It's common for an artist to write an autobiographical song, but some artists take it to another level by actually referring to themselves, or one of their bandmates, by name in the song lyrics. Here are eleven songs where the artist does just that.
(Note: I'm intentionally leaving out hip-hop songs, because pretty much every single one is eligible.)
1. The Mamas and the Papas - "Creeque Alley" (1967)
The Mamas and the Papas' 1967 hit "Creeque Alley" refers to a number of prominent musicians by name, including John Sebastian of the Lovin' Spoonful and Roger McGuinn of the Byrds, but the band also refers to its own members: "John and Mitchie" are John and Michelle Phillips, "Denny" is Denny Doherty, and "Mama Cass" is, of course, Cass Elliot.
2 & 3. John Lennon - "Hold On"/"God" (1970)
Plastic Ono Band was as much a therapeutic experience for John Lennon as it was an album, with lyrics that often came off as attempts to console himself; as when he sings "Hold on, John/John, hold on," on "Hold On." And on his demythologizing ballad "God," he sings, "I was the walrus/But now, I'm John."
4. The B-52's - "Dance This Mess Around" (1979)
The B-52's are known for their call-and-response vocal style, exemplified on the band's third single "Dance This Mess Around," in which singer Cindy Wilson asks Fred Schneider, "Hey Fred! Now don't that make you feel a lot better?" to which Schneider replies, "Huh?"
5. The Clash - "Rudie Can't Fail" (1979)
Though Joe Strummer was the lead singer of the Clash, there were occasions where guitarist Mick Jones took the lead. At the start of "Rudie Can't Fail," Strummer urges Jones to take the mic, saying, "Sing, Michael, sing!"
6. Minutemen - "History Lesson, Part II" (1984)
This song off of the Minutemen's classic Double Nickels On The Dime album recounts the band's history, with singer D. Boon referring to bassist Mike Watt by name (even though it was Watt who actually wrote the song).
7. R.E.M. - "Strange" (1987)
Although this is a cover of a song by British post-punk band Wire, R.E.M. singer Michael Stipe still manages to refer to himself by changing the line "Joey's nervous" to "Michael's nervous."
8. Pixies - "Monkey Gone To Heaven" (1989)
The Pixies came close to singing their own name in the song "Cactus," when they spell out "Pixies" in a chant, but in the band's classic track "Monkey Gone to Heaven," singer Black Francis actually addresses one of the band members by name, saying "Rock me, Joe" before guitarist Joey Santiago's solo.
9. Pavement - "Westie Can Drum" (1997)
Though the title of this Pavement b-side is "Westie Can Drum," referring to the band's drummer Steve West, Stephen Malkmus sings just the opposite in the chorus: "Westie, he can not drum."
10. Jens Lekman - "A Postcard to Nina" (2007)
Jens Lekman's songs are usually autobiographical, including this classic from Night Falls Over Kortedala, about a time when he had to pose as his friend Nina's boyfriend. At the end of the song, he writes the titular postcard, signing it, "Yours truly, Jens Lekman."
11. Sun Kil Moon - "Pray for Newtown" (2014)
Like Jens Lekman, the music of Mark Kozelek is intensely autobiographical, and on this touching song from the latest Sun Kil Moon album Benji, Kozelek sings about his emotional responses to many of the tragic mass shootings that have taken place over the last few years. When singing of the Newtown massacre, Kozelek recalls, "I got a letter from a fan/He said, 'Mark, say a prayer for Newtown.'/I ain't one to pray/But I'm one to sing and play."
What are some other songs where the artist refers to themselves or their bandmates? Let us know in the comments section!
