FIVE SONGS INSPIRED BY SHAKESPEARE
While they’re not technically books, the works of Shakespeare comprise some of the greatest elements of English literature, and have proved inspiring to many songwriters. We couldn’t resist sharing five of our favourite songs, inspired by the Bard himself.
‘Strange and Beautiful’ by Aqualung
Inspiration: ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’
A song taking inspiration from the actions of the mischievous Puck when he attempts to play Cupid. The chorus, “And when I wake you I’ll be the first thing you see / And you’ll realize that you love me” recalls the way our four silly love-birds fall asleep, and wake falling in love with whoever they see first, though as the song attests, “Sometimes the last thing you want comes in first” and you fall in love with the wrong person.
‘Roll Away Your Stone’ by Mumford and Sons
Inspiration: ‘Macbeth’
Released on the band’s debut album “Sigh No More”, which itself is a line taken from Much Ado About Nothing, the song lifts the first line of the chorus almost verbatim from the play, singing “Stars hide your fires / And these here are my desires”. Band leader Marcus Mumford has even stated in an interview that “you can rip off Shakespeare all you like; no lawyer’s going to call you up on that one.” Fair enough Marcus, fair enough.
‘Bed of Nails’ by Wild Beasts
Inspiration: ‘Hamlet’
This is a sneaky double reference, not only do Wild Beasts manage to pay homage to Hamlet, they also sneak in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. A sort-of love song to Ophelia, the narrator lists the things he would do for her, while using Frankenstein to inspire the electric connection between them. Indie-folk heaven and Shakespeare to boot, what’s not to love?
‘Pound of Flesh’ by Regina Spektor
Inspiration: ‘The Merchant of Venice’
Spektor is a bit of a lit-rock princess herself, and manages to slip in references to American poet Ezra Pound, as well as to Shakespeare’s tragic comedy. In the play, moneylender Shylock sets the bond price of a loan as a pound of flesh, as reflected in both the title and at numerous points throughout the song. You could still enjoy this song without understanding the references, but it’s just so much more fun this way.
‘Hey There Ophelia’ by MC Lars
Inspiration: ‘Hamlet’
This one is a little silly, but give us fun rap song that compares Ophelia to Amy Winehouse, and manages to work in the word “pugnacious,” and we are sold. Give it a listen, you may recognize some samples from other well known songs, and before you realize you’ll be singing along with the Emo!Ophelia chorus. Whoever said Shakespeare was boring?
Of course, these aren’t the only lit-rock songs out there. Bands like The Decemberists and Led Zeppelin are famous for throwing these kinds of references into almost every song, and they are always fun to catch.
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