14 Stories Of When Food Helped To Inspire Classic Songs

Food and music go hand and hand like bread and butter. Each is incredible alone, but when paired, it’s obvious they were made for each other. Food doesn’t just satiate our hunger, it feeds our imagination. Some of the world’s greatest songs were inspired by food, and it often happens in ordinary ways and at seemingly mundane moments. Below is a list of 15 classic songs that food helped inspire, and the stories behind them.

The Beach Boys – Vegetables

From their 1967 album ‘Smiley Smile,’ “Vegetables” is a cheeky song about eating organic food. As one story has it, frontman Brian Wilson reportedly had an obsession with health at the time. According to a 1967 article, he said, “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.” It was written by Wilson and Van Dyke Parks and was one of the last songs recorded for the album. Paul McCartney is rumored to be chewing celery on the recording along with other members of the band.

Herbie Hancock – Watermelon Man

This quirky jazz classic was inspired by Herbie Hancock’s childhood memory of a watermelon salesman that drove a particularly noisy vehicle through his cobble street neighborhood. In his 2014 autobiography, Hancock recalled the man, “I grew up hearing the clickety-clack, clickety-clack of his horse-drawn wagon.”  It was the first single he released on Blue Note Records in 1962.

The Beastie Boys – Egg Man

The Beastie Boys were one of hip hop’s first “pranksters.” The song “Egg Man” from their classic album ‘Paul’s Boutique’, was inspired by the group’s penchant for throwing eggs at people. During an incident at the Mondrian Hotel in LA, the members pelted unsuspecting people from their balcony that were standing outside the Comedy Store, which was located across the street. The Beastie Boys’ yolky exploits began in their early days as a NY Hardcore band and continued up to Paul’s Boutique and possibly beyond.

Goodie Mob – Soul Food

In a time when rap was divided into regions and Southern rap wasn’t as respected as it is today, Goodie Mob helped to prove that “the South got something to say,” as famously said by legendary rapper, Andre 3000. One song where that’s indubitably clear is “Soul Food,” a timeless tune dedicated to Black self-love, struggle, community, and of course, Southern soul food. The song paints a picture of the times, highlighting barbecue spots, hot grits, chicken and gravy plates, and more.

Don McLean – American Pie 

American Pie is one of the most famous songs ever written. To give you an example of how famous, according to Music Grotto, its original composition and six pages of song notes were once auctioned off for $1.2 million. The song title is inspired by apple pie, which is an iconic Americana symbol and comfort food. Don McLean used the play on words to share his feelings about the state of America at the time, juxtaposing the “dream” with the harsh reality. Many people believe the lyrics “bye-bye, Miss American Pie,” is a metaphor for “the death of the American Dream.”

Booker T. and the M.G.’s – Green Onions

This is one of those tunes that you’ve probably heard countless times but don’t know who made it. From truck commercials to bar jukeboxes, Booker T. and the M.G.’s “Green Onions” is one of the most famous food-inspired songs. According to The Guardian, the song was originally called “Onions,” until one band member said, “But onions make you cry and give you indigestion.” That’s when it was changed to “Green Onions,” which was inspired by their tradition of eating green onions for Sunday dinners.

The Fat Boys – All You Can Eat 

Featured in the 1985 hip hop classic film ‘Krush Groove’, “All You Can Eat” by The Fat Boys is an in-your-face declaration of love for, well… all-you-can-eat spots. While lesser known at the time, their humorously magnetic on-screen personas made them a highlight of the movie, skyrocketing them to fame. In a classic scene, the trio of food-lovers rap at a Sbarro while feasting on whatever they can get their hands on. The song was actually based on the scene, which was preconceived by the film’s writers.

“Weird Al” Yankovic – Eat It 

“Weird Al” Yankovic is perhaps the most famous singing satirist that has parodied everyone from Coolio to Michael Jackson. One particularly hilarious food-inspired take on a Michael Jackson classic is “Eat It.” It was named after “Beat It,” but rather than socially aware lyrics about avoiding gang life, Yankovic sings from the perspective of a parent painstakingly trying to get their child to eat their food. The song is filled with funny bits like, “Don’t want no Captain Crunch, don’t want no Raisin Bran. Well, don’t you know that other kids are starving in Japan?”

Van Halen – Jamie’s Cryin’

Although this song isn’t about food, it might’ve never been released were it not for a cheeseburger and a can of soda. Unlike most of the songs from their 1977 self-titled debut, “Jamie’s Cryin’” wasn’t finished prior to recording. One studio session, following several unsuccessful attempts to record the newly written bridge, producer Ted Templeman told lead singer David Lee Roth that his voice sounded different. Roth explained that he’d chosen to not drink or smoke for a couple of days in order to capture a sweeter vocal take. Templeton felt otherwise and told Roth to get back to his usual habits so the “edge” would return to his voice. According to Ultimate Classic Rock, in his book, “Crazy From The Heat,” Roth said, “I ate half a cheeseburger and drained a soda pop and smoked half a joint. Walked in, knocked out ‘Jamie’s Cryin’ in 40 minutes.”

Dead Prez – Be Healthy

While The Fat Boys extolled the virtues of endless eating, some years later, rap group Dead Prez would be one of the first and only to make a song about eating healthy. The song is from their classic 2000 album ‘Let’s Get Free’ and highlights the benefits of a plant-based diet, which is uncommon in the Black community — one that is stricken with high obesity rates. The lyrics provide each group member’s diets in detail, but also as a sort of dietary guide for listeners looking for healthier alternatives. “I’m from the old school, my household smell like soul food, bro/ Curried falafel, barbecued tofu/ No fish though, no candy bars, no cigarettes/ Only ganja and fresh-squeezed juice from oranges”

Sammy Davis Jr. – The Candy Man 

Initially, Sammy Davis Jr. had to be convinced to sing this classic song because he felt it didn’t fit his adult audience. “The Candy Man” was featured in the iconic 1971 movie “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” and was written by Anthony Newley and Leslie Bricusse, the composers of the film’s soundtrack. Even after recording the song, Davis still didn’t like it and felt it might negatively impact his career. Much to his surprise, its all-ages appeal made it an instant hit, shooting up to number one and even receiving a Grammy award.

Blur – Coffee & TV

This pre-Y2K hit was accompanied by an iconic award-winning music video that featured a walking milk carton. Coming from the English rock band Blur, “Coffee & TV” was written by guitarist Graham Coxon, who also sang lead vocals. According to Radio X, it was inspired by Coxon’s struggle with alcoholism and how he’d watch TV, drink a cup of coffee, and write songs as a way to curb his addiction. “So give me coffee and TV/Peacefully/I’ve seen so much, I’m going blind/And I’m brain-dead virtually,” the main tagline goes. 

B-52s – Rock Lobster

Here’s another tune you’re probably very familiar with but may not know who it’s from. Rock Lobster is a groovy, post-mod style pop song that’s on Rolling Stone Magazine’s 500 greatest songs of all time. As People tells the story, frontman Fred Schneider went to a hole-in-the-wall disco in Atlanta that had slide shows of lobsters and dip. The strange imagery inspired Schneider to pen the classic “Rock Lobster.”

Harry Nilsson – Coconut

In this uniquely quirky song, Harry Nilsson weaves a tale about a sister and brother that consumed so much lime and coconut water that they need to go to the doctor. Nilsson was inspired to write it while on vacation, relaxing on the beach, and taking in coconut palm trees. After sharing the song with his producer Richard Perry, he convinced Nilsson to perform the song using voices for each of the characters. “Brudder bought a coconut, he bought it for a dime/ His sister had anudder one, she paid it for de lime/ She put de lime in de coconut, she drank ‘em bot’ up.” To this day, you will hear this song in TV commercials and movies.

While this list barely scratches the surface of food-related songs, each of these was directly inspired by food. Beyond the above classics, there are many timeless records that mention food and use it as a metaphor. With food’s all-encompassing presence, or rather, need in our daily lives, no doubt there will be many classic food-inspired songs to come.