And Cain rose up...
September 30, 2011 6:47 PM Subscribe
I'm looking for any and all songs about murder and murderers.
I'm trying to build a Spotify playlist themed around murder. I have a pretty good start, but I need more suggestions. Any genre/style/era of music is fine. I do prefer songs that seem to tell a story, but if it's a really great song relating to murder that's not exactly a story, I'd still like to know about it.
Songs about self-murder (suicide) don't really fit my criteria unless they also contain a murder. So "Don't Fear The Reaper" doesn't really fit, but "Wedding List" by Kate Bush does.
It's a plus if it's available on Spotify, but not absolutely necessary.
*If you want the link to this Spotify playlist, feel free to memail me. I figured linking to it would break the self-link rule.
**Disclaimer: I am interested in this purely from a musical/artistic/intellectual standpoint, not because I plan to murder or otherwise harm anyone. Today.
I'm trying to build a Spotify playlist themed around murder. I have a pretty good start, but I need more suggestions. Any genre/style/era of music is fine. I do prefer songs that seem to tell a story, but if it's a really great song relating to murder that's not exactly a story, I'd still like to know about it.
Songs about self-murder (suicide) don't really fit my criteria unless they also contain a murder. So "Don't Fear The Reaper" doesn't really fit, but "Wedding List" by Kate Bush does.
It's a plus if it's available on Spotify, but not absolutely necessary.
*If you want the link to this Spotify playlist, feel free to memail me. I figured linking to it would break the self-link rule.
**Disclaimer: I am interested in this purely from a musical/artistic/intellectual standpoint, not because I plan to murder or otherwise harm anyone. Today.
Best answer: Long Black Veil, either the original Lefty Frizzell version, or any of the numerous covers. It's really more about the man falsely accused of the murder, but it does contain a murder.
In an almost identical vein, The Night that the Lights Went Out in Georgia.
Why yes, I do like country songs about people falsely accused of murder.
posted by Bulgaroktonos at 6:52 PM on September 30, 2011 [2 favorites]
In an almost identical vein, The Night that the Lights Went Out in Georgia.
Why yes, I do like country songs about people falsely accused of murder.
posted by Bulgaroktonos at 6:52 PM on September 30, 2011 [2 favorites]
Best answer: The Jam's Down in the Tube Station at Midnight and Mr T Experience's Deep Deep Down (which is actually pretty creepy).
posted by kendrak at 6:52 PM on September 30, 2011
posted by kendrak at 6:52 PM on September 30, 2011
Ack, sorry about the formatting.
posted by Bulgaroktonos at 6:53 PM on September 30, 2011
posted by Bulgaroktonos at 6:53 PM on September 30, 2011
Best answer: There are several Decemberists songs; The Rake's Song stands out.
I think Colin Meloy has issues.
posted by supercres at 6:54 PM on September 30, 2011
I think Colin Meloy has issues.
posted by supercres at 6:54 PM on September 30, 2011
Best answer: List of murder ballads on Wikipedia (My pick of these would be the Louvin Brothers version of Knoxville Girl, although Nick Cave has done it as well if you wanted to go that way.)
posted by Lorin at 6:55 PM on September 30, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by Lorin at 6:55 PM on September 30, 2011 [1 favorite]
Nick Cave has a whole album for you.
posted by michaelh at 6:56 PM on September 30, 2011 [6 favorites]
posted by michaelh at 6:56 PM on September 30, 2011 [6 favorites]
Another creepy one, Hasil Adkins' No More Hot Dogs.
posted by kendrak at 6:57 PM on September 30, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by kendrak at 6:57 PM on September 30, 2011 [1 favorite]
The list of murder in Hip Hop songs is pretty long. There's some really good ones though.
I Gave You Power and Undying Love by Nas and Somebody's Got to Die by Biggie, for example.
posted by milarepa at 6:58 PM on September 30, 2011 [1 favorite]
I Gave You Power and Undying Love by Nas and Somebody's Got to Die by Biggie, for example.
posted by milarepa at 6:58 PM on September 30, 2011 [1 favorite]
"Don't Fear The Reaper"-Blue Oyster Cult
"American Pie"-Don McLean
"Suicide Solution"-Ozzy Osbourne
"Knoxville Girl" Louvin Brothers
"Stagger Lee" by any of the jillions who've covered it.
"You Kill Me"-Peter Frampton
The Curse of Millhaven - Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds
"Guns R Us"-Accept
Snoop Dogg-"Murder Was the Case"
Dead Kennedys-"I Kill Children"
Beatles-"Yer Blues"
PM Dawn-"Die Without You"
Pink Floyd-"The Great Gig In The Sky"
Hall and Oates-"Maneater"
"The End"-The Doors
"Broken Heroes"-Saxon
"Beyond The Realms Of Death"-Judas Priest
AC/DC - "Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap"
"One"-Metallica
"Woman in the Wall" by the Beautiful South
"I Die,You Die"-Gary Numan
posted by Ideefixe at 6:58 PM on September 30, 2011
"American Pie"-Don McLean
"Suicide Solution"-Ozzy Osbourne
"Knoxville Girl" Louvin Brothers
"Stagger Lee" by any of the jillions who've covered it.
"You Kill Me"-Peter Frampton
The Curse of Millhaven - Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds
"Guns R Us"-Accept
Snoop Dogg-"Murder Was the Case"
Dead Kennedys-"I Kill Children"
Beatles-"Yer Blues"
PM Dawn-"Die Without You"
Pink Floyd-"The Great Gig In The Sky"
Hall and Oates-"Maneater"
"The End"-The Doors
"Broken Heroes"-Saxon
"Beyond The Realms Of Death"-Judas Priest
AC/DC - "Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap"
"One"-Metallica
"Woman in the Wall" by the Beautiful South
"I Die,You Die"-Gary Numan
posted by Ideefixe at 6:58 PM on September 30, 2011
Best answer: The soundtrack to the movie 'Dead Man Walking' is a whole collection of songs about crime, punishment, guilt, retribution, and execution. It's a tremendous compilation on its own, but a couple of the songs are specifically about murder.
posted by Multicellular Exothermic at 6:58 PM on September 30, 2011
posted by Multicellular Exothermic at 6:58 PM on September 30, 2011
Best answer: All Bob Dylan:
Only a Pawn in Their Game
The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll
The Death of Emmet Till
Hurricane
posted by Houstonian at 6:59 PM on September 30, 2011
Only a Pawn in Their Game
The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll
The Death of Emmet Till
Hurricane
posted by Houstonian at 6:59 PM on September 30, 2011
Black Eyed Man and Murder, Tonight in the Trailer Park, both by the Cowboy Junkies. The Perfect Crime by the Jesus and Mary Chain
posted by crush-onastick at 6:59 PM on September 30, 2011
posted by crush-onastick at 6:59 PM on September 30, 2011
Best answer: The Lily of the West. My favourite version is by Mark Knopfler, from the Chieftains album The Long Black Veil.
posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 7:00 PM on September 30, 2011
posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 7:00 PM on September 30, 2011
Best answer: Delia's Gone (an old classic)
John Finn's Wife -- Nick Cave
posted by kestrel251 at 7:00 PM on September 30, 2011 [1 favorite]
John Finn's Wife -- Nick Cave
posted by kestrel251 at 7:00 PM on September 30, 2011 [1 favorite]
Best answer: I thought of some more:
Papa Loved Mama, a mediocre Garth Brooks song, I wouldn't recommend it, but it's about a murder.
Turn It On, Turn It On, Turn It On by Tom T. Hall is pretty good.
Cocaine Blues done by a bunch of people, but done best by Johnny Cash(as it often the case).
posted by Bulgaroktonos at 7:01 PM on September 30, 2011
Papa Loved Mama, a mediocre Garth Brooks song, I wouldn't recommend it, but it's about a murder.
Turn It On, Turn It On, Turn It On by Tom T. Hall is pretty good.
Cocaine Blues done by a bunch of people, but done best by Johnny Cash(as it often the case).
posted by Bulgaroktonos at 7:01 PM on September 30, 2011
Best answer: The Ballad of Hollis Brown, by Nina Simone (a Dylan song, but I'm linking to Simone's because it's preternatural)
posted by Flunkie at 7:02 PM on September 30, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by Flunkie at 7:02 PM on September 30, 2011 [1 favorite]
Best answer: There are a ton of old folk songs about murderin'. Like:
Tom Dooley
Stagger Lee
Frankie & Johnny
Down in the Willow Garden/Rose Connelly
Moody River
Banks of Ohio
Little Sadie
posted by gnutron at 7:04 PM on September 30, 2011 [1 favorite]
Tom Dooley
Stagger Lee
Frankie & Johnny
Down in the Willow Garden/Rose Connelly
Moody River
Banks of Ohio
Little Sadie
posted by gnutron at 7:04 PM on September 30, 2011 [1 favorite]
I got a lot of applicable answers in this thread: "What is your alibi? I am looking for songs about people being put to death for crimes that someone else committed."
posted by k8lin at 7:04 PM on September 30, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by k8lin at 7:04 PM on September 30, 2011 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Sniper, about the 1966 University of Texas massacre.
posted by Lokheed at 7:06 PM on September 30, 2011
posted by Lokheed at 7:06 PM on September 30, 2011
John Wayne Gacy, Jr., by Sufjan Stevens.
posted by mlle valentine at 7:09 PM on September 30, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by mlle valentine at 7:09 PM on September 30, 2011 [1 favorite]
Woah, the version of "Whiskey in the Jar" that I linked above skips the verse with the murderin'! He killls Captain Sparrow, I promise!
posted by kestrel251 at 7:09 PM on September 30, 2011
posted by kestrel251 at 7:09 PM on September 30, 2011
Unsolved Child Murder - The Auteurs
posted by WhitenoisE at 7:10 PM on September 30, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by WhitenoisE at 7:10 PM on September 30, 2011 [1 favorite]
Nick Cave actually has a whole album of Murder Ballads.
posted by kestrel251 at 7:11 PM on September 30, 2011 [2 favorites]
posted by kestrel251 at 7:11 PM on September 30, 2011 [2 favorites]
Jenny Was a Friend of Mine or any part of the Killers' Murder Trilogy?
posted by pointystick at 7:14 PM on September 30, 2011
posted by pointystick at 7:14 PM on September 30, 2011
I Don't Like Mondays, The Boomtown Rats
posted by Flunkie at 7:15 PM on September 30, 2011 [3 favorites]
posted by Flunkie at 7:15 PM on September 30, 2011 [3 favorites]
Garth Brooks' "The Thunder Rolls" is a song about a woman who kills her cheating husband...but you'd have to find a copy of the unedited version of the song (the last verse, which was cut out of the song originally, details how she gets a gun and shoots him as he's coming back home from a tryst.
Not about murder specifically, but Eminem's "Love the Way You Lie" has this line:
"If she ever tries to f*****n leave again,
I'm gonna tie her to the bed and set this house on fire."
posted by Telpethoron at 7:16 PM on September 30, 2011
Not about murder specifically, but Eminem's "Love the Way You Lie" has this line:
"If she ever tries to f*****n leave again,
I'm gonna tie her to the bed and set this house on fire."
posted by Telpethoron at 7:16 PM on September 30, 2011
Any of the versions of Mack the Knife, although the less-poppy version is darker.
posted by restless_nomad at 7:17 PM on September 30, 2011 [2 favorites]
posted by restless_nomad at 7:17 PM on September 30, 2011 [2 favorites]
Best answer: Don't take me alive, by Steely Dan.
Possum Kingdom, by the Toadies.
posted by Pogo_Fuzzybutt at 7:17 PM on September 30, 2011
Possum Kingdom, by the Toadies.
posted by Pogo_Fuzzybutt at 7:17 PM on September 30, 2011
Best answer: What? No one's listed Hey Joe yet.
There's also Rocky Raccoon and Take the Money and Run
posted by Webnym at 7:17 PM on September 30, 2011
There's also Rocky Raccoon and Take the Money and Run
posted by Webnym at 7:17 PM on September 30, 2011
It's mostly more war death than murder death, but Let England Shake is death as fuck... and includes The Words That Maketh Murder.
posted by Artw at 7:19 PM on September 30, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by Artw at 7:19 PM on September 30, 2011 [1 favorite]
There's also "Good Girls" by Tim McGraw:
Next morning the paper read,
"Two Killed In a Fatal Crash"
The train never had time to stop
They were parked right on the tracks
The only witness was
A weeping willow on a foggy hill
When Jessie told Jenny
"Hey, if I can't have him neither one of us will."
posted by Telpethoron at 7:21 PM on September 30, 2011
Next morning the paper read,
"Two Killed In a Fatal Crash"
The train never had time to stop
They were parked right on the tracks
The only witness was
A weeping willow on a foggy hill
When Jessie told Jenny
"Hey, if I can't have him neither one of us will."
posted by Telpethoron at 7:21 PM on September 30, 2011
In fact I'd pretty much say pick up any random Tom Waits, PJ Harvey or Nick Cave album and you'll get a fair degree of murder... which makes my record collection murdertastic, obviously.
posted by Artw at 7:21 PM on September 30, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by Artw at 7:21 PM on September 30, 2011 [1 favorite]
Best answer: I haven't checked all the lists posted, but I did do a find on the thread and haven't seen it mentioned by name: Cole Porter's Miss Otis Regrets is a classic.
posted by trip and a half at 7:39 PM on September 30, 2011
posted by trip and a half at 7:39 PM on September 30, 2011
Best answer: Lorca's Novena, The Pogues
Dreadful Wind and Rain, Jerry Garcia and David Grisman (traditional)
El Paso, Marty Robbins
The Old Woman from Wexford, Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem (traditional, I think) - if attempted murder counts
Murder by Numbers, The Police
Down by the River, Neil Young
posted by Flunkie at 7:39 PM on September 30, 2011
Dreadful Wind and Rain, Jerry Garcia and David Grisman (traditional)
El Paso, Marty Robbins
The Old Woman from Wexford, Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem (traditional, I think) - if attempted murder counts
Murder by Numbers, The Police
Down by the River, Neil Young
posted by Flunkie at 7:39 PM on September 30, 2011
"Maxwell's Silver Hammer"
Back in school again Maxwell plays the fool again.
Teacher gets annoyed.
Wishing to avoid an unpleasant scene,
She tells Max to stay when the class has gone away,
So he waits behind
Writing fifty times "I must not be so --"
But when she turns her back on the boy,
He creeps up from behind.
Bang! Bang! Maxwell's silver hammer
Came down upon her head.
Clang! Clang! Maxwell's silver hammer
Made sure that she was dead.
posted by foursentences at 7:42 PM on September 30, 2011 [3 favorites]
Back in school again Maxwell plays the fool again.
Teacher gets annoyed.
Wishing to avoid an unpleasant scene,
She tells Max to stay when the class has gone away,
So he waits behind
Writing fifty times "I must not be so --"
But when she turns her back on the boy,
He creeps up from behind.
Bang! Bang! Maxwell's silver hammer
Came down upon her head.
Clang! Clang! Maxwell's silver hammer
Made sure that she was dead.
posted by foursentences at 7:42 PM on September 30, 2011 [3 favorites]
Steve Earle: Billy and Bonnie
The Clash: Somebody Got Murdered (not one of their best efforts...)
What about Janie's Got a Gun? Or, if we're doing '80s hair metal, 18 and Life?
posted by craichead at 7:44 PM on September 30, 2011
The Clash: Somebody Got Murdered (not one of their best efforts...)
What about Janie's Got a Gun? Or, if we're doing '80s hair metal, 18 and Life?
posted by craichead at 7:44 PM on September 30, 2011
Elvis Costello's cover of Leon Payne's Psycho is a favourite of mine. You know, in the way that you can really like a song about a guy that kills his ex, her dance partner, a coffee cup, his brother, his brother's puppy, a little girl and possibly his mother by the end of the song.
posted by peagood at 7:54 PM on September 30, 2011 [2 favorites]
posted by peagood at 7:54 PM on September 30, 2011 [2 favorites]
Murder Incorporated -Bruce Springsteen
posted by get off of my cloud at 7:58 PM on September 30, 2011
posted by get off of my cloud at 7:58 PM on September 30, 2011
Dunno if killing in self-defense counts, but "Caleb Meyer" by Gillian Welch.
posted by ROU_Xenophobe at 8:03 PM on September 30, 2011 [2 favorites]
posted by ROU_Xenophobe at 8:03 PM on September 30, 2011 [2 favorites]
Best answer: The Big Fellah, Black 47
Blood Wedding, Black 47
Abraham, Martin, and John, Dion
In the Name of Love, U2
The Ballad of the Lawson Family, some guy on YouTube (traditional)
Twighlight Zone, Golden Earring
State Trooper, Bruce Springsteen
Nebraska, Bruce Springsteen
Johnny 99, Bruce Springsteen
posted by Flunkie at 8:03 PM on September 30, 2011
Blood Wedding, Black 47
Abraham, Martin, and John, Dion
In the Name of Love, U2
The Ballad of the Lawson Family, some guy on YouTube (traditional)
Twighlight Zone, Golden Earring
State Trooper, Bruce Springsteen
Nebraska, Bruce Springsteen
Johnny 99, Bruce Springsteen
posted by Flunkie at 8:03 PM on September 30, 2011
Chris & Cosey - Dr. John (Sleeping Stephen)
Severed Heads - Dead Eyes Opened
posted by Sys Rq at 8:09 PM on September 30, 2011
Severed Heads - Dead Eyes Opened
posted by Sys Rq at 8:09 PM on September 30, 2011
Click Click - The Sack (a remix on Wet Skin Curious Eye) and the original which doesn't sound anything like the remix.
posted by squeak at 8:16 PM on September 30, 2011
posted by squeak at 8:16 PM on September 30, 2011
Forgot to mention, it's about Lennon's murder...
posted by Exchequer at 8:26 PM on September 30, 2011
posted by Exchequer at 8:26 PM on September 30, 2011
Sam Hall, Johnny Cash (traditional)
Highway Patrolman, Bruce Springsteen
posted by Flunkie at 8:28 PM on September 30, 2011
Highway Patrolman, Bruce Springsteen
posted by Flunkie at 8:28 PM on September 30, 2011
William Bloat, Tommy Makem (traditional? not sure) - if attempted murder counts
posted by Flunkie at 8:32 PM on September 30, 2011
posted by Flunkie at 8:32 PM on September 30, 2011
Best answer: shankill butchers and the rake's song by the decemberists
little amsterdam by tori amos
posted by thisness at 8:33 PM on September 30, 2011
little amsterdam by tori amos
posted by thisness at 8:33 PM on September 30, 2011
Best answer: 38 Years Old - The Tragically Hip (As far as I know there was never a video made for this song.)
posted by googlebombed at 8:34 PM on September 30, 2011
posted by googlebombed at 8:34 PM on September 30, 2011
Sixteen Men on a Dead Man's Chest
posted by Multicellular Exothermic at 8:35 PM on September 30, 2011
posted by Multicellular Exothermic at 8:35 PM on September 30, 2011
Best answer: Whoops--now with links.
Little Amsterdam, Tori Amos
The Rake's Song, Decemberists
Shankhill Butchers, Decemberists
posted by thisness at 8:50 PM on September 30, 2011
Little Amsterdam, Tori Amos
The Rake's Song, Decemberists
Shankhill Butchers, Decemberists
posted by thisness at 8:50 PM on September 30, 2011
Old 97's, Por Favor (sorry about the lousy audio, it's all I could find).
Social Distortion, 99 to Life
posted by SomeTrickPony at 9:02 PM on September 30, 2011
Social Distortion, 99 to Life
posted by SomeTrickPony at 9:02 PM on September 30, 2011
Watching the Detectives, by Elvis Costello
posted by overglow at 9:12 PM on September 30, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by overglow at 9:12 PM on September 30, 2011 [1 favorite]
I can't believe nobody has suggested "murderer" by Buju banton.
posted by slateyness at 9:22 PM on September 30, 2011
posted by slateyness at 9:22 PM on September 30, 2011
Best answer: Deep Red Bells, by Neko Case - about the Green River Killer.
posted by Bourbonesque at 9:27 PM on September 30, 2011 [2 favorites]
posted by Bourbonesque at 9:27 PM on September 30, 2011 [2 favorites]
Best answer: Might not count since it's "only" wishing death in explicit detail upon an ex and her new lover, but Shellac's infamous "Prayer to God" sorta comes to mind (and nthing PJ/Nick Cave's "Henry Lee", Kristin Hersh's murder-themed album, the Gacy song, and "Caleb Meyer").
posted by ifjuly at 9:30 PM on September 30, 2011
posted by ifjuly at 9:30 PM on September 30, 2011
The back story behind the Boom Town Rats' "I Don't Like Mondays" is fucking chilling.
I was thinking, "Watching The Detectives" by Elvis Costello.
posted by jbenben at 9:33 PM on September 30, 2011
I was thinking, "Watching The Detectives" by Elvis Costello.
posted by jbenben at 9:33 PM on September 30, 2011
Best answer: Arlene by The Handsome Family
(You were singing, please let me go, all the way down to Miller's cave.)
posted by Bighappyfunhouse at 9:43 PM on September 30, 2011
(You were singing, please let me go, all the way down to Miller's cave.)
posted by Bighappyfunhouse at 9:43 PM on September 30, 2011
Best answer: LOW
Don't act so innocent
I've seen you pound your fist into the earth
And I've read your book
posted by Winnemac at 9:48 PM on September 30, 2011
Don't act so innocent
I've seen you pound your fist into the earth
And I've read your book
posted by Winnemac at 9:48 PM on September 30, 2011
"Oh Marlon" by Schvendes is a great song about murderer. The murderer's lover asks why he does it, and he replies with: "every man needs a hobby"... it's all in the delivery I guess.
Can only find a live version on Youtube but it's pretty decent quality, and the original version is on iTunes.
posted by indienial at 10:18 PM on September 30, 2011
Can only find a live version on Youtube but it's pretty decent quality, and the original version is on iTunes.
posted by indienial at 10:18 PM on September 30, 2011
Ode to Billy Joe
(What he threw off the bridge was a baby. I suppose you could think of it as a "post birth abortion", but to the law it was murder.)
posted by Chocolate Pickle at 10:31 PM on September 30, 2011
(What he threw off the bridge was a baby. I suppose you could think of it as a "post birth abortion", but to the law it was murder.)
posted by Chocolate Pickle at 10:31 PM on September 30, 2011
Best answer: Country: the night the lights went out in Georgia.
Rock alternative: concrete blonde's God is a bullet
posted by Ys at 10:39 PM on September 30, 2011 [1 favorite]
Rock alternative: concrete blonde's God is a bullet
posted by Ys at 10:39 PM on September 30, 2011 [1 favorite]
You Only Want Me Cause You Want My Sister - Evelyn Evelyn
Yeah! Oh Yeah! - The Magnetic Fields
posted by yellowbinder at 11:04 PM on September 30, 2011
Yeah! Oh Yeah! - The Magnetic Fields
posted by yellowbinder at 11:04 PM on September 30, 2011
"Cell Block Tango" - Velma and the Murdresses, Chicago
posted by yellowbinder at 11:10 PM on September 30, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by yellowbinder at 11:10 PM on September 30, 2011 [1 favorite]
Work of the Devil - Bob Wayne and His Outlaw Carnies
posted by Seamus at 11:18 PM on September 30, 2011
posted by Seamus at 11:18 PM on September 30, 2011
'97 Bonnie and Clyde - Eminem
Bonus Tori Amos version.
I'll stop now.
posted by yellowbinder at 11:18 PM on September 30, 2011
Bonus Tori Amos version.
I'll stop now.
posted by yellowbinder at 11:18 PM on September 30, 2011
Ella Speed: My favorite version is by Mance Lipscomb (it's the second song on this Youtube video).
posted by FLAG (BASTARD WATER.) (Acorus Adulterinus.) at 11:50 PM on September 30, 2011
posted by FLAG (BASTARD WATER.) (Acorus Adulterinus.) at 11:50 PM on September 30, 2011
I see Pogo_Fuzzybutt's "Don't Take Me Alive," and I raise: "With A Gun."
posted by thejoshu at 11:55 PM on September 30, 2011
posted by thejoshu at 11:55 PM on September 30, 2011
Tom Waits. Murder in the Red Barn.
Based on this murder.
Also many other Tom Waits songs.
posted by St. Sorryass at 11:56 PM on September 30, 2011
Based on this murder.
Also many other Tom Waits songs.
posted by St. Sorryass at 11:56 PM on September 30, 2011
My personal favourite in this theme is Clannad's Two Sisters.
posted by fearnothing at 12:38 AM on October 1, 2011
posted by fearnothing at 12:38 AM on October 1, 2011
Best answer: '52 Ford – Murder by Death, a murder narrative, no more no less
posted by iamkimiam at 1:00 AM on October 1, 2011
posted by iamkimiam at 1:00 AM on October 1, 2011
Best answer: Well, since you mention it, "Prowl Great Cain" by the Mountain Goats.
I think "Ezekiel 7 and the Permanent Efficacy of Grace" is also about a kidnap-murder.
"Bull Black Nova" by Wilco.
I also think "Psycho Killer" by the Talking Heads probably falls into your theme.
posted by kensington314 at 1:49 AM on October 1, 2011
I think "Ezekiel 7 and the Permanent Efficacy of Grace" is also about a kidnap-murder.
"Bull Black Nova" by Wilco.
I also think "Psycho Killer" by the Talking Heads probably falls into your theme.
posted by kensington314 at 1:49 AM on October 1, 2011
"Ezekiel " is also a Mountain Goats song, I meant to say.
posted by kensington314 at 1:49 AM on October 1, 2011
posted by kensington314 at 1:49 AM on October 1, 2011
Best answer: Many of The Handsome Family songs are about death and murder. Notably Up Falling Rock Hill and My Beautiful Bride from In The Air.
The Wound that Never Heals - Jim White, No Such Place
The Wedding List - Kate Bush, Never for Ever
posted by elendil71 at 2:18 AM on October 1, 2011
The Wound that Never Heals - Jim White, No Such Place
The Wedding List - Kate Bush, Never for Ever
posted by elendil71 at 2:18 AM on October 1, 2011
Best answer: The Death of Ferdinand de Saussure - The Magnetic Fields
A Thing Well Made by the Muttonbirds refers obliquely to the Aramoana massacre in New Zealand.
Frankie's Gun - the Felice Brothers.
posted by Infinite Jest at 2:36 AM on October 1, 2011
A Thing Well Made by the Muttonbirds refers obliquely to the Aramoana massacre in New Zealand.
Frankie's Gun - the Felice Brothers.
posted by Infinite Jest at 2:36 AM on October 1, 2011
Best answer: Don't remember who wrote or sang it, but there's a rock song that was pretty well quickly banned from the airwaves: "TIMOTHY" --- it's all implied, but murder and canabalism in a mining cave-in. Catchy little tune!
posted by easily confused at 2:47 AM on October 1, 2011
posted by easily confused at 2:47 AM on October 1, 2011
Best answer: The Ballad of Danny Bailey - Elton John
Bang Bang - Cher
posted by Paris Elk at 3:20 AM on October 1, 2011
Bang Bang - Cher
posted by Paris Elk at 3:20 AM on October 1, 2011
Best answer: Slobberbone did a couple - I Can Tell Your Love is Waning and Billy Pritchard.
posted by richyoung at 4:44 AM on October 1, 2011
posted by richyoung at 4:44 AM on October 1, 2011
Best answer: Hoyt Axton, Della and the Dealer
Kings of Leon, Joe's Head
posted by Serene Empress Dork at 4:49 AM on October 1, 2011
Kings of Leon, Joe's Head
posted by Serene Empress Dork at 4:49 AM on October 1, 2011
Arlene by The Handsome Family
(You were singing, please let me go, all the way down to Miller's cave.)
I think that Miller's Cave line is a reference to another murder song, .. called Miller's Cave. There's versions by Charlie Pride, Bobby Bare, Gram Parsons, Hank Snow, etc.
posted by p3t3 at 5:19 AM on October 1, 2011
(You were singing, please let me go, all the way down to Miller's cave.)
I think that Miller's Cave line is a reference to another murder song, .. called Miller's Cave. There's versions by Charlie Pride, Bobby Bare, Gram Parsons, Hank Snow, etc.
posted by p3t3 at 5:19 AM on October 1, 2011
Peter Gabriel's "Family Snapshot". The story of an assassination told from the perspective of the gunman, Gabriel got the idea for this song after reading Arthur Bremmer's book An Assassins Diary. Bremmer shot Alabama Governor George Wallace in 1972, and what fascinated Gabriel was that he didn't do it for political reasons, but for fame: Bremmer timed the shooting to get as much publicity as possible, making sure he did it in time for the early news.
posted by Gungho at 5:53 AM on October 1, 2011
posted by Gungho at 5:53 AM on October 1, 2011
Best answer: Slim Cessna's Auto Club. "This is how we do things in the country"
On about break of morning
I met with my girl
she looked at me with crossed eyes
so I sent her from this world
I cracked her with my shovel
she bent my shovel blade
she still had them crossed eyes
as I dug her crooked grave
This is how it's always been
this is how we do things in the country
posted by Gungho at 5:56 AM on October 1, 2011
On about break of morning
I met with my girl
she looked at me with crossed eyes
so I sent her from this world
I cracked her with my shovel
she bent my shovel blade
she still had them crossed eyes
as I dug her crooked grave
This is how it's always been
this is how we do things in the country
posted by Gungho at 5:56 AM on October 1, 2011
Best answer: I post a song about murder every day to my Twitter feed. I'm on Day 47. Here's a list of every song I've posted so far (many of which are listed above).
posted by Bookhouse at 7:01 AM on October 1, 2011 [2 favorites]
posted by Bookhouse at 7:01 AM on October 1, 2011 [2 favorites]
and '97 Bonnie and Clyde, either the original Eminem or the Tori Amos cover--about murdering the mother of your child.
posted by ifjuly at 7:42 AM on October 1, 2011
posted by ifjuly at 7:42 AM on October 1, 2011
One of my favorite murder songs (I'm not sure if that's a good thing) is Carolina Drama by the Raconteurs.
posted by ThaBombShelterSmith at 7:43 AM on October 1, 2011
posted by ThaBombShelterSmith at 7:43 AM on October 1, 2011
Best answer: Nick Cave - The Mercy Seat. There's a good cover by Johnny Cash, but the original gives me a chill - especially the final twist in the refrain.
posted by crocomancer at 8:08 AM on October 1, 2011
posted by crocomancer at 8:08 AM on October 1, 2011
Rio de la Muerte - Isabelle, my friend
Actually, Rio de la Muerte has a whole album of murder ballads called "Lovers in Winter & Other Short Stories."
posted by postpostpostscript at 9:57 AM on October 1, 2011
Actually, Rio de la Muerte has a whole album of murder ballads called "Lovers in Winter & Other Short Stories."
posted by postpostpostscript at 9:57 AM on October 1, 2011
Best answer: Unfinished Business, originally by White Lies, covered here by Mumford and Sons.
posted by punchtothehead at 10:01 AM on October 1, 2011
posted by punchtothehead at 10:01 AM on October 1, 2011
Best answer: "Jack the Ripper" by Morrissey, live version if you can find it (I think Spotify has it).
posted by Nattie at 11:58 AM on October 1, 2011
posted by Nattie at 11:58 AM on October 1, 2011
Jack Straw by the Grateful Dead
Woke up this Morning by Alabama 3
posted by rakish_yet_centered at 12:05 PM on October 1, 2011
Woke up this Morning by Alabama 3
posted by rakish_yet_centered at 12:05 PM on October 1, 2011
Best answer: G4L and Man Down by Rihanna, also. G4L is probably a bit more of the murder atmosphere (unnerving) than Man Down.
posted by Nattie at 12:06 PM on October 1, 2011
posted by Nattie at 12:06 PM on October 1, 2011
Best answer: The War Criminal Rises and Speaks - Okkervil River
posted by jgscott at 2:03 PM on October 1, 2011
posted by jgscott at 2:03 PM on October 1, 2011
Response by poster: Wow, thanks for all the amazing suggestions! It'll take me a bit to go through them all. I'm marking as best answer all the ones that lead to an addition to my playlist, although in most cases if I didn't mark your answer, it's because I already had the song on my playlist. Again, if anyone wants the link to this playlist you can MeMail me.
posted by katyggls at 4:01 PM on October 1, 2011
posted by katyggls at 4:01 PM on October 1, 2011
Response by poster: easily confused: "Don't remember who wrote or sang it, but there's a rock song that was pretty well quickly banned from the airwaves: "TIMOTHY" --- it's all implied, but murder and canabalism in a mining cave-in. Catchy little tune!"
I found it. It's "Timothy" by The Buoys. It is catchy, thanks!
posted by katyggls at 4:33 PM on October 1, 2011
I found it. It's "Timothy" by The Buoys. It is catchy, thanks!
posted by katyggls at 4:33 PM on October 1, 2011
Best answer: Jarvis Cocker - I Will Kill Again (w. lyrics) - YouTube
posted by geekgirl397 at 4:37 PM on October 1, 2011
posted by geekgirl397 at 4:37 PM on October 1, 2011
There's a metal band called Macabre whose entire catalogue is about murderers, serial and otherwise.
posted by Bearded Dave at 6:30 PM on October 1, 2011
posted by Bearded Dave at 6:30 PM on October 1, 2011
Best answer: I think Pretty Polly is one of the most chilling songs ever written. My favorite version is by Keith and Rusty McNeil but I've only found it on their album Coarse and Fine which now only exists on cassette tape (!).
posted by nanojath at 7:42 PM on October 1, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by nanojath at 7:42 PM on October 1, 2011 [1 favorite]
Came in to mention Boomtown Rats "I Don't Like Mondays," but I see someone beat me to it. Interesting question!
One thing, though--"Boy Named Sue," is a great song, but although the singer plans to hunt down his Dad for revenge, there's no actual murder.
posted by misha at 8:37 PM on October 1, 2011
One thing, though--"Boy Named Sue," is a great song, but although the singer plans to hunt down his Dad for revenge, there's no actual murder.
posted by misha at 8:37 PM on October 1, 2011
If you can get a copy of Cordelia's Dad, The Baby Song is about the murder of a baby.
posted by bendy at 9:20 PM on October 1, 2011
posted by bendy at 9:20 PM on October 1, 2011
"Independence Day," Martina McBride. The abused mom burns their house down with husband in it. "Well she lit up the sky that fourth of July, by the time the firemen come. They just put out the flames and took down some names and sent me to the county home. Now I ain't saying it's right or it's wrong, but maybe it's the only way. Talk about your revolution, on Independence Day."
posted by GaelFC at 1:19 AM on October 2, 2011
posted by GaelFC at 1:19 AM on October 2, 2011
Best answer: Arguably, "American Skin (41 Shots)".
posted by DevilsAdvocate at 5:19 AM on October 2, 2011
posted by DevilsAdvocate at 5:19 AM on October 2, 2011
Mill o' Tifty's Annie (link goes to discussion of the lyrics and various versions). Also, though lynching may not be what you're looking for, Strange Fruit.
posted by rjs at 8:18 AM on October 2, 2011
posted by rjs at 8:18 AM on October 2, 2011
Best answer: Marillion- The Collection
Porcupine Tree- Blackest Eyes
Neither of these state murder right out, but it's heavily implied.
posted by cereselle at 2:53 PM on October 2, 2011
Porcupine Tree- Blackest Eyes
Neither of these state murder right out, but it's heavily implied.
posted by cereselle at 2:53 PM on October 2, 2011
Best answer: '97 Bonnie & Clyde, written by Eminem, covered by Tori Amos.
All the songs from the album Murder Ballads by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds.
4pm, The Clouds.
I can't decide (whether you should live or die), Scissor Sisters.
I Wish I Had an Evil Twin, The Magnetic Fields.
A Girl Needs A Knife, The Flash Girls.
posted by Year of meteors at 6:47 PM on October 2, 2011
All the songs from the album Murder Ballads by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds.
4pm, The Clouds.
I can't decide (whether you should live or die), Scissor Sisters.
I Wish I Had an Evil Twin, The Magnetic Fields.
A Girl Needs A Knife, The Flash Girls.
posted by Year of meteors at 6:47 PM on October 2, 2011
Back in 1996, long-lost Flying Nun NZ band Superette released one great album, pretty much every track on which was about murder and/or serial killers. A sample: Killer Clown (John Wayne Gacy, natch); Waves (murder/suicide); Cannibal (waaayy too much true-crime reading going on in that band).
I so wish my copy of that album weren't sitting in a storage unit on the other side of the world right now.
posted by Sonny Jim at 12:58 AM on October 3, 2011
I so wish my copy of that album weren't sitting in a storage unit on the other side of the world right now.
posted by Sonny Jim at 12:58 AM on October 3, 2011
The music itself is instrumental, but Alfred Hitchcock himself intro's each song on his album, Music to Be Murdered By.
posted by Unsomnambulist at 12:16 AM on July 4, 2012
posted by Unsomnambulist at 12:16 AM on July 4, 2012
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by alms at 6:49 PM on September 30, 2011 [1 favorite]