20 classic songs with (brackets) in the title

22 January 2024, 14:23

A lot of songwriters have pressed the little blighters into service at one time or another. Here are just a handful… but can YOU think of any more?

By Radio X

@RadioX

Parentheses are described by one online dictionary as “a remark that is added to a sentence, often to provide an explanation or extra information, that is separated from the main part of the sentence”.

It's a favourite technique of the songwriter, so let's tally up how many songs (we think) have used the (ever-present) bracket in their title.

1. Radiohead - Street Spirit (Fade Out)

   • From the album The Bends (March, 1995)
   • Cinematic parentheses for this classic from The Bends.
   

   Radiohead - Street Spirit (Fade Out)

2. Kate Bush - Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God)

   • From the album Hounds Of Love (September 1985)
   • Parentheses invoked here as the record label were worried that the original title, A Deal With God, would run into problems getting played on the radio.
   

   Kate Bush - Running Up That Hill - Official Music Video

3. The Rolling Stones - (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction

   • Single, August 1965
   • Unfulfilled desires parentheses from Mick.
   

   The Rolling Stones - (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction (Official Lyric Video)

4. Beastie Boys - (You Gotta) Fight For Your Right (To Party)

   • From the album Licensed To Ill (November 1986)
   • Hedonistic parentheses from the hip hop trio.
   

   Beastie Boys - (You Gotta) Fight For Your Right (To Party)

5. The Doors - Break On Through (To The Other Side)

   • From the album The Doors (January 1967).
   • Perception-busting parentheses from Jim Morrison and his bunch of mystic musicians.
   

   The Doors - Break On Through (To The Other Side) - Promo Video 1966

6. The Offspring - Pretty Fly (For A White Guy)

   • From the album Americana (November 1998).
   • Punk pop parentheses from Dexter Holland.
   

   The Offspring - Pretty Fly (For A White Guy)

7. Bloc Party - Song For Clay (Disappear Here)

   • From the album A Weekend In The City (February 2007)
   • Bret Easton Ellis-inspired parentheses from Kele Okereke.
   

   Song for Clay (Disappear Here)

8. Baz Luhrmann - Everybody's Free (To Wear Sunscreen)

   • From the album Something For Everybody (March 1998).
   • Spoken word parentheses from the film director.
   

   Baz Luhrmann - Everybody's Free To Wear Sunscreen

9. The Jam - The Bitterest Pill (I Ever Had to Swallow)

   • Single, September 1982.
   • Calling time on a great Mod band parentheses from Paul Weller.
   

   The Jam - The Bitterest Pill (I Ever Had To Swallow)

10. Blondie - (I’m Always Touched by Your) Presence, Dear

    • From the album Plastic Letters.
    • Telepathic parethenses from the iconic New York band.
    

    Blondie - (I'm Always Touched By Your) Presence, Dear (Official Music Video)

11. My Chemical Romance - I'm Not OK (I Promise)

    • From the album Three Cheers For Sweet Revenge (June 2004).
    • Emotionally hardcore parentheses from Gerard Way and co.
    

    My Chemical Romance - I'm Not Okay (I Promise) [Dialogue/MTV Version]

12. The Beatles - Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)

    • From the album Rubber Soul (December 1965)
    • Lennon indecision parentheses courtesy of this classic ballad.
    

    Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown) (Remastered 2009)

13. Elvis Costello & The Attractions - (I Don’t Want To Go To) Chelsea

    • From the album This Year's Model (March 1978).
    • New Wave parentheses from the iconic musician.
    

    Elvis Costello & The Attractions - (I Don't Want To Go To) Chelsea

14. Blue Öyster Cult - (Don’t Fear) The Reaper

    • From the album Agents Of Fortune (May 1976).
    • Eerie, spooky parentheses from beyond the grave.
    

    Blue Oyster Cult - Don't Fear The Reaper (Single Version) (1976) (HD)

15. Meat Loaf - I'd Do Anything For Love (But I Won't Do That)

    • From the album Bat Out Of Hell II: Back In To Hell (September 1993)
    • Cryptic parenthese from the master of the emotive rock ballad.
    

    Meat Loaf - I'd Do Anything For Love (But I Won't Do That) (Official Music Video)

16. Genesis - I Know What I Like (In Your Wardrobe)

    • From the album Selling England By The Pound (September 1973)
    • Prog superstars get a chart hit! Was it the brackets?
    

    Genesis - I Know What I Like (In Your Wardrobe) [Official Audio]

17. The Jimi Hendrix Experience - Voodoo Chile (Slight Return)

    • From the album Electric Ladyland (October 1968)
    • Posthumous chart success for the legendary guitarist, with this appendix to a much, much longer song.
    

    Voodoo Child (Slight Return)

18. R.E.M. - It’s The End Of The World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)

    • From the album Document (August 1987)
    • Apocalyptic parentheses from the REMs. See also: (Don’t Go Back To) Rockville.
    

    R.E.M. Its the End of the World as We Know it **HQ** Video

19. Buzzcocks - Ever Fallen In Love (With Someone You Shouldn’t Have)

    • From the album Love Bites (September 1978).
    • Punk rock parentheses from the Manchester heroes.
    

    The Buzzcocks Ever fallen in love

20. The Stranglers - (Get A) Grip (On Yourself)

    • From the album Rattus Norvegicus (April 1977).
    • Punk parentheses courtesy of the Guildford lads.
    

    The Stranglers - Get A Grip On Yourself (1977)