3 Songs You Recognize But Don’t Know the Title

The key to good pop songwriting is to make it obvious.

Just say it like it is: “Beat It,” “Hey Jude,” “Purple Rain.” But some songs don’t have recognizable titles.

Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend don’t sing the phrase “Baba O’Riley” in The Who’s classic. Robert Plant never utters the words “Black Dog” in “Black Dog.” Also, “Bohemian Rhapsody,” one of the most famous songs in history, doesn’t include the title in its lyrics. For the Britpop crowd, the chorus to Blur’s “Song 2” is Woo-hoo!

But the songs on this list differ from the above examples. Many could name those tunes if put to the test. Below are songs you know but (probably) don’t know the title.

“Rock ’n’ Roll (Part 2)” by Gary Glitter from Glitter (1972)

You know this song. If you’ve attended a sporting event or watched one on television, you’ve experienced the conquering groove. Perhaps you’ve chanted “Hey!” along with thousands of raucous diehards. For years, sports teams adopted the second part of Glitter’s glam-rock anthem to hype fans. Part one repeats the title. However, the second iteration uses only exclamations for its lyrics. Glitter’s rallying cry transcends language with its call to attention. It’s all instinct and gut pushing, willing, pleading for the local team to triumph—a gladiatorial march to victory.

But Glitter’s song has gradually disappeared from sporting events following the singer’s conviction for child sex abuse. The NFL banned Glitter’s version in 2006, and The White Stripes’ “Seven Nation Army” has replaced “Rock ’n’ Roll (Part 2)” as the most ubiquitous stadium hype track worldwide.

“Land of 1000 Dances” by Wilson Pickett from The Exciting Wilson Pickett (1966)

Don’t know this one? Yes, you do. There’s a good chance you’ve sung the chorus. Wilson Pickett rips through famous dances like the Pony, the Mashed Potato, and the Jerk on his way to that famous Na, na-na-na-na hook. Chris Kenner first released the song in 1962. In 1965, garage rockers Cannibal & the Headhunters increased its popularity. The same year, The Walker Brothers changed the na’s to la’s, making something danceable of their blue-eyed baroque pop. Still, Pickett’s version remains the most popular and his version stays true to the spirit of the late-’50s-era dances it references.

“What’s Up?” by 4 Non Blondes from Bigger, Better, Faster, More! (1992)

Of course you know the name of this song. “What’s Going On?” That’s the title. That’s what Linda Perry sings from the top of her lungs. But it’s not. Yes, Perry sings What’s Going On? but “What’s Up?” is the name of the only hit from 4 Non Blondes.

For Perry’s second act in the music business, she’s enjoyed a long career crafting hits for pop superstars. Those hits have obvious titles like Christina Aguilera’s “Beautiful” and Pink’s “Get the Party Started.” (Though Pink’s lyrical hook is Get This Party Started.)

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