Top 10 Songs That Reply to Other Songs
#10: “California Gurls” (2010) Katy Perry feat. Snoop Dogg
Top 10 Songs About California
For anyone alive in 2009, you’ll probably remember the anthem “Empire State of Mind.” The Jay-Z and Alicia Keys track is a huge salute to the Big Apple. It was also such a massive success that it inspired a song that came out the following year. Katy Perry wanted to do for California what those artists did for New York, leading her to create “California Gurls” in order to pay tribute to her preferred coast. Perry and her co-writers recreated the feeling of being in the sunshine wonderland that is the Golden State. The result is a candy-coated pop song that’s still fun to this day, with some female empowerment in there for added effect.
#9: “Paper Doll” (2013) John Mayer
SeeMoreGlass - Roaring Paper Spring (Official Music Video)
With the release of “Dear John,” Taylor Swift wrote one of her most biting tracks about an ex-boyfriend. The former partner just so happened to be another famous musician. Referencing their age-gap and differences, the pop star didn’t mince words about the relationship. This eventually led to a response from John Mayer named “Paper Doll.” The song puts forth that there are two sides to every story, firing back about his ex’s alleged behavior. Given that the original partially affected his reputation, Mayer feels especially passionate in his reply. Both songs work on their own as engaging stories while still capturing a snapshot of the controversial relationship.
#8: “Peggy Sue Got Married” (1959) Buddy Holly
Sometimes a songwriter will answer their own song. In the case of rock and roll legend Buddy Holly, he wrote or co-wrote multiple tracks about the same gal. “Peggy Sue” plays out as a passionate and simple ode to a partner. Initially, the singer sets his sights on her even though their status is unclear. It’s all done with an upbeat sound that ranks highly among the artist’s iconic catalog. And this wouldn’t be the end of the relationship because Holly revisited the story with the sequel “Peggy Sue Got Married.” Unfortunately for the narrator, his love interest has fallen for someone else. It appears that the lovesick character has lost Peggy Sue forever in a tragic end to a compelling story.
#7: “Adam’s Song” (2000) Blink-182
The History of Maroon 5 and Adam Levine
So much of Kurt Cobain’s work has inspired music for decades. The Nirvana hit “Come As You Are” has a trippy sound and a number of memorable lines, which gave Blink-182’s Mark Hoppus an idea for “Adam’s Song.” The songwriter includes a paraphrase of a famous verse by Cobain. In his track, Hoppus tackles personal themes such as isolation and self-loathing. The two songs aren’t identical by any means, but the latter one feels indebted to the alternative rock genre at large. The pop punk band manages to channel the original work and its themes, while also being its own take on loneliness and burnout.
#6: “Mannish Boy” (1955) Muddy Waters
The American blues tradition revolutionized the concept of a reply song. Bo Diddley channeled Willie Dixon and conjured up the immortal “I’m a Man,” playing a riff that’s practically in the DNA of blues music. With showboating lyrics, the song also represents a high point for boasting in music. Muddy Waters then decided to answer the musician, creating the equally classic “Mannish Boy.” The singer brings out his engaging presence to tell his own story about a different type of man. Playing around with Diddley’s concept, the second artist remixes the original’s musicality and throws in a little extra attitude.
#5: “Hit ‘Em Up” (1996) 2Pac feat. the Outlawz
Top 10 2000s Songs That Became Popular Again
Among the most tense rivalries of its time, the East Coast and West Coast rappers of the 1990s had some choice words for each other. “Who Shot Ya?” by the Notorious B.I.G. takes quite a few jabs at 2Pac and his 1994 shooting. Biggie Smalls didn’t play around with his aggressive lyrics, but nobody was fully prepared for the follow-up. Shakur didn’t take kindly to the diss and responded with “Hit ‘Em Up.” The response makes the former track sound like “Happy Birthday.” Including verses about Smalls and Diddy, the West Coast emcee unleashes a tirade about New York hip-hop. Unfortunately for both men, the rivalry ended within a year, as they were each killed in separate and mysterious incidents.
#4: “Glass Onion” (1968) The Beatles
By the time The Beatles reached 1968, they’d spent at least the previous four years on top of the world. They left touring behind to experiment in the studio, eventually with oddities like “Glass Onion.” Released on their self-titled album known as “The White Album,” the track openly references several prior songs including “I Am the Walrus” and “Strawberry Fields Forever.” John Lennon takes the lead on this psychedelic track that pays tribute to, and pokes fun at, their work. It’s both an entertaining song and a wonderfully-meta piece at the same time. Eager to have a laugh at his own expense, Lennon quotes some of his masterpieces in an eclectic rock piece that demands a second listen from Beatles fans.
#3: “How Do You Sleep?” (1971) John Lennon
Top 10 Songs You Didn't Know Were Written By Ed Sheeran
The former Beatles set out on their solo careers in the 1970s, but they still had each other on their minds. Paul McCartney spent part of his album “Ram” giving his opinions on his previous collaborator John Lennon. The song “Too Many People” pokes at Lennon’s post-Beatle career choices. Nothing if not outspoken, his fellow legend returned fire with “How Do You Sleep?” The response explores his harsh opinions of McCartney’s personality and musical abilities. Considering that these two were close friends and co-writers, this fight felt especially brutal and personal for the time. Thankfully for them, they made up several years later.
#2: “Sweet Home Alabama” (1974) Lynyrd Skynyrd
Izzo Blues Coalition - Sweet Home Chicago (Robert Johnson Cover)
In one of few Canadian-American music feuds, the Southern rock group Lynyrd Skynyrd had a bone to pick with Neil Young. The latter singer’s tracks “Southern Man” and “Alabama” angered the group with their searing criticisms of the Southern US and its history of prejudice. Young’s pointed opinion of the region was viewed with hostility by Skynyrd,and the angry Southerners later fought back with “Sweet Home Alabama.” It directly references the Canadian songwriter’s work and even calls him out by name at one point. While neither side held much of a grudge over it, this musical exchange remains a piece of history.
#1: “Killing Me Softly with His Song” (1971) Lori Lieberman
Many people remember that Roberta Flack sang this song beautifully, but few people know it’s actually a cover. Lori Lieberman was one of the original co-writers and performed the song. She had attended a Don McLean concert where a performance of his song “Empty Chairs” gave her the inspiration. Lieberman captured the spirit of McLean’s performance style, giving one of the finest musical tributes to anyone in history. Covered by many artists since then, “Killing Me Me Softly” functions like a love song and a loving homage in one sweeping production. Now that’s a response song. Did we forget another great reply song? Let us know in the comments below.
