People write songs about just about anything, so why not Ice Cream. It can be used as an interesting metaphor for a variety of things. And it offers plenty of options for emphasizing its variety. Colors, flavors, sprinkled additions, could all be used as a descriptor.
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But Where Did Ice Cream Come From?
From Sicily, it was invented by an Italian chef named Francesco Procopio dei Coltelli in 1659. He sounds very posh, and at first, it was considered a dessert just for royalty.
Twenty-seven years later, he decided to let us “common folk” into the secret and opened Le Procope. Guess what? It is still there. It is the oldest restaurant in Paris, in the heart of the Saint-Germain des Prés district. If you are ever in Paris, this ice cream parlor is well worth a visit.
A historical and cultural epicenter, it was favored by the artistic elite of Europe in the 18th and 19th centuries. Ice cream, henceforth, became everybody’s favorite, and not just for desserts or just for the favored.
Largely Overlooked
Sadly, this is an area and a subject that hasn’t been visited in any depth by many songwriters. The imagination hasn’t run wild with examples of its value. But the only thing that prevents them from exploring and adding meaning is their imagination.
However, some have used ice cream in the lyrics of a song. Let’s take a look at some of the best songs about ice cream.
Top 125 Best Songs About Ice Cream to Calm You Down
1
Ice Cream Man – Blur
This is a song that offers meaning on a variety of levels. Blur was one of the big Britpop bands along with Oasis and, to a lesser extent, Pulp. To say there was animosity between Blur and Oasis would be an understatement. But then, the mouthy Mancunian brothers of Oasis seemed to revel in animosity with anybody. Including each other.
Blur got on with it. Oasis tried to compare themselves with the Beatles. Dream on, boys, excuse me while I laugh. Blur was always more creative, in my view, and this track is a great example.
The Whip in Magic Whip
The “Magic Whip” was the title of Blur’s 8th album. It was their first album for 12 years and began its life in Hong Kong. Frontman Damon Albarn had witnessed the massacre in Tiananmen Square in 1989 on TV. He was inspired to use the “Ice Cream Man” in the context of protest.
The Whip from the album title is a metaphor for being controlling. Ice cream is something we all love but used here as something else. The lyrics “Here Comes” offer a rather sinister feel. “Ice Cream Man” was released as a single.
There is a bass part that adds a spin to the “Mr. Softy” melody. Something that could be heard from the ice cream vans on the streets at the time. Despite its almost happy sound, there are some seriously dark undertones going on. Clever, imaginative songwriting.
2
Ice Ice Baby – Vanilla Ice
This was a song by rapper Vanilla Ice from his first album, “To The Extreme,” released in 1990. It was first released as a B side to his cover version of “Play That Funky Music,” which flopped.
It began to be played on its own and became his most successful song. Additionally, it had success around the world and introduced new audiences to hip hop. While not technically a song with an ice cream metaphor, the title and the performer’s name get it on this list of the best songs about ice cream.
The song was based around a Freddie Mercury song with a John Deacon bass line, “Under Pressure.” It was recorded by Queen with David Bowie. No writing credits or royalties were paid to them by Vanilla Ice’s people until after it had become well-known. Presumably, then, they had no choice.
3
Ice Cream Phoenix – Jefferson Airplane
This is a track from a band that has been consistently underrated in some quarters. It is taken from their 1968 album “Crown of Creation.”
The song has “ice cream” in the title but appears to have absolutely nothing to do with the stuff at all unless there is some deeper meaning that I, and just about everyone else, appears to be missing.
That Slick Voice
Grace’s deep husky tones are prevalent in a song that is somewhat different from most of their other material. They have been called a “psychedelic rock band,” but I’m not sure exactly what that is supposed to mean.
Pink Floyd was also called the same, but the two bands are dimensions apart. To me, Airplane was just a good solid rock band led by an excellent singer.
4
Ice Cream Cakes – Jeff Beck Group
This is a track featuring the inimitable Jeff Beck along with Colin Flooks (Cozy Powell) on drums. The Jeff Beck Group was a big influence on the blues/rock scene in the late 60s in the UK. But this was one of those stories of intrigues, lawsuits, and plotting that, if written in a book, no one would believe.
Mickie Most’s prodigy Peter Grant was involved in it all, and when this physical giant of a man spoke, you listened. There was subterfuge involving Jimmy Page, as Grant insisted he was present at every Beck rehearsal. Not to play, to “observe.”
Next thing we hear
Grant is trying to get Steve Marriott and then Paul Rodgers for a vocals job. Grant was finally introduced to Robert Plant, and all then became very clear what was going on. Jeff’s band went on the back burner somewhat.
This song is a simple tale of how we can feel when it all goes wrong, as it did for this excellent band. Released in 1972, it has a long intro and some good Bob Tench vocals that create a certain style and feel to the song. Not their best by any stretch of the imagination, but Ice Cream it is.
5
Ice Cream – Sarah McLachlan
This is a relaxing song about ice cream that puts you at ease with the world. Not the most complex of song structures you will hear or the most incisive lyric. She simply says, “Your love is better than ice cream.”
Now that might be a ridiculous analogy to some. But, if you really love your ice cream, it is a big deal. Released in 1994, it’s not meant to be complicated or too deep. Just kick back and enjoy a cup of coffee while pondering your emotions.
6
Ice Cream Man – Van Halen
If there is a chance of dragging out something from one of Amsterdam’s finest, then always take the opportunity. This is a cover of a song by Chicago Blues player John Brim that he originally recorded at Chess in 1953. On this track, the vocals were by David Lee Roth. He cited it as one of his favorite Van Halen tracks that he recorded with them.
A Quiet Enough Start
The beginning is him singing and playing an acoustic guitar for the first few verses. But then, of course, the others join in and let rip. This was the first album, and most of us weren’t quite prepared for a guitar played quite like this.
If it didn’t have your attention at first, it certainly gets it when Eddie lets rip as only he could. A basic blues song that has been borrowed from John Brim and brought into the world of Eddie and the boys.
[nb7[/nb] Fudge Brownie – Lil Wayne
8
Brain Freeze – Lil Yachty
9
Ice Cream Truck – Montell Jordan
10
Sundae Driver – Pearl Jam
11
Neapolitan – Kodak Black
12
Soft Serve – Drake
13
Pistachio – Travis Scott
14
Butterscotch Ripple – Lil Uzi Vert
15
Cookies and Cream – Tyga
16
Strawberry Fields – Big Sean
17
Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough – Post Malone
18
Rainbow Sherbet – Chance the Rapper
19
Mint Chocolate Chip – Lil Nas X
20
Bubblegum – Jay-Z
21
Salted Caramel – Kendrick Lamar
22
Vanilla Bean – Eminem
23
Black Raspberry – Childish Gambino
24
Mocha Almond Fudge – Busta Rhymes
25
Peppermint Patty – J. Cole
26
Mango Sorbet – Cardi B
27
Green Tea – Future
28
Pralines and Cream – Outkast
29
Rum Raisin – Lil Kim
30
Spumoni – The Notorious B.I.G.
31
Tiramisu – Missy Elliott
32
S’mores – Megan Thee Stallion
33
Caramel Cone – Drake & Future
34
Butter Brickle – Jeezy
35
Cotton Candy – Lil Baby
36
German Chocolate – Logic & Eminem
37
Carrot Cake – Biggie Smalls
38
Chubby Hubby – Jay Rock
39
Creme Brulee – French Montana
40
Hawaiian Punch – Ludacris
41
Heath Bar – Lil Scrappy
42
Hokey Pokey – DMX
43
Maple Syrup – Lil Twist
44
Lemon Meringue – Pusha T
45
Kool-Aid – Travis Barker & Run-DMC
46
Pecan Praline – Yelawolf
47
Pineapple Upside Down Cake – DaBaby
48
Reese’s Pieces – Lil Mosey
49
Sundae Smile – Lush
50
Pistachio Almond – Lil Keed
More 75 Best Songs About Ice Cream
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- Cherry Garcia – Logic
- Rocky Mountain Road – Kanye West
- Raspberry Sorbet – Snoop Dogg
- Blueberry Cheesecake – Nicki Minaj
- Butter Pecan – Nipsey Hussle
- Dulce de Leche – Meek Mill
- Cinnamon – A$AP Rocky
- Lemon Sorbet – Rick Ross
- Orange Sherbet – T.I.
- Red Velvet – 2 Chainz
- Coffee Toffee – Wiz Khalifa
- Maple Walnut – Lil Pump
- Almond Joy – Lil Durk
- Blue Moon – Young Thug
- Birthday Cake – DJ Khaled
- Cinnamon Roll – Gucci Mane
- Coconut Cream Pie – A$AP Ferg
- Frozen Yogurt – YG
- Goo Goo Cluster – Lil Jon
- Grape Nut – Nelly
- Huckleberry – Nas
- Key Lime Pie – SZA
- Marshmallow – Lil Skies
- M&Ms – Machine Gun Kelly
- Nutter Butter – Lil Tjay
- Oreo – Lil Tecca
- Mint Julep – Duke Ellington
- Strawberry Letter 23 – The Brothers Johnson
- Dreaming Of Ice Cream – The Morning Benders
- Baskin Robbins – Jake Paul
- Sorbet – Mac DeMarco
- Butterscotch – Roy Ayers Ubiquity
- My Ice Cream Man – Rufus Thomas
- Sugar Cone – The Archies
- Nut Sundae – The Primettes
- Double Scoop – The Four Mints
- Fudge Cake – Max Roach
- Oreo Cookie Blues – Lonnie Mack
- In the Cone Zone – Yummy Bingham
- Cherry Pie – Sade
- Push-Up Man – Blind Melon
- Sweet Cream Ladies – The Box Tops
- Blueberry Hill – Fats Domino
- Chocolate Chip Cookies and Cream – Twista
- Cold Cold Ice Cream – Eddie Hope & The Mannish Boys
- Coconut – Harry Nilsson
- Freeze Tag on the Beach – Brave Combo
- Jamoca Almond Fudge – Les Brown
- Just One More Sundae – The Four Preps
- Lemon Lime – Tricky
- Licorice Stick O Ricky – Riff Ruffin
- Malted Milk – Robert Johnson
- Peaches and Cream – Beck
- Sour Milk Cow Blues – Elvis Presley
- Strawberry Ice Cream Cone – The Dick Van Dyke Show Cast
- Vanilla Sky – Paul McCartney
- You Can’t Catch Me – Chuck Berry
- Banana Pudding – Big Daddy Kane
- Blackberry Blossom – Emmylou Harris
- Chocolate City – Parliament
- Coffee and Ice Cream – The New York Dolls
- Grape Jam – The Electric Prunes
- Lemonade – Beyoncé
- Mocha Locha Cha Cha – Rosemary Clooney
- Peppermint Twist – Joey Dee & The Starliters
- Red Berry Joy Town – Paul Weller
- Vanilla Fudge – Vanilla Fudge
- Watermelon Man – Herbie Hancock
- Whipped Cream – Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass
- Blueberry Crumble – The Partridge Family
- Cherry Cherry – Neil Diamond
- Chocolate Salty Balls – Chef (South Park)
- Honeycomb – Jimmie Rodgers
- Marshmallow World – Brenda Lee
- Peaches – The Stranglers
Looking for Songs with a Theme?
We have some suggestions. Have a look at our handy articles on Songs About Fighting, Songs About Water, Songs About Walking, Songs About Bravery, the Best Songs About Friendship, and the Best Songs About Clouds for more great songs with a specific subject.
And you need to listen to all this music. So, check out our in-depth reviews of the Best Wireless Bluetooth Headphones, the Best Bluetooth Headphones for Commuting, the Best Headphones for Music, the Most Comfortable Headphones, the Best Sound Quality Earbuds, and the Best Noise Isolating Earbuds you can buy in 2023.
Best Songs About Ice Cream – Final Thoughts
Not an extensive list, just six in total. I wanted to include some classic tracks about ice cream. There were quite a few I decided not to include, but in my view, these are the best of the bunch. I also tried to include some songs with ice cream in the title that had a bit of backstory.
But as we can see, in the eyes of the composers, there is more to ice cream than flavors and sprinkles. There can be a sadder side and a contemplative element to how it affects us. And, for some, it might be the last resort after a disappointment to gain a little relief from lingering bad feelings.
Until next time, let the music play.
