20 Songs About Food

When the universal language of music meets the universal love for food, a delicious symphony is cooked up! This collection of 20 songs is not just a feast for the ears but also a buffet of emotions and stories, served hot from the kitchens of artists as diverse as their cuisine-inspired lyrics.

Ranging from iconic tunes by musical legends to tasty ditties by fresh talents, these food-centric songs offer a unique fusion of flavors that’s sure to satiate every musical palate. Grab your earphones and your appetite – let’s dig in!

1. “Banana Pancakes” by Jack Johnson

Jack Johnson’s “Banana Pancakes” is like a cozy morning breakfast in song form. Using the warm, delicious imagery of banana pancakes, Johnson attempts to persuade his sweetheart to ignore the outside world and savor a relaxing day indoors with him. It’s a love song cooked up with breakfast ingredients!

2. “Ice Cream” by BlackPink (with Selena Gomez)

When K-pop sensations BlackPink teamed up with pop princess Selena Gomez, they served us a delicious treat – “Ice Cream”. This lively bop mixes love and ice cream in a way that will leave you craving for both. With its infectiously catchy beats and sprinkles of English lyrics (thanks to Ariana Grande’s lyrical prowess), this musical sundae is a cool, sugary delight!

3. “Honey Pie” by The Beatles

The Beatles’ “Honey Pie” is a homage to a distant, enchanting lady who’s as sweet as, well, honey pie. Amidst a nostalgic ragtime melody, the song spins a story of a famous American woman who’s captured the Beatles’ hearts from across the Atlantic. Though the love is unrequited, this tune remains a golden slice from the Fab Four’s musical bakery.

4. “Apples” by Lily Allen

Lily Allen uses the imagery of apples not falling far from the tree in her poignant song “Apples”. She paints a heartbreaking picture of her failed marriage mirroring her parents’ own split, deviating from her once imagined perfect family life. It’s a raw and real exploration of love’s sometimes sour aftermath, wrapped in Lily’s signature catchy pop melody.

5. “Turkey Sandwich” by Mika Miko

Mika Miko’s “Turkey Sandwich” is a punk-rock love letter to, you guessed it, a turkey sandwich. In this quirky tune, they repeat their affection for the simple pleasure of a sandwich amid the talk of fame and ambition. If there’s ever been a rock anthem for sandwich lovers, this would be it – all while reminding us to savor the simple things in life.

6. “Buttered Popcorn” by The Supremes

“Buttered Popcorn” by The Supremes is a funky tune about a woman playfully griping that her man is more into buttered popcorn than he is into her. In this deliciously fun song, “buttered popcorn” seems to be a metaphor for the shared pleasures of their relationship. It’s a salty-sweet ode to love, obsession, and of course, popcorn. 

7. “Stir Fry” by Migos

In Migos’ “Stir Fry”, the kitchen becomes the stage for whipping up a storm of success, symbolized by the popular dish stir-fry. This hip-hop anthem combines the flavors of prosperity and passion with a beat as savory as a well-cooked meal. The song, like the culinary dish it’s named after, is a sizzling mix of ingredients that’s hard to resist. 

8. “Cherry” by Harry Styles

Harry Styles’ “Cherry” uses the fruit metaphor to express the bittersweet emotions of a breakup. The song dives deep into Harry’s heartache, as he grapples with longing, jealousy, and the pain of a love lost. Though the word ‘cherry’ never explicitly surfaces in the lyrics, it perfectly captures the simultaneous sweetness and tartness of his post-breakup feelings.

9. “Diced Pineapples” by Rick Ross

“Diced Pineapples” by Rick Ross is a juicy tribute to the tropical fruit that became a staple in his diet after a health scare. This melodious rap, sweetened by the talents of Wale and Drake, reveals how the love for a simple fruit can inspire a song that resonates with listeners. This is Ross serving up his experiences and emotions, diced pineapple style.

10. “Lollipop” by Lil Wayne

Lil Wayne’s “Lollipop” is a catchy rap song that transforms the childhood memory of a candy into a steamy encounter with a lady. Its suggestive lyrics lead us through their intimate connection, all wrapped up in a smooth, infectious hip-hop melody. Like a lollipop, it’s a tantalizing, feel-good tune that keeps you coming back for more.

11. “Cola” by Lana Del Rey

Lana Del Rey’s “Cola” serves us a mysterious cocktail of ambiguity, sparking diverse interpretations. Some listeners perceive Lana as portraying herself as an innocent, cherry-eyed girl, while others interpret the song as a commentary on women who gravitate towards older men for their lavish lifestyles.

There’s also a school of thought that views the song as a narrative about overcoming addictions or an expression of patriotism. Regardless, it’s an intriguing listen, albeit a bit controversial due to its opening line.

12. “Cookie Jar” by Gym Class Heroes

“Cookie Jar” by Gym Class Heroes is a catchy melody that uses the metaphor of a cookie jar full of irresistible treats to describe the struggle of staying faithful amidst temptations. The cookie jar symbolizes a forbidden allure, and the struggle lies in the inability to “keep my hands out the cookie jar.” This song is a candid exploration of human weaknesses, set to a lively beat.

13. “Birthday Cake” by Rihanna

Rihanna’s “Birthday Cake” spins a playful and seductive tale where ‘cake’ serves as a metaphor for desirable body parts. This titillating song teases listeners with hints of a wild adventure, even though it’s not even her birthday. Warning: the song does contain some spicy language, so consider this your heads-up!

14. “I Want Candy” by Bow Wow Wow

“I Want Candy” by Bow Wow Wow is a lighthearted anthem that expresses a longing beyond a mere sweet tooth. The song playfully analogizes a romantic interest to candy – constantly lingering in the singer’s thoughts. The real ‘candy’ in this song is cleverly left to the realms of your imagination.

15. “Scotch & Chocolate” by Nickel Creek

“Scotch & Chocolate” by Nickel Creek is an instrumental delight that dances around the intriguing coupling of scotch and chocolate. While there aren’t any lyrics to interpret, the music itself creates a space for your imagination to explore this unique pairing. It’s a rich blend of strings and rhythm, much like the unexpected yet delightful combination of scotch and chocolate.

16. “Biscuits” by Kacey Musgraves

Kacey Musgraves’ song “Biscuits” tells us to mind our own business, using biscuits as a symbol for just that. Her message? Focus on your own life and everything will be just fine. It’s a fun song that says “live and let live”. 

17. “Ham ‘n’ Eggs” by A Tribe Called Quest

“Ham ‘n’ Eggs” by A Tribe Called Quest is a straightforward song about avoiding certain foods for health reasons, like high cholesterol. It’s a fun track that talks about food, from asparagus to steak. Give it a listen and it might just make you hungry!

18. “Tangerine” by Led Zeppelin

“Tangerine” by Led Zeppelin is a song about lost love. Here, a tangerine stands for the sun, a symbol for passing time. The singer recalls a past lover through the sight of a tangerine, showing how far apart they’ve become.

19. “The Blacker the Berry” by Kendrick Lamar

“The Blacker the Berry” by Kendrick Lamar, while mentioning blackberries in its title, is really about the struggles of darker-skinned people. It’s a powerful song that created quite a buzz for its meaningful lyrics when it came out.

20. “Ice Cream Man” by Blur

Blur’s “Ice Cream Man” uses its title to criticize unfair governments. The song talks about an ice cream man who some people look up to, but who also poses a threat to others. It’s catchy, and its lyrics can mean different things to different people.

Final Thoughts

This assortment of food-inspired songs demonstrates how food can mean different things in different contexts. Whether food is used as a metaphor or literally, these songs beautifully showcase the significant influence it has on human life, as well as the creative expressions it can inspire.