# You're Marty McFly, ready to play 3 songs from the future at a 1955 prom. What do you play? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [November 17, 2011, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-marty-mcfly-ready-to-play-3-songs-from-the-future-at-a-1955-prom-what-do-you-play/603256 "2011-11-17T19:29:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![BarefootOkieGal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/fbc32d/32.png) [@BarefootOkieGal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BarefootOkieGal)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2011, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-marty-mcfly-ready-to-play-3-songs-from-the-future-at-a-1955-prom-what-do-you-play/603256/81 "2011-11-28T17:20:29Z")
> [@Zebra](#): > > Maybe I should sing Country and Joe and Fish’s “What are we fighting for” (is that the correct title?) > (So when the Viet Nam war really starts to take off maybe, just maybe they’ll remember the song.) > Then “Baby Got Back”. > Then I’d Rick Roll the bastards so I can claim credit for doing that first. I believe that’s the “I Feel Like I’m Fixin’ to Die Rag” by Country Joe… do the Woodstock version with the “Fish Cheer”!!! ---
**Author:** ![deadindays](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ce73a5/32.png) [@deadindays](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/deadindays)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2011, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-marty-mcfly-ready-to-play-3-songs-from-the-future-at-a-1955-prom-what-do-you-play/603256/82 "2011-11-30T00:43:29Z")
The Cure’s Boys Don’t Cry. Queen’s We Will Rock You. Gang of Four’s Damaged Goods Good music the kids can dance to. ---
**Author:** ![BMax](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bmax/32/4267_2.png) [@BMax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BMax)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2011, 5:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-marty-mcfly-ready-to-play-3-songs-from-the-future-at-a-1955-prom-what-do-you-play/603256/83 "2011-11-30T05:40:28Z")
1955, Chuck Berry recorded _Maybelline_ in Chicago. The white kids in BTTF probably hadn’t heard it yet. Hell, they probably hadn’t heard any Rock & rollers but Pat Boone yet. So I’d start by playing them some Rock & Roll from just a few years in the future, say Billy Riley’s _Red Hot_, or Sam the Sham’s _Little Red Riding Hood_. I’d bring them slowly into the future with Dick Dale’s _California Sun_, Then bring in the go-go dancers & light show and blow their straight-laced Midwestern minds with Lord of Acid’s _Crab Louse_ ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2025, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-marty-mcfly-ready-to-play-3-songs-from-the-future-at-a-1955-prom-what-do-you-play/603256/84 "2025-06-06T15:13:53Z")
Bumped. Just make sure you’ve got a good guitar: > **[‘Back to the Future’ stars reunite in plea for return of long-lost prop | CNN](https://www.cnn.com/2025/06/04/entertainment/back-to-the-future-gibson-guitar-scli-intl)** > > The original cast of “Back to the Future” has reunited – not for a reboot, but to help locate a piece of movie history that went missing about 40 years ago. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2025, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-marty-mcfly-ready-to-play-3-songs-from-the-future-at-a-1955-prom-what-do-you-play/603256/85 "2025-06-06T16:00:42Z")
Summer 69 Bryan Adams Peaceful Easy Feeling Eagles Yesterday Beatles Bryan Adams might be too much for 1955. Change the lyrics to 59. More relatable and less suggestive than 69. ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2025, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-marty-mcfly-ready-to-play-3-songs-from-the-future-at-a-1955-prom-what-do-you-play/603256/86 "2025-06-06T16:12:29Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > Just make sure you’ve got a good guitar… Peter Frampton got his Les Paul “_Phenix_” back after it was thought to be lost in a plane crash and Paul got his Höfner returned after it was stolen in '72, so there’s always hope. As far as the songs I’d play, Marty showed some serious proto-guitar hero stage moves at the prom, so my choices would be “Eruption”, “Sparks” (Woodstock version) and “Fire” (Hendrix) ---
**Author:** ![E-DUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/e-dub/32/403_2.png) [@E-DUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-DUB)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2025, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-marty-mcfly-ready-to-play-3-songs-from-the-future-at-a-1955-prom-what-do-you-play/603256/87 "2025-06-06T16:41:23Z")
I was thinking “Smoke on the Water” for that same reason. Or Maybe “We Didn’t Start the Fire”. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2025, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-marty-mcfly-ready-to-play-3-songs-from-the-future-at-a-1955-prom-what-do-you-play/603256/88 "2025-06-06T17:21:52Z")
> [@Sitnam](#): > > Billy Joel’s _We Didn’t Start The Fire_ would blow their fucking minds later. First one I thought of. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2025, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-marty-mcfly-ready-to-play-3-songs-from-the-future-at-a-1955-prom-what-do-you-play/603256/89 "2025-06-06T17:28:54Z")
“The Homecoming Queen’s Got A Gun”. I don’t think I will need to play two more songs, do you? ---
**Author:** ![NDP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ndp/32/55_2.png) [@NDP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NDP)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2025, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-marty-mcfly-ready-to-play-3-songs-from-the-future-at-a-1955-prom-what-do-you-play/603256/90 "2025-06-06T20:54:36Z")
> [@Trick\_Rider](#): > > Like A Rolling Stone - Bob Dylan > > It might take a little bit, but the kids may get into it. I can almost guarantee that the authority figures never will. I’d close with “Like a Rolling Stone,” but _unplugged_ just to see if it pisses anyone off. > [@Trick\_Rider](#): > > Blitzkrieg Bop - The Ramones > > It’s catchy and should be much easier for them to listen to after “Like A Rolling Stone”. Again, the staff won’t like it, but it shouldn’t scare the kids too badly. I’d do that as an encore, but quit halfway through the first verse and say, “I’m sorry, ladies and gentlemen, there’s no reason to do this song here.” I’d then launch into “Radio, Radio.” ---
**Author:** ![Moriarty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moriarty/32/49_2.png) [@Moriarty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moriarty)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2025, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-marty-mcfly-ready-to-play-3-songs-from-the-future-at-a-1955-prom-what-do-you-play/603256/91 "2025-06-06T23:06:34Z")
We’re going to start with a soulful Joe Cocker _You are so beautiful_ [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/WvAr9umnZ54/maxresdefault.jpg "Joe Cocker - You Are So Beautiful") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WvAr9umnZ54) Then get them swinging their hips with Aerosmith _Big Ten Inch Record_ [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/00zuDUNTeXM/hqdefault.jpg?sqp=-oaymwEmCOADEOgC8quKqQMa8AEB-AH-BIAC4AOKAgwIABABGH8gMCgmMA8=&rs=AOn4CLCwAc-Dic5pDlnr3gdSWjcm2Y-ppw "Aerosmith Big Ten Inch Record (Lyrics)") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=00zuDUNTeXM) And finally scare the living shit out of them with NWA _Fuck Tha Police_ [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/qZuxPKUVGiw/hqdefault.jpg?sqp=-oaymwEmCOADEOgC8quKqQMa8AEB-AHeA4AC6AKKAgwIABABGGUgZShlMA8=&rs=AOn4CLDvvFYAXJ_8j7nhvA4chkJ5Pg-ZRQ "N.W.A. - Fuk Da Police") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZuxPKUVGiw) ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2025, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-marty-mcfly-ready-to-play-3-songs-from-the-future-at-a-1955-prom-what-do-you-play/603256/92 "2025-06-06T23:40:20Z")
> [@Moriarty](#): > > And finally scare the living shit out of them with Nah, they’ll fall asleep w/ that. Wanna scare them? [Democracy Spawns Bad Taste - Crucifucks](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZvPKLKOtlgA&t=30s) [Argh Fuck Kill - Dayglo Abortions](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=brTHHzTYQDk) [John Wayne Was a Nazi - MDC](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SoyusTUFdl0) ---
**Author:** ![Moriarty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moriarty/32/49_2.png) [@Moriarty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moriarty)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2025, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-marty-mcfly-ready-to-play-3-songs-from-the-future-at-a-1955-prom-what-do-you-play/603256/93 "2025-06-06T23:44:32Z")
> [@Crafter\_Man](#): > > Wanna scare them? I mean, as long as we’re digging deep. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/qc98u-eGzlc/maxresdefault.jpg "MESHUGGAH - Bleed (Official Music Video)") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qc98u-eGzlc) ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2025, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-marty-mcfly-ready-to-play-3-songs-from-the-future-at-a-1955-prom-what-do-you-play/603256/94 "2025-06-07T00:02:08Z")
The Kids; Lou Reed Know Your Rights; The Clash Missippi Goddam; Ninia Simone Blow their fragile narrow minds. ---
**Author:** ![Jay\_Z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Jay\_Z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jay_Z)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2025, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-marty-mcfly-ready-to-play-3-songs-from-the-future-at-a-1955-prom-what-do-you-play/603256/95 "2025-06-07T01:12:14Z")
Fire: Crazy World Of Arthur Brown Zager And Evans: In The Year 2525 Starship: We Built This City All big hits that the kids should enjoy. ---
**Author:** ![J-P\_L](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/j-p_l/32/3156_2.png) [@J-P\_L](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/J-P_L)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2025, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-marty-mcfly-ready-to-play-3-songs-from-the-future-at-a-1955-prom-what-do-you-play/603256/96 "2025-06-07T01:23:46Z")
So many good choices already mentioned. I’d definitely keep “Johnny B Good”, add “Proud Mary” by CCR and the afore mentioned “Born To Be Wild”. ---
**Author:** ![P-man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/p-man/32/3606_2.png) [@P-man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/P-man)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2025, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-marty-mcfly-ready-to-play-3-songs-from-the-future-at-a-1955-prom-what-do-you-play/603256/97 "2025-06-07T13:20:33Z")
I’d pick one each from the sixties, seventies, and eighties. Start out with “You Really Got Me”, followed by “Won’t Get Fooled Again” and Dire Straits’ “Telegraph Road”. Of course they would not have heard “Won’t Get Fooled Again” a jillion times. ---
**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:** [June 7, 2025, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-marty-mcfly-ready-to-play-3-songs-from-the-future-at-a-1955-prom-what-do-you-play/603256/98 "2025-06-07T13:31:08Z")
Easy one. I’d aim to entertain the students, but confuse the band. “Under My Wheels” Alice Cooper “Layla” Derek and the Dominos “More Than A Feeling” Boston ---
**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:** [June 7, 2025, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-marty-mcfly-ready-to-play-3-songs-from-the-future-at-a-1955-prom-what-do-you-play/603256/99 "2025-06-07T18:17:05Z")
> [@Jay\_Z](#): > > Fire: Crazy World Of Arthur Brown > Zager And Evans: In The Year 2525 > Starship: We Built This City > > All big hits that the kids should enjoy. This one made me 😆 ---
**Author:** ![Tibby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tibby/32/17030_2.png) [@Tibby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tibby)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2025, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-marty-mcfly-ready-to-play-3-songs-from-the-future-at-a-1955-prom-what-do-you-play/603256/100 "2025-06-07T18:31:12Z")
The guitar licks from: Cream’s White House David Gilmour’s Comfortably Numb Beatle’s Helter Skelter [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youre-marty-mcfly-ready-to-play-3-songs-from-the-future-at-a-1955-prom-what-do-you-play/603256.md?page=4)