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The Morning Show - With Jill Riley

Coffee Break: S-P-E-L-L-I-N-G songs

Katie Collins, 13, of Terre Haute, Ind., spells her word during the preliminary round two of the Scripps National Spelling Bee in National Harbor, Md., Wednesday, May 25, 2016.
Katie Collins, 13, of Terre Haute, Ind., spells her word during the preliminary round two of the Scripps National Spelling Bee in National Harbor, Md., Wednesday, May 25, 2016. Cliff Owen/AP

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by Mac Wilson

May 31, 2023

The Scripps National Spelling Bee is held each year in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area during the week after Memorial Day weekend. It’s a great time to highlight the joy of spelling out words — but in song.

When songwriters use the device of spelling, it can create extra emphasis, encourage a sing-along, bring humor to the song, or all of the above. It can be catchy, brainy, and sometimes irresistible.

For today’s 9:30 Coffee Break, which songs featuring s-p-e-l-l-i-n-g should we play?

Respond with your song ideas in the comments below.

Have an idea for a Coffee Break topic? Submit your idea for a future theme and browse past Coffee Breaks in our archive.

Songs Played
Bay City Rollers - Saturday Night
Justice - D.A.N.C.E.
Bo Diddley - I'm a Man
Gwen Stefani - Hollaback Girl
Pixies - Velouria
Hot Chip - Over and Over
Sugarhill Gang - Rapper's Delight
IDLES - Danny Nedelko (bonus)