Songs Where the Title Isn’t in the Lyrics

We’ve looked at songs where the title is mentioned only once, titles that came from a song’s verse instead of the chorus, and titles that came from the song’s opening line. But what about songs that don’t mention the title at all?

🎧 20 Songs Where the Title Isn’t in the Lyrics

While most tracks repeat their titles like a mantra, some artists take a more mysterious route — giving their songs names that never show up in the actual lyrics. This clever move adds intrigue, depth, and sometimes confusion (how many times have you googled lyrics just to find out why the title makes no sense?).

We’ve compiled a playlist of 20 songs where the title doesn’t appear in the lyrics, ranging from classic rock to 2000s pop and modern indie. Dive in and see if your ears can spot the missing titles.

🎶 The Playlist: 20 Songs With No Title in the Lyrics

1. “Spitting Games” – Snow Patrol
   A love song full of lyrical yearning, but the phrase “spitting games” never enters the picture.
2. “Bohemian Rhapsody” – Queen
   Iconic? Yes. Lyrically self-referential? Not at all. “Bohemian Rhapsody” doesn’t appear once in Freddie Mercury’s operatic masterpiece.
3. “Iris” – The Goo Goo Dolls
   One of the most recognizable 90s ballads — but the name “Iris” is never mentioned.
4. “Pure Shores” – All Saints
   While the lyrics evoke dreamy landscapes, the exact phrase “pure shores” is missing.
5. “The Scientist” – Coldplay
   The word “scientist” is never mentioned, only “science.”
6. “Celebrity Skin” – Hole
   Sarcastic and biting, Courtney Love’s anthem never actually says “celebrity skin” outright.
7. “Empire State Of Mind” – JAY-Z, Alicia Keys
   A love letter to New York, sure — but the full title never lands in the chorus or verses.
8. “Song 2” – Blur
   The title is more about the track’s position on the album than its lyrical content. “Woo-hoo!” is all you’ll really remember.
9. “Genesis” – Dua Lipa
   Despite biblical overtones, the word “Genesis” is never sung.
10. “SMS (Bangerz)” – Miley Cyrus feat. Britney Spears
    A wild electro-pop cut that doesn’t bother to explain its acronym in the lyrics.
11. “Idioteque” – Radiohead
    An apocalyptic electronic fever dream — and “Idioteque” is a made-up word that stays off the mic.
12. “The Harold Song” – Kesha
    Emotional and raw, this ballad never names Harold directly.
13. “Born Slippy (Nuxx)” – Underworld
    Immortalized in Trainspotting, this electronic track never utters the phrase “Born Slippy.”
14. “Bills, Bills, Bills” – Destiny’s Child
    A technicality: you’ll hear “bills” a lot, but the repeated phrase “bills, bills, bills” never fully lands.
15. “Basket Case” – Green Day
    Billie Joe Armstrong sings about anxiety and paranoia, but never calls himself a “basket case.”
16. “Lithium” – Nirvana
    A reference to the mood-stabilizing drug, but the word never appears in the chorus or verses.
17. “Smells Like Teen Spirit” – Nirvana
    The iconic grunge anthem never says “teen spirit” once — it’s based on graffiti from a friend.
18. “Unchained Melody” – The Righteous Brothers
    This haunting love song doesn’t mention the phrase “unchained melody,” even though it’s all about longing.
19. “Blue Monday” – New Order
    A synth-driven post-punk anthem that never clarifies what makes Monday blue.
20. “Clint Eastwood” – Gorillaz
    No mention of the movie icon anywhere — the title refers to the beat’s cinematic tone.

Why Don’t These Songs Say Their Titles?

There’s no single reason why artists choose not to include the title in their lyrics. Sometimes it’s:

• A mood or vibe they’re capturing (like “Blue Monday”).
• A reference or metaphor (like “Clint Eastwood” or “Lithium”).
• A hidden narrative layer (like “The Harold Song” or “Genesis”).
• Or just a creative choice to keep you guessing.

Whatever the reason, these tracks stand out in a world where most song titles are repeated endlessly in choruses.

Looking for More Songs Where the Title Isn’t in the Lyrics?

This playlist is a great start, but the world of untitled lyrics runs deep. From indie gems to chart-toppers, artists love to defy expectations. Bookmark this article or follow the playlist for future updates!

Let us know if you have a favorite song that fits the theme — we’d love to add it.

Spotify Playlist

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