# Songs about other musicians **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** music\ **Created:** [February 10, 2022, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-other-musicians/959255 "2022-02-10T23:53:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2022, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-other-musicians/959255/101 "2022-02-11T22:58:35Z")
Ian Hunter’s song about Bowie (Mr. Jones) [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/SqA5aDBk2Zc/maxresdefault.jpg "Ian Hunter - Dandy [audio]") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SqA5aDBk2Zc) ---
**Author:** ![ThisSpaceForRent](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thisspaceforrent/32/345_2.png) [@ThisSpaceForRent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThisSpaceForRent)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2022, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-other-musicians/959255/102 "2022-02-11T23:56:10Z")
Very good … ---
**Author:** ![Baal\_Houtham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baal_houtham/32/13604_2.png) [@Baal\_Houtham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baal_Houtham)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2022, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-other-musicians/959255/103 "2022-02-12T00:40:19Z")
Regarding _Did She Jump_ Richard Thompson [has said this](https://ishotamaninrenobook.blogspot.com/2008/09/richard-thompson-reno.html): “You just write a story. It’s fiction and it’s fun to make something up, it’s an enjoyable process. Then you look at it afterwards and you think, ‘Oh that’s obviously about me or about someone I know, and that reflects what I believe.’ With a song like “Did She Jump or Was She Pushed?” I sat down to write a story. It could be about Sandy [Denny] or a couple of other people that I know…. I don’t think it is about any person in particular. It’s a bit like detective fiction…” ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2022, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-other-musicians/959255/104 "2022-02-12T01:01:03Z")
Does the Replacement’s “Alex Chilton” work? [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/ftTOEJfzdq0/maxresdefault.jpg "The Replacements - Alex Chilton (Official Promo Video)") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ftTOEJfzdq0) ---
**Author:** ![SunUp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea5d25/32.png) [@SunUp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SunUp)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2022, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-other-musicians/959255/105 "2022-02-12T01:44:07Z")
“We Didn’t Start The Fire” by Billy Joel references (or at least name checks) Doris Day, Johnnie Ray, Toscanini, Elvis Presley, Buddy Holly, Chubby Checker, Bob Dylan, and The Beatles. Other music type references include “Rock around the clock” by Bill Haley & The Comets, the payola scandal, punk rock and “heavy metal suicide” (not sure who that’s referring to…) (It also mentions “Sugar Ray”, but that’s about boxer Robinson, not the pop band.) Also, Dexy’s Midnight Runners says that “poor old Johnnie Ray / sounded sad upon the radio / moved a million hearts in mono”. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2022, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-other-musicians/959255/106 "2022-02-12T01:46:07Z")
Oh, though of another one. Don’t know if it’s so much about someone as name checking another musician, but I love Sleater-Kinney’s “I Wanna Be Your Joey Ramone” (Thurston Moore also name checked): [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/CTHpfZhfQbk/hqdefault.jpg "Sleater-Kinney - I Wanna Be Your Joey Ramone") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CTHpfZhfQbk) While we’re at it, MGMT’s “Brian Eno”: [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/XRiBrWY3NB4/hqdefault.jpg "MGMT - Brian Eno") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XRiBrWY3NB4) > He taught me many things > The wisdom of oblique stratagems > The prophet of a sapphire soul > Presented through creative freedoms > And everything I say is true > 'Cause if I was telling lies it’d probably show > I can tell that he’s kind of smiling > But what does he know? > We’re always one step behind him > He’s Brian Eno, Brian Eno ---
**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:** [February 12, 2022, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-other-musicians/959255/107 "2022-02-12T02:19:40Z")
> [@SunUp](#): > > “heavy metal suicide” (not sure who that’s referring to…) - The music itself. There was a scare/fearmongering that listening to heavy metal would drive fans to suicide. (Or it might have been the old “hidden messages”) ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2022, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-other-musicians/959255/108 "2022-02-12T02:30:41Z")
> [@GreysonCarlisle](#): > > Springsteen’s Bobby Jean is widely considered to be a “love song” to his departing bandmate Steven Van Zandt Well, if you want to go _that_ route, [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/71xvwVQABvw/maxresdefault.jpg "The Allman Brothers Band - Melissa (Lyric Video)") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=71xvwVQABvw) _Melissa_ is generally regarded as a eulogy to Duane. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Q](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/898d66/32.png) [@Johnny\_Q](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Q)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2022, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-other-musicians/959255/109 "2022-02-12T02:47:22Z")
[![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/gULPlY9WexA/hqdefault.jpg "The Animals - The Story Of Bo Diddley") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gULPlY9WexA) [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/8h4T4gjp3d8/hqdefault.jpg "THE JESUS AND MARY CHAIN ~ BO DIDDLEY IS JESUS") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8h4T4gjp3d8) ---
**Author:** ![california\_jobcase](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9d8465/32.png) [@california\_jobcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/california_jobcase)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2022, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-other-musicians/959255/110 "2022-02-12T03:07:12Z")
Here’s another Mojo Nixon ditty: [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/qw2t2rwqky0/maxresdefault.jpg "Mojo Nixon - Don Henley Must Die") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qw2t2rwqky0) ---
**Author:** ![BlankSlate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blankslate/32/80_2.png) [@BlankSlate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlankSlate)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2022, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-other-musicians/959255/111 "2022-02-12T03:14:45Z")
_Back on the Chain Gang_ is about James Honeyman-Scott, the lead guitarist of the Pretenders, who died of an overdose in 1982 at age 25. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/cMOKamtpUA8/maxresdefault.jpg "Pretenders - Back on the Chain Gang (Official Music Video)") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cMOKamtpUA8) ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2022, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-other-musicians/959255/112 "2022-02-12T03:21:03Z")
Huh. How did I not know that song was about him? Thanks for the info. ---
**Author:** ![TCMF-2L](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tcmf-2l/32/16553_2.png) [@TCMF-2L](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TCMF-2L)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2022, 8:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-other-musicians/959255/113 "2022-02-12T08:01:37Z")
Terrific 80s pop and **Scritti Politti** with **Wood Beez (Pray Like Aretha Franklin)** [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/4cxETq3Rae8/hqdefault.jpg "Scritti Politti - Wood Beez") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4cxETq3Rae8) TCMF-2L ---
**Author:** ![TCMF-2L](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tcmf-2l/32/16553_2.png) [@TCMF-2L](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TCMF-2L)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2022, 8:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-other-musicians/959255/114 "2022-02-12T08:20:38Z")
> [@Treppenwitz](#): > > But Kevin Rowland was seemingly less keen on Frank Sinatra. Did you misspoke? The song (literally) addresses itself to ‘_Robin_’ who (singer and the song writer) **Kevin Rowland** considers a fake. The song surely infers Kevin himself considers **Sinatra** to be the epitome of singing but casts doubts on the sincerity of Robin’s claimed appreciation. Good song though. I prefer **Geno** of course. But **Searching For The Young Soul Rebels** was the best era for **Dexys**. I never did like **Come On Eileen** and all that. [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/3ZwWnXuB_eg/hqdefault.jpg "Dexy's Midnight Runners - There, There My Dear") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ZwWnXuB_eg) TCMF-2L ---
**Author:** ![TCMF-2L](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tcmf-2l/32/16553_2.png) [@TCMF-2L](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TCMF-2L)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2022, 8:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-other-musicians/959255/115 "2022-02-12T08:39:23Z")
**Candlebox** wrote the song **Far Behind** about the death (by drug overdose) of **Andy Wood** of **Malfunkshun** and **Mother Love Bone.** [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/eu3EuWg2qNI/hqdefault.jpg?sqp=-oaymwEmCOADEOgC8quKqQMa8AEB-AH-BIAC4AOKAgwIABABGEAgVihyMA8=&rs=AOn4CLASmID0nJ-U45R3hDLJW3qvh3fBjA "CANDLEBOX - Far Behind (Official Video)") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eu3EuWg2qNI) Checking this out on Wiki reveals other tribute songs to **Wood** included **Chris Cornell** of **Soundgarden** with **Reach Down** and **Say Hello 2 Heaven** which was released by the band **Temple of the Dog** [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/NmxaFf-lpZY/hqdefault.jpg?sqp=-oaymwEmCOADEOgC8quKqQMa8AEB-AH-BIAC4AOKAgwIABABGBMgRCh_MA8=&rs=AOn4CLB3UNAkJ4nzDE0T6-M1YE6vWGoFJw "Temple of the Dog - Say Hello 2 Heaven") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NmxaFf-lpZY) **Alice in Chains** wrote **Would?** [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/Nco_kh8xJDs/maxresdefault.jpg "Alice In Chains - Would? (Official HD Video)") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nco_kh8xJDs) **Faster Pussycat** wrote **Mr Lovedog** **War Babies** dedicated **Blue Tomorrow** to him TCMF-2L ---
**Author:** ![Kimble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kimble/32/19185_2.png) [@Kimble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimble)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2022, 11:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-other-musicians/959255/116 "2022-02-12T11:33:18Z")
Aside from the bazillion others mentioned, a couple by Laura Veirs come to mind: “Carol Kaye,” about the bassist for the [Wrecking Crew](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Wrecking_Crew_(music)): [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/bd9_W-Q9LPs/maxresdefault.jpg "Carol Kaye") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bd9_W-Q9LPs) “That Alice,” about pianist/harpist [Alice Coltrane](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alice_Coltrane): [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/2S4tjW7nW3Q/maxresdefault.jpg "That Alice") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2S4tjW7nW3Q) ---
**Author:** ![ZonexandScout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zonexandscout/32/544_2.png) [@ZonexandScout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZonexandScout)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2022, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-other-musicians/959255/117 "2022-02-12T13:49:19Z")
Richard Thompson has written several songs about other musicians…and often inserts lyrics referring to other musicians in his songs. “I Agree with Pat Metheny” (about Kenny G.) and “Dear Janet Jackson” are good examples. “Tear-Stained Letter” calls out The Clash and “Bone Through Her Nose” does the same for Scritti Politti. ---
**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:** [February 12, 2022, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-other-musicians/959255/118 "2022-02-12T15:07:37Z")
In Gwar’s excellent [cover](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E9HtpvUjeWE&ab_channel=ChuckHaber) of _People Who Died_ (originally by The Jim Carroll Band), they change the lyrics to include the following musicians: Peter Steele from Type O Negative Jeff Hanneman, one of the founding members of Slayer Sean Sumner, drummer for Death Piggy “Dimebag” Darrell Abbott, guitarist for Pantera and Damageplan, who was shot and killed onstage during a concert. Mike Sciacca, guitarist for Ministry, Rigor Mortis, and Revolting Cocks Cory Smoot, a Gwar member who performed as “Flattus Maximus,” and died in 2011 Dave Brockie, the founder of the band Gwar and last original member, who died in 2014. ---
**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 12, 2022, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-other-musicians/959255/119 "2022-02-12T15:15:06Z")
> [@TCMF-2L](#): > > Terrific 80s pop and **Scritti Politti** with **Wood Beez (Pray Like Aretha Franklin)** Speaking of Aretha Franklin, here’s “Lady Soul (Aretha In the A.M.)”: [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/zx67DYWbQpI/hqdefault.jpg "Charlie Peacock - 7 - Lady Soul (Aretha In The A.M.) - Strangelanguage (1996)") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zx67DYWbQpI) ---
**Author:** ![ch51](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ch51/32/3111_2.png) [@ch51](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ch51)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2022, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-other-musicians/959255/120 "2022-02-12T15:37:14Z")
> **[Songtext: Bap Kennedy – Rock and Roll Heaven Lyrics | MusikGuru](https://musikguru.de/bap-kennedy/songtext-rock-and-roll-heaven-1716430.html)** > > Der Songtext "Rock and Roll Heaven" von Bap Kennedy darf leider aus lizenzrechtlichen Gründen nicht angezeigt werden A lot of great references in this one. Bap Kennedy - Rock and Roll Heaven. There is a player inside the link. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-other-musicians/959255.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-about-other-musicians/959255.md?page=7)