Esoteric Mixtape Help
February 26, 2010 7:48 AM
Meta-filter: Songs in which the song itself appears in the lyrics of the song?
For example:
Belle and Sebastian: Judy and the Dream of Horses ("And the song you wrote was 'Judy and the Dream of Horses' ")
The Magnetic Fields: I Think I Need a New Heart ("While the radio plays 'I Think I Need a New Heart' ")
R. Kelly: Ignition (Remix) ("While they say on the radio 'This the remix to Ignition' ")
This seemed like a great idea for a mixtape, but I ran out of steam after these three. Anyone know any more?
For example:
Belle and Sebastian: Judy and the Dream of Horses ("And the song you wrote was 'Judy and the Dream of Horses' ")
The Magnetic Fields: I Think I Need a New Heart ("While the radio plays 'I Think I Need a New Heart' ")
R. Kelly: Ignition (Remix) ("While they say on the radio 'This the remix to Ignition' ")
This seemed like a great idea for a mixtape, but I ran out of steam after these three. Anyone know any more?
Very close, another Magnetic Fields - The Way You Say Goodnight ("Oh I could write a song about the way you say goodnight")
posted by yellowbinder at 7:56 AM on February 26, 2010
posted by yellowbinder at 7:56 AM on February 26, 2010
not an exact fit but Cake - Frank Sinatra
["while Frank Sinatra sings Stormy Weather"]
posted by xqwzts at 7:58 AM on February 26, 2010
["while Frank Sinatra sings Stormy Weather"]
posted by xqwzts at 7:58 AM on February 26, 2010
Coldplay - Yellow
I came along
I wrote a song for you
And all the things you do
And it was called Yellow.
posted by amyms at 8:01 AM on February 26, 2010
I came along
I wrote a song for you
And all the things you do
And it was called Yellow.
posted by amyms at 8:01 AM on February 26, 2010
Also, any number of blues songs do this ...St. Louis Blues, Statesboro Blues, etc etc.
In tribute to your username though, how about "Apolitical Blues" by Little Feat -- the main symptom of which is not wanting to talk to Chairman Mao on the phone.
posted by pete_22 at 8:02 AM on February 26, 2010
In tribute to your username though, how about "Apolitical Blues" by Little Feat -- the main symptom of which is not wanting to talk to Chairman Mao on the phone.
posted by pete_22 at 8:02 AM on February 26, 2010
The question is not "What songs contain the song title in the song lyrics," folks.
Anyhow, I was gonna say I Think I Need a New Heart. But also Roll Over Beethoven, Tennessee Waltz, and Crocodile Rock.
posted by ludwig_van at 8:04 AM on February 26, 2010
Anyhow, I was gonna say I Think I Need a New Heart. But also Roll Over Beethoven, Tennessee Waltz, and Crocodile Rock.
posted by ludwig_van at 8:04 AM on February 26, 2010
Hah, I was going to ask the same question at some point! Actually, I was going to ask about recursive songs that refer to themselves -- is that what you're asking for, or do you specifically want the title of the song to appear in the lyrics when the singer refers to it?
If the former, here's what's on my (very short) list that hasn't already been listed...
Postal Service - Such Great Heights
And when you scan the radio,
I hope this song will guide you home
Barenaked Ladies - In the Car
A secret all along,
Unless I've got this wrong,
Unless she hears this song,
Unless she hears it on a tape inside her car
With her new boyfriend
And she turns to him and says "I think that's me"
posted by pluckemin at 8:08 AM on February 26, 2010
If the former, here's what's on my (very short) list that hasn't already been listed...
Postal Service - Such Great Heights
And when you scan the radio,
I hope this song will guide you home
Barenaked Ladies - In the Car
A secret all along,
Unless I've got this wrong,
Unless she hears this song,
Unless she hears it on a tape inside her car
With her new boyfriend
And she turns to him and says "I think that's me"
posted by pluckemin at 8:08 AM on February 26, 2010
Something Changed by Pulp ("I wrote this song 2 hours before we met").
You're So Vain? I'm not sure that fits the theme.
posted by Admiral Haddock at 8:11 AM on February 26, 2010
You're So Vain? I'm not sure that fits the theme.
posted by Admiral Haddock at 8:11 AM on February 26, 2010
OK, how about "Bobby Jean" by Bruce Springsteen:
Now maybe you'll be there on that road somewhere
In some bus or train, traveling along
In a motel room, there'll be a radio playing
And you'll hear me singing this song
And if you do you'll know I'm thinking of you...
posted by pete_22 at 8:12 AM on February 26, 2010
Now maybe you'll be there on that road somewhere
In some bus or train, traveling along
In a motel room, there'll be a radio playing
And you'll hear me singing this song
And if you do you'll know I'm thinking of you...
posted by pete_22 at 8:12 AM on February 26, 2010
Another song (which doesn't quite fit with your examples because it's not the name of the song in the lyrics) is "Hallelujah."
It goes like this:
The fourth
The fifth
The minor fall
The major lift
The lyrics of the song refer to what the chords in that section of the song are doing. Which is awesome.
posted by emelenjr at 8:13 AM on February 26, 2010
It goes like this:
The fourth
The fifth
The minor fall
The major lift
The lyrics of the song refer to what the chords in that section of the song are doing. Which is awesome.
posted by emelenjr at 8:13 AM on February 26, 2010
Yeah that "Hallelujah" passage is great ...and in that vein there's also "Fountains of Wayne Hotline" by Robbie Fulks
posted by pete_22 at 8:15 AM on February 26, 2010
posted by pete_22 at 8:15 AM on February 26, 2010
Hallelujah does fit the theme, since the very next line is "The baffled king composing Hallelujah."
posted by ludwig_van at 8:18 AM on February 26, 2010
posted by ludwig_van at 8:18 AM on February 26, 2010
Again not perfectly on target, but Just An Old-Fashioned Love Song does indeed come down in three-part harmony.
posted by ricochet biscuit at 8:25 AM on February 26, 2010
posted by ricochet biscuit at 8:25 AM on February 26, 2010
"The Tennessee Waltz" is about dancing to The Tennessee Waltz... In that vein I imagine there are a number of songs about dances that fall into this category. "The Peppermint Twist," "The Mashed Potato," etc - although for those it's not clear whether the lyric refers to the song or to the dance of the same name...
"Pop Song: Green" by Spring Heeled Jack is about writing a song with a girl and calling it "Pop Song: Green."
posted by Pickman's Next Top Model at 8:26 AM on February 26, 2010
"Pop Song: Green" by Spring Heeled Jack is about writing a song with a girl and calling it "Pop Song: Green."
posted by Pickman's Next Top Model at 8:26 AM on February 26, 2010
To clarify, in order to qualify the song has to appear as a song in the narrative of the lyrics. So Roll Over Beethoven and Bobbie Jean qualify, but You're So Vain and Yellow do not.
Great answers so far, by the way. I can't believe I forgot Roll Over Beethoven.
posted by chairmanroflmao at 8:26 AM on February 26, 2010
Great answers so far, by the way. I can't believe I forgot Roll Over Beethoven.
posted by chairmanroflmao at 8:26 AM on February 26, 2010
Dammit, beat to the Tennessee Waltz!
posted by Pickman's Next Top Model at 8:27 AM on February 26, 2010
posted by Pickman's Next Top Model at 8:27 AM on February 26, 2010
the song has to appear as a song in the narrative of the lyrics
...but it doesn't have to be referred to by its title, presumably (since "Bobbie Jean" does not refer to a song called Bobbie Jean, but just to "this song")?
In that case, one idea is to do a search on "this is a song for", since there are a whole ton of songs called "Song For X" that feature the lyric "this is a song for X".
posted by game warden to the events rhino at 8:29 AM on February 26, 2010
...but it doesn't have to be referred to by its title, presumably (since "Bobbie Jean" does not refer to a song called Bobbie Jean, but just to "this song")?
In that case, one idea is to do a search on "this is a song for", since there are a whole ton of songs called "Song For X" that feature the lyric "this is a song for X".
posted by game warden to the events rhino at 8:29 AM on February 26, 2010
"Bad Religion" by Bad Religion has "Bad Religion" in it like a dozen times.
posted by Optimus Chyme at 8:31 AM on February 26, 2010
posted by Optimus Chyme at 8:31 AM on February 26, 2010
Maybe "Borrowed Tune" by Neil Young:
"I'm singin' this borrowed tune
I took from the Rolling Stones"
(The melody was from Rolling Stones, not the lyrics if I remember correctly)
posted by rpn at 8:34 AM on February 26, 2010
"I'm singin' this borrowed tune
I took from the Rolling Stones"
(The melody was from Rolling Stones, not the lyrics if I remember correctly)
posted by rpn at 8:34 AM on February 26, 2010
Warren Zevon, Mohammed's Radio:
You know, the Sheriff's got his problems tooposted by scalefree at 8:37 AM on February 26, 2010
He will surely take them out on you
In walked the village idiot and his face was all aglow
He's been up all night listening to Mohammed's Radio
All my ideas have already been mentioned, but why doesn't Yellow qualify? It appears as a song in the narrative. "I wrote a song for you... and it was called Yellow"
Unless there's a No Coldplay by-law in play here. In which case, carry on.
posted by Aznable at 8:41 AM on February 26, 2010
Unless there's a No Coldplay by-law in play here. In which case, carry on.
posted by Aznable at 8:41 AM on February 26, 2010
Northern Song by George Harrison.
Bit confused as to why you don't think Yellow fits, because it seems to perfectly to me. If you just want a reference to the song being played in the song (rather than it being written in the song etc.), it could have been phrased a bit more exactly.
posted by PhoBWanKenobi at 8:48 AM on February 26, 2010
Bit confused as to why you don't think Yellow fits, because it seems to perfectly to me. If you just want a reference to the song being played in the song (rather than it being written in the song etc.), it could have been phrased a bit more exactly.
posted by PhoBWanKenobi at 8:48 AM on February 26, 2010
"Number Three" by They Might Be Giants ("there's just two songs in me, and this is number three").
posted by Metroid Baby at 8:51 AM on February 26, 2010
posted by Metroid Baby at 8:51 AM on February 26, 2010
Another George Harrison song, that's even more on-point, is This Song.
posted by PhoBWanKenobi at 8:53 AM on February 26, 2010
posted by PhoBWanKenobi at 8:53 AM on February 26, 2010
I, too, don’t understand why Yellow doesn’t qualify. But here are my contributions:
Another Barenaked Ladies song: What a Good Boy
I couldn’t tell you that I was wrong
Chickened out, grabbed a pen and a paper
Sat down and I wrote this song
Plain White T’s: Hey There Delilah
Hey there Delilah
Don't you worry about the distance
I'm right there if you get lonely
Give this song another listen
Pink: So What
What if this song’s on the radio?
Then somebody’s gonna die
I’m gonna get in trouble
My ex will start a fight
posted by yawper at 8:59 AM on February 26, 2010
Another Barenaked Ladies song: What a Good Boy
I couldn’t tell you that I was wrong
Chickened out, grabbed a pen and a paper
Sat down and I wrote this song
Plain White T’s: Hey There Delilah
Hey there Delilah
Don't you worry about the distance
I'm right there if you get lonely
Give this song another listen
Pink: So What
What if this song’s on the radio?
Then somebody’s gonna die
I’m gonna get in trouble
My ex will start a fight
posted by yawper at 8:59 AM on February 26, 2010
Would Weezer's Across the Sea fit?
Why are you so far away from me
I need help, and you're way across the sea
I could never touch you
I think it would be wrong
I got your letter
You got my song
posted by yellowbinder at 9:11 AM on February 26, 2010
Why are you so far away from me
I need help, and you're way across the sea
I could never touch you
I think it would be wrong
I got your letter
You got my song
posted by yellowbinder at 9:11 AM on February 26, 2010
The Holy Modal Rounders, amongst others, have a version of Soldier's Joy which includes the lyric "... and we're gonna have a dance called Soldier's Joy"
posted by scruss at 9:11 AM on February 26, 2010
posted by scruss at 9:11 AM on February 26, 2010
I'm not sure I understand your criteria, but maybe Rilo Kiley's "It's a Hit" would qualify?
But it's a sin when success complains,posted by serathen at 9:13 AM on February 26, 2010
and your writers block- it don't mean shit.
Just throw it against the wall and see what sticks.
Gotta write a hit -- I think this is it.
It's a hit.
And if it's not,
then it's a holiday for a hanging,
...
I can't believe no one has mentioned this one yet (unless I just missed it somehow):
This is the song that doesn't end.
It just goes on and on, my friends.
Some people started singing it,
not knowing what it was,
and they'll continue singing it forever
just because
this is the song that doesn't end.
It just goes on and on, my friends.
Some people started singing it,
not knowing what it was,
and they'll continue singing it forever
just because
this is the song that doesn't end.
It just goes on and on, my friends.
Some people started singing it,
not knowing what it was,
and they'll continue singing it forever
just because
this is the song that doesn't end.
It just goes on and on, my friends.
Some people started singing it,
not knowing what it was,
and they'll continue singing it forever
just because
this is the song that doesn't end.
It just goes on and on, my friends.
Some people started singing it,
not knowing what it was,
and they'll continue singing it forever
just because
etc. etc. ad nauseam
posted by ocherdraco at 9:42 AM on February 26, 2010
This is the song that doesn't end.
It just goes on and on, my friends.
Some people started singing it,
not knowing what it was,
and they'll continue singing it forever
just because
this is the song that doesn't end.
It just goes on and on, my friends.
Some people started singing it,
not knowing what it was,
and they'll continue singing it forever
just because
this is the song that doesn't end.
It just goes on and on, my friends.
Some people started singing it,
not knowing what it was,
and they'll continue singing it forever
just because
this is the song that doesn't end.
It just goes on and on, my friends.
Some people started singing it,
not knowing what it was,
and they'll continue singing it forever
just because
this is the song that doesn't end.
It just goes on and on, my friends.
Some people started singing it,
not knowing what it was,
and they'll continue singing it forever
just because
etc. etc. ad nauseam
posted by ocherdraco at 9:42 AM on February 26, 2010
Ben Folds - One Down
(It's a throwaway song about owing his recording company 4.6 songs.)
posted by emelenjr at 9:46 AM on February 26, 2010
(It's a throwaway song about owing his recording company 4.6 songs.)
posted by emelenjr at 9:46 AM on February 26, 2010
It may be a stretch, but how about "Five Years" by David Bowie?
I think I saw you in an ice-cream parlour, drinking milk shakes cold and long
Smiling and waving and looking so fine, don't think you knew you were in this song
posted by Vervain at 9:55 AM on February 26, 2010
I think I saw you in an ice-cream parlour, drinking milk shakes cold and long
Smiling and waving and looking so fine, don't think you knew you were in this song
posted by Vervain at 9:55 AM on February 26, 2010
And more precisely on target:
There is a Scottish folk song called Tak' It, Man Tak' It , sung by a miller who thinks the sound of his machinery has been telling him to steal from his customers ("Take it, man, take it!". In a curiously self-referential verse late in the song:
But the warst thing I did in my life,
Nae doot but ye'll think I was wrang o't;
Od! I tauld a bit bodie in Fife a' my tale,
And he made a bit sang o't.
If you find Scots opaque:
But the worst thing I did in my life,
No doubt but you'll think I was wrong of it;
I told a friend in Fife all my tale,
And he made a big song of it.
posted by ricochet biscuit at 9:56 AM on February 26, 2010
There is a Scottish folk song called Tak' It, Man Tak' It , sung by a miller who thinks the sound of his machinery has been telling him to steal from his customers ("Take it, man, take it!". In a curiously self-referential verse late in the song:
But the warst thing I did in my life,
Nae doot but ye'll think I was wrang o't;
Od! I tauld a bit bodie in Fife a' my tale,
And he made a bit sang o't.
If you find Scots opaque:
But the worst thing I did in my life,
No doubt but you'll think I was wrong of it;
I told a friend in Fife all my tale,
And he made a big song of it.
posted by ricochet biscuit at 9:56 AM on February 26, 2010
This is a cool search feature.
But let me also recommend Fish On - Primus.
When we got him in the boat he measured six-foot long
I was so danged impressed I had to write this song called Fish On.
posted by Palerale at 10:13 AM on February 26, 2010
But let me also recommend Fish On - Primus.
When we got him in the boat he measured six-foot long
I was so danged impressed I had to write this song called Fish On.
posted by Palerale at 10:13 AM on February 26, 2010
Another George Harrison song, that's even more on-point, is This Song.
Jinx!
posted by Jaltcoh at 10:21 AM on February 26, 2010
Jinx!
posted by Jaltcoh at 10:21 AM on February 26, 2010
Jerry Garcia & David Grisman recorded an old murder ballad called Dreadful Wind and Rain, with a wonderfully recursive final verse:
There were two sisters came walkin' down the streamposted by usonian at 10:45 AM on February 26, 2010
Oh the wind and rain
The one behind pushed the other one in
Cryin' oh the dreadful wind and rain
Johnny gave the youngest a nice gold ring
Oh the wind and rain
Didn't give the oldest one anything
Cryin' oh the dreadful wind and rain
They pushed her into the river to drown
Oh the wind and rain
And watched her as she floated down
Cryin' oh the dreadful wind and rain
Floated 'till she came to a miller's pond
Oh the wind and rain
Mama oh father there swims a swan
Cryin' oh the dreadful wind and rain
The miller pushed her out with a fishing hook
Oh the wind and rain
Drew that fair maid from the brook
Cryin' oh the dreadful wind and rain
He left her on the banks to dry
Cryin' oh the wind and rain
And a fiddlin' fool come passing by
Cryin' oh the dreadful wind and rain
Out of the woods came a fidder fair
Oh the wind and rain
Took thirty strands of her long yellow hair
Cryin' oh the dreadful wind and rain
And he made a fiddle bow of her long yellow hair
Oh the wind and rain
He made a fiddle bow of her long yellow hair
Cryin' oh the dreadful wind and rain
He made fiddle pegs of her long finger bones
Oh the wind and rain
He made fiddle pegs of her long finger bones
Cryin' oh the dreadful wind and rain
And he made a little fiddle of her breast bone
Oh the wind and rain
The sound could melt a heart of stone
Cryin' oh the dreadful wind and rain
And the only tune that the fiddle would play
Was oh the wind and rain
The only tune that the fiddle would play
Was oh the dreadful wind and rain
These songs don't refer to themselves by name, but they are about themselves.
Phantom Planet - Anthem: ...And on the way to take a shower it all just dawned on me / That a song like this just might go down in history...
Devin the Dude - I Need a Song: ...Reality is this track's a hot one / Three minutes ago I needed a song and now I got one...
The Cat Empire - One Four Five: ...The doctor turned and gave a grin and reached into his bag / But instead of an injection got a record with a tag...
posted by domnit at 10:53 AM on February 26, 2010
Phantom Planet - Anthem: ...And on the way to take a shower it all just dawned on me / That a song like this just might go down in history...
Devin the Dude - I Need a Song: ...Reality is this track's a hot one / Three minutes ago I needed a song and now I got one...
The Cat Empire - One Four Five: ...The doctor turned and gave a grin and reached into his bag / But instead of an injection got a record with a tag...
posted by domnit at 10:53 AM on February 26, 2010
Most embarrassing answer in this thread: Avril Lavigne's Sk8r Boi
(I'm with the skater boy, I said see ya later boy
i'll be back stage after the show
i'll be at a studio
singing the song we wrote
about a girl you used to know)
But also, does Jim Croce's "I'll have to say I love you in a song" count?
posted by dizziest at 11:07 AM on February 26, 2010
(I'm with the skater boy, I said see ya later boy
i'll be back stage after the show
i'll be at a studio
singing the song we wrote
about a girl you used to know)
But also, does Jim Croce's "I'll have to say I love you in a song" count?
posted by dizziest at 11:07 AM on February 26, 2010
dizziest, I was just about to suggest that!
Well, I know it's kind of late
I hope I didn't wake you
But what I got to say can't wait
I know you'd understand
Every time I tried to tell you
The words just came out wrong
So I'll have to say I love you in a song
posted by sigmagalator at 11:17 AM on February 26, 2010
Well, I know it's kind of late
I hope I didn't wake you
But what I got to say can't wait
I know you'd understand
Every time I tried to tell you
The words just came out wrong
So I'll have to say I love you in a song
posted by sigmagalator at 11:17 AM on February 26, 2010
Seems to me there must be a bunch of 'dance' songs that would fit the criteria, along the lines of Tennessee Waltz. I'm too busy at the moment to do a lot of digging, but one that popped into my head was Time Warp from the Rocky Horror Picture Show. Is that the kind of thing? The Twist, etc.
posted by trip and a half at 11:19 AM on February 26, 2010
posted by trip and a half at 11:19 AM on February 26, 2010
Oooh, also "I Walk The Line (Revisited)" by Rodney Crowell - repeated lyric:
"First time I heard Johnny Cash sing "I walk the line"."
Maybe a technicality, since the "I Walk The Line" the song's lyric refers to isn't the song itself, but the previous song "I Walk The Line."
The song also features guest vocals by Johnny Cash singing "I Walk The Line" (his original) interspersed with Rodney Crowell's "I Walk The Line"...
Worth a shot. The whole thing is fascinatingly turned in on itself.
posted by Pickman's Next Top Model at 11:33 AM on February 26, 2010
"First time I heard Johnny Cash sing "I walk the line"."
Maybe a technicality, since the "I Walk The Line" the song's lyric refers to isn't the song itself, but the previous song "I Walk The Line."
The song also features guest vocals by Johnny Cash singing "I Walk The Line" (his original) interspersed with Rodney Crowell's "I Walk The Line"...
Worth a shot. The whole thing is fascinatingly turned in on itself.
posted by Pickman's Next Top Model at 11:33 AM on February 26, 2010
Mix Tape by Jim's Big Ego. You can hear the whole song and read the lyrics at that link.
posted by JDHarper at 11:34 AM on February 26, 2010
posted by JDHarper at 11:34 AM on February 26, 2010
Tenacious D's Tribute almost fits into this category in that it plays on your idea by being a tribute to another song which they can't remember, but is the Greatest Song in the World.
posted by explosion at 11:43 AM on February 26, 2010
posted by explosion at 11:43 AM on February 26, 2010
Side note, but Tribute is supposed to be about Stairway to Heaven. In the original version of the song they played an excerpt from Stairway, which they presumably removed for copyright reasons.
posted by ludwig_van at 11:50 AM on February 26, 2010
posted by ludwig_van at 11:50 AM on February 26, 2010
cortex has done a couple of self-referential songs: Only Listened One Time (ostensibly a cover of a song he's only listened to once) and Let's Just Pretend that David Bowie Wrote this Song, a song about how there's something "hidden in the darkness" writing all of David Bowie's songs (including this one).
posted by The Pusher Robot at 12:47 PM on February 26, 2010
posted by The Pusher Robot at 12:47 PM on February 26, 2010
This isn't exactly what your referring to, but Josh Ritter's 'Right Moves' refers to itself when he suddenly goes meta and says "and we're coming to the chorus now", right before he aptly jumps into the chorus.
posted by kingbenny at 12:50 PM on February 26, 2010
posted by kingbenny at 12:50 PM on February 26, 2010
Bernard Carney's Here is the Chorus (covered by others, incl. Cathy Fink & Marcy Marxer on "Postcards") is entirely self-referential:
I have a line of a verse it sets the mood it sets the timeposted by scruss at 12:51 PM on February 26, 2010
I colour it with images and maybe it will rhyme
And now it gains momentum getting stronger on the way
The chorus is approaching and it's what i want to say
Here is the chorus it’s the title of the song
Here is the chorus and it’s taking you along
It sums up all the verses and the themes that they contain
Here is the chorus and I’m singing it again
...
"A Song for You" by Leon Russell which is a wonderful, wonderful song (and there are a billion cover versions, you're sure to find one you like! My favorite is by Kind of Like Spitting)
"But we're alone now and I'm singing this song for you."
"Mixtape" by Brand New
"This is the first song for your mixtape, and it's short just like your temper."
"I Made You a Song" by Hutch and Kathy
"Hey, hey, I made you a song today."
"Sink to the Beat" by Cursive is essentially entirely about itself. Their "Butcher the Song" also. Oh and also "Art is Hard" (and they're all good songs!)
"Another Travelin' Song" by Bright Eyes
"Well I'm changin' all my strings, I'm gonna write another travelin' song."
posted by haveanicesummer at 12:55 PM on February 26, 2010
"But we're alone now and I'm singing this song for you."
"Mixtape" by Brand New
"This is the first song for your mixtape, and it's short just like your temper."
"I Made You a Song" by Hutch and Kathy
"Hey, hey, I made you a song today."
"Sink to the Beat" by Cursive is essentially entirely about itself. Their "Butcher the Song" also. Oh and also "Art is Hard" (and they're all good songs!)
"Another Travelin' Song" by Bright Eyes
"Well I'm changin' all my strings, I'm gonna write another travelin' song."
posted by haveanicesummer at 12:55 PM on February 26, 2010
M. Ward's 'Today's Undertaking' is kinda self-referential, as he seems to be referring to the origins of the song he's writing:
A mighty voice
From out the clouds
To me a announce
Today's undertaking
He said go build a song
40 heartbeats long
And sacrifice it
For your love
So this one comes from
High above
There have been other songs
From out these strings
But they came out wrong
Don't be mistaken
But this one comes from
High above
posted by kingbenny at 1:00 PM on February 26, 2010
A mighty voice
From out the clouds
To me a announce
Today's undertaking
He said go build a song
40 heartbeats long
And sacrifice it
For your love
So this one comes from
High above
There have been other songs
From out these strings
But they came out wrong
Don't be mistaken
But this one comes from
High above
posted by kingbenny at 1:00 PM on February 26, 2010
"I'm a Ninja" by Die Antwoord features him saying the following:
"Fuck, this is like the coolest song I ever heard in my whole life."
posted by haveanicesummer at 1:03 PM on February 26, 2010
"Fuck, this is like the coolest song I ever heard in my whole life."
posted by haveanicesummer at 1:03 PM on February 26, 2010
"Sad Songs and Waltzes" by Willie Nelson
I'm writing a song all about you
A true song, as real as my tears
But you've no need to fear it
'Cause no one will hear it
Sad Songs and Waltzes aren't selling this year
posted by DeWalt_Russ at 1:18 PM on February 26, 2010
I'm writing a song all about you
A true song, as real as my tears
But you've no need to fear it
'Cause no one will hear it
Sad Songs and Waltzes aren't selling this year
posted by DeWalt_Russ at 1:18 PM on February 26, 2010
Fred Eaglesmith has a beautiful song called "Crowds" which runs along the same lines as "Bobby Jean":
If you're listening to this station, maybe you're driving home
you got a kid in the backseat, maybe you're all alone
My name is simon wright, my father was a preacher
My sister was your best friend, your mother was a teacher...
And on a meta-meta-level, Da Vinci's Notebook's "Title Of The Song":
Title of the song
Naïve expression of love
Reluctance to accept that you are gone
Request to turn back time
And rectify my wrongs
Repetition of the title of the song.
posted by Catseye at 1:39 PM on February 26, 2010
If you're listening to this station, maybe you're driving home
you got a kid in the backseat, maybe you're all alone
My name is simon wright, my father was a preacher
My sister was your best friend, your mother was a teacher...
And on a meta-meta-level, Da Vinci's Notebook's "Title Of The Song":
Title of the song
Naïve expression of love
Reluctance to accept that you are gone
Request to turn back time
And rectify my wrongs
Repetition of the title of the song.
posted by Catseye at 1:39 PM on February 26, 2010
"Wonderful Pop Song" by Sycophant is a song all about itself and the parts of itself that make the whole. Beautiful.
And the Amazon link provides a perfect sample of the song referring to itself.
posted by Aquaman at 2:43 PM on February 26, 2010
And the Amazon link provides a perfect sample of the song referring to itself.
posted by Aquaman at 2:43 PM on February 26, 2010
The other Hallelujah, by Nick Cave. "I turned back home / singing this song."
Billy Bragg, A New England. "I was 21 years when I wrote this song, I'm 22 now but I won't be for long / People ask me when will you grow up to be a man but all the girls I knew at school are already pushing prams..."
The best of all, I think: Randy Newman, My life is good.
A couple weeks ago
My wife and I
Took a trip down to Mexico
Met this young girl there
We brought her back with us
Now she lives with us
In our home
She cleans the hallway
She cleans the stair
She cleans the living room
She wipes the baby's ass
She drives the kids to school
She does the laundry too
She wrote this song for me, listen!
Those are the ones that spring to mind...
posted by lapsangsouchong at 6:54 PM on February 26, 2010
Billy Bragg, A New England. "I was 21 years when I wrote this song, I'm 22 now but I won't be for long / People ask me when will you grow up to be a man but all the girls I knew at school are already pushing prams..."
The best of all, I think: Randy Newman, My life is good.
A couple weeks ago
My wife and I
Took a trip down to Mexico
Met this young girl there
We brought her back with us
Now she lives with us
In our home
She cleans the hallway
She cleans the stair
She cleans the living room
She wipes the baby's ass
She drives the kids to school
She does the laundry too
She wrote this song for me, listen!
Those are the ones that spring to mind...
posted by lapsangsouchong at 6:54 PM on February 26, 2010
Oh, and of course Randy Newman also has Rednecks:
"So I went to the park and I took some paper along / And that's where I wrote this song."
posted by lapsangsouchong at 6:56 PM on February 26, 2010
"So I went to the park and I took some paper along / And that's where I wrote this song."
posted by lapsangsouchong at 6:56 PM on February 26, 2010
"My Girl (Gone, Gone, Gone)" - Chilliwack
Would "Take Off!" by Bob & Doug McKenzie qualify?
posted by SisterHavana at 8:29 PM on February 26, 2010
Would "Take Off!" by Bob & Doug McKenzie qualify?
posted by SisterHavana at 8:29 PM on February 26, 2010
Sort of a cheat, but Old '97s "Won't Be Home":
And the very first song that the radio sang
Was "I won't be home no more"
[it actually references the Hank Williams song -- but it's awfully close to what you're looking for.]
posted by bah213 at 12:08 AM on February 27, 2010
And the very first song that the radio sang
Was "I won't be home no more"
[it actually references the Hank Williams song -- but it's awfully close to what you're looking for.]
posted by bah213 at 12:08 AM on February 27, 2010
Big Wreck/Ian Thornley's "That Song" might work. However, the narrator's reference to 'that song' could be any song; I prefer to think of it as self-referential (possibly because it has a fantastic effect live when the crowd shouts the bridge back at the band).
"So I always get nostalgic with that song / But in my room it's forced"
"So you crank that song
and it might sound doom
So just leave the room
While I sit and stare
Cause this is rare
I really love that tune
Man, I love that song
I really love that song
I love that song"
Bonus: I was reminded of another song while typing that spiel. The same artist wrote another song, one for his daughter, called "Your Song" and it's also self-referential:
"The one thing I can provide / It's your song"
"And even swallow my pride
If that does something for you
Instead I'll sit here and write
Your song
It's your song"
posted by far from gormless at 12:12 AM on February 27, 2010
"So I always get nostalgic with that song / But in my room it's forced"
"So you crank that song
and it might sound doom
So just leave the room
While I sit and stare
Cause this is rare
I really love that tune
Man, I love that song
I really love that song
I love that song"
Bonus: I was reminded of another song while typing that spiel. The same artist wrote another song, one for his daughter, called "Your Song" and it's also self-referential:
"The one thing I can provide / It's your song"
"And even swallow my pride
If that does something for you
Instead I'll sit here and write
Your song
It's your song"
posted by far from gormless at 12:12 AM on February 27, 2010
I'm so shocked not a single person's mentioned Prince's 1999 that I think I must be misunderstanding the criteria ("I was dreaming when I wrote this, forgive me if it goes astray")
posted by Kattullus at 1:44 PM on February 27, 2010
posted by Kattullus at 1:44 PM on February 27, 2010
Art Brut's "Emily Kane" is the story of Eddie Argos writing a pop song about his first girlfriend, in the hope that it'll be a huge hit and she'll hear it, remembering him.
Here's a similiar AskMe on this topic that you may find useful. (Including my meta-textual analysis of Ignition.)
posted by Ian A.T. at 5:21 PM on February 27, 2010
Here's a similiar AskMe on this topic that you may find useful. (Including my meta-textual analysis of Ignition.)
posted by Ian A.T. at 5:21 PM on February 27, 2010
Nada Surf - Blonde on Blonde: "I've got "blonde on blonde"/ On my portable stereo/ It's a lullaby/ From a giant golden radio"
posted by soelo at 7:59 AM on March 1, 2010
posted by soelo at 7:59 AM on March 1, 2010
Nada Surf - Blonde on Blonde: "I've got "blonde on blonde"/ On my portable stereo/ It's a lullaby/ From a giant golden radio"
Except I'm pretty certain he's referring to the Dylan record there.
posted by kingbenny at 8:18 AM on March 3, 2010
Except I'm pretty certain he's referring to the Dylan record there.
posted by kingbenny at 8:18 AM on March 3, 2010
Yes, but it still fits the criteria as it's also the title of the song.
posted by soelo at 1:30 PM on March 3, 2010
posted by soelo at 1:30 PM on March 3, 2010
I can't believe I forgot this one: "This Is Not A Love Song" - PIL
posted by SisterHavana at 10:28 PM on March 5, 2010
posted by SisterHavana at 10:28 PM on March 5, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by archivist at 7:52 AM on February 26, 2010