Top 10 Songs About Famous People

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  • čas přidán 6. 06. 2024
  • Broken hearts, bad grudges, beautiful odes... Welcome to WatchMojo.com, and today we're counting down our picks for the top 10 songs about famous people. Check us out at / watchmojo , / watchmojo and / watchmojo
    Special thanks to our users akt and Ariana Taller for submitting the idea on our Suggest Page at WatchMojo.com/suggest
    Check out the voting page here,
    watchmojo.com/suggest/Top%2010...
    If you want to suggest an idea for a WatchMojo video, check out our interactive Suggestion Tool at www.WatchMojo.com/suggest :)
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Komentáře • 2,6K

  • @LNERFlyingScotsman
    @LNERFlyingScotsman Před 9 lety +77

    Here Today - Paul McCartney
    All Those Years Ago - George Harrison
    Both written as tributes to John Lennon after his death.

    • @Namath1000
      @Namath1000 Před 4 lety +1

      All Those Years Ago is truly a classic tribute song.

  • @wrekker69
    @wrekker69 Před 6 lety +48

    Once when Don McLean was asked, "So what DOES American Pie mean?" he replied "It means that I never need to work again!".

  • @callmelyn73
    @callmelyn73 Před 4 lety +47

    I remember the song “Abraham, Martin and John” by Dion. It was written as a tribute to Abraham Lincoln, Dr. Martin Luther King, John F. Kennedy and his brother, Robert F. Kennedy.

  • @gracie.elexis
    @gracie.elexis Před 6 lety +40

    Don McLean - "Vincent" about Vincent Van Gogh. One of the saddest men there was. His last words were "The sadness will last forever" and Don McLean's delivery really captured all the feelings the world had for him and how misunderstood he truly was. Should totally be on the list

    • @ingriddubbel8468
      @ingriddubbel8468 Před 4 lety

      Because American Pie had nothing to do with Buddy Holly...

    • @ItsMe-ch1yp
      @ItsMe-ch1yp Před 2 lety

      @@ingriddubbel8468 and Ritchie Valens and The Big Bopper.

  • @LDixon007
    @LDixon007 Před 9 lety +359

    Don McLean - *Vincent*

    • @nightthornkvala94132
      @nightthornkvala94132 Před 6 lety +14

      I was hoping this one would be on the list too. It always makes me cry with it's beauty.

    • @michellebender9434
      @michellebender9434 Před 6 lety +12

      I’m in the minority where in that I love American pie and all, but definitely not even my second favorite don McLean song. Vincent is #1 and probably And I Love You So, or maybe Castles in the Air for #2.
      I also think he did a better Everyday than Buddy Holly and a better Crying than Orbison.

    • @Drice-mi4uk
      @Drice-mi4uk Před 5 lety +2

      American pie no 1 ok layla no 2

    • @silkeHoekstra
      @silkeHoekstra Před 5 lety +1

      genuinely one of my favourite songs ever. Absolutely beautiful

    • @whovianhistorybuff
      @whovianhistorybuff Před 5 lety

      @@silkeHoekstra have you heard the Ellie Goulding version? Now THAT is beautiful.

  • @ram0166
    @ram0166 Před 4 lety +93

    American Pie isn't just about Buddy Holly. It's the story of a generation.

    • @Comfortdoll
      @Comfortdoll Před 4 lety +2

      Right, Bob Dylan is also heavily referenced as well as other icons.

    • @xfightx11
      @xfightx11 Před 4 lety +1

      Umm u dumb if you think that’s true

    • @generalking9029
      @generalking9029 Před 3 lety +1

      True about a generation but it is primarily about buddy holly and the change of musical inspiration he had on everyone including Don mclean himself!

    • @editsbya6010
      @editsbya6010 Před 3 lety +4

      xfightx11 yes it is verse 10 line 1&2 Oh and while the king (Elvis) was looking down. The jester(bob Dylan) stole his thorny crown . Same verse line 3&4 The courtroom was adjourned. No verdict was returned. Kennedy shooting. Next verse And while Lennon read a book on Marx. John Lennon hippie phase with yoko. Those are about the sixties. The day the music died which is abt 2-3-59 and if u don’t know the important date it’s day that Buddy Holly, The Big Bopper, Ritchie Valens died. Many other references just go read the lyrics and watch the meaning behind American Pie videos

    • @ram0166
      @ram0166 Před 3 lety

      Yoyopoopsg ROBLOX there we were all in one place Woodstock

  • @goooooooogle6834
    @goooooooogle6834 Před 8 lety +34

    I'd say Vincent is more about a person than American Pie, American Pie is about a lot of people

  • @LePrince1890
    @LePrince1890 Před 9 lety +197

    McClean's Vincent about Van Gogh should be included.

    • @toml4643
      @toml4643 Před 9 lety +4

      Jeff Bloomfield My guess is that it wasn't because another song by him about famous people was on the list already.

    • @LePrince1890
      @LePrince1890 Před 9 lety

      Very likely so. Too bad.

    • @toml4643
      @toml4643 Před 9 lety +4

      Don't get me wrong, I like the one about Vincent, but I think they chose American Pie over it because it's about more than one famous person.

    • @LePrince1890
      @LePrince1890 Před 9 lety +6

      Tom H That is correct. It is also the earlier song. Personally I think Vincent is more moving in it's words and music.

    • @RobJazzful
      @RobJazzful Před 5 lety +2

      Jeff Bloomfield McLean

  • @calebporter8733
    @calebporter8733 Před 4 lety +19

    St. Elmo's Fire (Man In Motion) by John Parr is mostly about Rick Hansen, a Canadian athlete who went around the world in a wheelchair in '85 to raise money for spinal cord research after he was paralyzed in a freak accident when he was 15.

  • @JulieBirkeskov
    @JulieBirkeskov Před 10 lety +45

    Oh god! Laughed so hard with the dishonorable mention ;D

  • @garyfey2028
    @garyfey2028 Před 8 lety +282

    What about every song on Fleetwood Macs Rumors album. They are all written about other members of the band

    • @ShadowSora8491
      @ShadowSora8491 Před 6 lety +11

      I think I also heard that they weren't even speaking to each other, when that album was written.

    • @robertcartier5088
      @robertcartier5088 Před 5 lety +3

      ShadowSora8491
      And that often squeezes out the very best from them...
      Ex: Let It Be - The Beatles, The Wall - Pink Floyd

    • @eLiFILMSinc
      @eLiFILMSinc Před 4 lety +3

      @@robertcartier5088 yeah but kills them in the end

    • @corkydelarge4440
      @corkydelarge4440 Před 4 lety +7

      If Don McClean wrote American pie 7 years later, Fleetwood Mac would have probably had their own verse.

    • @adamhoffman5789
      @adamhoffman5789 Před 4 lety

      That was my first thought as well.

  • @melorafoy7109
    @melorafoy7109 Před 6 lety +40

    Dolly Parton's "I Will Always Love You" was about Porter Wagner

  • @nolanives7055
    @nolanives7055 Před 10 lety +72

    How did they forget Empty Garden by Elton John for JOHN Lennon

    • @brendakerber7923
      @brendakerber7923 Před 4 lety +1

      that is a beautiful song! My favourite of his.

    • @seanstevenson7533
      @seanstevenson7533 Před 4 lety +2

      Came here to say this!

    • @KARLOS81LFC
      @KARLOS81LFC Před 4 lety +1

      Or Moonlight Shadow about the night he died?

    • @KARLOS81LFC
      @KARLOS81LFC Před 4 lety

      jacktheripped I was replying to the comment about John Lennon who was killed by bullets.

  • @billboys9283
    @billboys9283 Před 4 lety +14

    The knowledge of the many people who commented about different songs on this video is pretty extensive. It's very interesting to read and extremely educational. Lot of fun too.

  • @davidscott7626
    @davidscott7626 Před 4 lety +11

    Candle in the Wind is absolutely Timeless.

    • @scoobycarr5558
      @scoobycarr5558 Před 4 lety +3

      I adore Elton's memorial to Princess Diana as the absolute best.

  • @ramos3x
    @ramos3x Před 9 lety +20

    The Beatles`` Dear Prudence ´´John Lennon about Mia Farrow´s sister Prudence Farrow ...
    The Beatles ´´Sexy Sadie´´ John Lennon about the Maharishi ...
    John Lennon ´´How do you Sleep´´ about Paul MacCartey ..
    Elton John ´´Empty Garden ´´ about Jonh Lennon...

    • @thelasthandbook6704
      @thelasthandbook6704 Před 4 lety +1

      Martha, My Dear, about Paul's Old English Sheep Dog Martha. 😌

  • @pjcaradoc
    @pjcaradoc Před 9 lety +22

    Evanescence - call me when you're sober (about Shaun Morgan, vocalist of Seether)

  • @TheJerseyShark
    @TheJerseyShark Před 10 lety +9

    All my Love by Led Zeppelin (Written in honor of Plant's son Karac who died during their 1977 North American Tour. One of my favorite Zeppelin songs.) So Far Away by Avenged Sevenfold (All about The Rev, but we can all relate to this amazing song.) Sister by Dave Matthews Band (It's about his sister Jane, not Anne. The entire Remember Two Things album however is a tribute to his other sister Anne who was murdered.)

  • @aleksfakename7105
    @aleksfakename7105 Před 8 lety +36

    I'm pretty sure that 'Never Without You' By Ringo Starr is about George Harrison.

  • @captainsteve7817
    @captainsteve7817 Před 4 lety +18

    Credit for the lyrics to "Candle in the Wind" should have been given to or at the very least included Bernie Taupin.

  • @sjjs3189
    @sjjs3189 Před 10 lety +30

    American Pie should be #1 :(

  • @nikmidclayton5933
    @nikmidclayton5933 Před 4 lety +16

    I can't hear the piano bit in Layla without thinking of the movie Goodfellas

    • @bamacopeland4372
      @bamacopeland4372 Před 4 lety

      I just hear a song with Clapton and Skydog better know as Duane Allman

    • @nikmidclayton5933
      @nikmidclayton5933 Před 4 lety

      Bama Copeland cool story, get cultured

    • @zekecortez1404
      @zekecortez1404 Před 4 lety +1

      I can’t hear that song without picturing the guys in the trash truck

  • @antonioandiOS
    @antonioandiOS Před 7 lety +139

    In what fucking world does timberlake beat the Beatles?

    • @playlistczar4375
      @playlistczar4375 Před 7 lety +15

      I think they're basing it on how much a song refers to the celebrities over the overall iconicity of the song itself.

    • @RockStarJmac
      @RockStarJmac Před 7 lety +13

      In a millennial world

    • @jaspersmommy1347
      @jaspersmommy1347 Před 7 lety +19

      The object of Timberlake's song was more famous and the song itself is more directly about a person. Hey Jude is the better and more iconic song but the references were not as obvious.

    • @sansam358
      @sansam358 Před 6 lety

      Timberlake is old and boring but The Beatles are even older and more boring

  • @MattC78
    @MattC78 Před 8 lety +108

    The song Rosanna by Toto is about Rosanna Arquette.

    • @damsbaug33
      @damsbaug33 Před 6 lety +5

      Peter Gabriel's "In Your Eyes" and "Digging In The Dirt" also are about Rosanna Arquette.

    • @raphaeldube7008
      @raphaeldube7008 Před 6 lety +5

      Actually David Paich said he only chose the name Rosanna because of her, but the song isn't specifically about Rosanna Arquette.

    • @discountmusician8951
      @discountmusician8951 Před 5 lety +2

      I thought Steve Lukather dated her?

    • @mmsiphonevinyls1027
      @mmsiphonevinyls1027 Před 4 lety +4

      psychotic isolation steve porcaro from toto did, but im pretty sure the song isnt about her. Just named after her.

  • @danielkinsey1069
    @danielkinsey1069 Před 9 lety +116

    They could have picked from a lot of Pink Floyd songs, so many were written about Syd Barret

  • @Sexxxyism
    @Sexxxyism Před 8 lety +28

    My fave is Midnight in Montgomery by Alan Jackson. It is about the late Hank Williams Sr.

    • @matchavez6915
      @matchavez6915 Před 6 lety +2

      Miss Marilyn Actually I always thought it was kind of a rip off of The Ride by David Allen Coe. Which is a far better song

    • @Tyler_3
      @Tyler_3 Před 4 lety +1

      There are so many country songs about the late great hank sr.

  • @ExMachina70
    @ExMachina70 Před 4 lety +26

    Carly Simon “You probably think this song is about you DON’T YOU DON’T YOU!!!!!!
    Warren Beatty “Um, yeah it actually is”

    • @hell-sol5240
      @hell-sol5240 Před 4 lety

      No we all know the truth

    • @hjpngmw
      @hjpngmw Před 4 lety

      I always thought it was about James Taylor.

    • @hell-sol5240
      @hell-sol5240 Před 4 lety

      @@hjpngmw Don Knotts Come on people

    • @PennyAfNorberg
      @PennyAfNorberg Před 4 lety

      And p.parker seemed to gotten some inspiration from that beared thing in that video.

    • @lynndee1218
      @lynndee1218 Před 4 lety

      I also heard it mighr be about Mick Jagger. But he sang in the song, so I don't think it was about him, even though, he had a high ego.

  • @daviddixon9458
    @daviddixon9458 Před 4 lety +128

    What about Eric Clapton's "Tears in Heaven"?

    • @spencer2745
      @spencer2745 Před 4 lety +13

      That's about his son who died

    • @brendakerber7923
      @brendakerber7923 Před 4 lety +14

      I wouldn't call his son famous

    • @paulspeakman551
      @paulspeakman551 Před 4 lety +4

      @@brendakerber7923 I wouldn't call a couple of other song subjects on the list famous either.

    • @michaelgandara5319
      @michaelgandara5319 Před 4 lety +4

      eric claptons son was not famous, good song sad story

    • @vanessastegall
      @vanessastegall Před 4 lety

      Michael Gandara, that song is so sad.

  • @WrenFaithBridger
    @WrenFaithBridger Před 10 lety +12

    A few more honorable mentions:
    "Roseanna" by Toto - Roseanna Arquette
    "In Your Eyes" by Peter Gabriel - ditto
    "Go Your Own Way" by Fleetwood Mac - Stevie Nicks
    "Songbird" by Fleetwood Mac - Mick Fleetwood
    "Blue Denim" by Stevie Nicks - Lindsey Buckingham
    "Innocent" by Taylor Swift - Kanye West
    "Empty Garden (Hey Johnny)" by Elton John - John Lennon
    "Miss Being Mrs." by Loretta Lynn - Doolittle Lynn

    • @michellebender9434
      @michellebender9434 Před 6 lety +1

      You could fill two top ten lists just with Stevie songs about Lindsey. My favorite is to watch them sing The Chain on The Dance DVD. The looks they give each other during the chorus is hilarious. So much history in that song.

  • @tiedyedkarma
    @tiedyedkarma Před 6 lety +17

    Something, by The Beatles (George Harrison) Greatest love song ever written.

  • @erestube
    @erestube Před 4 lety +11

    And Sheryl Crow wrote "If It Makes You Happy" about Eric Clapton!

  • @rubenantonio8928
    @rubenantonio8928 Před 4 lety +21

    Sir Duke by Stevie Wonder???

  • @TheOpperbink
    @TheOpperbink Před 10 lety +43

    People don't remember "Vincent" from Don Mclean?

    • @msrainbowbrite
      @msrainbowbrite Před 10 lety +1

      I do

    • @noahhossman7070
      @noahhossman7070 Před 10 lety +1

      Vincent is my favorite song of all time such beautiful lyrics

    • @msrainbowbrite
      @msrainbowbrite Před 10 lety +1

      starry. starry night. paint your palette blue and grey... look out on a summers day

    • @TheOpperbink
      @TheOpperbink Před 10 lety +3

      Lovely, people remember! :3

    • @ajablued
      @ajablued Před 10 lety +4

      Love Vincent. I've always preferred it to American Pie, though I do thoroughly enjoy that as well

  • @killerone807
    @killerone807 Před 9 lety +11

    tears in heaven o'k its not about anyone famous its far greater then that

    • @stacyhoneycutt606
      @stacyhoneycutt606 Před 3 lety +1

      Well, it was a very famous man's own son's tragic, accidental death at 4 years of age, so it counts, I think.

  • @davidosilverman900
    @davidosilverman900 Před 6 lety +7

    "What does American Pie all mean?" "It means I don't ever have to work again"

  • @thebunnyfoofoo
    @thebunnyfoofoo Před 4 lety +13

    "Like a Rolling Stone" Bob Dylan about Edie Sedgwick

  • @leogothisoscar271
    @leogothisoscar271 Před 10 lety +8

    One of my favorites about a famous person is Filter's "Hey Man, Nice Shot."

  • @TreClaire
    @TreClaire Před 10 lety +71

    I hate the song "You're so vain" it makes me so angry
    She's mad at him for being vain and then proceeds to be like "how dare you be so vain to think this so is about you"
    I'm so IT FUCKING IS ABOUT HIM! That's NOT VAIN! He's right.

    • @DendyJungle
      @DendyJungle Před 10 lety +2

      Ikr! And everyone songs that shit on singing competitions!!!

    • @intoxicatedreams1
      @intoxicatedreams1 Před 10 lety +8

      That's the irony.

    • @gdbaby013
      @gdbaby013 Před 10 lety +9

      I believe the point of the song is the song is about her and how she feels about him....not about the actual guy. I could be wrong but I always thought that's what the song was about, hence the guy being vain for the song being about him.

    • @assiqtaq
      @assiqtaq Před 10 lety +2

      Deanna Boyd Either that or she is making fun of him because she knows he will automatically assume it is about him. Or it is about someone else, and the chorus is pointedly speaking to a different someone. I've spent a lot of time musing about this one, as you can probably tell, but they do say she hinted that it was about three different people.

    • @JHowesitgoing123
      @JHowesitgoing123 Před 10 lety

      That's the point -_-

  • @jacobbuhler2002
    @jacobbuhler2002 Před 5 lety +10

    You forgot something by george harrison and the Beatles which is also about Patti Boyd. Frank Sinatra said that was the greatest love song of all time

  • @tzvigross4519
    @tzvigross4519 Před 5 lety +7

    Where's Barracuda, Tears in Heaven, Go Your Own Way, Sweet Caroline, Uptown Girl, Like a Rolling Stone?

  • @sammyelliott_
    @sammyelliott_ Před 10 lety +73

    Not even a mention of Go Your Own Way - Fleetwood Mac? Really?

    • @RobJazzful
      @RobJazzful Před 5 lety +6

      Sam Elliott The whole Rumours album, really.

    • @tejaswoman
      @tejaswoman Před 4 lety +1

      Or Tusk.

    • @Paige-pk8dr
      @Paige-pk8dr Před 4 lety +2

      Like the entire Fleetwood Mac album Rumors was about each other... not even one of their songs are on the list. Stevie Nicks cheated on Lindsey Buckingham with Mick Fleetwood. Christine McVie cheated on John McVie. Lindsey cheated on Stevie. Not 100% sure but John probably cheated on Christine... all the drugs they were on didn't help. Even now they still have problems. Lindsey Buckingham was fired is pissed about it and has every right to be so I really doubt he's coming back any time soon or at all.

    • @mmsiphonevinyls1027
      @mmsiphonevinyls1027 Před 4 lety

      Sam Elliott suppose with FM its hard to choose one song....youve got the whole Rumours album and a load more

  • @awesome420ication
    @awesome420ication Před 9 lety +194

    hurricane should've been on this list

    • @wildsmiley
      @wildsmiley Před 9 lety +4

      awesome420ication Oh, good one! Absolutely.

    • @animeboyofdeath2902
      @animeboyofdeath2902 Před 9 lety +2

      Also at least one eminem song

    • @animeboyofdeath2902
      @animeboyofdeath2902 Před 9 lety +3

      Why you hating I like rap is that a problem

    • @Swakkzmc94
      @Swakkzmc94 Před 9 lety +4

      YES! Not even because it's the best song, but it's the most important, socially aware, brutally true song on the list.

    • @bluegenes801
      @bluegenes801 Před 6 lety +1

      Damn straight

  • @danielpalomo6753
    @danielpalomo6753 Před 9 lety

    These are very thoughtful and well-researched syntheses and critiques. I congratulate the authors. I don't agree with their personal opinions on everything, but they have taken much into consideration and know their stuff. I am 48 yrs old, and have heard almost all the music that is covered in their series. Cheers!

  • @CinemaDetroit
    @CinemaDetroit Před 4 lety +5

    The origin of "You Oughta Know" was well-known by 1996.

  • @acullen113
    @acullen113 Před 9 lety +18

    What about Sweet Home Alabama? or How Do You Sleep? by John Lennon about Paul McCartney? At least they could have been honorable mentions.

  • @DanielGent98
    @DanielGent98 Před 10 lety +293

    Taylor Swift could have a whole list to herself...

    • @Evelina_412
      @Evelina_412 Před 10 lety +22

      Or two...

    • @gamecatcher99
      @gamecatcher99 Před 9 lety +13

      Or a whole website....

    • @chicanochrist
      @chicanochrist Před 7 lety +4

      Or a whole interwebz.

    • @tcmaddox
      @tcmaddox Před 7 lety +2

      Daniel Gent she doesn't fuck any of her boy firends. I heard Nick Jonas saying she won't give up any pussy because she doesn't want to be seen as a whore by the public. so dudes get tired of her because she is a lot to deal with and is super stand offish, rarely let's her man kiss her.

    • @lisakaz35
      @lisakaz35 Před 7 lety

      Troy Maddox I guess that explains Tom Hiddleston and three months.

  • @lucypreece7581
    @lucypreece7581 Před 8 lety +55

    The Beatles and Elton John are Legends. amazing songwriting skills and longer careers that half these acts put together.

    • @robertcartier5088
      @robertcartier5088 Před 5 lety +13

      Let us not forget that although Elton was/is a genius, the words were Bernie's.

    • @RobJazzful
      @RobJazzful Před 5 lety +2

      Robert Cartier Excellent point!

    • @kiplambert64
      @kiplambert64 Před 5 lety +2

      Not to mention Elton hasn't made a decent studio album since 1974..Trust me, Elton could still ride on the coattails of his early stuff.. It was that good!!

    • @frankievilardi1198
      @frankievilardi1198 Před 4 lety +6

      Kip Lambert captain fantastic (1975) and too low for zero (1984)

    • @billboys9283
      @billboys9283 Před 4 lety +6

      @@robertcartier5088 I was about to add that when I saw your reply. I think it's a shame Bernie's not in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

  • @SweetMelodyP
    @SweetMelodyP Před 8 lety +70

    I was expecting some Rock Me Amadeus!

    • @ChipBoxingVids
      @ChipBoxingVids Před 4 lety +4

      Ahh the song about Ludwig Beethoven.

    • @lauras3612
      @lauras3612 Před 4 lety +4

      that was so clever that i just had to comment. Amadeus has been famous the longest out of everyone else on this list. he deserves some credit here.

    • @angiespurs5773
      @angiespurs5773 Před 4 lety

      Who is that song about?

    • @drizzle8482
      @drizzle8482 Před 4 lety

      @@angiespurs5773 HAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAA............

    • @thund3rbolt54
      @thund3rbolt54 Před 4 lety +2

      @@ChipBoxingVids Wrong it was about Mozart!

  • @TheIXPredator
    @TheIXPredator Před 10 lety +6

    No Back in Black? The best way Bon Scott could be sent off.

  • @jliller
    @jliller Před 10 lety +6

    "American Pie" should have been #1. It's one of the greatest songs ever and Don McLean would be almost completely forgotten if not for that song.
    I didn't know the story behind "Layla" so that was pretty interesting.

  • @julieabraham3566
    @julieabraham3566 Před 5 lety +6

    One of my favorites is Joan Baez's "Diamonds and Rust" about Bob Dylan.

  • @Jayjackson420
    @Jayjackson420 Před 8 lety +45

    I just can't help but to wonder, how come' killing me softly' from Roberta Flack was not on the list? the song is about Don McLean singing about
    Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and the Big Bopper. it seems to me the song was made to be on the list. not even an honorable mention ?shame shame shame mojo

    • @julymiller2308
      @julymiller2308 Před 4 lety +3

      Wow. I didn't know THAT. Like for you.

    • @sstaners1234
      @sstaners1234 Před 4 lety +2

      That’s awesome I didn’t know that

    • @johnlevtov5876
      @johnlevtov5876 Před 4 lety +4

      Agree, awesome song. But.... the song is not from Roberta Flack. Written and recorded by Lori Lieberman (yep, never heard of her either) then Flack heard it, covered it and made it famous.

    • @julietporter7967
      @julietporter7967 Před 3 lety

      And then Lauryn Hill covered it in the 90's again with the Fugees and everyone got pissed about her taking a song from Roberta Flack written by another woman! Wow. Irony!!!

    • @bequanis
      @bequanis Před 2 lety

      You cyan please people, boii

  • @silvergir89
    @silvergir89 Před 10 lety +9

    Cult of Personality mentions JFK, Mussollini, Stalin, and Ghandi (albeit in comparing one another).

    • @silvergir89
      @silvergir89 Před 10 lety +1

      It is and last year at WrestleMania 29, Living Color (the artist of the song), preformed the theme song as CM Punk entered the ring.

    • @beans1030
      @beans1030 Před 6 lety

      ....and now it's in my head

  • @MarkTAllenby
    @MarkTAllenby Před 4 lety +7

    No mention of Train in Vain by The Clash, inspired by Viv Albertine of The Slits is a classic from the London's Calling album?

  • @wildsmiley
    @wildsmiley Před 9 lety +16

    Hey, how about 'Alex Chilton' by The Replacements?

  • @FraniiandJessie
    @FraniiandJessie Před 4 lety +7

    Starfuckers, inc - Nine Inch Nails about Courtney Love
    Professional Widow - Tori Amos about Courtney Love
    Hollaback girl - Gwen Stefani about Courtney Love.
    I’ll stick around - Foo Fighters also about Courtney Love

    • @ChipBoxingVids
      @ChipBoxingVids Před 4 lety +2

      I’m guessing you don’t like Courtney Love

    • @FraniiandJessie
      @FraniiandJessie Před 4 lety +1

      ChipBoxingVids good guess. But nah they’re just good songs 😂

    • @chrislair6832
      @chrislair6832 Před 4 lety +2

      Does anybody like her?

    • @cct4388
      @cct4388 Před 2 lety +1

      Also Bruise Violet - about how Courtney Love supposedly stoke her style from the lead singer of Babes in Toyland. There are a lot of songs about Courtney Love lol

    • @FraniiandJessie
      @FraniiandJessie Před 2 lety +1

      @@cct4388 lately she’s even tryna accuse Olivia Rodrigo of stealing her album cover pose n stuff 🙄

  • @catspringginny
    @catspringginny Před 4 lety +8

    “Nightshift” by the post- Lionel Richie Commodores was a beautiful tribute to Marvin Gaye and Jackie Wilson. Also deserving of mention was the Righteous Brothers’ “Rock and Roll Heaven,” with its “who’s who” of classic rockers gone too soon.

  • @lyssarumble7230
    @lyssarumble7230 Před 4 lety +6

    Killing me softly with his song about Don McLean.
    Monty got a rawdeal (R.E.M.) about Montgomery Clift.

  • @my75laguna
    @my75laguna Před 4 lety +15

    What about Elton John's Empty Garden and George Harrison s All those years ago both about John Lennon?

  • @VIDSTORAGE
    @VIDSTORAGE Před 7 lety +4

    Eric wrote the song and he gets full credit but Bobby Whitlock with his piano melody and Duane Allman with his slide playing made Layla into what is one of the most well known songs ..

  • @manusajo
    @manusajo Před 10 lety +9

    "All those years ago" from George Harrison to John Lennon should have been there

  • @maxassasin911
    @maxassasin911 Před 10 lety +41

    Iron Maiden's Genghis Khan, a song about the most famous conquer in history. And Watchmojo decides to put cry me a river on this list....and they put it higher on the list than Hey Jude and Shine on you crazy diamond...wtf!

    • @tymmylee4536
      @tymmylee4536 Před 10 lety

      Dingo D. Manhunter LOL! Funny shit man!

    • @michaelsanchez1303
      @michaelsanchez1303 Před 10 lety

      Justin Timberlake way better than Pink Floyd or THE BEATLES, bitch you funny.

    • @tymmylee4536
      @tymmylee4536 Před 10 lety +1

      michael sanchez Obviously you don't get it!

    • @WrenFaithBridger
      @WrenFaithBridger Před 10 lety +3

      michael sanchez Ah, to be young and tasteless..,.

    • @Frijolero18
      @Frijolero18 Před 10 lety

      It's an instrumental. How does it relate to Genghis Khan besides the title.

  • @richardbird8097
    @richardbird8097 Před 5 lety +36

    my favorite: Santa Claus is Coming to Town, Bruce Springstein.

    • @Namath1000
      @Namath1000 Před 4 lety +1

      That would have indeed been an inspired choice.

    • @jeffreydillingham7630
      @jeffreydillingham7630 Před 4 lety

      I absolutely love that song...best Christmas song EVER!

  • @deankmuncie
    @deankmuncie Před 4 lety +17

    Tears in Heaven by Eric Clapton for his son Connor

  • @meajur
    @meajur Před 9 lety +8

    Probably should have included BNL's "Brian Wilson" and given it bonus points for it having been covered by Brian Wilson.

  • @Jetfire-kk1ti
    @Jetfire-kk1ti Před 6 lety +3

    "The Day The Music Died" was originally a newspaper headline.

  • @ivanicasmusic
    @ivanicasmusic Před 9 lety +1

    I just love "Shine on you crazy diamond" ..

  • @rekkedsnarf
    @rekkedsnarf Před 8 lety +8

    Leonard Cohen - Chelsea Hotel #2

  • @jacquelynkane6994
    @jacquelynkane6994 Před 9 lety +56

    I think Something by George Harrison is a better song about Pattie Boyd than Layla.

    • @taurusgump
      @taurusgump Před 5 lety +6

      Wonderful Tonight is also about Pattie Boyd, after they finally hooked up. She was obviously "something" else.

    • @RobJazzful
      @RobJazzful Před 5 lety +1

      It’s certainly a different one. It’s all opinions.

    • @tzvigross4519
      @tzvigross4519 Před 5 lety +2

      I think it's just because Layla is more famous

    • @keithhamilton2040
      @keithhamilton2040 Před 4 lety +2

      @@taurusgump I was surprised Wonderful Tonight wasn't on the list, right next to Layla.

    • @garymaidman625
      @garymaidman625 Před 4 lety +2

      I heard Layla is actually about Clapton's guitar.

  • @dvderif
    @dvderif Před 10 lety +45

    No, I don't agree with your list. "In the Name of Love" by U2, about Martin Luther King, if far more relevant to be included on the Top10, than Alanis Morissette or Justin Timberlake breakup songs. Also "Candle in the Wind" should have been number 1 because it celebrates the life and death of, not just one, but the two most iconic women of the 20th century: Marilyn Monroe and Princess Diana.

    • @TheCreativeAutistic37
      @TheCreativeAutistic37 Před 5 lety +2

      Pride in The name of love should have been number 1

    • @RobJazzful
      @RobJazzful Před 5 lety +1

      David Erif Eleanor Roosevelt, Helen Keller, Sally Ride, Billie Jean King, want me to go on? Try not to make statements about “the most iconic” or “the greatest” without saying that it’s just your opinion.

    • @wyattdoodat
      @wyattdoodat Před 4 lety +1

      @@RobJazzful Sally Ride was mentioned by name clear back in the mid-'60s by Wilson Pickett, very famous song. The others don't have well-known songs about them making your comment off-topic & irrelevant.

    • @phillipdavies1081
      @phillipdavies1081 Před 4 lety

      It was written about one only, it was just used for the second years later. You can claim a second use for anything.

    • @ryancasale6514
      @ryancasale6514 Před 4 lety

      David Erif I’d keep Alanis but I agree that in the name of love should be there and candle in the wind should be first

  • @TheRealBirdmann
    @TheRealBirdmann Před 3 lety

    Amazing countdown!!! Just seeing this today >_

  • @johansnijders9386
    @johansnijders9386 Před 8 lety +11

    No Rosanna by Toto? Written for Rosanna Arquette

  • @Batskillz82
    @Batskillz82 Před 10 lety +8

    There goes my hero. Foo fighters

  • @CryWolfFilms
    @CryWolfFilms Před 10 lety +18

    I don't like Taylor Swift's music at all, but mentioning her as a dishonorable mention? Circle jerk much?

    • @janay018
      @janay018 Před 10 lety +5

      That song DID really suck though, they weren't dishonorably mentioning her specifically, just the song

    • @HorrorFANtastic15
      @HorrorFANtastic15 Před 9 lety

      Little red riding hood thanks red! say hi to grandma, will ya !

    • @janay018
      @janay018 Před 9 lety

      Joey Vichio no prob ;)

  • @eorlandil
    @eorlandil Před 7 lety +2

    you'll have to make another list. "wish you were here" was also written by pink floyd about sid barret, don mclean wrote Vincent about van gogh, me and bobby mcgee about Jenis Joplin by Chris Christopherson, to name a few.

  • @schumi9xwdc
    @schumi9xwdc Před 4 lety +6

    August 27, 1990 was the day the music truely died!

    • @jefftis1
      @jefftis1 Před 4 lety +3

      Indeed. RIP SRV

    • @myr27
      @myr27 Před 4 lety

      Sorry to hear that as I was born on that day :'(

  • @Booma151676
    @Booma151676 Před 10 lety +8

    A truly Dishonorable Mention

  • @sindrimarsteingrims
    @sindrimarsteingrims Před 10 lety +13

    How about Chelsea Hotel #2 by Leonard Cohen, written about Janis Joplin?

    • @Scottishstorm
      @Scottishstorm Před 6 lety

      I was surprised not to see that one in the list. Yep!

  • @cheryljensen4521
    @cheryljensen4521 Před 4 lety

    So impressed to see how many comments mentioned Don McCleans Vincent. I thought I was the only person who still listened to that song.

  • @ExMachina70
    @ExMachina70 Před 4 lety +2

    I personally find more meaning in Don McLeans Vincent song.
    "Vincent (Starry, Starry Night)"
    Starry, starry night
    Paint your palette blue and gray
    Look out on a summer's day
    With eyes that know the darkness in my soul
    Shadows on the hills
    Sketch the trees and the daffodils
    Catch the breeze and the winter chills
    In colors on the snowy linen land
    Now I understand
    What you tried to say to me
    And how you suffered for your sanity
    And how you tried to set them free
    They would not listen, they did not know how
    Perhaps they'll listen now
    Starry, starry night
    Flaming flowers that brightly blaze
    Swirling clouds in violet haze
    Reflect in Vincent's eyes of china blue
    Colors changing hue
    Morning fields of amber grain
    Weathered faces lined in pain
    Are soothed beneath the artist's loving hand
    Now I understand
    What you tried to say to me
    And how you suffered for your sanity
    And how you tried to set them free
    They would not listen, they did not know how
    Perhaps they'll listen now
    For they could not love you
    But still your love was true
    And when no hope was left in sight
    On that starry, starry night
    You took your life, as lovers often do
    But I could've told you Vincent
    This world was never meant for
    One as beautiful as you
    Starry, starry night
    Portraits hung in empty halls
    Frame-less heads on nameless walls
    With eyes that watch the world and can't forget
    Like the strangers that you've met
    The ragged men in ragged clothes
    The silver thorn of bloody rose
    Lie crushed and broken on the virgin snow
    Now I think I know
    What you tried to say to me
    And how you suffered for your sanity
    And how you tried to set them free
    They would not listen, they're not listening still
    Perhaps they never will

  • @leeisaacs8077
    @leeisaacs8077 Před 7 lety +7

    "Live Forever" by Oasis (Kurt Cobain)

  • @iHateLifeMeh
    @iHateLifeMeh Před 10 lety +74

    How the fuuuuuck is Justin Timberlake higher than the Beatles

    • @6jackace
      @6jackace Před 4 lety +4

      hey jude should not be on this list XD i wouldnt call john's son famous.

    • @danielfronc4304
      @danielfronc4304 Před 4 lety +1

      @@6jackace No, but the song is bigger than any other song written since. Hell, here we are talking about such a beautiful ballad 50 years later. Can't argue about #1 either though Patti Boyd wasn't any more famous (as a girlfriend/wife groupie handed around amongst famous rockers) than Julian Lennon.

    • @sstaners1234
      @sstaners1234 Před 4 lety

      Or Carley Simon

    • @Thelikebuttonofficial
      @Thelikebuttonofficial Před 4 lety +1

      Because the stipulations are songs about FAMOUS people. Not which is the biggest test of time song. It’s not about how good it is, it’s about how easy it is to decipher who the song is about and that the person is equally or more famous than the artist who sang/composed or both

    • @Thelikebuttonofficial
      @Thelikebuttonofficial Před 4 lety +1

      Because the stipulations are songs about FAMOUS people. Not which is the biggest test of time song. It’s not about how good it is, it’s about how easy it is to decipher who the song is about and that the person is equally or more famous than the artist who sang/composed or both

  • @frankenzion0001
    @frankenzion0001 Před 6 lety +1

    I can't help but think, how it must've been like a dagger through George Harrison's heart, everytime Layla was played on the radio.

  • @silverkane7996
    @silverkane7996 Před 7 lety +4

    Can't believe you missed an amazing song like "Sacred life" by The Cult. It's not only beautiful but mentions Andrew Wood, Kurt Cobain, River Phoenix, Abbie Hoffman.

  • @nunyabidness117
    @nunyabidness117 Před 4 lety +7

    Old Love was another song written by Clapton about Patty Boyd.

    • @genedolen9166
      @genedolen9166 Před 4 lety +1

      Brett DeLong Something by George Harrison also, although he got the idea from James Taylor.

    • @nunyabidness117
      @nunyabidness117 Před 4 lety

      @@genedolen9166 Frank Sinatra called 'Something' the greatest love song of the last 50 years.

  • @Pretender39
    @Pretender39 Před 4 lety +5

    The song Emit Remmus by the Red Hot Chili Peppers is about Sporty Spice/Melanie C 😊

  • @SWLinPHX
    @SWLinPHX Před 7 lety

    When Dave Coulier walked into a "BJ's Brewery" in Woodland Hills about 10 years ago I was asking if they had a copy of that song to play over the speakers.

  • @jimistephen
    @jimistephen Před 4 lety +1

    Let’s not forget about Duane Allman’s amazing slide work on the album version of Layla.

  • @eltonandlaurafan
    @eltonandlaurafan Před 9 lety +3

    Carly confessed a couple of years ago that it was about David Geffen.
    The original Candle In The Wind was from 1973, and Elton had his lyricist Bernie Taupin revamp the song.

    • @bettyjames4155
      @bettyjames4155 Před 5 lety

      Actually, she said it was about three people. She admitted about David Geffen and Warren Beatty. Many people speculate that the third person is James Taylor, but she hasn't said for sure.

    • @JeffKing310
      @JeffKing310 Před 4 lety

      Betty James
      David Steinburg is also rumoured to be the third guy.

    • @julymiller2308
      @julymiller2308 Před 4 lety

      A commenter said Don Knotts... I can see him wearing the apricot ascot, but not the rest... Including being vain.

  • @51909relapseminem
    @51909relapseminem Před 10 lety +4

    So #8 was where the inspiration for Robin Sparkles came from...

  • @malindagaudette1214
    @malindagaudette1214 Před 5 lety +2

    You can do a whole video on all the songs written for Pattie Boyd Harrison.

  • @brandonreina7667
    @brandonreina7667 Před 5 lety

    P. Diddy was also a good friend of Princess Diana who was found dead in 1997 in which his rendition of "Every Breath You Take" (renamed as "I'll Be Missing You" and included Faith Evans and 112) often appeared on radio stations as much as the 2-CD release which centered on the legacy of Princess Diana

  • @WatchMojo
    @WatchMojo  Před 10 lety +11

    Don't miss these other great videos,
    Top 10 Cover Songs
    Top 10 Decade Defining Songs: 1970s
    Top 10 Eminem Songs
    Top 10 Songs Named After Women

    • @pikkisful
      @pikkisful Před 10 lety +8

      top 10 songs about books or films?

    • @iklepud
      @iklepud Před 10 lety +2

      Top 10 Tool songs.

    • @MetallicaRules
      @MetallicaRules Před 10 lety +1

      pikkisful Since your profile pic is a Metallica album, I bet one of your picks would be One.

    • @jillybeans9653
      @jillybeans9653 Před 10 lety

      Outkast should have replaced NAS, other than that, great list, and couldn't agree with #1 more!

    • @andreas0101
      @andreas0101 Před 10 lety

      Nickypoo What? Rosa parks or did you just randomly name a group you like better?

  • @TheCreativeAutistic37
    @TheCreativeAutistic37 Před 5 lety +11

    Pride (In the name of love) by U2 shouldnt have gotten more than an honor mention
    that song wrote about Martin Luther King's jr.'s life up until his death
    one of the best song in the world

    • @badplay156
      @badplay156 Před 3 lety

      Although it is to a group I would also add Mothers of the Disappeared

  • @julymiller2308
    @julymiller2308 Před 4 lety +3

    Favorite is definitely Carly Simon's "You're so Vain" I didn't know it was three, I only heard it was Warren Beatty.

  • @Jeff_Lichtman
    @Jeff_Lichtman Před 8 lety +1

    Suite: Judy Blue Eyes by CSN is about Judy Collins.

  • @TeamMastaPr2
    @TeamMastaPr2 Před 10 lety +7

    "Life Is Real (Song for Lennon)" by Queen ? About: (should be obvious)

  • @danday109
    @danday109 Před 4 lety +3

    Good ride cowboy-Garth Brooks for Chris Ledoux

  • @billynair
    @billynair Před 4 lety

    Considering Don McLean was the video's thumbnail, some are coming in talking about his song "Vincent" but I was actually expecting "Killing Me Softly", the song about him. Lori Lieberman said Killing me Softly was based on a poem she wrote after listening to "Empty Chairs" by Don McLean

  • @BatMite19
    @BatMite19 Před 4 lety +2

    I knew they wouldn't mention my two favorites by Kanas: "Portrait (He Knew)" about Albert Einstein, and "Closet Chronicles" about Howard Hughes.