An answer song, response song or answer record is a song (usually a recorded track) made in answer to a previous song, normally by another artist. The concept became widespread in

blues Blues is a music genre and musical form that originated among African Americans in the Deep South of the United States around the 1860s. Blues has incorporated spiritual (music), spirituals, work songs, field hollers, Ring shout, shouts, cha ...

and R&B recorded music in the 1930s to the 1950s. Answer songs were also popular in

country music Country (also called country and western) is a popular music, music genre originating in the southern regions of the United States, both the American South and American southwest, the Southwest. First produced in the 1920s, country music is p ...

in the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s, sometimes as female responses to an original hit by a male artist or male responses to a hit by a female artist. The original " Hound Dog" song sung by Big Mama Thornton reached number 1 in 1953, and there were six answer songs in response; the most successful of these was "Bear Cat", by

Rufus Thomas Rufus C. Thomas, Jr. (March 26, 1917 – December 15, 2001) was an American rhythm-and-blues, funk, soul and blues singer, songwriter, dancer, DJ and comic entertainer from Memphis, Tennessee. He recorded for several labels, including Chess Re ...

which reached number 3. That led to a successful copyright lawsuit for $35,000, which is said to have led Sam Phillips of

Sun Records Sun Records is an American independent record label founded by producer Sam Phillips in Memphis, Tennessee on February 1, 1952. Sun was the first label to record Elvis Presley, Charlie Rich, Roy Orbison, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, and Jo ...

to sell

Elvis Presley Elvis Aaron Presley (January 8, 1935 – August 16, 1977) was an American singer and actor. Referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll", he is regarded as Cultural impact of Elvis Presley, one of the most significant cultural figures of the ...

's recording contract to RCA. In ''Rock Eras: Interpretations of Music and Society'', Jim Curtis says that "the series of answer songs which were hits in 1960 ... indicates the dissociation of the singer from the song ... Answer songs rode on the coattails, as it were, of the popularity of the first song, and resembled parodies in that their success depended on a knowledge of the original ... Answer songs were usually one-hit flukes by unknown singers whose lack of identity did not detract from the success of the record since only the song, and not the performer, mattered." Today, this practice is most common in

hip hop music Hip-hop or hip hop (originally disco rap) is a popular music Music genre, genre that emerged in the early 1970s from the African Americans, African-American community of New York City. The style is characterized by its synthesis of a wide r ...

and

filk Filk music is a musical culture, genre, and community tied to science fiction, fantasy, and horror fandom and a type of fan labor. The genre has existed since the early 1950s and been played primarily since the mid-1970s. The genre has a ni ...

, especially as the continuation of a feud between performers; the Roxanne Wars was a notable example that resulted in over a hundred answer songs. Answer songs also played a part in the battle over turf in The Bridge Wars. Sometimes, an answer record imitated the original very closely and occasionally, a hit song would be followed up by the same artist.

Examples

Pre-1950s

*Sir

Walter Raleigh Sir Walter Raleigh (; – 29 October 1618) was an English statesman, soldier, writer and explorer. One of the most notable figures of the Elizabethan era, he played a leading part in English colonisation of North America, suppressed rebell ...

and

Christopher Marlowe Christopher Marlowe ( ; Baptism, baptised 26 February 156430 May 1593), also known as Kit Marlowe, was an English playwright, poet, and translator of the Elizabethan era. Marlowe is among the most famous of the English Renaissance theatre, Eli ...

traded life philosophies on the battlefield of poetry, namely, "

The Passionate Shepherd To His Love "The Passionate Shepherd to His Love" (1599), by Christopher Marlowe, is a pastoral poem from the English Renaissance (1485–1603). Marlowe composed the poem in iambic tetrameter (four feet of one unstressed syllable followed by one stressed ...

" (1599) and " The Nymph's Reply To The Shepherd" (1600). *The sentimental Irish ballad, " I'll Take You Home Again, Kathleen" (1875) by Thomas Westendorf was written as a reply to the earlier "Barney, Take Me Home Again" by George W. Persley. *"I Wonder Why Bill Bailey Don't Come Home" was written by

William Jerome William Jerome Flannery (September 30, 1865 – June 25, 1932) was an American songwriter, born in Cornwall-on-Hudson, New York, of Irish immigrant parents: Mary Donnellan and Patrick Flannery. He collaborated with numerous well-known composer ...

and recorded by Arthur Collins in 1902 as an answer to "

Bill Bailey, Won't You Please Come Home "(Won't You Come Home) Bill Bailey", originally titled "Bill Bailey, Won't You Please.... Come Home?" is a popular song published in 1902. It is commonly referred to as simply "Bill Bailey". The words and music were written by Hughie Cannon, an ...

", published by Hughie Cannon and recorded by Collins earlier the same year. *"I Used to Be Afraid to Come Home in the Dark" was recorded by Billy Murray in 1909 as a response to his own 1908 hit, "I'm Afraid to Come Home in the Dark" * The popularity of the 1923 song " Yes! We Have No Bananas" was answered that same year by "I've Got The Yes! We Have No Banana Blues" with lyrics by

Lew Brown Lew Brown (born Louis Brownstein; December 10, 1893 – February 5, 1958) was a lyricist for popular songs in the United States. During World War I and the Roaring Twenties, he wrote lyrics for several of the top Tin Pan Alley composers, espec ...

, composed by Robert King and James F. Hanley. The song referred to the ubiquity and nonsense lyrics of the original.

Eddie Cantor Eddie Cantor (born Isidore Itzkowitz; January 31, 1892 – October 10, 1964) was an American comedian, actor, dancer, singer, songwriter, film producer, screenwriter and author. Cantor was one of the prominent entertainers of his era. Some of h ...

, Eva Taylor, Isabelle Patricola, and Belle Baker all sang on releases of this song. * Patsy Montana's " I Want to Be a Cowboy's Sweetheart" (written 1934, recorded 1935), the first million seller hit by a female country artist, was an answer to Stuart Hamblen's "Texas Plains". *

Woody Guthrie Woodrow Wilson Guthrie (; July 14, 1912 – October 3, 1967) was an American singer, songwriter, and composer widely considered to be one of the most significant figures in American folk music. His work focused on themes of American Left, A ...

's anthem " This Land Is Your Land" was written in 1940 as an answer to " God Bless America", written by

Irving Berlin Irving Berlin (born Israel Isidore Beilin; May 11, 1888 – September 22, 1989) was a Russian-born American composer and songwriter. His music forms a large part of the Great American Songbook. Berlin received numerous honors including an Acade ...

in 1918 (and revised in 1938). Guthrie originally called his response "God Blessed America for Me".

1950s

* "Where's-a Your House", written and recorded by Robert Q. Lewis in 1951, was a response to Rosemary Clooney's " Come on-a My House" of the same year. * " It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels", written by J. D. "Jay" Miller in 1952 and originally sung by Kitty Wells, was a response to " The Wild Side of Life", made famous that same year by Hank Thompson. *" Mannish Boy" (1955) by

Muddy Waters McKinley Morganfield (April 4, 1913April 30, 1983), better known as Muddy Waters, was an American blues singer-songwriter and musician who was an important figure in the post-World War II blues scene, and is often cited as the "father of moder ...

was a response to

Bo Diddley Ellas Otha Bates (December 30, 1928 – June 2, 2008), known professionally as Bo Diddley, was an American guitarist and singer who played a key role in the transition from the blues to rock and roll. He influenced many artists, including Buddy ...

's " I'm a Man", which also happened to be a response to " I'm Your Hoochie Coochie Man", an earlier song by Muddy Waters in 1954. * " Hot Rod Lincoln" (1955) is Charlie Ryan's a response to "Hot Rod Race", (1950) Arkie Shibley and His Mountain Dew Boys and is arguably the more well known of the two songs. * "Can't Do Sixty No More", written and performed by

The Dominoes Billy Ward and his Dominoes were an American R&B vocal group. One of the most successful R&B groups of the early 1950s, the Dominoes helped launch the singing careers of two notable members, Clyde McPhatter and Jackie Wilson. Early life B ...

, was a response to their own hit song from four years earlier (1951), " Sixty Minute Man". *One of the longest answer record cycles was started by Hank Ballard and The Midnighters' (1954) R&B hit " Work with Me, Annie", and its sequel song " Annie Had a Baby" (1954). Answer songs include "Annie's Answer" (1954) by The El Dorados, "Annie Pulled a Humbug" (1954) by the Midnights, "Wallflower (Roll With Me Henry)" (1955) by

Etta James Jamesetta Hawkins (January 25, 1938 – January 20, 2012), known professionally as Etta James, was an American singer and songwriter. Starting her career in 1954, James frequently performed in Nashville's R&B clubs, collectively known as the Ch ...

, and "I'm the Father of Annie's Baby" (1955), by Danny Taylor. The Midnighters also recorded an "answer to the answer": "Henry's Got Flat Feet (Can't Dance No More)" (1955). *"Nothing Can Replace A Man" (1955) from the musical Ankles Aweigh bills itself in its verse as an answer to Rodgers and Hammerstein's " There Is Nothin' Like A Dame" (1949). *"I Shot Mr. Lee" (1958) was The Bobbettes' response to their own 1957 hit, " Mr. Lee". * "That Makes It" was Jayne Mansfield's response to The Big Bopper's " Chantilly Lace" (1958), suggesting what the girl may have been saying at the other end of the line. * "Oh Neil!" was

Carole King Carole King Klein (born Carol Joan Klein; February 9, 1942) is an American singer-songwriter and musician renowned for her extensive contributions to popular music. She wrote or co-wrote 118 songs that charted on the Billboard Hot 100, ''Billbo ...

's response to

Neil Sedaka Neil Sedaka (; born March 13, 1939) is an American singer, songwriter and pianist. Since his music career began in 1957, he has sold millions of records worldwide and has written or co-written over 500 songs for himself and other artists, collabo ...

's " Oh! Carol" (1959); Sedaka and King were both co-workers and friends since high school. * "Short Mort" (1959) by

was a response to Annette Funicello's " Tall Paul" (1959), referencing "Tall Paul" in the line, "You can keep Tall Paul, I'll take Short Mort." * "Return of the All-American Boy" (1959) by Billy Adams was a response to the 1958 smash " The All American Boy" by Bill Parsons (aka Bobby Bare). * "I Got a Job" (1957) by

The Miracles The Miracles (later known as Smokey Robinson and the Miracles from 1965 to 1972) were an American vocal group formed in Detroit, Michigan in 1955. They were the first successful recording act for Motown Records and are considered one of the most ...

, "I Found a Job" by The Heartbeats (1958), "I Got A Job" by The Tempos, and "I Got Fired" by The Mistakes, were all responses to The Silhouettes's self-penned chart-topper Get a Job (1957). * "Answer To The Pub With No Beer" (1958) by Slim Dusty, was a direct response to Dusty's hit A Pub With No Beer (1957).

1960s

* "Tell Tommy I Miss Him" (1960) by

Marilyn Michaels Marilyn Michaels (born Marilyn Sternberg, February 26, 1943) is a comedian, singer, actress, impressionist, author, and composer. Family Marilyn Michaels was born in Manhattan to Russian Jewish émigré parents. Her mother was cantoress and actr ...

is a response to " Tell Laura I Love Her" (1960), recorded separately by both Ray Peterson and

Ricky Valance David Spencer (10 April 193612 June 2020), known professionally as Ricky Valance, was a Welsh pop singer. He was best known for the UK number one single " Tell Laura I Love Her", which sold more than a million copies in 1960. He was the first ...

. Versions of this answer song were also released by Skeeter Davis and Laura Lee. * "I'll Save the Last Dance for You" by Damita Jo (1960) answers The Drifters' " Save the Last Dance for Me", sung by Ben E. King (also 1960). Another Damita Jo track, "I'll Be There" (1961), was in response to King's solo hit " Stand by Me" (1960). * " He'll Have to Stay" (1960) was

Jeanne Black Gloria Jeanne Black (October 25, 1937 – October 23, 2014) was an American country music singer. Life and career Gloria Jeanne Black was born on October 25, 1937, in Pomona, California. She first gained wide exposure singing on Cliffie Stone' ...

's response to Jim Reeves' " He'll Have to Go" (1959), and was answered in turn by Johnny Scoggins' "I'm Gonna Stay" (also 1960). * "(I Can't Help You) I'm Falling Too" (1960) was Skeeter Davis' response to Hank Locklin's " Please Help Me, I'm Falling", as was Betty Madigan's "I'm Glad That You're Falling" (1960). * "There's Nothing on My Mind" (1960) was The Teen Queens' response to Bobby Marchan's " There's Something on Your Mind" (also 1960). * "Yes, I'm Lonesome Tonight" (1960) was Dodie Stevens's response to

's " Are You Lonesome Tonight?" (also 1960). * "I Really Want You to Know" (1961) was Skeeter Davis' response to Eddy Arnold's " I Really Don't Want To Know". * "Come on Back, Jack" (1961) written by Mort Shuman and Leon Carr and recorded by

Nina Simone Nina Simone ( ; born Eunice Kathleen Waymon; February 21, 1933 – April 21, 2003) was an American singer, pianist, songwriter, and civil rights activist. Her music spanned styles including classical, folk, gospel, blues, jazz, R&B, and po ...

, and "Well, I Told You" (also 1961), recorded by The Chantels, are both different responses to " Hit the Road, Jack", written by Percy Mayfield and recorded by

Ray Charles Ray Charles Robinson (September 23, 1930 – June 10, 2004) was an American singer, songwriter, and pianist. He is regarded as one of the most iconic and influential musicians in history, and was often referred to by contemporaries as "The Gen ...

. * "Stay-at-Home Sue" by Linda Laurie and "I'm No Run Around" (both 1961) by Ginger Davis and the Snaps were responses to Dion's " Runaround Sue" (also 1961). * "Hey Memphis" (1961) was LaVern Baker's response to

's " Little Sister" (also 1961). * "Don'cha Shop Around" by Laurie Davis and "Don't Let Him Shop Around" by Debbie Dean (both 1961) were responses to

' " Shop Around" (1960). Both songs were written by

Berry Gordy Berry Gordy III (born November 28, 1929), also known as Berry Gordy Jr., is an American retired record executive, record producer, songwriter, film producer and television producer. He is best known as the founder of the Motown record label and i ...

and Smokey Robinson. * " My Big John" (1961) was Dottie West's response to

Jimmy Dean Jimmy Ray Dean (August 10, 1928 – June 13, 2010) was an American country music singer, television host, actor and businessman. He was the creator of the Jimmy Dean (brand), Jimmy Dean sausage brand as well as the spokesman for its TV comm ...

's " Big Bad John" (also 1961). * "My Long Black Veil" (1961) was Marijohn Wilkin's response to

Lefty Frizzell William Orville "Lefty" Frizzell (March 31, 1928 – July 19, 1975) was an American country and honky-tonk singer-songwriter. Frizell is known as one of the most influential country music vocal stylists of all time. He has been cited as in ...

's " Long Black Veil" (1959). * "Return of the Teenage Queen" (1961) was country singer Tommy Tucker's response to

Johnny Cash John R. Cash (born J. R. Cash; February 26, 1932 – September 12, 2003) was an American singer-songwriter. Most of his music contains themes of sorrow, moral tribulation, and redemption, especially songs from the later stages of his career. ...

's " Ballad of a Teenage Queen" (1958). * "Don't Wanna Be Another Good Luck Charm" (1962) was Jo's (of Judy and Jo) response to

's " Good Luck Charm" (also 1962). * "(I'm the Girl from) Wolverton Mountain" (1962) was Jo Ann Campbell's response to Claude King's " Wolverton Mountain" (also 1962). *The Pearlettes' "Duchess of Earl" (1962) was a response to Gene Chandler's " Duke of Earl" (1961). * " Judy's Turn to Cry" (1963) was

Lesley Gore Lesley Gore (born Lesley Sue Goldstein, May 2, 1946 – February 16, 2015) was an American singer and songwriter. At the age of 16, she recorded her first hit song " It's My Party", a US number one in 1963. She follow ...

's response to her own song "

It's My Party "It's My Party" is a song recorded by American singer Lesley Gore on her debut studio album '' I'll Cry If I Want To'' (1963). It was released as a single on April 5, 1963, by Mercury Records. The song was written by Herb Wiener, John Gluck Jr. ...

" (also 1963). Both of these songs appear in her debut album '' I'll Cry If I Want To''. * "Blackhead Chinaman" (1963) was

Prince Buster Cecil Bustamente Campbell (24 May 1938 – 8 September 2016), known professionally as Prince Buster, was a Jamaican singer-songwriter and producer. The records he released in the 1960s influenced and shaped the course of Jamaican contemporary ...

's response to Derrick Morgan's "Housewives Choice" (1961). Specifically, Buster claimed that Morgan and producer Leslie Kong stole hooks that Buster had created. Morgan responded with "Blazing Fire" and "No Raise, No Praise". The musical feud reportedly engulfed Jamaican culture to a level where the government ordered the two to appear in public together to calm the frenzied nation. * "It Hurts to Be Sixteen" (1963) was Andrea Carroll's response to

's " Happy Birthday Sweet Sixteen" (1962). Sedaka wrote the melody to both songs (each with a different lyricist; his brother-in-law Ronnie Grossman wrote the lyrics to "It Hurts to Be Sixteen" while Sedaka's songwriting partner Howard Greenfield wrote "Happy Birthday Sweet Sixteen"). * "Hello Melvin (This Is Mama)" (1963) was Sandra Gould's answer to " Hello Muddah, Hello Fadduh (A Letter from Camp)" (also 1963), a novelty song by Allan Sherman. *

The Beach Boys The Beach Boys are an American Rock music, rock band formed in Hawthorne, California, in 1961. The group's original lineup consisted of brothers Brian Wilson, Brian, Dennis Wilson, Dennis, and Carl Wilson, their cousin Mike Love, and their f ...

' " Don't Worry Baby" (1964) from ''Shut Down Volume 2'' was said to be an answer to the Ronettes song " Be My Baby" (1963). *The Beach Boys' " The Girl from New York City" (1965) from '' Summer Days (And Summer Nights!!)'' was a response to The Ad Libs' " The Boy from New York City" (1964). * " Queen of the House" (1965) was Jody Miller's response to

Roger Miller Roger Dean Miller Sr. (January 2, 1936 – October 25, 1992) was an American singer-songwriter, widely known for his honky-tonk-influenced novelty songs and his chart-topping country hits " King of the Road", "Dang Me", and " England Swing ...

's " King of the Road" (1964). * " That's My Life (My Love and My Home)" (1965) by Alfred Lennon,

John Lennon John Winston Ono Lennon (born John Winston Lennon; 9 October 19408 December 1980) was an English singer-songwriter, musician and activist. He gained global fame as the founder, co-lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist of the Beatles. Lennon's ...

's father, was a response to his son's song "

In My Life "In My Life" is a song by the English Rock music, rock band the Beatles, released on their 1965 studio album, ''Rubber Soul''. Credited to the Lennon–McCartney songwriting partnership, the song is one of only a few in which there is dispute ...

" (also 1965), recorded by

the Beatles The Beatles were an English Rock music, rock band formed in Liverpool in 1960. The core lineup of the band comprised John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr. They are widely regarded as the Cultural impact of the Beatle ...

. * "Hurry, Mr. Peters" (1965) by Lorene Mann and Justin Tubb was a response to Roy Drusky and Priscilla Mitchell's " Yes, Mr. Peters". * "Slip-In Mules (No High Heel Sneakers) " (1964) was Sugar Pie DeSanto's answer to " High Heel Sneakers" (also 1964), by Tommy Tucker. *Wendy Hill's "Gary, Please Don't Sell My Diamond Ring" (1965) to Gary Lewis & the Playboys' " This Diamond Ring". (1965) * "Dawn of Correction" by The Spokesmen is in response to " Eve of Destruction" by Barry McGuire (both 1965). * " Morgan the Pirate" (1966) by Richard Fariña was believed by Fariña's producer Maynard Solomon, journalist

Robert Christgau Robert Thomas Christgau ( ; born April 18, 1942) is an American music journalist and essayist. Among the most influential music critics, he began his career in the late 1960s as one of the earliest professional rock critics and later became a ...

, and others to be a response to

Bob Dylan Bob Dylan (legally Robert Dylan; born Robert Allen Zimmerman, May 24, 1941) is an American singer-songwriter. Described as one of the greatest songwriters of all time, Dylan has been a major figure in popular culture over his nearly 70-year ...

's scathing " Positively 4th Street" (1965), of which Fariña may have been (or at any rate believed himself to be) the target. * " 4th Time Around" (1966) by Bob Dylan is seen as a response to " Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)" (1965) by the Beatles. * "Evil Off My Mind" (1966) by

Burl Ives Burl Icle Ivanhoe Ives (June 14, 1909 – April 14, 1995) was an American Folk music, folk singer and actor with a career that spanned more than six decades. Ives began his career as an itinerant singer and guitarist, eventually launching his o ...

was a response to Jan Howard's song " Evil on Your Mind" (1966). * "When a Woman Loves a Man" (1966) by Ketty Lester was a response to " When a Man Loves a Woman" (also 1966) by Percy Sledge. *French

Johnny Hallyday Jean-Philippe Léo Smet (; 15 June 1943 – 5 December 2017), better known by his stage name Johnny Hallyday, was a French rock and roll and Pop music, pop singer and actor, credited with having brought rock and roll to France. During a career ...

's 1966 ''Cheveux longs et idées courtes'' is a riposte to a direct, personal mockery in a verse of

Antoine Antoine is a French language, French given name (from the Latin ''Antonius'' meaning 'highly praise-worthy') that is a variant of Danton (name), Danton, Titouan, D'Anton and Antonin. The name is most common in France, Switzerland, Belgium, Canada ...

's ''Élucubrations'' of the same year; both were hit songs. (See Antoine's rivalry with Johnny Hallyday). * "I'm Happy They Took You Away, Ha-Haaa!" (1966) is Josephine XIV's response in the form of Napoleon's wife to Napoleon XIV's " They're Coming to Take Me Away, Ha-Haaa!" (1966). Another answer song is "They Took You Away, I'm Glad, I'm Glad", also written by Jerry Samuels. * " Your Good Thing (Is About to End)" (1966), written by

Isaac Hayes Isaac Lee Hayes Jr. (August 20, 1942 – August 10, 2008) was an American singer, songwriter, composer, and actor. He was one of the creative forces behind the Southern soul music label Stax Records in the 1960s, serving as an in-house songwr ...

and David Porter, was originally recorded by Mable John, and served as a response to " You'll Lose a Good Thing" (1962) by Barbara Lynn. * Jay Lee Webb's 1967 song, "I Come Home A-Drinkin' (To a Worn-Out Wife Like You)", was written as an "answer song" to his older sister

Loretta Lynn Loretta Lynn (; April 14, 1932 – October 4, 2022) was an American country music singer and songwriter. In a career spanning six decades, Lynn released multiple gold albums. She had numerous hits such as "Hey Loretta", "The Pill (song), The P ...

's No. 1 1967 country hit " Don't Come Home A Drinkin (With Lovin' on Your Mind)". * " Clothes Line Saga" (1967) by Bob Dylan and the Band is seen as a response to " Ode to Billie Joe" (1967) by Bobbie Gentry. *"Yes, I Am Experienced" (1967) by Eric Burdon and the Animals, was an answer to

Jimi Hendrix James Marshall "Jimi" Hendrix (born Johnny Allen Hendrix; November 27, 1942September 18, 1970) was an American singer-songwriter and musician. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest and most influential guitarists of all time. Inducted ...

's " Are You Experienced?" (1967). * " Back in the U.S.S.R." (1968) by

The Beatles The Beatles were an English Rock music, rock band formed in Liverpool in 1960. The core lineup of the band comprised John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr. They are widely regarded as the Cultural impact of the Beatle ...

was a response to " Back in the U.S.A." by

Chuck Berry Charles Edward Anderson Berry (October 18, 1926 – March 18, 2017) was an American singer, guitarist and songwriter who pioneered rock and roll. Nicknamed the "Honorific nicknames in popular music, Father of Rock and Roll", he refined and de ...

(1959) and " California Girls" by

(1965). * "Billy, I've Got to Go to Town" (1969) by Geraldine Stevens was a response to " Ruby, Don't Take Your Love to Town" by Johnny Darrell (1967). * "More on Ode to Billie Joe" (1969) by Rodd Rogers (aka Rodd Keith), Terri Peters (aka Teri Thornton), and the MSR Singers was a response to 1967's blockbuster " Ode to Billie Joe" by Bobbie Gentry. *Joni Mitchell's " The Circle Game" (1970) is an answer to Neil Young's " Sugar Mountain" (1964).

1970s

* "Hippie From Olema" (1971) was The Youngbloods' answer to Merle Haggard's country hit, " Okie from Muskogee" (1969). *

Paul McCartney and Wings Paul McCartney and Wings, often billed simply as Wings, was a British-American Rock music, rock band formed in 1971 in London by former The Beatles, Beatle Paul McCartney; his wife Linda McCartney on keyboards; session drummer Denny Seiwell; a ...

's " Some People Never Know" & "Dear Friend" (both 1971), " Let Me Roll It" & " Nineteen Hundred and Eighty-Five" (both 1973), and " Silly Love Songs" (1976) all answered John Lennon's " How Do You Sleep?" (1971) which was

's response to " Too Many People" (1971) by ex- Beatle and Lennon's former collaborator Paul McCartney. * " The Lawrence Welk-Hee Haw Counter-Revolution Polka" (1972) was '' Hee Haw'' host Roy Clark's answer to

Gil Scott-Heron Gilbert Scott-Heron (April 1, 1949 – May 27, 2011) was an American Jazz poetry, jazz poet, singer, musician, and author known for his work as a spoken-word performer in the 1970s and 1980s. His collaborative efforts with musician Brian Jackso ...

's "

The Revolution Will Not Be Televised "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised" is a satirical poem and Black Liberation song by Gil Scott-Heron. Scott-Heron first recorded it for his 1970 album ''Small Talk at 125th and Lenox'', on which he recited the lyrics, accompanied by congas a ...

". "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised" was, in turn, a response to The Last Poets' "When the Revolution Comes." * "I'm Mr. Big Stuff" was the 1972 response by Jimmy Hicks to " Mr. Big Stuff" by Jean Knight. *"(Should I) Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Old Oak Tree?" was the 1973 response by

Connie Francis Concetta Rosa Maria Franconero ( ; born December 12, 1937), known as Connie Francis, is a retired American Pop music, pop singer, actress, and top-charting female vocalist of the late 1950s and early 1960s. She is estimated to have sold more th ...

to "Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Old Oak Tree" by Tony Orlando & Dawn. * " Basketball Jones featuring Tyrone Shoelaces" (1973) was Cheech and Chong's parody of the romantic song "Love Jones" (1972) by Brighter Side of Darkness. * " Sweet Home Alabama" (1974) was

Lynyrd Skynyrd Lynyrd Skynyrd (, ) is an American Rock music, rock band formed in Jacksonville, Florida in 1964. The group originally formed as My Backyard and comprised Ronnie Van Zant (vocals), Gary Rossington (guitar), Allen Collins (guitar), Larry Junstrom ...

's response to

Neil Young Neil Percival Young (born November 12, 1945) is a Canadian and American singer-songwriter. After embarking on a music career in Winnipeg in the 1960s, Young moved to Los Angeles, forming the folk rock group Buffalo Springfield. Since the begi ...

's " Southern Man" (1970) and "

Alabama Alabama ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the Southeastern United States, Southeastern and Deep South, Deep Southern regions of the United States. It borders Tennessee to the north, Georgia (U.S. state), Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gu ...

" (1972).

Warren Zevon Warren William Zevon (January 24, 1947 – September 7, 2003) was an American rock singer and songwriter. His most famous compositions include "Werewolves of London", "Lawyers, Guns and Money" and "Roland the Headless Thompson Gunner". All t ...

then wrote a response to "Sweet Home Alabama", titled "Play It All Night Long" (1980). * "From His Woman to You" (1975) sung by Barbara Mason was the response to " Woman to Woman" (1974) by Shirley Brown. * "Rak Off Normie" (1975) by Maureen Elkner was the response to " The Newcastle Song" (1975) by Bob Hudson. * " (I'm A) Stand By My Woman Man" (1976) sung by

Ronnie Milsap Ronnie Lee Milsap (born Ronald Lee Millsaps; January 16, 1943) is an American country music singer and pianist. He was one of country music's most popular and influential performers of the 1970s and 1980s. Nearly completely blind from birth, h ...

was the response to

Tammy Wynette Tammy Wynette (born Virginia Wynette Pugh; May 5, 1942 – April 6, 1998) was an American country music singer and songwriter, considered among the genre's most influential and successful artists. Along with Loretta Lynn, Wynette helped bring a ...

's " Stand By Your Man" (1968). * " Two Out of Three Ain't Bad" (1977) by

Meat Loaf Michael Lee Aday (born Marvin Lee Aday; September 27, 1947 – January 20, 2022), known professionally by his stage name Meat Loaf, was an American singer and actor. He was known for his powerful, wide-ranging voice and theatrical live shows. ...

was the answer song to "

I Want You, I Need You, I Love You "I Want You, I Need You, I Love You" is a song written by Maurice Mysels and Ira Kosloff. It is best known for being Elvis Presley's seventh single release on the RCA Victor label, produced by Steve Sholes.Victor (2008), p. 251. It was released i ...

" (1956) by

. * Johnny Thunders' "

London Boys London Boys were a British dance-pop Musical duo, duo based in Germany whose members were Edem Ephraim (1 July 1959, London, UK – 21 January 1996) and Dennis Fuller (19 June 1959, Jamaica – 21 January 1996). They are best remembered for th ...

" (1978) is a response to the

Sex Pistols The Sex Pistols are an English punk rock band formed in London in 1975. Although their initial career lasted just two and a half years, they became culturally influential in popular music. The band initiated the punk movement in the United Ki ...

' "New York" (1977).

1980s

* "

Love Will Tear Us Apart "Love Will Tear Us Apart" is a song by English rock music, rock band Joy Division, released on 27 June 1980 as a non-album single. Its lyrics were inspired by lead singer Ian Curtis' marital problems and struggles with epilepsy. The single was r ...

" (1980) by

Joy Division Joy Division were an English Rock music, rock band formed in Salford in 1976. The group consisted of vocalist, guitarist and lyricist Ian Curtis, guitarist and keyboardist Bernard Sumner, bassist Peter Hook and drummer Stephen Morris (musici ...

was partly a response to " Love Will Keep Us Together" (1973) by

and Howard Greenfield. * "Bad Boy" (1982) by Ray Parker Jr. was a response to his own hit of the same year, " The Other Woman". * "I Was Country Before Barbara Mandrell" (1982) by Dave Dudley was a response to Mandrell's " I Was Country When Country Wasn't Cool" from earlier in the year. *" Candy Girl" (1982) by

New Edition New Edition is an American Contemporary R&B, R&B/Pop music, pop group from the Roxbury, Boston, Roxbury neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts, formed in 1978 by singer/rapper Bobby Brown. Their name is taken to mean a new edition of the Jackson ...

was a response to " ABC" (1970) by

The Jackson 5 The Jackson 5, later known as the Jacksons, are an American pop band composed of members of the Jackson family. The group was formed in Gary, Indiana in 1964, and originally consisted of brothers Jackie, Ti ...

. * " Major Tom (Coming Home)" (1983) by Peter Schilling was the response to

David Bowie David Robert Jones (8 January 194710 January 2016), known as David Bowie ( ), was an English singer, songwriter and actor. Regarded as one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century, Bowie was acclaimed by critics and musicians, pa ...

's 1969 song " Space Oddity". * " Superstar" (1983) by Lydia Murdock was an answer song to "

Billie Jean "Billie Jean" is a song by the American singer Michael Jackson, released by Epic Records on January 3, 1983, as the second single from his sixth studio album, ''Thriller (album), Thriller'' (1982). It was written and composed by Jackson, produ ...

" (1983) by

Michael Jackson Michael Joseph Jackson (August 29, 1958 – June 25, 2009) was an American singer, songwriter, dancer, and philanthropist. Dubbed the "King of Pop", he is regarded as Cultural impact of Michael Jackson, one of the most culturally significan ...

. * "Taxi (Take Him Back)" was Anne LeSear's 1984 response to J. Blackfoot's 1983 song "Taxi". *

Melba Moore Beatrice Melba Smith (born October 29, 1945) known by her stage name Melba Moore, is an American singer and actress. Biography Early life and education Moore was born Beatrice Melba Smith on October 29, 1945, in New York City to Gertrude Melba ...

's "King of My Heart" (1985) was an answer song to Billy Ocean's " Caribbean Queen" (1984). *Blue Öyster Cult's "Spy In The House Of The Night" (1985) is about a pyromaniac who gets his kicks from being normal on the outside but a secret arsonist by night. It is also a shout out to

The Doors The Doors were an American rock band formed in Los Angeles in 1965, comprising vocalist Jim Morrison, keyboardist Ray Manzarek, guitarist Robby Krieger and drummer John Densmore. They were among the most influential and controversial rock acts ...

song "The Spy" (1970), about a sexual voyeur. *Reba McEntire's " Whoever's in New England" (1986) was a response to

Barry Manilow Barry Manilow ( ; born Barry Alan Pincus on June 17, 1943) is an American singer, songwriter and record producer with a career that spans over sixty years. His hit recordings include "Could It Be Magic", "Looks Like We Made It", "Brandy (Scott ...

's hit " Weekend in New England" (1975). "Whoever's in New England", in turn, inspired the 2007 answer song "

Stay Stay may refer to: Places * Stay, Kentucky, an unincorporated community in the US Law * Stay of execution, a ruling to temporarily suspend the enforcement of a court judgment * Stay of proceedings, a ruling halting further legal process in a tr ...

", written and sung by Jennifer Nettles. * "Thunder & Lightning" (1986) by Miss Thang was a response to Oran "Juice" Jones's song " The Rain" from the same year. Other responses included "The Drain" by Leot Littlepage, and "After the Storm" by Stephan, also released in 1986. * Actor

Danny Aiello Daniel Louis Aiello Jr. () (June 20, 1933 – December 12, 2019) was an American actor. He appeared in numerous motion pictures, including ''The Godfather Part II'' (1974), ''The Front'' (1976), ''Once Upon a Time in America'' (1984), ''Hide in ...

appeared in the

Madonna Madonna Louise Ciccone ( ; born August 16, 1958) is an American singer, songwriter, record producer, and actress. Referred to as the "Queen of Pop", she has been recognized for her continual reinvention and versatility in music production, ...

video for " Papa Don't Preach" (1986), as the titular "Papa", and later that year recorded "Papa Wants the Best for You", written by Artie Schroeck, as a representation of the father's point of view. *"Guys Ain't Nothing but Trouble" by DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince (featuring Ice Cream Tee) was a response to "Girls Ain't Nothing but Trouble" from their 1987 debut album, "Rock The House" by DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince. *"Grab it!" (1988) by L'Trimm was a cheeky answer record to " Push it" by

Salt-N-Pepa Salt-N-Pepa (sometimes stylized as Salt 'N' Pepa) is an American hip-hop, hip hop group formed in New York City in 1985, that comprised Salt (rapper), Salt (Cheryl James), Pepa (rapper), Pepa (Sandra Denton), and DJ Spinderella (Deidra Roper). ...

(1985) * "I'm Your Wild Thang" (1989) was Mamado and She's answer to Tone Lōc's " Wild Thing" (1988). * " (Nothing But) Flowers" by

Talking Heads Talking Heads were an American Rock music, rock band formed in New York City in 1975.Talking Heads

contains lyrics that are an echo to

Joni Mitchell Roberta Joan Mitchell (née Anderson; born November 7, 1943) is a Canadian and American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and painter. As one of the most influential singer-songwriters to emerge from the 1960s folk music circuit, Mitch ...

's " Big Yellow Taxi"—"There was a shopping mall, Now it's all covered with flowers ... If this is paradise" in "(Nothing But) Flowers", whereas Mitchell sang "They paved paradise, And put up a parking lot ...".

1990s

* "Eat The Bee" (1991) was Automation's answer to The Scientist's "The Bee" from 1990. * R.E.M.'s " Me in Honey" (1991) is a response to 10,000 Maniacs' "Eat for Two" (1989). * Bark Psychosis' ''Scum'' (1992) was an answer to Rozalla's '' Everybody's Free (To Feel Good)''. * "Erasure-ish" EP (1992) was

Björn Again Björn Again is an ABBA-inspired tribute act, tribute band from Australia, consisting of performers from various countries. The name is a reference to ABBA guitarist and vocalist Björn Ulvaeus. The band has performed worldwide since it was fo ...

's answer to Erasure's previous

ABBA ABBA ( ) were a Swedish pop group formed in Stockholm in 1972 by Agnetha Fältskog, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson, and Anni-Frid Lyngstad. They are one of the most popular and successful musical groups of all time, and are one of the List ...

tribute, "

Abba-esque ''Abba-esque'' is an extended play (EP) by English synth-pop duo Erasure (duo), Erasure. Released on 1 June 1992, the EP was Erasure's first and only number one on the UK Singles Chart and also became a number-one hit in Austria, Denmark, Fin ...

". "Erasure-ish" features two Erasure tracks ("A Little Respect" and "Stop!") performed in the style of ABBA. * " Fuck wit Dre Day (And Everybody's Celebratin')" (1993) was Dr. Dre and

Snoop Dogg Calvin Cordozar Broadus Jr. ( ; born October 20, 1971), better known by his stage name Snoop Dogg (previously Snoop Doggy Dogg), is an American rapper, record producer, and actor. Rooted in West Coast hip-hop, he is widely regarded as one of t ...

's answer to

Tim Dog Timothy J. Blair (January 3, 1967 – February 14, 2013),Margaret Eby"Rapper Tim Dog slapped with arrest warrant on suspicion of faking own death,"''New York Daily News'', May 22, 2013. better known by his stage name Tim Dog, was an American rap ...

's "

Fuck Compton "Fuck Compton" (censored as "Forget Compton" or "F**k Compton") is a diss track written and performed by the American rapper Tim Dog, released in 1991 through Ruffhouse Records as the lead single from the rapper's debut studio album '' Penicilli ...

" (1991) (as well as being a diss towards

Eazy-E Eric Lynn Wright (September 7, 1964 – March 26, 1995), known professionally as Eazy-E, was an American rapper who propelled West Coast rap and gangsta rap by leading the group N.W.A and its label, Ruthless Records. Eazy-E is often re ...

). *Italian pop group 883 topped the charts for months with their hit "Hanno ucciso l'Uomo ragno" ("Someone killed Spider-Man"). Some time later, obscure comedy band Tretriti recorded their answer, "È vivo l'Uomo ragno" ("Spider-Man Lives"). *

Liz Phair Elizabeth Clark Phair (born April 17, 1967) is an American rock singer-songwriter and musician. Born in New Haven, Connecticut, Phair was raised primarily in the Chicago area. After graduating from Oberlin College in 1990, she attempted to sta ...

's '' Exile in Guyville'' (1993) album was a song-by-song response to The Rolling Stones '' Exile on Main St.'' (1972). * "I Wrote Holden Caulfield" (1994) was Screeching Weasel's response to " Who Wrote Holden Caulfield?" (1992) by

Green Day Green Day is an American Rock music, rock band formed in Rodeo, California, in 1987 by lead vocalist and guitarist Billie Joe Armstrong and bassist and backing vocalist Mike Dirnt, with drummer Tré Cool joining in 1990. In 1994, their majo ...

. * Third Eye Blind's song " Semi Charmed Life" (1997) was written as a response to

Lou Reed Lewis Allan Reed (March 2, 1942October 27, 2013) was an American musician and songwriter. He was the guitarist, singer, and principal songwriter for the rock band the Velvet Underground and had a solo career that spanned five decades. Althoug ...

's '' Walk on the Wild Side'' (1972), but from a San Francisco perspective. * " The Boy Is Mine" (1998) by

Brandy Brandy is a liquor produced by distilling wine. Brandy generally contains 35–60% alcohol by volume (70–120 US proof) and is typically consumed as an after-dinner digestif. Some brandies are aged in wooden casks. Others are coloured ...

and Monica was a response to " The Girl Is Mine" (1982) by

and

Paul McCartney Sir James Paul McCartney (born 18 June 1942) is an English singer, songwriter and musician who gained global fame with the Beatles, for whom he played bass guitar and the piano, and shared primary songwriting and lead vocal duties with John ...

. * The Offspring's song " The Kids Aren't Alright" (1998) is named as allusion to

The Who The Who are an English Rock music, rock band formed in London in 1964. Their classic lineup (1964–1978) consisted of lead vocalist Roger Daltrey, guitarist Pete Townshend, bassist John Entwistle and drummer Keith Moon. Considered one of th ...

's " The Kids Are Alright" (1965). *After

TLC TLC may refer to: Arts and entertainment Television * ''TLC'' (TV series), a 2002 British situational comedy television series that aired on BBC2 * TLC (TV network), formerly the Learning Channel, an American cable TV network ** TLC (Asia), an A ...

released the song " No Scrubs" in 1999, Sporty Thievz made an answer song called " No Pigeons" that same year. * "A Pretty Girl Is Like..." (1999) from the album '' 69 Love Songs'' by

The Magnetic Fields The Magnetic Fields are an American Band (rock and pop), band founded and led by Stephin Merritt. Merritt is the group's primary songwriter, producer, and vocalist, as well as frequent multi-instrumentalist. The band is named after the André B ...

was an answer song to

's " A Pretty Girl Is Like a Melody" according to songwriter Stephin Merritt. * "The Medication Is Wearing Off" (1998) from the album Electro-Shock Blues was the

Eels (band) Eels (often typeset as eels or EELS) is an American Rock music, rock band formed in Los Angeles in 1991 by singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Mark Oliver Everett, known by the stage name E. Band members have changed over the years, bot ...

answer song to their own 1996 hit Novocaine for the Soul. * "Heartbreaker (Desert Storm Remix)" by

Mariah Carey Mariah Carey ( ; born March 27, 1969) is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, and actress. Dubbed the "Honorific nicknames in popular music, Songbird Supreme" by ''Guinness World Records'', Carey is known for her five-octave voc ...

was a response to " Ain't No Fun (If the Homies Can't Have None)" by

. * Mexican pop singer Alejandra Guzman's "Hey Güera" (Hey Blondie) is a response to

Paulina Rubio Paulina Susana Rubio Dosamantes (; born 17 June 1971) is a Mexican singer, songwriter and television personality. Referred to as "Honorific nicknames in popular music, The Golden Girl", she first achieved recognition as a member of the successf ...

's "Ese hombre es mío" (That man is mine). * "

Woman A woman is an adult female human. Before adulthood, a female child or Adolescence, adolescent is referred to as a girl. Typically, women are of the female sex and inherit a pair of X chromosomes, one from each parent, and women with functi ...

" by

Neneh Cherry Neneh Mariann Karlsson (; born 10 March 1964), better known as Neneh Cherry, is a Swedish singer, songwriter, rapper, occasional disc jockey, and broadcaster. Her musical career started in London in the early 1980s, where she performed in a numb ...

in 1996 is a response song to 1966's " It's a Man's Man's Man's World" by

James Brown James Joseph Brown (May 3, 1933 – December 25, 2006) was an American singer, songwriter, dancer, musician, and record producer. The central progenitor of funk music and a major figure of 20th-century music, he is referred to by Honorific nick ...

. * " Old Before I Die" (1997) by

Robbie Williams Robert Peter Williams (born 13 February 1974) is an English singer and songwriter. He found fame as a member of the pop group Take That from 1990 to 1995, launching a solo career in 1996. His debut studio album, ''Life thru a Lens'', was re ...

was in response to

's "

My Generation "My Generation" is a song by the English rock band The Who, written by guitarist and primary songwriter Pete Townshend. One of the band's most recognizable songs, it was placed number 11 by ''Rolling Stone'' on its list of the " 500 Greatest S ...

" (1965), which contains the lyrics "I hope I die before I get old."

2000s

*In 2001

Suzanne Vega Suzanne Nadine Vega ( Peck; born July 11, 1959) is an American singer-songwriter of Folk music, folk-inspired music. Vega's music career spans 40 years. In the mid-1980s and 1990s she released four singles that entered the Top 40 charts in the ...

wrote " (I'll Never Be) Your Maggie May" as a response to

Rod Stewart Sir Roderick David Stewart (born 10 January 1945) is a British singer and songwriter. Known for his distinctive raspy singing voice, Stewart is among the List of best-selling music artists, best-selling music artists of all time, having sold ...

's " Maggie May" *The 2002 song " Aserejé" by Las Ketchup based its chorus on the 1979 song " Rapper's Delight" by The Sugarhill Gang. * Travis Tritt wrote and released the song " Strong Enough to Be Your Man" in 2002 in response to

Sheryl Crow Sheryl Suzanne Crow (born February 11, 1962) is an American singer-songwriter, musician, and actress. She is noted for her Optimism, optimistic and Idealism, idealistic subject matter, and incorporation of genres including Rock music, rock, Po ...

's " Strong Enough" (1994). *

KJ-52 Jonah Kirsten Sorrentino (born June 26, 1975), better known by his stage name KJ-52, is a Christian rapper from Tampa, Florida. The "KJ" part of his name refers to his old rap alias, "King J. Mac",

released the song " Dear Slim" (2002) in response to

Eminem Marshall Bruce Mathers III (born October 17, 1972), known professionally as Eminem, is an American rapper, songwriter, and record producer. Regarded as one of the greatest and most influential rappers of all time, he is credited with popula ...

's song " Stan" (2000). *" Can't Hold Us Down" by

Christina Aguilera Christina María Aguilera ( , ; born December 18, 1980) is an American singer-songwriter, actress and television personality. Recognized as Cultural impact of Christina Aguilera, an influential figure in music and having received Public imag ...

(2003) was a response to Eminem's song " The Real Slim Shady" (2000). * " F.U.R.B. (Fuck You Right Back)" (2004) was Frankee's response to Eamon's " Fuck It (I Don't Want You Back)", promoting rumors that the two had been dating. It was the first answer song to reach No. 1 in the

United Kingdom The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Northwestern Europe, off the coast of European mainland, the continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotlan ...

. Both songs had topped the charts in that country. *Green Day's " American Idiot" (2004), from the album of the same name, was written in response to a

song called "That's How I Like It". * " You Should Really Know" by The Pirates, Shola Ama, Naila Boss and Ishani (2004) was an answer song to " I Don't Wanna Know" by Mario Winans,

Enya Eithne Pádraigín Ní Bhraonáin (born 17 May 1961; anglicised as Enya Patricia Brennan) known mononymously as Enya, is an Irish singer and composer. With an estimated equivalent of over 80 million albums sold worldwide, Enya is the best-selli ...

and P. Diddy. * The Beatnuts song "Confused Rappers" (2004) was a response to

Jennifer Lopez Jennifer Lynn Lopez (born July 24, 1969), also known by her nickname J.Lo, is an American singer, songwriter, actress, dancer and businesswoman. Lopez is regarded as one of the most influential entertainers of her time, credited with breaking ...

Cory Rooney and The Trackmasters for stealing the sample of "Hi-Jack" by

Enoch Light Enoch Henry Light (August 18, 1907 – July 31, 1978) was an American classically trained violinist, danceband leader, and recording engineer. As the leader of various dance bands that recorded as early as March 1927 and continuing through a ...

from their 1999 single "Watch Out Now" * "Good Idea At The Time" (2005) on

OK Go OK Go is an American Rock music, rock band originally from Chicago, Illinois, now based in Los Angeles, California. The band is composed of Damian Kulash (lead vocals, rhythm guitar, guitar), Tim Nordwind (bass guitar, bass, backing vocalist, v ...

's " Oh No" album, was an answer song to

The Rolling Stones The Rolling Stones are an English Rock music, rock band formed in London in 1962. Active for over six decades, they are one of the most popular, influential, and enduring bands of the Album era, rock era. In the early 1960s, the band pione ...

' " Sympathy for the Devil" (1968): in it, the Devil argues that the historical atrocities enumerated in the original were entirely of human doing. *'' Das Urteil'' by Kool Savas was a response to '' Die Abrechnung'' by Eko Fresh. Eko Fresh's song claims Kool Savas showcases a bad character during their time on Optik Records, while Kool Savas' song in return claims it was Eko Fresh who was a false friend during that time. *"Me and Mr. Jones" (2006) on the ''

Back to Black ''Back to Black'' is the second and final studio album by English singer-songwriter Amy Winehouse, released on 27 October 2006 by Island Records. Winehouse predominantly based the album on her tumultuous relationship with Blake Fielder-Civil, ...

'' album by

Amy Winehouse Amy Jade Winehouse (14 September 1983 – 23 July 2011) was an English singer, songwriter, musician, and businesswoman. With over 30 million records sold worldwide, she was known for her deep, expressive contralto vocals and her eclectic mix ...

was an answer song to - at least a riff off the title of - " Me and Mrs. Jones" (1972), made famous by Billy Paul. *

Camera Obscura A camera obscura (; ) is the natural phenomenon in which the rays of light passing through a aperture, small hole into a dark space form an image where they strike a surface, resulting in an inverted (upside down) and reversed (left to right) ...

made the song " Lloyd, I'm Ready to Be Heartbroken" (2006) in response to Lloyd Cole and the Commotions 1984 song "Are You Ready to Be Heartbroken?". *" I Walk Alone", popularized by

Tarja Turunen Tarja Soile Susanna Turunen-Cabuli (born 17 August 1977), known professionally as Tarja Turunen or simply Tarja, is a Finnish Heavy metal music, heavy metal singer, best known as the former lead vocalist of Nightwish. Turunen studied lyrical ...

, is a response to " Bye Bye Beautiful" by

Nightwish Nightwish is a Finnish symphonic metal band from Kitee. The band was formed in 1996 by lead songwriter and keyboardist Tuomas Holopainen, guitarist Emppu Vuorinen, and former lead singer Tarja Turunen. The band soon picked up drummer Jukka Neval ...

. *" Menor Que Yo" on '' Sentimiento'' (2007) album by Ivy Queen was a response to " Mayor Que Yo", a collaborative single by

Daddy Yankee Ramón Luis Ayala Rodríguez (; born February 3, 1976), known professionally as Daddy Yankee (), is a Puerto Rican rapper, singer, songwriter, and actor who rose to worldwide prominence in 2004 with the song "Gasolina". Dubbed the "Honorific ...

, Héctor el Father, Wisin & Yandel, Baby Ranks, and Tony Tun Tun. * Worm Quartet expressed exasperation with Marc Gunn for releasing so many songs about cats, in a song called "Goddammit Marc Gunn, Shut Up About Your Cat". Gunn responded with a song of his own, called "Dear Worm Quartet". *"Boys, Boys, Boys" (2008) on ''

The Fame ''The Fame'' is the debut studio album by American singer-songwriter Lady Gaga. It was released on August 19, 2008, by Interscope Records. After joining KonLive Distribution and Cherrytree Records in 2008, Gaga began working on the album with di ...

'' album by

Lady Gaga Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta (born March 28, 1986), known professionally as Lady Gaga, is an American singer, songwriter, and actress. Known for her image reinventions and versatility across the entertainment industry, she is an influ ...

was a response to " Girls, Girls, Girls" (1987) by

Mötley Crüe Mötley Crüe is an American Heavy metal music, heavy metal band formed in Hollywood, California, in 1981 by bassist Nikki Sixx and drummer Tommy Lee, with guitarist Mick Mars and lead vocalist Vince Neil joining right after. The band has sol ...

. * Mitch Benn's "Not Everybody Has to Imagine" (2008) is a reply to John Lennon's " Imagine" (1971). *

They Might Be Giants They Might Be Giants, often abbreviated as TMBG, is an American alternative rock and Children's music, children's band formed in 1982 by John Flansburgh and John Linnell. During TMBG's early years, Flansburgh and Linnell frequently performed as ...

released the answer song "Why Does the Sun Really Shine? (The Sun is a Miasma of Incandescent Plasma)" to their popular 1993 cover of Tom Glazer's 1965 song " Why Does the Sun Shine?". * "A Baker's Tale" by Dean Friedman (2009, released 2010 on the album ''Submarine Races'') was a response to "The Bastard Son of Dean Friedman" by

Half Man Half Biscuit Half Man Half Biscuit are an English rock band, formed in 1984 in Birkenhead, Merseyside. Known for their satirical, sardonic, and sometimes surreal songs, the band comprises lead singer and guitarist Nigel Blackwell, bassist and singer Neil Cr ...

(1987, on the album '' Back Again in the DHSS''). In 2010, Friedman performed his song at a Half Man Half Biscuit concert; and accompanied the band during a performance of theirs. *Russian pop band Vintage (Винтаж) composed their song "Eva" (Ева) from their '' SEX'' album as an answer to "Run from me" (Беги от меня) by Guests from the Future (Гости из будущего). In the original song, singer Eva Polna warns her significant other to run from her. In "Eva", singer Anna Pletnyova becomes a fan of Eva Polna writing her a love letter. Eva Polna agreed to re-record part of the original song to be included in Eva.

2010s

* " The Devil Comes Back to Georgia" by

, Charlie Daniels, Mark O'Connor, and Travis Tritt in 2010 responds to the Charlie Daniels Band's " The Devil Went Down to Georgia" (1979). * Everybody Was in the French Resistance...Now! released an album titled ''Fixin' The Charts, Vol. 1''. As its title suggests, the album contains nothing but answer songs to pop hits. "G.I.R.L.F.R.E.N. (You Know I've Got A)", an answer song to

Avril Lavigne Avril Ramona Lavigne ( ; ; born September 27, 1984) is a Canadian singer and songwriter. She is a key musician in popularizing pop-punk music, as she paved the way for female-driven, punk-influenced pop music in the early 2000s. List of awa ...

's hit " Girlfriend", is one example. * " California Gurls" (2010) by

Katy Perry Katheryn Elizabeth Hudson (born October 25, 1984), known professionally as Katy Perry, is an American singer, songwriter, and television personality. She is one of the List of best-selling music artists, best-selling music artists in hist ...

featuring

was a response to " Empire State of Mind" (2009) by

Jay-Z Shawn Corey Carter (born December 4, 1969), known professionally as Jay-Z, is an American Rapping, rapper, businessman, and record executive. Rooted in East Coast hip-hop, he was named Billboard and Vibe's 50 Greatest Rappers of All Time, the ...

featuring

Alicia Keys Alicia Augello Cook (born January 25, 1981), known professionally as Alicia Keys, is an American singer and songwriter. A classically trained pianist, Keys began composing songs at the age of 12 and was signed by Columbia Records at 15. After d ...

. It was the first time both the original song and the answer song reached No. 1 on the Billboard ''Hot 100''. *

Taylor Swift Taylor Alison Swift (born December 13, 1989) is an American singer-songwriter. Known for her autobiographical songwriting, artistic versatility, and Cultural impact of Taylor Swift, cultural impact, Swift is one of the Best selling artists, w ...

's " Better than Revenge" (2010) is an answer to The Jonas Brothers' " Much Better" (2009) which may have been an answer to Swift's " Forever & Always" (2008). * Marina and the Diamonds' cover of

Justin Bieber Justin Drew Bieber ( ; born March 1, 1994) is a Canadian singer. Regarded as a pop icon, he is recognized for his multi-genre musical performances. He was discovered by record executive Scooter Braun in 2008 and subsequently brought to the U ...

's " Boyfriend" (2012) is an answer song to the original tune, the lyrics adapted to give it a female perspective. *

Lecrae Lecrae Devaughn Moore (born October 9, 1979) is an American Christian rapper, singer-songwriter, actor, and Record producer, recording producer and Music executive, executive. Since having begun his career in 2004, he has released ten studio alb ...

made the song " No Regrets" (2012) in response to " The Motto" (2011) by

Drake Drake may refer to: Animals and creatures * A male duck * Drake (mythology), a term related to and often synonymous with dragon People and fictional characters * Drake (surname), a list of people and fictional characters with the family ...

. Which itself is a response to " If Today Was Your Last Day" (2008) by Nickelback. * Yasiin Bey (formerly

Mos Def Yasiin Bey ( ; born Dante Terrell Smith; December 11, 1973), formerly known as Mos Def ( ), is an American rapper, singer, and actor. A prominent figure in conscious hip hop, he is recognized for his use of wordplay and commentary on social an ...

) released "Niggas in Poorest", (2012) in response to " Niggas in Paris" (2011) by

and

Kanye West Ye ( ; born Kanye Omari West ; June 8, 1977) is an American rapper, singer and record producer. One of the most prominent figures in hip-hop, he is known for his varying musical style and polarizing cultural and political commentary. After ...

, chastising them for parading their wealth while so many are suffering with poverty, violence, crime, and exploitation. * Mary Lambert's "She Keeps Me Warm" (2013) is an extension of the chorus she sang on Macklemore's " Same Love" (2012). Where "Same Love" has a message of gay acceptance, "She Keeps Me Warm" is about a woman who falls in love with another woman and grows to accept her own sexuality. * Ewert and the Two Dragons wrote their song "Jolene" on the album Good Man Down in response to Dolly Parton's 1973 single " Jolene" from the male perspective. Additionally, the 2017 song " Diane" performed by

Cam Cam or CAM may refer to: Science and technology * Cam (mechanism), a mechanical linkage which translates motion * Camshaft, a shaft with a cam * Camera or webcam, a device that records images or video In computing * Computer-aided manufacturin ...

sings from the perspective of Jolene. * " Big Girls Cry" on Sia's 2014 album '' 1000 Forms of Fear'' is an answer song to Fergie's hit " Big Girls Don't Cry" (2007). * " Anaconda" by

Nicki Minaj Onika Tanya Maraj-Petty (born December 8, 1982), known professionally as Nicki Minaj ( ), is a Trinidadian rapper, singer, and songwriter. Regarded as the "Queen of Rap" and one of the most influential rappers of all time, she is noted for her ...

(2014) is viewed as an answer to

Sir Mix-a-Lot Anthony L. Ray (born August 12, 1963), better known by his stage name Sir Mix-a-Lot or his CB handle Prime Minista, is an American rapper. He is best known for his 1992 hit song " Baby Got Back", which peaked at number one on the ''Billboard'' ...

's " Baby Got Back" (1992), which is heavily sampled in the song. Whereas Sir Mix-a-Lot focuses on a woman's body and the pleasure it gives him, Minaj raps from the perspective of the unnamed woman, and shows how she uses her callipygian physique to profit and empower herself. * Ellie Goulding's song " On My Mind" is seen as answer to

Ed Sheeran Edward Christopher Sheeran ( ; born 17 February 1991) is an English singer-songwriter. Born in Halifax, West Yorkshire, and raised in Framlingham, Suffolk, he began writing songs around the age of eleven. In early 2011, Sheeran independently r ...

's " Don't" by many critics, although Goulding herself has denied it. *

Christine and the Queens Rahim Claude Redcar (sometimes shortened to Chris or Redcar; born Héloïse Adélaïde Letissier; 1 June 1988) is a French singer and songwriter, best known under the pseudonym of Christine and the Queens. Born and raised in Nantes, he started ...

rewrote

Beyoncé Beyoncé Giselle Knowles-Carter ( ; born September 4, 1981) is an American singer, songwriter, actress, and businesswoman. With a career spanning over three decades, she has established herself as one of the most Cultural impact of Beyoncé, ...

's " Sorry" from a male perspective. * Esmé Patterson published ''Woman to Woman'' (2014), an album of seven answer songs from the perspective of famous women in pop songs, including "

Eleanor Rigby "Eleanor Rigby" is a song by the English rock band the Beatles from their 1966 album ''Revolver''. It was also issued on a double A-side single, paired with " Yellow Submarine". Credited to the Lennon–McCartney songwriting partnership, the s ...

", "

" and

The Kinks The Kinks were an English rock band formed in London in 1963 by brothers Ray Davies, Ray and Dave Davies, and Pete Quaife. They are regarded as one of the most influential rock bands of the 1960s. The band emerged during the height of British ...

' " Lola". * "The Quantum Enigma (Kingdom of Heaven Part II)" popularized by Epica is a response to "Kingdom of Heaven" *

Eels Eels are ray-finned fish belonging to the order (biology), order Anguilliformes (), which consists of eight suborders, 20 Family (biology), families, 164 genus, genera, and about 1000 species. Eels undergo considerable development from the earl ...

' 2018 single "Bone Dry" is an answer to their 2010 single " Fresh Blood". Fresh Blood was itself a sequel to their song " I Want to Protect You". * "Paper Doll" (2013) by

John Mayer John Clayton Mayer ( ; born October 16, 1977) is an American singer, songwriter, and guitarist. He attended Berklee College of Music in Boston, but he left for Atlanta in 1997 with fellow guitarist Clay Cook, with whom he formed the short-liv ...

is viewed as a response to Taylor Swift's " Dear John" (2010), and also mentions her song " 22". *In 2013, Kay One released his diss track "Nichts als die Wahrheit" against his former label mates

Bushido is a Samurai moral code concerning samurai attitudes, behavior and lifestyle. Its origins date back to the Kamakura period, but it was formalized in the Edo period (1603–1868). There are multiple types of bushido which evolved significantl ...

and Shindy, as a response to Shindy's song "Alkoholisierte Pädophile", making fun of Kay One and his stepfather Olliwood. Bushido in return released the 11 minute storytelling diss track "Leben und Tod des Kenneth Glöckler", chronicling the rise and career of Kay One from his perspective, depicting him as an opportunist who only makes friends that get him further in the music business just to drop them when he finds someone more prestigious. One year later, Kay One released the 25 minute response song "Tag des jüngsten Gerichts", depicting his career from his own point of view, including attacks against many of his former friends on the way who turned their back on him, most prominently Bushido who he claims to have abused his power as a label boss and his ties to the Abou-Chaker clan to make Kay work lots for little money, as well as being a greedy man who rips off his fellow collaborators as well as his own fans. Many of the rappers mentioned in the song released their own diss tracks against Kay One as a response, however they received less media coverage and attention than those of Kay One and Bushido. *3Think made "Shizuka (First Love)" (2014) in response to

Leo Ku Leo Ku Kui-kei (born ), founder of ChillGOOD TV, is a Hong Kong people, Hong Kong Cantopop and Mandopop singer, actor, TV host, model, cartoonist, MV director, and producer and designer. He employs falsetto as a singing technique and was nam ...

's " Nobita" (2004).

2020s

Coheed and Cambria Coheed and Cambria is an American progressive rock band from Nyack, New York, formed in 1995. It consists of Claudio Sanchez (vocals, guitars, keyboards), Travis Stever (guitars, vocals), Josh Eppard (drums, keyboards, backing vocals), and Za ...

's 2020 song "Jessie's Girl 2" is a sequel to

Rick Springfield Richard Lewis Springthorpe (born 23 August 1949), known professionally as Rick Springfield, is an Australian-American musician and actor. He was a member of the pop rock group Zoot from 1969 to 1971, then started his solo career with his debut ...

's 1981 song " Jessie's Girl". Featuring Springfield himself on the track, the song imagines what would have happened had Springfield succeeded in winning Jessie's girl. * Sabrina Carpenter's 2021 single "

Skin Skin is the layer of usually soft, flexible outer tissue covering the body of a vertebrate animal, with three main functions: protection, regulation, and sensation. Other animal coverings, such as the arthropod exoskeleton, have different ...

" and song "Because I Liked a Boy" from her 2022 album " Emails I Can't Send" are speculated to be responses to Olivia Rodrigo's "Drivers License", although Carpenter denies this. "Skin" mentions a line used in "Drivers License" about Carpenter's appearance, while "Because I Liked a Boy" recalls all the threats she received after Rodrigo's song was released. * Roselia's 2022 song "Rozen Horizon" is a sequel to their 2019 song "Fire Bird", according the mini-album's page. *Country trio Chapel Hart's 2022 song "You Can Have Him Jolene" answers

Dolly Parton Dolly Rebecca Parton (born January 19, 1946) is an American singer, songwriter, musician, actress, and philanthropist, known primarily as a country music, country musician. After achieving success as a songwriter for others, Parton's debut album ...

's classic " Jolene" almost 50 years later. *

Miley Cyrus Miley Ray Cyrus ( , born Destiny Hope Cyrus, November 23, 1992) is an American singer, songwriter, actress and director. Regarded as a contemporary pop icon, Cyrus has been recognized for her evolving artistry and image reinventions. She is ...

's 2023 song "

Flowers Flowers, also known as blooms and blossoms, are the reproductive structures of flowering plants ( angiosperms). Typically, they are structured in four circular levels, called whorls, around the end of a stalk. These whorls include: calyx, m ...

" paraphrases " When I Was Your Man" by Bruno Mars, in lyrics as well as in chord progression (Cyrus uses a simplified version of Mars' verse chords in her chorus) and even in some melodic patterns. While Mars sings about what "he" could have done better in the now broken relationship, Cyrus sings about how "she" is better now that she is alone. Cyrus also takes some melodic figures from "

I Will Survive "I Will Survive" is a song recorded by American singer Gloria Gaynor, released in October 1978 by Polydor Records as the second single from her sixth album, ''Love Tracks (Gloria Gaynor album), Love Tracks'' (1978). It was written by Freddie Pe ...

" by

Gloria Gaynor Gloria Fowles (born September 7, 1943), known professionally as Gloria Gaynor, is an American singer, best known for the disco era hits "I Will Survive" (1978), "I Have a Right, Let Me Know (I Have a Right)" (1979), "I Am What I Am (Broadway mus ...

Examples

Pre-1950s

1950s

1960s

1970s

1980s

1990s

2000s

2010s

2020s

See also

References

Further reading