Throughout the ’70s and into the power ballad infused ’80s, there were songs titled after women.
In all honesty, it’s not something specific to those decades, but most of the hits in rock music, with single names, spawned during those times.
The 1970s was a decade rife with these as we heard the names “Melissa”, “Beth” and “Rhiannon” play over the stereo. On June 23 I took in Boston’s show at the Molson Amphitheatre here in Toronto with a good friend, and when the band started up the chords to “Amanda” we looked at each other and started naming off songs named after women.
Of course Allman Brothers came to mind, as did The Band, Fleetwood Mac and Toto — their song named after Desperately Seeking Susan actress Rosanna Arquette.
But we had to dig a little deeper for others. So, after the concert, I went home and went through my extensive music collection to find some of the best rock songs put together, named after women.
Without further ado, my Top 25 Rock Songs Named After Girls.
| 25. |  |
Song: Sara Band: Starship Album: Knee Deep in the Hoopla Year: 1985 |
|---|---|---|
| 24. |  |
Song: Janine Band: Soul Coughing Album: Ruby Vroom Year: 1994 |
| 23. |  |
Song: Tallullah Band: Jamiroquai Album: Dynamite Year: 2005 |
| 22. |  |
Song: Maureen Artist: Nick Lowe Album: Nick Lowe and His Cowboy Outfit Year: 1984 |
| 21. |  |
Song: Julia Artist: Chantal Kreviazuk Album: What If It All Means Something Year: 2002 |
| 20. |  |
Song: Jacqueline Band: Franz Ferdinand Album: Franz Ferdinand Year: 2004 |
| 19. |  |
Song: Rio Band: Duran Duran Album: Rio Year: 1982 |
| 18. |  |
Song: Valerie Artist: Steve Winwood Album: Talking Back To The Night Year: 1982 |
| 17. |  |
Song: Michelle Band: The Beatles Album: Rubber Soul Year: 1965 |
| 16. |  |
Song: Jessica Band: The Allman Brothers Band Album: Brothers and Sisters Year: 1973 |
| 15. |  |
Song: Fancy Artist(s): Bobbie Gentry / Reba McEntire Album: Fancy / Rumor Has It Year: 1969 / 1991 |
| 14. |  |
Song: Amanda Band: Boston Album: Third Stage Year: 1986 |
| 13. |  |
Song: Barbara Ann Band: The Beach Boys Album: Beach Boys’ Party Year: 1965 |
| 12. |  |
Song: Henrietta Band: The Fratellis Album: Costello Music Year: 2006 |
| 11. |  |
Song: Maggie May Artist: Rod Stewart Album: Every Picture Tells A Story Year: 1971 |
| 10. |  |
Song: Darlene Band: Led Zeppelin Album: Coda Year: 1982 (Recorded from 1970-78) |
| 9. |  |
Song: Beth Band: Kiss Album: Destroyer Year: 1976 |
| 8. |  |
Song: Roxanne Band: The Police Album: Outlandos d’Amour Year: 1978 |
| 7. |  |
Song: Rosanna Band: Toto Album: Toto IV Year: 1982 |
| 6. |  |
Song: Ophelia Band: The Band Album: Northern Lights – Southern Cross Year: 1975 |
| 5. |  |
Song: Ruby Band: The Kaiser Chiefs Album: Yours Truly, Angry Mob Year: 2007 |
| 4. |  |
Song: Jackie Blue Band: The Ozark Mountain Devils Album: It’ll Shine When It Shines Year: 1974 |
| 3. |  |
Song: Rhiannon Band: Fleetwood Mac Album: Fleetwood Mac Year: 1976 |
| 2. |  |
Song: Gloria Band: Them Album: The Angry Young Them Year: 1964 |
| 1. |  |
Song: Peg Band: Steely Dan Album: Aja Year: 1977 |