Search form

Scroll To Top
Popnography

Attack of the Musical Name-Droppers!

Attack of the Musical Name-Droppers!

Namedropper_crx633

St. Vincent, Katy B & Phantogram all name-check in new songs out this month

From Weezer's "Buddy Holly" to Mika's "Grace Kelly" to Jay-Z's "Tom Ford," musicians have a long history of giving shout-outs to famous peeps. But this month, name-checking seems to be all the rage. Here, our take on three new songs inspired by celebs.

"BILL MURRAY" BY PHANTOGRAM (from Voices)

Bill_murray_phantomx633

With its moaning guitars and twinkling atmospherics, this slow-burner from the New York-based synthpop duo could soundtrack a moodier moment in Lost in Translation.

The Verdict: Pretty, but with lines like "If I look up, can you keep me alive?" these Debbie Downers may want to consider adding Caddyshack to their Netflix queue.

"HUEY NEWTON" BY ST. VINCENT (from St. Vincent)

Huey_newton_stvincentx633

Singer-guitarist Annie Clark was inspired to write this track after "meeting" Newton, a founding member of the Black Panthers, while hallucinating on Ambien in a Finnish hotel room.


The Verdict: The song starts smoothly, then seems to become possessed by Satan himself. It's clear what sorta trip Clark is on: It's more about black magic than Black Power.

"AALIYAH" BY KATY B FEATURING JESSIE WARE (from Little Red)

Aaliyah_katy-bx633

The silky-voiced dance divas don't so much eulogize the departed R&B songstress as mythologize her, both as a Jolene-esque maneater and a spectral force of pure talent.


Winner_smallThe Verdict: Lyrically and rhythmically irresistible, this is the best, most sophisticated

homage Ms. Haughton could have hoped for.

30 Years of Out100Out / Advocate Magazine - Jonathan Groff and Wayne Brady

From our Sponsors

Most Popular

Latest Stories

Out.com Editors