14 Songs Based on Real Crimes

“Let Him Dangle” (1989)

Elvis Costello


The beginning of “Let Him Dangle” by Elvis Costello just sounds rather ominous, doesn’t it? The brooding piano and shuffling back-beat serve as atmospheric counterpoints to Costello’s scathing criticism of capital punishment, as the singer describes the unlawful execution of Derek Bentley in 1953. Bentley was pardoned posthumously in 1993 for the murder of a policeman, one that was actually committed by the former’s accomplice, Christopher Craig. Although it’s clear that Derek Bentley did commit a burglary, the Lord Chief Justice presiding over the case claimed that Bentley was “mentally aiding” Craig’s actions, and he was hanged for the crime.

Sources

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Derek_Bentley


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spike_(Elvis_Costello_album)

“Let Him Dangle”

Elvis Costello
Audio
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-vtA-k2QUU

“Everything You Wanted to Know About Spike” (1989)

BBC
BBC interview
YouTube: raining69
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J2hA_Xjr33E

“Fred Dinenage Murder Casebook” (2011-13)

Crime & Investigation Network
Bentley tragedy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yWtwU8YydzY&pp=ygUTZGVyZWsgYmVudGxleSBjcmltZQ%3D%3D

“The Ripper” (1976)

Judas Priest


There have been numerous odes to Jack the Ripper within the annals of recorded music. This goes double for hard rock and heavy metal acts, with groups like Thin Lizzy and Judas Priest all crafting macabre odes to, as Priest singer Rob Halford poetically alludes, “Jack the Knife.” Priest’s “The Ripper” is one of the band’s early classics from their 1970s period, a time when the band’s metallic might was still being forged in classic rock steel. The tune slithers and crawls in darkness, much like the titular Ripper himself, while Halford’s sky-high vocals howl to the heavens with an immense charm and power.

Sources

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sad_Wings_of_Destiny

YouTube: The Infographics Show

Never caught
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjkJ5_wcxlE&pp=ygUPamFjayB0aGUgcmlwcGVy

“The Ripper”

Judas Priest
Video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lriWlHZAy8A&pp=ygUXdGhlIHJpcHBlciBqdWRhcyBwcmllc3Q%3D

Audio

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gCdWJHOROb4

“Bullet” (1978)

Misfits


There’s no denying the punk pedigree of Glenn Danzig and The Misfits when it comes to this rather lurid recounting of the John F. Kennedy assassination. “Texas is the reason that the president’s dead,” sings Danzig, as The Misfits put their pedal to the proverbial metal with “Bullet.” The tune is brief, and was notable for the graphic cover art that adorned initial seven inch record pressings back in ‘78. “Bullet” doesn’t really care about getting the facts of the case right, but instead does what all good punk rock does: it thrills and offends in equal measure.

Sources

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bullet_(Misfits_song)

“CBS News Mornings” (1982-)

CBS
JFK
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htVyKyuImH8&pp=ygUWamZrIGFzc2Fzc2luYXRpb24gbmV3cw%3D%3D

YouTube: SubliminalDistortion

Fan video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LDi5PpCOErc

“Bullet”

The Misfits
audio
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fOMv1CmiXoc

Image

EP Cover Version
YouTube: Dr. Punk’77
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-AU98b6mhLo&pp=ygUSYnVsbGV0IHRoZSBtaXNmaXRz

“Suffer Little Children” (1984)

The Smiths


It’s true that there was more than a bit of controversy behind “Suffer Little Children” by The Smiths, even back during its initial release. The subject matter of underage death is never easy, and parents of the victims were upset at the naming of some victims of the Moors murders from 1965. It should be said, however, that Smiths singer Morrissey did enjoy a relationship with one of the victim’s mothers, Ann West. This was after a meeting between the two asserted that “Suffer Little Children” was intended as tribute to the deceased children, as opposed to any sort of celebratory ode to the killers.

Sources

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moors_murders


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suffer_Little_Children

“Fred Dinenage Murder Casebook” (2011-13)

Crime & Investigation Network
Moors Murders
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NyRHuPme-SE&pp=ygUObW9vcnMgbXVyZGVycyA%3D

YouTube: The Casual Criminalist

Moors murders
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wx5rks4k7KA&pp=ygUObW9vcnMgbXVyZGVycyA%3D

“Suffer Little Children”

The Smiths
Audio
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xux9-UQ4wJ4

“Deep Red Bells” (2002)

Neko Case

There’s a morbid beauty to the vocals of Neko Case that belies the grim subject matter of her song, “Deep Red Bells.” The spirit of classic murder ballads looms large over Case’s ghostly vocals, as “Deep Red Bells” tells the tale of Gary Ridgway, also known as The Green River Killer. The production here is spacious and cavernous, as Case’s voice echoes over the valley of reverberating guitar and percussion. “Deep Red Bells” feels simultaneously indie, yet also kind of post-punk in execution, the kind of tune Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds might have written back in the eighties or nineties.

Sources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gary_Ridgway


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blacklisted_(Neko_Case_album)

“Deep Red Bells”

Neko Case
Audio
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ScT9eo5cljk

“World’s Most Evil Killers” (2017-)

ReelzChannel
YouTube: Real Crime
Green River
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTt9ASYpy_I&pp=ygUMZ2FyeSByaWRnd2F5

“Austin City Limits” (1976-)

PBS
YouTube: Live From Austin TX
Live
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=okQfD9B_17Y&pp=ygUYZGVlcCByZWQgYmVsbHMgbmVrbyBjYXNl

“The Night Chicago Died” (1974)

Paper Lace

Every generation enjoys their fair share of novelty songs, but not all of them arrive armed with such a bullet-riddled back story. The story told within the lyrics to Paper Lace’s “The Night Chicago Died” is fictional, but it’s based upon-real life fact. The shootout that occurs within the song is between the Chicago PD and members of Al Capone’s gang, but the actual inspiration for this song was the 1929 Saint Valentine’s Day Massacre. Here, five members of George “Bugs” Moran’s North Side Gang were shot execution-style by Capone associates, alongside two other Moran affiliates. Two of the alleged perpetrators were disguised as police officers, adding to the surprise nature of the attack.

Sources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Valentine%27s_Day_Massacre


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paper_Lace


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Night_Chicago_Died

“The Night Chicago Died”

Paper Lace
Promo video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GOXUT5Y9aA8

Audio

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tR0gjl66PVs&pp=ygUWdGhlIG5pZ2h0IGNoaWNhZ28gZGllZA%3D%3D

“The St. Valentine’s Day Massacre” (1967)

20th Century Fox
Ending
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJ-gYx7hXZg&pp=ygUidGhlIHNhaW50IHZhbGVudGluZSdzIGRheSBtYXNzYWNyZQ%3D%3D

YouTube: Simple History

The Crime
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8AOAk-TINZ0&pp=ygUidGhlIHNhaW50IHZhbGVudGluZSdzIGRheSBtYXNzYWNyZQ%3D%3D

“Claudine” (1980)

The Rolling Stones

Speculation runs rampant through “Claudine” by The Rolling Stones. Cut from their “Emotional Rescue” sessions, the song discusses the crime, trial and aftermath of singer/actress Claudine Longet. Longet was formerly married to vocalist Andy Williams, but it was the alleged accidental shooting of her boyfriend, Olympic skier Spider Sabich, that put her in front of a court. It was stated that Longet fatally shot Sabich by accident, and she was given only a fine and thirty days jail time for the incident. Furthermore, Longet was allowed to choose her days of incarceration, which she served on weekends. Later, the defendant would marry her defense attorney, Ron Austin, after a relationship blossomed during the trial. Austin was married to somebody else during this time.

Sources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spider_Sabich#Death


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Claudine_Longet#In_music

“Saturday Night Live” (1975-)

NBC
S01E18 “Raquel Welch/Phoebe Snow, John Sebastian”
Ski invitational
https://www.veoh.com/watch/v142116943NdWYaGAf

“Claudine”

The Rolling Stones
Audio
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXCCXFaNzUU

YouTube: Captain Borax

NBC News report
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ZbBiuQqpQc&pp=ygUdY2xhdWRpbmUgbG9uZ2V0IHNwaWRlciBzYWJpY2g%3D

YouTube: The Crime Reel

Singers and Skaters
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vpP6SD_oM78&pp=ygUdY2xhdWRpbmUgbG9uZ2V0IHNwaWRlciBzYWJpY2g%3D

“Georgia Lee” (1999)

Tom Waits

Darkness is certainly no stranger to the music of Tom Waits. This goes double for the singer’s latter-day period, such as his excellent 1999 album, “Mule Variations.” It’s on the track listing for this record that we find “Georgia Lee.” Waits’ sandpaper vocals resonate with mourning, as the song’s plaintive balladry almost feels like a funerary rite. This is sad, tragic stuff that echoes the actual crime at hand: 12-year-old Georgia Lee Moses’ shocking murder and the disappearance of her killer back in 1997. The career of Tom Waits always seemed to vacillate between unique experimentalism and old-school, bluesy balladry. “Georgia Lee” is definitely the latter, and underlines the helplessness felt by those a little girl left behind.

Sources:

https://www.nbcnews.com/dateline/woman-refuses-give-fight-justice-1997-murder-sister-georgia-lee-n1253649


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mule_Variations#

YouTube: Kendall Rae

Investigation
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3pGRnatNO2I&pp=ygURZ2VvcmdpYSBsZWUgbW9zZXM%3D

“Georgia Lee”

Tom Waits
Audio
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hrYEvUOj5bg

Lyric: “why wasn’t God there for Georgia Lee?”

https://youtu.be/hrYEvUOj5bg?t=228

“Death Valley ‘69” (1984)

Sonic Youth feat. Lydia Lunch

It’s sort of fitting that both the music video and the actual recording sessions for “Death Valley ‘69” by Sonic Youth sound so ugly. This is intentional, of course, a chaotic and heavy approach by one of noise rock’s founding fathers. “Death Valley ‘69” was inspired by the Tate-LaBianca murders committed by the Manson Family, and the accompanying video features some fittingly gruesome visuals. The combination of Sonic Youth’s aggressive instrumentation and guest vocalist Lydia Lunch’s caterwauling feels ritualistic, feral…almost sexual in its lurid worship of darkness. “Death Valley ‘69” is the sound of the disaffected, the detached and the disturbed, but you’ll never forget its seductive rhythm.

Sources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_Valley_%2769

“20/20” (1978-)

ABC
Why they followed Manson
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RA7Kh6cgwks&pp=ygUTbWFuc29uIGZhbWlseSAgbmV3cw%3D%3D

“Death Valley ‘69”

Sonic Youth feat. Lydia Lunch
video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2Gf0MmRz9g

Audio

YouTube: acqueprofonde86
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G1zPOcllS9Q&pp=ygUbZGVhdGggdmFsbGV5IDY5IHNvbmljIHlvdXRo

YouTube: Sonic Youth

Live audio, Brooklyn 2011
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FgEAR1JItaE&pp=ygUbZGVhdGggdmFsbGV5IDY5IHNvbmljIHlvdXRo

“Polly” (1991)

Nirvana

The musical arrangements of “Polly” by Nirvana are nothing if not simple. The minimal amount of riffs and effort put into this song actually allow its lyrics to take the lead, since Nirvana member Kurt Cobain was inspired to write the tune after reading a newspaper. The subject of “Polly” is specifically in reference to a 1987 abduction and assault of a teenager, committed by a paroled ex-con by the name of Gerald Friend. Friend had already served a sentence for a similar crime committed back in 1960, and this repeat offense resulted in the victim suing Washington State for allowing Friend back into society in the first place.

Sources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polly_(Nirvana_song)

YouTube: Soundscapes Rock

Behind Polly
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pktAYAk-q1c&pp=ygUNZ2VyYWxkIGZyaWVuZA%3D%3D

“Polly”

Nirvana
Audio
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DrlaVYKWeLU

“MTV Unplugged” (1989-)

MTV, MTV Live
S04E13 “Nirvana”
Polly
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3H0NHHKBemg&pp=ygUOcG9sbHkgbmlydmFuYSA%3D

“Live at The Paramount” (2011)

DGC
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=abBgsNx85mI&pp=ygUOcG9sbHkgbmlydmFuYSA%3D

“Jenny Was a Friend of Mine” (2004)

The Killers


It’s strange that “Jenny Was a Friend of Mine” wasn’t released as a single from The Killers’ debut LP, “Hot Fuss,” back in 2004. The album led with this track, after all, but perhaps it’s the song’s true crime origins that initially kept it from receiving the music video treatment. Brandon Flowers was inspired to write “Jenny Was a Friend of Mine” after reading about the defense of one Robert Chambers, also known as “The Preppy Killer.” This crime from 1986 shone a light into the darker sides of those who, on the surface at least, appeared to fit in nicely within societal modes. Co-composer Mark Stoermer’s amazing bassline drives the song, which envelopes the listener with a similar-sounding, slick form of sleazy darkness.

Sources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hot_Fuss#Track_listing


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jenny_Was_a_Friend_of_Mine

“48 Hours” (1988-)

CBS
S29E39 “The Preppy Killer: 30 Years Later”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=At9umianChg&pp=ygUSdGhlIHByZXBwaWUga2lsbGVy

“Jenny Was a Friend of Mine”

The Killers
Audio
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MQwu08Sc2vA

Live at Sirius XM

YouTube: SiriusXM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6jCJTZaR34&pp=ygUmamVubnkgd2FzIGEgZnJpZW5kIG9mIG1pbmUgdGhlIGtpbGxlcnM%3D

“I Don’t Like Mondays” (1979)

The Boomtown Rats


Why are we so obsessed with what killers have to say in the aftermath of their crimes? Brenda Ann Spencer was only a teenager when she told a reporter “I don’t like Mondays” after she committed a deadly 1979 school shooting. Spencer’s rampage left two dead and nine injured at Grover Cleveland Elementary School, and it was this quote that inspired Bob Geldof and his band, The Boomtown Rats to compose a song. The music video for “I Don’t Like Mondays” features a schoolroom setting, and the results juxtapose dark visuals and pop musicality in a surreal, strange manner. It’s memorable viewing, to say the least.

Sources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cleveland_Elementary_School_shooting_(San_Diego)


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I_Don%27t_Like_Mondays

“I Don’t Like Mondays”

The Boomtown Rats
Video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8yteMugRAc0

CBS 8 San Diego

Interview
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9hC6iYnjtl8&pp=ygUOYnJlbmRhIHNwZW5jZXI%3D

Parole

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kdTmPuZKtUU&pp=ygUOYnJlbmRhIHNwZW5jZXI%3D

Sentenced

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EsA652soa40&pp=ygUOYnJlbmRhIHNwZW5jZXI%3D

“Nebraska” (1982)

Bruce Springsteen


“Nebraska” is the Bruce Springsteen album for people who don’t like Bruce Springsteen. This comes down to the album’s stripped-down arrangements, dark subject matter and intimate-sounding recording style. Songs like the grim and atmospheric title track couldn’t sound further removed from The Boss’ “Born to Run” heyday, a true example of Springsteen’s artistry and refusal to be pigeonholed. Lyrically, “Nebraska” follows the infamous crime spree and eventual execution of Charles Starkweather, who killed 11 people alongside his accomplice and girlfriend, Caril Ann Fugate. Both were teenagers, the latter only fourteen years of age during the couple’s 1958 rampage. Springsteen’s confessional tone and performance allows for “Nebraska” to feel like a secret confession, an inner monologue into the life of a killer.

Sources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caril_Ann_Fugate


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Starkweather


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nebraska_(song)

“VH1 Storytellers” (1996-2015)

VH1
S08E02 “Bruce Springsteen”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oy2dpbGhaz8&pp=ygUfbmVicmFza2EgYnJ1Y2Ugc3ByaW5nc3RlZW4gbGl2ZQ%3D%3D

“Nebraska”

Bruce Springsteen
Audio
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hCpL_ImsiDo

YouTube: Our History

Natural Born
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XLt8VoVOqdc&pp=ygUUY2hhcmxlcyBzdGFya3dlYXRoZXI%3D

“Hurricane” (1975)

Bob Dylan

The world regards Bob Dylan as one of rock music’s finest lyricists, and songs like “Hurricane” make this label easy to understand. This song is impeccably written, with an attention to repetition and hooky vocal melodies that allow its lyrical defense of one Rubin Carter to rise to the forefront. “The Hurricane” was unjustly imprisoned for a barroom triple homicide back in 1966, and Dylan’s tune sharply asserts the boxer’s innocence. There are a lot of verses to digest here, but the journey is worth every step, while each chorus stabs at the heart of injustice with Dylan’s pen of poignant lyricism. “Hurricane” truly deserves every inch of its legendary status.

Sources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desire_(Bob_Dylan_album)#


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hurricane_(Bob_Dylan_song)

“Hurricane”

Bob Dylan
Audio
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpZvg_FjL3Q

YouTube: Swingin’ Pig

Live on PBS Chicago, 1975
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=voH11xV4AKI&pp=ygUTaHVycmljYW5lIGJvYiBkeWxhbg%3D%3D

YouTube: CBC News

Profile
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bkOTvXK0tok&pp=ygUMcnViaW4gY2FydGVy




Are you aware of any deep cut, true crime inspirations behind our favorite songs? Let us know in the comments.

“The Tower”

Insane Clown Posse
Video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dN5ezCTvqeQ&pp=ygUNdGhlIHRvd2VyIGljcA%3D%3D