God's gonna cut you down - songs about revenge
October 25, 2017 6:04 PM Subscribe
I need songs about revenge, whether personal revenge against an evildoer or god smiting people.
How much explanation does this need these days?
Go tell that long-tongue liar - sooner or later, god will cut you down!
How much explanation does this need these days?
Go tell that long-tongue liar - sooner or later, god will cut you down!
Do you have access to Spotify? This was circulating on Tumblr as a country playlist about ladies getting righteous revenge on men, most of whom are abusive, even though it's now missing Miranda Lambert's Gunpowder and Lead because it's no longer available on Spotify for some reason.
Goooooooooodbye, Earl, we'll pack a luuuuuuuuuuunch.
posted by joyceanmachine at 6:16 PM on October 25, 2017 [5 favorites]
Goooooooooodbye, Earl, we'll pack a luuuuuuuuuuunch.
posted by joyceanmachine at 6:16 PM on October 25, 2017 [5 favorites]
Previosuly: REVENGE IS A DISH BEST SERVED WITH PEDAL STEEL.
posted by MonkeyToes at 6:17 PM on October 25, 2017
posted by MonkeyToes at 6:17 PM on October 25, 2017
Why I've started a play list my own self! Though mine skewed also towards celebrating a demise. I look forward to what other's come up with. :-D
I'll be Glad When You're Dead You Rascal You. - Louis Armstrong
Prevenge - They Might Be Giants
The Mariner's Revenge - The Decemberists
When will you Die? - They Might Be Giants
Tramp the Dirt Down - Elvis Costello
Ha Ha you're Dead - Green Day
posted by Wink Ricketts at 6:25 PM on October 25, 2017 [2 favorites]
I'll be Glad When You're Dead You Rascal You. - Louis Armstrong
Prevenge - They Might Be Giants
The Mariner's Revenge - The Decemberists
When will you Die? - They Might Be Giants
Tramp the Dirt Down - Elvis Costello
Ha Ha you're Dead - Green Day
posted by Wink Ricketts at 6:25 PM on October 25, 2017 [2 favorites]
This came immediately to mind:
These Boots Are Made For Walking
posted by mneekadon at 6:25 PM on October 25, 2017 [3 favorites]
These Boots Are Made For Walking
posted by mneekadon at 6:25 PM on October 25, 2017 [3 favorites]
Up the Wolves - The Mountain Goats
LIving Well is the Best Revenge-R.E.M.
posted by eeek at 6:28 PM on October 25, 2017 [4 favorites]
LIving Well is the Best Revenge-R.E.M.
posted by eeek at 6:28 PM on October 25, 2017 [4 favorites]
'There's nothing like revenge for getting back at people.
-- I don't know, vengeance is pretty good'
(Mekons)
posted by queenofbithynia at 6:38 PM on October 25, 2017 [1 favorite]
-- I don't know, vengeance is pretty good'
(Mekons)
posted by queenofbithynia at 6:38 PM on October 25, 2017 [1 favorite]
The Wedding List - Kate Bush
posted by brushtailedphascogale at 6:38 PM on October 25, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by brushtailedphascogale at 6:38 PM on October 25, 2017 [1 favorite]
Gomorrah by the Jerry Garcia Band is about, well, I guess the title says it.
posted by downtohisturtles at 6:43 PM on October 25, 2017
posted by downtohisturtles at 6:43 PM on October 25, 2017
Changed The Locks - Lucinda Williams
posted by Room 641-A at 7:01 PM on October 25, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by Room 641-A at 7:01 PM on October 25, 2017 [1 favorite]
Definitely The Day the Aliens Came by the Mountain Goats.
Sample lyric: "There won't be any reason left to cry/ 'cause there won't be any people left to cry for/ My memory's gonna vaporize itself/
And my Italian shoes, well, they will be to die for."
And, High Doses #2, sample lyric: "this is just a flesh wound/ and it will clear up any day/ but the present i got planned for you pricks/ is gonna be a little harder to fix."
And really anything off of Tallahassee, though that's more of an I'll ruin you while you ruin me style of revenge.
posted by fairlynearlyready at 7:03 PM on October 25, 2017 [3 favorites]
Sample lyric: "There won't be any reason left to cry/ 'cause there won't be any people left to cry for/ My memory's gonna vaporize itself/
And my Italian shoes, well, they will be to die for."
And, High Doses #2, sample lyric: "this is just a flesh wound/ and it will clear up any day/ but the present i got planned for you pricks/ is gonna be a little harder to fix."
And really anything off of Tallahassee, though that's more of an I'll ruin you while you ruin me style of revenge.
posted by fairlynearlyready at 7:03 PM on October 25, 2017 [3 favorites]
honestly, as this thread suggests, the mountain goats are where it's at when it comes to pretty much every flavour of revenge
it's not even strictly revenge, but i have a deep love for new chevrolet in flames for purposes like these
posted by halation at 7:18 PM on October 25, 2017 [1 favorite]
it's not even strictly revenge, but i have a deep love for new chevrolet in flames for purposes like these
posted by halation at 7:18 PM on October 25, 2017 [1 favorite]
Here's another hit (Grendel's Mother) from John Darnielle, apparently the angriest man in indie rock
posted by theodolite at 7:33 PM on October 25, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by theodolite at 7:33 PM on October 25, 2017 [2 favorites]
I love Roy Clark: Thank God and Greyhound You're Gone
posted by MovableBookLady at 7:46 PM on October 25, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by MovableBookLady at 7:46 PM on October 25, 2017 [1 favorite]
Nina Simone, Pirate Jenny. "And they'll pile up the bodies, and I'll say, 'That'll learn ya!'"
posted by Diablevert at 8:09 PM on October 25, 2017 [5 favorites]
posted by Diablevert at 8:09 PM on October 25, 2017 [5 favorites]
I love the song "18 Dogs" by Hank Dogs, partly for how it flips some of the typical murder ballad tropes. 🎶 And I'll take the greatest of pleasure in watching you torn limb from limb 🎶
posted by Lexica at 8:22 PM on October 25, 2017
posted by Lexica at 8:22 PM on October 25, 2017
Natalia Kills - Acid Annie
Macy Gray - I've Committed Murder
Megadeth - I'll Get Even
posted by Blue Genie at 9:23 PM on October 25, 2017 [1 favorite]
Macy Gray - I've Committed Murder
Megadeth - I'll Get Even
posted by Blue Genie at 9:23 PM on October 25, 2017 [1 favorite]
Yes, this question wants the Mountain Goats!
I am partial to "Foreign Object," which I have found quite motivational. Plus pretty much all of the Tallahassee album, probably ("No Children," anyone?).
posted by ferret branca at 9:32 PM on October 25, 2017 [1 favorite]
I am partial to "Foreign Object," which I have found quite motivational. Plus pretty much all of the Tallahassee album, probably ("No Children," anyone?).
posted by ferret branca at 9:32 PM on October 25, 2017 [1 favorite]
Kesha's new album. Specifically Praying .
posted by I'm Not Even Supposed To Be Here Today! at 9:43 PM on October 25, 2017 [4 favorites]
posted by I'm Not Even Supposed To Be Here Today! at 9:43 PM on October 25, 2017 [4 favorites]
You Mountain Goats advocates are going way too modern.
Grendel's Mother
posted by praemunire at 9:50 PM on October 25, 2017
Grendel's Mother
posted by praemunire at 9:50 PM on October 25, 2017
Rosie Flores -- God May Forgive You (But I Won't)
God may forgive you but I won't
Yes, Jesus loves you but I don't
They don't have to live with you, neither do I
You say that you're born again, well, so am I
God may forgive you but I won't, I won't even try
posted by dancestoblue at 10:13 PM on October 25, 2017 [2 favorites]
God may forgive you but I won't
Yes, Jesus loves you but I don't
They don't have to live with you, neither do I
You say that you're born again, well, so am I
God may forgive you but I won't, I won't even try
posted by dancestoblue at 10:13 PM on October 25, 2017 [2 favorites]
Dave Carter & Tracy Grammer: Cat-Eye Willie Comes to Claim his Lover
Dar Williams: Flinty Kind of Woman
Shawn Colvin: Sunny Came Home
Julia Ecklar: Temper of Revenge
posted by tzikeh at 10:25 PM on October 25, 2017 [1 favorite]
Dar Williams: Flinty Kind of Woman
Shawn Colvin: Sunny Came Home
Julia Ecklar: Temper of Revenge
posted by tzikeh at 10:25 PM on October 25, 2017 [1 favorite]
Dixie Chicks, Goodbye Earl
John Prine, Sweet Revenge
posted by bluebird at 2:04 AM on October 26, 2017 [3 favorites]
John Prine, Sweet Revenge
posted by bluebird at 2:04 AM on October 26, 2017 [3 favorites]
Carolina Chocolate Drops' cover of Hit 'Em Up Style
posted by wheek wheek wheek at 2:53 AM on October 26, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by wheek wheek wheek at 2:53 AM on October 26, 2017 [2 favorites]
St. Vincent had this song in her earlier sets that was pretty badass.
posted by King Bee at 4:32 AM on October 26, 2017
posted by King Bee at 4:32 AM on October 26, 2017
Delbert McClinton -- When Rita Leaves
She left a lipstick letter on the mirror shattered on the bathroom floor
All I could put back together was never see me no more
Took all her clothes but one red dress, the one she knows I like the best
All I could do was clean up the mess and wonder where she'd gone
Songwriters: Delbert McClinton / Gary Nicholson
posted by dancestoblue at 5:00 AM on October 26, 2017
She left a lipstick letter on the mirror shattered on the bathroom floor
All I could put back together was never see me no more
Took all her clothes but one red dress, the one she knows I like the best
All I could do was clean up the mess and wonder where she'd gone
Songwriters: Delbert McClinton / Gary Nicholson
posted by dancestoblue at 5:00 AM on October 26, 2017
Ray Wylie Hubbard -- Wanna Rock n Roll
It was early last night, I went downtown
To a place called Johnny's Last Stand
Through the blues and the smoke, I saw her on the dance floor
She's with another man
The dead man's name was Louie Dupree
I pushed the little button on my knife
I walked up to them, said "Well hello boys and girls
Have you enjoyed your life?"
It's time to rock & roll
posted by dancestoblue at 5:54 AM on October 26, 2017 [1 favorite]
It was early last night, I went downtown
To a place called Johnny's Last Stand
Through the blues and the smoke, I saw her on the dance floor
She's with another man
The dead man's name was Louie Dupree
I pushed the little button on my knife
I walked up to them, said "Well hello boys and girls
Have you enjoyed your life?"
It's time to rock & roll
posted by dancestoblue at 5:54 AM on October 26, 2017 [1 favorite]
Brandy Clark - Daughter
Carrie Underwood - Before He Cheats
Kesha - Hunt You Down
Pink - Revenge
The Decemberists - Mariner's Revenge Song
The Veronicas - Revenge is Sweeter (Than You Ever Were)
posted by thetarium at 5:58 AM on October 26, 2017
Carrie Underwood - Before He Cheats
Kesha - Hunt You Down
Pink - Revenge
The Decemberists - Mariner's Revenge Song
The Veronicas - Revenge is Sweeter (Than You Ever Were)
posted by thetarium at 5:58 AM on October 26, 2017
Oh yeah, "How Come My Dog Don't Bark When You Come Around" by Prince Partridge (made infamous by Dr. John) although it's possible the narrator may be the bad guy in this case
posted by RobotVoodooPower at 6:25 AM on October 26, 2017
posted by RobotVoodooPower at 6:25 AM on October 26, 2017
Stone Roses: How Do You Sleep ["Does it feel any better now? Does it mean any more when the angel of death comes knock-knocking and banging at your door?"]; Shoot You Down ["I'd love to do it and you know you've always had it coming..."]
posted by JulesER at 7:43 AM on October 26, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by JulesER at 7:43 AM on October 26, 2017 [2 favorites]
I always thought Miranda Lambert's "Kerosene" was a revenge song. (But it might just really be a "you're dead to me now" song, and not "you're literally dead.")
posted by BlueBear at 7:53 AM on October 26, 2017
posted by BlueBear at 7:53 AM on October 26, 2017
Chairlift - Sidewalk Safari: "All of the bones in your body are in way too few pieces for me."
posted by galvanized unicorn at 8:08 AM on October 26, 2017
posted by galvanized unicorn at 8:08 AM on October 26, 2017
King of bitterness Elvis Costello:
"Hand in Hand": No, don't ask me to apologise./I won't ask you to forgive me./If I'm gonna go down,/you're gonna come with me
"Button My Lip": Don't raise your hand/'Cos I'm not offering/It serves you right/Now you are suffering
posted by jocelmeow at 9:28 AM on October 26, 2017 [1 favorite]
"Hand in Hand": No, don't ask me to apologise./I won't ask you to forgive me./If I'm gonna go down,/you're gonna come with me
"Button My Lip": Don't raise your hand/'Cos I'm not offering/It serves you right/Now you are suffering
posted by jocelmeow at 9:28 AM on October 26, 2017 [1 favorite]
Satan Your Kingdom Must Come Down - traditional, I'm familiar with the Uncle Tupelo version but apparently Robert Plant did it too.
Co-signing Prayer to God and the Roses' How do You Sleep (and also Bye Bye Badman).
Seeing as we're going with the Mountain Goats, how about The Legend of Chavo Guerrero, for the way it slams John's step-father ("now your ashes are scattered on the wind") which I'd take over No Children, which is more "we're both fucked" IMO. Or The Best Ever Death Metal Band in Denton.
posted by Pink Frost at 1:33 PM on October 26, 2017
Co-signing Prayer to God and the Roses' How do You Sleep (and also Bye Bye Badman).
Seeing as we're going with the Mountain Goats, how about The Legend of Chavo Guerrero, for the way it slams John's step-father ("now your ashes are scattered on the wind") which I'd take over No Children, which is more "we're both fucked" IMO. Or The Best Ever Death Metal Band in Denton.
posted by Pink Frost at 1:33 PM on October 26, 2017
Foster the People - Pumped Up Kicks
posted by Multicellular Exothermic at 2:52 PM on October 26, 2017
posted by Multicellular Exothermic at 2:52 PM on October 26, 2017
You might like this, Frowner:
Why boasteth thyself
Oh, evil men
Playing smart
And not being clever?
I said, you're working iniquity
To achieve vanity (if a-so a-so)
But the goodness of Jah Jah
I-dureth for Iver
If you are the big tree
We are the small axe
Ready to cut you down (well sharp)
To cut you down
These are the words
Of my master, keep on tellin' me
No weak heart
Shall prosper
And whosoever diggeth a pit,
Shall fall in it, bury in it
And whosoever diggeth a pit
Shall fall in it (fall in it)
If you are the big tree, let me tell you that
We are the small axe, sharp and ready
Ready to cut you down (well sharp)
To cut you down.
Bob Marley, Small Axe
posted by glasseyes at 2:54 PM on October 26, 2017
Why boasteth thyself
Oh, evil men
Playing smart
And not being clever?
I said, you're working iniquity
To achieve vanity (if a-so a-so)
But the goodness of Jah Jah
I-dureth for Iver
If you are the big tree
We are the small axe
Ready to cut you down (well sharp)
To cut you down
These are the words
Of my master, keep on tellin' me
No weak heart
Shall prosper
And whosoever diggeth a pit,
Shall fall in it, bury in it
And whosoever diggeth a pit
Shall fall in it (fall in it)
If you are the big tree, let me tell you that
We are the small axe, sharp and ready
Ready to cut you down (well sharp)
To cut you down.
Bob Marley, Small Axe
posted by glasseyes at 2:54 PM on October 26, 2017
I wish I had you in a public square
The whole town gathered around me
With my broad sword and a pistol too
I'd fight you for the life of my Geordie
Anais Mitchell & Jefferson Hamer - Geordie (Child 209)
posted by glasseyes at 3:22 PM on October 26, 2017
The whole town gathered around me
With my broad sword and a pistol too
I'd fight you for the life of my Geordie
Anais Mitchell & Jefferson Hamer - Geordie (Child 209)
posted by glasseyes at 3:22 PM on October 26, 2017
My revenge playlist (on Spotify), along with song summaries.
Jonathan Coulton, The Future Soon: A middle school boy fantasizes about becoming a mad scientist after Jenny rejects him.
Ben Folds Five, One Angry Dwarf and 200 Solemn Faces. A successful man lords over middle school bullies.
Alanis Morissette, You Oughta Know: A woman feels wronged by an ex-lover and reminds him of his promises.
Warren G and Nate Dogg, Regulate: A story of instant revenge where Nate Dogg comes to the rescue of his friend, Warren G, during a robbery attempt.
Blu Cantrell, Hit 'Em Up Style (Oops!): Cheating leads to financial consequences. There is an excellent cover of this song by the Carolina Chocolate Drops.
Lily Allen, Not Big: The singer ends a relationship with a lover and has a plan to sleep with his friends and tell them that he has a small penis.
Nina Simone, Pirate Jenny: Jenny sustains abuse while employed as cleaning staff, until her previous co-workers arrive, slaughtering all who oppose her.
Miranda Lambert, Kerosene: A woman plans to kill a cheating ex-lover.
Foster The People, Pumped Up Kicks: A young man plans to murder bullies wearing expensive sneakers.
Nancy Sinatra, These Boots Are Made For Walkin': A woman promises to hurt a cheating ex-lover.
Florence + The Machine, Seven Devils: A woman uses the power of hell to utterly destroy the person who has wronged her.
Kate Bush, The Wedding List: A bride tracks down and kills all those who killed her groom on their wedding day.
Jazmine Sullivan, Bust Your Windows: A woman breaks the car windows of a cheating ex-lover.
James Brown, The Payback: A man warns a backstabbing ex-friend of imminent revenge.
posted by demiurge at 6:58 AM on October 27, 2017
Jonathan Coulton, The Future Soon: A middle school boy fantasizes about becoming a mad scientist after Jenny rejects him.
Ben Folds Five, One Angry Dwarf and 200 Solemn Faces. A successful man lords over middle school bullies.
Alanis Morissette, You Oughta Know: A woman feels wronged by an ex-lover and reminds him of his promises.
Warren G and Nate Dogg, Regulate: A story of instant revenge where Nate Dogg comes to the rescue of his friend, Warren G, during a robbery attempt.
Blu Cantrell, Hit 'Em Up Style (Oops!): Cheating leads to financial consequences. There is an excellent cover of this song by the Carolina Chocolate Drops.
Lily Allen, Not Big: The singer ends a relationship with a lover and has a plan to sleep with his friends and tell them that he has a small penis.
Nina Simone, Pirate Jenny: Jenny sustains abuse while employed as cleaning staff, until her previous co-workers arrive, slaughtering all who oppose her.
Miranda Lambert, Kerosene: A woman plans to kill a cheating ex-lover.
Foster The People, Pumped Up Kicks: A young man plans to murder bullies wearing expensive sneakers.
Nancy Sinatra, These Boots Are Made For Walkin': A woman promises to hurt a cheating ex-lover.
Florence + The Machine, Seven Devils: A woman uses the power of hell to utterly destroy the person who has wronged her.
Kate Bush, The Wedding List: A bride tracks down and kills all those who killed her groom on their wedding day.
Jazmine Sullivan, Bust Your Windows: A woman breaks the car windows of a cheating ex-lover.
James Brown, The Payback: A man warns a backstabbing ex-friend of imminent revenge.
posted by demiurge at 6:58 AM on October 27, 2017
My name is 'Sue!' How do you do!? Now you gonna die!
posted by ActingTheGoat at 3:12 PM on October 29, 2017
posted by ActingTheGoat at 3:12 PM on October 29, 2017
Aerosmith, "Don't Get Mad, Get Even", from the album Pump.
Warning: most of the lyrics are the usual Tylerian pseudo-random nonsense*, but the verses end by repeating the title, which always feels good to shout while singing along.
Also, one line is the chestnut, "Sleeping with the dogs, you wake up with the fleas." And that seems relevant, of late.
*I love Tylerian pseudo-random nonsense, but Other Folks Milage Varies Wildly.
posted by Mutant Lobsters from Riverhead at 7:10 PM on October 30, 2017
Warning: most of the lyrics are the usual Tylerian pseudo-random nonsense*, but the verses end by repeating the title, which always feels good to shout while singing along.
Also, one line is the chestnut, "Sleeping with the dogs, you wake up with the fleas." And that seems relevant, of late.
*I love Tylerian pseudo-random nonsense, but Other Folks Milage Varies Wildly.
posted by Mutant Lobsters from Riverhead at 7:10 PM on October 30, 2017
Kiss, "Heart of Chrome," Revenge
(thought of it after listing Aerosmith above.)
posted by Mutant Lobsters from Riverhead at 7:15 PM on October 30, 2017
(thought of it after listing Aerosmith above.)
posted by Mutant Lobsters from Riverhead at 7:15 PM on October 30, 2017
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by phil at 6:08 PM on October 25, 2017 [4 favorites]