Strange & Unusual References Home

Catalog of Dictionary Songs
Welcome to the ever-growing catalog of dictionary-related musical compositions. There are a great number of strange and unusual dictionaries described in song, and I hope this list helps you to track down some of the more obscure items. Do you know of a dictionary song that is not featured here? Drop me a line at <songs@oneletterwords.com>

Acoustic/Spoken Word

  • "The Macquarie Dictionary 2"
    from the album Great Album by Come on Air

    This song features recitation of interesting dictionary definitions, such as for the word "syzygy."
    A sound sample of this track is available from mp3.com.au.

Alternative Rock/Indie & Lo Fi

  • "A Dictionary Of Modern Marriage"
    from the album Go 2 by XTC

    This is actually a dub version of "Battery Brides (Andy Paints Brian)" and doesn't seem to address a dictionary per se.
  • "Dictionary"
    from the album Album 2 by Planet of the Ape
    "The dic- dic- dictionary is very necessary."

    This is an experimental sonic collage (a bit dancey, a bit jazzy) with lots of sound loops and repeated lyrics.
    A sound sample of this track is available from iuma.com.
  • "Dictionary of Handwriting"
    from the album Mirror Repair by Gastr Del Sol

    This driving, minimalist rock composition features electric guitar arpeggios.
    A sound sample of this track is available from amazon.com.
  • "Dictionary of Love"
    from the album Other Enz by Split Enz

  • "My Dictionary"
    from the album It Was Easier by Slut

  • "Once I Read a Dictionary"
    from the album Dreamscape by Ophelia
    "Once I read a dictionary from cover to cover; I thought it was a lovely poem about everything."

    Described by the artist as "neo-wave-lamenting art rock," this track has an interesting gothic mood.
    A sound sample of this track is available from artandtalk.com.
  • "Your Dictionary"
    from the album Homespun by XTC
    "There are no words for me inside your dictionary"

    A sound sample of this track is available from mp3.com.

Blues

  • "Female Dictionary"
    from the album Mean Eighteen by Monti Amundson & The Blubinos

Children's

Classical/Vocal

Comedy

  • "Dictionary"
    from the album 21st Century Dolemite by Rudy Ray Moore

    This comedy routine involves commentary on "dirty" words from the dictionary.
    A sound sample of this track is available from barnesandnoble.com.
  • "Dictionary"
    from the album T. Bob Tubb - Boston Sketch Comedy by T. Bob Tubb - Boston Sketch Comedy
    "Words are not enough."

    This is a funny skit presenting the dictionary in the style of an ad for an upcoming Hollywood blockbuster.
    A sound sample of this track is available from 24oz.com.
  • "Dictionary Song"
    from the album Another Leggy Supermodel by Dave Little

    This fun song features lyrics made up of big and unusual words from the dictionary.
    A sound sample of this track is available from williamwareagency.com.
  • "Strange and Unusual Dictionaries"
    from the album Ravenhurst by Blaire Baron

    This is a tongue-in-cheek monologue about the Dictionary of All-Vowel Words, the Dictionary of All-Consonant Words, and the Dictionary of One Letter Words, from the comedy radio melodrama "Ravenhurst."
    A sound sample of this track is available from oneletterwords.com.
  • "The Dictionary Song"
    from the album Tom and Amar's Acoustic Songs by TV Yellow

    This song sounds like some sort of in-joke that the listener isn't in on, with annoying voices and questionable humor.
    A sound sample of this track is available from dmusic.com.
  • "The Elvisian Dictionary, pg. 23"
    from the album Relish the Thought by Synaptic Anarchy Playhouse

Dance

  • "***t is in the Dictionary (With a Picture of You)"
    from the album Electro Bop by G-Man

    The composer calls this song a "rueful recitation of the character failings" of executives from Enron, WorldCom, Arthur Andersen, the U.S. Congress, and the Supreme Court. It involves the highly controversial "C-word."
  • "Dictionary Song"
    from the album Blue Wonder Power Milk by Hooverphonic
    "Won't you be my dictionary?"

    A sound sample of this track is available from amazon.com.
  • "Look Thru a Dictionary"
    from the album Infinium by Infinium (featuring Citec)

    This is a trance-style composition that takes a meandering sonic journey reminiscent of flipping from one word to another in a dictionary.
    A sound sample of this track is available from soundclick.com.

Folk

  • "Newfoundland Dictionary"
    from the album Nods 'N Winks by Buddy Wasisname And The Other Fellers

  • "Poetic Dictionary"
    from the album Poetic Dictionary by Wire Graffiti

Hard Rock/Pop Metal

  • "Big Dictionary"
    from the album Whipped by Faster Pussycat
    "She just loves me for my big dictionary"

    A sound sample of this track is available from amazon.com.

Instrumental

  • "Dictionary of One-Letter Words"
    from the album Split Album by Ljudbilden & Piloten

    Swedish musician Kristofer Ström (whose band is called "Ljudbilden & Piloten") composed this ambient-rock style track using guitar, bass, zither, trumpet, strings, drums, human voice, and field recordings. It is a strikingly beautiful and emotionally uplifting recording.
    A sound sample of this track is available from nosordo.com.
  • "Dictionary Song"
    from the album Simplemind by Steven Kokkas

Jazz

  • "Pictures in the Dictionary"
    from the album Crime in Choir by Crime in Choir

    A sound sample of this track is available from amazon.com.

Pop

  • "Dictionary"
    from the album The Tourist by The Tourist
    "Words come easily when you have a dictionary."

    A sound sample of this track is available from thetourist.nl.
  • "Olive Green Dictionary"
    from the album April March & Los Cincos by April March & Los Cincos

    A sound sample of this track is available from amazon.com.

Punk/Emo

Rap/Hip Hop

Reggae

Rock