33 Best Songs with Boys’ Names in the Title

We've all fantasized about being a musical muse and having a song named after us. If you're a musician, you've probably written about a significant other, family member, or best friend.

Even if a song isn't about you or an acquaintance, there are plenty of songs out there with your name or the names of your loved ones that you can relate to or use to serenade others.

Below, we give you the best songs with boys' names in the title that span musical genres and history. Maybe even one of them includes your name!

“Jumping Jack Flash” by The Rolling Stones

Song Year: 1968

In one of the legendary band's most iconic songs, vocalist Mic Jagger and guitarist Keith Richards wrote “Jumping Jack Flash” with deep southern Delta blues in mind. The song became an instant hit, ranking in Rolling Stone's Top 500 Greatest Songs of all Time.

The lyrics came to them when they were staying at Richard's vacation home and awoke to the thundering footsteps of the estate's gardener, Jack.

“A Message to You Rudy” by The Specials

Song Year: 1979

The Specials covered this song, originally written by 60s ska and reggae artist Dandy Livingstone in 1967. The Specials took Livingstone's slower, rock steady version and sped it up, making it into a ska-style song replete with a long horn section.

“Rudy” refers to rude boy, a term used in Jamaica for naughty boys up to no good.

“A Boy Named Sue” by Johnny Cash

Song Year: 1969

For a bit of irony, we give you a girl's name meant for a boy. Johnny Cash didn't write this song. Instead, the famous poet and children's author Shel Silverstein wrote it in his characteristic humorist style. Cash turned it into a song, maintaining its humor.

He recorded it live from San Quinton prison to applause and laughter, launching it to number one on the Billboard charts.

“Wesley's Theory” by Kendrick Lamar

Song Year: 2015

“Wesley's Theory” is the opening song on Pulitzer Prize and Grammy Award winner Kendrick Lamar's third album, To Pimp A Butterfly.

Lamar wrote the song about black actor Wesley Snipe's stint in prison for tax evasion as a metaphor for the Black plight. He argued that Black men are groomed to expect failure and never taught how to manage success.

“The Ballad of John and Yoko” by The Beatles

Song Year: 1969

John Lennon wrote this song about his whirlwind wedding and honeymoon with Yoko Ono. A lighthearted love song, “The Ballad of John and Yoko,” marked the beginning of the end for the Beatles as their last number-one single.

Unfortunately, many blame Ono for the Beatles' breakup.

“Peter Piper” by Run-DMC

Song Year: 1986

Leave it to the pioneers of modern hip hop to turn a nursery rhyme into a rap song. Even if you haven't heard the song, surely you've heard the alliterative rhyme or tried to enunciate it yourself as a tongue twister challenge.

Run-DMC has been deemed the best Hip Hop group of all time by both MTV and VH1 and one of the first groups to be inducted into the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame.

“Uncle John's Band” by The Grateful Dead

Song Year: 1970

A personal favorite from the original jam band and San Francisco's pride and joy, The Grateful Dead, “Uncle John's Band,” drew inspiration from folk music around the U.S.

Its catchy and warm melody, coupled with famous folk lines, made it one of the Dead's most beloved songs. It's from the album Working Man's Dead, coupled with another famous song with a boy's name in the title: “Casey Jones.”

“Clint Eastwood” by Gorillaz

Song Year: 2001

The mysterious English “virtual” band, Gorillaz, is clearly an Eastwood fan. They modeled their mix sample off the theme song from The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly. Then, a few years later, they came out with the song entitled “Dirty Harry.”

“Clint Eastwood” offers the Gorillaz unique ethereal mixing style as the backdrop for rapper Del the Funky Homosapien's solo rhyme.

“Adam's Song” by Blink 182

Song Year: 2000

An uncharacteristically deep and vulnerable song from the irreverent pop-punk band Blink 182, “Adams Song” became one of their most popular songs.

In it, bassist Mark Hoppus expresses his immense loneliness, formatting the song as if it were a suicide note recapping his sad existence while on tour.

“Alec Eiffel” by Pixies

Song Year: 1991

As you might guess, the Pixies wrote “Alec Eiffel” on tour when they were in Paris. “Alec Eiffel” is short for Alexandre Gustave Eiffel, the architect who designed the Eiffel Tower and the Statue of Liberty.

Lead singer Black Francis shortened the name to “Alec” on purpose as a play on words referencing “smart Alec.”

“Poor Tom” by Led Zeppelin

Song Year: 1982

“Poor Tom” was recorded back in 1970 for Zeppelin's album Led Zeppelin III but ended up not making the cut.

They held onto the song and released it on the 1982 album Coda, which was a conglomeration of live performances and random pre-recorded songs from the past. Coda was the band's farewell album, but it's just as well-received as the rest of their iconic albums.

“James Joint” by Rihanna

Song Year: 2016

A short, sweet, and seductive song by the sexiest Islander diva Rihanna, “James Joint,” talks about forbidden fantasies and the fun you can get out of being naughty. It's a song anyone can relate to and will put a smile on your face as you reminisce about your own personal escapades.

“Danny Says” by The Ramones

Song Year: 1980

“Danny” has a double meaning in this catchy song by frontman Joey Ramone. Ramone wrote the song with his manager, Danny Fields, and his girlfriend, Linda Daniele.

Ironically, Joey split with Daniele, who then started dating bandmate Johnny Ramone. Ah, the life of a rockstar!

“Jeremy” by Pearl Jam

Song Year: 1992

Aside from Nirvana, Pearl Jam epitomizes grunge rock both in image and subject matter. A case in point is “Jeremy,” a song written by Eddie Vedder about a teenage student named Jeremy Wade Dell who shot himself in front of his classmates in a high school classroom. 

The impactful music video garnered even more popularity than the song, winning an MTV Music Award for best music video.

“Sir Duke” by Stevie Wonder

Song Year: 1977

This award-winning, chart-topping hit from beloved artist Stevie Wonder is an homage to the jazz greats. “Sir Duke” refers to Duke Ellington, who had recently died a few years before the song's release.

Wonder also mentions Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, and Count Bassie. The awesome horn ensemble and perfect pitch of Wonder's soulful voice make “Sir Duke” a jazzy celebration you'll be dancing around the house to.

“Alejandro” by Lady Gaga

Song Year: 2010

This song got so much play on the radio during the 2010s that anyone over the age of 3 probably had it memorized. “Alejandro” has a catchy beat and melody reminiscent of Ace of Base, while the lyrics are a shout-out to all of Lady Gaga's past lovers.

The sensual yet flamboyant music video is a fashionable take on a gay cabaret dance meant to express Lady Gaga's celebration of gay love.

“Benny and the Jets” by Elton John

Song Year: 1974

Depending on where you bought the album, you might see “bennie” or “benny.” Regardless of spelling, “Benny and the Jets” is one of Elton John's most famous songs, topping the U.S. and U.K. charts and earning gold and platinum sales status.

“Benny and the Jets” is a fictional account of a made-up band, alluding to the extravagance and glamor of rock stars in the 70s.

“Jerome” by Lizzo

Song Year: 2019

“Jerome” is on Lizzo's Grammy Award-winning album, Cause I Love You. Lizzo is the modern-day queen of soul and the epitome of a strong woman.

 “Jerome” is a soulful song that shows Lizzo's vulnerable side while also demanding respect and responsibility from the man she loves. 

“Hey Joe” by Jimi Hendrix

Song Year: 1966

“Hey Joe” may have been Hendrix's debut single with the Jimi Hendrix Experience, but it's a cover from a song written by folk singer Billy Roberts.” Hey Joe” has been covered by many famous artists during the 60s, but Hendrix's version is by far the best and most popular.

It's a heavy folk ballad about a man who shot his wife after she cheated on him.

“Hit the Road Jack” by Ray Charles

Song Year: 1961

This song became every woman's breakup anthem in the early 60s; either that or every boss' farewell song to soon-to-be ex-employees.

“Hit the Road Jack” earned instant popularity as the U.S. number one hit and Grammy winner for Best R&B Song. Charles recorded it as a duet with backup singer and lover Margie Hendrix, giving it an even more poignant subtext that points to Charles and Hendrix's scandalous affair.

“Igor's Theme” by Tyler the Creator

Song Year: 2019

A song from the wildly popular, Grammy-winning album Igor, the song “Igor's Theme” introduces the darker side to Tyler the Creator's duality. The entire album is a ballad about a love triangle between Tyler, his lover, and his lover's girlfriend.

Igor represents the depressed and apathetic side of Tyler's psyche that comes out when he realizes his lover chooses his girlfriend over Tyler.

“Marshall Mathers” by Eminem

Song Year: 2000

For the younger generation, Eminem and Marshall Mathers are one and the same. His namesake song is both an insult to the pop stars of the day and a grievance about his exploitation as a famous rapper.

Eminem is famous for his aggressive and highly critical rap music; his songs are both a defense mechanism and a projection of his treatment as a low-class white kid in the rap industry. Luckily, Eminem could take the heat and funnel it to fuel his own successful fire.

“Me and Bobby McGee” by Janis Joplin

Song Year: 1971

Written by famed songwriter and singer Kris Kristofferson, “Me and Bobby McGee” was recorded days before Joplin's tragic and untimely death. It was released posthumously, one year after she died.

It reached number one on the charts and became the second posthumous song in history to top the charts. “Bobby” refers to Roberta, named after a studio secretary who, along with the song's narrator, embarks on a classic 60s cross-country hitch-hiking adventure.

“Shotgun Willie” by Willie Nelson

Song Year: 1973

Willie Nelson is that rare artist that could bridge the gap between conservative country and radical hippie. Therefore, he's a beloved character across the political spectrum and on either side of the Mason-Dixon line.

“Shotgun Willie” is the first song on an album by the same name. It also happens to be Wilson's nickname, which he earned from defending his sister's honor from her abusive husband.

“Who Wrote Holden Caulfield?” by Green Day

Song Year: 1991

If you ever took a high school English class, you probably know that the answer to the song title's question is J.D. Salinger. Literature references aside, “Who Wrote Holden Caulfield?” is from Green Day's platinum album, Kerplunk.

Green Day has always been a pop-punk icon for adolescent frenzy, so the reference to the most famous coming of age book in American history in “Who Wrote Holden Caulfield?” is especially fitting.

“Tyrone” by Erykah Badu

Song Year: 1997

“Tyrone” is a radio hit that debuted on Badu's album Live, along with a slew of songs recorded live at concerts during Badu's tours.

Her unmistakable bluesy voice chastises a man who isn't deserving of her. Along with Jill Scott and Lauren Hill, Badu was the ultimate symbol of a strong woman in the 90s and early 2000s. She carries on the legacy of women like Aretha Franklin while inspiring modern Black women musicians like Lizzo.

“Tommy Can You Hear Me?” by The Who

Song Year: 1969

Whenever anyone thinks of The Who, they think of Tommy, a revolutionary Rock Opera album that was at once a breakthrough and a novel concept. Written by lead vocalist Pete Townshend, the Rock Opera has sold over 20 million copies and is an inductee into the Grammy Hall of Fame.

“Tommy Can You Hear Me?” is on the side three of a four-sided album that tells the story of Tommy, a blind, deaf, and dumb boy who miraculously regains his senses.

“The House That Jack Built” by Metallica

Song Year: 1996

“The House that Jack Built” is on Metallica's longest studio album, Load, which became a platinum-certified album. “The House Jack Built” is a lesser-known song, taken from the title of a 19th-century English nursery rhyme.

“Song to Woody” by Bob Dylan

Song Year:1962

“Song to Woody” is one legendary folk singer's homage to another legendary folk singer. Bob Dylan wrote the song in honor of Woody Guthrie, co-opting a melody from Guthrie's own song “1913 Massacre.”

Little did Dylan know, famous artists from the next generation would soon be paying homage to him in the same lyrical fashion, creating a legacy of respect and remembrance.

“Siegfried” by Frank Ocean

Song Year: 2016

Frank Ocean is a veritable musical chameleon, his many albums each having a specific concept, genre, and inspiration. “Siegfried” is on Ocean's progressive and unconventional album Blonde, which draws inspiration from genres as disparate as psychedelic rock and R&B.

With” Siegfried,” Ocean draws lyrical inspiration from the late Eliot Smith, a beloved modern folk singer.

“Andy Warhol” by David Bowie

Song Year:1971

David Bowie's whimsy as a musician is as colorful and iconic as an Andy Warhol print. They could be each other's muses. Bowie says as much himself with this homage to the famed American artist in his song “Andy Warhol.”

Like any diehard fan, Bowie sent Warhol a copy of the song from his album Hunky Dory. But, in typical Warhol fashion, the artist neither praised nor criticized the piece.

“Bobby Brown” by Frank Zappa

Song Year: 1979

Frank Zappa is as irreverent and comical as ever with this ridiculous saga about a boy named Bobby Brown who transforms from an All-American boy into a sadomasochistic homosexual.

“Bobby Brown” was a massive hit in Europe because their radio waves were progressive enough to air it. Either that or they have a better sense of humor for satire than we do here in the good ol' U.S. of A.

“Buddy Holly” by Weezer

Song Year: 1994

Perhaps the most famous song from the most popular Blue album, “Buddy Holly,” is a period piece and homage to the late Texan folk-rock singer.

The iconic guitar melody and chorus garnered wide acclaim, bringing the band into the limelight as one of VH1 and Rolling Stone's picks for one of the greatest songs of all time. The music video features the band as a 1950s high school band playing at a dance party in an old-school soda fountain.

Top Songs with Boys' Names in the Title, Final Thoughts

Songs with boy's names in the title come in many forms and styles, from ballads about ex-lovers to grandiose homage to musical muses. And even if you didn’t see your name on this list, there is bound to be a song out there that includes it.

While you might hear a name you recognize serenading you from your headphones or speakers, this list of songs with boys' names in the titles gives you an interesting story behind the name.