15 Songs About Food

CJ Baker is a published writer who recently started the podcast Ongoing History of Protest Music.

I have composed a number of "Songs About" articles. Many of these have been more serious in nature. This time we will lighten the mood and consider a list of songs about food. Some of these songs may contain innuendo or double entendre. But, because I am naïve, I choose to assume that all of these songs are really about food.

15 Songs About Food

• "Beans and Cornbread"—Louis Jordan & The Tympany Five
• "Vegetables"—The Beach Boys
• "Roast Fish and Cornbread"—Lee "Scratch" Perry
• "Fish Heads"—Barnes & Barnes
• "I Like Food"—Descendents
• "Eat It"—"Weird Al" Yankovic
• "All You Can Eat"˘—The Fat Boys
• "Moxy Früvous"—Green Eggs and Ham
• "Satan Gave Me a Taco"—Beck
• "Carrot Juice Is Murder"—The Arrogant Worms
• "Peaches"—The Presidents of the United States of America
• "Know Your Chicken"—Cibo Matto
• "Chocolate Salty Balls (P.S. I Love You)"—Chef (Isaac Hayes)
• "Milk & Cereal"—G. Love & Special Sauce
• "Tupac (I Saw Tupac at McDonald's)"—Matt's Dad's Basement

"Beans and Cornbread"—Louis Jordan & The Tympany Five

Album: Let the Good Times Roll (1938-1954)

"Beans and Cornbread" is a 1949 classic jump blues song by Louis Jordan & Tympany Five. The tune describes an epic battle between beans and cornbread. The conclusion is that they both go together. The song also contains a number of other shout-outs to various types of food.

This is one of my happy place songs. I get giddy every time I hear it.

That's what Beans said to Cornbread

'I'll be ready tomorrow night,'

Beans told Cornbread. 'You ain't straight

You better wake up or I'll gash you gate

Been in this pot since half past two

Swelling and puffing and almost due'

— Louis Jordan & The Tympany Five, "Beans and Cornbread"

"Vegetables"—The Beach Boys

Album: Smiley Smile

Release Year: 1967

This Brain Wilson penned ode to vegetables is from The Beach Boys 1967 album Smiley Smile. This song has the distinction of featuring Paul McCartney on celery.

According to Brian Wilson, the song was connected to his health obsession at the time. He made the following statement concerning the intent of the song: "I want to turn people on to vegetables, good natural food, organic food. Health is an important element in spiritual enlightenment. But, I do not want to be pompous about it, so we will engage in a satirical approach."

The song does possess a certain endearing quirkiness. Also, if you do happen to have a favorite vegetable, you should write Brian Wilson a letter.

I'm gonna keep well my vegetables

Cart off and sell my vegetables

I love you most of all

My favorite vege-table

Oh oh taba vega vegel

— The Beach Boys, "Vegetables"

"Roast Fish and Cornbread"—Lee "Scratch" Perry

Album: Roast Fish Collie Weed & Corn Bread

Release Year: 1978

This is the second song on the list which references cornbread. This one is by dub pioneer Lee "Scratch" Perry and it is his from his 1978 album Roast Fish Collie Weed & Cornbread.

The song is truly infectious. It is one of the few songs that makes me want to simultaneously eat and dance.

Skank it in the park ya, yeah

Pack it in the park ya, yeah yeah

Don't be tired, don't be tired

So don't be tired, yeah

— Lee "Scratch" Perry, "Roast Fish and Cornbread"

"Fish Heads"—Barnes & Barnes

Album: Voobaha

Release Year: 1980

"Fish Heads" is from the comedy rock duo Barnes and Barnes 1980 album Voobaha. The song also features an iconic video, which was directed by Bill Paxton. Paxton also appeared in the video, which was featured on Saturday Night Live back on December 6th, 1980. The video I posted here was the short version, because I wanted to get right into the song.

The song has to be one of the greatest novelty tunes of all time. It is definitely one of my happy place songs. Just like with "Beans and Cornbread," I can't help but get all giddy every time I hear it.

Fish heads, fish heads

Roly poly fish heads

Fish heads, fish heads

Eat them up, yum!

They can’t play baseball, they don’t wear sweaters

They’re not good dancers, they don’t play drums

Roly-poly fish heads are never seen drinking cappuccino

In Italian restaurants with Oriental women

— Barnes & Barnes, "Fish Heads"

"I Like Food"—Descendents

Album: Hallraker: Live!

Release Year: 1989

"I Like Food" appears on the Descendents 1981 EP Fat. At only 16 seconds in length, the song is short and to the point. It is hard to argue with the sentiment.

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!

— Descendents, "Hallraker: Live!"

"Eat It"—"Weird Al" Yankovic

Album: "Weird Al" Yankovic in 3-D

Release Year: 1984

In connection to "Weird Al," there is no shortage of food songs to choose from. In 1993 he even released a compilation of his food songs entitled The Food Album. For this list, I ended up opting for his parody of Micheal Jackson's "Beat It". "Eat It" appeared on his 1984 album "Weird Al" Yankovic in 3-D.

The song also features a classic video parody of Micheal Jackson's "Beat It." According to Yankovic, Jackson always has been supportive of his work. When he recorded "Fat" (a food-related parody of Jackson's "Bad") Jackson allowed him to use the same video set.

Don't you tell me you're full

Just eat it, eat it, eat it, eat it

Get yourself an egg and beat it

Have some more chicken, have some more pie

It doesn't matter if it's broiled or fried

— "Weird Al" Yankovic, "Eat It"

"All You Can Eat"—The Fat Boys

Album: Krush Groove - Music from the Original Motion Picture

Release Year: 1985

Now, let's will kick it old school with The Fat Boys. "All You Can Eat" is from the soundtrack of the 1985 film Krush Groove. The song is a joyous celebration of food.

"$3.99 for all you can eat?/Well, I'm a stuff my face to a funky beat!"

The Fat Boys featured the talents of Darren Robinson, who was known as "The Human Beatbox." He was considered one of the pioneers of beatboxing. Unfortunately, he died on December 10, 1995, at the young age of 28 years old. He died of a heart attack and weighed 450 pounds at the time of his death.

$3.99 for all you can eat?

Well, I'm a stuff my face to a funki beat!

— The Fat Boys, "All You Can Eat"

"Moxy Früvous"—Green Eggs and Ham

Album: Moxy Früvous

Release Year: 1992

This hilarious satirical reworking of Dr. Seuss' "Green Eggs and Ham" was recorded for Moxy Früvous 1992 self-titled demo cassette tape. The six song demo cassette sold over 40,000 copies in Canada. For an independently released demo tape that was fairly significant. The buzz generated led to them being signed to a major label. "Green Eggs and Ham" ended up being the only song on the cassette not included on their 1993 full-length debut, Bargainville. This was because of legal issues with the Dr. Seuss estate. Because of this, the song is now considered an obscure gem.

'Cause I do not like them, Sam-I-Am

No, not for me, green eggs and ham

Would you like them if I served them to you in a box

Candlelight, wine and a bottle of scotch?

— Green Eggs and Ham, "Moxy Früvous"

"Satan Gave Me a Taco"—Beck

Album: Stereopathetic Soulmanure

Release Year: 1994

This was a tossup between this song and "Nicotine & Gravy" from Beck's 1999 album Midnite Vultures. I ended up opting for "Satan Gave Me a Taco," which appeared on his 1994 album Stereopathetic Soulmanure.

The moral of this song is never to accept a taco from Satan. I guess you probably wouldn't want to accept any other food from Satan. Also, if Satan was to open a taco stand, would it be called Taco Hell?

Satan gave me a taco and it made me really sick

The chicken was all raw and the grease was mighty thick

The rice was all rancid and the beans were so hard

I was gettin' kinda dizzy eatin' all the lard

— Beck, "Satan Gave Me a Taco"

"Carrot Juice Is Murder"—The Arrogant Worms

Album: Russell's Shorts

Release Year: 1994

"Carrot Juice is Murder" is from the Canadian comedic music group The Arrogant Worms 1994 album Russell's Shorts. This is a satirical anti-vegetarian protest song. The song cleverly pokes fun at the fanatical aspects of the animal rights movement.

Listen up brothers and sisters, come hear my desperate tale

I speak of our friends of nature, trapped in the dirt like a jail

Vegetables live in oppresion, served on our tables each night

The killing of veggies is madness, I say we take up the fight

— The Arrogant Worms, "Carrot Juice Is Murder"

"Peaches"—The Presidents of the United States of America

Album: The Presidents of the United States of America

Release Year: 1995

"Peaches" is from The Presidents of the United States of America's 1995 self-titled major label debut. Even though it has nothing to do with the song or peaches, the video features ninjas. You can't go wrong with ninjas.

"Peaches come from a can they were put there by a man/ In a factory downtown".

Peaches come from a can,

They were put there by a man

In a factory downtown

If I had my little way,

I'd eat peaches every day

Sun-soakin' bulges in the shade

— The Presidents of the United States of America, "Peaches"

"Know Your Chicken"—Cibo Matto

Album: Viva! La Woman

Release Year: 1996

Cibo Matto means crazy food in Italian, so it should be no surprise that this Japanese female duo has sung a lot of songs about food. I ended going with the infectiously fun "Know Your Chicken," which appeared on their 1996 full-length debut Viva! La Woman. The album also featured other food-related songs such as "Apple," "Beef Jerky," "White Pepper Ice Cream," "Birthday Cake," and "Artichoke."

There was a man,

Selling chicks in a box.

He said, "two for one, but three for two."

I said, "That's not bad,

Here's money for you."

One was magenta,

The other was blue.

— Cibo Matto, "Know Your Chicken"

"Chocolate Salty Balls (P.S. I Love You)"—Chef (Isaac Hayes)

Release Year: 1998

"Chocolate Salty Balls" was first performed by Chef (Isaac Hayes) during a 1998 episode of South Park entitled "Chef's Chocolate Cover Balls." The song also appeared on the 1998 soundtrack album, Chef Aid: The South Park Album.

The song also happened to hit number 1 in the U.K. Sadly, Isaac Hayes ended up passing away on August 10th, 2008, at the age of 65.

Two tablespoons of cinnamon

And two or three egg whites

A half a stick of butter

Melt it

Stick it all in a bowl, baby

Stir it with a wooden spoon

Mix in a cup of flour

You'll be in heaven soon

— Chef (Isaac Hayes), "Chocolate Salty Balls (P.S. I Love You)"

"Milk & Cereal"—G. Love & Special Sauce

Album: Rappin' Blues EP

Release Year: 1999

"Milk and Cereal" is from G.Love & Special Sauce's 1999 EP Rappin' Blues. It is a fun little ditty and includes shout-outs to a number of different popular breakfast cereals. Try not to start singing the lyrics to this song next time you have milk and cereal for breakfast.

They're magically

delicious

keep ya hands, off my Lucky Charms

(pink

hearts, yellow moons, blue diamonds, green clovers)

A is for Apple

J is for Jack

You step on a crack

You'll break your mama's back

Rice Krispies

And Boo Berry

Ooh Boo Berry

— G. Love & Special Sauce, "Milk & Cereal"

"Tupac (I Saw Tupac at McDonald's)"—Matt's Dad's Basement

Album: Second Born

Release Year: 2002

"Tupac (I Saw Tupac at McDonald's)" was from Matt's Dad's Basement's 2002 album, Second Born. This song was a recent discovery for me. Apparently, the song was a hit in the St. Louis area, where it received extensive airplay on 105.7 The Point, a local modern rock station. Otherwise, there isn't too much info available about Matt's Dad's Basement. None of their albums currently seem to be available. If anyone has any more info on this obscure band, please feel free to let me know.

Apparently, the lead singer of Matt's Dad's Basement saw Tupac at a McDonald's. Also, according to the song, Tupac got a Big Mac, Fries, and a Chicken McNugget. I wasn't aware that you could only order one Chicken McNugget.

I saw Tupac At McDonalds,

he got a Big mac and some fries

I saw Tupac At McDonalds,

Looked into his big brown gangster rapper eyes.

— Matt's Dad's Basement, "Tupac (I Saw Tupac at McDonald's)"

© 2013 CJ Baker

Comments

CJ Baker (author) from Parts Unknown on November 12, 2014:

agaglia, I am glad that you enjoyed my hub. I am also pleased that I provided video ideas for your class. Some of these food songs could be an entertaining way to teach about nutrition. I truly appreciate the read and comment.

Annette Gagliardi from Minneapolis on November 12, 2014:

What a fun hub. Thank you. I think it would be good to use some of these videos in my class as we talk about nutrition. Fun.

CJ Baker (author) from Parts Unknown on September 20, 2014:

Sharkeye11, that is totally awesome that you quoted from Satan Gave Me a Taco. Now I'm also hungry, I might have to go make tacos as well! Thanks for the read and comment.

Jayme Kinsey from Oklahoma on September 20, 2014:

What a coincidence that I stumbled across this hub. I was just told by my husband a couple of days ago that I needed psychiatric help when I chose to quote a few choice lyrics from Satan Gave Me a Taco, after he asked if I wanted Taco Mayo for lunch. He said "You could have just said no."

Why stick to a boring one word answer when you can say it in rhyme?

Great hub. Now I'm hungry. I think I will go make a taco...

CJ Baker (author) from Parts Unknown on September 18, 2014:

My Bell, we will need to compare. I am looking forward to reading your musical lists Hubs!

Marcelle Bell on September 18, 2014:

We will have to compare some of our songs lists for similar themes. Most of mine though have to be chosen to motivate a group on spin bikes so they are mostly up tempo but we do climb some big slow hills! There are a lot of holidays coming up now so I'll be churning those out soon.

CJ Baker (author) from Parts Unknown on September 18, 2014:

My Bell, thanks for the read and the comment! I am a fan of theme list with songs. I am also glad that great minds think alike!

Marcelle Bell on September 18, 2014:

I love all your songs list articles. I do the same from my spin classes I teach as I do lots of themes. I do a food band/song theme for Thanksgiving and use the Eat It song.

CJ Baker (author) from Parts Unknown on August 08, 2014:

Vandygei, glad to have introduced you to some songs that you are not familiar with. Weird Al really is awesome. He has a new album out and there is currently a petition going on for him to perform at the Super Bowl Halftime show.

vandynegl from Ohio Valley on August 08, 2014:

Very interesting hub....I honestly didn't realize that there were so many songs about food. I am familiar with Weird Al though!

CJ Baker (author) from Parts Unknown on August 06, 2014:

I agree Jeannie, food and music are also tow of my favorite things! I am glad to share the "Know Your Chicken" love. It really is an infectious feel good little ditty. I'm singing it my head right now as I type.

Jeannie Marie from Baltimore, MD on August 06, 2014:

Food and music - two of the best things in life. And to think, I thought I was the only one that liked (or even knew it existed) the song, "Know Your Chicken." :-)