There’s actually no definite answer to why musicians create songs with a name in the title. We think the selection of a song’s title may depend on the musicians themselves and their mood, time, or even place where the songs are composed.
Usually, songs with a name in the title are commonly inspired by someone’s life experiences or by the songwriters themselves about people they know or have met. There are also songs with names that are written as a tribute to leaders, spiritual mentors, legends, and other influential figures.
Just like legendary songs, songs with a name in the title will stay alive all the time. There are hundreds of songs with a name in the title, and we have the 100 best songs of all time that will make you nostalgic or remind you of someone.
Let’s check them out below!
1. “Baba O’Riley” by the Who
Baba O’Riley was released in May 1971, which was the opening track to their fifth album, Who’s Next? Pete Townshend, the songwriter, created the song’s title with “Baba O’Riley,” which referred to two of his major inspirations at the time, i.e., Meher Baba and Terry Riley. The song received platinum certification with approximately 600,000 sales, only in the United Kingdom.
2. “Bloody Mary” by Lady Gaga
The song Bloody Mary has gone viral and hit the singles chart for 11 years due to a trend of Wednesday’s dance on TikTok. This song was released on December 2, 2022, on the Born This Way album, but it was recorded in 2010. Gaga, the songwriter, revealed that the song talked about Mary Magdalene, a god and fully human. In the song, Gaga plays Mary Magdalene, who witnessed the crucifixion of Jesus.
3. “Betty” by Taylor Swift
The song “Betty” was released on August 17, 2020, from Swift’s eighth studio album, Folklore (2020). This song landed the fifth position on the US Hot Country Songs Billboard. Swift, along with Joe Alwyn, created the lyric that talks about a relationship between two fictitious characters, i.e., James and Betty. She then chose “Betty” as the title of this song.
4. “Jimmy” by Tones and I
The song “Jimmy” was released in 2021 and is the fifth song off of Tones and I, an Australian singer. She revealed that the “Jimmy” song was inspired by a group of homeless people that she met in Byron Bay, New South Wales. The character of Jimmy itself was described as a guy who is always wanting to escape.
5. “Jesus of Suburbia” by Green Day
On October 25, 2005, Green Day released a song as the fifth and final single from the American Idol album, the group’s seventh studio album. Jesus of Suburbia has sold 205,000 copies and ranked in the second position on UK Rock & Metal (OCC). This song talked about a figure named Jesus of Suburbia who hated his town and the people around him, so he left for The City.
6. “Cheyenne” by Jason Derulo
Jason Derulo’s song was released on June 39, 2015, as the second single for his fourth studio album, Everything Is 4 (2015). The character of Cheyenne in the song is described as a woman who wears a red dress and approaches him when Derulo falls into bed.
7. “Hailie’s Song” by Eminem
The song was released in 2002, from The Eminem Show album. There’s no doubt that Eminem is a master at making songs about family and relationships. He stated that “Hailie’s Song” was a compliment to his daughter once he was granted custody of the child. In the song, he feels happy since his daughter came from a relationship with Kim, his daughter’s mother.
8. “Dear John” by Amerie
“Dear John” was released in 2009 on Amerie’s fourth album, “In Love & War.” This song talks about a woman who is writing a letter to her unfaithful boyfriend, John. The letter was a goodbye message to tell John that she couldn’t stand him anymore.
9. “Diana” by One Direction
The song “Diana” was released on November 18, 2013, from the third studio album, Midnight Memories. It landed at number two on the Irish Singles Chart. Julian Bunetta, the songwriter, revealed that the choice of “Diana” in the title of the song is about someone who feels alone in a very big world. However, he did not say whether the character was real or fictional.
10. “James Joint” by Rihanna
Released on April 21, 2015, the song “James Joint” came from Rihanna’s eighth studio album, Anti. The song was written by Robert Taylor, Fenty, and James Fauntleroy. There is no specific information regarding the name James Joint, but the lyrics reflect a sense of relaxation and a desire to escape from reality. This may be Rihanna’s experience of finding solace in smoking marijuana, without the burdens of life at all.
11. “Adam’s Song” by Blink-182
Blink-182 released this song in 1999 for their third album, Enema of the State. Mark Hoppus, the songwriter and the band’s bassist, admitted that the song was inspired by the struggles of people suffering from depression and dark thoughts. The song landed in the top position on the Billboard rock charts, though the song is different from the songs that the band composed.
12. “Delilah” by Queen
The song “Delilah” is on the Queen’s fourteenth studio album, Innuendo. It was released in 1991 and was written by Freddie Mercury, the lead vocalist. This song talks about Mercury’s favorite female calico cat, named Delilah. For him, Delilah is special, even though he has about 11 cats.
13. “Django Jane” by Janelle Monae
The song “Django Jane” was released in 2018 on Monae’s third album, Dirty Computer. It is a powerful song whose voices support the rights of women. Monae tried to present the song as a song to remind women of their miracles, amidst the onslaught of society trying to take away women’s rights.
14. “Charlie” by Red Hot Chili Peppers
Red Hot Chili Peppers released the song ‘Charlie” from their 2006 double album, Stadium Arcadium. The song was written by Anthony Kiedis, the leader of the band. He revealed that the song talks about someone’s imagination and creativity.
15. “Ophelia” by The Lumineers
The song “Ophelia” was released on February 5, 2016, as the lead single from their sophomore album, Cleopatra. It landed in the second position on US Rock Airplay. This song talks about praying for the best for people when facing fame because they might fall in love with it.
16. “Tim McGraw” by Taylor Swift
Swift is a master at writing songs with names in the title, and most of the songs with names are about her own experiences. So as with her single “Tim McGraw,” which was released on June 19, 2006.
This song describes the sweetness and sadness of loving and losing someone. When she was still at school, Swift was dating her senior, Drew Dunlap. They had to break up at the end of the year because Dunlap had to move away for college.
17. “Drew Barrymore” by SZA
Solána Imani Rowe, known professionally as SZA, an American singer, released the song “Drew Barrymore” on January 13, 2017. This song gained 2x Platinum certification in the United States with 2,000,000 units of sales.
The inspiration for the song came from similarities between Rowe’s childhood and Barrymore’s film roles, in which she was always cast as an outcast or “freak.” This song talks about dealing with insecurities and questioning friendships and self-worth.
18. “Ben” By Michael Jackson
The song “Ben” was written by Don Black and Walter Scharf and released on July 12, 1972. Performed by Michael Jackson, the song won a Golden Globe for Best Song and was also nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song in 1973.
The song tells the story of a young boy who befriends a pack of mice who live in his neighborhood. Implicitly, Ben’s song can be seen as an allegory of the relationship between two outsiders who find comfort and friendship in each other.
Furthermore, this song evokes feelings of empathy and compassion for animals that most people consider disgusting or even dangerous.
19. “Kevin’s Heart” by J. Cole
The song “Kevin’s Heart” was released in 2018 from Cole’s fifth album, KOD. It hit fifth place on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Billboard. The song referred to a famous actor, Kevin Hart, who was also featured in the movie video. The song’s lyrics also emphasize the mindset of a man who may be unfaithful in his relationship and knows that he may hurt the person who loves him the most.
20. “Fernando” by ABBA
ABBA released the song “Fernando,” which was written by Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus, on November 10, 1975. The song ranked thirteenth on the US Billboard Hot 100 and was also nominated for “Best Studio Recording of 1975.”
In fact, this song was not originally released by ABBA but as a solo single by band member Anni-Frid Lyngstad. The “Fernando” name on the song was inspired by a bartender with that name who worked at a club the band frequented in Stockholm, Sweden.
21. “Mary Jane” by Rick James
On September 9, 1978, Rick James released the song “Mary Jane” as the second single from his debut album, Come Get It! In 1987, the song hit the top five on the R&B charts in the United States and also crossed over to the US Hot 100.
For James, who is a solo artist, this is his most popular song, which he composed along with keyboard player Billy Nunn. The name Mary Jane doesn’t refer to a person, but to marijuana. This is a veiled ode to James’ love of marijuana.
22. “Lucille” by Little Richard
The song “Lucille” was released on Specialty Records in February 1957. It hit the first position on the Billboard R&B chart, the tenth position on the UK chart, and the twelfth position on the US pop chart.
The song was composed by Albert Collins and depicts the rhythmic feel of 1960s rock music, especially in the heavy basslines and slower tempos. It was inspired by the roar of the train the band was riding.
23. “Nina” by Ed Sheeran
The song “Nina,” which was written by Ed Sheeran, an English singer-songwriter, reached number 57 on the UK singles chart. It was released on June 20, 2014, and appeared as the sixth track. Well, this song still becomes one of the standout songs on his album, “X.”
Ed Sheeran admitted that the song title “Nina” was inspired by Nina Nesbitt, a Scottish artist and singer who he dated before his career took off. In the song, Sheeran describes Nina as “a talented musician,” and he praises her for her growth as a songwriter.
24. “Jolene” by Dolly Parton
Released on October 15, 1973, by RCA Victor, the song “Jolene” reached number 217 on the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time in 2004. The song was produced by Bob Ferguson, and it is Parton’s most-covered song. In Sweeden, it obtained three-time platinum certification with 3,000,000 units of sales.
Parton stated that the song is about a red-haired bank employee who seduces her husband, Carl Dean, at a local bank branch when they are newly married. However, the song is unclear as to whether Jolene intends to usurp her husband or not, an ambiguity that has been resolved in several response songs.
25. “Sweet Caroline” by Neil Diamond
Neil Diamond, an American singer, released the song “Sweet Caroline” on May 28, 1969. The song was recorded at American Sound Studio in Memphis, Tennessee, and was arranged by Charles Calello. In the week ending August 16, 1969, the song ranked in the fourth position on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
When it comes to the origins of the song, Diamond stated that the song was inspired by John F. Kennedy’s daughter, Caroline, who was 11 years old when the song was released. But in 2004, he said that the song was also about his wife, Marcia. However, he had difficulty finding a suitable melody as he needed a three-syllable name for the song.
More Best Songs of All Time with a Name in the Title
- “Buddy Holly” by Weezer
- “Josie” by Blink-182
- “Helena” by My Chemical Romance
- “Sam’s Town” by The Killers
- “Rhiannon” by Fleetwood Mac
- “Eleanor Rigby” by The Beatles
- “Runaround Sue” by Dion
- “Come On, Eileen” by Dexy’s Midnight Runners
- “Johnny B. Goode” by Chuck Berry
- “Darling Nikki” by Prince
- “Me and Bobby McGee” by Janis Joplin
- “A Boy Named Sue” by Johnny Cash
- “Daniel” by Elton John
- St. Jimmy” by Green Day
- “Jeremy” by Pearl Jam
- “What’s the Frequency, Kenneth?” by R.E.M.
- “Mary Jane’s Last Dance” by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
- “03 Bonnie and Clyde” by JAY-Z and Beyoncé
- “We Are Trayvon” by Plies
- “Plain Jane” by A$AP Ferg
- “Tyrone” by Erykah Badu
- “Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard” by Paul Simon
- “Mrs. Robinson” by Simon and Garfunkel
- “Billie Jean” by Michael Jackson
- “Jack and Diane” by John Mellencamp
- “Mickey” by Toni Basil
- “Barbara Ann” by The Beach Boys
- “Gloria” by Laura Branigan
- “Romeo and Juliet” by Dire Straits
- “My Sharona” by The Knack
- “The Wind Cries Mary” by Jimi Hendrix
- “Goodbye Earl” by Dixie Chicks
- “Fancy” by Reba McEntire
- “Grace Kelly” by Mika
- “Adia” by Sarah McLachlan
- “Iris” by The Goo Goo Dolls
- “Annie Waits” by Ben Folds
- “Stacy’s Mom” by Fountains of Wayne
- “Georgia” by Brittany Howard
- “Alejandro” by Lady Gaga
- “Penny and Me” by Hanson
- “Clementine” by Halsey
- “Nancy Mulligan” by Ed Sheeran
- “Valerie” by Amy Winehouse
- “Alfie” by Lily Allen
- “Tyrone” by Erykah Badu
- “Hey There Delilah” by Plain White T’s
- “O3 Bonnie & Clyde” by Jay Z and Beyonce
- “Maria, Maria” by Santana feat. The Product G&B
- “Proud Mary” by Ike & Tina Turner
- “Roxanne” by The Police
- “Jenny from the Block” by Jennifer Lopez feat. Jadakiss
- “Sara Smile” by Hall & Oates
- “Bennie and the Jets” by Elton John
- “My Cherie Amour” by Stevie Wonder
- “Hey Jude” by The Beatles
- “Dear John” by Taylor Swift
- “Valerie” by Mark Ronson feat. Amy Winehouse
- “Judas” by Lady Gaga
- “a m a r i” by J. Cole
- “Jerome” by Lizzo
- “Cleopatra” by The Lumineers
- “Coco” by 24kGoldn
- “Daisy” by Ashnikko
- “Delilah” by Florence + The Machine
- “Cotton Eye Joe” by Rednex
- “Dorothea” by Taylor Swift
- “Gabriella” by Brett Eldredge
- “Gloria” by The Lumineers
- “Alfred’s Theme by Eminem
- “Tiimmy Turner” by Desiigner
- “Her Name is Alice” by Shinedown
- “If U Ask Amy” by Britney Spears
- “Jocelyn Flores” by XXTENTACION
- “Olivia” by One Direction
Okay, those are the greatest 100 songs with a name in the title that are best all of time. Of course, you can find more on YouTube, Spotify, or other music broadcasting services.
A bookworm and researcher especially related to law and citizenship education. I spend time every day in front of the internet and the campus library.
