Songs that single out another artist

[roadman]

Does "Money for Nothing" count even though Boy George is not mentioned by name?

It could be argued that Weird Al's version of Money For Nothing is a slap at Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs.

[spooky]

Does "Money for Nothing" count even though Boy George is not mentioned by name?

It could be argued that Weird Al's version of Money For Nothing is a slap at Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs.

I don't think any of Weird Al's parodies could be considered or were ever intended to be a slap at the original artist.

[formulanone]

I don't think any of Weird Al's parodies could be considered or were ever intended to be a slap at the original artist.

Supposedly, he asks the artist or their record label before releasing the work.

[bugo]

Limp Bizkit parodies and mentions Nine Inch Nails in "Hot Dog" (NSFW). Fred Durst says it's affectionate, Trent Reznor says it's an insult.

Durst wishes he had 0.0000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000001% of the talent Trent does.

[golden eagle]

Eminem has called out a number of artists. He called out Christina Aguilera in "The Real Slim Shady", along with Chris Kirkpatrick of *NSYNC and Moby on "Without Me". Eminem also collaborated with 50 Cent and Busta Rhymes on "Hail Mary" in 2001. This was in response to Ja Rule using much of 2Pac's "Hail Mary" in his song "So Much Pain". Em, 50 and Busta didn't like it, so that's why they did their version.

IIRC, Jody Watley's "Friends" was in response to Stephanie Mills stealing away a man Jody was dating. I believe it was Andre Cymone.

[roadman65]

Speaking of Weird Al, many misconceptions about his parodies on Michael Jackson's Beat it.  Many who loved the song Eat It seemed to be those who thought Michael Jackson was a weirdo or did not get into the type of genre he had so they thought it was funny and that Weird Al was poking fun at the pedophile.  However, Weird Al actually loved Jackson's music and did his song because he liked him and his work.

The same with I Lost On Jeopardy, which was Al's parody on Greg Kihn's song Our Love's In Jeopardy as Kihn himself made a cameo in the video of the song.

[GCrites]

Metallica's "King Nothing" is about the fall of Axl Rose.

[nexus73]

Although musical artists are not the target (it's those creative types who make commercials), Neil Young took a real swing at the fences with "This Note's For You".

Alice Cooper sang "I Love The Dead" but he was not referring to the Grateful Dead...LOL!

Rick

[Pete from Boston]

John Lennon, in "God":  "I don't believe in Beatles, I just believe in me."

Only he could have so agile an ego that he could dismiss and praise himself at once!

[Brian556]

Quote from John Eagle:

IIRC, Jody Watley's "Friends" was in response to Stephanie Mills stealing away a man Jody was dating. I believe it was Andre Cymone.

This reminds me of the back story of "Layla"

[Grzrd]

I thought I would find songs that attack other musicians or have a blunt remark about them.

A classic blunt remark is the following from Carly Simon's "You're So Vain":

And all the girls dreamed that they'd be your partner
They'd be your partner, and...
You're so vain, you probably think this song is about you
You're so vain, I'll bet you think this song is about you
Don't you? don't you?

For years, Simon would not reveal who was the subject of the song and candidates included James Taylor, Mick Jagger, Kris Kristofferson, and Warren Beatty.
Interestingly, she finally revealed the subject of the song to be producer David Geffen (I know, I know ...... he is not an "artist" or "musician", but I thought the preceding speculation made the song a fit with this thread).

[1995hoo]

John Lennon, in "God":  "I don't believe in Beatles, I just believe in me."

Only he could have so agile an ego that he could dismiss and praise himself at once!

That song also mentions Bob Dylan ("I don't believe in Zimmerman").

[Pete from Boston]

John Lennon, in "God":  "I don't believe in Beatles, I just believe in me."

Only he could have so agile an ego that he could dismiss and praise himself at once!

That song also mentions Bob Dylan ("I don't believe in Zimmerman").

And Elvis.  And some fella called "God" whose career probably only got a boost from the dig.

[GCrites]

Metallica's "King Nothing" is about the fall of Axl Rose.

I should also add that another song from the Loads, Unforgiven II, would sound way better as a GNR song from the Use Your Illusions LPs.

[Henry]

True by Spandau Ballet mentions Marvin Gaye, though only his first name is actually mentioned in the lyrics.

[Big John]

I Dig Rock and Roll Music by Peter Paul and Mary mention The Mama and the Papas, Donovan, and the Beatles,

[texaskdog]

Didn't Taylor Swift have a song or two that took subtle jabs at John Mayer?

There have been endless jilted lover songs; Taylor Swift's just happen to all involve famous singers or actors.

See also Ed Sheeran's "Don't".

Her exes should all get together and make a song about her.

[texaskdog]

John Lennon, in "God":  "I don't believe in Beatles, I just believe in me."

Only he could have so agile an ego that he could dismiss and praise himself at once!

I thought John didn't believe in THE Beatles, it was Yoko who didn't believe in Beatles

[bugo]

"Precious Things" by Tori Amos references Nine Inch Nails.

[Pete from Boston]

Mike Watt's "Drove Up From Pedro" states:

"What The Germs did at that gig
Made him do what he finally did"

But we get no explanation of what The Germs did.  It led the Pedro (San Pedro, Cal.) dude in the song to "fit the thunderbroom to the thundertune" and "[stuff] the thing in the hole," so draw your own conclusions.

[Dr Frankenstein]

Shine on You Crazy Diamond is a song about former Pink Floyd member Syd Barrett.

[amroad17]

New Radicals' "You Get What You Give" where near the end of the song the singer, Gregg Alexander, calls out Beck, Hanson, Marilyn Manson, and Courtney Love.

[jp the roadgeek]

Phish  has a song called David Bowie that is mostly instrumental. 

[Grzrd]

REM mentions Leonard Bernstein and erstwhile musician better known as a Rolling Stone rock critic Lester Bangs in "It's The End Of The World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)":

The other night I dreamt a nice continental drift divide
Mountains sit in a line, Leonard Bernstein
Leonid Brezhnev, Lenny Bruce, and Lester Bangs
Birthday party, cheesecake, jellybean, boom
You symbiotic, patriotic, slam but neck, right? Right

[bulldog1979]

I thought I would find songs that attack other musicians or have a blunt remark about them.

A classic blunt remark is the following from Carly Simon's "You're So Vain":

And all the girls dreamed that they'd be your partner
They'd be your partner, and...
You're so vain, you probably think this song is about you
You're so vain, I'll bet you think this song is about you
Don't you? don't you?

For years, Simon would not reveal who was the subject of the song and candidates included James Taylor, Mick Jagger, Kris Kristofferson, and Warren Beatty.
Interestingly, she finally revealed the subject of the song to be producer David Geffen (I know, I know ...... he is not an "artist" or "musician", but I thought the preceding speculation made the song a fit with this thread).

Carly Simon has only ever told one person who the subject of the song is. Warren Buffet bid in an auction for the right to know the subject. In fact, she told Rolling Stone that David Geffen is not the subject of the song 5 years ago.