My Top Ten Dude Songs

Can't believe I've never thought of doing this one before. Ten songs dedicated to The Dude... or his Dudeness... or Duder... or El Duderino, if you're not into that whole "brevity" thing. Because... he abides.


10. Adam Green - Hey Dude

Adam Green's lyrics often crack me up. No idea what he was smoking before he wrote this one though...

Bob Dylan was a vegetable's wife
Game over, hope you had a good life...

9.  Scatterbrain - Don't Call Me Dude

I don't know a lot about Scatterbrain and I've no idea where I first came across this track. Described by iffypedia as an "American thrash metal band", this is probably their most poppy and commercial number - a Top 20 hit in Australia back in 1990. They're a band with an obvious sense of humour... and that always wins my attention.

8. Sonic Youth - Dude Ranch Nurse

Let Kim Gordon give you a shot and take your pulse... it's something to do.

Taken from the 2004 album Sonic Nurse, this track was named after a piece by artist Richard Prince who also provided the album cover.

7. Curtis Mayfield - A Heavy Dude

If the first three seconds don't hook you, you ain't got no funk in your soul. And if Curtis whets your appetite for groovin'... try this:

6. Quincy Jones - The Dude

Who is it
That ain't got time for foolish talkin'?
Who is it
That looks so clean you can't ignore him?

Featuring Michael Jackson, James Ingram and Patti Austin on backing vocals, they don't get much dudier than this one!

I'm a stone cold taker,
I'm a piggy bank shaker,
An' I don't waste my time talkin' trash...
So if you go to my school,
You gotta learn this rule —
Don't let your mouth write a check
That your body can't cash!

5. Kula Shaker - Hey Dude

Poor old Crispian Mills, forever cursed to be known as Hayley's annoying Britpop son. Give Kula Shaker some credit, musicologists - they were far less derivative than Oasis! This is their biggest original hit (their only other Number 2 was a cover of Deep Purple's Hush) and it stands the test of time pretty well.

4. Steely Dan - Any Major Dude Will Tell You

The album this came from, Pretzel Logic, is currently on rotation in my car. Great driving music - keeps the road rage at bay... unless you find yourself face to face with a wild squonk along the way.

Have you ever seen a squonk's tears? Well, look at mine
The people on the street have all seen better times

A squonk, in case you're wondering, is a mythical Pennsylvanian creature that looks a little bit like a turd on legs (according to google images).

This song also gave its name to one of the greatest music blogs on the internet. If you've never paid that dude a visit, I recommend you do so immediately!

3. Aerosmith - Dude (Looks Like A Lady)

Originally titled 'Cruisin' For A Lady', Steven Tyler was persuaded to change the title by openly gay songwriter Desmond Child (Tyler thought it'd be offensive to the gay community, Child said 'bollocks' to that). Apparently the inspiration came when Tyler saw a hot blonde in a bar that he was about to hit on... until he realised it was Mötley Crüe vocalist Vince Neil...

Never judge a book by it's cover
Or who you gonna love by your lover
Sayin' love put me wise to her love in disguise
She had the body of a Venus,
Lord imagine my surprise!

Hey, take it as a compliment, Vince.

2. Creedence Clearwater Revival - Looking Out My Back Door

The Dude's own personal favourite (until his car is broken into and they steal his tape deck AND his Creedence); some may dispute its inclusion here since the "dudes" of the chorus are often interpreted as "doo doo doos". But after The Big Lebowski, it's impossible to hear it any other way. I really hope The Dude got his tape deck back. And his Creedence.

1. Mott The Hoople - All The Young Dudes

If anyone ever pauses to question the prolific genius of peak period Bowie, consider this: one of his best songs, and he happily gave it away to save the career of Mott The Hoople. ATYD begins with one of the most memorable guitar hooks in the history of rock before the triumphant end of the world as we know it lyrics kick in - but we feel fine. A rallying call for a generation that rejects the Beatles & Stones in favour of T-Rex, this had to be re-recorded for BBC airplay because Wendy stole her clothes from Marks & Sparks. (It was the advertising they didn't like, not the shoplifting.) Apparently there's a version where Wendy steels her clothes from unlocked cars... but I don't think I've ever heard that.



Those were my favourite Dude songs. Which one takes you bowling?