The life of a musician is never easy but when they start producing songs about things that most people find controversial or out of the realm of that which is possible, they can begin that downward spiral into oblivion. But when it comes to vampires, this hasn’t always been the case. Perhaps it is because those artists have always leaned toward the dark side, but for whatever reason, they either survived an unpopular subject or more people are into vampires than you would imagine! Below we look at six famous musicians who have written songs related to vampires.
Before We Get Started
Maybe you are wondering how to make your own song about vampires and are looking to see what it was about those artists and those particular songs before even stepping foot in a studio. Here is where you may need to get a little savvy if you are a first time songwriter/performer. You may not get a major studio to help you lay down the tracks but you sure can book self-serve studio time in a network of studios like Pirate that has a presence in the United States, Germany, Ireland, and the United Kingdom. Not only is it more affordable to book space to do your own thing but you may even find they’ll provide you with a guide on how to make your own song with equipment and technology that goes along with the studio space. Now onto the list…
1. Judas Priest – “Love Bites”
Actually, a song about vampires and all that is dark is to be expected from this iconic metal band. Although the name would suggest a single singer, it is actually the name of a band formed way back in 1969 in the UK, Birmingham to be precise. However, it wasn’t until 1984 that Love Bites was released on, you guessed it, vinyl! They’ve been around that long and have even re-released a remastered version of that very popular tune from the other side.
2. Blue Oyster Cult – “Nosferatu”
There’s no second guessing what this band is all about if it’s all in a name, so it’s not surprising they would release a hit spotlighting vampires. Blue Oyster Cult really did what their name would suggest and over the years gathered quite a large cult following. While there is a certain amount of speculation as to where they got the name Nosferatu, a historical look into the etymology of the word suggests that it was a reference to vampires as far back as the 1700s.
3. Smashing Pumpkins – “Bullet With Butterfly Wings”
It’s a bit odd, you might say, that most of these bands did their vampire tracks during the 80s, or thereabouts. While it might be a bit unclear as to why some of these performers like Neil Young would release a song about vampires, you can’t say the same for the Smashing Pumpkins. In fact, Bullet With Butterfly Wings begins with the lyrics, “The world is a vampire sent to drain.” Being one of the band’s most popular songs, it was remastered in 2012 and has not lost fans (or sleep!) over it all these years later.
4. Neil Young – “Vampire Blues”
Of all the bands and artists who ever released songs that went on to be hits about vampires, you are probably wondering how this country rocker got pulled into the mix. It actually appears as though Neil Young’s Vampire Blues is more about what the government and Big Business are doing in the world. It appears to be more of a lament on the state of affairs in society as opposed to a true gothic song. Even so, isn’t that how big business and vampires are alike? They suck the life blood from you so that you are left to be their servants. At least, that seems to be the premise of the song.
5. Outkast – “Dracula’s Wedding”
All things considered, this is a really fun song that shows another lighter, yet more pensive side to vampires. The lyrics of Dracula’s Wedding suggest a guy (vampire) who waits his entire life for that one big ‘bite’ only to be terrified when it comes along. Isn’t that just what life does to each and every one of us? We spend so much time yearning for that one elusive person or possession in our lives that when we finally have the chance to bite, we don’t know what to do with ourselves.
6. Bauhaus – “Bella Lugosi’s Dead”
Although not one of the band’s biggest hits, it is one that endeared them to lovers of goth and all things vampire. Bella Lugosi’s Dead was actually recorded just months after the band was formed and it also holds the honor of being the first song the band ever released as a single, and yes, you’ve got it – it was also released on vinyl. The interesting thing about this particular tune is that it came about as the result of binge watching vampire flicks on the television. The group’s bass player, David J, was the binging viewer and has actually been credited with writing the lyrics.
The Rocky Horror Show Sets the Stage – Quite Literally!
If you were to analyze the dates these songs were released on, you would see that they are all within the decade in which The Rocky Horror Show had debuted as a film in Los Angeles to be followed by a 19-month run on Broadway. It was amazing to watch how quickly the show captured a cult audience who would go back time after time to see the film or to be part of an interactive audience in cities around the country.
Media critics and sociologists alike seem to agree that the reason it was such a huge success is because it was speaking to young people at the place they were in development and in the world. It was a rather lopsided ‘tribute’ to the disenfranchised, those young people who had yet to find their own place. In any case, a huge love of all things goth and all things sci-fi resulted from this one show and it was at the same time in the 20th century when so many artists were releasing vampire tunes. You would think that after all these years their passion would have waned, but an interest in vampires is as strong today as it was on stage in those early days.
