We have all heard of Wizard Rock, but what about songs based off other books? Here at Hypable we love our books and we love our music, so what could be better than songs inspired by books we loved to read? Here we share 10 of our favourite lit-rock numbers.
Our first five on the list are songs inspired by works of literature throughout history, but the second page is dedicated specifically to artists that wanted to pay homage to the Bard himself, William Shakespeare. Enjoy!
FIVE LIT-ROCK SONGS
All the cool kids are doing these days are writing songs about nerdy things, see Wizard Rock, Time Lord Wrock and the huge span of Youtube artists pennings songs about their favourite books. We have tried to avoid the Youtube sphere, best to browse that yourself, but here are five great songs that you may not have realized were inspired by books you know.
‘Wuthering Heights’ by Kate Bush, Covered by Josh Pyke
Inspiration: ‘Wuthering Heights’ by Emily Brontë
Okay so, you’ll know this one. This classic song was written by English songstress Kate Bush in 1978. While many regard Bush to be the queen of the lit-rock genre, and her original recording of the song is a must-listen to for, you know, everyone, we couldn’t go past Pyke’s stripped-back reinterpretation of the song. Both are a beautiful tribute to a classic novel.
‘In Like a Lion (Always Winter)’ by Relient K
Inspiration: ‘The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe’ by C.S. Lewis
A hopeful, gently alternative song about one of the literary classics. Released on the band’s 2005 “Apathetic” EP, it draws it’s lyrics from the second book in the Narnia series. Lyrics such as “it’s always winter, but never Christmas” convey the feelings of those trapped within Narnia during this time, while hope lingers in the form of Aslan.
‘Julian Carax’ by The Novel Ideas
Inspiration: ‘The Shadow of the Wind’ by Carlos Ruiz Zafón
This folk rock song takes it’s title from the character within the novel who represents the devil, however it is told from the perspective of protagonist Daniel. Half-melancholy lament, half-love story, the song captures the internal turmoil Daniel faces when he possesses a book which puts his life, and the lives of those around him, in danger.
‘For Hazel and Augustus’ by Camila
Inspiration: ‘The Fault In Our Stars’ by John Green
Okay okay, Youtube, we know. Let’s preface this by saying there are hundreds of beautiful Youtube songs dedicated to Green’s latest novel, we just fell in love with Camila’s layered harmonies and delightful lyrics. Use this as your jumping off point to listen to all of the other songs out there.
‘White Rabbit’ by Jefferson Airplane, Covered by Emiliana Torrini
Inspiration: ‘Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland’ and ‘Through the Looking-Glass’ by Lewis Carroll
You may recognize Torrini’s pop-rock cover from the Suckerpunch soundtrack, but did you know it was an original song by Jefferson Airplane, released on their 1967 album “Surrealistic Pillow”? It might mix up the Queen of Hearts and the Red Queen, yet from the white rabbit of the title, to the caterpillar and the doormouse, this song is one giant Lewis Carroll tribute.
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.