Famous Songs Inspired by Literature: A Guide for Music and Book Lovers
Have you ever wondered if your favourite song was inspired by a book? You might be surprised to find out how many songs are based on literary works, from classic novels to poems to short stories. In this blog post, we will explore some of the most famous songs inspired by literature, and how they relate to their original sources. Whether you are a music lover, a book lover, or both, you will enjoy discovering the connections between these art forms.
Why Do Musicians Use Literature as Inspiration?
Literature is a rich source of inspiration for musicians, as it offers them a variety of themes, characters, plots, and emotions to draw from. Literature can also help musicians express their own feelings and opinions, or challenge their audience to think differently about a topic. Some musicians use literature as a way of paying tribute to their favourite authors, or introducing their fans to new books. Others use literature as a starting point for creating their own original stories and messages.
Literature can also influence the musical style and genre of a song. For example, some songs inspired by literature may use elements of folk, rock, pop, rap, or classical music, depending on the tone and mood of the literary work. Some songs may also use direct quotes or references from the literary work, while others may only use them as a loose inspiration.
Examples of Famous Songs Inspired by Literature
To give you some inspiration, here are some examples of famous songs inspired by literature, along with their literary sources and some interesting facts about them.
Wuthering Heights by Kate Bush
Inspired by: Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë
This song is perhaps the most famous example of a song inspired by literature, as it shares the same title and plot as Emily Brontë’s classic novel. The song is told from the perspective of Catherine Earnshaw, the heroine of the novel, who haunts her lover Heathcliff after her death. Kate Bush’s operatic voice and quirky dancing convey the eerie spirit of the novel and its Gothic setting.
Fun fact: Kate Bush and Emily Brontë share the same birthday (July 30th).
I Am the Walrus by The Beatles
Inspired by: The Walrus and the Carpenter by Lewis Carroll
This song is one of the most surreal and psychedelic songs by The Beatles, and it was partly inspired by Lewis Carroll’s nonsense poem The Walrus and the Carpenter from his book Through the Looking-Glass. The song references some of the characters and events from the poem, such as the walrus, the oysters, and the cabbages and kings. However, the song also mixes in other elements from John Lennon’s imagination, such as yellow matter custard and semolina pilchard.
Fun fact: John Lennon later regretted choosing the walrus as his alter ego in the song, as he realized that the walrus was actually the villain in Carroll’s poem.
Soma by The Strokes
Inspired by: Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
This song is based on Aldous Huxley’s dystopian novel Brave New World, in which the citizens of a futuristic society are controlled by a drug called soma. The song uses the word soma as a metaphor for addiction and escapism, and criticizes the superficial and consumerist culture of modern society. The song also features a catchy guitar riff and a minimalist style that reflects the band’s garage rock influences.
Fun fact: Soma is also the name of a muscle relaxant drug that is sometimes abused for recreational purposes.
White Rabbit by Jefferson Airplane
Inspired by: Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass by Lewis Carroll
This song is another example of a song inspired by Lewis Carroll’s fantasy novels, but with a different tone and message. The song uses the imagery and characters from the novels, such as the White Rabbit, the Caterpillar, and the Queen of Hearts, to create a psychedelic and rebellious anthem for the counterculture movement of the 1960s. The song also draws parallels between the drug-induced hallucinations of Alice and the LSD experiences of the hippies.
Fun fact: The song was banned by some radio stations for its drug references, but it became a huge hit and a classic of rock music.
Don’t Stand So Close to Me by The Police
Inspired by: Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov
This song is inspired by Vladimir Nabokov’s controversial novel Lolita, which tells the story of a middle-aged man who becomes obsessed with a 12-year-old girl. The song narrates a similar scenario, but from the perspective of a school teacher who is attracted to one of his students. The song also references some of the themes and motifs from the novel, such as temptation, guilt, and forbidden love.
Fun fact: Sting, the lead singer and songwriter of The Police, was a former teacher himself, and he claimed that he was inspired by a real-life situation he witnessed in his school.
There are many other examples of songs inspired by literature, and some of them are quite surprising. Here are a few more that you might not know:
Born to Run by Bruce Springsteen: This iconic rock anthem was inspired by Robert M. Pirsig’s philosophical novel Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, which Springsteen read in 1974. The book influenced Springsteen’s lyrical style and his quest for meaning and freedom.
Firework by Katy Perry: This pop hit was inspired by Jack Kerouac’s classic novel On the Road, which Perry read in 2008. The book inspired Perry to write a song about self-empowerment and finding your spark.
Killing an Arab by The Cure: This controversial song was inspired by Albert Camus’ existentialist novel The Stranger, which tells the story of a man who kills an Arab on a beach for no apparent reason. The song is not meant to be racist or violent, but rather to explore the themes of alienation and absurdity from the novel.
Paranoid Android by Radiohead: This alternative rock masterpiece was inspired by Douglas Adams’ sci-fi comedy novel The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, which features a depressed and sarcastic robot named Marvin the Paranoid Android. The song also references some of the events and characters from the novel, such as the Vogons and Zaphod Beeblebrox.
Ramble On by Led Zeppelin: This folk rock song was inspired by J.R.R. Tolkien’s fantasy epic The Lord of the Rings, which the band members were avid fans of. The song references some of the places and characters from the novel, such as Mordor, Gollum, and the Ring.
Conclusion
As you can see, literature can be a great source of inspiration for musicians, as it can provide them with interesting stories, characters, themes, and emotions to work with. Literature can also enrich your listening experience, as it can help you understand the meaning and context behind your favorite songs. Whether you are a fan of rock, pop, rap, or classical music, you can always find songs inspired by literature that suit your taste and mood.