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Well, there are many romantic rock n’ roll songs, not all rock songs are about romance and love. Some lyrics suggest violence, possession, obsession, death and even murder. Let’s take a ride on rock’s darker side.
P.S. If you like the idea behind this article, you can check out the sequel called "4 Psycho Rock Songs Feat. Def Leppard, Talking Heads, Bon Jovi and The Smiths".
I thought the vibe and the title are appropirate. Image via: http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images
Nick Cave featuring Kylie Minogue- Where The Wild Roses Grow
Recorded in 1995, this is Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds’ most popular song. Front man Nick Cave shares vocals with fellow Australian Kylie Minogue. So how psychotic is this song? While the music and singing are relaxing and beautiful, the lyrics are not exactly suitable for children:
The beginning of the song depicts the first two days of harmless flirting. But do pay attention to day 3.
“ On the third day he took me to the river
He showed me the roses and we kissed And the last thing I heard was a muttered word
As he stood smiling above me with a rock in his fist
On the last day I took her where the wild roses grow
And she lay on the bank, the wind light as a thief As I kissed her goodbye, I said, 'All beauty must die'
And lent down and planted a rose between her teeth”
The Police- Every Breath You Take
While a person with 0 cynicism might find this song very romantic, some might feel this song suggests obsession and possession, rather than love and affection. What do you think?
"Every breath you take and every move you make
Every bond you break Every step you take, I'll be watching you Every single day and every word you say Every game you play Every night you stay, I'll be watching you Oh can't you see you belong to me? How my poor heart aches with every step you take Every move you make and every vow you break Every smile you fake Every claim you stake, I'll be watching you Since you've gone I've been lost without a trace I dream at night I can only see your face I look around but it's you I can't replace I feel so cold and I long for your embrace
I keep crying baby, baby please
Oh can't you see you belong to me?
How my poor heart aches with every step you take Every move you make And every vow you break Every smile you fake Every claim you stake, I'll be watching you Every move you make Every step you take, I'll be watching you, I'll be watching you Every breath you take Every move you make Every bond you break
Every step you take, I'll be watching you"
Def Leppard- Two Steps Behind
This song is from Def Leppard’s Retro Active album.
Being the romantic that I am, I have always found this song very sweet. I even used it in a very emotional scene that showed us how deeply in love was the couple. However, there might be a problem if the person being sung about doesn’t know the person who’s dedicating the song. Then the song might just get a stalking vibe.
"Walk away if you want to
it's ok, if you need to you can run, but you can never hide From the shadow that's creeping up beside you There's a magic running through your soul
But you can't have it all
(Whatever you do)
I'll be two steps behind you (Wherever you go) and I'll be there to remind you that it only takes a minute of your precious time
to turn around and I'll be two steps behind."
Guns N' Roses- Used to Love Her
This song is from 1988 and is released in the Lies album. The lyrics don’t really need interpretation.
“I used to love her, but I had to kill her
I used to love her, but I had to kill her I had to put her Six feet under
And I can still hear her complain
I used to love her, but I had to kill her I used to love her, but I had to kill her I knew I miss her So I had to keep her
She's buried right in my back yard
I used to love her, but I had to kill her I used to love her, but I had to kill her She bitched so much She drove me nuts
And now I'm happier this way”
Metallica- Die, Die My Darling
While the original song belongs to The Misfits, I first heard the song from Metallica and it is great for releasing some anger.
“Die, die, die my darling
Don't utter a single word Die, die, die my darling Just shut your pretty eyes I'll be seeing you again
Yeah, I'll be seeing you, in hell
So don't cry to me oh baby
Your future's in an oblong box Don't cry to me oh baby You should have seen it a-coming on Don't cry to me oh baby Had to know it was in your card Don't cry to me oh baby Dead-end soul for a dead-end girl Don't cry to me oh baby And now your life drains on the floor
Don't cry to me oh baby
Die, die, die my darling
Don't utter a single word Die, die, die my darling Just shut your pretty mouth I'll be seeing you again, yeah-yeah
I'll be seeing you, in hell`
Resources:
http://www.azlyrics.com
Lyricsfreak.com
lyrics007.com
darklyrics.com
OMG... Die die my darling sounds like Punk to me!!
and I always liked every breath you take but now you made me think he was a stalker! LOL
Yeah, I definitely agree. These lyrics are not all so romantic. Out of all these bands, my favorite would be 'The Police'. In regards to this Police tune you posted, I think it is about obsession. Although, I could be wrong. I've always really got into that trio and the melody in this Police tune is really smooth and classic pop. Cool write and great listening.
@Stacey: I thought about adding it but I wasn't sure about its genre:) But yeah, I was singing it when I wrote this;) @ Punk? seriously?:)
@lisa: well, he is a bit of a stalker :))) @ Richard: I suppose they have been a bit of a pop-rock band, haven't they. Yep, he is obsessed. And I'm not sure if he is harmless:D
That's funny, Pinhar! I've never realized that 'Every Breath You Take' was a tune relative to obsession until a you mentioned it. I always liked the melody and never really read into the lyrics, so you're spot on. But, 'The Police' really rocked, too. I think my favorite is Zenyadda Mendatta, although it's still a tough call considering the first 3 are awesome, too. Anyhow, cool article!
Sending you some page love!
Sting said that he wrote the antedote to "Every Breath you Take" with "If you love somebody, set them free" on Dream of the Blue Turtles.
This really really alsome u should check it out its da bomb :)
Thanks for the fun read, Pinar. I was listening to the Talking Heads' "Psycho Killer" when this title came through my inbox!