Working for an
Chad has one of those lazy blog polls which he is so good at, asking for the "creepiest songs" - the comment thread is an interesting read
So here are some youtube videos of some of my candidates - do not click if you are easily disturbed
The Jam - Down in the Tube Station at Midnight
The last verse is particularly disturbing, I don't know how many people have caught all the implications in it
Rhoda Daka and the Specials - The Boiler
This is not the most melodic song ever, but it is the only song that I have been ordered to turn off as a matter of urgency when it came up on a mix tape.
It just gets worse - the end may be truly disturbing for some people.
and finally
The Police - Don't Stand So Close to Me
Embedding is disabled - link is to the original video.
Remember that Sting was a teacher before his music career took off.
The song came out while I was a teenager in school.
Comments
I propose Elvis Costello, I Want You, and essentially everything on Steely Dan's Katy Lied.
Posted by: Alex | May 21, 2008 3:40 PM
My vote: Watch Her Disappear by Tom Waits (music, lyrics)
Posted by: Matt | May 22, 2008 2:09 AM
About half the stuff on Peter Gabriel's third album, but if I had to pick two:
"Intruder" -written from the perspective of a man in the midst of a home invasion and the various unwholesome thrills he gets from the activity.
"Family Snapshot" -written form the perspective of an assassin, with a lot of Kennedy imagery.
Posted by: Jason Failes | May 22, 2008 9:05 AM
"Family Snapshot" -written form the perspective of an assassin, with a lot of Kennedy imagery.
It was actually inspired by the guy (Arthur Bremer) who shot George Wallace. No less creepy for that; perhaps even more so, since the guy was totally obsessed with how this would make him famous.
Posted by: Scott H. | May 22, 2008 9:48 AM