Creating a song parody is a delightful exercise in creativity. Here are 20 popular songs ripe for a comedic twist, and unleash your humorous perspective on familiar tunes.
Parodies have always been a cherished avenue for artists to bring laughter, levity, and a fresh twist to established classics. If you’re eager to craft your own musical satire, these songs will serve as perfect canvases.
Contents
- 1. “Love the Way You Lie” by Eminem
- 2. “The Middle” by Zedd ft. Maren Morris
- 3. “What Makes You Beautiful” by One Direction
- 4. “Baby” by Justin Bieber
- 5. “Shake It Off” by Taylor Swift
- 6. “Girls Like You” by Maroon 5 ft. Cardi B
- 7. “Somebody That I Used to Know” by Gotye
- 8. “Party In the U.S.A.” by Miley Cyrus
- 9. “Despacito” by Luis Fonsi
- 10. “Rockstar” by Post Malone Ft. 21 Savage
- 11. “Ironic” by Alanis Morissette
- 12. “Tik Tok” by Ke$ha
- 13. “Call Me Maybe” by Carly Rae Jepson
- 14. “One Kiss” by Calvin Harris ft. Dua Lipa
- 15. “Telephone” by Lady Gaga ft. Beyonce
- 16. “Photograph” by Nickelback
- 17. “Mine” by Bazzi
- 18. “Hello” by Adele
- 19. “Friday” by Rebecca Black
- 20. “I Want It That Way” by The Backstreet Boys
- Notable Mentions
- “Dynamite” by BTS
- “Gangnam Style” by PSY
- “All About That Bass” by Meghan Trainor
- “Uptown Funk” by Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars
- Conclusion
1. “Love the Way You Lie” by Eminem
This song about love-hate relationships could easily be turned into a funny parody about all the little things that couples fight about or grabbing the song’s tune and creating your own story.
There are existing parodies of this song about everything from gender to childhood crushes, so you’re only limited by your imagination.
2. “The Middle” by Zedd ft. Maren Morris
Relationships that need compromise with both parties making an effort are often the strongest and longest lasting, so this song could be turned into a lighthearted take on that. Finding the middle ground on things is essential to a happy and healthy relationship, after all.
For example, a parody about two people who can’t decide what to watch on Netflix or where to go for dinner. Or just get the catchy rhythm and make a parody about anything else entirely!
3. “What Makes You Beautiful” by One Direction
This feel-good pop song is all about appreciating someone for who they are, warts and all. So a parody could be about the less-than-perfect aspects of a relationship or poking fun at the little things that bother us about our partner.
This song’s catchy tune and original lyrics have been parodied to describe everything from body confidence to the band’s close relationship, with no limit to its creative potential.
4. “Baby” by Justin Bieber
This popular song from 2010 is a great choice for a parody, as its simple lyrics and catchy melody make it easy to work with. Plus, there are already plenty of existing parodies that you can take inspiration from. Bieber’s career has been full of ups and downs, so there’s no shortage of material to work with here.
5. “Shake It Off” by Taylor Swift
This song is all about not caring what other people think and just being yourself, so a parody could be about over-analyzing everything or being too self-conscious. It could also be about the struggles of everyday life or any number of things that we all deal with.
There are already plenty of great parodies of this song on YouTube, so take a look and see what inspires you!
6. “Girls Like You” by Maroon 5 ft. Cardi B
This song is about being too dependent on someone or needing to be with your partner in the belief that you’re each other’s soulmate. So a parody could be about the things that drive us crazy about our significant other or the little things that we can’t stand.
It could also be about being too clingy in general or any number of things that would make for a great parody. Its light and feel-good tune make it perfect for a fun and humorous take.
7. “Somebody That I Used to Know” by Gotye
The intro to this song is iconic, and its melancholic lyrics make it perfect for parody songs about a breakup. Whether you want to poke fun at the original song or just create your own story, this track provides ample opportunity to do so.
The lyrics, “But you didn’t have to cut me off” could easily be changed to “But you didn’t have to eat my food” or any number of things. Being creative with this one is key to making it work.
8. “Party In the U.S.A.” by Miley Cyrus
This song is all about feeling out of place and not quite fitting in but still having a good time. So a parody could be about feeling like an outsider in your own relationship or being the third wheel when your friends are together.
It could also be about any number of things that we all go through at one point or another. The possibilities are endless with this tune.
9. “Despacito” by Luis Fonsi
This Latin pop song is about a slow and sensual love story with a very catchy upbeat tune and soulful vocals. So a parody could be about the struggles of a long-distance relationship or the trials and tribulations of online dating.
It could also be about the difficulties of communicating when you don’t speak the same language or any number of things. The key is to have fun with it and make it funny.
10. “Rockstar” by Post Malone Ft. 21 Savage
Being a rockstar is all about living a life of luxury and excess, so a parody could be about changing ‘rockstar’ into ‘ratstar’ and just playing around with the lyrics.
It could also be about being too obsessed with fame and fortune or any number of things. Post Malone surely won’t mind if you have a little fun with his lyrics.
11. “Ironic” by Alanis Morissette
This song is about the struggles of everyday life and how everything that can go wrong, will go wrong. So a parody could be about the little things that bother us or the people who always seem to be complaining.
Taking the song literally, it could also be about bad luck in general or any number of things. Morissette’s lyrics are ripe for parody so you might want to try this track.
12. “Tik Tok” by Ke$ha
Partying hard and not caring about the consequences is what this electropop song is all about. A good parody idea may be about the hangover that follows a night of drinking or the regrets that come with waking up in someone else’s bed.
It could also be about being too wild and carefree or any other topic that will tickle a funny bone. Kesha’s lyrics are perfect for poking fun or just making a fun rendition of the original song.
13. “Call Me Maybe” by Carly Rae Jepson
This song is the culprit for most popular parodies since its release, especially for pop fans. Making a parody out of this song is easy because it’s already about a guy that the singer doesn’t know and is trying to get his attention. So you could make this about a girl who is way out of your league or someone who is just not that into you.
This song would make an excellent light-hearted and amusing parody thanks to its catchy tune and relatable lyrics.
14. “One Kiss” by Calvin Harris ft. Dua Lipa
This flirtatious song is all about getting close to someone and feeling the sparks fly. So a parody could be about being friend-zoned or getting rejected after making a move.
It could also be about unrequited love in general or just the daily struggle of trying to impress your beloved. The key is to make it funny and relatable.
15. “Telephone” by Lady Gaga ft. Beyonce
Here’s another track that made waves online and got people to create funny parodies. With her controversial music video and catchy tune, Lady Gaga’s “Telephone” is perfect for a parody.
Being close to naked in the video, a parody could be about how Gaga dresses up for her videos or how she always seems to be in the news for one controversy or another.
It could also be about being too available or leaving the phone to ring. The key is to make it funny and over-the-top, just like Gaga herself.
16. “Photograph” by Nickelback
Remembering the good times is what this song is all about, as this song has self-explanatory lyrics, it’s easy to make a parody out of it. You can make this about regretting the past or being nostalgic for the good old days.
Mimicking the song and just screaming until the end of the song, a good idea could also be about making fun of Nickelback or how their music is made.
17. “Mine” by Bazzi
This song is about being head over heels in love with someone, so a parody idea could be about how love can be blind, still loving a person with exaggerated unibrows, or just making a funny and relatable video.
The lyrics, “You’re so fucking precious when you smile,” which features a toothless smiling girl, are perfect for a parody that is both funny and catchy.
18. “Hello” by Adele
Memes and parodies of Adele’s “Hello” have been circulating the internet since the song came out, so there are plenty to choose from. Some of the more popular ones include a parody about ordering food at a drive-thru or one where she is saying hello to her exes.
With its relatable lyrics and catchy tune, this song is perfect for a light-hearted and humorous parody.
19. “Friday” by Rebecca Black
Narrating what a Friday is like, this song is easy to make a parody out of. So a parody could be about being too excited to end the day because everyone is in a hurry to get the weekend started.
A spoof where flinging the papers in the air might be amusing, especially when Friday is done and it’s time to spend time with friends at the party!
20. “I Want It That Way” by The Backstreet Boys
You can never listen to this song without singing along, making it perfect for a parody. So a parody could be about telling why the speaker wants it that way or what they’re willing to do to get it.
A comical take on the original, a parody could also be about how The Backstreet Boys are getting too old for their boy band ways. With its catchy tune and relatable lyrics, this song is perfect for a light-hearted and humorous parody.
Notable Mentions
While the list above captures some of the most iconic and easy-to-parody songs, there are countless others that deserve a mention. These tracks, with their distinct melodies and globally recognized lyrics, have also caught the attention of parody creators around the world
“Dynamite” by BTS
This high-energy, upbeat song with its catchy chorus makes for an excellent parody candidate. Imagine flipping the lyrics to talk about daily life struggles, or even using its “light it up” theme for a comedic take on mundane tasks. The world is your oyster with this track!
“Gangnam Style” by PSY
Who can forget this global sensation that took over the internet? With its unforgettable dance moves and lyrics, it’s ripe for parody. Whether you want to mimic PSY’s unique style or take the song in an entirely new direction, there’s no doubt that it’s a song that’ll catch attention.
“All About That Bass” by Meghan Trainor
With its body-positive message and catchy chorus, this track can be flipped into a parody about almost anything. From food cravings to hobbies, the beat and flow offer a plethora of options for those looking to create something entertaining.
“Uptown Funk” by Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars
This track is all about groove, style, and having a good time. Transform its infectious beats into a hilarious take on everyday routines or even popular cultural references. This song is a gem for parody makers.
Remember, the goal of a parody is to have fun and be entertaining. So, pick a song, let your creativity run wild, and most importantly, enjoy the process!
Conclusion
Parodies are just using the tune and making the original song more interesting and entertaining. Whether it’s about love or random things, there’s always a way to make it funnier by adding your spin to the lyrics.
These songs are just a few of the many that can be parodied. Try these easy tracks and who knows, you might just come up with the next big hit!