Have you ever played the game where you have to come up with song titles with a particular item in them? Today’s challenge is song titles with the word ‘roof’ in them. Here we go:
Up on the Roof – James Taylor
This is a well-known classic that uses the roof as a place of escape when things become too much. The song has been covered many times, including Neil Diamond and a 1995 rendition by Robson and Jerome. The lyrics were written by Gerry Goffin, who claimed this as his all-time favourite of everything he’d written. First aired in 1962, it has been described as a remarkable song and is one of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll.
Fiddler on the Roof – Connie Francis
The title of the critically-acclaimed show featuring Topol and the challenges he faces in Tsarist Russia. Released in 1971 as a film, the musical opened in 1964. It is one of Broadway’s longest running productions and is still a popular choice for school productions. If you’ve got issues with your own roof then for Flat roofing Evesham, visit http://lwroofing.co.uk
Up the Ladder to the Roof – The Supremes
Released in 1970 from the Right On album, it was the first hit for The Supremes with the new lead singer, Jean Terrell. Diana Ross had left the group just a fortnight before this song was produced. The song reached number 5 in the soul chart and in the UK, hit the number 6 spot.
Raise the Roof – Public Enemy
Released in 1987 when Public Enemy were at the height of their hip hop careers. The group formed the year before and were known for their politically-charged lyrics and criticism of the American media. Their first four albums were hugely acclaimed and all went either Gold or Platinum. This song was on the first studio album called ‘Yo! Bum Rush the Show’.
Sitting on the Roof of the World – Dido
Released in 2013 from the album Girl Who Got Away, the lyrics were actually written by her brother, one of the founding members of the band Faithless. Much of the album was recorded while Dido was pregnant and there is a beautiful optimism that shines through, particularly on this folk-inspired autobiographical song.
Tin Roof Blues – Harry Connick Jr
This song was first recorded in 1923 by the Rhythm Kings of New Orleans. It has since become one of the most popular and often played of the New Orleans jazz song genre. The cover of the original sheet music featured an illustration of the Tin Roof Café, which was a dance hall in New Orleans. Many famous musicians have played the song including Harry Connick Jr, Louis Armstrong, Herb Ellis and Floyd Cramer.
Guns on the Roof – The Clash
The great thing about the name of this song is it’s based on real events. When members of the band decided to go up to the roof and take pot shots at pigeons with an air rifle, a rail worker spotted them and reported them to the police, thinking they were anarchists shooting at the train line. Armed police swarmed the building, with helicopters circling overhead! Lyrically, the song actually aims to deal with issues of international terrorism.