Songs that reference other songs

[northmallexile]

By which I don't mean nicking a riff, a melody, or God preserve us, a remix, but blantantly including a reference to another song in the lyrics. The prime example of this is obviously American Pie by Don McLean which references too many other songs to list. Other examples I can think of include Franz Ferdinand's "You're the Reason I'm Leaving" which namechecks "Everybody Hurts" by R.E.M. I'm sure there's a Travis song which references 'Wonderwall' as well.

A sub-category in this is artists who reference their own past work. For example Bob Dylan in 'Sara' references "Sad-Eyed Lady of the Lowlands", The Beatles in 'Glass Onion' reference "Strawberry Fields Forever" etc.

Any more examples?

 

[Jim Comic]

johnny cash's 'the night hank williams came to town' namechecks at least 3 hank songs

 

[Hoosay]

"Ashes to Ashes" by Bowie references "Space Oddity"

 

[Dances With Pigeons]

Lazy Afternoon by The Roots references Electric Relaxation by A Tribe Called Quest.

 

[Riordan]

Rory Gallagher in 'Whos that Comming' makes a referance to Jimi Hendrix,

"Whos gonna carry your Red House on"

 

[trasnanadtonnta]

A sub-category in this is artists who reference their own past work. For example Bob Dylan in 'Sara' references "Sad-Eyed Lady of the Lowlands", The Beatles in 'Glass Onion' reference "Strawberry Fields Forever" etc.

Any more examples?

The walrus was Paul.

 

[gregson1]

A sub-category in this is artists who reference their own past work. For example Bob Dylan in 'Sara' references "Sad-Eyed Lady of the Lowlands", The Beatles in 'Glass Onion' reference "Strawberry Fields Forever" etc.

Any more examples?

eminem says shit alot

 

[west cork rebel]

in some song westlife make a reference to the national anthem, i know it is very sad and lame i know this....sorry

 

[netron]

"watching the wheels" by john lennon

lyric:
"people say i'm lazy , dreaming my life away"

- refers to "no.9 dream"


"no.9 dream" by john lennon

John was born at 6:30 pm (6+3+0=9) on October 9th

John met Yoko on November 9th 1966.

John was killed at 10:50 pm in New York on December 8th, the five
hour time difference meant that it was December 9th in Britain. His body was taken to Roosevelt (nine letters) Hospital. It was situated
on Ninth Avenue, Manhattan (nine letters). He was pronounced dead
there at 11:07 pm (1+1+0+7=9).

 

[theboywonder]

The Arctic Monkeys refer to Roxanne in When the Sun Goes Down,
"And he told Roxanne to put on her red light"