Best Songs That List Things

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First awesome ones that pop into MY head are:
Too $hort - FREAKY TALES, COCKTALES.
Jay Z - Girls Girls Girls.
Jim Carroll Band - People Who Died.
Le Tigre - Hot Topic.
Also, someone help me out with the title of this weird vegan rap song I heard a few years back where the guy lists all the food he eats.....lyrics go like: "lentil soup is, mental fruit / ginger root is good for you"....it goes like this for the whole song.....haha don't ask why, man. Also, everyone knows that the best rap songs are the ones where the rapper breaks down his day.....fresh Nike squeak across the ILM floor and IM OUT

― Ramosi, Wednesday, 13 March 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

argh worst dead prez track ever.

― ethan, Wednesday, 13 March 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

88 Lines About 44 Women -- The Nails

― JM, Wednesday, 13 March 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

tompaulin - my life at the movies

― electric sound of jim, Wednesday, 13 March 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

hahaha, not surprised it's Dead Prez....I despise Dead Prez.....oh big deal they had that fat fart bassline, they're gross......i never said I liked the song, I need it for a tape I'm making.....I'm so insecure all of a sudden.

― Ramosi, Wednesday, 13 March 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

'Reasons to be cheerful'-Ian Dury and the Blockheads

― Michael Bourke, Wednesday, 13 March 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Tom Lehrer, "The Elements" (to the tune of Major-General Stanley's song from _The Pirates of Penzance_!); The Monochrome Set, "Ten Don'ts for Honeymooners."

― Douglas, Wednesday, 13 March 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Also by The Nails: "Things You Left Behind".

― Sean Carruthers, Wednesday, 13 March 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

St Etienne - Girl VII

― Spencer Chow, Wednesday, 13 March 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

RIP

― all dead, but still alive, Wednesday, 13 March 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Swimsuit Issue, My Favorite Things. Does Subterranean Homesick Blues constitute a list??

― Ron Hudson, Wednesday, 13 March 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

well i think endless art by a-house is good in some ways.
but did you know, all the artists they mention are male. every single one. so yeah i like the idea in a way but the way they did it was enforcing/"buying" that whole canonistic thang...cool video though.

― elizabeth anne marjorie, Wednesday, 13 March 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

robert wyatt going through the english alphabet on a soft machine record!

― elizabeth anne marjorie, Wednesday, 13 March 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

teen commandments, don't know who did it but it is the ten commandments of being a teen, it is precious.

― keith, Wednesday, 13 March 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Fleshtones "Hall of Fame", only cause some thread mentioned them recently and I wish I still had the 1984 cassette somewhere.

― Hunter, Wednesday, 13 March 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

The Tribe song on Low End that goes "What is a _____ without _____?" Um, "Friday I'm in Love"?

― Clarke B., Wednesday, 13 March 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Freshly Wrapped Candies had a song in which the female singer chanted the alphabet in the background. I can't remember the name of it, but it's on their first album for Ralph/Whatever That Label Was Calling Itself Then.

― Christine "Green Leafy Dragon" Indigo, Wednesday, 13 March 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

That Church song on 'Magicians Among the Spirits' and the Momus song for Akiko Masuda.

― A Nairn, Wednesday, 13 March 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

and a really good one: Spiritualized 'Think I'm Falling in Love'

― A Nairn, Wednesday, 13 March 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

off the the xen cuts album, Herbaliser featuring Latyrx - 8 Part Agenda. It lists the things the things they believe are wrong, i think. "We don't believe in people other people thiefin the ideas that our cerebrums cultivate and create." Its a tight track, but i hate everything else that this dude puts out. Its all about weed for the most part(go figure).

― Brock K., Wednesday, 13 March 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

AREA CODES

― ddd, Wednesday, 13 March 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Gee, I can't believe nobody's mentioned John Lennon's "God" or that Billy Joel hit. Oh, wait a second, the question was about best songs? OK, now I see why.

― Curt, Thursday, 14 March 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

'trane = favorite things.

50 ways to leave yr lover

guest informant

― Sterling Clover, Thursday, 14 March 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

"It's the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine)," obviously

― M. Matos, Thursday, 14 March 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Death By Chocolate's Land of Chocolate and Teenage Trifle by Lollipop Train

― JW, Thursday, 14 March 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

elizabeth a.m.: well i think endless art by a-house is good in some ways. but did you know, all the artists they mention are male. every single one. so yeah i like the idea in a way but the way they did it was enforcing/"buying" that whole canonistic thang...cool video though.

Yeah, they were made aware of that -- and made another version with only women. Extra track on the CD single, IIRC.

― OleM, Thursday, 14 March 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

There is that Nurse With Wound track where David Tibet reads the List of Influences (wowie) which is cool, although not close to being either ones best song.

― Alex in SF, Thursday, 14 March 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

That reminds me Alex......Daft Punk, TEACHERS! I still need to hear everyone they list. geminiizzinthahouuuuse YEAH!

― Ramosi, Thursday, 14 March 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Love Will Tear Us Apart is a list song.

― Alan Trewartha, Thursday, 14 March 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Kiss off - Violent Femmes

Whatcha Gonna Do About Cleveland? - Jefferson Starship

― Dave225, Thursday, 14 March 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Artphag- 4 Basic Vejabo Groups
Not exactly listing, but in Halsall/Halsey's Bum Love there's a guy counting in the background so they don't go over one minute.
In the song Love May Be Possible by the Butterflies there is a bit that lists 'first beer and then came wine, then beer again, then whiskey, and finally vodka on ice'. I have played this as a game (on my own, unfortunately). I managed to do it a few times over before I fell down.
People Who Died is a fantastic song.

― emil.y, Thursday, 14 March 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

"People who Died" is really the best one, obviously, but I'll go with:

"All of this And Nothing" by the Psychedelic Furs.

― Alex in NYC, Thursday, 14 March 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Things To Do Today - Big Black

― Jeff W, Thursday, 14 March 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

B52s wrote great lists songs - Rock Lobster obviously.

A few Manics songs are list songs too, infact I have a theory about that, because Manics songs scan so badly and the music is so generic, I suspect many manics songs began life as 'list of cool things to put on our t shirts' and the list was mistaken for a lyric sheet, given Richies notorius non-involvment in the recordings. The simple minded pro death penalty one, Archives of Pain, for instance can't possibly a serious attempt to discuss the issues. How Edwards must have laughed ar Bradfield singing his laundry list.

― Alexander Blair, Thursday, 14 March 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

"Life Is a Rock, the Radio Rolled Me" by Reunion.

Alex in NYC's post reminded me of the Psychedelic Furs "We Love You" from their first album.

― Arthur, Thursday, 14 March 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

There's a good Ween song where they list all the food they've just ordered and are about to eat. Something off The Pod if I recall correctly.

― Johnathan, Thursday, 14 March 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

"Commando" the Ramones

― jel --, Thursday, 14 March 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

All Fear songs are list songs because they start with "1-2-3-4, 1-2-3- 4"

― nickn, Thursday, 14 March 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Blimey, I've seen almost all the ones I know mentioned already...

Two more brilliant examples - "What Will Death Be Like" and "A Complete History of Sexual Jealousy" by Momus.

The Northern Soul-tastic "Sweeping The Nation" by Spearmint ("This song's dedicated to..")

"Dance Stance" by Dexy's Midnight Runners (all those Irish poets and writers)

Does "Do The Dog" by the Specials count ?

― Darren, Thursday, 14 March 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

that sublime song at the end of 40 oz that thanks EVERYBODY in OC and then people they like. "D Boon, Jimmy Carl Black"

― chaki, Thursday, 14 March 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Syd's Word Song.

― hamish, Thursday, 14 March 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

"Roast Fish and Cornbread" by Scratch Perry. okay it's just two things, but they're IMPORTANT THINGS.

― Tracer Hand, Thursday, 14 March 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

chicks on speed "for all the boys in the world"

― electric sound of jim, Thursday, 14 March 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

The Church - "Welcome"
Pink Floyd - "Vegetable Man"

― Chris Barrus, Thursday, 14 March 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

oooooooh how could i forget Big Hard Excellent Fish "Imperfect List"

― electric sound of jim, Thursday, 14 March 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Wasn't there a Travelling Wilbury's song (not a best song) where they read the lyrics from a telephone directory -
"We love your.... five speed automatic gearbox
We love your.... industrial welding gear
We love your.... etc

― K_reg aka nick, Friday, 15 March 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Surely we cannot leave out "Coded Language" by occasional ILM poster Saul Williams?

― Marcello Carlin, Friday, 15 March 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

and, duh, "Ten Commandments of Love"

― M Matos, Saturday, 16 March 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

good technology by red guitars was great in its day, like a time- capsule for the mid 80s. aztec camera with mick jones: good morning britain rolls along nicely (as it seems most list songs do, not tied down by gammer and narrative, they can be more poetic, or angry.... am i waffling?)

― dbini, Saturday, 16 March 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

"I Wish" by King Missile, in which the vocalist lists lots of things he wishes were the case.

I wish I could eat the corn of joy and sorrow.
I wish the sky was green and my body was bright blue.
I wish I could talk sideways and backwards.
I wish I could drive the tractor of innocence and return to the life I never knew

and so on. I quite like it.

― OleM, Saturday, 16 March 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

I like Hello by the Beloved, but only because it mentions Vince Hilaire.

― Flowersdie, Monday, 18 March 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Another King Missile song: "Sex With You" (Is all I want, ...And sometimes food, And maybe a movie or play, Some sleep, but not too much at all, A shower with you and some shampoo, ....)

Jill Sobule - Heroes

― Dave225, Monday, 18 March 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

a nice sexist one, Prince Buster - The Ten Commandments of Man, although i think it could well be tongue-in-cheek - been a while since i heard it

― michael, Monday, 18 March 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Theme from 'are you being served'

― mick derrick, Tuesday, 19 March 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

eight months pass...

"his indie world"
mary lou lord

― jojo mac, Wednesday, 27 November 2002 17:13 (twenty-three years ago)

Jonathan, your right the Ween song is on the Pod, its called Pollo Asado.

― Paul R., Wednesday, 27 November 2002 17:30 (twenty-three years ago)

The Ween song "Pollo Asado" mentioned above is hilarious. Especially when the first order has been placed and Deaner goes "thank you, that'll be 16.35...out of 20...okay, 16.35 is your change" and giggles a little. Man, those guys...

I'd like to add Blackalicious' "Make You Feel That Way" to this thread, as he lists things that, uh, well...make you feel that way.

― Nick Coleman (nickalicious), Wednesday, 27 November 2002 17:35 (twenty-three years ago)

Mick Derrick is OTM

― Curtis Stephens, Wednesday, 27 November 2002 17:37 (twenty-three years ago)

six months pass...

Pop Music, by M

― J0hn Darn1elle [er, apparently no it isn't acc. mr Darn1elle — a moderator] (J0h, Tuesday, 10 June 2003 15:38 (twenty-two years ago)

I can't remember exactly, but "2nd Hand Furniture" by the Go-Betweens:

There were 4 front steps and 5 back steps
There was an oriental rug with its weave gone bad
There was a kitchen stove of the kelvinator variety

― dave225 (Dave225), Tuesday, 10 June 2003 15:51 (twenty-two years ago)

Devo - space junk
Its falling everywhere around the world

― Jrvision (visionjr), Tuesday, 10 June 2003 15:57 (twenty-two years ago)

The Fall, "Dr. Buck's Letter"
Tom T. Hall, "I Love"

― andrew m. (andrewmorgan), Tuesday, 10 June 2003 16:47 (twenty-two years ago)

helen love, "rollercoasting"

― fact checking cuz, Tuesday, 10 June 2003 16:55 (twenty-two years ago)

Billy Joel - "We Didn't Start the Fire"
(*ducks...runs away*)

― Lord Custos Epsilon (Lord Custos Epsilon), Tuesday, 10 June 2003 16:58 (twenty-two years ago)

From open mics to solutions I got a collage of answers
and a ten point program, just like the Black Panthers
One: First respect yourself as an artist
If you don't respect yourself then your rhymes is garbage
Two: Make sure your crew is as tight as you
cause when them niggaz fallin off they gonna bring you down too
Three: Understand the meaning of MC
The power to Move the Crowd like Moses split the seas
Four: Know your shit and don't ever be blunted
If you don't know what your words mean then your rhymes mean nothin
Five: Kick facts in the raps, and curse with clarity
What's a curse when language is immersed in vulgarity
Six: We gonna fix industrial poli-tricks
Shit they made an artform out of ridin dicks
Seven: We soldiers for God needin new recruits
So if you rhymin for the loot then youse a prostitute but Eight: Acknowledge that you need food on your plate
In order to say your grace make sure your business is straight
Nine: We buildin black minds with intelligence
and when you freestyle, keep the subject matter relevant
Ten: Every MC grab a pen
and write some concious lyrics to tell the children

― scott m (mcd), Tuesday, 10 June 2003 17:34 (twenty-two years ago)

"nassau collesium" by lifter puller.

nothing like a list of locations... except for, maybe, a list of other things.

― brad koski, Wednesday, 11 June 2003 00:36 (twenty-two years ago)

The fabulous "Teachers" by Daft Punk
and to stay on a Gallic tip: Boris Vian "La Complainte du Progres"

― Fabrice (Fabfunk), Wednesday, 11 June 2003 09:14 (twenty-two years ago)

three years pass...

Barracudas "I Wish It Could Be 1965 Again" lists things from the 60s
Denim's "Osmonds" lists things from the 70s
Denim's "I'm Against the 80's" lists thing from the 80s

― everything (everything), Thursday, 2 November 2006 23:54 (nineteen years ago)

Go-Go's-Girl of 100 Lists
Waitresses-No Guilt

― Orgy of Pragmatism (Charles McCain), Friday, 3 November 2006 00:25 (nineteen years ago)

The Bryan Ferry version of A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall

― kornrulez6969 (TCBeing), Friday, 3 November 2006 00:51 (nineteen years ago)

three years pass...

What if Punk Never Happened by The King Blues
I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles) by The Proclaimers
If I had a milliond dollars by Barenaked Ladies

― JesseJane, Wednesday, 11 August 2010 09:22 (fifteen years ago)

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