Wikipedia defines an answer song as "a song (usually a recorded track) made in answer to a previous song, normally by another artist." For example, "Yes, I'm Lonesome Tonight" by Dodie Stevens was the answer to Elvis Presley's "Are You Lonesome Tonight?"
Frank Hoffmann and William Bailey, in their book Arts and Entertainment Fads, note:
Answer songs were released in particularly large numbers during 1960-1962. The impetus for this deluge of recordings appears to have been the notable success of Jeanne Black's "He'll Have to Stay" (Capitol). Based upon Jim Reeves' "He'll Have to Go," Black's record entered Billboard's "Hot 100" on May 2, 1960, peaking at number four.
In this case, there was even an answer to Jeanne Black's answer: "I'm Gonna Stay" by Johnny Scoggins.
The Original: "He'll Have To Go" (by Jim Reeves, 1960)
The Answer: "He'll Have To Stay" (by Jeanne Black, 1960)
The answer to the answer: "I'm Gonna Stay" (by Johnny Scoggins, 1960)
Posted By: Alex - Tue Apr 06, 2021
Category: Music | 1960s
Comments
First example I thought of was this one: "Sweet Home Alabama" by Lynyrd Skynyrd. The song was written in response to "Southern Man" and "Alabama" by Neil Young.
Another pair of songs, but by the same artist, Lesley Gore: "It's My Party" and "Judy's Turn To Cry".
Posted by Fritz on 04/06/21 at 10:51 AM
Wolverton Mountain by Claude King followed by (I'm the Girl) From Wolverton Mountain By Jo Ann Campbell.
I happened to look up Wolverton Mountain and it does exist as did Clifton Clowers!
Posted by Steve E. on 04/06/21 at 11:52 AM
Surely the most recent example (discounting all this stuff with Olivia Rodrigo recently) is
Eamon with Fuck It (I Don't Want You Back): https://youtu.be/ptcX5L8chVc
... vs Frankee with Fuck You Right Back https://youtu.be/B1K0pUSSFUo
....both produced by the same record company, I believe.
Posted by Mal on 04/14/21 at 07:17 PM
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Category: Music | 1960s