7 Best Songs for Changing Gender References in the Lyrics

You love the song, but the words describe someone else. Maybe it says “her” when you want to sing about your husband, or repeats a man's name when your gift is for a woman. Changing the names, pronouns, and gender references can help a familiar song tell your own story.

The best choices have a clear phrase to personalize, words that fit the melody, and a story that suits the recipient. Think “Doctor Robert” becoming “Doctor Sophie” for a doctor, or “And I Love Her” becoming “And I Love Him” for an anniversary.

These seven songs are starting points for personalized lyric ideas. The suggested changes below are examples, rather than claims that these versions have already been recorded.

Which Songs Work Well for Changing Gender References?

1. “Doctor Robert” by The Beatles → “Doctor Sophie”

Best for: a personalized gift for a doctor.

A song that repeats a doctor's name gives you a natural place to make the gift personal. “Robert” and “Sophie” both have two syllables, making “Doctor Sophie” a promising replacement to try against the melody.

You could build the new lyrics around Sophie's medical graduation, years of caring for patients, or the support she gives her colleagues. It could also be a fun surprise at a birthday dinner or retirement celebration.

The name is only part of the change. Check the masculine pronouns and descriptions throughout the song, then update them to suit Sophie. For a sincere thank-you gift, rewrite the surrounding verses around her actual work and kindness: the original song's character and drug references are not a straightforward tribute to a caring physician.

2. “And I Love Her” by The Beatles → “And I Love Him”

Best for: an anniversary gift, wedding dedication, or romantic surprise.

This is a useful starting point when you love the melody but want the song to describe a man. “Her” and “him” each take one syllable, so the main phrase can retain its length.

Change the other pronouns too, including “she” to “he” where appropriate. Keeping the references consistent helps the song feel like one complete dedication.

You can keep the changes focused on pronouns or add a detail about your relationship. A small reference to where you met or something you have been through together may mean more than rewriting every verse.

3. “My Girl” by The Temptations → “My Guy” or “My Love”

Best for: a cheerful romantic gift or celebration.

The short, repeated title phrase makes “My Girl” a useful song to consider for a gender change. “My Guy” keeps the same syllable count, while “My Love” offers a gender-neutral option.

That repeated phrase gives the recipient several opportunities to hear the personalization. You could use it for a partner's birthday, an anniversary video, or a surprise at a reception.

Try both versions aloud before deciding. Matching the syllable count helps, but the vowel sound and the way the final word sits on the note also affect how naturally it sings.

4. “My Guy” by Mary Wells → “My Girl”

Best for: dedicating a familiar love song to a girlfriend or wife.

“My Guy” offers the reverse idea: change the central dedication to “My Girl” and review the rest of the lyrics for references that need to follow it.

This could suit a playful wedding surprise or a gift for someone who enjoys Motown. If you prefer a gender-neutral dedication, “My Love” is another phrase to test.

Although “My Guy” and “My Girl” have similar titles, they are different songs. Choose the melody and mood your recipient already enjoys, then personalize that song.

5. “Brown Eyed Girl” by Van Morrison → “Brown Eyed Boy”

Best for: a nostalgic birthday or anniversary gift.

Changing “girl” to “boy” keeps the main phrase's syllable count. You can also consider adjusting the eye color to suit the recipient, provided the new wording fits the tune.

The song's memories of a past relationship make it a starting point for a couple's story. Personal details could include where you spent time together or a place that still means something to you.

Review the full story before choosing it for a different relationship. A romantic song may need more than a pronoun change to become an appropriate dedication to a child, friend, or colleague.

6. “I Saw Her Standing There” by The Beatles → “I Saw Him Standing There”

Best for: an upbeat wedding performance or party surprise.

This song offers an energetic alternative to a slow love song. Switching “her” to “him” gives the title phrase a different subject without adding syllables.

Carry that change through the verses, including subject pronouns and references to holding hands. You can also adjust the age and meeting details to reflect your own story, checking that each new phrase fits the rhythm.

For a couple who met while dancing or at a party, that first-meeting theme gives the personalization a clear purpose.

7. “Daniel” by Elton John → “Danielle”

Best for: a family tribute, farewell, or reflective dedication.

A name change can also require changes to gender references. “Daniel” becoming “Danielle” is one possibility, with masculine pronouns and the sibling reference revised to fit the person being honored.

Both names can be spoken in two syllables, but their usual stress differs. Test the name in the sung phrase instead of assuming it will fit just because the syllable count matches.

This song has a reflective mood, so choose it when that feeling suits your message. A tribute to a sister or loved one may also call for broader changes to the song's story.

For more name-based ideas, including other songs with names built into their lyrics, explore our best songs to change names in guide.

How to Change Gender References Without Making the Lyrics Awkward

1. Choose the person and perspective. Decide whether the singer is speaking to the recipient or describing them to someone else.
2. Check every related reference. Look for names, he/she/they, him/her/them, his/her/their, and words such as boyfriend, wife, brother, or daughter.
3. Match the rhythm and natural stress. Sing each replacement over the melody. Two names with the same syllable count can still land differently.
4. Adjust the grammar. Changes involving “they” may need a different verb, such as “they are” rather than “she is.”
5. Keep the story appropriate. Review ages, relationships, and memories so the finished dedication describes the right person.

A name change, a pronoun change, and a change to the singing voice are separate choices. You can change the lyrics to describe a woman while keeping vocals matched to the original male artist, or choose a different vocal direction for your version.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you change a song from “her” to “him”?

Yes. In many phrases, “her” and “him” occupy the same number of syllables. You should also check the other pronouns and relationship references so the whole song stays consistent.

Can a song use gender-neutral lyrics?

Yes. Depending on the melody, you can use the person's name, address them as “you,” or choose words such as “my love.” Using “they” may require changes to grammar and phrasing.

Is “Doctor Sophie” a good personalized gift for a doctor?

It can be, especially if Sophie enjoys The Beatles. Replacing the repeated name in “Doctor Robert” and rewriting the surrounding lyrics about her achievements can make it personal for a graduation, birthday, or retirement.

Can I change both the name and the gender references?

Yes. List both sets of changes when planning the lyrics. For example, changing “Doctor Robert” to “Doctor Sophie” also calls for reviewing masculine pronouns and descriptions.

Can I hear the new lyrics in the original artist's voice?

SongRetold uses a professional singer to record the new words, followed by AI voice matching to the original artist's voice. Audio engineers polish the result, and you receive an MP3 of the same song with your revised lyrics.