Why It Matters

We celebrated President’s Day this past Monday in the United States. Well, honestly I don’t know anyone who actually celebrated. President’s Day is one of the many holidays on the calendar that are essentially devoid of meaning for most people. A day off, a good deal on a mattress–I guess that’s good enough, I don’t know.

Anyway, the holiday led me to this question: How many presidents can I name check–last names only–with the titles of songs that I have in my stacks? Here’s what I came up with–a couple even actually apply to the presidents in question:

“Washington Bullets,” The Clash.

“Adam’s Apple,” Aerosmith.

“The Jeffersons,” Ja’net Dubois.

“Wood Jackson,” David Bowie.

“Who Is Tyler Durden?” The Dust Brothers.

“Polk Salad Annie,” Elvis Presley.

“Tinker Taylor,” Terry Reid.

“Pierce the Morning Rain,” Dinosaur Jr.

“Abraham Lincoln,” Clutch.

“Johnson’s Aeroplane,” INXS.

“The Ballad Of Ira Hayes,” Johnny Cash.

“President Garfield,” The Juliana Hatfield Three.

“Arthur,” The Kinks.

“Let’s Move To Cleveland,” Frank Zappa.

“Roosevelt and Ira Lee (Night of the Mossacin),” Tony Joe White.

“Mr. Wilson,” King’s X.

“Hoover Dam,” Sugar.

“Eisenhower Blues,” Elvis Costello.

“The Wedding Of Jacqueline Kennedy To Russell Mael,” Sparks.

“Magic Johnson,” Red Hot Chili Peppers.

“Richard Nixon,” Rod + the MSR Singers.

“Ford Mustang,” Serge Gainsbourg.

“Jimmy Carter Says ‘Yes’,” Gene Marshall.

“Old Mother Reagan,” Violent Femmes.

“Apple Bush,” Alice Cooper.

“Beating Around the Bush,” AC/DC.

There you have it: 26 songs for 44 presidents (that’s right, 44–look it up). Can you fill in any of the blanks? I’m listening.