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 Willie Mae "Big Mama" Thornton (December 11, 1926 – July 25, 1984), was an American singer and songwriter of blues and R&B. The ''Encyclopedia of Pop, Rock and Soul'' described Thornton by saying: "Her booming voice, sometimes 200-pound fra ...

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 Samuel Cornelius Phillips (January 5, 1923 – July 30, 2003) was an American disc jockey, songwriter and record producer. He was the founder of Sun Records and Sun Studio in Memphis, Tennessee, where he produced recordings by Elvis Presley, R ...

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 RCA Corporation was a major American electronics company, which was founded in 1919 as the Radio Corporation of America. It was initially a patent pool, patent trust owned by General Electric (GE), Westinghouse Electric Corporation, Westinghou ...

. 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 The Roxanne Wars were a series of hip-hop rivalries during the mid-1980s, yielding rap music's first diss record and perhaps the most answer records in history. It is one of hip-hop's earliest feuds and perhaps the first " rap beef". The disput ...

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 The Bridge Wars was a hip-hop music rivalry during the mid-to-late 1980s and early 1990s, that arose from a dispute over the true birthplace of hip-hop music and retaliation over the rejecting of a record for airplay.

. 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 In English literature, "The Nymph’s Reply to the Shepherd" (1600), by Walter Raleigh, is a poem that responds to and parodies the poem “The Passionate Shepherd to His Love” (1599), by Christopher Marlowe. In her reply to the shepherd’s c ...

" (1600). *The sentimental Irish ballad, "

I'll Take You Home Again, Kathleen "I'll Take You Home Again, Kathleen" is a traditional pop song written by Thomas Paine Westendorf (1848–1923) in 1875. (The music is loosely based on Felix Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto in E Minor Opus 64 Second Movement). In spite of its Ger ...

" (1875) by

Thomas Westendorf Thomas Payne Westendorf (February 23, 1848 – April 19, 1923) was an American songwriter, composer, and educator. Westendorf wrote around 500 musical pieces and songs, but was most famous for his hit song, " I'll Take You Home Again, Kathleen." ...

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 Hugo Cannon (April 9, 1877 – June 17, 1912) was an American songwriter and pianist whose best-known composition was the popular ragtime song " (Won't You Come Home) Bill Bailey". Biography Cannon was born in Detroit, Michigan in 1877. He ...

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 "Yes! We Have No Bananas" is an American novelty song by Frank Silver and Irving Cohn published March 23, 1923. It became a major hit that year (placing No. 1 for five weeks) when it was recorded by Billy Jones (singer), Billy Jones, Billy Murra ...

" 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 Eva Taylor (January 22, 1895 — October 31, 1977) was an American blues singer and stage actress. Life and career She was born Irene Joy Gibbons in St. Louis, Missouri, as one of twelve children. On stage from the age of three, Taylor tour ...

, Isabelle Patricola, and

Belle Baker Belle Baker (born Bella Becker; December 25, 1893 in New York City – April 29, 1957, in Los Angeles) was a American Jews, Jewish American singer and actress. Popular throughout the 1910s and 1920s, Baker introduced a number of ragtime and ...

all sang on releases of this song. *

Patsy Montana Rubye Rose Blevins (October 30, 1908 – May 3, 1996), known professionally as Patsy Montana, was an American country and western singer and songwriter. Montana was the first female country performer to have a million-selling single with her sig ...

'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 Carl Stuart Hamblen (October 20, 1908 – March 8, 1989) was an American entertainer who in 1926 became one of radio's first singing cowboys, going on to become a singer, actor, radio show host and songwriter. He converted to Christianity under ...

'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 "This Land Is Your Land" is a song by American folk singer Woody Guthrie. One of the United States' most famous folk songs, its lyrics were written in 1940 in critical response to Irving Berlin's " God Bless America". Its melody is based on a ...

" was written in 1940 as an answer to "

God Bless America "God Bless America" is an American patriotic song written by Irving Berlin during World War I in 1918 and revised by him in the run-up to World War II in 1938. The later version was recorded by Kate Smith, becoming her signature song. "Go ...

", 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 Robert Q. Lewis (born Robert Goldberg; April 25, 1921 – December 11, 1991) was an American radio and television entertainer, comedian, game show host and actor. Although born with the Goldberg name, he grew up as Lewis, his father's profe ...

in 1951, was a response to

Rosemary Clooney Rosemary Clooney (May 23, 1928 – June 29, 2002) was an American singer and actress. She came to prominence in the early 1950s with the song "Come On-a My House", which was followed by other pop numbers such as "Botch-a-Me (Ba-Ba-Baciami Piccin ...

's "

Come on-a My House "Come On-a My House" is a song written by Ross Bagdasarian and William Saroyan and originally released by Rosemary Clooney in 1951. Cousins Bagdasarian, a songwriter, and Saroyan, a Pulitzer Prize-winning writer, wrote the song while driving a ...

" of the same year. * "

It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels "It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels" is a 1952 country song written by J. D. "Jay" Miller, and recorded by Kitty Wells. It was an answer song to the Hank Thompson hit "The Wild Side of Life". First performed by Al Montgomery as "Did God ...

", written by J. D. "Jay" Miller in 1952 and originally sung by

Kitty Wells Ellen Muriel Deason (August 30, 1919 – July 16, 2012), known professionally as Kitty Wells, was an American pioneering female country music singer. She broke down a barrier for women in country music with her 1952 hit recording " It Wasn't God ...

, was a response to "

The Wild Side of Life "The Wild Side of Life" is a song made famous by country music singer Hank Thompson. Originally released in 1952, the song became one of the most popular recordings in the genre's history, spending 15 weeks at number one on the ''Billboard'' co ...

", made famous that same year by Hank Thompson. *"

Mannish Boy "Mannish Boy" (or "Manish Boy" as it was first labeled) is a blues standard written by Muddy Waters, Mel London, and Bo Diddley (with Waters and Diddley being credited under their birth names). First recorded in 1955 by Waters, it serves as an ...

" (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 "Hoochie Coochie Man" (originally titled "I'm Your Hoochie Cooche Man") is a blues standard written by Willie Dixon and first recorded by Muddy Waters in 1954. The song makes reference to hoodoo folk magic elements and makes novel use of a stop ...

", an earlier song by Muddy Waters in 1954. * "

Hot Rod Lincoln "Hot Rod Lincoln" is a song by American singer-songwriter Charlie Ryan, first released in 1955. It was written as an answer song to Arkie Shibley's 1950 hit "Hot Rod Race" (US #29). It describes a drive north on US Route 99 (predecessor to ...

" (1955) is

Charlie Ryan Charles Ryan (December 19, 1915 – February 16, 2008) was an American country music and rockabilly singer and songwriter, best known for writing and first recording the rockabilly hit single " Hot Rod Lincoln". Biography Ryan grew up in Polson, ...

's a response to "Hot Rod Race", (1950)

Arkie Shibley Jesse Lee "Arkie" Shibley (September 21, 1915 – September 7, 1975), was an American country singer who recorded the original version of "Hot Rod Race" in 1950. The record was important because "it introduced automobile racing into popular mu ...

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 "Sixty Minute Man" is an R&B record released on Federal Records in 1951 by the Dominoes. It was written by Billy Ward and Rose Marks and was one of the first R&B hit records to cross over to become a hit on the pop chart. It is regarded as one ...

". *One of the longest answer record cycles was started by

Hank Ballard Hank Ballard (born John Henry Kendricks; November 18, 1927 – March 2, 2003) was an American singer and songwriter, the lead vocalist of the Midnighters and one of the first rock and roll artists to emerge in the early 1950s. He played an inte ...

and

The Midnighters The Midnighters were an American vocal group from Detroit, Michigan. They were an influential group in the 1950s and early 1960s, with many R&B hit records. They were also notable for launching the career of lead singer Hank Ballard and the w ...

' (1954) R&B hit " Work with Me, Annie", and its sequel song "

Annie Had a Baby Annie may refer to: People and fictional characters * Annie (given name), a given name and a list of people and fictional characters with the name * Annie (Malayalam actress) (born 1975), Indian actress who works in Malayalam-language films * ...

" (1954). Answer songs include "Annie's Answer" (1954) by

The El Dorados The El Dorados were an American doo-wop group, who achieved their greatest success with the song " At My Front Door", a no. 1 hit on the US ''Billboard'' R&B chart in 1955. History The group formed in Chicago, Illinois, United States, in 1952, ...

, "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.

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 ''Ankles Aweigh'' is a musical with a book by Guy Bolton and Eddie Davis, lyrics by Dan Shapiro, and music by Sammy Fain. The plot involves Hollywood starlet Wynne, who secretly marries a Navy pilot while filming a movie in Sicily. She disguises ...

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 The Bobbettes were an American R&B girl group who had a 1957 top 10 hit song called " Mr. Lee". The group initially existed from 1955 to 1974 and included Jannie Pought (1945–1980), Emma Pought (born 1942), Reather Dixon (1944–2014), Laur ...

' response to their own 1957 hit, " Mr. Lee". * "That Makes It" was

Jayne Mansfield Jayne Mansfield (born Vera Jayne Palmer; April 19, 1933 – June 29, 1967) was an American actress, ''Playboy'' Playmate, and sex symbol of the 1950s and early 1960s. She was known for her numerous publicity stunts and open personal life. He ...

's response to

The Big Bopper Jiles Perry Richardson Jr. (October 24, 1930 – February 3, 1959), better known by his stage name The Big Bopper, was an American musician and disc jockey. His best-known compositions include " Chantilly Lace," " Running Bear", and " White Ligh ...

's "

Chantilly Lace Chantilly lace is a handmade bobbin lace named after the city of Chantilly,"Chantilly" ''The Oxford English Dictionary''. 2nd ed. 1989. France, in a tradition dating from the 17th century. The famous silk laces were introduced in the 18th cent ...

" (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 "Oh! Carol" is an international hit written by American singer, songwriter and pianist Neil Sedaka and Howard Greenfield in early 1959, and recorded by Sedaka. The song is noted for Sedaka's spoken recitation of the verse, the second time arou ...

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

was a response to

Annette Funicello Annette Joanne Funicello (October 22, 1942 – April 8, 2013) was an American actress and singer. She began her professional career at age 12, becoming one of the most popular Mouseketeers on the original ''The Mickey Mouse Club, Mickey Mouse Cl ...

's "

Tall Paul Tall Paul may refer to: * Tall Paul (song), a 1959 song by Annette Funicello * Tall Paul (DJ), English DJ, producer and remixer * Paul Sturgess (basketball), British basketball player {{dab ...

" (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 "The All American Boy" is a 1958 talking blues song written by Orville Lunsford and sung by Bobby Bare, but credited by Fraternity Records to Bill Parsons, with songwriting credit to Bill Parsons and Orville Lunsford. While Bare was in the army, ...

" by Bill Parsons (aka

Bobby Bare Robert Joseph Bare Sr. (born April 7, 1935) is an American country music singer and songwriter, best known for the songs "Marie Laveau", " Detroit City", and " 500 Miles Away from Home". He is the father of Bobby Bare Jr., also a musician. Earl ...

). * "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 Heartbeat, heart beat or heartbeats may refer to: Science and technology * Heartbeat (biology), one cardiac cycle of the heart * Heartbeat (computing), a periodic signal to indicate normal operation or to synchronize parts of a system ** Heartbea ...

(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 Slim Dusty, AO MBE (born David Gordon Kirkpatrick; 13 June 1927 – 19 September 2003) was an Australian country music singer-songwriter, guitarist and producer. He was an Australian cultural icon, referred to universally as Australia's Ki ...

, was a direct response to Dusty's hit

A Pub With No Beer "A Pub with No Beer" is the title of a humorous country song made famous by country singers Slim Dusty (in Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States) and Bobbejaan Schoepen (in Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany and Austria). Gordon Pa ...

(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 "Tell Laura I Love Her" is a teenage tragedy song written by Jeff Barry and Ben Raleigh. It was a US top ten popular music hit for singer Ray Peterson in 1960 on RCA Victor Records, reaching No. 7 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 chart. Late ...

" (1960), recorded separately by both

Ray Peterson Ray Peterson (April 23, 1935 – January 25, 2005) was an American pop singer who is best remembered for singing "Tell Laura I Love Her". He also scored numerous other hits, including "Corrine, Corrina" and "The Wonder of You". Life and ca ...

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 Skeeter Davis (born Mary Frances Penick; December 30, 1931September 19, 2004) was an American country music singer and songwriter who sang crossover pop music songs including 1962's " The End of the World". She started out as part of the Davis ...

and Laura Lee. * "I'll Save the Last Dance for You" by Damita Jo (1960) answers

The Drifters The Drifters are an American pop and R&B/soul vocal group. They were originally formed as a backing group for Clyde McPhatter, formerly the lead tenor of Billy Ward and his Dominoes in 1953. The second group of Drifters, formed in 1959 and ...

' "

Save the Last Dance for Me "Save the Last Dance for Me" is a song written by Doc Pomus and Mort Shuman, first recorded in 1960 by American musical group the Drifters with Ben E. King on lead vocals. It has since been covered by several artists, including the DeFranco ...

", 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 "He'll Have to Stay" is a song written by Audrey Allison, Charles Grean, and Joe Allison and performed by Jeanne Black. The song is an answer song to Jim Reeves' 1959 hit "He'll Have to Go". It was produced by Ken Nelson. It reached #4 on the ...

" (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 James Travis Reeves (August 20, 1923July 31, 1964) was an American singer, songwriter, and musician. One of the earliest pioneers and practitioners of the Nashville sound, he played a central role in the sonic development of country music in th ...

' "

He'll Have to Go "He'll Have to Go" is a song recorded on October 15, 1959, by Jim Reeves. The song, released in the fall of 1959, went on to become a hit on both the country and pop charts early in 1960. Background The song is about a man who's talking by teleph ...

" (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

' response to

Hank Locklin Lawrence Hankins Locklin (February 15, 1918 – March 8, 2009) was an American country music singer and songwriter. He had 70 chart singles, including two number one hits on ''Billboard''s country chart. His biggest hits included " Send Me the ...

's "

Please Help Me, I'm Falling "Please Help Me, I'm Falling" is a 1960 song written by Don Robertson and Hal Blair and first recorded by Hank Locklin. The single was Locklin's most successful recording and was his second number one on the country charts. "Please Help Me, I'm ...

", as was

Betty Madigan Betty Madigan (born 1928) is an American former traditional popular singer and actress.Harris, Harry (December 24, 1956)"Screening TV--'Stingiest Man'" ''The Philadelphia Inquirer''. Retrieved October 18, 2020.Leahy, Jack (April 30, 1961)"Sing a ...

's "I'm Glad That You're Falling" (1960). * "There's Nothing on My Mind" (1960) was

The Teen Queens The Teen Queens were an American musical group from the 1950s, most remembered for their hit single " Eddie My Love", which reached No. 14 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 chart and No. 3 on the R&B Best Sellers charts in March 1956. Biography Th ...

' response to

Bobby Marchan Bobby Marchan (born Oscar James Gibson, April 30, 1930 – December 5, 1999) was an American rhythm and blues singer, songwriter, recording artist, bandleader, MC, and female impersonator. He was the key singer in the early lineup of Huey "Pian ...

's "

There's Something on Your Mind "There's Something on Your Mind (Part 2)" is a song originally recorded as "There Is Something on Your Mind" in 1957 by Big Jay McNeely. The song credits Cecil James McNeely as its writer, Big Jay McNeely's birth name. It has been recorded many ...

" (also 1960). * "Yes, I'm Lonesome Tonight" (1960) was

Dodie Stevens Dodie Stevens (born Geraldine Ann Pasquale, February 17, 1946) is an American rock and traditional pop singer. She is best known for her 1959 song " Pink Shoe Laces." It debuted at number 96 on the Billboard Hot 100 when Stevens was one day sh ...

's response to

's "

Are You Lonesome Tonight? "Are You Lonesome Tonight?" (sometimes stylized as Are You Lonesome To-night?) is a song written by Roy Turk and Lou Handman in 1926. It was recorded several times in 1927, first by Charles Hart, but also with successful versions by Vaughn De ...

" (also 1960). * "I Really Want You to Know" (1961) was

' response to

Eddy Arnold Richard Edward Arnold (May 15, 1918 – May 8, 2008) was an American country music singer. He was a Nashville sound (country/popular music) innovator of the late 1950s, and scored 147 songs on the ''Billboard'' country music charts, second onl ...

's " I Really Don't Want To Know". * "Come on Back, Jack" (1961) written by

Mort Shuman Mortimer Shuman (12 November 1938 – 2 November 1991) was an American singer, pianist and songwriter, best known as co-writer of many 1960s rock and roll hits, including " Viva Las Vegas". He also wrote and sang many songs in French, such as ...

and

Leon Carr Leon Carr (June 10, 1910 – March 27, 1976) was an American songwriter, composer, arranger, pianist, and conductor. He developed several famed marketing jingles used in advertisements, including "Sometimes You Feel Like a Nut..." for Mounds ca ...

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 The Chantels are a pop music group and are the third African-American girl group to enjoy nationwide success in the United States, preceded by The Teen Queens and The Bobbettes. The group was established in the early 1950s by students attendi ...

, are both different responses to "

Hit the Road, Jack "Hit the Road Jack" is a song written by the rhythm and blues singer Percy Mayfield and recorded by Ray Charles. The song was a US number 1 hit in 1961, and won a Grammy Award for Best Rhythm and Blues Recording, becoming one of Charles' signa ...

", written by

Percy Mayfield Percy Mayfield (August 12, 1920August 11, 1984) was an American rhythm and blues singer with a smooth vocal style. He was also a songwriter, known for the songs "Please Send Me Someone to Love" and "Hit the Road Jack", the latter being a song f ...

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 "Runaround Sue" is a rock and roll song (in a modified doo-wop style), originally a US No. 1 Hot 100 hit (No. 4 on the Hot R&B chart) for the singer Dion during 1961, after he split with the Belmonts. It was written by Dion with Ernie Maresc ...

" (also 1961). * "Hey Memphis" (1961) was

LaVern Baker Delores LaVern Baker (born Delores Evans; November 11, 1929 – March 10, 1997) was an American rhythm and blues singer who had several hit records on the pop charts in the 1950s and early 1960s. Her most successful records were " Tweedle Dee" ...

'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 "Shop Around" is a song originally recorded by the Miracles on Motown Records' Tamla subsidiary label. It was written by Miracles lead singer Smokey Robinson and Motown Records founder Berry Gordy. It became a smash hit in 1960 when originally re ...

" (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 William "Smokey" Robinson Jr. (born February 19, 1940) is an American R&B and soul singer, songwriter, record producer, and former record executive. He was the founder and frontman of the pioneering Motown vocal group the Miracles, for which he ...

. * "

My Big John "My Big John" is a song written by Jean Dean, Ira Louvin and Charlie Louvin of the Louvin Brothers, and J. Newman. The song was recorded by American country music artist Dottie West, as an answer song to Jimmy Dean's hit "Big Bad John "Bi ...

" (1961) was

Dottie West Dottie West (born Dorothy Marie Marsh; October 11, 1932 – September 4, 1991) was an American country singer and songwriter. She also had several credits as an actress. A distinguished figure in the country genre, West was among several people ...

'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 "Big Bad John" is a country music, country song written and originally performed by Jimmy Dean. It was released in September 1961 and by the beginning of November it had gone to number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, ''Billboard'' Hot 100. It won ...

" (also 1961). * "My Long Black Veil" (1961) was

Marijohn Wilkin Marijohn Wilkin ( Melson, formerly Russell, later Selman; July 14, 1920 – October 28, 2006) was an American songwriter, famous in country music for writing a number of hits such as " One Day At a Time" and "The Long Black Veil". Wilkin won ...

'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 "Long Black Veil" is a 1959 country ballad, written by Danny Dill and Marijohn Wilkin and originally recorded by Lefty Frizzell. It is told from the point of view of a man falsely accused of murder and executed. He refuses to provide an alibi, ...

" (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 "Ballad of a Teenage Queen" is a song written by Jack Clement and recorded by Johnny Cash, with background music by The Tennessee Two. Recorded for his 1958 album ''Sings the Songs That Made Him Famous,'' it hit number 1 on the US Country charts ...

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

's "

Good Luck Charm "Good Luck Charm" is a song recorded by Elvis Presley and published by Gladys Music, Elvis Presley's publishing company, that reached number 1 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 list in the week ending April 21, 1962. It remained at the top of the lis ...

" (also 1962). * "(I'm the Girl from) Wolverton Mountain" (1962) was

Jo Ann Campbell Jo Ann Campbell (born July 20, 1938 in Jacksonville, Florida) is an American singer who was one of the pioneers of rockabilly. Campbell began attending music school at the age of four, and won many honors as a drum majorette at Fletcher High S ...

's response to

Claude King Claude King (February 5, 1923 – March 7, 2013) was an American country music singer and songwriter, best known for his 1962 million-selling hit, " Wolverton Mountain". Biography King was born in Keithville in southern Caddo Parish south ...

's "

Wolverton Mountain "Wolverton Mountain" is a country music song and 1962 crossover hit that established Claude King's career as an American country singer-songwriter. The song was a rewrite of the original version by Merle Kilgore, which was based on a real person n ...

" (also 1962). *The Pearlettes' "Duchess of Earl" (1962) was a response to

Gene Chandler Gene Chandler (born Eugene Drake Dixon; July 6, 1937) is an American singer, songwriter, music producer, and record-label executive. Chandler is nicknamed "the Duke of Earl" or, simply, "the Duke." He is best known for his most successful song ...

's "

Duke of Earl "Duke of Earl" is a 1962 US number-one song, originally recorded by Gene Chandler. It is the best known of Chandler's songs, and he subsequently dubbed himself "The Duke of Earl". The song was written by Chandler, Bernice Williams, and Earl Edw ...

" (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 ''I'll Cry If I Want To'' is the debut album of Lesley Gore. The album included her hit singles "It's My Party" and its follow-up, " Judy's Turn to Cry". The album was rushed out after "It's My Party" became a big hit, and the songs are mostly ab ...

''. * "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 Derrick Morgan OD (born 27 March 1940)Walters, Basil (2012)A New Day – Songs heralding JA’s Independence", ''Jamaica Observer'', 3 June 2012, retrieved 3 June 2012 is a Jamaican musical artist who was popular in the 1960s and 1970s. He w ...

's "Housewives Choice" (1961). Specifically, Buster claimed that Morgan and producer

Leslie Kong Leslie Kong (20 December 1933 – 9 August 1971) was a Jamaican reggae producer. Early life Kong was born into a Chinese-Jamaican family. He had a "relatively comfortable upbringing" and attended St. George's College in Kingston. Career ...

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 Howard Greenfield (March 15, 1936 – March 4, 1986) was an American lyricist and songwriter, who for several years in the 1960s worked out of the famous Brill Building. He is best known for his successful songwriting collaborations, including o ...

wrote "Happy Birthday Sweet Sixteen"). * "Hello Melvin (This Is Mama)" (1963) was

Sandra Gould Sandra Gould (July 23, 1916 – July 20, 1999) was an American actress, known for her role as Gladys Kravitz on the sitcom ''Bewitched''. Gould was the second actress to portray the role, debuting at the start of the third season. Life and caree ...

's answer to "

Hello Muddah, Hello Fadduh (A Letter from Camp) Hello is a salutation or greeting in the English language. It is first attested in writing from 1826. Early uses ''Hello'', with that spelling, was used in publications in the U.S. as early as the 18 October 1826 edition of the '' Norwich Cour ...

" (also 1963), a novelty song by

Allan Sherman Allan Sherman (born Allan Copelon or Allan Gerald Copelon; November 30, 1924 – November 20, 1973) was an American musician, satirist, and television producer who became known as a song parodist in the early 1960s. His first album, '' M ...

. *

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 "Don't Worry Baby" is a song by American rock band the Beach Boys from their March 1964 album '' Shut Down Volume 2''. Written by Brian Wilson and Roger Christian, Wilson's lead vocal is considered one of his defining performances, and he late ...

" (1964) from ''Shut Down Volume 2'' was said to be an answer to

the Ronettes The Ronettes were an American girl group from Washington Heights, Manhattan, New York City. The group consisted of the lead singer Veronica Bennett (later known as Ronnie Spector), her older sister Estelle Bennett, and their cousin Nedra Ta ...

song "

Be My Baby "Be My Baby" is a song by the American girl group the Ronettes that was released as a single on Philles Records in August 1963. Written by Jeff Barry, Ellie Greenwich, and Phil Spector, the song was the Ronettes' biggest hit, reaching number ...

" (1963). *The Beach Boys' "

The Girl from New York City ''Summer Days (And Summer Nights!!)'' is the ninth studio album by the American rock band the Beach Boys, released on July 5, 1965, by Capitol Records. The band's previous album, ''The Beach Boys Today!'' (released March 1965), represented a depa ...

" (1965) from ''

Summer Days (And Summer Nights!!) ''Summer Days (And Summer Nights!!)'' is the ninth studio album by the American rock band the Beach Boys, released on July 5, 1965, by Capitol Records. The band's previous album, ''The Beach Boys Today!'' (released March 1965), represented a depa ...

'' was a response to The Ad Libs' "

The Boy from New York City "The Boy from New York City" is a song originally recorded by the American soul group The Ad Libs, released in 1964 as their first single. Produced by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, the song peaked at No. 8 on the US ''Billboard'' Hot 100 on th ...

" (1964). * "

Queen of the House "Queen of the House" is a song originally recorded and made commercially successful by American singer Jody Miller. It was an answer song to Roger Miller's " King of the Road". It featured lyrics written by Mary Taylor, with credit also given to R ...

" (1965) was

Jody Miller Myrna Joy "Jody" Miller (November 29, 1941 – October 6, 2022) was an American singer, who had commercial success in the genres of country, folk and pop. She was the second female artist to win a country music accolade from the Grammy Awards, ...

'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 Alfred Lennon (14 December 1913 – 1 April 1976), also known as Freddie Lennon, was an English seaman and singer who was best known as the father of musician John Lennon. Alfred spent many years in an orphanage with his sister, Edith, after ...

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. * "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 (singer), 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 (song), Eve of Destruction" by Barry McGuire (both 1965). * "Morgan the Pirate (song), Morgan the Pirate" (1966) by Richard Fariña was believed by Fariña's producer Maynard Solomon, journalist Robert Christgau, and others to be a response to Bob Dylan'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 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 (song), When a Man Loves a Woman" (also 1966) by Percy Sledge. *French Johnny Hallyday's 1966 ''Cheveux longs et idées courtes'' is a riposte to a direct, personal mockery in a verse of Antoine (musician), Antoine's ''Élucubrations'' of the same year; both were hit songs. (See Antoine (musician)#Rivalry with Johnny Hallyday, 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 and David Porter (musician), 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's No. 1 1967 country hit "Don't Come Home A-Drinkin' (With Lovin' on Your Mind), Don't Come Home A Drinkin (With Lovin' on Your Mind)". * "List of Basement Tapes songs (1975)#"Clothes Line Saga", 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's "Are You Experienced? (song), Are You Experienced?" (1967). * "Back in the U.S.S.R." (1968) by The Beatles was a response to "Back in the U.S.A." by Chuck Berry (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 (song), The Circle Game" (1970) is an answer to Neil Young's "Sugar Mountain (song), 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's "Wild Life (Wings album), 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? (John Lennon song), How Do You Sleep?" (1971) which was

's response to "Too Many People" (1971) by ex-The Beatles, 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's "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised". "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 to Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree, "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's response to Neil Young's "Southern Man (song), Southern Man" (1970) and "Harvest (Neil Young album), Alabama" (1972). Warren Zevon 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 (Shirley Brown song), 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 (singer), Bob Hudson. * "(I'm A) Stand By My Woman Man" (1976) sung by Ronnie Milsap was the response to Tammy Wynette's "Stand By Your Man" (1968). * "Two Out of Three Ain't Bad" (1977) by Meat Loaf was the answer song to "I Want You, I Need You, I Love You" (1956) by

. * Johnny Thunders' "So Alone (album), London Boys" (1978) is a response to the Sex Pistols' "New York" (1977).

1980s

* "Love Will Tear Us Apart" (1980) by Joy Division was partly a response to "Love Will Keep Us Together" (1973) by

and

. * "Bad Boy" (1982) by Ray Parker Jr. was a response to his own hit of the same year, "The Other Woman (Ray Parker Jr. song), 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 (New Edition song), Candy Girl" (1982) by New Edition was a response to "ABC (The Jackson 5 song), ABC" (1970) by The Jackson 5. * "Major Tom (Coming Home)" (1983) by Peter Schilling was the response to David Bowie's 1969 song "Space Oddity". * "Superstar (Lydia Murdock song), Superstar" (1983) by Lydia Murdock was an answer song to "Billie Jean" (1983) by Michael Jackson. * "Taxi (Take Him Back)" was Anne LeSear's 1984 response to J. Blackfoot's 1983 song "Taxi". * Melba Moore'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 song "The Spy" (1970), about a sexual voyeur. *Reba McEntire's "Whoever's in New England" (1986) was a response to Barry Manilow's hit "Weekend in New England" (1975). "Whoever's in New England", in turn, inspired the 2007 answer song "Stay (Sugarland song), Stay", written and sung by Jennifer Nettles. * "Thunder & Lightning" (1986) by Miss Thang was a response to Oran "Juice" Jones's song "The Rain (Oran "Juice" Jones 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 appeared in the Madonna (entertainer), Madonna 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 (Salt-n-Pepa song), Push it" by Salt-N-Pepa (1985) * "I'm Your Wild Thang" (1989) was Mamado and She's answer to Tone Lōc's "Wild Thing (Tone Lōc song), Wild Thing" (1988). * "(Nothing But) Flowers" by Talking Heads contains lyrics that are an echo to Joni Mitchell'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 "Out of Time (album), 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's answer to Erasure (duo), Erasure's previous ABBA tribute, "Abba-esque". "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's answer to Tim Dog's "Fuck Compton" (1991) (as well as being a diss towards Eazy-E). *Italian pop group 883 (band), 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'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. * Third Eye Blind's song "Semi Charmed Life" (1997) was written as a response to Lou Reed's ''Walk on the Wild Side (Lou Reed song), Walk on the Wild Side'' (1972), but from a San Francisco perspective. * "The Boy Is Mine (Brandy and Monica song), The Boy Is Mine" (1998) by Brandy Norwood, Brandy and Monica (entertainer), Monica was a response to "The Girl Is Mine" (1982) by Michael Jackson and Paul McCartney. * The Offspring's song "The Kids Aren't Alright" (1998) is named as allusion to The Who's "The Kids Are Alright (song), The Kids Are Alright" (1965). *After TLC (group), TLC 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 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) answer song to their own 1996 hit Novocaine for the Soul. * Heartbreaker (Mariah Carey song)#Remix, "Heartbreaker (Desert Storm Remix)" by Mariah Carey was a response to "Ain't No Fun (If the Homies Can't Have None)" by Snoop Dogg. * Mexican pop singer Alejandra Guzman's "Hey Güera" (Hey Blondie) is a response to Paulina Rubio's "Ese hombre es mío" (That man is mine). * "Woman (Neneh Cherry song), Woman" by Neneh Cherry in 1996 is a response song to 1966's "It's a Man's Man's Man's World" by James Brown. * "Old Before I Die" (1997) by Robbie Williams was in response to The Who's "My Generation" (1965), which contains the lyrics "I hope I die before I get old."

2000s

*In 2001 Suzanne Vega wrote "(I'll Never Be) Your Maggie May" as a response to Rod Stewart'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's "Strong Enough (Sheryl Crow song), Strong Enough" (1994). *KJ-52 released the song "Collaborations (KJ-52 album), Dear Slim" (2002) in response to Eminem's song "Stan (song), Stan" (2000). *"Can't Hold Us Down" by Christina Aguilera (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 (singer), 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. Both songs had topped the charts in that country. *Green Day's "American Idiot (song), American Idiot" (2004), from the album of the same name, was written in response to a Lynyrd Skynyrd 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 and P. Diddy. *The Beatnuts song "Confused Rappers" (2004) was a response to Jennifer Lopez Cory Rooney and The Trackmasters for stealing the sample of "Hi-Jack" by Enoch Light from their 1999 single "Watch Out Now" * "Good Idea At The Time" (2005) on OK Go's "Oh No (OK Go album), Oh No" album, was an answer song to The Rolling Stones' "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 (song), 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'' album by Amy Winehouse 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 (band), Camera Obscura 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 (Tarja song), I Walk Alone", popularized by Tarja Turunen, is a response to "Bye Bye Beautiful" by Nightwish. *"Menor Que Yo" on ''Sentimiento (album), Sentimiento'' (2007) album by Ivy Queen was a response to "Mayor Que Yo", a collaborative single by Daddy Yankee, 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'' album by Lady Gaga was a response to "Girls, Girls, Girls (Mötley Crüe song), Girls, Girls, Girls" (1987) by Mötley Crüe. *Mitch Benn's "Not Everybody Has to Imagine" (2008) is a reply to John Lennon's "Imagine (John Lennon song), Imagine" (1971). *They Might Be Giants 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? (The Sun Is a Mass of Incandescent Gas), 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 (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 (band), Vintage (Винтаж) composed their song "Eva" (Ева) from their ''Sex (Vintage album), 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's hit "Girlfriend (Avril Lavigne song), Girlfriend", is one example. * "California Gurls" (2010) by Katy Perry featuring Snoop Dogg was a response to "Empire State of Mind" (2009) by Jay-Z featuring Alicia Keys. It was the first time both the original song and the answer song reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, Billboard ''Hot 100''. * Taylor Swift's "Better than Revenge" (2010) is an answer to The Jonas Brothers' "Lines, Vines and Trying Times, Much Better" (2009) which may have been an answer to Swift's "Forever & Always" (2008). * Marina and the Diamonds' cover of Justin Bieber's "Boyfriend (Justin Bieber song), Boyfriend" (2012) is an answer song to the original tune, the lyrics adapted to give it a female perspective. * Lecrae made the song "Church Clothes, No Regrets" (2012) in response to "The Motto (Drake song), The Motto" (2011) by Drake (entertainer), Drake. Which itself is a response to "If Today Was Your Last Day" (2008) by Nickelback. * Yasiin Bey (formerly Mos Def) released "Niggas in Poorest", (2012) in response to "Niggas in Paris" (2011) by Jay-Z and Kanye West, chastising them for parading their wealth while so many are suffering with poverty, violence, crime, and exploitation. * Mary Lambert (singer), 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 (song), Jolene" from the male perspective. Additionally, the 2017 song "Diane (Cam song), Diane" performed by Cam (singer), Cam sings from the perspective of Jolene. * "Big Girls Cry" on Sia's 2014 album ''1000 Forms of Fear'' is an answer song to Fergie (singer), Fergie's hit "Big Girls Don't Cry (Fergie song), Big Girls Don't Cry" (2007). * "Anaconda (Nicki Minaj song), Anaconda" by Nicki Minaj (2014) is viewed as an answer to Sir Mix-a-Lot'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 Venus Callipyge, callipygian physique to profit and empower herself. *Ellie Goulding's song "On My Mind (Ellie Goulding song), On My Mind" is seen as answer to Ed Sheeran's "Don't (Ed Sheeran song), Don't" by many critics, although Goulding herself has denied it. *Christine and the Queens rewrote Beyoncé's "Sorry (Beyoncé song), Sorry" from a male perspective. *Esmé Patterson published Woman to Woman (Esmé Patterson album), ''Woman to Woman'' (2014), an album of seven answer songs from the perspective of famous women in pop songs, including "Eleanor Rigby", "Billie Jean" and The Kinks' "Lola (song), Lola". * "The Quantum Enigma (Kingdom of Heaven Part II)" popularized by Epica (band), Epica is a response to "Kingdom of Heaven" * Eels (band), Eels' 2018 single "Bone Dry" is an answer to their 2010 single "Fresh Blood (song), Fresh Blood". Fresh Blood was itself a sequel to their song "I Want to Protect You". * "Paper Doll" (2013) by John Mayer is viewed as a response to Taylor Swift's "Dear John (Taylor Swift song), Dear John" (2010), and also mentions her song "22 (Taylor Swift song), 22". *In 2013, Kay One released his diss track "Nichts als die Wahrheit" against his former label mates Bushido (rapper), Bushido 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's "Nobita (album), Nobita" (2004).

2020s

*Coheed and Cambria's 2020 song "Jessie's Girl 2" is a sequel to Rick Springfield'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 (Sabrina Carpenter song), Skin" 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 (song), "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 (band), 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's classic "Jolene (song), Jolene" almost 50 years later. *Miley Cyrus's 2023 song "Flowers (Miley Cyrus song), Flowers" 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" by Gloria Gaynor.

Examples

Pre-1950s

1950s

1960s

1970s

1980s

1990s

2000s

2010s

2020s

See also

References

Further reading