Songs with Yellow in Their Titles

I I sometimes peruse the birth announcements in the local paper, and I am often bemused by the names with which some parents burden their newborns. As I was growing up, I remembered being shocked when rock stars would choose unusual names for their offspring, such as Frank Zappa's daughter, Moon Unit. Most of the weird names were limited to celebrities, and I never dreamed that the trend would ever reach the common people.

For better or worse, it has. In the birth announcements in recent weeks I have noted Ford, Class, Cash, and Honest. These, at least, are pronounceable, but many others are not. On other occasions, even the traditional names have altered spellings. Johnny has become Jhonny, Michael has become Mikel, and Emily has been changed to Emmillea.

I find myself getting less and less surprised by the names some parents have chosen, but occasionally one of the sticks out. Last week I read of a couple who proudly announced the birth of their daughter, Yellow. I knew that colors sometimes are used for names, such as Amber or Lavender. More frequently, though, colors have been reserved for dogs, such as Red or Blue. Now it looks as if the classic name Old Yeller might have a human significance in 2080, when this poor infant, named after the color of cowardice, turns 70.

For everyone's listening pleasure on that grand occasion, I suggest these songs. All of them contain the word Yellow, which would help the birthday girl celebrate three and a half scores of life.

10. Itsy Bitsy Teeny Weeny Yellow Polka Dot Bikini by Brian Hyland: This novelty song, thanks to the catchy "2,3,4 Tell the people what she wore"chorus, has endured nearly half a century after its release.

9. Truckdrivin' Neighbors Downstairs(Yellow Sweat) by Beck: The innovative indie rocker might think twice about ever doing a gig at a truck stop after recording this anti-trucker rant for Mellow Gold. He bitterly attacks their hair, their music, and even their missing teeth, closing out by repeating, "Come on Honey, feel the grease."

8. White Boots Marching in a Yellow Land by Phil Ochs: This is one of the many, many songs Ochs wrote in protest of the Vietnam War. It is not as cleverly sarcastic as his better ones, but his stark imagery more than gets his point across.

7.Don't Eat the Yellow Snow by Frank Zappa: An Eskimo mother gives this wise advice from the Apostrophe album to her son, who is also warned to "Watch out where the huskies go."

6. Tie a Yellow Ribbon by Tony Orlando and Dawn: This story is about an ex-convict returning to see if his loved one still wants him, and it was a smash hit. In fact, the song became the theme to the trio's prime time variety show.

5. Yellow Submarine by The Beatles: Ringo does the vocals on this hit that inspired an animated film and has since become a favorite children's song.

4. Mellow Yellow by Donovan: The folk-rocker was once deemed as a British Bob Dylan, and this psychadelic title track was his biggest hit. In it he paid tribute to his girl, Saphron, and made predictions about the "electrical banana" rage.

3. Big Yellow Taxi by Joni Mitchell: It is more commonly recognized as "Put Up a Parking Lot," and it introduced the music world to one of its greatest female folk artists.

2. You Look Good in Yellow by Anton Barbeau: With lines such as "You ain't no hippie but you got long hair" and an infectious guitar riff, it really amazing that most people are unaware of this fun and innovative folk-rock artist.1. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road by Elton John: The title track from Elton's best album is the highlight of his career. Bernie Taupin's lyrics culminate in the best kiss-off line in rock history, "Mongrels who ain't got a penny, Searching for tidbits like you on the ground."

1. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road by Elton John: This title track from Elton's best album is the highlight of his career. Bernie Taupin's lyrics culminate in the best kiss-off line in music history, "Mongrels who ain't got a penny, Searching for tidbits like you on the ground."