If you’re going to use the word ‘that’ in a song’s Title, it’s usually a good idea to clearly tell us what ‘that’ is.  In fact, in most cases, the song will be about what ‘that’ is.

For some good examples… let’s start with Lennon & McCartney’s ‘You Can’t Do That’:

I’ve got something to say that might cause you pain
If I catch you talking to that boy again
I’m gonna let you down
And leave you flat
Because I told you before, oh
You Can’t Do That

They make it very clear – ‘That’ refers to the singer’s girlfriend messing around with another guy… and not for the first time.

George and Ira Gershwin’s classic ‘They Can’t Take That Away From Me’ is a List song – a list of what ‘That’ is.  So when we get to the Title, there’s no doubt:

The way you wear your hat
The way you sip your tea
The memory of all that – No no
They Can’t Take That Away From Me

The way your smile just beams
The way you sing off-key
The way you haunt my dreams – No no
They Can’t Take That Away From Me

Another example is the jazz standard ‘That’s All’ (Brandt/Haymes):  Again, the Verses are a list of what ‘That’ is.

I can only give you love that lasts forever
And a promise to be near each time you call
And the only heart I own
For you and you alone
That’s All, That’s All

A muddier example is ‘That Thing You Do’ (Schlesinger).  An enjoyable and mostly very well-crafted song, it’s also somewhat vague.  It starts by explaining clearly what ‘That’ is.

You, doin’ That Thing You Do
Breaking my heart into a million pieces
Like you always do

That thing you do is bad!  But wait:

Well, I try and try to forget you girl
But it’s just so hard to do
Every time you do That Thing You Do

Now ‘that thing’ sounds like something positive (NOT Breaking my heart into a million pieces).  Confusing.

It’s very possible that the writer was intentionally being ambiguous – presenting ‘That Thing You Do’ as encompassing several things, as both good and bad… or even portraying the bad as good, i.e. compelling… or maybe ‘that thing you do’ is just whatever she does…

But I think ‘having it both ways’ or ‘all ways’ usually dilutes the impact of a song.  The clarity with which the three previous songs define ‘That’ takes them further.

I’m making the case for clarity, even when (especially when?) being ambiguous.  I could be writing about almost any word, but ‘that’ and ‘it’ (even more treacherous) tend to be particularly tricky in songs.

So when ‘That’ is in the Title… let us know exactly what ‘That’ is.