20 Songs Named After The Bands That Played Them

Self-titled albums are one thing. But when a band names one of its songs after itself — or, alternately, when a band names itself after one of its songs — it’s a pretty big deal. The song itself comes off looking something like a mission statement, an encapsulation of everything that the band means. When Bad Company names a song “Bad Company,” they want you to know that this song is what they’re all about.

Not too many bands have been brave enough to attempt this trick throughout history. For some reason, a lot of the bands who did attempt it were either metal or hardcore. We’ve collected 20 of them below, and some of them are pretty great. We’ve weeded out all the songs that are only partially named after the groups, which means we’ve weeded out some more pretty great songs. Honorable mentions include Queen’s “Killer Queen,” the Clash’s “This Is Radio Clash,” Big Country’s “In A Big Country,” the Stray Cats’ “Stray Cat Strut,” Das-EFX’s “They Want EFX,” Nas’s “Nas Is Like,” Refused’s “Refused Are Fucking Dead,” Wilco’s “Wilco (The Song),” and of course the Monkees’ “(Theme From) The Monkees.”

Check out our selections and stream the songs below. And in the comments section, let us know what we forgot.

1. Atari Teenage Riot – “Atari Teenage Riot” (1993)

2. Bad Company – “Bad Company” (1974)

3. Bad Religion – “Bad Religion” (1981)

4. Belle & Sebastian – “Belle & Sebastian” (1997)

5. Black Sabbath – “Black Sabbath” (1970)

6. Body Count – “Body Count” (1992)

7. Damn Yankees – “Damn Yankees” (1990)

8. Green Day – “Green Day” (1990)

9. Icehouse – “Icehouse (1980)

10. Iron Maiden – “Iron Maiden” (1980)

11. Kool & The Gang – “Kool & The Gang” (1969)

12. Meat Puppets – “Meat Puppets” (1982)

13. Minor Threat – “Minor Threat” (1981)

14. Motörhead – “Motörhead” (1975) *

15. Pennywise – “Pennywise” (1991)

16. Porno For Pyros – “Porno For Pyros” (1993)

17. Talk Talk – “Talk Talk” (1982)

18. They Might Be Giants – “They Might Be Giants” (1989)

19. Titus Andronicus – “Titus Andronicus” (2008)

20. Youth Of Today – “Youth Of Today” (1986)

* “Motörhead” gets an asterisk because it’s a cover, after a fashion. Before Lemmy founded Motörhead, he was a member of Hawkwind, and Hawkwind’s song “Motörhead” is what gave Lemmy’s new band its name. Also, I couldn’t find versions of “New Kids On The Block” by New Kids On The Block or “Judas Priest” by Judas Priest on YouTube. And that’s a live version of “Meat Puppets” and a demo version of “They Might Be Giants.” Rare misses, YouTube.

Bruce Springsteen Returns With Wild New Album

Bruce Springsteen is close to announcing his 17th studio album and a U.S. tour with the E Street Band. Springsteen's manager Jon Landau tells Rolling Stone that the record is an ambitious "big-picture piece of work. It's a rock record that combines elements of both Bruce's classic sound and his Seeger Sessions experience, with new textures and styles." Music was played for Sony recently, according to The Hollywood Reporter, whose source described the songs as having "unexpected textures – loops, electronic percussion... influences and rhythms from hip-hop to Irish folk rhythms."

The disc was produced by Ron Aniello, who has previously worked on albums by Candlebox, Jars of Clay and the last LP by Springsteen's wife, Patti Scialfa. Members of the E Street Band play on the album, along with a variety of outside musicians, including Tom Morello and possibly former Pearl Jam drummer Matt Chamberlain, who has often recorded on Aniello's projects. "It was an experimental effort with a new producer," says Landau. "Bruce and Ron used a wide variety of players to create something that both rocks and is very fresh."

According to Landau, the record has "social overtones" – although it was largely written before Occupy Wall Street began and doesn't directly address the movement. The LP also has a "very pronounced spiritual dimension," adds Landau. "It extends and deepens the vision that has animated all of Bruce's work." According to The Hollywood Reporter's source, "[Bruce] gets into economic justice quite a bit. He feels it's the angriest album he's ever made."

The E Street Band will spend most of 2012 on the road, including spring and fall U.S. runs and a summer European tour. Dates haven't been announced, but concert-business sources tell Rolling Stone the band has arenas booked starting in March, including an Austin show around Springsteen's March 15th keynote address at the South by Southwest festival. One big question is how the group will address last summer's death of saxophonist Clarence Clemons, Springsteen's onstage foil for four decades.

Coachella 2012 Lineup

Coachella just posted this year’s lineup on its Facebook and Twitter. Headliners for the double weekend festival are Black Keys (Friday), Radiohead (Saturday), and Dr. Dre & Snoop Dogg (Sunday). Even more exciting are the acts highlighting the Recently Reunited undercard: At The Drive-In, Refused, Mazzy Star, and Pulp. This year’s event goes down April 13-15 and April 20-22, so double your sunscreen budget.

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Black Sabbath Guitarist Tony Iommi Diagnosed With Lymphoma

Black Sabbath guitarist Tony  Iommi has been diagnosed with the "early stages of lymphoma," according to a statement sent out by the band's publicist. "His bandmates would like everyone to send positive vibes to the guitarist at this time," the statement says. "Iommi is currently working with doctors to establish the best treatment plan. The 'Iron Man' of Rock and Roll remains upbeat and determined to make a full and successful recovery."

Two months ago the original lineup of Black Sabbath announced plans to record their first album of new material since 1978's Never Say Die! with producer Rick Rubin. They had been working in Los Angeles, but Iommi's diagnosis has caused them to move recording over to England. 

Black Sabbath are also scheduled to kick off a world tour May 18th in Moscow. It's unclear whether or not Iommi's treatment will have any impact on these plans. The group hasn't toured since 2005, though the Ronnie James Dio-led lineup of Black Sabbath toured extensively from 2007 through Dio's death from stomach cancer in 2010. 

Iommi published his biography Iron Man: My Journey Through Heaven and Hell with Black Sabbath last year. 

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