his playlist is packed with songs where names take centre stage. From unforgettable romances to dramatic farewells and even a few quirky dedications, these tracks capture every feeling with a name on it.
| Title | Artist | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Josephine | Chris Rea | Chris Rea’s wrote this song for his first daughter, Josephine (Josie), born in 1983) on the third floor of the Intercontinental Hotel in Dusseldorf in Germany, while it was raining outside. |
| Joanna | Kool & the Gang | The song was introduced by guitarist Claydes Charles Smith as “Dear Mom” and altered by Ronald Bell. The song title change to “Joanna” capitalised on the “name” song trend, like Toto’s hit “Rosanna” the year before. |
| Gwendolyne | Julio Iglesias | Gwendolyne performed and written by Julio Iglesias, is a romantic ballad where the singer longs for a woman named Gwendolyne. This song helped launch Julio Iglesias’ career after he performed it at the Eurovision Song Contest in 1970. |
| Christine | Garland Jeffreys | Christine written and performed by Garland Jeffreys is about a woman named Christine, exploring complex emotions and memories. Garland Jeffreys is known for his genre-blending style, combining rock, reggae, and soul. |
| Bernardine | Pat Boone | Bernardine by Pat Boone, written by Johnny Mercer, is a lighthearted song about an idealized girl named Bernardine, from the movie Bernardine (1957), where Boone also starred. |
| Peggy Sue | Buddy Holly | Peggy Sue by Buddy Holly, written by Buddy Holly, Jerry Allison, and Norman Petty, celebrates a girl named Peggy Sue, expressing admiration for her beauty and personality. Originally titled “Cindy Lou,” it was renamed after the girlfriend (and later wife) of drummer Jerry Allison. |
| Rosetta | Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames | Rosetta by Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames, originally recorded by Earl Hines and Henri Woode, is a lively track with blues and jazz influences, celebrating a woman named Rosetta. |
| Long Tall Sally | Little Richard | Long Tall Sally by Little Richard, written by Enotris Johnson, Robert Blackwell, and Little Richard, is an energetic song about a woman named Sally, filled with lively rock and roll lyrics. One of Little Richard’s most famous songs; it was famously covered by The Beatles and became a rock and roll standard. |
| Angeline (M’n Blonde Sexmachine) | Peter Koelewijn | Angeline performed and written by Peter Koelewijn, tells about a man’s fascination with Angeline he dated in Benidorm, Spain. Known for its playful and cheeky tone, Koelewijn is a Dutch rock pioneer, and this song became popular in the Netherlands and Belgium. |
| Caroline | Status Quo | Caroline by Status Quo, written by Francis Rossi and Bob Young, is a song about longing to be with a woman named Caroline, despite various obstacles. This track became a fan favourite and is known for its classic Status Quo rock rhythm. |
| Aline | Christophe | Aline performed and written by Christophe is about a lost love, where the singer yearns for Aline to return. Christophe wrote this song in 1965, and it became a big hit in France. It has been covered by various artists. |
| Alison | Elvis Costello & The Attractions | Alison performed and written by Elvis Costello, depict a mix of affection and frustration, directed at a woman named Alison. Costello has said that “Alison” is about being disillusioned by a former lover’s choices. It’s one of his most iconic songs. |
| Diana | Paul Anka | Diana written and performed by Paul Anka is about a young man’s intense admiration and love for an older girl named Diana. Written by Anka when he was only 15, this song became a worldwide hit and is one of his signature songs. |
| Oh Carol | Neil Sedaka | Oh Carol by Neil Sedaka, written by Neil Sedaka and Howard Greenfield, is a playful song where the singer addresses his heartbreak over Carol. Sedaka wrote this for his high school sweetheart, Carole King. She later responded with her own song, “Oh Neil.” |
| Marina | Rocco Granata | Marina” is a 1959 Italian song by Italian-Belgian singer-songwriter Rocco Granata, originally released in 1959 as the B-side of “Manuela”; By 30 January “Marina” interrupted “Oh! Carol” by Neil Sedaka for one week at the No.1 spot of Hitkrant’s List of European number-one hits of 1960. The song “Marina” was so popular in Belgium and the Netherlands that many parents named their baby daughters Marina. |
| Sally | Carmel | Sally written and performed by Carmel, express complex emotions regarding a relationship with Sally. Carmel was known for her unique voice and jazz-influenced style. |
| Ruby Lee | Bill Withers | Ruby Lee written and performed by Bill Withers, is a soulful ode to a woman named Ruby Lee, expressing gratitude for her presence in his life. Withers’ smooth vocals and emotional depth made this song a standout in his discography. |
| Lovely Rita | The Beatles | Lovely Rita by The Beatles, written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney, is about a meter maid named Rita, mixing flirtation with humour. Inspired by a real parking ticket issued to McCartney, this track from Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band is a fan favourite. |
| Hélène | Julien Clerc | Hélène by Julien Clerc, written by Julien Clerc and Étienne Roda-Gil, is a romantic song that captures the bittersweet feelings of love and separation. “Hélène” became a big hit in France, showcasing Clerc’s poetic lyrics and passionate delivery. |
| All For Leyna | Billy Joel | All For Leyna written and performed by Billy Joel, is about obsession and unrequited love, where the singer is unable to move on from Leyna. Known for its intense lyrics, this song has a new wave influence that stands out in Joel’s discography. |
| Désirée | Gilbert Bécaud | Desiree is a timeless French classic by Gilbert Bécaud, released in 1968, where Gilbert Bécaud tells the poignant tale of a young woman named Désirée who is trapped in an unhappy marriage. |
| Lovely Rita | The Beatles | Paul McCartney wrote this as if he fell for a parking-meter women, in America called meter maids, while she was taking his plate number. Beatles producer George Martin played the honky-tonk style piano in the middle. |
| Sara | Bob Dylan | Sara, written and performed by Bob Dylan, is a deeply personal song directed at Dylan’s then-wife Sara, expressing regret and memories of their relationship. “Sara” is one of Dylan’s most revealing songs, written during a tumultuous time in his marriage. |
| Rhiannon | Fleetwood Mac | Rhiannon by Fleetwood Mac, written by Stevie Nicks, is inspired by Welsh mythology, the song describes a mystical woman with an ethereal presence. Nicks wrote “Rhiannon” after reading a novel about a Welsh witch, and it became one of her signature songs with Fleetwood Mac. |
| Carrie | Europe | Carrie by Europe, written by Joey Tempest and Mic Michaeli, revolve around lost love and the lingering feelings for Carrie. A big hit for Europe, showcasing a softer side of the band known for their hard rock sound. |
| Angie | The Rolling Stones | Angie by The Rolling Stones, written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, is a melancholic song that reflects on a bittersweet relationship ending with a woman named Angie. Rumours circulated that it was about David Bowie’s wife, Angela; however, Richards has said it was inspired by his daughter, Angela. |
Sources
The information sources of the song facts include, but are not limited to, Wikipedia, songfacts.com, discogs.com, secondhandsongs.com, YouTube and artists’ related websites.
