The name Michael comes from the Hebrew name Mikha’el, which means “who is like God?” This question emphasizes that no one is like God.
In Hebrew tradition, Michael was an archangel and the only one mentioned in the Bible. He is seen in the Old Testament’s Book of Daniel as a protector of Israel.
Michael’s popularity made the name widespread centuries ago, especially in Western Europe since the Middle Ages and in England from the 12th century. It was often used for emperors, kings, and saints.
Michael has consistently been a popular name for boys, staying in the top 100 over the past century.
Some songs feature the name “Michael” as a central theme or mention it in their lyrics to express feelings, tell stories, or connect with the audience personally.
In this playlist, we’ve put together a list of 8 songs about Michael.
Contents
- 8 Songs with the Name Michael in the Title
- 1. “Michael and Heather at the Baggage Claim” by Fountains of Wayne
- 2. “Michael Row the Boat Ashore” by Harry Belafonte
- 3. “Michael From Mountains” by Joni Mitchell
- 4. “Message to Michael” by Dionne Warwick
- 5. “Michael Jordan” by Five for Fighting
- 6. “Michael, You’ve Got A Lot To Answer For” by Duran Duran
- 7. “Crazy Man Michael” by Fairport Convention
- 8. “Dear Michael” by Michael Jackson
- Submit Your Song to This Playlist
- Listen on Other Music Streaming Platforms
8 Songs with the Name Michael in the Title
1. “Michael and Heather at the Baggage Claim” by Fountains of Wayne
“Michael and Heather at the Baggage Claim” by Fountains of Wayne chronicles the tribulations of a couple during travel. Michael and Heather face the tedious waiting game at the baggage claim, where every bag seems uniquely named. The lost and found scene adds a comedic twist, as they search for soft, brown luggage that proves elusive.
Michael, resilient despite the travel challenges, expresses the desire to move on from the long day. Some lyrics go, “It’s been a long, long day, Can’t we just be on our way?” This captures the universal weariness of travel.
The song’s narrative unfolds with a mix of humor and relatable frustrations, painting a vivid picture of the couple’s journey through the lens of the baggage claim ordeal.
2. “Michael Row the Boat Ashore” by Harry Belafonte
“Michael, Row the Boat Ashore” is a timeless African-American spiritual that originated during the American Civil War on St. Helena Island, South Carolina. Sung by former slaves left behind by their owners, the song gained attention when abolitionist Charles Pickard Ware transcribed it in 1863.
The lyrics are a call to Michael, urging him to row the boat ashore, symbolizing a journey to freedom and spiritual salvation. The repetitive refrain, “Michael row the boat ashore, hallelujah,” captures the song’s uplifting essence.
Woven with biblical references and themes of faith and perseverance, the lyrics recount tales of Jonah, Daniel, and Jesus, blending spiritual narratives with a powerful message of hope.
The Highwaymen’s 1960 recording propelled the song to hit status, cementing its place as a cherished piece of American folk music.
3. “Michael From Mountains” by Joni Mitchell
“Michael From Mountains” by Joni Mitchell is a poetic song that unfolds the charming escapades of a character named Michael. The lyrics beautifully capture moments in Michael’s company, describing how he wakes others up with sweets, strolls through rainy streets, and navigates sidewalk markets.
The vivid imagery includes oil patterns in puddles, colorful arrangements, and playful scenes of yellow slickers on swings. The song paints a nostalgic picture of Michael leading someone through parks, singing in the dark, and caring for them.
The repeated refrain, “Michael from mountains, go where you will go to,” expresses a sense of freedom and the anticipation of knowing Michael more deeply in the future.
4. “Message to Michael” by Dionne Warwick
“Message to Michael,” a timeless song by Burt Bacharach and Hal David, has traveled through the voices of various artists. Originally “Message to Martha” by Jerry Butler in 1962, it found new life with different titles. Dionne Warwick’s 1966 version, “Message to Michael,” became a hit.
The lyrics express a deep yearning for Michael, a wandering soul in search of fame. The singer implores a Kentucky bluebird to carry their message:
As his train pulled out down the track
Michael promised he’d soon be coming back
Oh tell him how my heart just breaks in two
Since he journeyed far
And even though his dream of fame
Fell through
To me he will always be a star
5. “Michael Jordan” by Five for Fighting
“Michael Jordan” by Five for Fighting express a strong desire to be someone else, specifically referencing Michael Jordan. The singer lists various possessions and aspects of their life that they would be willing to give up just to be in Michael Jordan’s shoes.
The repeated refrain of “I would give anything, I would give to be you” emphasizes the depth of this longing. The mention of specific items like shirt, hat, books, trip to the zoo, couch, remote, Coke, job, car, cash, house, piano, voice, worm, wife, and even a firstborn or two, all underscore the extent to which the singer is willing to sacrifice to experience the life of Michael Jordan.
The song conveys a sense of admiration and perhaps a belief that being Michael Jordan would bring fulfillment or happiness.
6. “Michael, You’ve Got A Lot To Answer For” by Duran Duran
“Michael You’ve Got A Lot To Answer For” by Duran Duran, released in 1997, is a poignant ballad written by Simon Le Bon for his friend Michael Hutchence, the INXS frontman.
The song reflects on their friendship and the profound impact Michael had on Le Bon’s life. The lyrics convey a sense of nostalgia and longing, expressing how Michael unlocked doors to Le Bon’s soul. There’s a tender acknowledgment of the joy and wisdom Michael brought, despite facing personal struggles.
Lines like “Michael, you’ve got a lot to answer for” and “You got me wakin up wise to the world” capture the depth of emotions and the complex nature of their relationship, making it a heartfelt tribute to a cherished friendship.
7. “Crazy Man Michael” by Fairport Convention
“Crazy Man Michael” by Fairport Convention is a haunting folk song that recounts the tragic tale of a man named Michael. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of Michael encountering a raven with eyes “black as coals.”
The ominous bird predicts a sorrowful future: “Your true love will die by your own right hand, and crazy man Michael will cursèd be.” Overwhelmed by despair, Michael goes on a mad rampage, battling imaginary foes and expressing his distress. In a moment of frenzy, he even strikes down the prophetic raven.
The song weaves a captivating narrative, capturing Michael’s descent into madness and the eerie consequences of his actions, all set to a poignant melody that enhances the emotional impact of the story.
8. “Dear Michael” by Michael Jackson
“Dear Michael” is a touching song by Michael Jackson from his album Forever, Michael. The ninth track on the album, it resonates with fans as it tells the story of a devoted admirer writing a heartfelt letter to the pop icon.
The lyrics convey the fan’s deep connection to Michael’s music, singing, “Dear Michael, every time your record’s on, Michael, I close my eyes and sing along.”
The fan pours out her feelings, promising to write back and expressing, “I wanna be more than just your number one fan.” The song also features the catchy line, “Hurry, hurry, mister postman, take my letter, tell her I love her.”
With its emotional lyrics and Michael’s signature style, “Dear Michael” beautifully captures the sentiment of being a dedicated fan.
Submit Your Song to This Playlist
Do you have a track or song you’d like to feature on this playlist? If so, please fill out the form below for our evaluation.
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Serena Whitfield is the founder of PlaylistCurator.org. She’s a musician who writes songs for bands. She studied music at the University of Oxford and graduated with distinction. With her expertise, she knows how to review songs and understand what makes good and bad music. Every playlist on our platform is approved by her before publishing to maintain top-notch quality. If you want her to check out your song and maybe get featured on our playlist, submit your song for Serena to evaluate.