Answer songs

It’s an age old tradition, specially in America, to try and hitch hike on the commercial value of a successful song. And the way to do that, is copy melody and backing shamelessly and ‘karaoke’ your answer song.
And of course hope that your answer song will be as successful as the original.

Most answer songs were left alone, because the original people accepted the compliment. Most of those answer songs were dead ernest, but some were clearly just poking fun at the original.

An example:



You all know the song high heel sneakers. It’s been done to death.

I’ll post one of them (the ‘originals’) and an answer song by Suger Pie Desanto, one of my favourite blues singers from the 50’s and 60’s.



And ‘slip in mules’ by Sugar Pie:



Gary Farr sang about Sugar Pie Desanto:
…….
And Sugar Pie Desanto
Is a blues singing
Super star
Singing like lightning
So lovers may draw close at heart
Faith what a fate
…….

I hope you dig into this. It’ll  a whole new insight in a now Titaniced musical tradition.

If you have some time in the waiting room for the dentist, I’ll be very glad which original and answer song you have in store for us.
Thank you!
Kind regards, Gus

@LePlongeur  - what a fun subject. Though I haven't been to the dentist, I picked my brain about an answer song. May be Let it Bleed, is an answer song to Let it be.  And may be My Song from Labi Siffre is an answer to Elton John's Your Song. But I didn't check if that can be possible - timewise. Will do some research!

OK, some are seldom or not answered, some (like Sue) a lot.

Just a few examples!
Runaround Sue of course:



And as far as I know the first answer:



I’m no run around



And, have yourselves a party. I think it’s one of the real gems of rock history.
See if you can better Dion DiMucci (with love from Kate MiCucci).

And waiting until you have some old friend around and do it together is even better!




Enjoy!
Who knows more answer songs?
Kind regards, Gus

I know that at first sight, answer songs flourished between the 30’s and the 60’s of the last century. But it’s very much alive today.
 
This is what internet has to say about it:

Today, this practice is most common in hip hop music and filk, especially as the continuation of a feud between performers; the Roxanne Wars was a notable example that resulted in over a hundred answer songs.[4] Answer songs also played a part in the battle over turf in The Bridge Wars.[4] Sometimes, an answer record imitated the original very closely and occasionally, a hit song would be followed up by the same artist.

It’s like putting yourself in a position where you can catch up.
Give yourself a chance to make history instead of just reading about it.
Kind regards, Gus

This one is daring, or how do I say that. Risqué?

The answer is: I cheated, I lied!



Kind regards, Gus

Please be honest. Is this a subject that only arouses my curiosity? Tell me, I can take the shock.



And the answer:



Enjoy!
Kind regards, Gus

Lala Brooks may not be overlooked. She was 15 or something when she sang ‘and then he kissed me’. And after that she sung quite a lot of other stuff. And ask people (even musicians) what do you know of Lala Brooks? And there is confused silence.



And the answer, from England, from the Olympic where the Stones, Cat Stevens recorded all their best material:



And the story goes on.
Enjoy!
Kind regards, Gus