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?
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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.
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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)
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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
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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)
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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)
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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
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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)
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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)
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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
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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)
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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)
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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]
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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)
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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
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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)
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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)
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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]
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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)
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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
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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
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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)
