The news about music is everywhere nowadays. Everyone loves to immerse themselves in their favorite bands and tunes, especially when the moment calls for it. Many of us have developed a go-to list of songs that we rely on for comfort, inspiration, or to get the party started. But have you ever considered the most amazing pop, rock, and country songs with a name in the title?
If you haven’t, you’re missing out! The fact is, some songs that make a reference to a specific name or group of people have a certain kind of resonance—they become indelible in our memory. From anthems to love ballads to dance smashes, this list of best songs with a name in the title will take you on a magical journey.
Ready to discover the top songs with a name in the title? Read on to find out which songs made the cut!
1 Billie Jean – Michael Jackson
Everyone knows the King of Pop’s timeless classic, “Billie Jean.” Released in 1982, from Jackson’s multiplatinum opus Thriller, the song catapulted Jackson’s career to even greater heights. The track is an emotional journey about Billie Jean, an enigmatic figure Jackson describes as “the girl with a lot of problems.” Michael Jackson’s grandiose vocals and slick melodies make it an instant classic.
2 Layla – Eric Clapton
The iconic 1970 rock ballad, “Layla” gets its titular inspiration from a Persian poem of the same name. As the story goes, Eric Clapton wrote the song after falling in love with Pattie Boyd, the wife of his friend George Harrison of the Beatles. As with most romantic tales, the stars didn’t align, but this love tragedy created one of the most renowned rock songs of all time.
3 Ruby Tuesday – The Rolling Stones
This track was famously featured on the mega-platinum 1967 release, Between the Buttons. “Ruby Tuesday” is a wistful ode to a young woman (or her day of the week) with a penchant for taking unexpected detours. Few tracks are more timeless and iconic of the British Invasion than “Ruby Tuesday.”
4 Maggie May – Rod Stewart
When it comes to folk rock, Rod Stewart is a legend, and never more so than on “Maggie May.” The track comes from Stewart’s 1971 release Every Picture Tells a Story. This song tells the story of a young man struggling to deal with a relationship with an older woman, Maggie May. The folk-y riffs keep listeners enchanted with this lost love story.
5 Sweet Caroline – Neil Diamond
Jackie Kennedy’s daughter, Caroline was only 8 when “Sweet Caroline” was released in 1969. The song kicked off a successful string of hits for Diamond and went on to be one of the most beloved baseball anthems of all time. The anthem’s simple and sweet melody creates a powerful connection to the past, making it an all-time classic.
6 Georgia On My Mind – Ray Charles
Released in 1960, Ray Charles’s simply stunning “Georgia on My Mind” captures the true power and majesty of the American south. This track perfectly encapsulates the yearning for home and connecting with the past. It catapulted Charles to international fame and was later adopted as the official state song of Georgia in 1979.
7 Hey Jude – The Beatles
This timeless classic released in 1968 is one of the most beloved Beatles songs of all time. It was written by Paul McCartney as a birthday anthem to Julian Lennon, son of John Lennon and Cynthia Powell. This power ballad speaks to the need for resilience and the cycle of life. The simple structure, arrangement, and iconic “na na na” chorus endear the track to audiences around the world, making it a classic of the British Invasions.
8 Rhiannon – Fleetwood Mac
Released in 1975, “Rhiannon” is one of rock legend Fleetwood Mac’s most treasured tracks. The song was inspired by earlier works by Welsh singer Mary Hopkin, who wrote the song originally about a character in Welsh mythology. The track was a hit for Fleetwood Mac, entering the US Billboard Top 10 at its peak.
9 Sara – Starship
This 1985 power anthem from the Jefferson Airplane spin-off, Starship, encapsulates the bombastic production and passionate vocals of singer Grace Slick. The song became one of the group’s biggest hits, as well as its first number one single in the United States. With its sweeping melodies, earworm chorus, and bold production, “Sara” is a classic of the AOR rock genre.
10 Jessica – The Allman Brothers
The title track off the 1973 album Brothers and Sisters, “Jessica” is a signature Allman Brothers jam. The track was written in tribute to band member Dickey Betts’ daughter, and its intricate guitar licks became a signature trademark of the Allman Brothers Band. It rightfully deserves its place as one of the greatest Southern Rock anthems of all time.
11 Johnny B. Goode – Chuck Berry
One of the earliest rock n’ roll tracks released in 1958, Chuck Berry’s “Johnny B. Goode” is a classic that stands the test of time. Alongside tunes like “Maybellene”, this track helped galvanize the rumblings of a rift in the American music scene—the move from the traditional big band sounds of the 1950s to the more rebellious and growling sounds of early rock n’ roll.
12 Folsom Prison Blues – Johnny Cash
This iconic country track earned Johnny Cash international fame. Released in 1955, The Man in Black’s “Folsom Prison Blues” is an ode to convicted murder-suicide Clyde Greenwood. The track paints a vivid picture of desperation and seclusions, providing a powerful insight into the human condition. Though Cash performed the track throughout the 1960s, he will forever be remembered for his iconic performance of Folsom Prison Blues at the prison itself in 1968.
13 Candi – Barbi Benton
Country music diva, Barbi Benton, isn’t as well-recognized nowadays as she should be, because her 1975 hit, “Candi”. An up-tempo, mid-tempo rock jam, the track tells the story of the titular Candi, a young runaway girl who finds solace in the music of the night. The track captures the timelessness of the road and the power of escape, making it a classic country rock anthem.
14 Suzie Q – Creedence Clearwater Revival
It’s impossible to make a list of songs with a name in the title and not include Creedence Clearwater Revival’s “Suzie Q”. This track gave the band their first international chart success, reaching the Top 10 in 1968. With its bluesy twang, simple chord progression, and wild solos, the track is an essential part of the American rock canon.
15 Jennifer Juniper – Donovan
This 1967 psychedelic folk jam captures Donovan at his prime. With its folksy story-telling and intricate nuances, “Jennifer Juniper” paints a picture of love and longing. Although it peaked at #26 on the US charts, “Jennifer Juniper” became a psychedelic classic, firmly establishing Donovan’s influence on the ‘60s British Invasion.
16 Melanie – The Commodores
The Motown greats, The Commodores, created this powerhouse track in 1976. “Melanie” is a mid-tempo rhythm and blues ballad that speaks to the heartfelt emotions of loving somebody, even if they don’t feel the same way. The gentle crooning and straightforward melody of this track make it an all-time classic.
17 Maggie Mae – Rod Stewart
This folk song was originally written by Liverpool folk singer-songwriter, Donald “Jackie” Leven in 1971. Later that year, Rod Stewart covered “Maggie Mae” for his Every Picture Tells a Story album, and this spin-off track became a hit in its own right. It captures the essence of the early folk-rock sound of the ‘70s, and has gone on to become an Americana classic.
18 Josie – Steely Dan
In 1977, Steely Dan released their first single, the undulating and sun-kissed “Josie.” The track is an ode to a young woman of the same name, flush with a piano-driven groove and jazzy vocal harmonies. Steely Dan takes the traditional setup and instills it with their funky and distinct sound—proving why they are so beloved by music fans.
