My Top Ten "Don't Judge A Book By Its Cover" Songs

Sound advice, I'm sure you'd agree. Here's ten songs that remind us not to do it...

10. Stevie Wonder - You Can't Judge A Book By Its Cover

I'm not going to make the obvious remark here, because it would be crass.

9. Rupert Holmes - Nearsighted

I've been listening beyond Escape & Him. It's all part of my mid-life crisis that I feel the need to dig into 70s MOR whenever life gets too much. Here's Rupert Holmes singing a song about - literally - being nearsighted. Sounds a lot like Barry Manilow on this one.

I don't judge a friend or lover

By a first or second look

Nor a book just by its cover

I can't even see the book

8. The Castiles - You Can't Judge A Book

A rough around the edges live bar-room cover of a Bo Diddley classic. Hardly a great recording, but their guitarist shows promise. He could go far.

7. Dolly Parton - Backwoods Barbie

From the heart...

I've always been misunderstood because of how I look.

Don't judge me by the cover 'cause I'm a real good book.

So read into it what you will, but see me as I am.

The way I look is just a country girl's idea of glam.

6. Inspiral Carpets - Directing Traffik

You can't judge a man by his skin

Or a book by the cover it's in

But I can't help feel it's true

The devil's got a hand on you

Ray Manzarek, Clint Boon. That's how you start a list of the most distinctive keyboard players in the history of rock.

5. The Hawk - Don't Judge A Book By Its Cover (feat. Little Hannah Collins)

Must admit, I stumbled across this one by accident... but it's bloody good.

4. The Lucksmiths - Danielle Steele

She'd look beautiful in a tea towel

But she's dressed up to the nines

She's covered herself in make-up

But she can't make up her mind

She's a damsel in distress

She feels a damn fool in this dress

She lives alone

And I know how she feels

She has the mind of Sharon Stone

And the heart of Danielle Steel

Genius lyrics here.

Spends hours in front of the bookcase

A beast with two paperbacks in bed

She's read them all from go to woe

And arranged them from A to Z

And you can judge a book by it's cover

A kingdom for a horse, a condom for a lover

3. The Temptations - Beauty Is Only Skin Deep

A pretty face you may not possess

But what I like about you is your tenderness

A pretty face maybe some guys taste

But I'll take lovin' in it's place

Charming! You're no oil painting yourself, mate.

2. Aerosmith - Dude (Looks Like A Lady)

Legend has it that Steven Tyler walked into a bar, spotted Vince Neil from Mötley Crüe from behind and was about to go chat him up until he realised his mistake.

So never judge a book by its cover

Or who you gonna love by your lover

Love put me wise to her love in disguise

She had the body of a Venus

Lord, imagine my surprise!

1. ABC - The Look Of Love

If you judge a book by the cover

Then you judge the look by the lover

I hope you'll soon recover

Me I go from one extreme to another

I'm not sure that really makes sense, but Martin Fry's lyrics never really did stand up to much analysis. Fortunately, his tunes were solid gold.


If you judged any of my suggestions too harshly... feel free to supply alternatives.