# 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:** 7
**Author:** ![Labdad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/439d5e/32.png) [@Labdad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labdad)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2019, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-lyrics-that-mention-famous-people-in-passing/838065/121 "2019-08-18T03:56:07Z")
“Hackensack” by Fountains of Wayne: “I saw you talkin’ to Christopher Walken on my TV screen.” ---
**Author:** ![Oly](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/oly/32/8255_2.png) [@Oly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oly)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2019, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-lyrics-that-mention-famous-people-in-passing/838065/122 "2019-08-18T16:55:32Z")
“Car Jamming” The Clash _I thought I saw Lauren Bacall_ “Born in the 50’s” Police _My mother cried when President Kennedy Died_ “Streams of Whiskey” Pogues _Last night as I slept I dreamt I met with Behan_ “Rain Street” Pogues _Judas took his measly price while St. Anthony gazed in awe at Christ_ ---
**Author:** ![Patx2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/73ab20/32.png) [@Patx2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patx2)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2019, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-lyrics-that-mention-famous-people-in-passing/838065/123 "2019-08-18T17:58:21Z")
The Rolling Stones, Sympathy for the Devil, “Anastasia screamed in vain,” and also “I shouted out who killed the Kennedys…” ---
**Author:** ![Bijou\_Drains](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bijou_drains/32/2814_2.png) [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2019, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-lyrics-that-mention-famous-people-in-passing/838065/124 "2019-08-18T18:03:28Z")
The Seeker by The Who mentions the Beatles, Bob Dylan and Timothy Leary ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2019, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-lyrics-that-mention-famous-people-in-passing/838065/125 "2019-08-27T14:28:38Z")
Two more from Tom Paxton Jesus Christ SRO: Singing them rock and roll songs, by golly Betcha you learned them from Buddy Holly And one of my absolute favoritest Paxton rhymes ever: I am changing my name to Chrysler. I am going down to Washington D.C. I will tell some power broker What they did for Iacocca Will be perfectly acceptable to me. ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2019, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-lyrics-that-mention-famous-people-in-passing/838065/126 "2019-08-27T15:00:38Z")
The mention of Jesus Christ reminds me that “Jesus Christ Superstar” mentions Buddha and Mohammed: _Buddha, is he were it’s at? Is he where you are? Could Mohammed move a mountain or was that just P.R.?_ ---
**Author:** ![gnoitall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bb73d2/32.png) [@gnoitall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gnoitall)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2019, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-lyrics-that-mention-famous-people-in-passing/838065/127 "2019-08-27T16:35:54Z")
> [@bordelond](#): > > “It’s the End of the World as We Know It”, REM > > _That’s great, it starts with an earthquake > Birds and snakes, and aeroplanes > And Lenny Bruce is not afraid_ There are a few more callouts in a later verse, thematically related: > [@It's the End of the World (as We Know it)](#): > > _The other night I drifted nice continental drift divide > Mountains sit in a line, \*\* Leonard Bernstein > Leonid Brezhnev, Lenny Bruce and Lester Bangs_\* > Birthday party, cheesecake, jellybean, boom > You symbiotic, patriotic, slam but neck, right, right\* The theme being, obviously, celebrities whose initials are “L.B.”. Because [dream](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/It%27s_the_End_of_the_World_as_We_Know_It_(And_I_Feel_Fine)#Lyrics). > [@Wikipedia](#): > > R.E.M.'s lead singer Michael Stipe claimed that the “L.B.” references came from a dream he had in which he found himself at a party surrounded by famous people who all shared those initials. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2019, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-lyrics-that-mention-famous-people-in-passing/838065/128 "2019-08-27T16:37:26Z")
Jesus Christ SRO also has: Jesus, we needed you here on Broadway. Business wasn´t so good till you came through. Cecil DeMille made a bundle with you, But he never knew that you could boogaloo. Now let me tell you what we´re gonna do for you, We´ll put you on a T-shirt! ---
**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:** [August 27, 2019, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-lyrics-that-mention-famous-people-in-passing/838065/129 "2019-08-27T17:17:03Z")
_From “You’re the Top” by Cole Porter_ “You’re the nimble tread of the feet of Fred Astaire.” “You’re the top! You’re Mahatma Gandhi.” Others mentioned in the song include Napoleon, Greta Garbo, Coolidge, Dante, Jimmy Durante, and Lady Astor. _From “Anything Goes”:_ “If Mae West you like.” ---
**Author:** ![SirRay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cc9497/32.png) [@SirRay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SirRay)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2019, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-lyrics-that-mention-famous-people-in-passing/838065/130 "2019-08-27T17:20:56Z")
I searched this re-awakened threads, and couldn’t find mention Madonna’s ‘Vogue’, which namechecks a number of old-school celebrities: > [@](#): > > Greta Garbo, and Monroe > Dietrich and DiMaggio > Marlon Brando, Jimmy Dean > … > Grace Kelly; Harlow, Jean > … > Gene Kelly, Fred Astaire > Ginger Rogers,… > … > Rita Hayworth… > Lauren, Katherine, Lana too > Bette Davis, … ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2019, 1:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-lyrics-that-mention-famous-people-in-passing/838065/131 "2019-08-28T13:09:37Z")
The parody show Forbidden Broadway (There’s a Great White Way where the white is grey and the great is only okay) mentions lots of theatre people, but the original song has this line: So if you dare cross your heart and swear That these songs won’t leave this cafe. Just a trifle rude and we might get sued. This ain’t Saint Vincent Millay, ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2019, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-lyrics-that-mention-famous-people-in-passing/838065/132 "2019-09-09T13:26:37Z")
Bohemian Rhapsody: I see a little silhouetto of a man Scaramouche, Scaramouche, will you do the Fandango? Thunderbolt and lightning, very, very frightening me (Galileo) Galileo, (Galileo) Galileo, Galileo Figaro magnifico ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2019, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-lyrics-that-mention-famous-people-in-passing/838065/133 "2019-09-09T13:35:33Z")
Pavement, “Range Life”: \*Out on tour with the Smashing Pumpkins Nature kids, I, they don’t have no function I don’t understand what they mean and I could really give a fuck The Stone Temple Pilots, they’re elegant bachelors They’re foxy to me, are they foxy to you?\* ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2019, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-lyrics-that-mention-famous-people-in-passing/838065/134 "2019-09-10T14:12:37Z")
We’re An-i-man-i-acs Dot is cute and Yakko yaks Wakko packs away the snacks While Bill Clinton plays the sax We’re An-i-man-i-acs ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2019, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-lyrics-that-mention-famous-people-in-passing/838065/135 "2019-09-10T14:52:32Z")
> [@Eclipse\_Chaser](#): > > Kim Carnes in Bette Davis Eyes: > She got Greta Garbo’s standoff sighs, she’s got Bette Davis eyes Plus \*Her hair is Harlow gold. \* ---
**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:** [September 10, 2019, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-lyrics-that-mention-famous-people-in-passing/838065/136 "2019-09-10T15:38:12Z")
> [@Royal\_Nonesutch](#): > > Counting Crows “Mr. Jones” mentions Bob Dylan and Picasso. Their song “Monkey” mentions Ben Folds. Another references Richard Manuel. “Mrs Potter’s Lullaby” is essentially Adam Duritz singing to Monica Potter. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2019, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-lyrics-that-mention-famous-people-in-passing/838065/137 "2019-09-14T17:26:48Z")
Simon & Garfunkel The Dangling Conversation And you read your Emily Dickerson And I my Robert Frost And we note our place with book markers That measure what we lost. ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2019, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-lyrics-that-mention-famous-people-in-passing/838065/138 "2019-09-14T22:01:47Z")
[Lydia the Tattooed Lady](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uVBBxptpSY8): She was the most glorious creature under the sun. Thaïs. Dubarry. Garbo. Rolled into one. ---
**Author:** ![I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/i_love_me_vol.i/32/521_2.png) [@I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I_Love_Me_Vol.I)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2019, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-lyrics-that-mention-famous-people-in-passing/838065/139 "2019-09-15T01:26:19Z")
_Broadway Melody of 1974_ by Genesis: Echoes of the Broadway Everglades With her mythical madonnas still walking in their shades Lenny Bruce, declares a truce And plays his other hand Marshall McLuhan, casual viewin’ Head buried in the sand Sirens on the rooftops wailing But there’s no ship sailing Groucho, with his movies trailing Stands alone with his punchline failing Klu Klux Klan serve hot soul food and the band plays ‘In the Mood’ The cheerleader waves her cyanide wand There’s a smell of peach blossom and bitter almonde Caryl Chessman sniffs the air and leads the parade He knows in a scent, you can bottle all you made There’s Howard Hughes in blue suede shoes Smiling at the majorettes Smoking Winston Cigarettes ---
**Author:** ![Obeseus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bbce88/32.png) [@Obeseus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Obeseus)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2019, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-lyrics-that-mention-famous-people-in-passing/838065/140 "2019-09-15T01:39:13Z")
Only his last name is used, but Pete Rose is mentioned in Billy Joel’s Zanzibar. _Rose, he knows he’s such a credit to the game But the Yankees grab the headlines every time_ [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-lyrics-that-mention-famous-people-in-passing/838065.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/song-lyrics-that-mention-famous-people-in-passing/838065.md?page=8)