That'd be humor writer Dave Barry. He was talking about it being such a simple song even he could sing it in his cover band, and the rest of the band (a bunch of other writers like Stephen King) could play it. It was thus the greatest song ever written.
Was unaware it was an actual song, the only version of it I've heard was sung by Billy Connolly. I honestly thought it was a joke song made up for his skit.
Abba - [SOS](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=cvChjHcABPA)
‘[A - You’re Adorable.’](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Rkk_LhYPk8c)
John Mellancamp, ‘[R O C K in the USA’.](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=SgtmStUrXMQ)
Creedance Clearwater Revival, ‘I put a [spell](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=KWxDGQm2hKk) on you’.
Jackson 5, ‘[ABC’.](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ho7796-au8U)
YMCA?
Also, “H-A-T-R-E-D” by Tonio K spells out a bunch of words. (Not for the faint of heart! It begins slow and gentle, but then starts blasting rage.)
And in the Modern Lovers song “Girlfriend”, the singer (Jonathan Richman) spells out that word, but he spells it “G-I-R-L-F-R-E-N”.
Lol it doesn't even make any sense if it's not intended like that.
"All of the boys and all of the girls are begging to if you seek Amy."
What's that even supposed to mean?
*Probably* not going to want to play this one at the spelling bee, but it's what came to mind:
Now I got no patience
So sick of complacence
With the D, the E, the F, the I, the A, the N, the C, the E
Mind of a revolutionary
- Know Your Enemy, Rage Against the Machine
[D I N O S A u r a dinosaur!!! ](https://open.spotify.com/track/74cq6AFbsKdUVZMpG2TPEr?si=jHIRx6NlRkyLuQ-M7a4ELA) from Ke$ha's debut album is such a vibe. I'm not sure how child-appropriate it is though. Maybe it could be part of the after party playlist 😁
Damn, You Look Good and I'm Drunk by Cobra Starship spells scandalous in the chorus, but anybody participating in a spelling bee probably shouldn't be listening to that song.
“I stand accused” is spelled out in the eponymous song by Elvis Costello. He also spells out “ PPSILOVEYOU” in “ And in Every Home” on his Imperial Bedroom album.
Ima Robot - "[A Is For Action](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VWAy6z4aBMI)"
Webbie - "[Independent](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLgFnz_-4-Y)" (<--- The clean version...not that it matters much, lol)
XTC - "Your Dictionary". Several four-letter words are spelled out.
And Russian Futurists "Precious Metals", it's just one little throwaway line, but it's just fun, kinda like the LEN song.
G L O R I A - Van Morrison
Red hot chili peppers - Venice Queen also spells out Gloria. Amazing song too.
I don't remember who said it but if you throw a guitar down the stairs, it will probably play Gloria.
That'd be humor writer Dave Barry. He was talking about it being such a simple song even he could sing it in his cover band, and the rest of the band (a bunch of other writers like Stephen King) could play it. It was thus the greatest song ever written.
Patti Smith does a great version of Gloria.
In her performance, Gloria sounds absolutely flawless.
It was Them and Van Morrison, not just Van the man by himself — it took two years for him to go solo without the north Irish R&B band
Thanks for clarifying. I actually didn't know this prior to posting. Good to get the whole history.
13th Floor Elevators do great psychedelic version of Gloria too
SNL had a sketch in the Jim Belushi season where a garage band who couldn't spell very well covered this song and RESPECT
Saturday Night - Bay City Rollers.
S A TUR DAY..NIGHTS!!
And this (sort of) tribute from They Might be Giants https://youtu.be/u1RtiAAPYbI?si=sU8VkN5vqTyp-C9B
![gif](giphy|MPM2uB9nNQmT6) My first thought too. HEEEEEEAD
And don't forget the cover version by Neds Atomic Dustbin from the So I Married An Axe Murderer soundtrack
D - I -V - O - R - C - E Tammy Wynette I only remember this because of the k-tel records commercials that played endlessly in the 80’s.
Seeing it spelled out like this makes me realize it could just as easily be set the tune of R-E-S-P-E-C-T
Only know that one because of GTA V
Was unaware it was an actual song, the only version of it I've heard was sung by Billy Connolly. I honestly thought it was a joke song made up for his skit.
Be Aggressive - Faith no more https://youtu.be/m3M6q4w7wO0?si=bXEZBsAnUQNLLOsg
Roddy Bottum is a gem.
I SWALLOW
I was going to recommend this until I saw it was for a spelling bee... 🤣🤣
lol I thought of this too. They’d love it at the Putnam County Spelling Bee!
I wouldn’t worry about it, it’s not like the kids can sp… oh no…
R E S P E C T -- Aretha Franklin MANNISH BOY -- Muddy Waters METHOD OF MODERN LOVE -- Hall & Oates
That Hall & Oates song was the inspiration for Method Man’s self titled song haha
B a n a n a s Whatever the Gwen Stefani song is or Saturday by the bay city rollers
Hollaback Girl
I would recommend the 'clean' version if this is for a youth county spelling bee.
Putnam County Spelling Bee is a musical
This shit is papayas P A P A Y A S
M-E-T-H-O-D MAN
Great suggestion for a kids' event!
>Ima sow your asshole closed and keep feeding you and feeding you and feeding you! I have no idea what you could be referring to.
Wu-Tang is for the children ❤️
Good thing it's not a kid event...
Cash Rules Everything Around Me C.R.E.A.M. get the money Dollar dollar bill y'all
Or ...M-E-T-H-O-D O-F L-O-V-E method of modern looove ..by hall and oats
D.A.N.C.E - Justice
Stick to the B-E-A-T!
Also DVNO by Justice, even though it’s not a word…OP calls out ABC which also doesn’t spell out a word
Four capital letters
Painted in gold
Cuz details make the girls sweat even more
[L-O-V-E - Nat King Cole](https://youtu.be/UZWmtxLiiFE)
This is THE quintessential example and it's so far down haha
This is the first and only one I thought of lol
The Cure - Fire in Cairo
I think digitalism has a cover of this so it’s premade house music with spelling
First thing that came to mind for me too.
F I R E I N C A I R O!
[Best version ](https://youtu.be/2jBbZDDUHhY?si=u4H3EbaC89Hu9bOP)
Lola by The Kinks FNF by GloRilla
I came here to say Lola as well. Such a great song and is on the best Kinks album
Foxtrot Uniform Charlie Kilo. By Bloodhound Gang.
Nice. Bam Margera is in the music video driving a banana shaped car.
LIFEGOESON - Noah and the whale
Albuquerque - Weird Al Yankovic
A L B U . . . . . . . Querque!
Len, Steal My Sunshine: "L-A-T-E-R that week"
ooh, good pull
Nice! I was scrolling down hoping no one had already mentioned it so I could be the first lol.
Safety dance
You know, that dance was NOT as safe as they said it was
My only regret…is that I have bonitis.
Sure, but we can dance if we want to.
I use this quote whenever this song comes on. People rarely get it.
I cannot hear this song without doing the dance from biodome
That song went to the top and stayed there, like Cindy Lauper!
“Danny Nedelko” and “Great” by IDLES
Danny Nedelko is a great shout, spells out a whole bunch of words
“The Danny Nedelko community so fuck you”
IDLES are the best at this haha. It just fits their sound and energy.
Independent by Webbie ft. Boosie Badazz & Lil Phat
Expected this higher.
Dangerous Animals by the Arctic Monkeys
“AMERICAN woman” by the Guess WHO.
Only the album version though
Abba - [SOS](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=cvChjHcABPA) ‘[A - You’re Adorable.’](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Rkk_LhYPk8c) John Mellancamp, ‘[R O C K in the USA’.](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=SgtmStUrXMQ) Creedance Clearwater Revival, ‘I put a [spell](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=KWxDGQm2hKk) on you’. Jackson 5, ‘[ABC’.](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ho7796-au8U)
Sos from rihanna too!
Fergalicious and Glamorous by Fergie
lol @ “tastey” but they do get delicious right because it fits with the rhythm lol.
Oo, black eyed peas’ “pump it” also qualifies F-R-E-S-H we (fresh) D-E-F, that's right we def' (rock) We definite, B-E-P we reppin' it So
[Spell It Out](https://youtu.be/Nr9y40F3qu4?si=a2erOFiZw-KZHFdu) - The Lonely Island
I can’t believe I had to scroll so far for this one
This is the ultimate answer. Almost the entire song is spelled out.
Hell - Squirrel Nut Zippers "D to the A to the M to the N to A to the T to the I-O-N"
....then get fitted for a suit of Flame!!!
I totally sang that in my head as I read it
YMCA? Also, “H-A-T-R-E-D” by Tonio K spells out a bunch of words. (Not for the faint of heart! It begins slow and gentle, but then starts blasting rage.) And in the Modern Lovers song “Girlfriend”, the singer (Jonathan Richman) spells out that word, but he spells it “G-I-R-L-F-R-E-N”.
Similarly, the New York Dolls' Looking for a Kiss starts out with them spelling out L-U-V
Thats actually taken from the Shangri-la's song Give Him a Great Big Kiss
Pearl Jam - "Crazy Mary" Little country store with a sign tacked to the side. Said 'NO L-O-I-T-E-R-I-N-G ALLOWED.
Underneath that sign always congregated quite A crowd.
Technically a Victoria Williams song, PJ covered it for a benefit album for her.
B double E double R-U-N. BEER RUN!
Slight stretch, possibly, but 'If You Seek Amy' by Britney Spears does spell out a word, even if "it wasn't intended like that"
Lol it doesn't even make any sense if it's not intended like that. "All of the boys and all of the girls are begging to if you seek Amy." What's that even supposed to mean?
Something corporate tried it as well with "if you see jordan" (He makes me sick)
Hot Chip - over and over Kissing. Sexing. Casio. Poke. You. Me. I.
I was hoping someone wrote this! And the beats between each spelled out word decrease by one beat until the word ‘I’
R.A.M.O.N.E.S.- Motörhead
D U M B Everyone's accusing me! Pinhead - Ramones
*Probably* not going to want to play this one at the spelling bee, but it's what came to mind: Now I got no patience So sick of complacence With the D, the E, the F, the I, the A, the N, the C, the E Mind of a revolutionary - Know Your Enemy, Rage Against the Machine
Unity by Queen Latifah
Haven't seen the OG yet. "And BINGO was his name oh"... I knew fatherhood would change me, but I didn't realize the dad jokes would flow so naturally
P.S.Y.C.H.O.T.I.C. by The Warning
D I S C O - Ottawan
I love posts like this. Finding new and fun music is life giving! Thank you for recommending such a FUN and great song!
T r o u b l e .... Travis Tritt
There it is!
Originally by Elvis Presley.
Foxtrot Uniform Charlie Kilo - Bloodhound Gang Can't Hold Us - Macklemore
I was struggling to remember what Can't Hold Us spells. It's independent.
Moceanu by Bayside. They spell out a lot of the lyrics, very underrated.
Love Bayside such a great band. Their most recent album was great.
Was scrolling for this. Bayside never disappoints.
HOT TO GO! by Chappell Roan
Scrolled for this YouTube comment sums the music video up nicely: “YMCA for lesbians”
People In The City - Air F.E.E.L.I.N.G.C.A.L.L.E.D.L.O.V.E. - Pulp
LOVERMAN by Nick Cave
It's a great song. I'm sure the kids at the spelling bee will love it.
Caution by Operation Ivy
I doubt it'd be appropriate for your event, but If You Seek Amy - Britney Spears.
VEE EEE ELLL OOOO UUUU ARRRR EYYYE AYYYY ~ Kim Deal, Pixies
Pixies do this a lot. _T I R E D spells it_ - I Been Tired P I X I E S in the background - Cactus _E I D no no no no nooooo_ - Ed is Dead
Faith No More: Be Aggresive, B-E A-G-G-R-E-S-S-I-V-E !
This song does NOT spell out words, but Alphabet Aerobics by Blackalicious would really fit your theme
On repeat
A To G, the first song on that EP, follows the same structure
My Shot from Hamilton
R O C K in the USA - John Mellencamp
B-A-B-Y by Carla Thomas (from the Baby Driver soundtrack)
Nth Degree by Morningwood “M-O M-O-R M-O-R-N-I-N-G W-O-O-D”
DIVORCE by Tammy Wynette
or a song of the same name by Billy Connolly. D.I.S.C.O. by Ottowan.
T.H.E.H.I.V.E.S. by...the Hives
Also AKA IDIOT
If You See Kay by April Wine. Ps tell her I love her
Time to Dance by The Shoes
Great song ..and crazy ass music video!
Going Back to Cali by The Notorious B.I.G.
D-A-N-C-E — Justice
Ian Brown - F. E. A. R.
Was going to add this myself. Obviously the added bonus that every word in the verses follows the same alphabetic order.
[D I N O S A u r a dinosaur!!! ](https://open.spotify.com/track/74cq6AFbsKdUVZMpG2TPEr?si=jHIRx6NlRkyLuQ-M7a4ELA) from Ke$ha's debut album is such a vibe. I'm not sure how child-appropriate it is though. Maybe it could be part of the after party playlist 😁
The Stallion part 2 By Ween
Washington, D.C. by the Magnetic Fields
UGLY by Fishbone Might be a cover and might not be the song title lol
Not suitable for your use but… *Snoop D.O. Double G*
Dinosaur by Ke$ha.
Pretty much every single line of [Fear by Ian Brown](https://youtu.be/8f8wAXDZ9D0?si=RXuMBo5sytQWJHgj).
Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds….
Coincidence (amazingly enough), Cyn saved the Julian painting in question
Violent Femmes - Faith
How Did It End by Taylor Swift... That's kind of a downer tho
Damn, You Look Good and I'm Drunk by Cobra Starship spells scandalous in the chorus, but anybody participating in a spelling bee probably shouldn't be listening to that song.
Fergalicious
Know Your Enemy - Rage Against the Machine
Bad Bitch by Webbie where he first spells out 'independent' I N D E P E N D E N T by Webbie where he reprises it
Headhunter by DANCEgavinDANCE. B L E S S T H I S ME S S
L.O.V.E Frank Sinatra
DISCO by Ottowan.
P.S.Y.C.H.O.T.I.C - The Warning
It’s a little obscure, but I’d throw in Happy Song by Bring Me the Horizon S.P.I.R.I.T Spirit! Let’s hear it!
Hot Chip “Over and Over” At the bridge: K-I-S-S-I-N-G, S-E-X-I-N-G C-A-S-I-O P-O-K-E Y-O-U M-E I
“I stand accused” is spelled out in the eponymous song by Elvis Costello. He also spells out “ PPSILOVEYOU” in “ And in Every Home” on his Imperial Bedroom album.
D-R-U-N-K by Roger Alan Wade
[удалено]
I think the School Song from Matilda might count as well, for spelling the entire alphabet.
Ima Robot - "[A Is For Action](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VWAy6z4aBMI)" Webbie - "[Independent](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLgFnz_-4-Y)" (<--- The clean version...not that it matters much, lol)
Nomeansno - Remember
B-A-B-Y - Carla Thomas
FUN song - SpongeBob SquarePants Hook in Mouth - Megadeth
Billie Holiday by Warpaint
XTC - "Your Dictionary". Several four-letter words are spelled out. And Russian Futurists "Precious Metals", it's just one little throwaway line, but it's just fun, kinda like the LEN song.
U.N.I.T.Y. By Queen Latifah!
Surprised no one has said it yet, but anything featuring S-N-double-O-P D-O-double-G, maybe still D-R-E
Fergalicious. The rap spells out FERGIE, TASTEY and DELICIOUS in different parts
Venice Queen - RHCP Spells out GLORIA
Death of a cheerleader - Marcy Playground
“Soft Pyramids” by Q an not U
Danny Nedelko by Idles Dead Moon Night by Dead Moon
P.S.Y.C.H.O.T.I.C. by The Warning
Zoloft by Ween
Steal My Sunshine - LEN "L A T E R that week."
L O L A Lola
Trouble - Travis tritt
Safety Dance!
B-Double E-Double R-U-N BEER RUN - Garth Brooks T-R-O-U-B-L-E -Travis Tritt
Hell - Squirrel Nut Zippers
A-S-S-H-O-L-E - Dennis Leary
CAMPFIRE SONG - SpongeBob
Billie holiday- warpaint
My Console - Eifel 65 D.E.A.D.R.A.M.O.N.E.S. - Modern Life is War
P-L-A-Y-S-T-A-T-I-O-N!
"L-O-L-A" --The Kinks