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Songs About Real People/ Tribute Songs


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Probably the most two most famous are A. "You're So Vain" by Carly Simon,assumed by most to be about Warren Beatty or Mick Jagger (who sang the backup vocals - Harry Nilsson was to, but Mick "dropped by" and Nilsson let him take over). Could also have been about Kris Kristofferson or James Taylor. B. "Candle In The Wind" original and 97 about Marilyn Monroe and Princess Diana.

* Here's a couple of my favourites by Billy Joel about two of his wives: "Just The Way You Are" for Elizabeth Weber and "Uptown Girl" for Christie Brinkley. ? Got some you could share with us? :angel:

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"Fire and Rain". James Taylor wrote it for his friend Suzanne who actually died. The story is true.

"Everything I own". Written by David Gates dedicated to his father who had recently died.

"How do you sleep"- John Lennon... dedicated to the one he hated, McCartney...

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Timothy Leary by The Moody Blues

James Dean by The Eagles

The Day The Music Died by Don McLean refers to the aircrash that killed Buddy Holly, Richie Valens and The Big Bopper

Abraham, Martin and John by Dion (Linclon, MLK, Jr. and JFK)

Mr. Bojangles by The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band referred to Mr. Bill "Bojangles" Robinson.

Nancy With The Laughing Face by Sinatra was about his first wife or daughter depending upon when he told the story.

The Greatest Love Of All...Muhammad Ali

Mr. Wonderful..that was about me, I'm sure. ::

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Joe Hill was a union organizer in the early part of the 20th century. :)

Joe Hill by Joan Baez

(Woodstock movie and soundtrack)

I dreamed I saw Joe Hill last night alive as you and me.

Said I,"But Joe, you're ten years dead",

"I never died", said he.

"I never died", said he.

"The Copper Bosses shot you, Joe, they killed you, Joe", says I.

"Takes more than guns to kill a man",says Joe,"I didn't die!"

And standing there as big as life and smiling with his eyes,

Joe says:"What they could never kill went on to organize."

From San Diego up to Maine in every mine and mill,

where workers stand up for their rights,

it's there you'll find Joe Hill.

I dreamed I saw Joe Hill last night alive as you and me.

Said I,"But Joe, you're ten years dead","I never died", said he

"I never died", said he.

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Roy Haper is the longest running underground music act. Robert Plant wrote that song as a tribute because Roy was a great insperation(sic) to him.

The Dead Kennedys song is about Elvis in a superficial(sic) sense.

Also, The song "Goons of Hazard" is Jello Biafra(Dead Kennedys)'s take on the Dukes of Hazard. Good song.

I can give you more songs about real life "social classes" if you want.

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All by Stevie Wonder:

Isn't She Lovely - Stevie Wonder's baby daughter

Sir Duke - Duke Ellington

Master Blaster (Jammin') - Bob Marley

Happy Birthday - Martin Luther King

Pops We Love You (with Diana Ross,Marvin Gaye,Smokey Robinson)- Berry Gordy Senior :angel:

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By Bob Dylan:

Song to Woody - Woody Guthrie

Ballad of Hollis Brown

Only A Pawn in Their Game - Medgar Evers

The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll - including William Zanzinger

Oxford Town - James Meredith

Hurricane - Rubin Carter

........and on and on and on!

The Beatles:

Fool on the Hill - The Maharishi

Sexy Sadie - The Maharishi again

Her Majesty - Jane Asher apparently

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