A dozen songs that music fans think have a different name
By Jonathan Eig
“LONG TRAIN RUNNIN’” by The Doobie Brothers (1973)
What it might have been called: “Without Love”
Or, “Without Love, Where Would You Be Now.” That was the chorus. Tom Johnson sings those lyrics about ten times. He sings the phrase “long trains runnin’” in the middle of the first verse. It’s not even technically the title since he pluralizes the “trains.” But I gotta say, I’m pretty much a sucker for all pre-Michael McDonald Doobie Brothers’ music, so I’m Ok with this title. It’s pretty cool, actually.
“LONG TALL GLASSES” by Leo Sayer (1974)
What it might have been called: “I Can Dance”
I’m not including any parenthetical titles on this list. You know, like C + C Music’s “Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now)” or Rupert Murdoch’s “Escape (The Pina Colada Song).” The ones where they stick the commonly assumed titles into parentheses. I figure you gotta go with your gut. If you want to call it “Escape” because you think “The Pina Colada Song” is a stupid name, chances are you’re right.
But I could swear that even though Leo Sayer’s hit is commonly referred to as “I Can Dance” in parens today when it was released, it just went by “Long Tall Glasses.” I’m sure one of you has a copy of Just a Boy lying around somewhere and can confirm or deny this for me. BTW – I think the same thing may apply to “Gonna Make You Sweat,” but I’m not as sure about that one.
“SIR DUKE” by Stevie Wonder (1976)
What it might have been called: “You Can Feel It All Over”
Stevie sings some version of the phrase “feel it all over” about a thousand times. He sings “Sir Duke,” a reference to Duke Ellington, once in the middle of a verse. The bottom line – it’s Stevie Wonder. He can do whatever the hell he wants. It’s going to be a smarter decision than any I would make.