Host Alex Trebek had to provide additional information for a vague category on a recent episode of the game show Jeopardy, so he explained that each clue was looking for a three-word song title. However, two of those three words are the same, one at the beginning and one at the end of the title.
The various tracks led to well-known songs, such as “Time After Time” by Cyndi Pauper and “One On One” by Hall and Oates. Later in the category came Silver Convention’s “Fly Robin Fly” and Stephen Bishop’s “On and On.” Billy Preston, one of the few musicians to record with both the Beatles and the Rolling Stones, had the fifth answer with his hit “Nothing From Nothing.”
Here are fifteen other less popular songs that might have been more challenging if they had fallen into that category, three-word titles that start and end with the same word. Since Wilco has two such songs, “War On War” and the title track from the Sky Blue Sky album, they have been excluded.
Never Say Never by Styx
Cornerstone spawned big hits like “Babe” and “Why Me,” but this song is one of the standouts from that album.
Godspell day by day
As if the hit song needed a stronger case for immortality, Homer sings a memorable version throughout an episode of The Simpsons.
My Oh My by Macklemore and Ryan Lewis
Some song titles are made up of just a pronoun and an interjection, so the modern duo pulled off quite a feat a few years back.
Run Joey Run by David Geddes
Joey is targeted by a disgruntled father, but the bullet ends up striking and killing his daughter.
Home sweet home by Motley Crue
The picturesque title seems to believe the typical heavy music of the popular metal band.
From the hand of Elvis Costello
It is not the love song that its name indicates, but it is one of the most endearing themes of This Year’s Model.
Ashes to ashes of David Bowie
Major Tom’s fate is updated in this hit and its creepy video, from Scary Monsters and Super Creeps.
Get in the face of Pete Townshend
For his fourth solo effort, the Who guitarist took a completely different direction, and this was the first single from White City.
Ambrosia heart to heart
Joe Puerta and David Pack offer a country-tinged duet in this cut of Life Beyond LA
Living is not living by Firefall
Not as well known as “Strange Ways” or “Just Remember I Love You,” this sandwich title song remains on all of the band’s greatest hits collections.
People are Depeche Mode people
While I can certainly think of exceptions to the statement, it has remained the group’s most recognizable hit.
Black is black for Los Bravos
There is no gray area, according to this smash hit from 1970.
Start start by REM
Fittingly, this tune kicks off the Georgia band’s fourth album, Life’s Rich Pageant.
Why oh why? by Woody Guthrie
Aside from his many political and spoken-word blues songs, Guthrie wrote plenty of catchy kids’ tunes like this one.
Dog Eat Dog by Ted Nugent
Before Cat Scratch Fever, the rocker sang about the other household pet on his second album, Free For All.