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This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Blitzkrieg BOOM (talk | contribs) at 07:03, 31 October 2007 (→‎The list should be removed). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Disputed examples of signature songs
(Please, read this before adding entries to the article's example section)

NOTE: This article is not a list of signature songs. It is an _encyclopedia_ article on the subject 'signature song'. The same way no one would add all felines he has ever heard of to felidae, we shouldn't indiscriminately add examples here. If you like, you can start a 'List of signature songs'.

The examples in this article should only help illustrating the notion of signature song to an average reader. Regardless of whether an example is suitable or not (think for instance of cheetah in the article about felidae) there's no reason to add it if the example section is already long/articulated enough to achieve its purpose.

For the records, this is a list of artists/songs people regularly try to add to the article but for which there's in fact no consensus:

(once upon a time in alphabetical order :-()


For the June 2005 deletion debate on this article, see Wikipedia:Votes for deletion/Signature Song. -- Jonel | Speak 07:42, 23 Jun 2005 (UTC)

The Who & Pearl Jam

Way to many hits, especially "Who Are You", to have a signature song. Pearl Jam is most associated with "Jeremy".

Deletion of the majority of the example list

OK, so in the above reference deletion discussion from last year, the main issue with the article seemed to be the unverifiablity, unmaintainability and general undesirability of this article having a long list of examples of signature songs. Even those in favor of keeping the article (and I agree that it should be kept because the concept is notable) generally seem to agree that the list shouldn't be anything more than a FEW universally accepted examples (e.g. Tony Bennett/"I Left My Heart in San Francisco") that might help illustrate the concept to a reader.

The concern voiced in the thread is that the list would soon grow into a long list that would be more an amalgamation of individuals' favorite songs than true helpful and verifiable examples of signature songs. And, as I viewed the article today, surely enough that is what had happened.

"Billie Jean" as THE signature song over the gazillion other hits Michael Jackson has had? "Purple Rain" as THE signature song over the gazilion other hits Prince has had? "What'd I Say?" for Ray Charles over "America, the Beautiful" and "Georgia on my Mind"? "My Way" more than "New York, New York" for Sinatra? All very subjective.

So I've pared the list down to a FEW examples, spanning different genres that I think folks would accept as true examples of signuture songs.

In addition, from the description, I've deleted

These songs are often praised by a particular performance of them by an artist at a concert or other event of significance.

because I don't even understand what that sentence is trying to convey,

Praise often also occurs if the song has been responsible for creating a new style, trend or genre or for bridging the gap between two things that were once considered anomalous.

because, praiseworthy as that may be, it has nothing to do with whether a song is a signature song or not, and

Signature songs generally tend to be songs met with the most critical success rather than commercial success; just because a song by an artist sells millions of copies does not make it a signature song.

because if the definition of the signature song is, as this article says it is, that it's the song most popularly identified with an artist, then by that definition, commercial success does count more than critical success.

65.88.178.10 00:41, 10 February 2006 (UTC)[reply]

In essence, a "signature song" is the song the band plays when someone walks on to a talk show. It's not just a "big hit" for someone, it's a song someone is identified with and identified by. I've added the obvious Bob Hope example. - Nunh-huh 00:50, 10 February 2006 (UTC)[reply]

The other point about the example section is that it serves little use to have people just keep adding to it ad infinitum, even if every single addition did unquestionaly meet the definition of "signature song". The only useful purpose for the example section is to help illustrate the concept to someone who might still be unclear on it after reading the artice. To that end, it should be a short list, different genres to help cut across potential readers' musical tastes but no more than one or two songs per genre needed. AND, for those artists who do have more than one signature song, they should not be included on the list, because choosing one of more than one possible, even if technically accurate, does not help illustrate the point to a reader. 24.130.126.57 10:43, 14 February 2006 (UTC)[reply]

The tendency to add entries ad libitum in example sections is a tendency I've noticed in every article. The article about "weasel words" itself was in danger for this. I think this is something to put in our style guide: pure "list pages" can be obtained via categories (for instance you can have a page with the names of all Italy piazzas if you put the appropriate category tag in every article about a piazza). Instead example lists like those provided here (and in the "weasel words" article) just serve to illustrate the concept, and should be kept to a minimum. The reason why some additions are controversial is that the "definition" we gave is actually not a definition (otherwise it would be an uncontroversial criterion to decide if something *is* or *is not* a signature song). Unfortunately we can't do much better as this is a really vague concept; and that's why we have the examples. Just to cite one, putting "Nessun dorma" -a classical probably sung by any tenor in the world- as signature song for Luciano Pavarotti looks quite ridiculous to any Italian person, demonstrating how subjective and geo-dependent the label "signature song" is. Probably one of the best things to do is to highlight that the expression inevitably carries some arbitrariness --Gennaro Prota 16:48, 1 April 2006 (UTC)[reply]

A rap or hip-hop example?

Even though the list of signature songs does cover an array of genres, and I commend that, I noticed when I ran across this page that there isn't a signature song for any rap or hip-hop artist. Possibly N.W.A.'s "Fuck tha Police," Eminem's "Lose Yourself," or Eminem's "The Real Slim Shady" could be used to represent a signature song in rap/hip-hop music. I name these songs because everyone who thinks of N.W.A. is VERY likely to automatically think of the song "Fuck tha Police," since the song was highly controversial for the time and for the message it brought to the mainstream. Anyone who thinks of Eminem will probably associate him automatically with "The Real Slim Shady," (even though there are many other songs he's known for) since it was also a controversial song. Another example could be his song "Lose Yourself," since it was from his first acting venure, won an Academy Award, and was one of his biggest hits to date. This is just a suggestion. I could add either one of them, if no one minds. I'll check back in a couple or three days to see if anyone has protested - if not, I'll go ahead and add one. -WikiFiend90 05:51, 17 February 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Yes, I hadn't put an any hip-hop, but just because I listen to so much of it, that it doesn't give me a good perspective for what those who are not fully into it would even have heard of, which of course is a criterion for a "signature song". The example that used to be there was MC Hammer/"U Can't Touch This", which actually is a pretty good illustration of the concept, but I had hoped to come up with an example from an artist more respected in the hip-hop world than is Hammer. I just hadn't thought of an example yet that, as I mentioned, I felt I could really be sure non-hip-hop heads would know.
Now that you suggest it, though, I think that "Lose Yourself" is a pretty good example. I think that tie to a widely released and pretty successful movie gives it a definite nod over "The Real Slim Shady" or "My Name Is" or what have you. Whereas with N.W.A., I think you can make a pretty good argument that because being "gangstas" who were "from Compton" is what that group was all about, that "Straight Outta Compton" or even "Gangsta Gangsta" could be considered at least on par with "Fuck Tha Police".
Purely my subjective opinion there, of course (thus underscoring the stickiness of the example list in the first place), but I'd go with "Lose Yourself" if no one else has a better suggestion. Mwelch 22:21, 17 February 2006 (UTC) (aka 24.130.126.57, aka 65.88.178.10)[reply]
Alrighty then, I guess "Lose Yourself" is it. I was thinking the exact same thing - it's got the most notoriety of any of the choices I gave. There were many more songs I could have listed, but those were the ones that just came to mind.
I see where you're coming from, not really wanting to use "U Can't Touch This," even though it does prove the point that the article makes.
"Lose Yourself" would probably be at least slightly recognizable to people who aren't really fans of rap or hip-hop music, since it was used in the "8 Mile" ads. I think it was also used in some iPod commercials. Since we're in agreement on "Lose Yourself," and I honestly don't think there could be any other suggestions that will illustrate the point as well as that one (other than "U Can't Touch This" but, as we already established, this song and it's artist aren't very respected among the hip-hop community), I'll go ahead and add it. Thanks for the input. :-) -WikiFiend90 23:27, 17 February 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Mariah Carey

Seems like a number of people are anxious to put in "We Belong Together" as Carey's signature song. The Wikipedia article on the declares it to be so, as well. Since it keeps coming back, I decided to review my original thinking on it (just one of many hits). Googling on "Mariah Carey" and "signature song" brings up mostly two other songs ("Hero", "Without You") purporting to be her signature song. So either she's actually got no clear "signature song", or she's got a few. Either way, that doesn't make her the most useful example to put in the example list, so I'm continuing to delete for now. 24.130.126.57 22:12, 18 February 2006 (UTC)[reply]

I'd be partial to agree with you. Mariah Carey has more than just one signature song, and as stated in one of the conversations above, including several songs by one artist doesn't really give the point that the article tries to make. This is a little POV, but in my opinion, a signature song is one where even if you know nothing about the artist you will hear it and be like, "I know who that is!" For example, if I were to hear "Thanks For The Memories," I'd know it was Bob Hope just like that. The same goes for any of the other songs listed, and for a few other songs I can think of.
With Mariah Carey, however, there are multiple songs in which one could hear and know it's her. Perhaps part of this, though, is the fact that when she hits a trademark whistle note (albeit she didn't hit any extremely high notes in "We Belong Together"), just about anyone will know it's her. That aside, there are still alot of songs that she's known by. An example of just a few would be "Hero," "Fantasy," "Heartbreaker," or "Loverboy" - putting aside the fact that she's known in mostly a negative manner for that last one. (Although there are quite a few artists, many of them probably one-hit wonders, who are known for songs that aren't exactly respected pieces of musical genius, hehe.)
At any rate though, as you said, she's not the most useful example for a signature song. She's just got too many to include. Shortly put, I really agree with you. -WikiFiend90 03:58, 19 February 2006 (UTC)[reply]
In counterpoint to the above written statements, I will firstly state that these are correct and valid points. Mariah has had numerous hits, and thus it can be argued that one song in particular does not qualify her for a space on this page. However, "Vision of Love" was not only her first single for which she earned her first Grammy, it is also considered by many music critics and fans alike to be her most vocally competent and inspired song. In most of her concerts it is usually the last song performed, and is greeted with vigorous and continuous applause from the audience. Also, the wiki article for "Vision of Love" itself denotes the song as Mariah's signature song. I strongly urge you to reconsider.
Well, it is very important to not that not having a single "signature song" does not in any way detriment the quality of any of an artists songs. Thus not declaring "Vision of Love" to be her one signature song is not a criticism of her, nor or of the song. So even if the arguable point about it being her best work is taken as fact, that doesn't really have any bearing, one way or another, on whether it meets the definition of signature song.
The fact that it is her first song is perhaps more important would argue better toward that designation. And if it is indeed the last song performed at most concerts, that would also be an argument for.
The fact that the wiki page says it carries fairly little weight, though. Unti you just edited it moments ago, the wiki page for "We Belong Together" says the same thing. By design, anyone can edit a wiki page to reflect whatever subjective info they want it to reflect.
And that brings me to what I think the most important point of all is: what is her "signature song" is an arguable point. And if it's at all arguable, then it's not really appropriate for the example section. And the reason for this is that the whole point of the example section is not just to compile a long list of signature songs, even if all of them really did meet the definition without argument. The point of it is to help illustrate the point of what a signature song is to a reader who may need a concrete example they know of to help them get it. And if you provide an example from an artist for whom the choice of one particular song is not clear, then that doesn't really help to illustrate the point in a reader's mind.
Do you see what I'm getting at? The fact that such-and-such person thinks of "Vision of Love" to be it, while another thinks it's "We Belong Together", and another thinks it's "Hero" . . . well, regardless of which person is "right", just the fact that there's an argument about it at all means which ever song it really is (if any) still isn't a great example because it doesn't help make things clearer. And since the example list should be short, not long, it truly should contain only clear, non-arguable examples. Hers is clearly not the case since if you google on "Mariah Carey" and "signature song", you'll get three or four different answers.
And again that's no knock against her, nor against any of the songs. It just means she's had a LOT of varied success as an artist. And nothing but kudos to her for that! Mwelch 04:35, 14 March 2006 (UTC)[reply]
Again, I understand your point- I simply do not agree with it. If one were to base the perception of a "signature song" upon subjectivity, you might as well edit/delete the entire list, since there can be no general consensus on what a signature song entails due to the actuality that it is inherently a prejudiced topic, if not by the definition you've supplied, then unquestionably in regards to the examples you've permitted to be displayed. I do not deem it appropriate, in any way, that my addition is persistently excised from the list of songs. Of course, it is not my judgement that's apparently infallible.
Firstly, your sarcasm is neither necessary nor appreciated. It is not my judgment with which you appear to have an issue. The previous conversation here, as well as the archived conversation referred to at the top seem to show people other than myself have stated the case that entries which do not meet almost universal agreement are not helpful as examples. I don't see anyone else in either conversation who specifically states a belief that non-agreed-upon examples are helpful, as you seem to believe. You simply seem to be in the minority on that point, and I don't see that it helps your point much to snipe at me just because you don't like that fact.
Of course, the designation is inherently subjective. That is the whole point, and the root of the problem. Because of that problem, the Wikipedia community indeed did discuss the idea of nixing either the whole article, or nixing the whole example section. If it were up to my "infallible" judgment, I actually have no problem with removing the whole example section. But more people in the community spoke to the desire to keep it and just properly maintain it. So I respect the community's judgment on that point. Judging by your sarcasm, and your insistence upon adding a clearly widely debated example, it would seem that you do not.
As for how to properly maintain it . . . well, how many rational people who are familiar with Tony Bennett, and are making an honest intellectual argument, would seriously purport that his signature song (not their own favorite song, but his true signature song) is anything at all other than "I Left My Heart in San Francisco"? I'd bet the answer is pretty darn close to zero. Same for Bob Hope and "Thanks for the Memories" and so on. There is consensus in those cases. So, according to the community discussion, those make good examples.
But with Mariah Carey, obviously there are a lot of people who quite seriously and truly consider her signature song to be something other than "Vision of Love". The fact so many different sources identify different songs would seem to be a pretty good indicator that with her, there is not consensus — and that's the very thing which in turn makes it exactly the kind of example with which the community has already voiced a great deal of discomfort.
As for what else is in the list, it's not as though that is set in stone. I don't claim to be an expert on each and every artist there, so indeed there may be someone else there who's equally as problematic as Mariah Carey. If so, the way for you to improve the list would be to point out such an example, and delete/replace that artist, moreso than to add Carey, would it not? Mwelch 09:23, 14 March 2006 (UTC)[reply]


Britney Spears

is there a reason why britney spears' "...Baby One More Time" has been deleated from the list? It is her signature song, More known that alot of the other singles on the list.

I think "Oops I did it again is dead heat with it. I would say she's better left off.--Esprit15d (talk ¤ contribs) 18:44, 11 July 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Garth Brooks

Googling on signature song for him comes up with three different songs on the first page of hits alone: "The Dance", "If Tomorrow Nerver Comes" and "Friends in Low Places". (With Wikipedia being the only place that declares it to be "Friends in Low Places", by the way.) So, a la Mariah Carey, that definitely doesn't appear to be a particularly good example. Mwelch 01:22, 31 March 2006 (UTC)[reply]


Major Expansion

Wow! Since I last visited/worked on this page, it's went through an expansion, with many more songs being listed. I'm impressed! -WikiFiend90 18:49, 12 June 2006 (UTC)[reply]

In what order are the songs listed?

I realize that the songs in this article listed in alphabetical order... but when it comes to solo artists, some of the songs are listed by the artist's first name and others are listed by the artist's last name. Please decide in what order you want the list to be and fix this.--Andresg770 16:15, 8 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Christina's Signature Song

It has "Genie In A Bottle" listed as Christina Aguilera's signature song. I think many would agree that "Beautiful" would be a better example of her signature song. What do you all think? -WikiFiend90 01:34, 25 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]

I don't really think she has one... for one, she's got too many successful singles, for another, she hasn't had a long enough career to really establish a "signature" song. Anthony Hit me up... 03:12, 25 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Other signature songs

The list has the Rolling Stones' signature song as "Start Me Up", but I think that "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" is their signature song. Also, what could the Red Hot Chili Peppers' signature song be? It must be something from Blood Sugar Sex Magik, probably "Under the Bridge" or "Give It Away". And while some people believe that Guns N' Roses' signature song is "Welcome To The Jungle", I believe it is "Sweet Child O'Mine", as I looked in the Guinness Rockopedia, and "Welcome To The Jungle" wasn't even mentioned, yet "Sweet Child O'Mine" was. -ndrly 09:34, 28 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Possible changes to page

I've worked on an updated version of the page in my userspace at User:FutureNJGov/Signature song. I request that people visit the page and see if there are more changes to be made, since it seems that the biggest sticking point is what is considered a signature song and the fact that there are no references; people just keep adding examples. Please leave comments here, though, since this is the official talk page for the article, and I only worked on it in userspace so as to keep it free from clutter here. Anthony Hit me up... 00:57, 29 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]

The addition of references is interesting, but there are two issues with it that I see:
1) References really aren't all that impressive on an issue as subjective as this one. . . as evidenced by the fact that there are conflicting references in three or four of the artists in the list. And those are just the ones currently listed. Wouldn't be too tough to find contradictory references for Sammy Davis, Elvis Presley, and others, I'm sure. (Plus, there's always the issue of references being outdated for current artists. The "Real Slim Shady" reference is from 2000; is it still applicable after "Lose Yourself" came out two years later?)
2) As long as there are any songs allowed on the list without supporting references, people are going to just keep adding and changing as they please (e.g. "Thriller" for Michael Jackson. Signature album, certainly. But song? Over "Man in the Mirror"? "Beat It"? "Billie Jean"? Really? e.g. "Like a Virgin" for Madonna. Even though every time she's referred to in the media, they call her "the Material Girl"? Hmm. e.g. "Ice, Ice Baby". A textbook example of one-hit wonder, moreso than signature song.) Since there's no objective way to knock out examples like that, there really doesn't seem to be any way to stop them from proliferating. *shrug*
It'll always be a fun subject to argue about, though. 8-) Mwelch 08:08, 29 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]
As for the ones without references, they would be removed before being shifted to the main page. Hidden wikitext would state that any additions would require a reference from a reputable site (MTV, CNN, AllMusic, Rolling Stone, etc.), and be a clear consensus.
I agree that we'll never get a clear definitive answer on this page; part of the fun is debating them. But there are some absolute answers (Billy Joel's "Piano Man", for example), and some artists who don't even deserve a signature song (J-Lo? Please.) All I'm trying to do is end the constant bickering over the subjectivity of the article by adding some more references. Anthony Hit me up... 19:25, 29 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]
Oh yes, I definitely understand that. I'm just saying that even with the references, I doubt it will actually end all complaints, because the references themselves can be either subjective or dated.
Certainly only helps and can't hurt, though, so cheers to the idea and to the effort! Mwelch 02:46, 30 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Merger with List

The List of signature songs page has no sources, and is nothing more than a randomized list of artists and songs. I propose a merger, or alternatively a deletion of the List page. I worked hard to ensure that there is at least some accountability on this page with respect to sources, and although I won't go as far as calling this "my" page (because that's not the spirit of Wikipedia), I feel it's in the encyclopedic nature of the site to cite (no pun intended) everything on here. Simply creating another article with no sources is an end-run around the verifiable nature of the site. Also, it's late & I've been studying law all day, so I'm not in a chipper mood at this point. Maybe someone else can explain a rational reason for that other page to exist. But I feel justified in at least proposing a merger. Anthony Hit me up... 01:26, 20 September 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Since, as with many "list" pages it seems to be tied (at least it was initially) to a corresponding category, the ideal solution would be to fully incorporate everything. Each song would indeed have a citation. But further, if the song has a Wikipedia entry, that entry should mention (along with the supporting citation) that it's a signature song of such-and-such artist, and the article accordingly should be put in the signature songs category. Mwelch 03:04, 20 September 2006 (UTC)[reply]

What???

Since when do you need sources to know an artist's signature song? The signature song of an artist can vary from country to country.

I think that's the whole point.... not everyone has the same opinion on which is an artist's signature song, so a source at least would give a proof of it. For example, Madonna's "Like a Virgin" used to be listed as her signature song (before we started to use sources), but someone came every week and changed it to "Holiday" because s/he thought that was her signature song. In other words, if the source is reliable, then there will not be as many disputes as there used to be before. --Andresg770 23:14, 3 October 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Tina Turner

I have changed the listed SS for Tina Turner from "Proud Mary" to "The Best". In my experience, the latter is far and away the song with which she is most associated; and I had never even heard of the former, before following the link to the article! Reading Tina Turner's article, I see that "Proud Mary" was a hit for her when she was singing in a duo with Ike Turner. However, this list only includes her name, therefore her biggest and most recognised solo hit should be mentioned. It is quite clear also from the fact that "The Best" lends its name to her two compilation albums. EuroSong talk 09:32, 4 October 2006 (UTC)[reply]

You're entirely correct about the inconsistency of listing "Proud Mary" as a signature record for a solo Tina Turner. However, once you change it to the "The Best", here in this article, then the supporting reference no longer supports it. And furthermore, "The Best" is by no means definitive as her solo signature song, anyway.
I would rate "What's Love Got To Do With It" as her solo signature song. It's certainly the first song I think of with regard to Tina Turner as a solo performer. It's the song with which she actually became a successful solo singer after Ike. And it's what they used as the title of the movie that tells her life story. For inclusion of Turner in this article, I actually could even provide a reference [query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C03E4DC103FF932A25755C0A9669C8B63] supporting "What's Love Got To Do With It" as her signature song. But I chose to just delete her altogether, since I still think if the issue is debatable, then it shouldn't be listed here at all. Mwelch 18:47, 4 October 2006 (UTC)[reply]

List of Signature Songs

None of the songs listed in List of Signature Songs are referenced, so I thought I should move the page here, so other people can take these songs and add references to them and then add them to the article.

Here's the article:

This is a list of artists and below them are songs which are considered their signature songs.

Mamma Mia
Dancing Queen
Me And A Gun
Diamonds and Rust
The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down
Love Is A Battlefield
Hit Me With Your Best Shot
Green Onions
Ring of Fire
Walk the Line
Georgia On My Mind
Suzanne
Mr. Jones
Round Here
Boys Don't Cry
Friday I'm In Love
Just Like Heaven
Beyond The Sea
Mack The Knife
Pour Some Sugar on Me
Pink Moon
Lips Like Sugar
The Killing Moon
Always
Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)
What You Need
Need You Tonight
Never Tear Us Apart
New Sensation
Wicked Game
Don't Stop Believin'
Complicated
Stairway to Heaven
Whole Lotta Love
Imagine
Sweet Home Alabama
Freebird
Holiday
Like a Virgin
Papa Don't Preach
Like a Prayer
Vogue
Big Yellow Taxi
Danke Schoen
Bizarre Love Triangle
Smells Like Teen Spirit
Don't Speak
Wonderwall
Where Is My Mind?
Bohemian Rhapsody
My Way
How Soon Is Now
This Charming Man
Psycho Killer
Venus In Furs
Blister In The Sun
Gone Daddy Gone
The Promise
Fell in Love with a Girl
Seven Nation Army

Rammstein's signature song

I just changed Rammstein's signature song from "Sehnsucht" to "Rammstein". The reference which was given (from that allmusic site which is referenced frequently here) didn't actually list a signature song- it talked about the Sehnsucht album, but not the song. I changed it to the eponymous song (although in the US they're only really known for "Du hast") and gave two references to back it. --DarthBinky 12:51, 1 December 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Nirvana's signature song

DO NOT remove Nirvana from the signature songs list. Smells Like Teen Spirit is undoubtedly their signature song, and I've got a source to prove it. --ndrly 17:16, 14 December 2006

Celine Dion

My Heart Will Go On's single has sold 16 million and during 3 years the song play on all radio of the world...

This is The Céline Dion signature songs.. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 24.226.213.254 (talk) 18:00, 17 December 2006 (UTC).[reply]

another stab at definition of the term

My suggestion: another way to phrase it is the song that pops into most people's head when the band's name is mentioned, it is simply that single work which is most closely connected with the band/group/artist. Thus "Bobby McGee" as recorded by Janis Joplin, "Stairway to Heaven" by LedZeppelin, "Bohemian Rhapsody" by Queen, "Dust in the Wind" by Kansas. While LedZeppelin's "Whole Lotta Love" may be a fan favorite, you must look to what song is recognized most quickly by a NON-fan of that particular artist/group/etc. Thus "Stairway" is a superb example of a signature song. Note: Anyone remember the "No Stairway" Sign next to the guitars in the Movie "Wayne's World"? In many cases the "signature song" of a particular artist/group may be the ONLY song that a non-fan or a follower of a completely disparate musical genera would be likely to recognize by either song name or the group that recorded it let alone both. an example (that I will NOT add to the page) is Queensryche's "Silent Lucidity". And for my last stab at exemplifying a "signature song" is the one that when someone calls in a request for a band, but without requesting a specific work, that there is a serious risk that even serious fans of the group will groan when hearing that particular song (Do I hear "Stairway" starting to play.... Again?) AllanDeGroot 22:00, 9 January 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Lynyrd Skynyrd

Free Bird is associated with them, sure, but isn't Sweet Home Alabama really their signature song?

--WizardOfTheCDrive 18:44, 7 April 2007 (UTC)[reply]

That's what I thought. Cubs Fan 04:59, 3 May 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Me three.--Esprit15d (talk ¤ contribs) 18:45, 11 July 2007 (UTC)[reply]
Despite the fact that I think the three of you are wrong, I removed Skynyrd from the page; since there's no consensus, it can't be a signature song by definition. Hopefully this will end debate. Anthony Hit me up... 20:02, 11 July 2007 (UTC)[reply]

U2's "Sunday Bloody Sunday"?

Isn't that their signature song? I have a reference to a site that details it on my edit to this article, but I think that is "undebatable" fact...

Fishdert 16:56, 7 June 2007 (UTC)Fishdert[reply]

First off, I checked the site, and nothing indicated it as their signature song, either in the link that you provided or the site in general. Secondly, as you can see at the top of the talk page, U2 is one of those artists where there is definite debate over their signature song, so they are not included on the page because everyone will debate as to what it actually is. Anthony Hit me up... 18:08, 7 June 2007 (UTC)[reply]
"Bloody Sunday" is very popular (I LOVE it), but it's not their signature song.--Esprit15d (talk ¤ contribs) 18:42, 11 July 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Queen

Bohemian Rhapsody is undoubtly a great song, but when it comes to a signature song I'd more go for We Are the Champions since (to cite the source) anthems like "We Are the Champions" turn into celebrations of sports victories. With this two very well regognized Queen songs I think it's better to remove that entry. --32X 10:09, 28 June 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Nah - Bohemian Rhapsody is signature.--Esprit15d (talk ¤ contribs) 18:42, 11 July 2007 (UTC)[reply]
I agree. I think "We Will Rock You", "We Are the Champions" and "Bohemian Rhapsody" are all very well recognized. I favor removing Queen from the entry. Geeky Randy 07:07, 23 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Lynard Skynard

"Free Bird"? Undoubtedly iconic, but I would say that their "signature" song is "Sweet Home Alabama." Is there anyone who possibly disagrees?

They're both very well-known songs and it's hard to stay which is signature. "Sweet Home Alabama" has a better chart record, but "Free Bird" is considered a better song by most fans and music journalists. I vote to remove Skynard from the article. Geeky Randy 07:09, 23 August 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Examples section should be removed

This section is entirely too long and too subjective. Who is to say which artists should be used as examples? Then, who is qualified to decide that artist's "signature song"? Sure everything is cited, but citing someone else's opinion doesn't make it fact. The Signature album article is in even worse shape, but there's not much action at Talk:Signature album so I thought I'd raise my concerns here. Comments? --Bongwarrior 04:24, 12 July 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Unless they're cited, they need to go I think. --Haemo 04:54, 12 July 2007 (UTC)[reply]
even if cited, i'd say most of the list is crap. as bongwarrior said, citing someone else's opinion doesn't make it fact. unless we drastically pare the list down, i think a good stopgap would be just renaming it to something like "songs that have been called an artist's signature song" (only hopefully something less doofy sounding). --dan 02:42, 22 October 2007 (UTC)[reply]

The list should be removed

The article is not about the songs themselves, but about what a signature song IS. A list longer than your arm helps no one who comes to the project trying to find out what a signature song is. The list has become little more than a way for fanboys (and girls) to get their favorite band another wikilink on WP. That's not what the project is about, nor should it be the purpose of this article. In fact, in thinking about the issue, wouldn't the dictionary wiki be a better place for this article? K. Scott Bailey 17:01, 26 October 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Kelis Milkshake

Thats her signature song. It should be in the list. Blitzkrieg BOOM 07:03, 31 October 2007 (UTC)[reply]

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