We read an interview recently with Enrique Iglesias in which he let slip that his recent single – which went by the not-at-all-embarrassing title Do You Know (Ping Pong Song) – was supposed to just be called Do You Know, but his record company insisted on adding in a bit in brackets.
The song’s lyrics actually had nothing to do with ping-pong whatsoever - it was just a cynical bid to flog ringtones or something.
Anyway, it got us thinking: what purpose do brackets in song titles serve? Why not just pick one title and stick with it? Here are our favourite examples of pointless parentheses…
Cutting Crew – (I Just) Died In Your Arms
Still big in Germany, apparently. But so is humourlessness.
Waylon Jennings - Which Way Do I Go (Now That I'm Gone)?
Less a song title, more a head-spinning metaphysical conundrum.
(You Gotta) Fight For Your Right (To Party)
Two sets of brackets in one song title. Good work. Which reminds us of…
The Stranglers - (Get A) Grip (On Yourself)
Why not just call it Grip? Sheesh.
One True Voice - Shakespeare's (Way With) Words
What a bunch of (worthless) fucktards.
The Crystals – He Hit Me (It Felt Like A Kiss)
Ouch. Co-written by Carole King, who really should have known better.
Mel Torme - Cow Cow Boogie (Moo Moo My Love)
A popular choice at state funerals.
Meat Loaf - In The Land Of The Pigs (The Butcher Is King)
Wordplay was never Mr Loaf’s strong suit.
Bryan Adams – (Everything I Do) I Do It For You
Quite apart from anything, this is just grammatically wrong.
Dr John - How Come My Dog Don't Bark (When You Come Around)?
Oh, do shit off.
5:48 PM | 26/07/2007
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(I'm always touched by your) presence, dear by blondie.
?
Posted by katherine at 11:53 AM | 02/08/2007 | Report Abuse
(I'm always touched by your) presence, dear by blondie.
?
Posted by katherine at 11:53 AM | 02/08/2007 | Report Abuse
The subtitles afforded to every damn song on Radiohead's Hail to the Thief.
Posted by Matthew at 6:34 PM | 05/08/2007 | Report Abuse
(Good riddance) Time of your life. (Nice Dream) from Radiohead is irritating too
Posted by mattfifi at 5:58 PM | 06/08/2007 | Report Abuse
Maybe Enrique's label wanted to cash in on the Operator Please hype?
Posted by james at 5:21 AM | 08/08/2007 | Report Abuse
Don't forget "I'll Be Loving You (Forever)" by New Pimples on the Butt.
Though I suppose a rediculous group can only be expected to have rediculous song titles.
Posted by Ty at 5:52 PM | 12/08/2007 | Report Abuse
Parentheses aren't just used to tack useless information onto song titles, or complete the title so that you know which one it is (e.g. "Grip" by the Stranglers), they also serve to show that the song is also known by a different title- usually because people don't know or can't remember what the actual title is. Quite often these are from movies. For example the actual title of the Phile Collins song most of us know as "Against All Odds" is actually "Take a Look At Me Now". Elton John's "Candle in the Wind '97" is also known as "Goodbye England's Rose".
Posted by Uncle Gweilo at 6:43 AM | 14/08/2007 | Report Abuse
(Antichrist Television Blues) by Arcade Fire.
Posted by Uh at 1:33 AM | 27/01/2010 | Report Abuse
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