. “Virgil quick come see, there goes Robert E. Lee” ---
**Author:** ![RivkahChaya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rivkahchaya/32/8919_2.png) [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2019, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-lyrics-that-mention-famous-people-in-passing/838065/53 "2019-08-02T21:43:03Z")
A dinosaur Victrola Listening to Buck Owens; Doo, doo, doo, Lookin’ out my back door. CCR, I assume written by John Fogarty ---
**Author:** ![dbygawdcapn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dbygawdcapn/32/3995_2.png) [@dbygawdcapn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dbygawdcapn)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2019, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-lyrics-that-mention-famous-people-in-passing/838065/54 "2019-08-02T22:03:07Z")
Kathleen Edwards - “I Make the Dough, You Get the Glory” You’re cool cred like Fogerty I’m Elvis Presley in the 70’s You’re the Great One I’m Marty McSorley ---
**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, 2019, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-lyrics-that-mention-famous-people-in-passing/838065/55 "2019-08-02T22:50:28Z")
Several from The Kinks’ “Mr. Churchill Says” \*Well Mr. Montgomery says And Mr. Mountbatten says We gotta fight the bloody battle to the very end As Vera Lynn would say We’ll meet again someday But all the sacrifices we must make before the end \* ---
**Author:** ![lingyi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/d2c977/32.png) [@lingyi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lingyi)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2019, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-lyrics-that-mention-famous-people-in-passing/838065/56 "2019-08-02T23:31:35Z")
[songfacts.com](http://songfacts.com) has a page about this topic: [https://www.songfacts.com/category/songs-that-mention-other-musicians-in-the-lyrics](https://www.songfacts.com/category/songs-that-mention-other-musicians-in-the-lyrics) as well as songs that mention other bands, places, etc. Sorry if I spoiled anyone’s fun. These are the ones I knew about before checking the site: \*Garden Party \*- Rick (Don’t call me Ricky!) Nelson contained thinly veiled references to celebrities Yoko brought her walrus, there was magic in the air - Yoko Ono and John Lennon ‘n’ over in the corner, much to my surprise Mr. Hughes hid in dylan’s shoes wearing his disguise - Bob Dylan Someone opened up a closet door and out stepped johnny b. goode - Chuck Berry I said hello to “mary lou”, she belongs to me - I’m sure this is reference to someone, not just his song When i sang a song about a honky-tonk, it was time to leave _Creeque Alley_ - The Mamas and the Papas. Singers and bands of the time mentioned John and Mitchy were gettin’ kind of itchy - Papa John Philips and pretty sure Joni MItchell McGuinn and McGuire just a-gettin’ higher - The Byrds Roger McGuinn and can’t remember who McGuire is and where he’s from\ Sebastian and Zal formed the Spoonful - Loving Spoonful - John Sebastian and Zal Yanovsky Mugwumps, high jumps, low slumps, big bumps -The Mugwumps _Smoke on the Water_ - Deep Purple Frank Zappa and the Mothers [of Invention] Funky Claude was running in and out - Claude Nobs, founder of the Montreux Jazz Festival But with the Rolling truck Stones thing just outside - Rolling Stones _We’re An American Band_ Up all night with Freddie King Sweet, sweet Connie, doin’ her act - Connie Hamzy, superstar groupie best known for her 1995 tell all book: Rock Groupie: _The Intimate Adventures of “Sweet Connie” from Little Rock_ _Sweet Home Alabama_ - Lynard Skynard Now Muscle Shoals has got the swampers - Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section. A few members are fairly well know in the industry, but the had a number of player changes over the years In Birmingham they love the Gov’nor, boo hoo ooo - Indirect references to Governor George Wallace and President Richard Nixon Now we all did what we could do Now Watergate does not bother me Does your conscience bother you? Tell the truth ---
**Author:** ![Lamoral](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lamoral/32/16078_2.png) [@Lamoral](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamoral)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2019, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-lyrics-that-mention-famous-people-in-passing/838065/57 "2019-08-02T23:37:20Z")
David Bowie apparently feels tragic just like Marlon Brando when he looks at his China Girl. ---
**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 3, 2019, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-lyrics-that-mention-famous-people-in-passing/838065/58 "2019-08-03T00:07:16Z")
> [@lingyi](#): > > \*Garden Party \*- Rick (Don’t call me Ricky!) Nelson contained thinly veiled references to celebrities > > Yoko brought her walrus, there was magic in the air - Yoko Ono and John Lennon > ‘n’ over in the corner, much to my surprise > **Mr. Hughes hid in dylan’s shoes wearing his disguise - Bob Dylan** > > Someone opened up a closet door and out stepped johnny b. goode - Chuck Berry > > I said hello to “mary lou”, she belongs to me - I’m sure this is reference to someone, not just his song > When i sang a song about a honky-tonk, it was time to leave [my bold] Are you sure it wasn’t about George Harrison? I remember having read sometime ago that it was a reference to George, who of course at the time of the concert this song was about had a big thing going with Dylan. ---
**Author:** ![lingyi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/d2c977/32.png) [@lingyi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lingyi)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2019, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-lyrics-that-mention-famous-people-in-passing/838065/59 "2019-08-03T00:17:19Z")
> [@EinsteinsHund](#): > > [my bold] > > Are you sure it wasn’t about George Harrison? I remember having read sometime ago that it was a reference to George, who of course at the time of the concert this song was about had a big thing going with Dylan. The Wiki article states it’s Harrison: “One more reference in the lyrics pertains to a particularly mysterious and legendary audience member: “Mr. Hughes hid in Dylan’s shoes, wearing his disguise”. The Mr. Hughes in question was ex-Beatle George Harrison, who was a next-door neighbor and good friend of Nelson’s. Harrison used “Hughes” as his traveling alias, and “hid in Dylan’s shoes” most likely refers to an album of Bob Dylan covers that Harrison was planning but never recorded. “Wearing his disguise” also suggests that Harrison traveled incognito.” Source: [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garden\_Party\_(Rick\_Nelson\_song)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garden_Party_(Rick_Nelson_song)) But I’ve also read, just recently, but can’t find the page again, that this was a reference to Dylan going electric to try to gain a larger audience. However, since there are far more cites that it was Harrison, I’ll accept that as a correction to my post. TY! ---
**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 3, 2019, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-lyrics-that-mention-famous-people-in-passing/838065/60 "2019-08-03T00:28:06Z")
> [@lingyi](#): > > McGuinn and McGuire just a-gettin’ higher - The Byrds Roger McGuinn and can’t remember who McGuire is and where he’s from\ Likely Barry McGuire, best known for his song “Eve of Destruction.” [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-lyrics-that-mention-famous-people-in-passing/838065.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-lyrics-that-mention-famous-people-in-passing/838065.md?page=4)