list of songs containing overt reference to real musicians

Songwriters occasionally write songs that make overt references to real musicians and bands. This list excludes hip hop songs because overt references to real musicians are more common than not. Hip hop arose as an informal accompaniment to dance music, when performers spoke over percussion breaks. Over time, these performers began speaking more and more in sync with the beat, and thus was born rapping. Without any true song traditions to fall back on, most of these early rappers told simple stories, jokes and teased their friends and enemies. As a result, modern hip hop musicians traditionally mention performers that inspired them, performers who they consider untalented, or other simple references to real musicians.

List

Entries are listed with the following syntax: "Song Title" by musical artist(s) most associated with song references musicians and/or bands referred to.

Numbers

"1974" by Robyn Hitchcock references David Crosby, Syd Barrett, and Led Zeppelin. (as well as covertly referencing David Bowie.)
"1977" by The Clash references the Beatles, Elvis Presley, and the Rolling Stones
"1985" by Bowling For Soup references Bruce Springsteen, Madonna, Nirvana, U2, Blondie, Limp Bizkit, Duran Duran, Van Halen, Wham!, Whitesnake, Mtley Cre and Ozzy Osbourne.

A

"Acoustic Guitar" by Magnetic Fields references Steve Earle, Charo, and Gwar.
"Acting Like Black Sabbath" by the Dayglo Abortions references Black Sabbath and Tony Iommi.
"Afraid" by David Bowie references the Beatles.
"The Agony Of Laffitte " by Spoon references Metallica.
"Alex Chilton" by The Replacements references Alex Chilton and Big Star.
"Alan Parsons In A Winter Wonderland" by Grandaddy references Alan Parsons.
"All the Young Dudes" by Mott the Hoople references T. Rex, The Beatles, and The Rolling Stones.
"AM Radio" by Everclear references Jimmy Page and Led Zeppelin.
"And It Stoned Me" by Van Morrison references Jelly Roll Morton.
"Andy Warhol" by David Bowie references Andy Warhol.
"Anti-Music Song" by The Mountain Goats references Van Morrison, Morrissey, Jimi Hendrix, Brian Jones, and Brian Wilson.
"Astrud" by Basia references Astrud Gilberto.
"Axl Rose" by SR-71 references Axl Rose.

B

"Bach To Bach" by The Bobs references Johann Sebastian Bach (as if sung by him and his wife).
"Back in My Arms Again" by The Supremes references Supremes Florence Ballard and Mary Wilson
"Bad Cover Version" by Pulp references The Rolling Stones.
"The Ballad of Dorothy Parker" by Prince references Joni Mitchell
"Ballrooms of Mars" by T. Rex references Bob Dylan and John Lennon.
"Battle Of Who Could Care Less " by Ben Folds Five references The Cure.
"Be My Yoko" by The Bobs references Yoko Ono.
"Be My Yoko Ono" by Barenaked Ladies references Yoko Ono.
"Beautiful Ground" by Grandaddy references Beck.
"Blow Your Tuneless Trumpet" by The Mekons references U2.
"Bob Dylan Wrote Propaganda Songs" by The Minutemen references Bob Dylan.
"Bob Wills Is Still The King" by Waylon Jennings references Bob Wills.
"Bogusflow" by Beck references Public Enemy and The Clash.
"Born To Be Sold" by Transvision Vamp references numerous musicians, including Elvis Presley and Madonna.
"Brian Wilson" by Barenaked Ladies references Brian Wilson.
"Buddy Holly" by Weezer references Buddy Holly.

C

"Californication" by the Red Hot Chili Peppers references Kurt Cobain
"Carl Perkins' Cadillac" by the Drive-By Truckers references Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, Elvis Presley; it also references record producer Sam Phillips.
"The Chelsea Hotel Oral Sex Song" by Jeffrey Lewis references Leonard Cohen and Sid Vicious
"The Children of the Eighties" by Joan Baez references The Rolling Stones, The Beatles, The Doors, Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix, and Janis Joplin.
"Chocolate City" by Parliament references Stevie Wonder and Aretha Franklin.
"City of the Dead" by The Clash references Johnny Thunders.
"Cleaning Windows" by Van Morrison references Blind Lemon Jefferson, Leadbelly, Brownie McGhee, Jimmie Rodgers, Sonny Terry and Muddy Waters.
"Come On, Eileen" by Dexy's Midnight Runners references Johnnie Ray.
"Couch Potato" by "Weird Al" Yankovic references Ozzy Osbourne, Madonna, and Jennifer Lopez
"Creeque Alley" by The Mamas & the Papas references Roger McGuinn, Barry McGuire, and John Sebastian (plus extensive references to themselves).
"Cubs in Five" by The Mountain Goats references Heaven 17.

D

"Daft Punk is Playing at My House" by lcd soundsystem references Daft Punk
"The Day" by They Might Be Giants is about "The day Marvin Gaye and Phil Ochs got married".
"Dead Elvis" by the Doug Anthony All Stars is about Elvis Presley.
"Dead Rock N Roll Stars" by Wally Pleasant references Jimi Hendrix, Buddy Holly, Janis Joplin, Marvin Gaye, Elvis Presley, Jim Morrison, Keith Moon, Sid Vicious, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Randy Rhoads, Eddie Cochran, Bob Marley, Roy Orbison, John Lennon, Brian Jones, Karen Carpenter, and Wally Pleasant.
"Death Singing" by Patti Smith references Benjamin Smoke.
"Debbie Gibson Is Pregnant With My Two-Headed Love Child" by Mojo Nixon references Debbie Gibson.
"Desert Island Discs" by Rheostatics references AC/DC, Ludwig von Beethoven, The Inbreds, Grace Jones, Herbert von Karajan, Martha and the Muffins, Randy Newman and The Ramones.
"Dio" by Tenacious D references Ronnie James Dio.
"Dirt" by Lou Reed references Bobby Fuller.
"Do it With Madonna" by The Androids references Christina Aguilera, Pink, Madonna, Britney Spears, and Kylie Minogue.
"Do You Remember" by The Beach Boys references Chuck Berry and Elvis Presley
"Do You Remember Rock 'n' Roll Radio" by The Ramones references John Lennon, Jerry Lee Lewis, Ol' Moulty of the Barbarians, and T. Rex.
"Don Henley Must Die" by Mojo Nixon references Don Henley and Glenn Frey.
"Don't Let Me Get Me" by Pink references Britney Spears.
"Don't Rock the Jukebox" by Alan Jackson references the Rolling Stones and George Jones.
"Dr. Slingshot" by The Amboy Dukes references Jimi Hendrix, The Mothers Of Invention, The Electric Flag, Blue Cheer, Cream, Big Brother and the Holding Company, The Who, The Doors, Donovan, and Bob Dylan.
"Dreaming of Injured Popstars" by Chris T-T references Lisa Scott-Lee, Jean Michel Jarre, Cline Dion, Cliff Richard, Lou Reed, Gloria Estefan, Cher, Bob Dylan, and Kelly Jones.
"Drive-in Saturday" by David Bowie references Mick Jagger and Carl Jung.

E

"E-Bow the Letter" by R.E.M. references Maria Callas.
"Eddie Vedder" by Local H references Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam.
"Elvis Is Everywhere" by Mojo Nixon references Elvis Presley.
"Eminem Is Gay" by Chris T-T references Eminem, Dr Dre, and D-12.
"Endless Art" by A House references Jimi Hendrix, Sid Vicious, Brian Jones, Otis Redding, Elvis Presley, Johnnie Ray, John Lennon, Keith Moon, Ian Curtis, Ludwig van Beethoven, Johann Sebastian Bach, Johannes Brahms, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Johann Strau and Richard Strauss (and a lot more writers and artists)
"Empty Garden (Hey, Hey Johnny)" by Elton John references John Lennon.
"Everybody's Makin' It Big But Me" by Dr. Hook references Elvis Presley, Paul McCartney, Bob Dylan, Neil Diamond , Alice Cooper, Elton John, David Bowie and Mick Jagger
"Everything You Did" by Steely Dan references The Eagles.
"Everything Zen" by Bush references Elvis Presley (it also covertly references David Bowie).
"Everywhere I Go (I Hear the Go Go's)" by Phranc references The Go-Go's.
"Expectations" by Belle & Sebastian references The Velvet Underground.

F

"Fan Letter to Michael Jackson" by Rheostatics references Michael Jackson.
"Fire Water Burn" by The Bloodhound Gang references Barry White, Frank Black, Marvin Gaye, Martha Raye, Lawrence Welk, Kurt Cobain, and Jimi Hendrix.
"Folk Singer" by Brendan Benson references John Lennon.
"Frank Sinatra" by Cake references Frank Sinatra.
"From Galway to Graceland" by Richard Thompson references Elvis Presley.
"From Hank to Hendrix" by Neil Young references Hank Williams, Jimi Hendrix, and Madonna.
"Fruitcakes" by Jimmy Buffett references Bob Marley.

G

"Gee, I Wish I Was Back In The Army" by Irving Berlin (performed by Rosemary Clooney, Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, and Vera-Ellen) references Bob Hope and Al Jolson.
"Genius of Love" by Tom Tom Club references Kurtis Blow, Bohannon, Bootsy Collins, James Brown, Bob Marley, Smokie Robinson, and Sly and Robbie.
"Get Off The Air" by The Angry Samoans references David Bowie, Joan Jett and Phil Spector.
"Golden Age Of Radio" by Josh Ritter references Patsy Cline.
"God" by John Lennon references Elvis Presley, Bob Dylan, The Beatles, and Yoko Ono.
"Godstar" by Psychic TV references Brian Jones
"Gone Country" by Alan Jackson references Bob Dylan.
"Good Times Rock and Roll" by Robyn Hitchcock references the Young Fresh Fellows, Superdeluxe, and the Presidents of the United States of America.
"Goodnight Saigon" by Billy Joel references The Doors.
"Grade 9" by Barenaked Ladies references Styx.
"Grant Hart" by The Posies references Grant Hart (Hsker D).
"Growing Up With GNR" by Aqueduct references Axl Rose.

H

"Hate My Love" by The Proclaimers references Johnny Cash
"Hats Off to (Roy) Harper" by Led Zeppelin references Roy Harper.
"Have Mercy" by The Judds references Merle Haggard and George Jones
"(He'll Never Be An) Old Man River" by TISM references Bon Scott, Jimi Hendrix, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Cass Elliott, and Michael Jackson.
"Hell Yeah" by Montgomery Gentry references Merle Haggard, Johnny Cash, and Bruce Springsteen
"Here's To Life" by Streetlight Manifesto references Kurt Cobain.
"Hey Hey My My" by Neil Young references Johnny Rotten.
"Hey Nineteen" by Steely Dan references Aretha Franklin.
"Hey Student!" by The Fall references Pearl Jam.
"Hi We're The Replacements" by They Might Be Giants references The Replacements.
"Hip-Hop and Honky Tonk" by Cledus T. Judd references Merle Haggard, George Strait, Snoop Dogg, George Jones, Shania Twain, Jo Dee Messina, Janet Jackson, Michael Jackson, Tito Jackson, Stonewall Jackson and Alan Jackson.
"How Forever Feels" by Kenny Chesney references Jimmy Buffett.
"How Fucking Romantic" by Magnetic Fields references Rodgers and Hart.
"Hydra" by Dir en grey references Sid Vicious.

I

"I Am Damo Suzuki" by The Fall references Damo Suzuki (of Can) and Karlheinz Stockhausen.
"I Dig Rock & Roll Music" by Peter, Paul & Mary references The Mamas & The Papas, Donovan, and The Beatles.
"I Dreamed I Saw Phil Ochs Last Night" by Billy Bragg references Phil Ochs.
"I Feel Better Than James Brown" by Was (Not Was) references James Brown.
"I Feel Like Buddy Holly" by Alvin Stardust references Buddy Holly.
"I Feel Lucky" by Mary Chapin Carpenter references Lyle Lovett and Dwight Yoakam.
"I Hate Jimmy Page" by Mindless Self Indulgence references Jimmy Page.
"I Hate Led Zeppelin" by Screeching Weasel references Led Zeppelin.
"I Hate Oasis (And I Hate The Beatles) by Teen Anthems references Oasis, The Beatles, The Kinks, The Faces, and Cast.
"I Hate The Beach Boys" by The Bobs references The Beach Boys.
"I Heard Ramona Sing" by Frank Black references The Ramones.
"I Just Shot John Lennon" by The Cranberries references John Lennon.
"I Saw Nick Drake" by Robyn Hitchcock references Nick Drake.
"I Took Your Name" by R.E.M. references Iggy Pop.
"I Try to Think about Elvis" by Patty Loveless references Elvis Presley, the Beatles, and the Rolling Stones.
"I Walk the Line Revisited" by Rodney Crowell with Johnny Cash references Johnny Cash.
"I Wanna Be Your Joey Ramone" by Sleater-Kinney references Joey Ramone and Thurston Moore.
"I Wanna Kill James Taylor" by Ivan and the Executioners references James Taylor.
"I Won't Be Your Yoko Ono" by Dar Williams references John Lennon and Yoko Ono.
"I'll Never Smoke Weed with Willie Again" by Toby Keith references Willie Nelson.
"I'm A Cuckoo" by Belle & Sebastian references Thin Lizzy (by name and by stylistic homage).
"Iceland" by The Fall references Megas.
"In the Days Before Rock 'n' Roll" by Van Morrison references Ray Charles, Fats Domino, John Lee Hooker, Lightning Hopkins, Jerry Lee Lewis, Elvis Presley, possibly Sonny Terry or Sonny Boy Williamson, and Muddy Waters.
"In the Garage" by Weezer references KISS.
"It's 5 o'clock Somewhere" by Alan Jackson and Jimmy Buffett references Jimmy Buffett.
"It's the End of the World as We Know It" by R.E.M. references Leonard Bernstein and Lester Bangs.

J

"Jackie Wilson Said (I'm In Heaven When You Smile)" by Van Morrison references Jackie Wilson.
"Jail Guitar Doors" by The Clash references Wayne Kramer, Peter Green, and Keith Richards
"The Jean Genie" by David Bowie references Marilyn Monroe and Snow White.
"Jennifer Lopez" by Xiu Xiu references Jennifer Lopez.
"JESSICA" by Dir en grey references Sid Vicious.
"Jimmy Webb Is God" by The Boo Radleys references Jimmy Webb.
"Joe Strummer's Midnight Dream" by Chris Harford references Joe Strummer.
"Joey Ramoney" by Helen Love references Joey Ramone
"John Cage Bubblegum" by Stereolab references John Cage.
"Johnny B. Goode" by Chuck Berry references Johnnie Johnson (common nickname).
"Johnny's Gonna Die" by The Replacements references Johnny Thunders.
"Just Like Eddie" by Heinz references Eddie Cochran
"Just Wonderin'" by River City High references Jimmy Page and Led Zeppelin.

K

"K-Klass Kisschase" by Heavenly references K-Klass.
"Kill the Bee Gees" by The Accident references The Bee Gees.
"Krupa" by Apollo 440 references Gene Krupa.
"Kylie Said To Jason" by The KLF references Todd Terry, Kylie Minogue, Jason Donovan, and Rolf Harris.

L

"Laser Show" by Fountains of Wayne references Pink Floyd and Metallica.
"Late" by Ben Folds references Elliott Smith.
"The Late Great Johnny Ace" by Paul Simon references Johnny Ace, The Beatles, the Rolling Stones, and John Lennon.
"Life Is A Rock (But The Radio Rolled Me)" by Reunion references (take a deep breath) B. Bumble & The Stingers, Mott The Hoople, Ray Charles Singers, Lonnie Mack, Duane Eddy, Poco, Deep Purple, Sam Cooke, Lesley Gore, Richie Valens, Mahavishnu Orchestra, possibly Ronnie Spector, Barry White, Righteous Brothers, The Archies, Harry Nilsson, Fats Domino, The Salutations, Brenda & The Tabulations, Carly Simon, The Rolling Stones, Johnny Cash, Johnny Rivers, Mungo Jerry, Peter, Paul & Mary, Dr. John, Doris Day, Leon Russell, Smokey Robinson & The Miracles, Bonnie Bramlett, Wilson Pickett, Screamin' Jay Hawkins, Dale Hawkins, Ronnie Hawkins, John Denver, Donny Osmond, J.J. Cale, ZZ Top, David Bowie, Steely Dan, Edgar Winters, Joanie Sommers, The Ides of March, Johnny Thunders, Eric Clapton, and Stephen Foster.
"Life on Mars?" by David Bowie references Mickey Mouse and John Lennon.
"Like Dylan in the Movies" by Belle and Sebastian references Bob Dylan.
"Limp Bizkit Think They're Black But They're Just Gay" by Anal Cunt references Limp Bizkit
"Lisdoonvarna" by Christy Moore references Jackson Browne.
"London Calling" by The Clash references The Beatles.
"London's Brilliant" by Elvis Costello, recorded by Wendy James, references Joe Strummer and Mick Jones of The Clash.
"Long Live The UK Music Scene" by Helen Love references The Bluetones, Gina G, Jonathan King, The Longpigs, Oasis, Ocean Colour Scene, and Shed Seven.
"Long May You Run" by Neil Young references The Beach Boys.
"Long Time Gone" by Dixie Chicks references Merle Haggard, Johnny Cash, Eddie Money, Hank Williams, and Hank Williams, Jr.
"Lou Reed" by Public Image Ltd. references Lou Reed
"Love Love Love" by The Mountain Goats references Kurt Cobain
"Love Will Keep Us Together" by Captain & Tennille references Neil Sedaka
"Loving the Alien" by David Bowie references Richard the Lionheart (note, the lyrics reference "Coeuf de Leon," considered a definate mispelling of Coeur de Leon).
"Luckenbach, Texas" by Waylon Jennings references Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Hank Williams, and Mickey Newberry.
"Luther Played The Boogie-Woogie" by Johnny Cash references Luther Perkins.

M

"Made in England" by Elton John references Little Richard
"Make Believe" by The Pixies references Debbie Gibson.
"Man On The Moon" by R.E.M. references Mott the Hoople, Elvis Presley
"Me and the Major" by Belle & Sebastian references Roxy Music.
"Meet the Beatle" by The Tall Dwarfs references The Beatles.
"Meanwhile, Rick James..." by Cake references Rick James.
"Michael Jackson" by Fatboy Slim references Michael Jackson and Tina Turner. The song contains few words except for "Michael Jackson" and "Tina Turner". See http://www.lyricsdir.com/f/fatboy-slim/michael-jackson.php.
"Midnight in Montgomery" by Alan Jackson references Hank Williams
"Mike Love Not War" by Oranger references Mike Love.
"Mix Tape" by Brand New references Morrissey and The Smiths
"Monkey" by Counting Crows references Ben Folds.
"Mota" by The Offspring references Jimmy Buffett
"Motorvator" by The Riffs references T.Tex
"Mountain Energei" by The Fall references Dolly Parton.
"Mr. Sandman" by The Chordettes references Liberace
"Mr. Wilson" by John Cale references Brian Wilson
"Much Too Young (To Feel This Damn Old)" by Garth Brooks references Chris LeDoux.
"My Baby's In Love With Eddie Vedder" by "Weird Al" Yankovic references Eddie Vedder and Alanis Morissette
"My First Rock Concert" by Rheostatics, a song specifically about going to see other musicians in concert, references Aerosmith, The Birthday Party, Nick Cave, Electric Light Orchestra, Gang of Four, Goddo, Joe Jackson, Meat Loaf, The Ramones, The Specials, Michael Stipe, Paul Weller, XTC and the individual members of Rush.
"My Sister" by Juliana Hatfield Three references The Violent Femmes and The Del Fuegos

N

"Nassau Coliseum" by Lifter Puller references The Beatles.
"New Frontier" by Donald Fagen references Dave Brubeck.
"Nice Day for a Sulk" by Belle & Sebastian references The Fall and Manfred Mann.
"The Night Hank Williams Came to Town" by Johnny Cash references Hank Williams.
"Night Shift" by the Commodores references Marvin Gaye and Jackie Wilson.
"No Show Jones" by Chris Difford references The Captain and Tennille, John Lennon and Paul McCartney, and The Monkees.
"A Noun is a Person, Place, or Thing" by Bob Dorough and Jack Sheldon, from the Schoolhouse Rock TV series, references Chubby Checker, the Beatles, and the Monkees.
"Now I'm Here" by Queen references Mott the Hoople.

O

"Of Montreal" by The Stills references Of Montreal.
"On and On" by Stephen Bishop references Frank Sinatra.
"One of the Survivors by The Kinks references Jerry Lee Lewis, Dion and the Belmonts, The Hollywood Argyles, Danny and the Juniors, and Johnny and the Hurricanes
"One Week" by Barenaked Ladies references Bert Kaempfert and Sting.
"Ono Soul" by Thurston Moore references Yoko Ono
"Outside of the Inside" by Richard Thompson references Charlie Parker.

P

"Panic in Detroit" by David Bowie references Che Guevara
"Parker's Band" by Steely Dan references Charlie Parker.
"Patti Smith Math Scratch" by Thurston Moore references Patti Smith.
"Pennyroyal Tea" by Nirvana references Leonard Cohen.
"P.F. Sloan" by The Association references P.F. Sloan.
"Precious Things" by Tori Amos references Nine Inch Nails.
"The Prince" by Madness references Prince Buster.
"Pull Over" by Trina references Sisqo, Black Rob, and Juvenile.
"Punk Rock Girl" by The Dead Milkmen references Minnie Pearl, The Beach Boys, and Mojo Nixon.
"Punky Reggae Party" by Bob Marley references The Jam, The Damned, The Clash, and Dr. Feelgood.

Q

"Quicksand" by David Bowie references Aliester Crowly, Heinrich Himmler, Codename Garbo, and Winston Churchill

R

"R.D.A. (Rock Death America)" by Rheostatics references The Replacements, The Beatles, Elvis Presley and The Byrds.
"Rancid Sucks (And The Clash Sucked Too)" by Anal Cunt references Rancid, The Clash, Kenny G, Yanni, Garth Brooks, and Liberace.
"Rapture" by Blondie references Fab Five Freddy and Grandmaster Flash.
"Ready Steady Go" by Generation X references The Beatles, Bob Dylan, and The Rolling Stones.
"Red Dragon Tattoo" by Fountains of Wayne references .38 Special and Korn.
"Redneck Woman" by Gretchen Wilson references Lynyrd Skynyrd, Kid Rock, George Strait, Charlie Daniels, Tanya Tucker, and Hank Williams Jr (Referred to in the song as Ol' Bocephus).
"Reminiscing" by the Little River Band references Glenn Miller (specifically, "Glenn Miller's band").
"Reno Dakota" by the Magnetic Fields references Nino Rota.
"The Replacements" by Tommy Womack references The Replacements.
"Rhythm Section Want Ad" by They Might Be Giants references Menudo, Eurythmics, and MDC
"Rock and Roll Heaven" by The Righteous Brothers references Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Otis Redding, Jim Morrison, Jim Croce, and Bobby Darin.
"R-O-C-K in the USA" by John Cougar Mellencamp references Frankie Lyman, Bobby Fuller, Mitch Ryder, Jackie Wilson, the Shangri-La's, the Young Rascals, Martha Reeves, and James Brown
"Rock Me Amadeus" by Falco references Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart; the Salieri Version remix explicitly references Falco himself.
"Rock Show" by Wings references Jimmy Page.
"Rockin' The Suburbs" by Ben Folds references Michael Jackson, Quiet Riot, and Jon Bon Jovi.
"Roll Over Beethoven" by Chuck Berry (and others) references Ludwig van Beethoven and Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky.
"Roy" by Animals That Swim references Roy Orbison and Elvis Presley.
"Range Life" by Pavement references Smashing Pumpkins and Stone Temple Pilots.

S

"St. Dominic's Preview" by Van Morrison references Hank Williams and Edith Piaf.
"The Seeker" by The Who references Bob Dylan and The Beatles.
"Seymour Stein" by Belle & Sebastian references Johnny Marr and Electronic, as well as Sire Records founder Seymour Stein.
"Shoot The Sexual Athlete" by Belle & Sebastian references The Go-Betweens.
"Shooting Star" by Bad Company references The Beatles.
"Showbiz Kids" by Steely Dan references Steely Dan.
"Sid Vicious Was Innocent" by Rancid references Sid Vicious
"Silver Heels" by Bob Welch references Paul McCartney and Etta James.
"Sir Duke" by Stevie Wonder references Count Basie, Glenn Miller, Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, and Ella Fitzgerald.
"Sit on My Face, Stevie Nicks" by the Rotters references Stevie Nicks.
"Six String Music" by Jimmy Buffett references Ludwig von Beethoven and Jimmy Reed.
"Sleepwalker" by The Wallflowers references Sam Cooke.
"Smells Like Nirvana" by Weird Al Yankovic references (and parodies) Nirvana.
"Song for Bob Dylan" by David Bowie references Bob Dylan under his true name, Robert Zimmerman.
"Song for Bob Dylan" by Wally Pleasant references Bob Dylan, Woody Guthrie, Lou Reed, Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty, Neil Young, Donovan, Billy Bragg, John Wesley Hardin, Jackson Browne, and Vince Neill.
"South's Going to It Again" by the Charlie Daniels Band references the Charlies Daniels Band, Barefoot Jerry, Willie Nelson, ZZ Top, Elvin Bishop, Richard Betts, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and the Marshall Tucker Band
"Stan" by Eminem references Phil Collins.
"Stereo" by Pavement references Geddy Lee.
"Still Billy Joel To Me" by Weird Al Yankovic references Billy Joel
"Stratford-On-Guy" by Liz Phair references Galaxie 500
"Stone for Bessie Smith" by Dory Previn references Bessie Smith and Janis Joplin.
"The Sublimation Hour" by Destroyer references The Beatles and The Clash.
"Suck Baby Suck" by Serge Gainsbourg (in French) references Chuck Berry and Bill Haley
"Summer, Highland Falls" by Billy Joel references The Beatles
"Sun Comes Up, It's Tuesday Morning" by the Cowboy Junkies references John Coltrane.
"Surrender" by Cheap Trick references KISS.
"Suzanne" by Weezer references Izzy, Slash, and Axl Rose from Guns N Roses
"Sweet Gene Vincent" by Ian Dury references Gene Vincent.
"Sweet Home Alabama" by Lynyrd Skynyrd references Neil Young.
"Sweet Lord in Heaven" by Mike Doughty references Kurt Cobain, Sam Cooke, and Ian Curtis.
"Sweet Soul Music" by Arthur Conley references Sam and Dave, Lou Rawls, Wilson Pickett, Otis Redding, James Brown.

T

"Take Me Home Tonight" by Eddie Money references Ronnie Spector.
"Talkin' Woody, Bob, Bruce & Dan Blues" by Dan Bern references Woody Guthrie, Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Prince, and Madonna.
"Taxman Mr. Thief" by Cheap Trick references The Beatles
"Tear Stained Letter" by Richard Thompson references The Clash.
"Teenage Dirtbag" by Wheatus references Iron Maiden
"That Says It All" by Duncan Sheik refers to Mick Jagger, Bob Dylan, John Lennon, Jimi Hendrix, and Jimmy Page
"That Was Your Mother" by Paul Simon references Clifton Chenier.
"Things I Want" by Sum 41 ft. Tenacious D references The Beatles, Moby, and Mtley Cre
"Thou Shalt Not Britney Spear" by TISM refers to Britney Spears
"Thunder Road" by Bruce Springsteen references Roy Orbison.
"Tiger Woods" by Dan Bern references Madonna.
"Tower of Song" by Leonard Cohen references Hank Williams.
"Trans-Europe Express" by Kraftwerk references Iggy Pop and David Bowie
"Trunk Fulla Amps" by Self references Glenn Danzig, Freddie Mercury, and Lenny Kravitz.
"Twisting" by They Might Be Giants references The dB's and Young Fresh Fellows
"Two Hearts" by Danny Michel references David Bowie.
"Two Tub Man" by The Dictators references Lou Reed

U

"Unseen Power of the Picket Fence" by Pavement references REM.
"Up On Cripple Creek" by The Band references Spike Jones

V

"Van Halen" by Nerf Herder references Van Halen and makes fun of Sammy Hagar specifically.
"Velvet Underground" by Jonathan Richman references The Velvet Underground.
"Vera" by Pink Floyd references Vera Lynn.
"Vic" by Animals That Swim references Vic Chesnutt.

W

"Wake-Up Bomb" by R.E.M. references Queen and T. Rex.
"Watch That Man" by David Bowie references Benny Goodman
"We Didn't Start the Fire" by Billy Joel references Johnnie Ray, Doris Day, Sergei Prokofiev, Arturo Toscanini, Liberace, Bill Haley & His Comets (indirectly), Elvis Presley, Buddy Holly, Chubby Checker, Bob Dylan, and the Beatles.
"We Love You" by The Psychedelic Furs references Frank Sinatra, The Supremes, Brigitte Bardot, and Althea & Donna
"We're the Replacements" by They Might Be Giants references The Replacements.
"Welcome to the Diamond Mine" by Dickies references Jimmy Page.
"When Do I Get to Sing 'My Way'?" by Sparks references Frank Sinatra and Sid Vicious.
"When I Kiss You I Hear Charlie Parker Playing" by Sparks references Charlie Parker.
"When Smokey Sings" by ABC references Smokey Robinson.
"When the Healing Has Begun" by Van Morrison references Muddy Waters.
"When the Leaves Are Falling Down" by Van Morrison references Chet Baker.
"Where Did His Eye Go?" by The Dickies references Sammy Davis, Jr.
"Where It's At" by Beck references Gary Wilson
"Where Your Eyes Don't Go" by They Might Be Giants references Kurtis Blow
"(White Man) In Hammersmith Palais" by The Clash references Dillinger, Leroy Smart, Delroy Wilson, Ken Boothe, and The Four Tops
"Who's Gonna Fill Their Shoes" by George Jones references Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, Conway Twitty, Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Charlie Rich, Hank Williams, and Lefty Frizzell.
"Why Must I Be Sad?" by They Might Be Giants references Alice Cooper (semi-overtly)
"Wig Out at Denko's" by Dag Nasty references Minor Threat and Yanni.
"Wings" by The Albion Band references The Byrds.
"Woody Guthrie" by Alabama 3 references Woody Guthrie

"Wot" by Captain Sensible references Adam Ant as well as himself quite a bit.

X

"XTC Vs. Adam Ant" by They Might Be Giants references XTC and Adam Ant, as well as Bow Wow Wow and the Beatles.

Y

"Yer Blues" by the Beatles references Bob Dylan.
"You Ain't Goin' Nowhere" by Bob Dylan references Roger McGuinn (Bob Dylan's Greatest Hits Vol.2-Version only).
"You Better, You Bet" by The Who references T. Rex.
"You Get What You Give" by the New Radicals references Beck, Hanson, Courtney Love, and Marilyn Manson.
"You Never Even Called Me By My Name" by David Allan Coe references Waylon Jennings, Charlie Pride, Merle Haggard, and David Allan Coe.
"You Were Right" by Badly Drawn Boy references Frank Sinatra, Jeff Buckley, Kurt Cobain, John Lennon and Madonna.
"Young Americans" by David Bowie references Richard Nixon.
"Your Redneck Past" by Ben Folds Five references Billy Idol and Kool Moe Dee
"Youth Culture Killed My Dog" by They Might Be Giants references Burt Bacharach and Hal David.

Z

"ZZ Top Goes To Egypt" by Camper Van Beethoven references ZZ Top.

Songs that mention Elvis Presley

"1977" by The Clash references The Beatles, Elvis Presley, and The Rolling Stones
"A Century of Elvis" by Belle & Sebastian references Elvis Presley.
"Born To Be Sold" by Transvision Vamp references numerous musicians, including Elvis Presley and Madonna.
"Cities" by Talking Heads references Elvis Presley.
"Considering a Move to Memphis" by Colorblind James Experience references Elvis Presley.
"Elvis is Dead" by Living Colour references Elvis Presley.
"Elvis Is Everywhere" by Mojo Nixon references Elvis Presley.
"Freak of the Week" by Marvelous 3 references Elvis Presley
"From Galway to Graceland" by Richard Thompson references Elvis Presley
"I Try to Think about Elvis" by Patty Loveless references Elvis Presley, the Beatles, and the Rolling Stones.
"I Wish I Could Meet Elvis" by Alex Chilton references Elvis Presley.
"In the Days Before Rock 'n' Roll" by Van Morrisson references Ray Charles, Fats Domino, John Lee Hooker, Lightning Hopkins, Jerry Lee Lewis, Elvis Presley, possibly Sonny Terry or Sonny Boy Williamson, and Muddy Waters
"Man On The Moon" by R.E.M. references Mott the Hoople and Elvis Presley
"Maybe Angels" by Sheryl Crow
"There's a Guy Works Down the Chip Shop Swears He's Elvis" by Kirsty MacColl references Elvis Presley
"Velvet Elvis" by Weird Al Yankovic references Elvis Presley.
"Walking in Memphis" by Marc Cohn references Elvis Presley.
"We Didn't Start the Fire" by Billy Joel references Johnnie Ray, Doris Day, Sergei Prokofiev, Arturo Toscanini, Liberace, Bill Haley & His Comets (indirectly), Elvis Presley, Buddy Holly, Chubby Checker, Bob Dylan, and the Beatles.
"Who's Gonna Fill Their Shoes" by George Jones references Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, Conway Twitty, Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Charlie Rich, Hank Williams, and Lefty Frizzell.