10 Greatest Songs About Other Musicians

10. Phoenix - Lisztomania

The opening track on French indie rockers Phoenix’s breakthrough fourth album makes reference to the 19th century Hungarian composer Franz Liszt. And while lyrically it doesn’t dwell on the works of the bombastic pianist, its giddy, gleeful sound does evoke the spirit of the musician as well as the frenzied responses his performances could whip up, thereby coining the sensation.

Phoenix’s song is built not out of wild piano runs but a skippy guitar riff and a vocal performance from Thomas Mars that may not be as wild as Liszt's keyboard but certainly jumps all over the scale. It’s as blissful a song as Phoenix had recorded to date and ushered in their ascension to the (indie) big time.

Franz Liszt is sometimes portrayed as the first rock star, turning his concerts from something to be admired quietly to a communal spectacle, with his fans losing their 19th century minds as he took the stage. And it’s this sense of joy in performance and music that Phoenix bring to their own music. It’s simultaneously carefree and momentus, a tune ushering in the new era of the band through sheer force of fun.