Two songs that share a title, plus a third song whose title is not unakin. Whether either of the first two songs is inspired by the comic book character of the same name is unclear.
262. Kinks, “Plastic Man” (1969):
263. Katrina and the Waves, “Plastic Man” (1984):
264. Kate Bush, “Rubberband Girl” (1993):
Another version:
One song definitely, and another song arguably, based on the science fiction works of Frank Herbert (Dune and “Gambling Device,” respectively):
260. Iron Maiden, “To Tame a Land” (1983):
(Also: back in 1977, a David Matthews released a Dune-themed concept album, which I picked up at the time, having just read the novel shortly before my 13th birthday; it has no lyrics, so it doesn’t really fit into this SongFest, but you can listen to it here. It’s not my conception of what Dune-themed music should sound like; but then, neither is Iron Maiden – or Toto.)
261. Eagles, “Hotel California” (1976):
Two songs about invading alien viruses, plus one about invading aliens destined to be defeated by terrestrial viruses (or bacteria, whatever – yeah, I know they’re not the same thing):
257. Laurie Anderson, “Language Is a Virus (From Outer Space)” (1986):
Inspired by a line from William Burroughs:
258. Rick Springfield, “Alien Virus” (2004):
“Monkeys are talking to a black monolith” is an obvious reference to Barry Lyndon:
259. Jeff Wayne and Richard Burton, “Eve of the War” (“War of the Worlds,” 1978):
Nine songs about comic-book heroes:
248. Neal Hefti and Nelson Riddle, “Batman” (1966):
During the very brief time that we had a tv during my toddlerhood, I learned this song:
Updated version, from the 2017 Lego Batman Movie:
Which in turn reminds me of these (admittedly non-musical, but hey, My Blog My Rules No Proviso LOL Minions) sequences from the HISHE Superhero Café:
249. Marvel Superheroes, “Captain America” (1966):
Plus this snarkommentary fron the HISHE Superhero Café:
Speaking whichly …
250. Billy Van Singers and Laurie Bower Singers, “Spider-Man” (1967):
Michael Bublé’s 2001 cover:
And a different interpretation of the lyrics:
Is he strong? Listen, bud –
he’s got radioactive blood!
Wealth and fame he’s ignored –
action is his reward!
Speaking whichly …
251. Bob Crewe Generation, “Barbarella” (1968):
Warning: images NSFW.
The lyrics start out calling her “Wonder Woman” ….
Speaking whichly …
252. Charles Fox Singers, “Wonder Woman” (1976):
Same songwriter (Charles Fox) as “Barbarella”! (I bet you did not know that.) This time the “Wonder Woman” reference in the lyrics is more apposite:
253. Queen, “Flash Gordon” (1980):
Plus this classic reference:
254. Anthrax, “I Am the Law” (1987):
255. Spin Doctors, “Jimmy Olsen’s Blues” (1991):
Speaking whichly …
256. 3 Doors Down, “Kryptonite” (2000):
Pop stars from the stars:
245. Prism, “Spaceship Superstar” (1977):
246. Battlestar Galactica, “It’s Love, Love, Love” (1978):
Heard briefly on the original show …
… and at greater length on the soundtrack album:
247. Beastie Boys, “Intergalactic” (1998):
Six songs somewhat on the silly side:
239. Leslie Fish, “Grandma Went Out With A Bang” (date unknown):
240. Frank Zappa, “Token of My Extreme” (1979):
I can’t imagine what this song is parodying:
241. They Might Be Giants, “The Ballad of Davy Crockett (In Outer Space)” (2009):
242. Dave Doré, “New Crew in Town” (2004):
A comparison of the original and reimagined versions of Battlestar Galactica:
243. David Seville, “My Friend the Witch Doctor” (1958):
Arguably fantasy rather than science fiction – but maybe the Witch Doctor is a technomage, and these are the “fourteen words to make someone fall in love with you forever.”
244. ZZ Top, “TV Dinners” (1983):
Here it’s the video that’s science fiction, not the lyrics: