# The artist's name is mentioned in their song, by somebody else. **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 25, 2020, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-artists-name-is-mentioned-in-their-song-by-somebody-else/848521 "2020-02-25T22:26:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Wheelz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wheelz/32/5718_2.png) [@Wheelz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wheelz)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2020, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-artists-name-is-mentioned-in-their-song-by-somebody-else/848521/1 "2020-02-25T22:26:45Z")
There are songs in which a singer calls out his or her own name (David Allen Coe’s _You Never Even Call Me By My Name_, e.g.), and songs which share the name of the band that plays them (_Bad Company, Big Country_). There are also many, many examples of singers mentioning other singers. I’m not talking about those. I’m talking about a guest vocalist, or someone else who is\* not \*the main artist, name-checking an artist right in that artist’s song. Here are some examples: “Shakira, Shakira…” in _Hips Don’t Lie_. “Chaka Khan, Chaka Khan, let me rock you, Chaka Khan…” in _I Feel For You._ “Viva Carlos Santana” in _Maria, Maria_. What else? ---
**Author:** ![GargoyleWB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gargoylewb/32/199_2.png) [@GargoyleWB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GargoyleWB)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2020, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-artists-name-is-mentioned-in-their-song-by-somebody-else/848521/2 "2020-02-25T22:30:50Z")
White Stripes - “Well It’s True That We Love One Another” (“I like Jack White like a little brother…”) Van Halen - “Unchained” (“Come on, Dave, give me a break”) ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2020, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-artists-name-is-mentioned-in-their-song-by-somebody-else/848521/3 "2020-02-25T22:41:28Z")
Kanye, all through his work. For example, he gets name checked a number of times in “Monster”: > [@](#): > > Just killed another career it’s a mild day > Besides Ye they can’t stand besides me > [@](#): > > If you wanna make it number one your number two now > Mix goose an’ Malibu I call it Malibooyauh! > God damn Yeezy how he hit 'em with a new style? ---
**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:** [February 25, 2020, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-artists-name-is-mentioned-in-their-song-by-somebody-else/848521/4 "2020-02-25T22:49:24Z")
Probably not exactly what you’re looking for, since it’s not a “guest vocalist,” but in Queen’s _[The Invisible Man](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKdxd718WXg)_, Freddie Mercury names the other three members of the band (John Deacon, Brian May, and Roger Taylor), while Taylor names Mercury. ---
**Author:** ![FlikTheBlue](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fliktheblue/32/10972_2.png) [@FlikTheBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlikTheBlue)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2020, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-artists-name-is-mentioned-in-their-song-by-somebody-else/848521/5 "2020-02-26T00:45:01Z")
It’s Five O’clock Somewhere has Alan Jackson wondering what Jimmy Buffett would do at a moment like this. Jimmy then proceeds to inform him about what he would do. Large quantities of alcohol may or may not be involved:) ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2020, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-artists-name-is-mentioned-in-their-song-by-somebody-else/848521/6 "2020-02-26T00:58:07Z")
Does [Sly calling out Cynthia & Jerry](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7DicFCOoT-U&t=1m35s) count? ---
**Author:** ![Aspidistra](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspidistra/32/3894_2.png) [@Aspidistra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspidistra)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2020, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-artists-name-is-mentioned-in-their-song-by-somebody-else/848521/7 "2020-02-26T00:59:54Z")
Nm, misread ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2020, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-artists-name-is-mentioned-in-their-song-by-somebody-else/848521/8 "2020-02-26T01:06:30Z")
nvm ---
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2020, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-artists-name-is-mentioned-in-their-song-by-somebody-else/848521/9 "2020-02-26T01:14:49Z")
Nosaj the Great guest-rapping on [Big Calm](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jsWkPsVpe0Y) by Morcheeba: “Super rocket, Nosaj the Great, and Morcheeba, how much more can you take?” ---
**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:** [February 26, 2020, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-artists-name-is-mentioned-in-their-song-by-somebody-else/848521/10 "2020-02-26T02:11:04Z")
Well, I don’t know if it counts, but on the Band’s “[4% Pantomime](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dqyzNatsJz4)” with guest singer Van Morrison, a duet between Van and Richard Manuel to be precise, Richard Manuel sings: _Oh, Belfast cowboy, lay your cards on the grade Oh, Belfast cowboy, can you call a spade a spade?_ (Belfast cowboy being the OTHER nickname of Van Morrison) and Van answers: _Oh, Richard, tell me, tell me Tell me, is this game poker?_ ---
**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:** [February 26, 2020, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-artists-name-is-mentioned-in-their-song-by-somebody-else/848521/11 "2020-02-26T02:57:38Z")
In “Soul Man,” both the Sam and Dave and the Blues Brothers versions, call out “Play it, Steve,” for Steve Cropper, who played on both versions. ---
**Author:** ![Wendell\_Wagner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/8491ac/32.png) [@Wendell\_Wagner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wendell_Wagner)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2020, 6:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-artists-name-is-mentioned-in-their-song-by-somebody-else/848521/12 "2020-02-26T06:42:38Z")
In the song “Creeque Alley” by the Mamas and the Papas, not only are all four members of that group mentioned, but so are Zal Yanovsky, John Sebastian, Roger McGuinn. Barry McGuire, and the groups called the Mugwumps and the Loving Spoonful: > **[Creeque Alley - An Analysis](https://www.creequealley.com/)** > > A unique analysis of the song Creeque Alley which tells of the formation of The Mamas and The Papas ---
**Author:** ![Wendell\_Wagner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/8491ac/32.png) [@Wendell\_Wagner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wendell_Wagner)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2020, 6:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-artists-name-is-mentioned-in-their-song-by-somebody-else/848521/13 "2020-02-26T06:48:34Z")
In the song “I Dig Rock and Roll Music” by Peter, Paul and Mary, the groups the Mamas and the Papas and the Beatles, as well as Donovan are mentioned. ---
**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 26, 2020, 11:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-artists-name-is-mentioned-in-their-song-by-somebody-else/848521/14 "2020-02-26T11:45:18Z")
In the song **Crazy Little Thing Called Love** by **Queen** the lead singer **Freddie Mercury** sings the line “_Until I’m ready_” which is followed by the other band members singing in harmony “_Ready Freddie._” TCMF-2L Edited to note this is another example where it’s not a full ‘outsider’ naming Freddie ---
**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 26, 2020, 12:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-artists-name-is-mentioned-in-their-song-by-somebody-else/848521/15 "2020-02-26T12:20:11Z")
I think this one matches the OP although it is a bit grubby. After lead singer **Johnny Rotten** and bassist **Sid Vicious** had left British punk band **The Sex Pistols** , the drummer and guitarist **Cook** and **Jones** recorded **No One Is Innocent** with fugitive train robber **Ronnie Biggs** as lead vocalist. The chorus, which sounds like it’s mainly **Cook** and **Jones** singing, has “_Ronnie Biggs was doing time until he did a bunk_.” TCMF-2L ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2020, 12:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-artists-name-is-mentioned-in-their-song-by-somebody-else/848521/16 "2020-02-26T12:24:42Z")
I feel like there should be many examples with Dr Dre, e.g in “Forgot About Dre”: Eminem: Nowadays everybody wants to talk like they got something to say / But nothin comes out when they move they lips / Just a buncha gibberish / And muthafuckas act like they forgot about Dre ---
**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 26, 2020, 12:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-artists-name-is-mentioned-in-their-song-by-somebody-else/848521/17 "2020-02-26T12:48:06Z")
Another slightly grubby one. A live version of the **Elton John** song **Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me** was recorded as a duet between **George Michael** and **Elton John** and was a hit single. It was credited as a duet although recorded during **Michael’s** tour where he was doing mainly cover versions. So you could argue it is, in this context, a **George Michael** cover of the song with **Elton** merely guesting on it. Whatever, **Michael** includes the mid song introduction “_Ladies and Gentlemen, Mr Elton John_.” TCMF-2L ---
**Author:** ![Sparky812](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/eb9ed0/32.png) [@Sparky812](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sparky812)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2020, 12:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-artists-name-is-mentioned-in-their-song-by-somebody-else/848521/18 "2020-02-26T12:57:40Z")
Tragically Hip - “New Orleans is Sinking” _She said, "Gordie, baby, I know exactly what you mean_ Sweet - “Ballroom Blitz” _Are you ready Steve? Uh-huh Andy? Yeah Mick? Okay Alright fellas, let’s go!_ Motley Crue’s cover of “Smokin’ in the Boys Room” ( the original by Brownsville Station does not use band member names) _My buddies Sixx, Mick & Tom_ Motley Crue - “Girls, Girls, Girls” _Hey Tommy, check that out man! What, Vince, where?_ NOFX - “Theme from a NOFX album” - each verse is about a band member _That’s Erik our drummer his fathers a plumber…_ _El Hefe is not satanic he’s one hip hispanic…_ _That Melvin on six string “some tell me I can’t sing”…_ _My name is Fat Mike I’m obsessed by big lesbians…_ ---
**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 26, 2020, 1:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-artists-name-is-mentioned-in-their-song-by-somebody-else/848521/19 "2020-02-26T13:04:08Z")
Still can’t find a definitive answer to the OP but another slightly dodgy example. Boyband **5ive** released a version of **Queen’s We Will Rock You** with new verses and featuring **Queen** guitarist **Brian May** and **Queen** drummer **Roger Taylor** (although neither sing on the track.) The boys from **5ive** sing lyrics including “_Watch your back. We got Queen on this track_.” TCMF-2L ---
**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:** [February 26, 2020, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-artists-name-is-mentioned-in-their-song-by-somebody-else/848521/20 "2020-02-26T14:37:52Z")
It’s Still Rock and Roll to Me - Billy Joel says “All right, Rico!” to kick off the sax solo. “Rico” is Richie Cannata, Joel’s sax player for years. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-artists-name-is-mentioned-in-their-song-by-somebody-else/848521.md?page=2)