The imminent re-release of The Teenagers’ synth-tastic paean to perviness, Starlett Johansson, has got us racking our brains for other songs named after movie stars. So, with an honorary mention to scuzz-punk nutters Gay For Johnny Depp, here’s this week’s random list.
Kim Carnes - Bette Davis Eyes
This blockbusting ‘80s pop anthem was regrettably covered by Gwyneth Paltrow for the film Duets. Less embarrassingly, Mylo sampled the main hook for his track In My Arms.
Eagles – James Dean
“James Dean, James Dean/I know just what you mean,” run the lyrics. Ooh, trenchant. US arena-rock jocks The Goo Goo Dolls also wrote a song called James Dean but it was beyond awful, not to mention mildly homophobic.
Gorillaz – Clint Eastwood
So named because it contains a sample taken from Eastwood flick The Good, The Bad And The Ugly. The ending of the movie is referenced in the video, when a graveyard rises up from the ground.
Elton John – Roy Rogers
A lesser-known gem from Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, named after the prolific US cowboy actor (and sometime singer), who was supposedly a hero to the young Reg Dwight.
The Postal Service – Clark Gable
Lyrically, the link with the Gone With The Wind star seems rather tangential, but what the hell – we’ve always got time for Ben Gibbard’s hypnotically nerdy croon.
Madness – Michael Caine
Lacks the blokey charm of most Madness singles, primarily because it features dancer/multi-instrumentalist Chas Smash on lead vocals rather than Suggs. Listen out for the snippets of Michael Caine dialogue that pepper the song.
5:43 PM | 14/11/2007
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Tho with other words in title one might mention the great "Just Like Fred Astaire" by James
Posted by Dan Talley at 8:36 PM | 15/11/2007 | Report Abuse
Matthew Sweet - Winona (Ryder)
Kate Bush - Ken (Livingstone)
Mika - Grace Kelly
Tori Amos - Not David Bowie
Scissor Sisters - Paul MacCartney
Posted by Neil at 2:48 PM | 16/11/2007 | Report Abuse
How 'bout:
Blue Oyster Cult - Joan Crawford Has Risen From the Grave
Posted by kevanishyn at 10:25 PM | 16/11/2007 | Report Abuse
bela logusi/
Posted by marko at 1:41 PM | 17/11/2007 | Report Abuse
i hope i spelt it right
Posted by marko at 1:42 PM | 17/11/2007 | Report Abuse
charles cottrel - graham norton (club remix)
Posted by william trigg at 2:19 PM | 19/11/2007 | Report Abuse
Green eyes (paltrow) - coldplay
susan surrender (sarandon) - kevin johansen
Posted by Luis Mtz at 4:28 PM | 21/11/2007 | Report Abuse
Here's one : The Clash's The Right Profile is about Montgomery Cliff
Posted by Eva B at 4:48 PM | 22/11/2007 | Report Abuse
Elliot Minor - Jessica...Alba The Jessica in question
Posted by Screech at 11:02 PM | 25/11/2007 | Report Abuse
Jessica Simspon by Adam Green??
Posted by Tom Warden at 10:04 AM | 27/11/2007 | Report Abuse
Andy Warhol (occasional actor and director) by David Bowie
Posted by DMcC at 12:00 PM | 28/11/2007 | Report Abuse
Deacon Blue -He looks like Spencer Tracy now
And then there is the Bloodhound Gang's song for 'chewbacca': The Ballad Of Chasey Lain
Posted by Erik Drijvers at 1:48 PM | 28/11/2007 | Report Abuse
Rosanna of Toto is about Rosanna Arquette
Posted by Sergio Flores at 4:11 PM | 01/12/2007 | Report Abuse
Not to forget Bananara's Looking at Robert de Niro's eyes
Posted by jan bos at 12:08 AM | 05/12/2007 | Report Abuse
This question inspired a list of my own at my blog
http://depunkedmusic.blogspot.com/2007/11/ten-songs-named-after-celebrities.html
I mostly agreed with songs already listed here, but other names that I came up with were
Rasputina - Kate Moss
I'm From Barcelona - Britney
Amy Anne - Johnny Depp
Posted by Bridgette Featherstone at 12:22 PM | 06/12/2007 | Report Abuse
Bill Murray - by Gorillaz
Posted by A Walsh at 10:53 AM | 27/01/2008 | Report Abuse
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