# Songs where the band name is self-referenced **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [July 10, 2003, 5:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-where-the-band-name-is-self-referenced/187411 "2003-07-10T05:58:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2003, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-where-the-band-name-is-self-referenced/187411/41 "2003-07-10T15:39:58Z")
> [@](#): > > On a related note, in The Wall it’s directly implied that the central character performs under the stage name Pink Floyd - he’s definitely known as Pink. And the name Pink Floyd is taken from real people anyway (Pink Anderson + Floyd Council). Billy Joel’s song _The Ballad of Billy the Kid_ doesn’t mention the singer’s own name, but it’s self-referential. The first few verses are about the gunslinger (it starts “From a town known as Wheeling, West Virginia/Rode a boy with a six gun in his hand/And his daring life of crime/Made him a lengend in his time/East and west of the Rio Grande”). The last verse is the same as the first, with the change “From a town known as Oyster Bay, Long Island/Rode a boy with a six pack in his hand.” Obviously both characters share the name Billy, so he’s making the connection. I wonder what Joel thinks about that line these days, given his repeated battles with alcoholism. ---
**Author:** ![toadspittle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c0e974/32.png) [@toadspittle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/toadspittle)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2003, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-where-the-band-name-is-self-referenced/187411/42 "2003-07-10T16:07:48Z")
> [@](#): > > “Amadeus” by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart is the only example I can think of. > > Daniel ? You don’t mean the Falco song, do you? “Rock Me, Amadeus”? My favorite worst usage of a band/singer’s name in a song: “I’m a Kid Rock it up and down your block” Using your band name as a verb … “We’re gonna Van Halen you up!” And as an aside: I’m fascinated by the way hip-hop slang has contracted “I am going to” to merely “I’ma”. ---
**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:** [July 10, 2003, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-where-the-band-name-is-self-referenced/187411/43 "2003-07-10T16:10:43Z")
“Show Biz Kids” by Steely Dan (“They got the Steely Dan t-shirt”) “Tempus Fugit” by Yes (the word “Yes” used about a million times) Jefferson Airplane’s cover of Donovan’s “Fat Angel” (“Fly Jefferson Airplane, get you there on time”) If instrumentals count, “Iron Butterfly Theme” by…well, guess. This is my 500th post. Yay me. ---
**Author:** ![toadspittle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c0e974/32.png) [@toadspittle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/toadspittle)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2003, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-where-the-band-name-is-self-referenced/187411/44 "2003-07-10T16:13:36Z")
Other songs: Every song by Prince. “My Name is Prince”, for instance. Man, what a great song that is. ---
**Author:** ![HookerChemical](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/278dde/32.png) [@HookerChemical](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HookerChemical)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2003, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-where-the-band-name-is-self-referenced/187411/45 "2003-07-10T16:17:35Z")
How about Blue Oyster Cult by Blue Oyster Cult? And, to pick a nit, Motorhead was not the first band to do the song Motorhead. Lemmy wrote the song when he was with Hawkwind. I guess it is still technicly self refferential. I need an umlaut key. ---
**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:** [July 10, 2003, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-where-the-band-name-is-self-referenced/187411/46 "2003-07-10T16:17:40Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by refusal \* > “Ziggy Stardust” by David Bowie, ahem, Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars mentions the fictional band, if not the actual band. If that counts, does “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” count? What about Ringo’s song “I’m the Greatest,” in which he sings, “Yes, my name is Billy Shears”? > [@](#): > > “Future Generations” by The Auteurs sums up the band’s career, and mentions a number of their albums and songs, although I don’t think it actually mentions the band. “The Road” by the Kinks is another career-summing-up sort of song. Madness took their name from a Prince Buster song, which they recorded; later they had a song called “Madness Is All In The Mind.” Then there’s “Hi, We’re the Replacements,” by—oops, no, that actually isn’t by the Replacements; it’s by They Might Be Giants. Never mind. ---
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2003, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-where-the-band-name-is-self-referenced/187411/47 "2003-07-10T16:24:15Z")
_The South’s Gonna Do It Again_ (title similar to that anyway) by The Charlie Daniels Band lists 80% of the Southern Rock bands of the era (70’s) and has a line something like: _…and everybody down in Tennessee are digging Barefoot Jerry and the CDB…_ ---
**Author:** ![Lisa-go-Blind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7c8e57/32.png) [@Lisa-go-Blind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lisa-go-Blind)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2003, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-where-the-band-name-is-self-referenced/187411/48 "2003-07-10T16:36:46Z")
Belle and Sebastian love to do this: 1. “This is Just a Modern Rock Song”–doesn’t mention the band outright, but does refer to several of the members: [quote] Stevie’s full of good intentions Richard’s into rock and roll Stuart stays in and he thinks it’s a sin That he has to leave the house at all\*\* 2)“My Wandering Days Are Over”–one of the B&S songs that features the characters of “Belle” and “Sebastian”: > [@](#): > > It’s got to be fate that’s doing it > A spooky witch in a sexy dress has been bugging me > With the story of the way it should be > With the story of Sebastian and Belle the singer > > I said “My one man band is over” > I hit the drum for the final time and I walked away > I saw you in Japanese restaurant > You were doing it for business men on the piano, Belle > You said it was a living Hell > You said that it was Hell 3)“Put the Book Back on the Shelf”–uses the character of “Sebastian”: > [@](#): > > Sebastian, you’re in a mess 4)“A Century of Elvis”–a monologue by (former) bassist Stuart David mentions singer Stuart Murdoch: > [@](#): > > …and Stuart says he’s seen about nine foxes there when he’s jumped over the fence on his way to Prior’s Road 5)“Songs for Children” > [@](#): > > Belle and Sebastian on the radio > Singing songs for children > Belle and Sebastian on the radio > Singing songs to learn and sing 6)“Belle and Sebastian”–self-explanatory ---
**Author:** ![Lisa-go-Blind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7c8e57/32.png) [@Lisa-go-Blind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lisa-go-Blind)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2003, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-where-the-band-name-is-self-referenced/187411/49 "2003-07-10T16:39:40Z")
Sorry about that coding nightmare… _preview…preview…preview…_ :smack: ---
**Author:** ![DaveX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/96bed5/32.png) [@DaveX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DaveX)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2003, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-where-the-band-name-is-self-referenced/187411/50 "2003-07-10T16:44:54Z")
_seems like everything was roses when we held on to our guns…_ “Breakdown” by Guns n Roses ---
**Author:** ![Interrobang](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/interrobang/32/17463_2.png) [@Interrobang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Interrobang)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2003, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-where-the-band-name-is-self-referenced/187411/51 "2003-07-10T16:45:38Z")
> [@](#): > > _They Might Be Giants_ by They Might Be Giants comes to mind. Also, from the same album, “Theme from Flood”: _It’s a brand new record for 1990 They Might Be Giants’ brand new album “Flood”_ ---
**Author:** ![Evil\_Death](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ecccb3/32.png) [@Evil\_Death](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Death)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2003, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-where-the-band-name-is-self-referenced/187411/52 "2003-07-10T16:46:47Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by paulberserker \* > \*\*Craaaaiiiggg Daaaaavid! > in every bloody tune he does > > does UK garage pop count as rap in this thread? \*\* I believe it counts as “shit” no matter where you are. ---
**Author:** ![BurnMeUp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/91b2a8/32.png) [@BurnMeUp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BurnMeUp)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2003, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-where-the-band-name-is-self-referenced/187411/53 "2003-07-10T17:14:16Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Odinoneeye \* > \*\*In the rap part of Shrikback’s version of Get Down Tonight… > > Well the Shriek don’t shake > and the Shriek don’t shiver. \*\* Well bless the balls of Barry Andrews! Another shriekback fan! ---
**Author:** ![BurnMeUp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/91b2a8/32.png) [@BurnMeUp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BurnMeUp)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2003, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-where-the-band-name-is-self-referenced/187411/54 "2003-07-10T17:24:35Z")
A few i could think of Fishbone is Red Hot and Party at Ground Zero by Fishbone (party with the lyrics Fishbone is here to say… let’s havae a good time…) Total Hate '95 - No Doubt (although the band mention was done by Bradley of Sublime… has the line Bradley’s rocking No Doubt Styley) Josh Freese is Ready - Josh Freese (regaurledd of what it sounds like it’s not a rap song :)) Bad Religion - Bad Religion (although the song is not about the band) Juke Joint Jezebel - KMFDM (KMFDM… doing it again…) Be My Lover - Alice Cooper (she asked me why the singer’s name was Alice…) ---
**Author:** ![Lilacs](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e9c0ed/32.png) [@Lilacs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lilacs)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2003, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-where-the-band-name-is-self-referenced/187411/55 "2003-07-10T17:30:13Z")
Another one by the Clash: Clash City Rockers. ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Bee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ba0ec/32.png) [@Larry\_Bee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Bee)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2003, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-where-the-band-name-is-self-referenced/187411/56 "2003-07-10T17:41:49Z")
Does ‘ **The Ballad Of John & Yoko** ’ count? ---
**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:** [July 10, 2003, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-where-the-band-name-is-self-referenced/187411/57 "2003-07-10T18:59:41Z")
“The Blimp” by Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band mentions not only the band but the producer, Frank Zappa: “It’s the thing that’s gonna make Captain Beefheart and His Magic Band fat, Frank, it’s the big hit! It’s the blimp, Frank, it’s the blimp!” And since I mentioned the Jefferson Airplane’s cover of a song thet mentions them, how about the Rolling Stones’ cover of “Like a Rolling Stone”? ---
**Author:** ![rolandgunslinger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/cdc98d/32.png) [@rolandgunslinger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rolandgunslinger)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2003, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-where-the-band-name-is-self-referenced/187411/58 "2003-07-10T23:57:36Z")
Boston-Rock and roll band. “We were just another band out of Boston” Skid Row-Youth gone wild.“Well I tell ya Park Avenue leads to…Skid Row!” ---
**Author:** ![Enginerd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/bcef8e/32.png) [@Enginerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enginerd)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2003, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-where-the-band-name-is-self-referenced/187411/59 "2003-07-11T00:06:41Z")
**Minor Threat’s** _Minor Threat_. _Bob Dylan’s 115th Dream_ by Robert Zimmerman. ---
**Author:** ![Scupper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b9bd4f/32.png) [@Scupper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scupper)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2003, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-where-the-band-name-is-self-referenced/187411/60 "2003-07-11T00:31:55Z")
The **Shamen’s** _Keep Comin’ On_ (actually I think they use the term “Shamanic” but close enough. **Frontline Assembly** has a song that samples the announcer from the program _Frontline_ saying (naturally) “Frontline!” over and over again. **The Sisters of Mercy** mention their own name in the song _The Damage Done_. **Lard’s** _The Power of Lard_ [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-where-the-band-name-is-self-referenced/187411.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-where-the-band-name-is-self-referenced/187411.md?page=4)