8 Pairs of Songs with the Same Title: Which is Better?

While musicians can be sued if they plagiarize lyrics or melodies, song titles are pretty much fair game, resulting in a ton of songs with the same name. I've decided to stack up some of the best songs that share titles and see which is better. These might seem like arbitrary comparisons based on a coincidence, but so are "Best of the Year" lists, and those are still cool.

1. "Creep": Radiohead vs. TLC

WARNING: strong language

Both of these songs were huge hits, but they couldn't be any more different. Radiohead's version is a gloomy alt-rock anthem, while TLC's is a soulful R&B tune. Though Radiohead is my favorite band of all time, its "Creep" is nowhere near the dizzying heights it would later achieve, while TLC's "Creep" is still fresh and catchy today.

Winner: TLC

2. "Rock & Roll": The Velvet Underground vs. Led Zeppelin

In the rare instance that a classic rock DJ plays The Velvet Underground, this is the song they usually spin, while Led Zeppelin's "Rock & Roll" might as well be classic rock's national anthem. They're both excellent tracks, but if there's ever a song that deserves the name "Rock & Roll," it's Led Zeppelin's explosive tune.

Winner: Led Zeppelin

3. "Somebody That I Used to Know": Gotye vs. Elliott Smith

Gotye's first (and so far only) hit was the most unique song on pop radio since "Hey Ya!" but unfortunately, with such exposure comes such exhaustion. I'm giving this one to Elliott Smith's twisty folk tune mainly because I haven't tired of it.

Winner: Elliott Smith

4. "Thirteen": Johnny Cash vs. Big Star

Johnny Cash's "Thirteen" was a dark country song written for him by the Misfit's Glenn Danzig, and it's one of the highlights on his comeback album American Recordings. However, Big Star's acoustic ballad is truly one of the most beautiful songs ever recorded.

Winner: Big Star

5. "Dreams": The Cranberries vs. Fleetwood Mac

The Cranberries' first single (and first hit) was this beautiful dream pop classic, while the mellow Stevie Nicks-penned track for Fleetwood Mac was, somehow, the band's only number one hit in the U.S. This one's an incredibly tough decision for me, as I'm an enormous fan of both songs, but I'll give it to Fleetwood Mac, based on the lyrics and how much the band is able to do with just two chords.

Winner: Fleetwood Mac

6. "The End": The Beatles vs. The Doors

Two classics of '60s rock: one short and punchy, the other lengthy and mystical. This decision was so close that I've changed my mind since I started writing. The Beatles' track was a perfect way to end their whirlwind career, but I'm a sucker for the Doors' gothic psychedelic atmosphere.

Winner: The Doors

7. "New York (NY) State of Mind": Billy Joel vs. Nas

Technically, Nas' track is titled "NY State of Mind" but in the song he says "New York," so I chose to include it. I've been hearing Billy Joel songs for my entire life, but I think I admire his songwriting more than I actually enjoy it. Nas, on the other hand, is the rapper that turned me on to hip-hop, and his track is a stone-cold classic of East Coast hip-hop.

Winner: Nas

8. "Mother": John Lennon vs. Pink Floyd vs. Danzig

There's not just one, or two, but three classic songs titled "Mother." The most well known is probably Pink Floyd's ballad, since John Lennon's is too raw and upsetting to yield many requests on the radio. However, neither of these is the winner. That goes to Danzig, whose song is both the heaviest and catchiest of these three, not to mention that Glenn Danzig is a stronger singer than John Lennon, Roger Waters, and David Gilmour.

Winner: Danzig

Tags

Radiohead, TLC, The Velvet Underground, Led Zeppelin, Gotye, Elliott Smith, Johnny Cash, Big Star, The cranberries, Fleetwood Mac, Stevie Nicks, The Beatles, The Doors, Billy Joel, Nas, Illmatic, John Lennon, Pink Floyd, Danzig, Glenn danzig