Vox Reality

Ok, so I couldn’t resist a veiled reference to the channel I work for. I decided to give things a bit of twist with my take on this month’s theme. Maybe it’s the reality exec in me or the fact that I don’t have many songs about real people in my iTunes, but here are six songs that have some tie to real people or personalities…

“ALL THOSE YEARS AGO” by George Harrison
The first method of incorporating “real people” into songs is the tribute song. John Lennon’s death in 1980 led to a wave of tributes. My personal favorite “Empty Garden” was featured in my list, “E.P.,” back in December, but this George Harrison hit from 1981 is the most popular Lennon tribute. Some have criticized it for being a bit light and fluffy, but it was significant in being the closest thing to a Beatles reunion until the “Free as a Bird” and “Real Love” singles years later.

“DEATH ON TWO LEGS” by Queen
The next “real people” method is the spiteful, “I hate you, I can’t believe you did this to me!” song. Often, this is used for breakup songs (see “Song for the Dumped”), but the “you screwed me over” theme carries into this Queen song that Freddie Mercury wrote about their ex-manager, Norman Sheffield. There’s no subtlety here…but then again, when has there been any in a Queen song? Freddie outright calls the guy a shark. While never a single, this track from the landmark album “A Night at the Opera” shows off Queen’s definitive sound about as well as “Bohemian Rhapsody.”

“YOU’RE SO VAIN” by Carly Simon
Third on the list of “real people” songwriting styles is the “Who is this song about?” category. I present to you the grandmama of them all…”You’re So Vain.” Carly Simon’s song about a gavotting playboy flying around in a Lear jet stands as one of pop music’s greatest mysteries. Who the hell is this song about? Theories have ran the gamut from the song being about Warren Beatty, Kris Kristofferson, James Taylor, and Mick Jagger (who makes a cameo singing backing vocals). I’ve always thought the song was about Narcissus, but then again, that’s just me!

“BOXING” by Ben Folds Five
We now move to a song that utilizes the method of “real people” in a fictional situation. This song, the closer of Ben Folds Five’s phenomenal debut album, sets a scene of of an aging Muhammad Ali giving one more interview to Howard Cosell. This beautiful waltz about boxer’s last hurrah contrasted the rambunctious sounds of other tracks like “Philosophy” and “Uncle Walter.” I still have distinct memories of Ben and the boys doing this live while Robert Sledge put a smoky cigarette in the neck of his bass. This is one I wish was made as a proper video with boxers waltzing in the ring!

“MICHAEL CAINE” by Madness
Time to change things up with a song named after a famous person that has nothing to do about that famous person. Most recently, Scissor Sisters did it with the excellent “Paul McCartney.” We go a little earlier for this one…to 1984 to be exact…with Madness’s song named after the star of “Alfie” and “Jaws: The Revenge.” While the song has a sample of Michael Caine’s voice, it’s all about an informant during The Troubles in Northern Ireland.

“MINNIE MOUSE” by Sparks
And last but not least, a song about a famous character…one so iconic, some kids would think she was real: Minnie Mouse. This ode to the Disney symbol’s girlfriend was written and performed by none other than Sparks for Disney’s “Splashdance” album. It’s goofy (pun intended), synthy 80s fare with a little French thrown just to give that right amount of fromage!

Download: George Harrison, “All Those Years Ago” (mp3)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

Download: Queen, “Death On Two Legs” (mp3)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

Download: Carly Simon, “You’re So Vain” (mp3)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

Download: Ben Folds Five, “Boxing” (mp3)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

Download: Madness, “Michael Caine” (mp3)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)

Download: Sparks, “Minnie Mouse” (mp3)
(Right-click/control-click link to download)