Matt's Kitchen In D.C.: Songs About Food

This is the first of what will hopefully be a series of posts on the subject of music and food. Having done some brief research into popular songs with lyrics about food or food-related themes, I was shocked to find the sheer number of such songs that have been recorded. I couldn't possibly hope to discuss them all, so I have gone through and picked out some particular favorites to write about. Specifically, I am interested in songs that are actually concerned with food itself, rather than the metaphorical uses of food ("my milkshake brings all the boys to the yard"). Here are the first few:


Beatles - "Savoy Truffle" (from The White Album, 1968)

The White Album does not, of course, need much introduction. This song was written by George Harrison, reportedly as a tribute to his friend Eric Clapton's chocolate addiction. He took the title and many of the lyrics from a box of Mackintosh's Good News chocolates. The lyrics are apparently admonishing Eric Clapton and others for the toll that their sweet tooth will ultimately take on their teeth:

Creme tangerine and Montélimar
A ginger sling with a pineapple heart
A coffee dessert--yes you know it's good news
But you'll have to have them all pulled out
After the Savoy truffle.

Cool cherry cream, nice apple tart
I feel your taste all the time we're apart
Coconut fudge--really blows down those blues
But you'll have to have them all pulled out
After the Savoy truffle.

Ham 'N Eggs - A Tribe Called Quest (From People's Instinctive Travels And The Paths Of Rhythm, 1990)

On their debut album, hip-hop artists Q-Tip and Phife devote an entire track to their dietary concerns. While they don't eat the ham and eggs of the title (cuz they're high in cholesterol), they appear generally to have fairly sensible eating habits.

A tisket, a tasket, what's in mama's basket?
Some veggie links and some fish that stinks
Why, just the other day, I went to Grandma's house
Smelled like she conjured up a mouse
Eggs was fryin, ham was smellin
In ten minutes, she started yellin (come and get it)
And the gettin's were good
I said, I shouldn't eat, she said, I think you should
But I can't, I'm plagued by vegetarians
No cats and dogs, I'm not a veterinarian
Strictly collard greens and a occasional steak
Goes on my plate
Asparagus tips look yummy, yummy, yummy
Candied yams inside my tummy
A collage of good eats, some snacks or nice treats
Apple sauce and some nice red beets
This is what we snack on when we're Questin'
No second guessin

Harry McClintock - "Big Rock Candy Mountain" (1928)

This song was originally a hobo ballad and was first recorded by Harry McClintock in 1928. It has been recorded many times since, most recently it was included on the soundtrack to the movie "O Brother Where Art Thou" in 2000. McClintock cleaned up the original version considerably, which was reportedly a song used to "enchant" and recruit children into the hobo life by telling tales of the "big rock candy mountain." Nonetheless, the McClintock lyrics still rely on the image of bountiful (and free) sources of food and drink that are purportedly available in the big rock candy mountains.

In the Big Rock Candy Mountains you never change your socks
And the little streams of alcohol come a-trickling down the rocks
The brakemen have to tip their hats and the railroad bulls are blind
There's a lake of stew and of whiskey too
You can paddle all around 'em in a big canoe
In the Big Rock Candy Mountains

Descendents - "I Like Food" (Two Things At Once, 2006)

Finally, we have punk band Descendents, and a sixteen second song that sets forth their philosophy on all things culinary:

I like food, food tastes good!
I like food, food tastes good!
I like food, food tastes good!
I like food, food tastes good!

Juicy burgers, greasy fries,
Turkey legs and raw fish eyes
Teenage girls, with ketchup too!
Get out of my way, or I'll eat you!

I like food, food tastes good!
I like food, food tastes good!

It's time to turn dining back into eating!

Most interesting is the statement "it's time to turn dining back into eating" - but sadly, they do not elaborate on it. Anyway, that's it for now - if you have other food-related songs that must be recognized, leave them in the comments!

Matt's Kitchen In D.C.: Songs About Food