Behind almost every incredible song is the muse (even if they're imaginary!) who inspired the artist. Some of those muses—or characters or dedications—even get songs named after them. That's how Julio ended up down by the schoolyard, Mary Jane got her last dance, and Earl said his final goodbye. We've rounded up 50 of the best songs with a name in their title, from an early Jay-Z and Beyoncé duet to a Dolly Parton ode to her romantic rival. Who knows—your name may even make an appearance.
Classic Songs with a Name in the Title
- “Rhiannon,” Fleetwood Mac
- “Eleanor Rigby,” The Beatles
- “Runaround Sue,” Dion
- “Come On, Eileen,” Dexy’s Midnight Runners
- “Johnny B. Goode,” Chuck Berry
- “Darling Nikki,” Prince
- “Me and Bobby McGee,” Janis Joplin
- “Sweet Caroline,” Neil Diamond
- “A Boy Named Sue,” Johnny Cash
- “Daniel,” Elton John
- “Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard,” Paul Simon
- “Mrs. Robinson,” Simon and Garfunkel
- “Fernando,” ABBA
- “Billie Jean,” Michael Jackson
- “Jack and Diane,” John Mellencamp
- “Mickey,” Toni Basil
- “Barbara Ann,” The Beach Boys
- “Gloria,” Laura Branigan
- “Romeo and Juliet,” Dire Straits
- “My Sharona,” The Knack
- “The Wind Cries Mary,” Jimi Hendrix
Rock Tracks with a Name in the Title
- “Buddy Holly,” Weezer
- “Josie,” Blink-182
- “Helena,” My Chemical Romance
- “Sam’s Town,” The Killers
- “St. Jimmy,” Green Day
- “Jeremy,” Pearl Jam
- “What’s the Frequency, Kenneth?” R.E.M.
- “Mary Jane’s Last Dance,” Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
Hip-Hop and R&B Songs with a Name in the Title
- “‘03 Bonnie and Clyde,” JAY-Z and Beyoncé
- “We Are Trayvon,” Plies
- “Plain Jane,” A$AP Ferg
- “Tyrone,” Erykah Badu
Pop Tracks with a Name in the Title
- “Alejandro,” Lady Gaga
- “Diana,” One Direction
- “Penny and Me,” Hanson
- “Clementine,” Halsey
- “Nancy Mulligan,” Ed Sheeran
- “Valerie,” Amy Winehouse
- “Alfie,” Lily Allen
- “Grace Kelly,” Mika
- “Adia,” Sarah McLachlan
- “Iris,” The Goo Goo Dolls
- “Annie Waits,” Ben Folds
- “Stacy’s Mom,” Fountains of Wayne
- “Georgia,” Brittany Howard
Country Songs with a Name in the Title
- “Goodbye Earl,” Dixie Chicks
- “Tim McGraw,” Taylor Swift
- “Fancy,” Reba McEntire
- “Jolene,” Dolly Parton
