Songs with a Stutter

Several of the most popular songs on the current hit parade share a characteristic that has been incorporated occasionally throughout the fifty years of rock music. The song Nothin' on You by Bob uses has it in the chorus, and Jamie Foxx uses it for an obvious effect in Blame It on Alcohol.

The common feature in the two hits is the use of stammering. The backing vocals in the hit by Bob says, "Not Not Nothin'" and Foxx stutters in his chorus, "Blame it on the a a a a a alcohol."

These current hits are not the first songs to employ stammering into the lyrics. The first occurrence was at least forty years ago, by a band that was part of the British Invasion. Here is the list of the best ten songs that feature a stuttering effect.

10. Kahtmandu by Bog Seger and the Silver Bullet Band: The is the first hit from Beautiful Loser, Seger's last album before hitting superstardom with Night Moves. In the chorus, Seger chants "K-K-K-K-K Katmandu that's where I'm going to, if I ever get out of here, that's where I'm going to." It is almost as if the very thought of going to the capital of Nepal causes him to stammer in excitement.

9. Chances by Heroes: This track was recorded by Cincinnati band Heroes for an album of local music put out by rock station WEBN. The chorus encourages the listener to take "Ch-Ch-Chances on romances." The "ch" stammer was used much more effectively nearly a decade before by an artist who recorded an an album called Heroes that sold much better than anything by this band.

8. La-La-La Love You by Don McLean: The songwriter most famous for American Pie released a lot of good music after that chart topper. His best album, Homeless Brother, contains this catchy love song that lightens the mood among songs about homelessness, starvation, and social isolation.

7. Foolin' by Def Lepperd: One of the hits from the rock band's most popular album, Pyromania, uses stammering in the chorus of "f-f-f-foolin'."

6. Your Hands Together by The New Pornographers: A.C. Newman and Neko Case urge everyone to "put-put -put your hands together" on this track from their band's latest album, Together.

5. Maureen by Fountains of Wayne: This was the hit from the group's Out of State Plates, a collection of B-sides and covers. The lovelorn guy is so distraught that he can barely spout her name as his friend "M-M-Maureen" elaborates on her dates and love interests.

4. Fashion by David Bowie: The man who used to be Ziggy Stardust made a comeback with the album Scary Monsters and Super Freaks, which included Ashes to Ashes, Teenage Wildlife, and this hit that left everyone singing "fa-fa-fa fashion."

3. My Generation by The Who: Pete Townshend's youth anthem from the 60s features Roger Daltrey sputtering "f-f-f fade away" and "s-s-s say" in one verse and at other times lamenting that people are "awful c-c-cold" as they "try to put us d-d-down."

2. Bennie and the Jets by Elton John: One of the best-known tracks from the smash album Goodbye Yellow Brick Road is about a female rock band led by a girl with electric boots and a mohair suit named "B-B-B Bennie."

1. Changes by David Bowie: Hunky Dory, Bowie's best acoustic album, is rife with musical and lyrical gems. Songs about Bob Dylan and Andy Warhol seem very appropriate on this creative masterpiece, which is most recognized for the chorus of "Ch-Ch-Ch Changes, Turn and face the strange."