18 Songs That Call Out Another Musician By Name
Music feuds, tributes, and shout-outs have created some of the most memorable moments in rock, pop, and hip-hop history.
Artists love to mention their heroes, rivals, or fallen friends right in their lyrics.
When a song calls out another musician by name, it becomes part of a larger conversation that fans still debate decades later.
Get ready to explore 18 tracks where musicians got personal and put names on the record.
1. Sweet Home Alabama by Lynyrd Skynyrd
Lynyrd Skynyrd fired back at Neil Young with this Southern rock anthem that became one of the most iconic songs of the 1970s.
The line ‘I hope Neil Young will remember, a Southern man don’t need him around anyhow’ was a direct response to Young’s critical songs about the South.
Ironically, band members later revealed they were actually fans of Young and meant it more as playful banter than genuine anger.
2. Roll Another Number For The Road by Neil Young
Neil Young subtly referenced Lynyrd Skynyrd in this track from his ‘Tonight’s The Night’ album, continuing their musical conversation.
Though not as direct as Skynyrd’s call-out, Young’s lyrics hinted at the Southern rockers who had challenged his earlier work.
Young reportedly respected Skynyrd’s musicianship and was saddened when several members died in a plane crash just years after their exchange.
3. Rock And Roll Heaven by The Righteous Brothers
This heartfelt tribute song name-checks fallen music legends including Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, and Jim Morrison.
Released in 1974, it became a touching memorial that honored the stars who left us too soon.
The lyrics paint a picture of a celestial concert where all the greats are jamming together forever, giving fans comfort during a time of tragic losses.
4. All Those Years Ago by George Harrison
George Harrison wrote this emotional tribute to his former Beatles bandmate John Lennon after Lennon’s tragic assassination in 1980.
The song directly mentions Lennon by name and reflects on their complicated friendship and shared history.
Ringo Starr played drums on the track, and Paul McCartney contributed backing vocals, making it a partial Beatles reunion honoring their lost brother.
5. Song For Bob Dylan by David Bowie
Roger Woolman, licensed under CC BY 3.0. Via Wikimedia Commons.
David Bowie penned this direct tribute to his hero Bob Dylan for the ‘Hunky Dory’ album in 1971.
The lyrics explore Dylan’s influence on Bowie’s own artistic journey and the folk legend’s impact on an entire generation of musicians.
Bowie’s admiration shines through every verse, showing how one groundbreaking artist inspired another to push creative boundaries and challenge musical conventions.
6. Off The Ground by Paul McCartney
Paul McCartney mentions Elvis Presley by name in this uplifting track from his 1993 album of the same name.
The reference honors the King of Rock and Roll’s lasting influence on McCartney and The Beatles’ early musical development.
Elvis was a massive inspiration for young Paul in Liverpool, and this mention served as a reminder of how rock legends pass the torch.
7. Buddy Holly by Weezer
Weezer’s breakthrough hit directly references rock pioneer Buddy Holly in both the title and lyrics, comparing the narrator’s look to the iconic singer.
The song also mentions Mary Tyler Moore, creating a nostalgic vibe that connected 1990s alternative rock to 1950s pop culture.
The Happy Days-themed music video became an MTV staple, perfectly matching the song’s retro references with vintage television imagery.
8. Sir Duke by Stevie Wonder
Stevie Wonder celebrated jazz royalty in this funky masterpiece, name-dropping Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, Count Basie, and Louis Armstrong.
The song became a number-one hit in 1977 and introduced younger listeners to the giants of jazz history.
Wonder’s infectious horn arrangement and upbeat melody perfectly captured the joy these legendary musicians brought to the world through their groundbreaking contributions.
9. American Pie by Don McLean
Don McLean’s epic folk ballad mourns ‘the day the music died,’ referencing Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and the Big Bopper’s fatal plane crash.
The eight-minute masterpiece became one of the most analyzed songs in rock history, with countless theories about its cryptic lyrics.
McLean’s poetic storytelling transformed a tragic event into an anthem that captured the loss of innocence in American music.
10. Jammin Me by Tom Petty
Tom Petty co-wrote this song with Bob Dylan, and it name-drops celebrities including Eddie Murphy and Vanessa Redgrave.
The track criticizes media overload and celebrity culture, listing famous names to show how overwhelming constant exposure had become.
Petty’s frustration with tabloid culture and 24-hour news cycles resonates even more strongly today, making this 1987 song surprisingly prophetic about our information-saturated world.
11. Tennessee by Arrested Development
Arrested Development explicitly mentions Elvis Presley in this conscious hip-hop track about returning to Southern roots.
The song contrasts the group’s African American heritage with Elvis’s appropriation of Black music, adding cultural commentary to their spiritual journey.
Released in 1992, it became a massive hit that proved hip-hop could address complex historical issues while maintaining radio-friendly appeal.
12. Tribute by Tenacious D
Jack Black and Kyle Gass humorously reference rock legends in this comedic masterpiece about playing the greatest song in the world.
Though not explicitly naming musicians in every line, the duo nods to Ronnie James Dio and other metal gods throughout their theatrical storytelling.
The song became a cult classic, blending genuine musical talent with self-aware humor that poked fun at rock’s tendency toward self-importance.
13. Don’t Look Back In Anger by Oasis
Oasis heavily referenced John Lennon’s style and legacy in this Britpop anthem, with Noel Gallagher openly acknowledging the Beatles legend’s influence.
The song’s opening piano line deliberately echoes Lennon’s ‘Imagine,’ serving as both homage and continuation of his musical spirit.
Gallagher confirmed in interviews that Lennon was intentionally woven throughout the track, making it one of rock’s most successful tributes disguised as an original hit.
14. Moves Like Jagger by Maroon 5
Maroon 5 celebrates Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger in this infectious pop hit that dominated radio in 2011.
Adam Levine sings about having Jagger’s legendary dance moves and stage presence, connecting modern pop to classic rock swagger.
The song introduced younger audiences to Jagger’s iconic status while proving that rock legends continue influencing contemporary music decades after their prime.
15. In The Garage by Weezer
Rivers Cuomo name-drops KISS in this deeply personal track about finding refuge in his teenage sanctuary.
The lyric ‘I’ve got posters on the wall, my favorite rock group KISS’ perfectly captures the bedroom-dwelling music fan experience.
Weezer’s willingness to embrace uncool influences like KISS made them relatable to countless fans who also worshipped rock heroes in private.
16. Candle In The Wind by Elton John
Elton John originally wrote this ballad about Marilyn Monroe, later adapting it as a tribute to Princess Diana.
Though Monroe wasn’t a musician, the song established John’s template for honoring cultural icons through heartfelt musical memorials.
The Princess Diana version became the best-selling single since charts began, proving how powerful musical tributes can connect with audiences during collective grief.
17. Vincent by Don McLean
Don McLean pays tribute to artist Vincent van Gogh in this haunting folk ballad, though not a musician himself.
The song demonstrates how artists honor other creative legends across different mediums, establishing a tradition of cross-disciplinary respect.
McLean’s poetic lyrics about van Gogh’s tortured genius mirror how musicians later wrote songs celebrating fellow artists who struggled and suffered for their art.
18. We Didn’t Start The Fire by Billy Joel
Billy Joel rapid-fires through decades of cultural references, including numerous musicians like Elvis Presley and The Beatles.
The song became a history lesson set to music, name-checking everyone from Joe DiMaggio to Lenny Bruce in its breathless verses.
Joel’s ambitious concept proved that pop songs could educate while entertaining, creating a time capsule that mentioned dozens of influential figures from 1949 to 1989.
