As long as we’re still on the subject of pet peeves, do you know what’s really cheesed me for years? Why isn’t there a hit song about Rachel? (Please note I said a “HIT song” and not that goofy song from 1871, Reuben and Rachel.) There are literally hundreds of songs about other people, but not one of them is named Rachel. I personally know several professional musicians, and none of them has risen to the challenge and written a song about a Rachel. I don’t know why… something about their wives not understanding or something like that.
There are countless songs about women! Think of the dozens of songs about Mary, Alice and Rosie. The Police sang about Roxanne, Neil Diamond sang about Sweet Caroline, Dr. Hook even sang about Sylvia’s Mother! But there are plenty of names that are far less popular than Rachel, and they still made the cut. David Bowie sang about a Letter to Hermione, The Oak Ridge Boys sang about Elvira, The Monkees sang about Auntie Grizelda, Green Day sings about Haushinka, and Tommy Roe sang Hooray for Hazel!
Songs about both men and women include The Ballad of Bonnie and Clyde, The Ballad of John and Yoko, Linus and Lucy, and Jack and Diane.
Even men alone have songs about them! There are numerous songs about Billy, and Johnny, and even men named Harry. Eminem sang about Stan, The Beatles sang Hey Jude, Phil Collins sang about Lorenzo, and Johnny Cash even managed to sing about A Boy Named Sue!
Some people are lucky enough to get both their first and their last name in songs about them. Think of I’m Henry the VIII, I Am by Herman’s Hermits, Jimmy Olsen’s Blues by The Spin Doctors, and Me and Bobby McGee by Janis Joplin. Not to mention Marshall Mathers in Eminem’s autobiographical ditty, Paul Revere by The Beastie Boys, and Postcards From Richard Nixon by Elton John.
Heck, even The Devil has songs about him! Motley Crue urged us to Shout at the Devil, Van Halen was Runnin’ With the Devil, and The Rolling Stones even had Sympathy for the Devil! And if you’re still looking for him, Charlie Daniels and his band will be the first to tell you that The Devil Went Down to Georgia.
The Kingsmen liked singing about Louie Louie so much, they said his name twice, and Neil Diamond felt just as strongly about Holly Holly! (Of course, he was fickle and did the same thing for Cherry Cherry, as well.) Santana certainly had a similar affection for Maria Maria, and The Blasters felt that Marie Marie was worth repeating. Jenny Jenny was on Little Richard’s mind twice as much as other women, and Ray Peterson felt twice as nice about Corinna Corinna.
So in conclusion, when I hear about one of these other ladies or gentlemen that are honored in song, it makes me a little sad. If you don’t have a song about your name, feel free to join me in my misery, because frankly, I’m tired of feeling left out!
Talk to me: What is your favorite song (including artist) with someone’s name in the title? (Some of my favorites are Stan by Eminem, Jezebel by Peter Noone, Beth by Kiss, Jeremy by Pearl Jam, Stephanie by The Partridge Family, Angie by The Rolling Stones, Dirty Diana by Michael Jackson, My Michelle by Guns n’ Roses, Just Like Jesse James by Cher, Amie by Pure Prairie League, and Rosie by Bon Jovi.) Is there a song about you or your significant other? (Check the lists in the links above if you’re not sure.) If not, what band would you ideally want to sing the song about you?
Rachel Carrera, Novelist 