From Brontë to Ballard, Orwell to Okri: the best songs inspired by literature – ranked! | Music
The intersection of music and literature has produced some fascinating results, with artists drawing inspiration from classic novels, poetry, and even philosophical texts. A recent look at several musical works reveals a surprising number of songs directly influenced by literary masterpieces, spanning genres from pop and rock to hip-hop and electronica.
Literary Echoes in Pop and Rock
Katy Perry’s 2010 hit “Firework” owes a debt to Jack Kerouac’s On the Road, specifically a line describing people who “burn like fabulous yellow roman candles.” Similarly, Taylor Swift, who has described herself as “your favourite English teacher,” based her song “The Bolter” on a character from Nancy Mitford’s novels. Kate Bush’s “The Sensual World” was inspired by James Joyce’s Ulysses, though she initially was denied the rights to use Joyce’s text directly, and instead translated Molly Bloom’s reverie into song.
Hip-Hop’s Literary Connections
Literary allusions aren’t limited to pop and rock. hip-hop artists have also frequently engaged with classic literature. Kendrick Lamar’s “King Kunta” references Alex Haley’s Roots, Ralph Ellison’s Invisible Man, and Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart. Black Star’s “Thieves in the Night” incorporates a passage directly from Toni Morrison’s The Bluest Eye. Killer Mike’s “Willie Burke Sherwood” intertwines references to William Golding’s Lord of the Flies with autobiographical elements.
Beyond the Mainstream
The influence extends to other genres as well. Japanese Breakfast’s “Magic Mountain” references Thomas Mann’s novel of the same name. The Cure’s “Charlotte Sometimes” takes its title and theme from Penelope Farmer’s children’s novel. Even Nirvana’s Kurt Cobain identified with the protagonist of Patrick Süskind’s Perfume, a connection evident in the repeated plea of “go away” in “Scentless Apprentice.”
From Dystopian Visions to Spiritual Journeys
The sources of inspiration are varied. David Bowie’s “We Are the Dead” reflects his ambition to adapt George Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty-Four, while The Normal’s “Warm Leatherette” draws from J.G. Ballard’s dystopian novel Crash. Radiohead’s “Street Spirit (Fade Out)” was inspired by Ben Okri’s The Famished Road. Jefferson Airplane’s “White Rabbit” famously reimagines Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, and Joy Division’s “Dead Souls” references Nikolai Gogol’s satirical novel.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the earliest example of a song inspired by literature mentioned in the article?
The earliest example is Kate Bush’s “The Sensual World” (1989), inspired by James Joyce’s Ulysses.
Which artist explicitly described their connection to literature?
Taylor Swift described herself as “your favourite English teacher,” indicating a deliberate incorporation of literary references into her songwriting.
Are there any songs inspired by novels that explore darker themes?
Yes, several songs draw from darker literary works, including Nirvana’s “Scentless Apprentice” (inspired by Patrick Süskind’s Perfume), and The Velvet Underground’s “Venus in Furs” (inspired by Leopold Von Sacher-Masoch’s novel).
Given the long history of artists finding inspiration in literature, what new and unexpected connections between music and the written word might emerge in the future?