30 Songs With Male Names

There are a lot of songs with male names in the title. Some are about men, others are sung by men, and some just have a man’s name in the title. Regardless of the reason, these songs provide interesting perspectives on what it means to be a man in today’s society.

1. “Clint Eastwood” by Gorillaz

Starting off the list is a song named after actor Clint Eastwood. Gorillaz pair Damon Albarn’s sung refrain with rap verses by Del the Funky Homosapien, giving the track two distinct voices. The title gives it a place in this list without making it a biography of the actor.

You can find this reggae-infused pop song on Gorillaz’s self-titled debut album, released in 2001. Try it if you want a laid-back beat alongside the guitar-led songs further down the list.

2. “Daniel” by Elton John

Elton John’s “Daniel” follows a narrator saying goodbye to his brother as Daniel leaves for Spain. Lyricist Bernie Taupin explained that his story concerned a Vietnam veteran returning to a Texas town and wanting to resume an ordinary life. The gentle music and farewell give it a reflective mood, even though some of that background is absent from the recorded lyric.

3. “Hey Jude” by The Beatles

Did you just sing the opening line in your head? We did too. “Hey Jude” by The Beatles is one of the most iconic songs of all time, and it’s also a song with a man’s name in the title.

The song is about comfort, specifically Paul McCartney comforting John Lennon’s son Julian during his parents’ divorce. It began as “Hey Jules” and was released as a single in 1968. Listen for the long singalong ending that grows out of the piano-led opening.

4. “Tom Sawyer” by Rush

This 1981 track presents a modern, independent-minded Tom Sawyer who refuses to let others decide what he should think. The familiar name comes with a forceful rock setting, rather than a straightforward retelling of the young boy’s adventures. You can find the song on Rush’s album Moving Pictures.

5. “Jimmy” by Tones and I

Do you know any Jimmys in your life? This pop tune by Tones and I is about a man who has made some bad decisions in his life and is now struggling to get by. You might want to be a different type of Jimmy, but this song is definitely catchy.

6. “Hey Joe” by Jimi Hendrix

The next song on our list of male-themed songs is “Hey Joe” by Jimi Hendrix. This song is about a man who is on the run after shooting his wife.

The song has a very dark and ominous tone, and Hendrix’s guitar playing is absolutely incredible.

7. “Johnny Bye Bye” by Bruce Springsteen

Bruce Springsteen’s “Johnny Bye Bye” looks back at Elvis Presley, joining the image of a young musician leaving Memphis with the news of Presley’s death. That change from hopeful departure to mourning gives this short song its sadness.

You can find the studio recording on Springsteen’s Tracks collection. The lyrics name Elvis directly, so the song is a useful example of a male-name title whose story points to a different famous name.

8. “Samson” by Regina Spektor

“Samson” is a beautiful and haunting song that draws on the biblical figure through an intimate love story. The narrator remembers cutting Samson’s hair and sharing tender moments with him, giving their relationship a private history outside the familiar biblical account. The song has plenty of religious imagery, and Spektor’s voice suits its gentle mood.

9. “Jonah” by Kanye West

Next on the list is “Jonah” by Kanye West. This track is about a man who is going through a tough time in his life and is looking for guidance. It’s a very personal song, and you can really feel the emotion in West’s voice. It was released in 2021 as part of his hit album, Donda.

10. “Johnny B. Goode” by Chuck Berry

Chuck Berry is a rock ‘n’ roll legend, and “Johnny B. Goode” is one of his most famous songs. It’s a fast-paced track about a very talented guitar-playing young man.

“Johnny B. Goode” was released as a single in 1958. Its guitar-playing hero makes it an easy choice for a playlist about musicians as well as one built around male names.

11. “Jeremy” by Pearl Jam

“Jeremy” by Pearl Jam is a song about a teenager who sadly takes his own life at school. The song is dark and heavy, yet really powerful.

Eddie Vedder’s vocals are amazing, and the rest of the band provides great instrumentation. It was released in 1991 as part of Pearl Jam’s debut album, Ten.

12. “Adam Raised a Cain” by Bruce Springsteen

Here’s another track by Bruce Springsteen. It’s about a father and son struggling to connect.

The song reflects on the struggles of working-class life and how they can tear families apart. Its biblical references connect a son’s anger with the burdens passed down by his father. You can find it on Darkness on the Edge of Town, released in 1978, as well as the later Live 1975-85 album.

13. “Billie Jean” by Michael Jackson

“Billie Jean” is an exception to the male-name theme: Billie Jean is a woman in Michael Jackson’s song. She claims that the narrator is the father of her child, which he denies. The unisex spelling of Billie explains the overlap with a list like this, but the character herself is female.

The track was written by Michael Jackson and produced by Quincy Jones. It’s one of the King of Pop’s best-known performances, with the tense story giving the dance track an uneasy edge.

14. “Alfred’s Theme” by Eminem

“Alfred’s Theme” uses the name Alfred in the Hitchcock-themed world of Eminem’s Music to Be Murdered By. Eminem fills the track with punchlines, boasts and dark jokes, rather than telling a story about a young rapper named Alfred.

It appears on the 2020 Side B deluxe edition of Music to Be Murdered By. The official lyric video is worth following if you want to keep up with the dense wordplay, although the explicit language makes it a choice for an adult playlist.

15. “Adam’s Song” by Blink-182

Next on the list is “Adam’s Song” by Blink-182. It deals with depression, loneliness and suicidal thoughts, but its final refrain turns towards the possibility of better days ahead. The hopeful ending changes the outlook of the earlier verses.

The song appears on Enema of the State. The first-person words make the isolation feel immediate, while the change in the final chorus gives a different outlook from the earlier verses.

16. “Andy, You’re A Star” by The Killers

“Andy, You’re A Star” addresses Andy through images of sport, lockers and school halls. The narrator’s admiration becomes intensely personal, leaving room to hear affection or obsession in the repeated declaration.

You can find it on the 2004 Hot Fuss album. It is a useful pick if you prefer a name song with an ambiguous narrator to one that explains every part of its story.

17. “Joey” by Concrete Blonde

Next on the list is “Joey” by Concrete Blonde. It is about loving someone whose drinking is damaging the relationship. Johnette Napolitano’s narrator moves between hurt, forgiveness and concern for Joey, keeping the song focused on the difficult bond between them.

18. “Ben” by Michael Jackson

One of Michael Jackson’s famous songs is “Ben.” It’s about a boy and his rat. The song was made for a successful movie with the same name. It’s a pleasant song to share with surprising company.

19. “A Message to You Rudy” by The Specials

Next, we’ve got “A Message to You Rudy” by The Specials. The narrator warns Rudy to stop causing trouble and think about his future, including the risk of ending up in jail. The upbeat rhythm makes that warning easy to sing along to. You can find it on The Specials’ self-titled album, released in 1979.

20. “Charlie” by Red Hot Chili Peppers

Red Hot Chili Peppers’ “Charlie” brings a repeated name into a song full of movement, attraction and playful images. Charlie’s role is left open, so it works better as an energetic name song than as a clear story about a boy looking for his place. You can find it on the band’s 2006 album Stadium Arcadium.

21. “Franklin” by Paramore

The song “Franklin” by Paramore looks back at good times and how returning home can feel different after you have been away. Franklin is a place-name exception here, referring to the band’s Tennessee hometown rather than a man. The memories in the song belong to a town and the people left behind.

It’s a track that makes us think about the past and how things have changed.

22. “Marvin Gaye” by Charlie Puth and Meghan Trainor

The song “Marvin Gaye” talks about a romantic relationship and the desire to take it to a more intimate level. It is a song that references the legendary soul singer Marvin Gaye. The lyrics are playful and sultry, capturing two people who are attracted to each other.

23. “Nathan Jones” by The Supremes

If someone you cared about stopped talking to you, you might relate to this song. “Nathan Jones” by The Supremes is about a person named Nathan Jones who left the narrator. 

If you’re finding it tough to move on, this upbeat song could be there for you, as it can lift your spirits.

24. “Alejandro” by Lady Gaga

Saying goodbye to one lover can be hard, but it’s even harder when you have three. “Alejandro” is a synth-pop song where the singer says goodbye to her three Latino lovers: Roberto, Fernando, and Alejandro. It’s a catchy track that fans have loved throughout the years.

25. “Robert” by Dolly Parton

Dolly Parton’s country song tells the story of a stylish man named Robert who likes her. But they can’t be together due to their different backgrounds.

What makes it even more complicated is that the one singing is Robert’s sister, born when their father was young and he left her mom because she was poor. It’s an unusual twist, but Dolly Parton’s vocals make it enjoyable.

26. “Jimmy Jimmy” by Madonna

“Jimmy Jimmy” is an upbeat and energetic track that touches on themes of youthful rebellion, infatuation, and the thrill of romantic relationships. “Jimmy” is the person the narrator is infatuated with. The repetition of Jimmy in the chorus gives the song a catchy and playful vibe.

27. “Dance With Me Henry” by Georgia Gibbs

This pop song is about having a great time dancing with Henry on the dance floor while the music plays. It’s a fun track that will make you want to sing along and dance right away.

28. “Dear John” by Taylor Swift

The song “Dear John” by Taylor Swift is essentially about a breakup and the emotional aftermath of a toxic relationship. The title “Dear John” is a common phrase used in letters to start a message to someone named John, but in this context, it’s used to address the person she’s singing to. 

Fans widely believe the song points to Swift’s brief romance with musician John Mayer, though neither has confirmed it on the record. Even without that confirmation, it remains a country hit her listeners hold close.

29. “Stan” by Eminem and Dido

Fangirling has its limits, but this song from Eminem and Dido goes to a whole new level. It is about an obsessed fan named Stan who writes letters expressing his intense admiration for Eminem’s music. Despite Stan’s pleas for a response, Eminem doesn’t reply quickly enough. Sadly, Stan’s emotional instability and isolation led him to a tragic end.

30. “Mickey” by Toni Basil

“Mickey” by Toni Basil is about expressing affection and attraction to someone named Mickey. Its cheerleader-style chant makes that infatuation easy to join in with, giving this entry a much brighter mood than the heartbreak songs above. It is a famous song that has been covered by other artists and was used in the TV series Glee.

Final Thoughts

These are just some of the great songs out there that have male names in the title. From classics to more modern hits, there’s bound to be a song on this list that you’ll love.

So next time you’re looking for a new song to add to your playlist, be sure to give one of these a listen. You might just find your new favorite!