Why do more songs have a woman's name instead of a man's name in the title?

Question

I could only think of two songs with a man's name: "Big John" by Jimmy Dean and "Ode to Billy Joe" by Bobbie Gentry. Bet I could think of a hundred with a woman's name. For instance: Jolene, Peggy Sue, Corinna-Corrina, Ruby Don't Take Your Love to Town, etc.

I'm sure you all have been listening to music for many years. Does someone have the answer?

Answer 1

you can only sing so many songs about infidelity, dogs and pick up trucks. ain't that right hank?

Answer 2

that's the vocal refrain from Suzanne Vega's "Tom's Diner" - devoid of listening to extra of it, that's stressful to tell if that's between the numerous songs that have used samplings from Vega's hit, or if that's a dance remix. one ingredient that's no longer - that's no longer the DNA remix of that music, they do no longer sound alike.

Answer 3

Throughout history, a man would stand outside a lady's bedroom window and serenade her. Women rarely made the first move (not true anymore) and this was a way to win her heart.



There was the song "Tall Paul" written and sung by Annette Funicello about Paul Anka.

Answer 4

It would be rather odd for a man to be singing to another man telling him he makes his world go around!!! But....seems as though it's coming to that!! If a song was made about a guy and it was a big hit just look at all the baby boys that would be named after him!!

Answer 5

Old traditions dictate that suitors sing of their love for their chosen lady. In frontier times there were never enough ladies around to satisfy the demand. Consequently songs were written to express the feelings of the pursuers. I can just imagine that this is also the cause of many would be relationships ending up on a sour note.

Answer 6

I think that most songs with names in them are love songs. Men tend to avoid anything emotional, women love that stuff. I think using women's names and singing to the ladies is profitable.

Answer 7

I was curious, so I googled it. Here's a list of about 100 songs with men's names. I was very surprised.



http://www.listology.com/list/songs-mens-names-title

Answer 8

Because there are more men songwriters and singers and they are trying to woo the ladies with song.

Answer 9

We women are better at ripping out hearts and causing men to lose their minds.

Answer 10

Women are the primary record buyers.

Answer 11

originally I thought it was because men used to seranade women...but seems like that custom has changed.

Answer 12

most of the singer are male.. and most of them sing about their wives, gfs, lovers, ex lovers, ex girlfriends, and if it's another object given a 'name' most of them are given feminine names (our country, cars, even guns)

Answer 13

Because women's names sound sexier thus nicer to sing......

Answer 14

because women are beautiful and deserve the homage :)

Answer 15

I can't resist answering this:



Songs with mens names;

(Doesn't include songs with Dr. or Mr., like Mr. Big Stuff)



•'97 Bonnie and Clyde - Eminem (or Tori Amos, whichever you like best)

•1. David Jay 2. Peter Murphy 3. Kevin Haskins 4. Daniel Ash - Bauhaus



A

•(Aaron's Party) Come Get It - Aaron Carter

•A Boat Like Gideon Brown - Great Big Sea

•A Box For Black Paul - Nick Cave And The Bad Seeds

•A Boy Named Sue - Johnny Cash

•A Johnny Ace Christmas - Squirrel Nut Zippers

•A Message to You, Rudy - The Specials

•Abraham, Martin, and John - Dion

•Absolutely Bill's Mood - They Might Be Giants

•Adam and Eve - Ani DiFranco

•Adam's Apple - Aerosmith

•Adam's Song - Blink 182

•Along Came Jones - The Coasters

•Andrew - Bowling For Soup

•Andy Norris - Badfinger

•Antonin Artaud - Bauhaus

•Arthur - Badfinger

•Arthur's Car - Ides of Space

•Arthur's Theme (Best That You Can Do) - Christopher Cross



B

•Bad, Bad Leroy Brown - Frank Sinatra (or Jim Croce, whichever works for you)

•Ballad of Cedric Früvous - Moxy Früvous

•Ballad of Dwight Fry - Alice Cooper

•Ballad Of Hollis Brown - Bob Dylan

•Ballad Of Sir Frankie Crisp (Let It Roll) - George Harrison

•Ben - Michael Jackson

•Ben Lee - Klinger

•Ben Lee - The Ataris (different from Klinger's version)

•Bennie and the Jets - Elton John

•Billy - Bad Religion

•Billy-A-Dick - Bette Midler

•Billy, Don't Be a Hero - Paper Lace

•Billy Peddle - Great Big Sea

•Billy the Theme Park Shark - The Arrogant Worms

•B.J. Don't Cry - Moxy Früvous

•Black Jack - The Hives

•Black Superman (Muhammed Ali) - Kinshasa Band

•Bob Dylan's Blues - Bob Dylan

•Bobby's Girl - Marcie Blaine

•Books My Dog, The Box, Brian Sokel, and Me - Atom and His Package

•Brian's Song - Johnny Mathis

•Brian Wilson - Barenaked Ladies

•Brother Louie - The Stories

•Buddy Holly - Weezer



C

•Calling Elvis - Dire Straits

•Charles Atlas - A.F.I.

•Charlie Brown - The Coasters

•Charlie the Methadone Man - Fastball

•Chris & His Connor (Whom I Already Love) - Atom and His Package

•Chuck E's In Love - Rickie Lee Jones

•Come Home Johnny Bride - The Bee Gees

•Connor Welcome - Atom and His Package

•Conrad - Jets to Brazil

•Cousin Kevin - The Who

•Craise Finton Kirk Royal Academy of Arts - The Bee Gees

•Crazy Man Michael - Sandy Denny



D

•Daniel - Elton John

•Darlington Darling - Moxy Früvous (I've known someone with this name, at least...)

•Darryl: Contest Winner #1 - The Pettit Project

•Davey Destroyed the Punk Scene - Anti-Flag

•David Duchovny - Bree Sharp

•Dear Jessie - Madonna

•Denis - Blondie

•Dennis - Badfinger

•Dennis and Lois - The Happy Mondays

•Doctor Robert - The Beatles

•Doctor Jones - Aqua

•Dog Named Bob - The Arrogant Worms

•Donnie - Ace of Base

•Dream Angus - Annie Lennox

•Duke of Earl - Gene Chandler



E

•Eddie Walker, This is Your Life - Ben Folds Five

•Ed Says - Samiam

•Eli's Coming - Three Dog Night

•Ellen and Ben - The Dismemberment Plan

•Elvis Presley Blues - Gilian Welch



F

•Farmer Ferdinand Hudson - The Bee Gees

•Fat Lenny - Ween

•Feed Jake - Pirates of the Mississippi

•Fernando - ABBA

•Five Finger Johnny - Westside Chemical

•Floyd the Barber - Nirvana

•For Franklin - Atom and His Package

•Frederick - Patty Smith

•Fred Jones Pt. 2 - Ben Folds



G

•General Taylor - Great Big Sea

•Gilbert Green - The Bee Gees

•Good Time Charlie's Got the Blues - Danny O'Keefe

•Goodbye Earl - Dixie Chicks

•Gordon Bennett - Gilbert O'Sullivan

•Gord's Gold - Moxy Früvous



H

•Hangin' Johnny - Great Big Sea

•Happy Birthday Ralph - Atom and His Package

•Harry - Bauhaus

•Harry Braff - The Bee Gees

•Hats Off to Halford - Atom and His Package

•Hats Off to Larry - Del Shannon

•Hey Deanie - Shaun Cassidy

•Hey Elvis - Bryan Adams

•Hey Joe - Jimi Hendrix

•Hey Jude - The Beatles

•Hey St. Peter - Flash in the Pan

•Hiro's Song - Ben Folds



I

•I Dreamed I Saw Phil Ochs Last Night - Billy Bragg

•I Give You Nothing (Tom Clement...) - Bad Religion

•I'm Henry the VIII, I Am - Herman's Hermits

•It's Johnny's Birthday - George Harrison

•I Wanna Rape Al Gore - Mama Dropped Me



J

•Jack and Jill - Avant

•Jack Hinks - Great Big Sea

•Jackie Wilson Said (I'm In Heaven When You Smile) - Van Morrison

•Jackknife Johnny - Alice Cooper

•Jackson Cannery - Ben Folds Five

•Jacob's Ladder (Not in My Name) - Chumbawamba

•Jakey's Gin - Great Big Sea

•James Dean (I Wanna Know) - Daniel Bedingfield

•James Dean in Tennessee - Jessica Andrews

•James K. Polk - They Might Be Giants

•Jeremy - Pearl Jam

•Jesse - Carly Simon

•Jesse's Girl - Rick Springfield

•Jesus' Brother Bob - The Arrogant Worms

•Jim Dandy - Black Oak Arkansas

•Jimmy James - Beastie Boys

•Jimmy Loves Mary-Anne - Looking Glass

•Jimmy Mack - Martha and the Vandellas

•Jimmy the Exploder - White Stripes

•Jimmy's Road - Willie Nelson

•Joe Harper Saturday Morning - Van Morrison

•Joey - Concrete Blonde

•John Lee Supertaster - They Might Be Giants

•John The Gun - Sandy D

Answer 16

Eric Clapton singing "Larry"instead of"Layla"?

No thanks.