Ten Song Titles Consisting of Just One Word With Five Syllables
Earlier this week on an episode of Jeopardy, I was intrigued by one of the unusual categories introduced by host Alex Trebek. The answers had to consist of words with exactly five syllables, two of which I got the correct questions.
Two of the five syllable words I missed were “Abolitionists” and “insurmountable”, two that I should have gotten. Long after the game had ended and the classic Final Jeopardy theme song had faded out, I was still trying to think of relatively common words that had five syllables.
My attention turned, as it often does, to popular music. Here are ten one-word song titles that fit the Jeopardy category of Five Syllable Words.
“Opportunity” by Elvis Costello
This tune, like most of the others on the Nick Lowe produced Get Happy album, is rife with lines such as “Her bedroom eyes were like a button she was pushing.”
“Anticipation” by Carly Simon
Predating the smash hit “You’re So Vain” by a few years, this title track is the highlight of the diva’s second album.
“Imagination” by Earth, Wind and Fire
The soul band had a bunch of hits besides this one, including “Fantasy”, “Shining Star” and “September.”
“Radioactive” by Gene Simmons
The long-tongued Kiss bass player had a minor hit with this title on his first solo album, but Paul Rodgers wrote a more popular tune when he formed the Firm after the demise of Bad Company.
“Uncomplicated” by Elvis Costello
Five albums after his first five-syllable title song, Elvis struck again with this opening track from the Blood and Chocolate album.
“Infatuation” by Rod Stewart
Former Yardbirds guitarist Jeff Beck appears on this single from the legendary pop rocker, who also convinced Beck to make a cameo in the corresponding video.
“Undeniable” by Mat Kearney
This single spawns from the indie rocker’s sophomore album, Nothing Left To Lose.
“Apothecary” by Ambrosia
Bassist Joe Puerta sings the lead on this mellow drug-themed gem from Life Beyond L.A., the record that first put the band on the charts because of “How Much I Feel.”
“Aphrodisiac” by Loudon Wainwright III
The folk legend worked this tune onto the Therapy album, which snugly fits around a song about a veteran singer’s one night stand with an attractive up and comer.
“Louisiana” by Randy Newman
The great Mississippi Flood of 1927 is the subject of this tune, which appears on the veteran songwriter’s Good Old Boys album.