Classic Rock Songs with Brackets In the Title
11 August 2026, 08:00
A lot of songwriters have pressed the little blighters into service at one time or another. Here are just a handful… but can YOU think of any more?
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Parentheses are described by one online dictionary as “a remark that is added to a sentence, often to provide an explanation or extra information, that is separated from the main part of the sentence”.
It's a favourite technique of the songwriter, so let's tally up how many songs (we think) have used the (ever-present) bracket in their title.
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The Doors - Break On Through (To The Other Side)
- From the album The Doors (January 1967).
- Perception-busting parentheses from Jim Morrison and his bunch of mystic musicians.
The Doors - Break On Through (To The Other Side) - Promo Video 1966
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AC/DC - For Those About To Rock (We Salute You)
- From the album For Those About To Rock (We Salute You) (November 1981)
- "Fire!" Brian Johnson brings out the heavy parenthetical artillery.
For Those About to Rock (We Salute You)
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Kate Bush - Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God)
- From the album Hounds Of Love (September 1985)
- Parentheses invoked here as the record label were worried that the original title, A Deal With God, would run into problems getting played on the radio.
Kate Bush - Running Up That Hill - Official Music Video
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The Rolling Stones - (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction
- Single, August 1965
- Unfulfilled desires parentheses from Mick.
The Rolling Stones - (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction (Official Lyric Video)
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Blondie - (I’m Always Touched by Your) Presence, Dear
- From the album Plastic Letters.
- Telepathic parethenses from the iconic New York band.
Blondie - (I'm Always Touched By Your) Presence, Dear (Official Music Video)
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Elvis Costello & The Attractions - (I Don’t Want To Go To) Chelsea
- From the album This Year's Model (March 1978).
- New Wave parentheses from the iconic musician.
Elvis Costello & The Attractions - (I Don't Want To Go To) Chelsea
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Blue Öyster Cult - (Don’t Fear) The Reaper
- From the album Agents Of Fortune (May 1976).
- Eerie, spooky parentheses from beyond the grave.
Blue Oyster Cult - Don't Fear The Reaper (Single Version) (1976) (HD)
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Meat Loaf - I'd Do Anything For Love (But I Won't Do That)
- From the album Bat Out Of Hell II: Back In To Hell (September 1993)
- Cryptic parenthese from the master of the emotive rock ballad.
Meat Loaf - I'd Do Anything For Love (But I Won't Do That) (Official Music Video)
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Genesis - I Know What I Like (In Your Wardrobe)
- From the album Selling England By The Pound (September 1973)
- Prog superstars get a chart hit! Was it the brackets?
Genesis - I Know What I Like (In Your Wardrobe) [Official Audio]
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The Jimi Hendrix Experience - Voodoo Chile (Slight Return)
- From the album Electric Ladyland (October 1968)
- Posthumous chart success for the legendary guitarist, with this appendix to a much, much longer song.
Voodoo Child (Slight Return)
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Buzzcocks - Ever Fallen In Love (With Someone You Shouldn’t Have)
- From the album Love Bites (September 1978).
- Punk rock parentheses from the Manchester heroes.
The Buzzcocks Ever fallen in love
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The Stranglers - (Get A) Grip (On Yourself)
- From the album Rattus Norvegicus (April 1977).
- Punk parentheses courtesy of the Guildford lads.
The Stranglers - Get A Grip On Yourself (1977)
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The Rolling Stones - Doo Doo Doo Doo Doo (Heartbreaker)
- From the album Goats Head Soup (August 1973).
- Unnecessary parentheses from the man Jagger.
Doo Doo Doo Doo Doo (Heartbreaker)
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The Beach Boys - Don't Talk (Put Your Head On My Shoulder)
- From the album Pet Sounds (May 1966).
- Heart-breaking parentheses from Brian Wilson.
The Beach Boys [Pet Sounds] - Don't Talk (Put Your Head On My Shoulders) ((Stereo Remaster))
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Elton John - Rocket Man (I Think It's Going To Be A Long, Long Time)
- From the album Honky Château (May 1972).
- Interstellar parentheses from our Elton.
Elton John - Rocket Man (Official Music Video)
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Queen - Death On Two Legs (Dedicated To...)
- From the album A Night At The Opera (November 1975)
- Cryptically spiteful parentheses from Freddie Mercury.
Queen - Death on Two Legs (Official Lyric Video)
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U2 - Pride (In The Name Of Love)
- From the album The Unforgettable Fire (October 1984).
- Anthemic stadium rock parentheses from the Irish powerhouse.
U2 - Pride (In The Name Of Love) (Official Music Video)
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The Beatles - I Want You (She’s So Heavy)
- From the album Abbey Road (September 1969).
- Slightly obsessive parentheses from John Lennon.
I Want You (She's So Heavy) (Remastered 2009)
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Journey - Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)
- From the album Frontiers (February 1983).
- Greatest video in the world - with parentheses!
Journey - Separate Ways (Worlds Apart) (Official HD Video - 1983)
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Bob Dylan - It's Alright Ma (I'm Only Bleeding)
- From the album Bringing It All Back Home (April 1965).
- Iconic protest parentheses from the master.
Bob Dylan - It's Alright, Ma (I'm Only Bleeding) (Official Audio)
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Brinsley Schwarz - (What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love And Understanding
- From the album The New Favourites Of... Brinsley Schwarz (1974).
- Famously covered by Elvis Costello parentheses.
[What's so Funny 'Bout] Peace Love and Understanding
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Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel - Make Me Smile (Come Up And See Me)
- From the album The Best Years Of Our Lives (March 1975).
- Chart-topping parentheses from '75. Bet you get the bit in brackets the other way round, don't you? We did.
Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel - Make Me Smile (Come Up And See Me) (Official Music Video)
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David Bowie - Scary Monsters (And Super Creeps)
- From the album Scary Monsters (September 1980).
- Dalek-voiced parentheses from the classic Bowie album.
Scary Monsters (And Super Creeps) (2017 Remaster)
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Talking Heads - This Must Be the Place (Naive Melody)
- From the album Speaking In Tongues (June 1983).
- Self-referential parentheses from David Byrne and co.
Talking Heads - This Must Be the Place (Naïve Melody) (Official Video)
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Neil Young - Hey Hey, My My (Into The Black)
- From the album Rust Never Sleeps (June 1979).
- State of the nation parentheses from the Godfather Of Grunge.
Hey Hey, My My (Into the Black) (2016 Remaster)
