A Whole Slew Of "Half" Songs
More Than Half of Styx's Primary Songwriters Are Still With the Band
"Halfway Dead" sure is showing a lot of life on MTV Live, the primary channel for contemporary music videos. The song is a collaboration between Steve Aoki and Global Dan, each who probably provides half of the whole thing.
It was likely more than a half-hearted effort, as is the case with most successful performances. History is rife with other "half" songs, as demonstrated by the following list.
Not included is the famous Creed song that mentions "half the man I used to be," mainly because its official title is " Creep. " It is often mistaken for a Nirvana tune actually called "Half the Man I Used To Be," which in order to avoid further confusion I have excluded as well from my list of fifteen song titles containing "Half."
1. I'll Meet You Halfway by the Partridge Family
The plan suggested by this title I wise, for I would not trust that old Partridge Family bus to make it all the way.
2. Don't Take Me Half the Way by Crystal Gayle
Loretta Lynn briefly took a back seat to her kid sister because of this chart topper, which my dad sang as "Don't Take Me House Away."
3. Half Fist by Loudon Wainwright
Grandfather Loudon is the subject of this odd by the folk singer, who recognizes his own hand while studying a photograph of Loudon Wainwright I.
4. Halfpenny, Twopenny by Styx
Closing the Paradise Theater album is this rock treasure, written and performed with the characteristic energy of guitarist James Young.
5. Half Dome by Toro Y Moi
Along with "Empty Nesters" and "Spell It Out" this track serves as a highlight Chad Bundick's breakthrough album What For.
6. Half a Person by the Smiths
Sixteen, clumsy and shy are three of the adjectives Morrissey used to describe himself in this single from Louder Than Bombs.
7. Half Breed by Cher
Solo hit number one was "Gypsies, Gramps and Thieves," but this follow up seems more suited to the diva's golden-skin appearance.
8. Half Life by Duncan Sheik
Long after breaking the Top Ten with "Barely Breathing," Sheik continues to show a lot of life.
9. Better Half by Frank Turner
This optimistic title comes from the first half of the indie broker's solo debut, Love, Ire, and Song.
10. Half and Half by Beck
Modern Guilt originally omitted this song, which thankfully was included as a bonus track on a later CD.
11. Half Moon Bay by Train
Patrick Monahan and band cut this track during the sessions for Save Me San Francisco, but it only made it as a bonus CD.
12. Half Boy by Nick Lowe
The revered producer teamed with his cowboy outfit for a self-titled record, which is where this delightful tune can be found.
13. Half Right by Elliott Smith
Unfortunately this more than All Right song appeared after Smith's tragic suicide, in the posthumous release of New Moon.
14. Half the World by Rush
Canada's most famous rock trio ruled almost all of North America for certain, and probably more than just fifty percent of the globe.
15. Half the World Away by Oasis
Noel Gallagher includes this nearly solo acoustic gem as part of the collection of leftover tracks called The Masterplan.
Bonus Track: Half a Mile Away by Billy Joel
Since there are so many bonus tunes among this list, I decided to offer this classic from 52nd Street.
