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I was thinking about this just the other day. There's got to be a lot of lyrics like this, but I'm just coming up with two right now.
1. In Cheap Trick's song, "Surrender" they sing about getting their Kiss records out.
2. In the Who's, "You Better, You Bet" they talk about the sounds of old T-Rex.

Can you think of any other bands/artists that reference other bands/artists in their lyrics? This could be an interesting list!

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Tom,

This is a great topic...have to get to work...will try to come back later with a few to add to the list smile

Here's a few off the top of my head:

- Free Man in Paris by Joni Mitchell - is about producer David Geffen
- doesn't actually mention his name, though!

- Mamas and Papas had a song with a line, "and no one's getting fat but Mama Cass"

More later smile

Emily

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"Roy Orbison singing for the lonely", Thunder Road, Bruce Springsteen

"I was thinkin' 'bout Alicia Keys, couldn't keep from crying", Thunder on the Mountain, Bob Dylan

"Sweet home Alabama, Play that dead band's song", Play it all Night Long, Warren Zevon

"Well, I hope Neil Young will remember, A Southern man don't need him around anyhow", Sweet Home Alabama, Lynyrd Skynyrd

"She walks like Bo Diddley and she don't need no crutch", From a Buick 6, Bob Dylan


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"Sweet Soul Music" was recorded by Arthur Conley. It mentions Lou Rawls, Sam and Dave, Wilson Picket, Otis Redding and James Brown. It also makes a veiled reference to the Smokey Robinson and the Miracles hit, "Goin to a Go Go." Produced by Otis Redding (you can hear him encouraging Mr. Conley in the background) and written by Sam Cooke.

Speaking of Sam Cooke, "Having a Party" is quoted here:

"play that song called Soul Twist
play that one called I know
Don't forget the mashed potato"

No mention of the artists, but these are all popular songs of the period.


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"Smoke On The Water"
Rolling Stones,-- Frank Zappa and the Mothers

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Tom, I'm surprised you didn't get one of the Beatles references,,,with owning a Hofner-like bass, looking like Lennon, and playing many string instruments like George did!

Johnny River's hit "Summer Rain", in the refrain, where it starts out (in so many words): All summer long, we were dancing in the sand, while the jukebox was playing Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.



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The train to Grinderswitch is runnin' right on time,
and the Tucker Boys are cookin' down in Caroline,
People down in Florida, can't keep still,
when ol' Lynyrd Skynyrd's pickin' down in Jacksonville
People down in Georgia come from near and far
to hear Richard Betts pickin' on that red guitar

Elvin Bishop's sittin' on a bale of hay
He ain't good lookin' but he sure can play
And there's ZZ Top and you can't forget
That old brother Willie's gettin' soakin' wet
And all the good people down in Tennessee
Are diggin' barefoot Jerry and the CDB

Charlie Daniels Band
"The South's Gonna Do it Again"

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Quote
"Smoke On The Water"
Rolling Stones,-- Frank Zappa and the Mothers


Well, then there's "Mudshark" by Frank where he mentions the Vanilla Fudge.


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Excellent examples! I thought this would have been challenging, but it looks like there's quite a few songs out there, and oh so many smart just plain folks. Let's keep them coming..

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Originally Posted by Emily Sanders
Tom,

This is a great topic...have to get to work...will try to come back later with a few to add to the list smile

Here's a few off the top of my head:

- Free Man in Paris by Joni Mitchell - is about producer David Geffen
- doesn't actually mention his name, though!

- Mamas and Papas had a song with a line, "and no one's getting fat but Mama Cass"

More later smile

Emily


Also in the same Mommas and Papas song they mention the Mugwumps which was a precurser band for both the Mamas and the Papas and the Lovin Spoonful having contributed musicians to both groups.

The mention of John and Zally were John Sebastian and Zal Yanovsky who were two of the Lovin Spoonful.

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John Lennon referenced Dylan's Mister Jones. There are plenty of songs written about or referencing Hank Williams. Robert Earl Keene has a song about him where the storyline reads as if he is in a dream sequence or time warp and meets him face to face. I cannot remember the title for some reason. Waylon Jennings sang Hank Never Done It That Way.

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Does it count if the artist references themselves? In one of John Lennon's bitter solo recordings he sings, "I don't believe in Beatles."

In the Beatles' song, "Glass Onion," there's this line: "Here's another clue for you all, the walrus was Paul."

Three dog night sings, in Nevert Been To Spain, "I've never been to England, but I kinda like the Beatles."

Fun topic!

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Ooh ooh, just thought of another! In Paul McCartney and Wings' "Venus and Mars/Rock Show," he sings, "Who's that man moving cross the stage? He looks a lot like the one used by Jimmy Page." (a clever way to reference both Page and Robert Plant).

Greg


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"When you think Tim McGraw" - Taylor Swift

"Hey Elvis" - Bryan Adams

"There was Frankie Lyman-Bobby Fuller-Mitch Ryder
(They were Rockin')
Jackie Wilson-Shangra-las-Young Rascals
(They were Rockin')
Spotlight on Martha Reeves
Let's don't forget James Brown
Rockin' in the U.S.A." -- R.O.C.K. In The USA - John Mellencamp


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Two of mine. "Hank's Song," originally titled "Won't Someone Dig Hank Williams Up and Make Him Play Some More?" not only mentions Hank Williams (o9f course), but refers to six (I think) of his songs in the lyrics.

And "The Cat with the Strat" makes reference to the Rolling Stones:

"We played like the Stones, or maybe their brothers,
Minus Jagger, and Richards, and two or three others..."

Elvis, too ("...like Elvis I wail...").

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There's a bunch of references to other artists in country songs.
One is "Don't Rock The Jukebox" by Alan Jackson references George Jones and the Rolling Stones in the same line.

Jackson's "Midnight In Montgomery" is all about Hank Williams Sr.

So is "The Ride" by Tim McGraw.

"Good Ride, Cowboy" by Garth Brooks is about Chris Ledoux. I believe it contains the title of one of Ledoux's songs in the lyrics.

Toby Keith's "bus song" "Weed With Willie" goes on about a singer/smoker named Willie Nelson. I think I heard of him somewhere...

There are more, and I'll think of them as soon as I post this.


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Running Down A Dream by Tom Petty The trees went by, me and del were singin Little runaway

All the Young Dudes by Mott the Hoople Oh man I need TV when I got T Rex Who exactly was Mott and what the hell is a Hoople??

Sabbath Bloody Sabbath by Black Sabbath Sabbath Bloody Sabbath

Too Little Time by Too Little Time but theres too little time Hey Hey ! I had to go there!

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"Superfreak" by Rick James "...Temptations sing now...."

"If there's a Rock & Roll Heaven" a number of dead Rock Stars including Jimi Hendrix, Jim Morrison, Janis.....etc.

"Monterey" by Eric Burton a number of the bands that played there including Hendrix, Jefferson Airplane, Who, Otis, Mama's and Papas.....etc.


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American Pie references a large number of artists - though none by name smile

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Suite Judy Blue Eyes is about Judy Collins
Various songs about Gram Parsons, "Boulder to Birmingham" by Emmylou Harris, "My Man" by the Eagles, "Crazy Eyes" by Poco

The song "True" references Marvin Gaye

Neil Young's "My My Hey Hey", references Johnny Rotten

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Little River Band's "Reminiscing". I think that's Glenn Miller's Band that they mention. Ben

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Cool topic....

Not heard by a lot, but I'll throw in my song 'Bob Dylan.' If you get the chance, check by my MySpace page and check it out. Kind of was in that area between sleep and waking, when I was thinking about meeting Bob Dylan for some reason.

From a well known artist, I'll throw in John Hiatt's 'Slow Turning' - 'Banging in the back like a Charlie Watts'

Which leads me to Joe W - love those lyrics about the Stones!

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I do a song by the Bodeans, Behind the Wall of Sleep with the line, "....and she stood just like Bill Wyman, now I am her biggest fan...."

That could be the only referance to Bill in a song that I'm aware of grin


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There was a country song called "Bigger than the Beatles"

also how about Chuck Berry's "Roll Over Beethoven"?

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I wrote one called "santa monica BLVD where i mention the Counting Crows.

Garth Brooks's "much too young" mentions Chris Ledouix

-steve


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I can't remember who cut it but there's a song with the line,

"Chet Atkins make me a star..."

Lots of comically bad guitar licks in it too.

Lacey J. Dalton referenced a lot of unknown Nashville hopefuls in her recording of "16th Avenue."


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Neil Young's "From Hank to Hendrix" which also contains a bonus reference to Madonna...


Better Than a Sharp Stick in the Eye!

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The Band, in "Cripple Creek" refers to "Spike Jones on the box."

If any of you are too young to know who Spike Jones was, Google him and try to wipe the resulting grin off your face.


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Leon Russell's "Mad Dogs and Englishmen" references his time spent with Joe Cocker's band by that name...
Out here on the road again,
with Mad Dogs and Englishmen

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Quote
Neil Young's "From Hank to Hendrix" which also contains a bonus reference to Madonna...


And from Neil's "Hey Hey, My My" ....this is the story of Johnny Rotten......


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Jason Aldean has a current song that mentions Johnny Cash a lot.


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I tried to write a song once about a local band, Corky and The Pork Snorkles. What rhymes with snorkle?? Interesting thread!!

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{"Sweet Home Alabama, Play that dead band's song"} "Play it all Night Long"--Warren Zevon

{"There was a band called the Jokers, they were layin' it down"}-- "Rock n Roll Hootchie Koo" -- Rick Derringer {The Jokers had future members of the Allman Bros.}
{"Me, I wanna be Bob Dylan"}--"Mr Jones"--Counting Crows

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Tex Ritter's 'Hillbilly Heaven' from the early '60s is a great example of a tribute to country singers who have passed on.


- Ken in Jax
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"Who's Gonna Fill Their Shoes"---George Jones {pretty much covers ALL the country greats}.. David Allen Coe, Hank Jr, and Kid Rock have an annoying habit of dropping names CONSTANTLY... Waylon drops his OWN name, as well as Willie's in "Luckenbach Texas"... Alan Jackson drops George Jones AND The Rolling Stones in "Don't Rock the Jukebox".. JPF mentor Alan O'Day drops Jimi, Janis, Jim {Morrison AND Croce}, Otis Redding and Bobbie Darin in "Rock N Roll Heaven"... BUT... The MOTHER of all name-dropping songs... 1970's one hit wonder "Reunion"--"Life is a Rock, But the Radio Rolled Me" names about 1,000 artists in a 3 minute song!

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"Garden Party" by Ricky Nelson has:
"..Yoko brought her Walrus..."

But we all know from "Glass Onion" by the Beatles that:
"... here's another clue for you all, the walrus was Paul...."


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in "dublin blues" guy clark references doc watson.

"i have seen the david
i've seen the mona lisa too
i have heard doc watson
play columbus stockade blues"

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"Johnny Rotten"--Neil Young "Hey Hey My My {Into the Black}


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Their have been songs written soley about musicians, some examples are Song For Woody(Guthrie), I like the Johnny Cash/Dylan version. David Bowie recorded a song years ago called Song For Dylan and Doc Watson did a song about "Mississippi" John Hurt. Elton John's Empty Garden about John Lennon and Paul, George and Ringo did All Those Years Ago about John. Ben

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Red Hot Chili peppers "Give It Away"

"Bob Marley poet and a prophet
Bob Marley taught how to off it
Bob Marley walkin like he talk it"

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These are all good examples! Thanks everyone for participating.
As songwriters, we often write about what we can relate to and what we like. Since we like music, songwriters, often mention the musicians they like. From most of the songs listed here, the reference is in a very positive light - but not always.
Still, this has been very cool to see so many examples.

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My own song, "Na Na Baby Goodbye:"

. . .
Oh, lyrics are just words you throw in the verse
To give the singer something to sing
Otherwise he'd look pretty stupid on stage
Not doing a friggin' thing, yeah, yeah, yeah
You can't tell me these songs made any sense
Like a cake left out in the rain
Or Mony, Mony, American Pie
Jimi trying to kiss the sky
A stairway that some lady wants to buy . . .

and:

. . .
All I want to do is have some fun
Scream my brains out 'til I'm comfortably numb
Gimme back those days of yeah, yeah, yeah
Na, na, na, na, baby, goodbye . . .



https://www.stonemarmot.com
Stone Marmot
Nouveau retro pop-rock music
Listen to our latest song “I Sing Along” at:
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"Ani DiFranco on the tape player, thinking of the things I'd say to her if I could..."
- Nerissa Nields, "Georgia O"

and then of course there's the epic "Chick Singers" from Dan Bern:

Well, this bald-headed girl I know
Sent me a tape of Bjork and Courtney Love
And PJ Harvey
Called it "Brilliant Women"
I put it in my car
Heard it all the way down to the coast
Normally, if left to my own devices
I dont hear chick singers much
I guess its guys I hear the most
Sometimes these days
Dont it seem like its enough
For girls to love a girl
Or use the F word prominently
Masturbate in public
Or learn guitar tied up to a post
I thought of all this hearing Bjork and Courtney Love and PJ Harvey
In my car driving to the coast

Tori Amos, Liz Phair, Sinead OConnor,
Suzanne Vega, Jill Sobule, Melissa Etheridge,
Tracy Chapman, Ani Difranco, Michelle Shocked

Every one of them
Has something kinda special that I like
But every now and then
While listening to them
I feel like when we were kids
I pulled their hair or stole their bike
These days, it seems like
Theres a lot of girls who sing
And some of them are good
And some of them are not
But its always kinda cool
That moment when they first step to the mike
If I was a girl
I could sing real high
And, also, then
Id know what having breasts would be like

Chick singers
Chick singers
Chick singers

I started thinkin bout
Kate Bush, Patsy Kline, Billie Holiday
Janis Joplin, Bessie Smith, Patti Smith
Annie Lenox, Chrissie Hynde
And Bonnie Raitt

Seems like theres an awful lot of women
In whose honor I would
Like to raise my glass
And give a toast
Some of them are still alive
And some, I hear their voices like a ghost
Maybe this Thursday,
Ill throw a party
And invite every woman
That ever sang a song
This would be a party
That I think I would like to be the host
Thanks to the bald-headed girl
Whose tape of Bjork and Courtney Love
And PJ Harvey
I heard driving to the coast

Chick singers
Chick singers
Chick singers

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Here are some more from Dan Bern... he mentions other musicians a lot, especially Ani

Talkin' Mrs. DiFranco Blues

It was a snowy day
Kinda like today
And there wasn't a whole lot going on
So I thought,
"You know what'd be fun
Would be to go grab a guitar
And sit on a porch or a lawn
Swap tunes with Ani Difranco."
Now I though to myself,
"Yeah, but she's real busy
Playing them shows and thinking up rhymes."
But then I figured
Even she's got to go home to Buffalo sometime
So I drove there
Parked outside her mom's house
Well, I knocked, and her Mama answered the door
I said, "Would this be the Difranco place?"
I said, "I'm looking for Ani if she's around."
And she said, "[naughty word removed] you and your untouchable face."
That's when I knew I had the right house
I said, "Golly, Mrs. Difranco
Might I trouble you for a glass of water?
Then I could sit down and wait a while
And then maybe swap some tunes with your daughter"
She seemed to take pity on me
Asked me in
Fed me some pasta
Gave me a sponge bath
Toweled me dry
Showed me Ani's room
Said, "She's not around
I guess you can stay here."
Well, I stayed eight months with Mrs. Difranco
She darned my socks
And sewed up my sleeves
Well then one morning she woke me up
And said, "Ani's home
You're going to have to leave"
I packed my things
Kissed Mrs. Difranco goodbye
And was gone
Well, it's been two weeks
And I ain't heard from you, Mrs. Difranco
And I'm feeling blue
I'm walking out in the rain
Listening to the low moan of the dial tone again
I'm getting nowhere with you
And I can't let it go
And I can't get through

Well, I looked at Ani's schedule
And I see that she's back out on the road
And, well, I guess I'll shuffle on back up to Buffalo
And hang out with Mrs. Difranco a spell
I'll bring my laundry
Get another one of them sponge baths
This time, though, I'm gonna watch her close
REAL close
'Cuz everyone
Even her
Everyone
I mean, everyone
I mean, everyone is a fucking Napoleon



Talking Woody, Bob, Bruce & Dan Blues

Well, when Woody Guthrie was sick and dying
Bob Dylan visited him as he was lying
In a hospital bed Bob sang him songs
Woody smiled and said I'm glad you come
You belong here
Go forth and be the voice of your generation

Well, above Beverly Hills one night real late
I snuck past a security gate
Parked by a Mercedes Benz
Climbed up a barbed wire fence and over
Couple of scratches, but I'd made it
To the home of Bruce Springsteen

Well, I found the boss asleep in bed
Pillows piled up round his head
I turned on the light took off my coat
Stuck a theromometer down his throat
Said don't talk
You look pale , Boss
Not at all well

I said you look bad and I asked him could he
Think of us as Bob and Woody
I said you just rest your pretty head
As I sing to you in your hospital bed
He said what the hell you talking about
I ain't sick
This ain't a hospital
And how'd you get past the security gate

I said I wrote you a song called Song To Bruce
With a tune I stole from one of yours
To his platinum records next I pointed
Said I just want to be annointed Springsteen, I wrote you a song
'Bout a funny ol' world that's a coming along
Seems sick and it's tired it's hard and it's torn
It looks like it's dying and it's hardly been born
He started really looking sick
And I stopped singing

Then Patty his wife came in I said jeez
I'm sorry about your husband's incurable disease
I'm here to help any way I can
You know, Woody and Bob, Bruce and Dan
She said honey, what am I hearing?
He said baby, you know I'm in the prime of life
I said down to two million in sales last time out
Read the signs, Patty

He said some people think this record's my best
I said shhhhh, you need your rest
He said there's a madman on the loose
I said Woody and Bob, Dan and Bruce

He sprang out of his bed and said
All right, I've heard enough of this stuff
He grabbed my throat and dragged me hard
Down the hall and through the yard
Suprising strength for a dying man

Well, he threw me out the way I come
Barbed wire scraped my face and thumbs
I've been thinking ever since
Bob and Woody
Dan and the artist formerly known as Prince
Dan and Madonna
Bob and Woody-
Dan and Bob
So long, Bel Air
Howdy, Malibu

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I've always heard that the first line of Neil Young's "Walk On" was an answer to Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Sweet Home Alabama" reference.
I hear some people been talkin' me down
Bring up my name pass it round
They don't mention the good old times
They do their thing I do mine
Anybody know if thats true?

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Garth Brooks and Chris LeDoux were close friends..so they comment on each other in their songs (not all of them) and appeared in each others videos (again not all of them)


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http://www.myspace.com/raydeleur
http://www.myspace.com/radeleur

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I think that the ultimate is probably Arthur Conley's "Sweet Soul Music":
Quote
Do you like good music
That sweet soul music
Just as long as it's swingin'
Oh yeah, oh yeah

Out here on the floor now
We're going to a go go
Ah dancin to the music
Oh yeah, oh yeah

Spotlight on Lou Rawls y'all
Ah don't he look tall y'all
Singin' loves a hurtin' thing now
Oh yeah, oh yeah

Spotlight on Sam and Dave now
Ah don't they look boss y'all
Singin' hold on I'm comin'
Oh yeah, oh yeah

Spotlight on Wilson Pickett
That wicked picket Pickett
Singin Mustang Sally
Oh yeah, oh yeah

Spotlight on Otis Redding now
Singing fa fa fa fa fa fa fa fa
Fa fa fa fa fa fa fa fa
Oh yeah, oh yeah

Spotlight on James Brown now
He's the king of them all, yeah
He's the king of them all, yeah
Oh yeah, oh yeah


But, here are some more:
John Wesley Harding When The Beatles Hit America
September 67 Steve Malkmus Is A Fucking Snob
Jeffrey & Jack Lewis - Williamsburgh Will Oldham Horror
John Oszajca Wheres Bob Dylan When You Need Him?
Replacements Alex Chilton
They Might Be Giants Were The Replacements
Chixdiggit! Henry Rollins Is No Fun
Young Fresh Fellows My Boyfriends In Killdozer
Splitsville Husker Du
Minutemen Political Song For Michael Jackson To Sing
Amy Rigby Dancing With Joey Ramone
Forgotten Rebels Elvis Is Dead
Dandy Warhols Cool As Kim Deal
Veruca Salt With David Bowie
California Oranges Olivia
Tommy Womack Whatever Happened To Cheetah Chrome?
The Make-Up Free Arthur Lee
Martin Newell Song For Syd Barrett
Atom & His Package Sting Cannot Possibly Be The Same Guy Who Was In The Police
Mojo Nixon - Elvis Is Everywhere
Mojo Nixon - Don Henley Must Die


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