Songs that are imitations/spoofs/sendups of another singer/band's style

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I'm thinkin of things such as the following:
4th Time Around(Dylan imitating Lennon imitating him on Norwegian Wood)
Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting(Stones)
Smells Like Teen Spirit (Pixies?)
Watch That Man (Stones again?)
I feel like Pavement/The Fall is a little too frequent to count, I am thinking of affectionate/slightly pisstaking one offs from one rival to another
Thanks in advance...

iago g., Tuesday, 7 July 2009 00:55 (fourteen years ago) link

ween to thread

ello. ow are oo? (bug), Tuesday, 7 July 2009 01:00 (fourteen years ago) link

V-2 Schneider?

Julio Afrokeluchie, Tuesday, 7 July 2009 01:01 (fourteen years ago) link

fIREHOSE - "For The Singer Of REM"

henry s, Tuesday, 7 July 2009 01:05 (fourteen years ago) link

does ween do that? examples pls

iago g., Tuesday, 7 July 2009 01:10 (fourteen years ago) link

Little Brother - "Cheatin" (R Kelly and Ronald Isley)

hope this helps (Granny Dainger), Tuesday, 7 July 2009 01:11 (fourteen years ago) link

psh, look at their whole catalogue, they do it all the time. practically every song they do is an imitation of another style
xpost

ello. ow are oo? (bug), Tuesday, 7 July 2009 01:11 (fourteen years ago) link

here's a particularly obvious example
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xbq9I1rTofg

ello. ow are oo? (bug), Tuesday, 7 July 2009 01:14 (fourteen years ago) link

I've always thought the Rolling Stones song "Who's Been Sleeping Here" sounds like them trying to do Dylan.

Emmet Otter's SugBan Christmas (The Yellow Kid), Tuesday, 7 July 2009 01:22 (fourteen years ago) link

"Skin Trade" is Duran Duran's homage to Prince.

Geir Hongro, Tuesday, 7 July 2009 01:25 (fourteen years ago) link

Blur are kind of specialists at this:

"She's So High": Stone Roses
"For Tomorrow": XTC
"Stereotypes" and "Country House": Madness
"Fade Away": Specials
"T.O.P.M.A.N": Fun Boy Three
"Entertain Me": Berlin era David Bowie
"Beetlebum": White Album era Beatles
"Song 2": Nirvana
"You're So Great": Pavement

Geir Hongro, Tuesday, 7 July 2009 01:32 (fourteen years ago) link

REM "Radio Free Europe" (Tommy Tutone)

Julio Afrokeluchie, Tuesday, 7 July 2009 01:39 (fourteen years ago) link

Speaking of this weekend's death of Robert McNamara (which we weren't):

Simon & Garfunkel - "A Simple Desultory Philippic (Or How I Was Robert McNamara'd Into Submission)" - A somewhat embarrassing Dylan parody

Hideous Lump, Tuesday, 7 July 2009 01:50 (fourteen years ago) link

Nirvana "Aero Zeppelin"

Julio Afrokeluchie, Tuesday, 7 July 2009 01:57 (fourteen years ago) link

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TpGFAMlZsmE

ello. ow are oo? (bug), Tuesday, 7 July 2009 02:06 (fourteen years ago) link

Bruce Springsteen: State Trooper (Suicide)

kornrulez6969, Tuesday, 7 July 2009 02:08 (fourteen years ago) link

Phil Collins "In the Air Tonight" (Peter Gabriel)

Julio Afrokeluchie, Tuesday, 7 July 2009 02:14 (fourteen years ago) link

ok, bug, other than that song royally sucking, how'z about letting us know who they are supposed to be imitating?

iago g., Tuesday, 7 July 2009 02:23 (fourteen years ago) link

lol, you're precious. it sounds like jimmy buffet to me, with the steel drums and all.

ello. ow are oo? (bug), Tuesday, 7 July 2009 02:28 (fourteen years ago) link

isnt it just general knowledge that that's ween's deal u____u

wilter, Tuesday, 7 July 2009 02:32 (fourteen years ago) link

guess you had to be there

iago g., Tuesday, 7 July 2009 02:39 (fourteen years ago) link

.....

wilter, Tuesday, 7 July 2009 02:40 (fourteen years ago) link

where?

ello. ow are oo? (bug), Tuesday, 7 July 2009 02:50 (fourteen years ago) link

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zp1AO57-ic0

ello. ow are oo? (bug), Tuesday, 7 July 2009 02:50 (fourteen years ago) link

Weird Al's "Dare to Be Stupid" is an homage to Devo

Alex in NYC, Tuesday, 7 July 2009 02:53 (fourteen years ago) link

Kim Carnes apeing Rod (the Mod) Stewart in 'Bette Davis Eyes'

ambience chaser (S-), Tuesday, 7 July 2009 02:53 (fourteen years ago) link

4 Electric Light Orchestras:

Randy Newman - "The Story of a Rock 'n Roll Band" (parody)
Adrian Belew - "Big Blue Sun" (unspoken homage)
L.E.O. - Alpacas Orgling (spoken homage)
The Moody Blues - "Gemini Dream" (possibly not intentional, but boy is it ELOish)

Hideous Lump, Tuesday, 7 July 2009 04:09 (fourteen years ago) link

^ also Huey Lewis "Do You Believe in Love"

ELO "Don't Bring Me Down" (Abba)

Julio Afrokeluchie, Tuesday, 7 July 2009 04:18 (fourteen years ago) link

Randy Newman "Rider in the Rain" (Eagles)
Steely Dan "Glamour Profession" (Dr Buzzard)

Julio Afrokeluchie, Tuesday, 7 July 2009 04:26 (fourteen years ago) link

Ween "Pandy Fackler" (Steely Dan)
Neil Young "Powderfinger" (Lynyrd Skynyrd)
Neil Young "Computer Age" (Kraftwerk)

Julio Afrokeluchie, Tuesday, 7 July 2009 04:32 (fourteen years ago) link

Faces - Lazy Sunday is the source of inspiration to Blur's Parklife.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhyEMZkfLMo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SIEsmGzo2UE

Moka, Tuesday, 7 July 2009 04:34 (fourteen years ago) link

Gene Simmons "See You Tonite" (Beatles)
Paul Stanley "Wouldn't You Like To Know Me" (Raspberries)
Kiss "Hard Luck Woman" (Rod Stewart)
Kiss "I Want You" (Led Zeppelin)
Led Zeppelin "Going to California" (Joni Mitchell)

Julio Afrokeluchie, Tuesday, 7 July 2009 04:38 (fourteen years ago) link

Pulp "Party Hard" (Bowie)

Julio Afrokeluchie, Tuesday, 7 July 2009 04:43 (fourteen years ago) link

I thought we did this before, but "Rivers" is a pretty damn good Weezer song written and performed by Sugar Ray.

the sideburns are album-specific (jon /via/ chi 2.0), Tuesday, 7 July 2009 04:53 (fourteen years ago) link

the Soft Boys' "Only the Stones Remain" is about, uh, the Stones. And Stonehenge, I guess.

sciolism, Tuesday, 7 July 2009 04:59 (fourteen years ago) link

Weird Al's "Dare to Be Stupid" is an homage to Devo

Weird Al has done about 100 similar spoofs.

Geir Hongro, Tuesday, 7 July 2009 10:09 (fourteen years ago) link

ELO "Don't Bring Me Down" (Abba)

Don't hear this at all. If you'd said:

Elvis Costello - "Oliver's Army" for Abba I'd agree.

DJ Angoreinhardt (Billy Dods), Tuesday, 7 July 2009 10:28 (fourteen years ago) link

Steely Dan "Do It Again" (Santana)

Bill Magill, Tuesday, 7 July 2009 13:12 (fourteen years ago) link

More obviously:
Titanic: "Sultana" (Santana)

Geir Hongro, Tuesday, 7 July 2009 15:41 (fourteen years ago) link

Yoko Ono's Midsummer New York has a very Elvis/early Beatles sound to me, not that I have read that it was intentional..

she started dancing to that (Finefinemusic), Tuesday, 7 July 2009 15:44 (fourteen years ago) link

The two Jay Reatard tracks on the split with Oh Sees are send ups of Times New Viking and Blank Dogs:

"Telephone Voltage Network"
"Blank Blogs"

city worker, Tuesday, 7 July 2009 15:46 (fourteen years ago) link

Back in the USSR is the obvious one that comes to mind

Roberto Spiralli, Tuesday, 7 July 2009 15:47 (fourteen years ago) link

Tears For Fears: "Sowing The Seeds Of Love" (1967 Beatles)

Geir Hongro, Tuesday, 7 July 2009 15:47 (fourteen years ago) link

Weird Al has done about 100 similar spoofs.

True, but unlike the lion's share of his work, this track is an original song that parodies/tributes Devo's style as opposed to merely one of their songs.

Alex in NYC, Tuesday, 7 July 2009 16:07 (fourteen years ago) link

When I say Yankovic has made some 100 spoofs, then I mean spoofs/pastiches. Yes, he has also done song parodies, but about half of the songs of every one of his album is an original song that parodies the style of some famous performer.

See these clips for:

"Brian Wilson":
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kEodu4yLSzw

"Talking Heads":
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FWhsuqFj8kU

"James Taylor":
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zYDo2exy7dg

"Nine Inch Nails":
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wqSKqS91UdA

"R.E.M.: :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dwRYZz0K1Dk

"Beach Boys":
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MV-a4LZLcuY

"Beastie Boys":
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-LobFMX6RFw

And at least an anthemic ballad like Band Aid/USA For Africa etc:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cnr-lIg3uaA

Geir Hongro, Tuesday, 7 July 2009 16:22 (fourteen years ago) link

Weird Al's "Craigslist" is a full-on Doors pastiche (and is hilarious):
http://www.spinner.com/2009/06/15/weird-al-yankovic-craigslist-video-premiere/

her performance (ie, her pubes) stood out for me (HI DERE), Tuesday, 7 July 2009 16:27 (fourteen years ago) link

that one traveling wilburys song

rip dom passantino 3/5/09 never forget (max), Tuesday, 7 July 2009 16:34 (fourteen years ago) link

Speaking of people who spoofed themselves, sort of, you may add Diana Ross' "Chain Reaction", which was a brilliant "Supremes-with-and-80s-sound" thing.

Geir Hongro, Tuesday, 7 July 2009 16:35 (fourteen years ago) link

Alice Cooper, "Blue Turk" (The Doors)

Then in walked Barbara Castle with the Lady Eleanor (Tom D.), Tuesday, 7 July 2009 16:36 (fourteen years ago) link

Frank Zappa, "Broken Hearts Are for Assholes" (Adrian Belew does a pretty good Bob Dylan)

Beanbag the Gardener (WmC), Tuesday, 7 July 2009 16:42 (fourteen years ago) link

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8r0XFYHkanQ

Pleasant Plains, Tuesday, 7 July 2009 16:51 (fourteen years ago) link

xpost - zappa song is "flakes"

Julio Afrokeluchie, Tuesday, 7 July 2009 17:00 (fourteen years ago) link

Benny Hill, What a World (Bob Dylan)

Then in walked Barbara Castle with the Lady Eleanor (Tom D.), Tuesday, 7 July 2009 17:03 (fourteen years ago) link

Dang it, I had a feeling I was naming the wrong song.

Beanbag the Gardener (WmC), Tuesday, 7 July 2009 17:04 (fourteen years ago) link

How do you embed a YouTube movie? Fuck it, consider this

Then in walked Barbara Castle with the Lady Eleanor (Tom D.), Tuesday, 7 July 2009 17:06 (fourteen years ago) link

There are two on the second side of "Hunky Dory". First "Song For Bob Dylan" and then "Queen Bitch" (Velvet Underground).

Geir Hongro, Tuesday, 7 July 2009 17:07 (fourteen years ago) link

Fleetwood Mac did this a bit in the early days. Fake Elvis, fake [various blues guys who I don't know much about]

dlp9001, Tuesday, 7 July 2009 17:47 (fourteen years ago) link

Weird Al does Frank Zappa with "Genius in France". The most obvious Ween one that I can think of is "Let Me Lick Your Pussy" as a Prince imitation.

joygoat, Tuesday, 7 July 2009 17:53 (fourteen years ago) link

The Left Banke - Bryant Hotel (The Kinks)

He's a dilly through and through (unregistered), Tuesday, 7 July 2009 18:12 (fourteen years ago) link

Prefab Sprout- Cars and Girls (Springsteen)

mizzell, Tuesday, 7 July 2009 18:20 (fourteen years ago) link

Other than lyrically "Cars And Girls" doesn't sound much like Springsteen though.

Geir Hongro, Tuesday, 7 July 2009 18:21 (fourteen years ago) link

Justin Timberlake: "Rock Your Body" (Michael Jackson)

Tuomas, Tuesday, 7 July 2009 18:45 (fourteen years ago) link

that one traveling wilburys song

― rip dom passantino 3/5/09 never forget (max), Tuesday, July 7, 2009 12:34 PM (2 hours ago) Bookmark Suggest Ban Permalink

oooh, slamming post, man.

Bill Magill, Tuesday, 7 July 2009 19:20 (fourteen years ago) link

This song by The Monroes was a huge hit in Norway in the summer of 1983, and sounds exactly like something Madness might have come up with:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3OUUl9ttTM

Geir Hongro, Wednesday, 8 July 2009 08:27 (fourteen years ago) link

Battles - Atlas / The Glitter Band

ithappens, Wednesday, 8 July 2009 08:56 (fourteen years ago) link

The Fall - I Am Damo Suzuki

Snop Snitchin, Wednesday, 8 July 2009 14:50 (fourteen years ago) link

America's Horse with no Name = Neil Young.Even his dad thought it was his son after hearing the song on the radio (according to Shakey)

Pinto Basin, Wednesday, 8 July 2009 17:13 (fourteen years ago) link

Denim's album Back in Denim is rife with vitriolic send-ups of Bowie, Kiss, Oasis, and rock and roll in general.

the who cares (okamax), Thursday, 9 July 2009 00:15 (fourteen years ago) link

As well as Queen and the Rollers and most of the 70s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6Wp_Hr64EQ

the who cares (okamax), Thursday, 9 July 2009 00:17 (fourteen years ago) link

and Ace Frehly

dan selzer, Thursday, 9 July 2009 00:44 (fourteen years ago) link

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-4vMQOOiUY

dan selzer, Thursday, 9 July 2009 00:44 (fourteen years ago) link

Hellacopters "Paul Stanley"

Julio Afrokeluchie, Thursday, 9 July 2009 00:51 (fourteen years ago) link

ween to thread
― ello. ow are oo? (bug), Tuesday, 7 July 2009 01:00 (2 days ago)

Yup.. the exact statement I wanted to post..

First time I heard "The Mollusk" I recall having a band for every song.. I won't be able to remember it exactly but here's my best shot..

"The Mollusk" spoken part sounds like The Moody Blues.
"Polka Dot Tail" the effect on the guitar solo always reminded me of the one in Pink Floyd's "Time."
"Buckingham Green" vocals totally reminded me of Ozzy.

Fuck.. 3 out of 14 isn't especially great, but better than nothing.

billstevejim, Thursday, 9 July 2009 01:02 (fourteen years ago) link

Also "Baby Bitch" pre-dating Elliott Smith is just weird..

billstevejim, Thursday, 9 July 2009 01:02 (fourteen years ago) link

I am kinda ashamed to admit that the first thing that came to mind upon reading the thread title was an Anal Cunt song.

I hurt your arm and now I want to dress your arm, please (dyao), Thursday, 9 July 2009 01:05 (fourteen years ago) link

Liam Lynch - Fake Songs

kickstand. kickstand? kickstand! (los blue jeans), Thursday, 9 July 2009 04:08 (fourteen years ago) link

Peter Paul and Mary - "I Dig Rock and Roll Music"

kickstand. kickstand? kickstand! (los blue jeans), Thursday, 9 July 2009 04:14 (fourteen years ago) link

Utopia - _Deface the Music_ (Beatles)

Jeff Wright, Thursday, 9 July 2009 16:27 (fourteen years ago) link

P.M. Dawn - Art Deco Halos - (T. Rex)

dlp9001, Friday, 10 July 2009 01:18 (fourteen years ago) link

Weezer - "The Greatest Man That Ever Lived (Variations on a Shaker Hymn)" is like the Ulysses of this shit.

Not No Cow (Fuckatimest), Friday, 10 July 2009 17:12 (fourteen years ago) link

Wings' "Arrow Through Me" = Steely Dan

My name is Kenny! (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Friday, 10 July 2009 17:13 (fourteen years ago) link

brian eno -- dead finks don't talk (bryan ferry)

69, Friday, 10 July 2009 17:18 (fourteen years ago) link

Thanks everybody--inspired examples!

iago g., Friday, 10 July 2009 21:12 (fourteen years ago) link

Nirvana - Smells like Teen Spirit.

(The version on Top of the Pops: Morrissey)

Mark G, Friday, 10 July 2009 21:26 (fourteen years ago) link

There are two on the second side of "Hunky Dory". First "Song For Bob Dylan" and then "Queen Bitch" (Velvet Underground).

― Geir Hongro, Tuesday, July 7, 2009 5:07 PM (3 days ago) Bookmark

QB sounds nothing like the VU! and bewlay bros sounds more like dylan than does song for BD!

69, Friday, 10 July 2009 21:29 (fourteen years ago) link

i guess its sendups not soundalikes though

69, Friday, 10 July 2009 21:29 (fourteen years ago) link


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