60 Artists With Food in Their Names: Bands and Solo Singers

Bands with food in their names include Cake, Bread, Cream, Bananarama, Black Eyed Peas, and Red Hot Chili Peppers. Let solo artists join the table and you get Fiona Apple, Chuck Berry, Meat Loaf, and Juice Newton, too. That is enough for a playlist, a trivia round, or a karaoke night with a surprisingly extensive menu.

This DJ Wonder Sean guide brings together 60 bands and solo artists from the DJWS food-name theme, plus 193 linked tracks across 24 of those artists. Start with a short song list, browse the artist names, or dig into the fuller selections below. There is considerably more Cake than any responsible menu planner would recommend.

Song selections and theme membership reviewed October 8, 2026. These are tracks for discovery and karaoke planning; check your host’s catalog for the exact artist, version, and availability.

This is one part of DJ Wonder Sean’s music-discovery project (DJWS). Explore connected songs and themed rounds, build a shareable hosted song book, or find karaoke and other live events when you want a place to use those ideas.

Want the complete lists? Browse every artist in the DJWS Artists With Food in Their Name theme, or switch from band names to song titles with 294 songs with food in the title.

12 songs to start a food-name karaoke round

If you need a shortlist before you need an encyclopedia, try these. The order moves between artists so nobody has to sit through an accidental Cake tribute night.

Venus by Bananarama
I Gotta Feeling by Black Eyed Peas
No Rain by Blind Melon
Make It With You by Bread
The Distance by Cake
Criminal by Fiona Apple
You Sexy Thing by Hot Chocolate
Queen of Hearts by Juice Newton
Into Your Arms by The Lemonheads
Under the Bridge by Red Hot Chili Peppers
1979 by The Smashing Pumpkins
Play That Funky Music by Wild Cherry

Want to turn this into a real karaoke night? Start your own hosted DJWS song book (a free account keeps it editable), or see optional event shirts and merchandise.

What counts as a food-name artist?

For this guide, the connection is in the artist’s name. A song does not need a food word in its title to qualify. “Under the Bridge” gets in through Red Hot Chili Peppers; “Criminal” gets in through Fiona Apple.

DJWS uses a broad, playful interpretation. It includes food and drink words, ingredients, surnames, words containing a food reference, and sound-alike spellings. That gives you several ways to run the theme:

The straightforward menu: Cake, Bread, Cream, Hot Chocolate, Meat Loaf, and Taco.
Fruit, vegetables, and ingredients: The Cranberries, Black Eyed Peas, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Salt-N-Pepa, and Vanilla Fudge.
Solo artists and surnames: Fiona Apple, Chuck Berry, Eagle-Eye Cherry, Neneh Cherry, and Juice Newton.
The wordplay table: Korn, Phish, Limp Bizkit, and food words inside longer names. Agent Orange is included for the word “orange”; this is not a claim that the full phrase names a food.

These are word connections, not explanations of how each act chose its name. For a stricter round, announce that you want literal food words and leave the sound-alikes for another night. Settle the rules before somebody arrives with a passionate defense of Phish.

60 artists with food in their names

Here is the full current theme roster, alphabetized without the opening “The.” Names with song selections jump to their section below; the others open their DJWS artist profile. A profile without songs is still a useful artist lead, not a promise of karaoke availability.

Song selections by artist

These selections come from the songs currently linked to the theme’s artists in the DJWS library. They are not complete discographies. Open the additional-song lists to explore beyond the starting picks, or follow a song title to its DJWS entry.

Ambrosia

Ambrosia gives the menu a softer opening. Try one of these three songs when you want a change of pace between louder selections. The food connection is in the artist name, so the song itself can be about something else entirely.

Start with: How Much I Feel; Biggest Part of Me; You're the Only Woman (You & I).

Explore Ambrosia in DJWS · Back to the artist list

Bananarama

Bananas get you into the theme; the chorus gets everyone else involved. Start with “Venus” or “Cruel Summer,” then look further down the list if someone has already claimed your first choice.

Start with: Venus; Cruel Summer; I Heard a Rumour.

Explore 7 more tracks by Bananarama

Explore Bananarama in DJWS · Back to the artist list

Black Eyed Peas

An entire ingredient, conveniently supplied by one group. “I Gotta Feeling” is a natural place to start for a party round. With a group performance, agree on who takes which vocal parts before the track begins.

Start with: I Gotta Feeling; Let's Get It Started; Where Is The Love?.

Explore 2 more tracks by Black Eyed Peas

Explore Black Eyed Peas in DJWS · Back to the artist list

Blancmange

A slightly less obvious item on the menu: blancmange is a milk-based dessert. This is a good pick when your theme needs something beyond the first five food names everyone remembers. Start with “Living on the Ceiling.”

Start with: Living on the Ceiling; Don't Tell Me; Waves.

Explore 2 more tracks by Blancmange

Explore Blancmange in DJWS · Back to the artist list

“No Rain” is the obvious first serving, but there are six tracks here to explore. “Soup” offers a bonus food connection in the song title, while every selection qualifies through the band’s name.

Start with: No Rain; Change; Tones of Home.

Explore 3 more tracks by Blind Melon

Explore Blind Melon in DJWS · Back to the artist list

Blue Öyster Cult

The oyster gets them onto the list. “(Don’t Fear) The Reaper,” “Burnin’ for You,” and “Godzilla” give you three very different titles to build a rock round around. Save a little patience for the instrumental passages.

Start with: (Don't Fear) The Reaper; Burnin' for You; Godzilla.

Explore 4 more tracks by Blue Öyster Cult

Explore Blue Öyster Cult in DJWS · Back to the artist list

Bowling for Soup

Soup is on the menu, and “1985” brings the nostalgia. If that one is taken, the current DJWS selection also includes “Almost,” “Punk Rock 101,” and two more songs. A theme should give people choices, not make them fight over one track.

Start with: 1985; Girl All the Bad Guys Want; High School Never Ends.

Explore 2 more tracks by Bowling for Soup

Explore Bowling for Soup in DJWS · Back to the artist list

Bread

Bread supplies ten choices for anyone who wants to slow the round down. “Make It With You,” “Everything I Own,” and “If” are useful starting points; the deeper list gives you room to avoid repeating the same handful of songs.

Start with: Make It With You; Everything I Own; If.

Explore 7 more tracks by Bread

Explore Bread in DJWS · Back to the artist list

Cake

Cake has the largest selection in this edition: 73 tracks. Start with the familiar titles below, or open the full list for a much bigger slice. “Arco Arena” is an instrumental, so treat that one as a listening or between-singers choice. Inclusion here does not mean every track has a karaoke version.

Start with: The Distance; Short Skirt/Long Jacket; Never There; Love You Madly; I Will Survive.

Explore 68 more tracks by Cake

Explore Cake in DJWS · Back to the artist list

Cherry Poppin' Daddies

The cherry connection gives this band a place in a broad food-word theme. “Zoot Suit Riot” and “Drunk Daddy” are the two linked songs in this edition. Check the lyrics and the version before choosing a song for a mixed-age event.

Start with: Zoot Suit Riot; Drunk Daddy.

Explore Cherry Poppin' Daddies in DJWS · Back to the artist list

Chuck Berry

Solo artists belong at this table, too. Berry supplies the name connection, and these five tracks offer alternatives to immediately reaching for “Johnny B. Goode.” Give the song a practice run before discovering at the microphone that you only know the chorus.

Start with: No Particular Place to Go; Rock and Roll Music; Sweet Little Sixteen.

Explore 2 more tracks by Chuck Berry

Explore Chuck Berry in DJWS · Back to the artist list

The Dead Milkmen

This is a looser dairy connection, through the word “milk” inside “Milkmen.” For a playful round, “Punk Rock Girl” is a place to begin. Check the language and spoken sections of your chosen track before putting it into an all-ages rotation.

Start with: Punk Rock Girl; Bitchin' Camaro; Big Lizard.

Explore 1 more track by The Dead Milkmen

The Thing That Only Eats Hippies

Explore The Dead Milkmen in DJWS · Back to the artist list

Fiona Apple

Another reminder that “artists” is the useful umbrella here. Apple fits just as neatly as any band name. “Criminal,” “Paper Bag,” and “Shadowboxer” are starting points, with three more tracks below when you want to explore further.

Start with: Criminal; Paper Bag; Shadowboxer.

Explore 3 more tracks by Fiona Apple

Explore Fiona Apple in DJWS · Back to the artist list

Fishbone

Fishbone is a food-related word rather than a dish. The linked selection here is “Party At Ground Zero.” Use it as a listening lead, and check your host’s catalog before treating it as a guaranteed karaoke option.

Start with: Party At Ground Zero.

Explore Fishbone in DJWS · Back to the artist list

The Honeydrippers

Honey provides the connection. Start with “Sea of Love,” then explore the other four tracks if you want more choices from this artist. The name is the admission ticket; there is no requirement to sing about dessert.

Start with: Sea of Love; Rockin' at Midnight; Young Boy Blues.

Explore 2 more tracks by The Honeydrippers

Explore The Honeydrippers in DJWS · Back to the artist list

Hot Chocolate

A drink absolutely counts if that is the rule you announce. “You Sexy Thing” and “Every 1’s a Winner” make a useful first pair to check, with two more songs available in the list. Marshmallows remain optional.

Start with: You Sexy Thing; Every 1's a Winner; It Started with a Kiss.

Explore 1 more track by Hot Chocolate

So You Win Again

Explore Hot Chocolate in DJWS · Back to the artist list

Juice Newton

Juice supplies the drink connection, and “Queen of Hearts” is the song currently linked to this artist in the DJWS library. One linked song is a starting point, not a claim that this is the artist’s whole catalog.

Start with: Queen of Hearts.

Explore Juice Newton in DJWS · Back to the artist list

The Lemonheads

Lemonheads give the theme another fruit connection. Start with “It’s a Shame About Ray” or “Into Your Arms.” If you choose “Mrs. Robinson,” specify The Lemonheads’ version when you ask the host, because the artist version matters to this round.

Start with: It's a Shame About Ray; Into Your Arms; Mrs. Robinson.

Explore 2 more tracks by The Lemonheads

Explore The Lemonheads in DJWS · Back to the artist list

Meat Puppets

“Lake of Fire” is the current linked selection. For an artist-name round, make sure you request the Meat Puppets version: recognizing a song from another performer’s recording is not the same as selecting that artist for your theme.

Start with: Lake of Fire.

Explore Meat Puppets in DJWS · Back to the artist list

Phish

Phish belongs in the wordplay lane through its sound-alike spelling. Decide whether that counts before the round starts. “46 Days” is the song linked here for this edition, and a useful starting point for further listening.

Start with: 46 Days.

Explore Phish in DJWS · Back to the artist list

Red Hot Chili Peppers

The peppers bring the heat, and the library supplies 20 tracks. Start with “Under the Bridge,” “Californication,” or “Give It Away,” then browse the larger selection. Choose the song you can actually deliver, not merely the title you recognize.

Start with: Under the Bridge; Californication; Give It Away.

Explore 17 more tracks by Red Hot Chili Peppers

Explore Red Hot Chili Peppers in DJWS · Back to the artist list

The Smashing Pumpkins

Pumpkins qualify without any need to wait for Halloween. This edition includes “1979,” “Beautiful,” “Thirty-Three,” and “Zero.” Use the selection as a starting point, then choose the version and key that work for you.

Start with: 1979; Thirty-Three; Zero.

Explore 1 more track by The Smashing Pumpkins

Beautiful

Explore The Smashing Pumpkins in DJWS · Back to the artist list

Squirrel Nut Zippers

The nut connection is enough for this word-based theme. “Hell” and “Put a Lid On It” are places to start, with seven more songs to explore. Give unfamiliar tracks a listen before adding them to your performance shortlist.

Start with: Hell; Put a Lid On It; Ghost of Stephen Foster.

Explore 6 more tracks by Squirrel Nut Zippers

Explore Squirrel Nut Zippers in DJWS · Back to the artist list

Wild Cherry

Finish with another fruit name. “Play That Funky Music” is the song currently linked here, so it earns the final slot in our quick-start round as well. You have now assembled a musical meal without requiring a single song about dinner.

Start with: Play That Funky Music.

Explore Wild Cherry in DJWS · Back to the artist list

How to run a food-name karaoke round

Announce the rule in one sentence. “Pick a song by a band or solo artist with food or drink in their name.” Add whether spelling jokes and surnames count.
Offer a short menu. Give singers the 12-song starter list, then point anyone who wants more choice to the artist sections.
Check the version. Covers can change which artist is credited. Ask for the performer and arrangement you intend to sing.
Check the actual karaoke catalog. A song’s presence in a music database does not establish that your host has a licensed backing track for it.
Vary the order. Mix tempos and styles, and give unfamiliar songs a listen first. Instrumentals can fill the space between singers rather than occupying a vocal slot.

Planning something bigger? Create a DJWS song book or read how hosted song books work.

A few common questions

Are solo singers allowed, or is this only for bands?

Solo artists are included. “Bands with food in their names” is a familiar way to describe the idea, but “artists” covers the whole table. Fiona Apple, Chuck Berry, Meat Loaf, Juice Newton, and Neneh Cherry belong alongside the groups.

Does the song title need a food word?

No. This round classifies songs through the artist’s name. Food in a song title is a different theme, and combining the two makes a broader round with different rules.

Does this list explain where the artist names came from?

No. It identifies food-related words and wordplay. A familiar food word in a band name does not establish the origin or intended meaning of that name.

Can I sing every track here at karaoke?

Check with the host. Availability varies by provider and recording, and a few tracks are better for listening than singing. Cake’s “Arco Arena,” for example, is an instrumental.

Keep exploring DJWS

Songs With Food in the Title: 294 songs, from breakfast to dessert, for a food-themed round where the title does the work.
Artists With Food in Their Name: the full DJWS theme behind this list.
Songs with Colors: try a round where the song title makes the connection.
Songs for Halloween: build a seasonal set.
Building a Karaoke Database for Alison “MetalBabe” Cohen’s 29 Again Party: see how the library supports a real event.
19 familiar songs people sing without knowing what they mean: a different way to reconsider a familiar song.

Have an artist we should add? Suggest a contribution to DJWS. For more music, pop culture, and things that probably did not need investigating, join the Minty Tees email list below.

About this edition: The roster follows the DJWS “Artists With Food in Their Name” theme. The song selection reflects its linked artist records reviewed October 8, 2026, with one unverified record withheld. Artist spellings have been standardized for readability. The library continues to grow; this is not a complete list of every food-name artist or every song they recorded.