Music About Musicians By Musicians

Introduction

Dexy's Midnight Runners came on the radio covering Van Morrison's "Jackie Wilson Said" and I thought could I put together a playlist of songs or band singing about other singers or bands. We obviously have something to kick off this one and another has just come into my head, bands named after songs, but that can wait awhile.

So we will kick this off.

"Jackie Wilson Said" by Van Morrison from "St Dominic's Preview" and by Dexy's Midnight Runners from "Too-Rye-Ay"

Written by Van Morrison and this will probably be the only one with two versions by different artists. When Dexy's performed it on Top Of The Pops someone gave them a huge backdrop of the darts player Jocky Wilson (you can see the poster in the video I have shared) in a total faux-pas. I did not hear whether they had been taken off poster duties for future programs.

"Sir Duke" by Stevie Wonder from "Songs in the Key of Life"

Stevie Wonder's tribute to Duke Ellington with that superb brass riff. The song is good but the brass riff is an absolute killer, just one of manty stunning ongs on that amazing album. Very upbeat and a favourite of mine.

"Edith Piaf (Said It Better Than Me)" by Sparks from "Hippopotamus"

Sparks are still one of the most innovative bands you will ever hear spanning and soaking up any genre that you might care to name and creating something totally new, and here they name check the French songstress Edith Piaf with an amazing video to accompany the song.

"Roll Over Beethoven" by Chuck Berry

Berry was no angel but gave us some incredible songs and his lyrics were often pure genius and in "Roll Over Beethoven" apart from referring to the classical giant he also namechecks Tchaikovsky as well.

This song has been covered by so many artists and The Beatles and Electric Light Orchestra are but two, and it is a song I used to play when I played in rock and roll bands and even a few other bands.

ABC - "When Smokey Sings" from Alphabet City

Harper Lewis reminded me of this brilliant song, always a favourite of mine. The video has a long intro, but I should not have missed this on the original playlist.

"Bo Diddley" by Bo Diddley

Self referencing himself in this slab of rhythmic genius, covered by so many artists I couldn't even start to list them. Another favourite of mine that I used to play in my you.

I am going include a video that I took which is another song "Hey Bo Diddley" written by the man himself and Lord Rochester are a band that you should definitely see if you ever get the chance.

Ellas McDaniel (born Ellas Otha Bates December 30, 1928 – June 2, 2008), known professionally as Bo Diddley, was an American guitarist and singer who played a key role in the transition from the blues to rock and roll. He influenced many artists, including Buddy Holly,Elvis Presley, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Animals, George Thorogood, and The Clash.

"Hello I'm Johnny Cash" by The Alabama 3 from "Outlaw"

The Alabama 3's name does not refere to the number of band members it refers to a prison name in the United States of America, in this perfect slice of Cash rhythm that would have been worthy of The Man In Black himself.

Forming initially under the name the First Presleyterian Church of Elvis the Divine (UK), and after having been dismissed by the mainstream media as a novelty act, the group switched names to Alabama 3. As with their performances under the previous name, their sound fuses electronic pop with elements of country and blues styles.

Every member of the group has an alias, the band's founding members adopting the personas Larry Love (Rob Spragg) and The Very Reverend Dr. D. Wayne Love (Jake Black). Their second album, La Peste, featured bassist John "Segs" Jennings of the Ruts under the stage name Frank Zappatista.

Conclusion

I hope you enjoy this short playlist featuring musicians featuring musicians.