# U.S. Presidents Mentioned in Popular Songs **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 22, 2013, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-presidents-mentioned-in-popular-songs/653647 "2013-03-22T15:32:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2013, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-presidents-mentioned-in-popular-songs/653647/41 "2013-03-22T23:44:05Z")
My pappy said “Son you’re gonna drive me to drinkin’ If you don’t stop driving that hot rod Lincoln!” :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![Coldfire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a587f6/32.png) [@Coldfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coldfire)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2013, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-presidents-mentioned-in-popular-songs/653647/42 "2013-03-23T00:03:46Z")
> [@ZipperJJ](#): > > There’s a lot of Bill Clinton in rap, because he such a playa. One that I remember is **Snoop Dogg’s “Lay Low”** > > “They call me Jed Clampett for all the bread I got > But they call me Bill Clinton for all the head I got” Clinton even makes a cameo in The Geto Boys’ “Damn it feels good to be a gangsta”. [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/8u84d7nY8pQ/hqdefault.jpg?sqp=-oaymwEmCOADEOgC8quKqQMa8AEB-AH-BIAC4AOKAgwIABABGEcgSyhZMA8=&rs=AOn4CLDJT8sLtvHBHnkvwQXe3G5jWH3a3Q "geto boys unedited version damn it feels good to be a gangsta") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8u84d7nY8pQ) ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2013, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-presidents-mentioned-in-popular-songs/653647/43 "2013-03-23T00:11:22Z")
> [@Coldfire](#): > > Clinton even makes a cameo in The Geto Boys’ “Damn it feels good to be a gangsta”. > > [http://youtu.be/8u84d7nY8pQ](http://youtu.be/8u84d7nY8pQ) **Coldfire** , you disappear for like months or years at a time and then return as the prodigal child. What’s up with that? ---
**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:** [March 23, 2013, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-presidents-mentioned-in-popular-songs/653647/44 "2013-03-23T00:18:17Z")
“Sweethearts” by Camper van Beethoven. See if you can guess the president from the first verse: _'Cause he’s always living back in Dixon Circa 1949 And we’re all sitting at the fountain, at the five and dime 'Cause he’s living in some B-movie The lines they are so clearly drawn In black and white life is so easy And we’re all coming along on this one_ ---
**Author:** ![Jeff\_Lichtman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jeff_lichtman/32/1531_2.png) [@Jeff\_Lichtman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jeff_Lichtman)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2013, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-presidents-mentioned-in-popular-songs/653647/45 "2013-03-23T00:26:25Z")
Terry Cashman’s [Talkin’ Baseball](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fWKA9Zi5-_Y) has references to both Eisenhower and Reagan (“the great Alexander is pitching again in Washington.”) ---
**Author:** ![Southern\_Yankee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/southern_yankee/32/2800_2.png) [@Southern\_Yankee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Southern_Yankee)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2013, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-presidents-mentioned-in-popular-songs/653647/46 "2013-03-23T01:38:28Z")
The Kinks’ _Give the People What They Want_: When Oswald shot Kennedy, he was insane But still we watch the re-runs again and again We all sit glued while the killer takes aim Hey Mom, there goes a piece of the President’s brain ---
**Author:** ![GreasyJack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/df705f/32.png) [@GreasyJack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreasyJack)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2013, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-presidents-mentioned-in-popular-songs/653647/47 "2013-03-23T01:50:03Z")
Possibly pushing the definition of “popular” but there’s a song about the McKinley assassination called “White House Blues” that was originally an old timey murder ballad from the 20’s, but got covered by Bill Monroe in the 50’s and thus found its way into modern bluegrass rotation. Also, as an added bonus, Teddy Roosevelt gets a mention too. ---
**Author:** ![bouv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bc8723/32.png) [@bouv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bouv)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2013, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-presidents-mentioned-in-popular-songs/653647/48 "2013-03-23T01:58:33Z")
Here’s a whole song about the exploits of George Washington: [![]( " - YouTube") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l7iVsdRbhnc) ---
**Author:** ![Coldfire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a587f6/32.png) [@Coldfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coldfire)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2013, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-presidents-mentioned-in-popular-songs/653647/49 "2013-03-23T02:00:09Z")
> [@Leaffan](#): > > **Coldfire** , you disappear for like months or years at a time and then return as the prodigal child. What’s up with that? Oh, nothing specifically - not the high profile poster I once was, and that’s fine. Every now and then I either browse and get involved again for a bit, or someone else alerts me to something SDMB related that might interest me, and I end up endulging a bit again. Unfortunately this time, it was the bad news of OpalCat’s death that brought me back. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2013, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-presidents-mentioned-in-popular-songs/653647/50 "2013-03-23T02:05:32Z")
Just thought of an oldie…2 Live Crew’s _Dirty Nursery Rhymes_: > [@](#): > > Abraham Lincoln was a good old man > He hopped out the window with his \*\*\*\* in his hand > Said 'excuse me ladies, I’m doing my duty > So pull down your pants and give me some booty ---
**Author:** ![Two\_Many\_Cats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8dc957/32.png) [@Two\_Many\_Cats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Two_Many_Cats)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2013, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-presidents-mentioned-in-popular-songs/653647/51 "2013-03-23T02:11:35Z")
> [@GreasyJack](#): > > Possibly pushing the definition of “popular” but there’s a song about the McKinley assassination called “White House Blues” that was originally an old timey murder ballad from the 20’s, but got covered by Bill Monroe in the 50’s and thus found its way into modern bluegrass rotation. Also, as an added bonus, Teddy Roosevelt gets a mention too. Dammit, I was gonna post that one! Oh well, guess I’ll just quote my favorite lyrics from the song: _Roosevelt’s in the White House, drinkin’ from a silver cup. McKinley’s in the graveyard, he’ll never wake up 'Cause he’s gone. A long time gone._ Now, **that’s** how to react to a presidential assassination. None of that maudlin “national tragedy” nonsense. More from that song: _Czolgosz, Czolgosz, you done him wrong…_ In the version of the song I have, the singer pronounces the name as Saw-glotz which is wrong. But it sounds really cool. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2013, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-presidents-mentioned-in-popular-songs/653647/52 "2013-03-23T03:33:50Z")
> [@GreasyJack](#): > > Possibly pushing the definition of “popular” but there’s a song about the McKinley assassination called “White House Blues” that was originally an old timey murder ballad from the 20’s, but got covered by Bill Monroe in the 50’s and thus found its way into modern bluegrass rotation. Also, as an added bonus, Teddy Roosevelt gets a mention too. Also covered by [Flatt and Scruggs.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ou7MdcRTSPI) Includes both McKinley and Teddy Roosevelt. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2013, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-presidents-mentioned-in-popular-songs/653647/53 "2013-03-23T03:52:03Z")
George Bush (the first one) - “[Dizz Knee Land](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=daa9pZDxfIY)” by Dada ---
**Author:** ![psychobunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/54ee81/32.png) [@psychobunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychobunny)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2013, 8:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-presidents-mentioned-in-popular-songs/653647/54 "2013-03-23T08:00:27Z")
Does it have to mention the name of the president? Otherwise I would include P!nk’s Dear Mr. President which is about GWB. ---
**Author:** ![TV\_time](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f17d59/32.png) [@TV\_time](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TV_time)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2013, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-presidents-mentioned-in-popular-songs/653647/55 "2013-03-24T23:48:51Z")
From _Hair_ “LBJ took the IRT.” ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2013, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-presidents-mentioned-in-popular-songs/653647/56 "2013-03-25T00:10:18Z")
The musical _Assassins_ references several Presidents in the various songs (as you might expect) including Lincoln, Garfield, McKinley, and FDR. ---
**Author:** ![Phrozen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/22d042/32.png) [@Phrozen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phrozen)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2013, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-presidents-mentioned-in-popular-songs/653647/57 "2013-03-25T00:31:39Z")
Johnny Cash’s _The Night Hank Williams Came to Town_ opens with “Harry Truman was our President…” ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Greenjeans](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mr.greenjeans/32/551_2.png) [@Mr.Greenjeans](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Greenjeans)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2013, 12:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-presidents-mentioned-in-popular-songs/653647/58 "2013-03-25T12:41:15Z")
I came up with 3–well, maybe 2 and a half. 1. The Violent Femmes’ _Old Mother Reagan_ (from the wonderfully named album, _The Blind Leading the Naked_) – “Old Mother Reagan, she’s so dumb, she’s so dangerous…” 2. Stephen Stills’ _For What It’s Worth/America’s Children_ (from CSNY’s _4 Way Street_) – During the preaching part of the song, Stills notes that “We’re all just out there proving to Richard Nixon and Spiro Agnew and Richard Daley and all them other–well, whatever you want to call them–that America is still the home of the brave.” 2.5) Charlie Daniels’ _Uneasy Rider_ – “Would you believe this man has gone as far as tearing Wallace stickers off the bumpers of cars, and he voted for George McGovern for President.” (No actual presidents there, but 2 losing candidates, so…) ---
**Author:** ![Human\_Action](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ac91a4/32.png) [@Human\_Action](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Human_Action)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2013, 12:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-presidents-mentioned-in-popular-songs/653647/59 "2013-03-25T12:45:03Z")
Pink Floyd, “The Fletcher Memorial Home”, off _The Final Cut_. > [@](#): > > And they can appear to themselves every day > On closed circuit T.V. > To make sure they’re still real. > It’s the only connection they feel. > "Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome, Reagan and Haig, > Mr. Begin and friend, Mrs. Thatcher, and Paisly, > Mr. Brezhnev and party. > The ghost of McCarthy, > The memories of Nixon. > And now, adding color, a group of anonymous latin- > American Meat packing glitterati. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Greenjeans](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mr.greenjeans/32/551_2.png) [@Mr.Greenjeans](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Greenjeans)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2013, 1:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-presidents-mentioned-in-popular-songs/653647/60 "2013-03-25T13:06:08Z")
> [@Human\_Action](#): > > Pink Floyd, “The Fletcher Memorial Home”, off _The Final Cut_. Did they expect us to treat them with any respect? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-presidents-mentioned-in-popular-songs/653647.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/u-s-presidents-mentioned-in-popular-songs/653647.md?page=4)