If Food Be The Music of Love, Eat Up

We have compiled a top ten of music which mentions food. Firstly though, I would like to make special mention to this beautiful jazz performance where Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah reminds us of the nutritional value of music.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mVJjmyFfuts


10. Hollaback Girl by Gwen Stefani 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kgjkth6BRRY

Although she is actually spelling out BANANAS to talk about how crazy her song is, we couldn't make the list without mentioning this one. Interestingly, the song is using a Cheerleading metaphor, the hollaback girl is the one who repeats the call of the lead cheerleader.

9. Banana Pancakes by Jack Johnson

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OkyrIRyrRdY

Slightly increasing the complexity of the dish, we have Jack Johnson bringing pancakes to the table. "Can't you see that it's just rainin'? There ain't no need to go outside." - Jack Johnson clearly doesn't live in London.

8. Salt Peanuts by Dizzy Gilespie

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PF3XC_oEhgU

A great live performance, with specific details on the ennuciation of salt peanuts. Brilliant bebop playing all round.

7. DVDA - What Would Brian Boitano Do?

As far as songs based around what American figure skaters would do in difficult situations, this song would have to be the best. However, it's here because of the section about a man eating so many spicy chicken wings. Thank you to Trey Parker and Matt Stone, the creators of South Park. 

6. The Archies - Sugar, Sugar

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j3plj_Xplus

The Archies made it famous all around the world with this song, released in 1969. "You are my candy girl and you got me wanting you." 

5. Food, Glorious Food

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ly7PONiKGUs

Written by Lionel Bart, is the opening song from the 1960s West End and Broadway musical Oliver! 

5. Tutti Frutti by Little Richard and Dorothy LaBostrie

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F13JNjpNW6c

There is some disagreement on who wrote this song and what it was about, the flavour of ice-cream may or may not have been the original inspiration. Please see the wikipedia article for a fuller discussion.

4. Ham 'N' Eggs by A Tribe Called Quest

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wUsr1GUZ3oU

A voluminous song about healthy eating and promoting the benefits of a vegetarian diets. They've got the funk and the rhythm, for sure. 

3. Milkshake - Kelis 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6AwXKJoKJz4

Featured on the album Tasty, this song is all about a very tempting milkshake ;). Kelis has opened a restaurant as is an accomplished singer, songwriter and chef. She can been seen taking some very tasty looking buns out of an oven in the video.

2. Mother Popcorn - James Brown

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5eoSXpNZD9o

The hardest working man in show business had to make one song featuring food. Here it is, some of James Brown's best ever noises feature on this record, in my opinion.   

1. The Onion Song - Performed by Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ElC4UwYVuA

Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell were the most successful duo by the late 60's with such hits as "Ain't No Mountain High Enough," "Your Precious Love," and "If I Could Build My Whole World Around You." However by 1969, Tammi Terrell was too ill from her brain tumor and she could no longer perform and record. In order to pay for her treatments, Motown decided to release a third album of duets by Marvin and Tammi.

For those wanting a deeper dive into the world of musical food please refer to this list of 47 songs about food - https://www.musicgrotto.com/songs-about-food/.