Almanac Music: Women and Men, and Songs: Part 2 – Songs Featuring a Male Name
Women and Men, and Songs: Part 2 – Songs Featuring a Male Name
Last week, my music piece for The Footy Almanac explored songs featuring a female name; this week, Part 2 examines songs highlighting a male name. As usual, comments from the Almanac community (and indeed anyone) are welcomed. As I wrote in the previous piece, readers should feel free to interpret my prompt loosely – some names are widely given to both males and females, for example.
‘The Man who Shot Liberty Valance’, written by Burt Bacharach & Hal David, performed by Gene Pitney (1962)
This western-themed song is a classic of the country-pop sub-genre, and one also recorded by various other artists in addition to Pitney, including, perhaps surprisingly, a blinder of a version by Oz band Regurgitator in 1998.
‘Arnold Layne’, written by Syd Barrett, performed by Pink Floyd (1967)
This psychedelic pop-rock number, about a social deviant, was, in one respect at least, a landmark sixties song, being Pink Floyd’s first single.
‘Rocky Raccoon’, written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney, performed by The Beatles (1968)
From the Beatles’ double album, The Beatles (also called the White Album), this amusing folk song parody, mainly written by Paul McCartney, begs the question: is there any kind of song McCartney can’t write? Five wonderfully witty lines round off the enjoyably rambling narrative piece: ‘Now Rocky Raccoon, he fell back in his room / Only to find Gideon’s bible / Gideon checked out / And he left it, no doubt / To help with good Rocky’s revival.’ Interestingly, ‘Rocky Raccoon’ is the last Beatles song to feature John Lennon playing the harmonica, something he did on quite a few occasions in their earlier work.
‘Reuben James’, written by Alex Harvey and Barry Etris, performed by Kenny Rogers & The First Edition (1969)
This hit from Kenny Rogers & The First Edition is a catchy country-rock number about a poor, noble black man by the name of Reuben James, a sharecropper and victim of racism.
‘Uncle Albert / Admiral Halsey’, written and performed by Paul and Linda McCartney (1971)
A wonderful prog rock / art rock pastiche of song fragments, this pre-Wings / post-Beatles effort went to Number #1 in the USA, and was a hit in many countries around the world. The medley appeared on the Ram album in 1971.
‘My Friend Stan’, written by Noddy Holder and Jim Lea, performed by Slade (1973)
So enjoyable, so English – this is straight ahead rock the Slade way, if with a slightly less heavy touch than usual. It’s the first single from Old New Borrowed and Blue, the band’s fourth studio album.
‘The Ballad of Eric Olthwaite’, written by by André Jacquemin and Dave Howman (1977)
This humorous little number, featuring the sound of a Jew’s harp (if I’m not mistaken), is best listened to in situ, as part of the closing credits of the Michael Palin Ripping Yarns episode it was attached to, about an incredibly boring Yorkshireman: ‘The Testing of Eric Olthwaite’.
‘Oliver’s Army’, written by Elvis Costello, performed by Elvis Costello and the Attractions (1979)
This pop-rock-new wave number is a fine example of the songwriting craft. Its opening lines seemingly come out of nowhere ‘Don’t start that talking / I could talk all night …’ and the song proceeds along a witty, melodic, admirably brief exploration of geo-politics and militarism. The ‘Oliver’s Army’ of the title refers to the English army – Oliver refers to Oliver Cromwell.
‘Jesse’, written and performed by Carly Simon (1980)
‘Jesse’ is a country-pop song about a problematic love. (Aren’t so many of them?) It was the first single from Simon’s ninth studio album, Come Upstairs, and one of her biggest hits.
‘Jessie’s Girl’, written and performed by Rick Springfield (1981)
This rock song, written and performed by Australian singer and actor, Rick Springfield, is centred upon a popular theme of the genre – desiring a friend’s partner. Many Almanackers of a certain vintage will remember Springfield from his time with the Australian band, Zoot, in the late sixties/early seventies. Since that era, Springfield has primarily worked and lived in the USA.
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So, Almanackers, it’s that time again! Over to you. Your responses to this topic are warmly welcomed. Please add your own choice of a song (or songs) featuring a male’s name in the comments section, along with any other points you’d like to make.
[Note: Wikipedia has been a good general reference for this piece, particularly when it comes to checking dates and other details.]
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About
Kevin Densley is a graduate of both Deakin University and The University of Melbourne. He has taught writing and literature in numerous Victorian universities and TAFES. He is a poet and writer-in-general. His fifth book-length poetry collection, Please Feed the Macaws ... I'm Feeling Too Indolent, was published in late 2023 by Ginninderra Press. He is also the co-author of ten play collections for young people, as well as a multi Green Room Award nominated play, Last Chance Gas, published by Currency Press. Other writing includes screenplays for educational films.
Hi Kevin,I’ll get the ball rolling with a simple question ; have we ascertained which group of songs Lola fits into?
Glen!
Errol: Australian Crawl
Richard Cory: Simon and Garfunkel
Old John Robertson: The Byrds
John Riley: The Byrds
Hey Joe: (Love, The Leaves, The Byrds)
Say it ain’t so Joe: Roger Daltrey
Georgy Porgy: Toto
Happy Jack: The Who
Boris the spider: The Who
Cousin Kevin: The Who
Tommy can you hear me?: The Who
Tommy’s Holiday Camp: The Who
Get up Jake: The Band
Stephen’s last night in town: Ben Folds Five
Uncle Walter: Ben Folds Five
The Continuing Story of Bungalow Bill: The Beatles
Maxwell’s silver hammer: The Beatles
Doctor Robert: The Beatles
Ben Crawley Steel Company: The Move
The Words of Aaron: The Move
Kilroy was here: The Move
Ode to Billie Joe: Bobbie Gentry
Smackwater Jack: Carole King
Dennis: Badfinger
Eddy’s Rock: Wizzard
John the Baptist: Blood Sweat and Tears
Dan, my fling: Carly Simon
His friends are more than fond of Robin: Carly Simon
Mr Crow and Sir Norman: Idle Race
Hurry up John: Idle Race
John, I’m only dancing: David Bowie
Ziggy Stardust: David Bowie
Daniel: Elton John
Hi Glen. I answered your question – in a succinct, humorous way – in the comments thread pertaining to Part 1 of ‘Women and Men, and Songs’. Basically what I wrote was that Lola can fit wherever Lola wishes. Essentially, what I’m saying is that Lola can choose whatever personal pronouns Lola likes. I suppose I’m asking you to extrapolate from here. We know that, traditionally, Lola is a female name.
Fabulous list, Liam.
Interestingly, perhaps, I was thinking of ‘Richard Cory’ this morning, but it was the version Denny Laine sung when he was with Wings – and on the live ‘Wings Over America’ triple album (1976).
Michael rowed the boat ashore.
Semi detached Suburban Mr James
Big Bad John
Saint George and the Dragonet (Stan Freberg)
Go Jimmy Go
Tall Paul
Hey Mickey
Hi Fisho.
Thanks for your great little bunch of songs – a fine, diverse group.
I’ll single out ‘Tall Paul’ (1959) for a special mention – what a cute, fun, very brief (under 2 minutes) beauty by Annette Funicello!
Jumpin’ Jack Flash: The Rolling Stones.
And seven zillion songs with Jesus in their title.
No worries, Anson!
Sometimes (like in your instance) brevity is the soul of wit!
My Name is Jack – Manfred Mann
Terry -Twinkle (60s British Pop’s contribution to the Necro Rock genre)
Sam Stone – John Prine
Mac the Knife – Bobby Darin (not to mention Bertolt Brecht and Kurt Weill)
The Sinking of the Reuben James – Woody Guthrie (written about ship sunk in WW2, but I still bet Kenny Rogers stole the name from Woody)
Good Time Charlie’s Got the Blues – Danny O’Keefe
Joey’s Song
Hats off to Larry
Right Said Fred
Tom, Tom Turnaround
Hang Down Your Head, Tom Dooley
Danny Boy
Charlie Brown (He’s a Clown).
Alex Chilton – The Replacements
Aloha Steve and Danno – Radio Birdman
Andy Warhol – David Bowie
Arthur – Hoodoo Gurus
Bennie and the Jets – Elton John
Billy Hunt – The Jam
Elvis Is Everywhere – Mojo Nixon and Skid Roper
Levi Stubbs’ Tears – Billy Bragg
Danny Says – Ramones
David Watts – Kinks
Gene Hackman – Hoodoo Gurus
Geno – Dexys Midnight Runners
Making Plans For Nigel – XTC
Hi Dave N. Nice variety of songs here. I’ll single out ‘Terry’ (1964) by Twinkle for a particular mention, on account of its sheer difference to the other material you put forward – what an odd song!
Hi again Fisho. Another selection of songs that is on the money, so to speak.
Interestingly, I was listening to the Bernard Cribbins version of ‘Right Said Fred’ very recently – it was a hit in the UK in 1962, and was produced by the great George Martin, before he started his years of work with the Beatles
Thank you, Swish, for your additions to to the developing list – interesting and thoughtful as always. ‘David Watts’ by the Kinks, for example, what a beauty – ‘things are not always as may be expected’ appears to be the underlying idea here.
I have always had a morbid fascination with necro rock, Kevin. I did a two hour program on necro rock for CREW-FM in the 80s. (CREW- FM was the experimental name of Warrnambool Community Radio before it got its licence and became 3WAY)
I love the corny last line of “Terry” “Please wait at the gate of Heaven for me, Terry”
Rack off Normie – Maureen Elkner
Ernie – Benny Hill
A Boy named Sue – Johnny Cash
Johnny B Goode – Chuck Berry
Vincent – Don McClean
Micky – Toni Basil
1952 Vincent Black Lightning – Richard Thompson
Message to you Rudy -The Specials
Chuck E’s in Love – Rickie Lee Jones
Hi again, Dave N.
Yes, necro rock is certainly a fascinating sub-genre. Another example of the sub-genre – which springs immediately to mind – is Australian singer-songwriter Bob Hudson’s ‘Teenage Cremation’ (1974). It appeared on his album, The Newcastle Song, of that year. In fact, ‘Teenage Cremation’ is both an example and a parody of necro rock.
Thank you, IW, for your solid list of material, all of which is spot on in terms of theme.
And what synchronicity that I was just discussing Bob Hudson and The Newcastle Song album – in that, for those who don’t know, Maureen Elkner’s ‘Rack Off Normie’ centres around two main characters in ‘The Newcastle Song’ itself.
Donald where’s your troosers ?
The Ballad of John and Yoko
and here’s a real oldie – Our Don Bradman
Thank you, Fisho.
As well as being an oldie, ‘Our Don Bradman’ is one of Australia’s iconic popular songs, of course.
St James Infirmary, Louis Armstrong
Stagger Lee, Lloyd Price
Danko/Manuel, Drive-By Truckers
Ramon Casiano, Drive-By Truckers
Rave On John Donne, Van Morrison
Joey Black, Dave Warner
Poor Howard, Robert Plant
King Kunta, Kendrick
Boom Boom Mancini, Warren Zevon
Gary’s got a Boner, The Replacements
Thanks, Rick – a great little selection!
One of the songs you chose – ‘St James Infirmary’ by Louis Armstrong – has great ‘Sunday afternoon’ relevance for me, in that quite often, over the years, I’ve listened to Armstrong’s classic 1920s Hot Fives and Hot Sevens sessions at this time of the week. To my way of thinking, this classic bunch of recordings is jazz’s equivalent to The Book of Genesis – or maybe Exodus – depending upon the interpretative slant you place upon the context of these recordings in jazz’s history.
Hmmm, them names are coming, going, quickly. I’ve got a few, from Australian bands of yore, as well there are some that may require vetting prior to inclusion. Let’s go.
Darryl Braithwaite: Old Sid.
Radio Birdmen: Aloha Steve & Danno.
Rose Tattoo: Astra Wally, The Butcher & Fast Eddy.
The Johnnys: Injun Joe, Elvisly Yours.
Now , I’m sure there’s others that have escaped me, but here are some songs that may fit in. Kevin, do any of these pass scrutiny?
Mental as Anything; Just Like Romeo, & Juliet.
Russel Morris: Mr America.
The Angels: Mr Damage.
Brian Cadd: Gingerman.
Buster Brown: Buster Brown.
There are others, as well as some female names, I’m happy to add to the mix.
Glen!
Hi Glen! Thanks so much for all of these ‘Songs Featuring a Male Name’.
This comments thread is very much a broad church, mate – like the Almanac in general. I don’t wish to be too finicky.
Cheers.
I”m Just Wild about Harry (from the movie Calamity Jane)
James, James, Hold the Ladder Steady
Hey Jude
Bloodnock’s Rock and Roll and Bluebottle Blues (both goon show records in my collection)
Bimbo (an Australian song from the fifties)
And by the way, Stagger Lee which has already been mentioned, was the first record I ever bought.
Great, Fisho. Thanks again.
Love the inclusion of some Goon show stuff, too!
My Girl, Bill
Christopher Columbus (from Guy Mitchell)
Hit the Road Jack
Noman
Thanks, Fisho; as usual, we’re getting together an impressive list in response to the ‘theme of the week’.
I’m Henry the eighth, I am,.
The William Tell Overture.
Willie and the Poor Boy
You’ve Gotta have Money in the Bank, Frank
Barnacle Bill, the Sailor
That’s a few out of left field for you to ponder, Kevin
I don’t want to be pedantic but the Creedence song about Willie and The Poor Boys was actually called Down on the Corner.
On the other hand I am impressed that you remembered Bimbo, Fisho. That came out in 1953 when I was six and I doubt if I have heard it since then.
Letter to Alan – Cold Chisel
Joey – Concrete Blonde
Jimmy Sharman’s boxers – Midnight Oil
Truganini – Midnight Oil
You and Steve McQueen – The Audreys
Thanks Fisho – left field is fine by me!
And Dave N, I see where you’re coming from – that said; I did ask for songs featuring / highlighting a male name, so the name didn’t, strictly speaking, have to be in the title. In that context, ‘Down on the Corner’, which deals with ‘Willy and the Poor Boys’ would be more apt way of wording the matter.
Hi again, David. Fine material. ‘Joey’ happens to be an old favourite of mine.
‘Truganini’ would fit in Women and Men, Songs – Part 1: Songs Featuring a Female Name, of course.
Running Bear
Jake the Peg
Turn the Lights out, Johnny
Rock around Stephen Foster (Stan Freberg)
Does Bonaparte’s Retreat qualify ?
Houdini – Foster the People
Sean South of Garryowen, James Connolly – The Wolfe Tones
Greg ! The Stop Sign , What Nationality is Les Murray – T.I.S.M
Superman’s song- Crash Test Dummies
Johny- The Celibate Rifles
Conrad – Ben Howard
Cheers, Fisho. You’re certainly coming up with some gooduns! Yes, ‘Bonaparte’s Retreat’ gets a guernsey, I reckon – I don’t view this exercise in a pedantic way.
Thank you, Mark – a fine bunch of apt songs on what may be termed the ‘alternative side’.
Hi Kevin, just a small correction; Jesse was written by Janis Ian and not Carly Simon. Cheers,
Can I add Ernie by Benny Hill and Big bad John? Michael row the boat ashore, I love to have a beer with Duncan.
Hi Tony. Thanks for your input. The ‘Jesse’ (1979) I wrote about was indeed written by Carly Simon. Janis Ian wrote another song called ‘Jesse’ that was first released by Roberta Flack in 1973 and since recorded by others.
The Jimmy Brown Song
John and Marsha (Stan Freberg)
The Ballad of Davey Crockett
Along came Jones
The Whole Town’s Talking about the Jones Boy
And to TONY FORBES – Ernie, Big Bad John and Michael Rowed the Boat Ashore have previously been mentioned.
Hi KD, great point about Louis Armstrong’s 1920s Hot Fives and Hot Sevens sessions and I would extend it beyond Jazz to 20th century popular music. While Elvis and Chuck Berry exploded the scene with their ideas, Louis led the way. Cheers
Goodbye Earl, The Chicks
Romeo’s Tune, Steve Forbert
Adam’s Song, Rodney Crowell
Acuff-Rose, Uncle Tupelo
Django and Jimmie, by Willie and Merle
Little Hitler, Nick Lowe
The Year that Clayton Delaney Died, Tom T Hall
Jim Dandy, LaVern Baker
Luka, Suzanne Vega
Bill Bailey, Won’t You Please Come Home, Aretha – yes, I know it’s a standard covered by everyone but I’ll go with Aretha
Stan, Eminem
Where would you put ‘My girl Bill’? Thanks for those corrections Kevin & Fisho!
Fisho – you’ve come up with some more good stuff. Thanks! What a list is being compiled!
Glad you liked the Hot Fives and Sevens material, Rick. I do love jazz, especially Trad New Orleans stuff. I’ll have to do some more writing in this area.
And thanks for more songs for the general list.
Hi again Tony. To the extent that I’ve thought of it, I’ve always figured that the matter is explained near the end of ‘My Girl Bill’, when one male says to the other ‘She’s my girl, Bill.’ Hence, we’re dealing with a male name for certain. This seems to be the prevailing opinion on the net, too
There’s no doubt My Girl, Bill is about a fellow explaining to his friend, named Bill, that the girl in question actually belongs to him.
Here’s a couple more –
Pedro, the Fisherman
McNarmara’s Band (a beauty from Bing Crosby)
And here’s more-
Up there Cazaly
Charming Billy (Tex Morton)
Young Abe Lincoln
Oh Johnny Oh (Great song for learning how to square dance)
John and Marsha (Stan Freberg)
Thanks for your most recent stuff, Fisho. Excellent!
Johnny Angel.
Open the door, Richard
Thanks, Fisho – oldies but goodies!