Fifteen Song Titles That Feature A Popular Toy
Influential Lyricist Elvis Costello Created A Pair Of These Toy Songs
Now that the area beneath the tree is barren, it is time again to dismantle the plastic evergreen and take it back up to the attic. To save yourself from a little extra work in the near future, you may as well stay up there a few extra minutes.
Those toys that are offering so much delight right now, and maybe for the next few days, will be thrown aside by the time school resumes after the holidays. You may as well open up some space in the attic while storing the tree, for those sure-to-be-forgotten toys will end up there.
While you are doing that extra bit of work, you may be tempted to listen to the Aerosmith album Toys in the Attic. The band's third record is best known for the hits "Walk This Way" and "Sweet Emotion," but you will also enjoy tracks like " Uncle Salty" and "Adam's Apple."
If the process is not complete after the record ends, you could dig up "Cuddly Toy" by the Monkees or some other songs with titles about specific toys. Here are fifteen of the best, each featuring a classic play item in its name.
1. Yo Yo by the Kinks
Ray Davies had a bit of a resurgence with the emergence of MTV, which helped propel this song and the album Give Them What They Want.
2. Big Red Kite by Lobo
Two top ten singles, "Don't Expect Me To Be Your Friend" and "I'd Love You To Want Me", yet this philosophical piece is also a highlight from A Simple Man.
3. Choo Choo by Mac Demarco
Just a few months ago the folk rock songwriter offered us Here Come the Cowboys, which delivered this fine single.
4. Shabby Doll by Elvis Costello
The only acoustic tune on Imperial Bedroom, this scathing ballad complements its catcher pieces.
5. Dreidel by Don McLean
Realizing it would be impossible to follow up the popularity of American Pie, the folk veteran took this simpler and shorter single for a spin on his self-titled album.
6. Red Rubber Ball by the Cyrcle
Paul Simon wrote several of this pop group's hits, including this simile for the sun.
7. This Year's Model by Elvis Costello
This title track from his second album, and first with the Attractions, is not about gluing together pieces for a plastic auto or airplane.
8. Plastic Guitar by Anton Barbeau
The eccentric alt rock artist used this clever tune as the title track of his fourth record.
9. Barbie Dreams by Nicki Minaj
Having been around for more than five decades, this contemporary hit proves that the iconic blonde is still popular with girls.
10. Teddy Bear by Elvis Presley
Graceland's most famous performer became, especially in the twilight of his career,sort of a teddy bear himself.
11. One Tin Soldier by Coven
Billy Jack was nominated for an Academy Award, but its popularity waned long before this theme song from the soundtrack.
12. The Doll House by Phil Ochs
Dylan rival and war protester Ochs uses the toy here as a political metaphor on the album, Rehearsals For Retirement.
13. Boomerang by Imagine Dragons
This single comes from the alt rock band's fourth release, simply called Origins.
14. Bicycle Race by Queen
Paired with Brian May's "Fat Bottomed Girls", this Freddie Mercury tune from the Jazz album completed a two-sided hit almost as popular as "We Will Rock You" and "We Are the Champions" from the preceding record News of the World.
15. Cardboard Boxes by Loudon Wainwright
Child psychologists have been saying for decades that this subject from the I'm Alright album is by far the most creative you any parent could give his kid.