Fantasy literature is arguably one of the oldest types of literature in history, with its roots in folktales and oral legends passed down from generation to generation. It is also a genre of literature characterized by a wide range of diversity, mixing as it does with mythology, horror, fairy tales and fables, among other genres.
This diversity has been particularly seen in the wake of the release and subsequent popularity of Tolkien's seminal film Lord of the rings And also the introduction The hobbit, set forth in the mythology of Middle Earth. This mainstream popularity has inspired a whole host of other works of fiction across popular media, including music.
Rock giants such as Deep Purple and Led Zeppelin contributed to the growing popularity of fantasy-inspired compositions, dedicating songs and sometimes entire albums to such works and making the genre part of the popular cultural zeitgeist of modern-day society. This article provides a brief overview of some of the most famous works that paved the way for the zeitgeist.
10 featured songs inspired by fantasy novels explored
1) Ramble On by Led Zeppelin – inspired by the fantasy novel “The Lord of the Rings” by J. R. R. Tolkien
Walk on“,” co-written by Jimmy Page and Robert Plant, is a song released as part of Led Zeppelin's second album, Led Zeppelin IIon October 22, 1969. One of the earliest and most popular pieces of fantasy-inspired music on this list, Ramble On features lyrics that directly reference Tolkien's seminal work the Lord of the Rings:
“When magic filled the air/'I was in the darkest depths of Mordor/I met a girl so beautiful/But Gollum, and the fiend/Clipped and fled with her/She, she, yeah/Nothing I could do, no.”
2) The Call of Ktulu by Metallica – Inspired by the works of HP Lovecraft and the Cthulu mythos.
HP Lovecraft inspired a new genre of fantasy and horror, Lovecraftian horror, with his seminal 1926 work Call of Cthulhu, originally published in Weird Tales Pulp magazine. The blend of cosmic dread and psychological horror that has been the hallmark of the genre has since gone on to inspire countless other narratives in the genre and this song from Metallica is no different.
It was released as part of the band's second album, Ride the lightningreleased on July 27, 1984. The song's title is a direct reference to Cthulhu, a veteran of Lovecraft's works, both his original 1926 story and its sequel, particularly the 1931 novel. Shadow over Innsmouth.
3) Rivendell by Rush – Based on the novel “The Lord of the Rings” by J. R. R. Tolkien
Another Tolkien-inspired song, this one is inspired by the titular Elven valley in the fantasy novel the Lord of the Ringscalled Rivendell or Imladris, referring to the valley's tranquility and timelessness in his words:
“Gin songs and endless nights / Sweet wine and soft, comforting lights / Time will never touch you / Here in this enchanted place.”
4) The Gnome by Pink Floyd – based on the novel “The Wind in the Willows” by Kenneth Grahame
Gnome It is a song released as part of the band's first studio album, The piper at the gates of dawnwhich was inspired by The wind in the willows (1908) by Kenneth Grahame. The song itself refers to the archetype of the gnome fantasy race and tells the tale from one perspective.
5) The Drowned Man from The Cure – Based on the “Gormenghast” novels by Mervyn Pyke.
The drowning man The Cure is based on a series of novels by Mervyn Pyke titled Gormenghasta gothic tale of the inhabitants of the titular Gormenghast Castle as well as the surrounding earldom that also bears the same name.
6) Black Blade by Blüë Öystër Cült – inspired by Michael Moorcock's Stormbringer
Progressive rock bands of the 1970s and early 1980s were heavily inspired by both science fiction and fantasy in their work, and Blue Oyster Cult was one band that led the charge. Working alongside Michael Moorcock, the band brought to life the story of the titular sword, used by Moorcock's character Elric Melnibone.
7) Stormbringer by Deep Purple – Based on Michael Moorcock's Stormbringer
Bring storms It is another collaboration between Michael Moorcock and a rock band, this time with Deep Purple. This song, like Blue Oyster, also references the titular sword used by Moorcock's character Elric of Melniboné and was released on 8 November 1974.
8) Misty Mountain Hope by Led Zeppelin – based on “The Hobbit” by J. R. R. Tolkien
Another Led Zeppelin song inspired by Tolkien's works, this one is a direct reference to the titular Misty Mountains found in the fantasy novel The hobbit By J. R. R. Tolkien. The song's lyrics make heavy reference to these mountains:
“So I've decided what I'll do now/So I'll pack my bags for the misty mountains/Where the spirits go now,/Over the hills where the spirits fly, oh, I really don't know.”
9) Led Zeppelin's Battle of Evermore – Based on the novel The Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. Tolkien
Eternal battlereleased as part of the band's untitled fourth studio album, is the band's final single inspired by Tolkien's fantasy novel. the Lord of the Rings. The track is a direct reference to the novel's characters, with lyrics referring to Galadriel as well as Aragorn, Isildur's heir as well as the Dark Lord himself, Sauron.
The Queen of Light took her bow/Then she turned to go/The Prince of Peace embraced the darkness/And the night walked alone./Oh, dance in the darkness of the night/Sing to the light of the morning/The Dark Lord rides the power tonight/And time will tell us all.
10) Titus Groane by Aldous Hardinge – based on the Gormenghast novels by Mervyn Pike
This eclectic song by Aldous Hardinge was released as part of her eponymous debut album, Aldous Harding, was released on April 9, 2014. The song's title refers to the first novel in the Fantasy series by Mervyn Pyke as well as one of the characters and itself refers to the fate of Titus Groan and the boy character Steerpike who rises from his house. Station as a ruthless kitchen boy.
These songs mentioned above are only a small part of the debt that popular music owes to fantasy as a genre. Other notable musical acts that have drawn this inspiration include Blind Guardian, as well as Rainbow and Screamin' Jay Hawkins.
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