Top 30 Famous Songs About Famous People

Top 30 Famous Songs About Famous People

Welcome to WatchMojo, and today were counting down our picks for the most successful songs that are about celebrity subject matter.

#30: Diamonds & Rust (1975)

Joan Baez

As a revered artist in her own right, Joan Baez was one of the guiding lights of the 1960s folk movement. Shes also forever intertwined with Bob Dylans legacy. Diamonds & Rust finds the singer looking back at their relationship, taking in the complications of it all. Baez weaves together intricate words about Dylans highs and lows. With her folk sensibilities, the moving work feels like a cathartic examination of the affair. This was partly prompted after the Blowin in the Wind icon surprised her with a phone call. From the haunting beginning to the poetic details, the performer guides listeners through a series of heartbreaking memories.

#29: Silver Springs (1976)

Fleetwood Mac

In many of the songs, Fleetwood Mac hashes out their interpersonal baggage. Silver Springs is one where Stevie Nicks discusses her feelings about Lindsey Buckingham. The two came to the band together, but ended their romance during one of the acts most successful periods. Nicks sings through her complex emotions, focusing on Buckingham and their failed partnership. It wouldnt be the first or last time they sang about each other either. During their heyday, it mustve been extremely awkward to perform this while standing next to each other. To their credit, the artists continued to work together for many years despite the internal drama.

#28: Oh Yoko! (1971)

John Lennon

Years before he released his second album Imagine, this singer famously married artist Yoko Ono. This song goes to great lengths to immortalize the couples relationship. Its a hopelessly romantic number, following John Lennons thoughts about his wife. Each verse finds him wondering about his love in blissful and seemingly ordinary moments. After adding up Lennons thoughtful words, you realize just how serious he was about Ono. Oh Yoko! is a light and breezy song, but with an intensity burning underneath. Its both a direct and meaningful statement that signifies a deep love between the pair.

#27: Fix You (2005)

Coldplay

On a long list of hits, this one stands as one of Coldplays strongest ballads. Even if you dont love the pop group you can feel soothed by this number. Singer Chris Martin wrote it for the bands third album X&Y. On a personal level, the frontman crafted it as a way to help his grieving wife Gwyneth Paltrow. The actress lost her father and her musical then-partner created a way to process the death. Using his skill as a songwriter, the artist makes it sound both intimate and universal all at once. The bridge in particular captures the moment where you lean into the sadness and let the tears fly.

#26: I Knew You Were Trouble (2012)

Taylor Swift

For her hit album Red, Taylor Swift tried out a more pop-heavy sound. She also spilled the tea about certain relationships, with Harry Styles becoming the focus of this song. Swift later mentioned how I Knew You Were Trouble detailed her thoughts about the former One Direction star. Its a bold rundown of their allegedly-rocky pairing, hinting at the troubled affair in detail. You dont need your imagination after you hear the performers lyrics and tone. The fiery vocals arent all directed at Styles either, with the artist taking some blame for what went down. She ultimately channels a mix of strong emotions into this mega single.

#25: You Oughta Know (1995)

Alanis Morissette

At this point, most people believe this one is about Dave Coulier. The Full House star and Alanis Morissette dated before the release of Jagged Little Pill. After hearing some of the explicit lyrics, Coulier thought it sounded too close to home. Morissettes rock diss has not lost any of its edge either. While the singer might be coy about its origins, You Oughta Know does contain references to a relationship gone wrong. Certain specifics like interrupting dinner plans could be just the tip of the iceberg. While the comedian might not be the target of every verse, hes likely one of the unlucky subjects.

#24: Thank U, Next (2018)

Ariana Grande

Even if youre not a superfan, youve probably heard about Ariana Grandes relationship history. She decided to tackle the subject head on with Thank U, Next. The song refers to her exes like Pete Davidson, with direct references to her former fiancé and others. She doesnt dwell on them though and instead wants to move forward. Embracing her independence, the artist seems to think of the men as important learning experiences. Its an almost-therapeutic track for someone thats loved and broken up in the public eye. In the end, Davidson comes out largely unscathed after this pointed look into the past.

#23: Heart-Shaped Box (1993)

Nirvana

On the bands third studio album, Nirvana explored some of their darkest and most personal imagery yet. Kurt Cobain dug deep for lyrics that confronted subjects like his romantic life. The singers wife Courtney Love might be the key to Heart-Shaped Box after all. According to Love herself, the song is an intimate look into Cobains views on her body. Shes even explained it in more graphic detail than that. Theres a chance that the songwriter had more in mind, but its fair to assume theres some truth there. The frontman combined imaginative phrases with sometimes-unsettling descriptions. If its really about the Hole singer, that adds another layer to the twisted single from In Utero.

#22: Not Like Us (2024)

Kendrick Lamar

Over the last few years, the feud between Kendrick Lamar and Drake reached new heights. They ended up trading diss tracks until Not Like Us sealed the deal. While the Canadian artist might not admit defeat, this single is hard to fight against. Lamars flow flies through a catchy beat and some devastating verses. This includes one reference to a chord that may or may not be the best line. After both critical and commercial success, the performer provided a critique with a no-holds barred approach. Drakes personal life gets thoroughly lambasted throughout, with allegations galore. The Super Bowl halftime show only added to this hits legacy. Without a doubt, the songs subject does not look good after this one.

#21: I Will Always Love You (1974)

Dolly Parton

Whether you know the original or Whitney Houstons cover, this song endures through multiple decades. I Will Always Love You is not a traditional ballad either. Dolly Parton wrote it while trying to break away from her singing partner Porter Wagoner. The latter wanted to be a duo, but the writer wanted to go out on her own. Its both a personal and professional matter forever enshrined in song. Partons beautiful words and music work to this day, with high notes to sell each emotional word. The result is one of the performers best tracks and pays homage to an important force in her career.

#20: Still Feel Like Your Man (2017)

John Mayer

While Mayer himself felt like it should be pretty obvious who he was talking about in Still Feel Like Your Man - there are those who may notve been paying as close attention to his love life prior to that. If you had been, then you wouldve known that he and Katy Perry spent four years on and off again from 2012 to 2016. And with that knowledge - yes, it now does seem pretty obvious that she is the ex hes talking about in the song. As Mayer put it, Who else would I be thinking about?

#19: Obsessed (2009)

Mariah Carey

Did Eminem and Mariah Carey ever date? The answer depends on who you ask. If you ask Eminem, the answer is a resounding yes. But ask Carey, and youll get a big fat no! The two went back and forth on this matter for years in the press and in song. Carey took on Eminems obsession with her through her 2009 album, Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel. Just in case the lyrics arent enough, Carey took all the guesswork out of it with the music video. A video in which she plays two characters - herself, and an obsessed gray-hoodie wearing, goateed Eminem. The rapper was also convinced the song was about him and released The Warning as a response just six weeks later.

#18: All Those Years Ago (1981)

George Harrison

John Lennons murder in December of 1980 shocked and saddened the world. While most people didnt have a way to express their love for Lennon to the world, some of his musician friends did exactly that. One such friend was his former bandmate George Harrison who, just five months after Lennons death released All Those Years Ago. Originally written with different lyrics for Ringo Starr to sing, after Lennons passing Harrison rewrote it as a tribute to his friend. Another one of Lennons good friends, Elton John, was hesitant to record a tribute song to his dear friend. But when he saw the lyrics Bernie Taupin presented him with for Empty Garden (Hey Hey Johnny) - it was a no-brainer.

#17: Lovebug (2008)

Jonas Brothers

While Nick Jonas has stated in the past that the song Lovebug is about, really, just falling in love with somebody - that somebody appears to be Miley Cyrus. The two Disney TV stars dated for about a year and a half from 2006 through December of 2007. A relationship that, according to Nicks brother Kevin, changed girls for Nick forever. Although the song wasnt released until late 2008, Lovebug was written in 2007 while Nick and Miley were an item. During a time when Nick has said that he, started writing about love and I actually knew what it felt like.

#16: Uptown Girl (1983)

Billy Joel

We know what youre thinking Everyone knows this song is about Christie Brinkley. Its so obvious. Joel and Brinkley were married and shes the Uptown Girl in the music video. Well, lets just say youre half right. The song did eventually become about Brinkley, but when Joel first wrote the track, he did so with a different supermodel in mind: Elle Macpherson. You see, prior to his marriage to supermodel Brinkley, Joel and Macpherson were an item - and it was she who was his girlfriend when he wrote the track.

#15: Dude (Looks Like a Lady) (1987)

Aerosmith

As the story goes, one night Aerosmith was out on the town when lead singer Steven Tyler thought he saw a hot blonde woman. However, it turned out that it wasnt a woman at all, but rather Mötley Crüe singer Vince Neil. This case of mistaken identity led to some ribbing from Tylers bandmates, but it also eventually led to the writing of their hit single Dude (Looks Like a Lady). Mötley Crüe co-founder Nikki Sixx has also confirmed the accuracy of that story and Neil being the inspiration for the song.

#14: Ms. Jackson (2000)

Outkast

While calling the song Ms. Wright mightve been more accurate, it sure doesnt have the same syllable-esque flow as Ms. Jackson. Why Wright, you ask? Well, because Erykah Badus mothers name is Kolleen Wright. But what does she have to do with it you also ask? Well, Outkasts Andre 3000 dated Badu in the 90s and they had a child out of wedlock together. Feeling the need to tell his side of the story, Andre wrote the song as an apology and explanation to Badus mother. You might remember the intro dedicates the song to baby's mamas' mamas'. If you didnt know it before, now youll know it forever, forever ever, forever ever.

#13: Ether (2001)

Nas

The hip-hop feud between Nas and Jay-Z was one of the biggest, most talked about in the history of the genre - and the musical pinnacles of said feud both came at the end of 2001. First, it was Jay-Z hitting Nas hard with his diss track, Takeover, from his album, The Blueprint. But as hard as he hit, there are many whod argue Nas hit back even harder. Three months after Takeover, Nas put out Ether and to say he didn't hold back would be an understatement. Its been called a diss song classic and was so influential that ether has become a hip-hop slang term for destroying an opponent in a rap battle.

#12: All of Me (2013)

John Legend

Given that Legend wrote this song while he was engaged to Chrissy Teigen and she is also in the music video (which they filmed days before their wedding in Italy) - this song better be about Teigen. And, no surprises here, the me that is all of Legend is indeed Teigen. But while she initially was extremely moved and touched by Legends musical dedication to her, she has since heard the song so much that it no longer has the same impact as it once did.

#11: Man on the Moon (1992)

R.E.M.

No veiled references or possible misinterpretations with this one - Michael Stipe wrote this song about Andy Kaufman. The band had already composed the music and as the recording sessions were coming to a close, Stipe still hadnt mastered the words. However, while taking a walk around Seattle, the music playing through his Walkman headphones, everything finally came together. The references to Kaufmans work, from his wrestling career to his Elvis impersonations - and the titular metaphor comparing conspiracy theories regarding the moon landing to those claiming Kaufman faked his 1984 death. Movie fans will also note that Jim Carreys 1999 Andy Kaufman biopic took its title from the song as well.

#10: Cry Me a River (2002)

Justin Timberlake

Justin Timberlake and Britney Spears dated from 1999 until March of 2002. Then, in November of that same year, Timberlake released his first solo album and the second single from said album was Cry Me a River. The song, about a guy who moves on after having his heart broken, was widely assumed to be about his recent breakup with Spears. Although he mightve tried to deny it at the time - no one was buying it. Especially after the music video came out featuring a Spears look-a-like, as well as easter egg references to his exs iconic newsboy hat and her tattoo.

#9: Pride (In the Name of Love) (1984)

U2

There is a world where we are talking about this song as being about President Ronald Reagan and his Pride in his countrys military might. But we dont live in that world, because a couple of books about civil rights leaders Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X focused Bonos attention on the two sides of the movement. This led to King being the focus of U2s 1984 hit, Pride (In the Name of Love). While Bono has since talked about his dissatisfaction with the all too simplistic lyrics, the song is one of the bands biggest hits and made The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's list of 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll.

#8: Hurricane (1975)

Bob Dylan

In 1967, boxer Rubin "Hurricane" Carter was wrongly convicted of a triple homicide and sentenced to life in prison in New Jersey. While behind bars, Carter wrote an autobiography called The Sixteenth Round. It was this book that inspired Bob Dylan to write his protest song about Carter and his wrongful imprisonment. The song was a hit and brought Carters story to the attention of a wider audience and led to a growing movement of support and calls for his release. While Carter did get a new trial in 1976, he was once again convicted. It wasnt until 1985 that he was finally let out after being granted a writ of habeas corpus.

#7: You're So Vain (1972)

Carly Simon

In case you were thinking that the song was about you. It isnt. Well, unless youre Warren Beatty - and possibly two other men. The subject of Simons number-one hit song has been a much-talked-about mystery ever since its release in 1972. For years, Simon remained very coy about the whole thing - refusing to name names and then slowly only giving out letters from their name. Then, in 2015, she finally confirmed that Warren Beatty was the subject of the songs second verse. Although in wonderfully Coy-Carly fashion, she also said, Now, that doesn't mean that the other two verses aren't also about Warren It just means that the second one is.

#6: Shine On You Crazy Diamond (1975)

Pink Floyd

While he may not be a household name - to Pink Floyd fans, Syd Barrett is a key figure in music history. For those who dont know, Barrett was one of the co-founders of the band, the lead singer and primary songwriter for about the first three years of Pink Floyds existence. However, due to his use of psychedelic drugs and deteriorating mental health, Barrett was dismissed from the group in 1968. This wasnt something the other band members did happily and Barrett remained an important piece of all of them. So much so that in 1975, they created Shine On You Crazy Diamond - a 25-minute, 9-part track on their Wish You Were Here album - as a tribute to their friend.

#5: Go Your Own Way (1976)

Fleetwood Mac

Imagine singing backup vocals on a song written by your pained ex-boyfriend about your breakup. Nope, we cant imagine it either. But thats exactly what Stevie Nicks had to do on Go Your Own Way. The song, written by Lindsey Buckingham, was the first single off of the now iconic album, Rumours. As Buckingham explained, I was completely devastated when she took off there was a lot of pent-up frustration and anger towards Stevie in me for many years. Frustrations that all came out in this admittedly very-catchy song.

#4: Hey Jude (1968)

The Beatles

Had Paul McCartney stuck with the tracks original title, it would probably be more well-known who this song is talking to. In 1968, John Lennon and his first wife Cynthia separated over Lennons love affair with Yoko Ono. McCartney, always feel(s) sorry for kids in divorces and wrote this song as words of comfort to Lennons then five-year-old son Julian. When he first wrote the song, McCartney was singing Hey Jules, but he would eventually switch it to Jude because [he] thought that sounded a bit better.

#3: Candle in the Wind (1974)

Elton John

There are going to be some people who are expecting us to talk about how this song was written in honor and remembrance of Princess Diana. However, that version of the song, known as Candle in the Wind 1997, was a rewritten version of Elton Johns original Candle in the Wind from 1974. That song is an ode and tribute to another iconic woman Marilyn Monroe. Lyricist Bernie Taupin has said that while it is about Monroe, it couldve been about anyone who died young and sort of became this iconic picture... It's a beauty frozen in time. A sentiment that decades later obviously connected perfectly to the passing of Lady Di.

#2: Layla (1971)

Derek and the Dominos

The Derek and the Dominos song Layla was partially inspired by a 7th-century Persian love story. A story that spoke rather strongly to Eric Clapton and the position he found himself in at the time. Namely, the fact that he was secretly in love with Pattie Boyd - who just so happened to be the wife of his friend George Harrison. Boyd and Harrison eventually had a very amicable divorce and in 1979, she and Clapton tied the knot. Although they were dating, Clapton wrote another song for Boyd: Wonderful Tonight.

#1: American Pie (1971)

Don McLean

You mightve heard about the 1959 plane crash that took the lives of rock stars Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and "The Big Bopper" J. P. Richardson, referred to as the day the music died. Well, it became known as such because that is how Don McLean poetically referred to it in his 1971 song, American Pie. As for the rest of the song, it is a general impressionistic allusion to the changes that took place throughout the tumultuous 1960s - but began on that fateful day in 1959. American Pie was the first single released off of McLeans similarly titled album. The second single? Vincent, a song McLean wrote in tribute to Vincent Van Gogh.

Did we forget another hit song with a well-known subject? Let us know in the comments below.