how about best song about a song

i can't think of one.

Tenecious D - Tribute

you're quick... lyrics and all. I'm buying you an umbrella.

i guess this sorta counts. "waltzing matilda" by the australian singer eric bogle. one of the best anti-war songs ever written. it was recorded by the pogues, but i think quieter, more folky versions are more effective:

Waltzing Matilda

there's gotta be other ones, also. but i can't think of any either.

[Edited on May 18, 2004 by saucy_son]

If you're talking about a song that refers to the actual song itself: This Song Has No Title by Elton John? Not the greatest song ever, but some of the tunes on that album will destroy your brain for the next two weeks. And I'm sure Bright Eyes must have at least one, cos' he's such a self-referential mofo.

If you're just talking about songs about songs: Killing Me Softly by whoever? Although, I don't know know if that's about an actual, real-life song.

Also, I'd have to give a honourary mention to Frank Zappa for Joe's Garage, which is partly about a song (and partly about a band, I guess).

yes, thats what i was talking about... i think.

Speaking of self-referential, the Beatles' "Glass Onion" is basically a bunch of their song titles strung together, but all the songs they refer to are a hell of a lot better than "Glass Onion" itself--kind of a crappy song which was recently redeemed when DJ Danger Mouse actually made it interesting by sampling it on "The Grey Album."

Keefa: Is Elton John's "This Song Has No Title" different from "Your Song"? If so, he's got a thing for songs about songs.

Would 'response' songs count? As in Sporty Thievz No Pigeons is 'about' TLC's No Scrubs...

Only other one I can think of is Saves The Day At Your Funeral... "This song will become the anthem...etc"

You're So Vain is pretty self-referential.

i like the pogues version better, and there are litterally dozens of versions of Walttzing Matlilda, and the Tom Waits one doesn't really count, because it only uses the chorus... It's more of an Astrailian/Irish thing... there is a huge ammount of history around it, with songs like Go To the Devil and Shake Yourself using the same melody etc....

Yep! Just put it on, and it's actually better that I'd remembered. No idea whatsoever what the hell it's about.

Tim Buckley's "Sing a Song for You"

I remember Marvin Gaye singin.....let's get it on.....

--Robert Bradbury's Blackwater Surprise

covered by jeff buckley, and rufus wainright...
"hallelujah"

"well i heard there was a secret chord that david played to please the lord"



and norah jones has one called "one flight down", which is quite pretty.

does the velvet underground's "rock and roll" count? i mean, it starts out talking about the song on the radio specifically before it talks about the genre.

what about "make me a mixtape" by the promise ring?

Sing! Sing a song,
Sing out loud, sing out strong.
Sing of good things, not bad;
Sing of happy, not sad.
Sing! Sing a song.

Make it simple to last your whole life long.
Don't worry that it's not good enough for anyone else to hear.
Sing! Sing a Song!

how about best song about a song about a pointless thread.............

"This is the song that never ends . . . "

I read somewhere that Zevon made his living briefly singing Irish ballads in Spain.

devil went down to georgia - kind of about a song, in fiddlin' form...

sad songs and waltzes - willie the man

i bet you they won't play this song on the radio - monty python

[Edited on May 19, 2004 by rottenart]

Sweet Home Alabama-- About Neil Youngs Southern Man

im sorta emabarassed to have written that

Thats what I was going to say.

Also, Saves the Day mentions "Johnny Cash on the stereo" in "Do You Know What I Love The Most," and says "The radio's playing Queen" in "Shoulder To The Wheel."

built to spill - you were right

"You were wrong when you said everything is going to be alright/ You were right when you said all that glitters isn't gold/ You were right when you said all we are is dust in the wind/ You were right when you said we're all just bricks in the wall/ And when you said manic depression's a frustrated mess/ …You were right when you said you can't always get what you want/ …You were right when you said we are still running against the wind/ Life goes on long after the thrill of living is gone/ You were right when you said/ This is the end."


[Edited on May 19, 2004 by throatneedle]

GWAR

"I Hate Love Songs"

I hate love songs and I hate lovers
I hate everything that I can't have so I hate you
I hate love songs and I hate lovers
I hate everything that I can't have so I hate you
I hate movies with happy endings
Like that one I saw where all the girls were beautiful like you
Like you
I hate wet dreams and masturbation
I hate everything that feels good like sex with you
I hate flowers and little birdies
Makes me wanna puke when I see something cuddily like you
I'm bored with your insanity
I'm too tired to smile at your stupidity
You've got the very best of me
fell in love push came to shove but you broke so easily
I love hate songs 'bout mass destruction
other people's pain takes my mind off you
I love puppies when they're road-kill
They're too cute too live, too cute to live
like you
I'm bored with immortality
I'm too tired to stick it out for eternity
You've got the very best of me
fell in love push came to shove and you broke so easily
I hate love songs
I hate love so I hate you