This is the first in a series of posts featuring songs with names in the title. The title itself is a play on Name That Tune hence the featured image. I have not viewed the reboot. I suspect that it’s all flash and no substance. If anyone has seen and liked it, let me know. I’ll try anything once. I’ve even tried tripe and sweetbreads but only once. I think offal is awful.

This is a random selection of songs with women’s  first names as the title. If you feel like saying hello to Mary Lou or telling Jane she’s sweet, you’ll have to wait. As to the guys, I’ll get to them another time.

I picked this list without recourse to research, which is a fancy way of saying I didn’t look anything up, it’s painted from memory.

It’s not meant to be the ULTIMATE name song list. I’m not that pretentious or at least I try not to be.

The list is arranged in chronological order based on the song’s release date. It consists mostly of rock songs recorded during the 20th Century.

On with the show, this is it.

Let’s get this thing off to a rocking start with Richard Penniman DBA Little Richard:

Roy Orbison used his first wife’s name as the title of this tune. He wasn’t the first to record it, that honor went to the Everly Brothers but I’m sticking with Roy. This version comes from Roy’s 1980’s comeback when a few of his famous fans gathered to honor him.

Cecilia was one of the first times Paul Simon’s interest in world music manifested itself in song.

Grateful Dead. Bertha. Say no more.

Who among us doesn’t love Dolly Parton?

I’ve actually met several women named Rhiannon. I have, however, never met Stevie Nicks.

It’s time to break out the hats and hooters. That’s only a boob joke if your mind works that way. Mine does not: sex jokes are among the lowest form of humor.

A song in which Sting tells Roxanne not to turn on the red light. Did this plaintive plea work? Your guess is as good as mine.

Rosanna Arquette inspired the title of the next number. But did she meet them all the way?

This Toto tune has been a recurring earworm since I reviewed HBO’s Yacht Rock dockumentary. I still think the genre is bullshit but it’s fun bullshit.

Richard Thompson’s Valerie isn’t the only tune with that title but it’s my favorite. Let’s all go down to the gallery:

The Band’s Levon Helm sang on this Los Lobos classic, which made a fine song even better. I particularly like David Hidalgo’s fiddle on this song.

Speaking of violins, Michael Doucet knows how to fiddle about.

Are you ready for some lagniappe? I’ll be honest with you: I miscounted and there were 13 tunes. I didn’t want to reject any of these dames, you never know when someone will turn out to be a femme fatale.

That was a long winded way to introduce this Keith Richards number. Dr A’s mom was named Eileen, so I have a soft spot for this song.

That concludes this listicle. I’m not sure when the next installment of Name That Name will land but it’s likely to be songs with a man’s first name. That could be more challenging that it sounds.

The last word goes to Shirley Ellis: