"I saw a werewolf with a Chinese menu in his hand walkin through the streets of Soho in the rain.
He was lookin for the place called Lee Ho Fooks, gonna get a big dish of beef chow mein.
Aaahoo, werewolves of London Aaahoo
Ya hear him howlin around your kitchen door, ya better not let him in.
Little old lady got mutilated late last night, werewolves of London again.
Aaahoo, werewolves of London Aaahoo
He's the hairy, hairy gent, who ran amok in Kent. Lately he's been overheard in Mayfair.
You better stay away from him, he'll rip your lungs out Jim.
Huh, I'd like to meet his tailor.
Aaahoo, werewolves of London Aaahoo
Well, I saw Lon Chaney walkin with the queen, doing the werewolves of London.
I saw Lon Chaney Jr. walkin with the queen, doin the werewolves of London
I saw a werewolf drinkin a pina colada at Trader Vic's And his hair was perfect.
ahhhooooo, werewolves of London
Draw blood "
I heard this song the other day after quite a howling hiatus (I think it was done in 1978 so I guess it only airs on certain “classic” stations now). I was thrilled when I was quite sure that it was, in fact, Werewolves of London playing because Kid n Play (or whatever the hell his name is) has some dim-witted version of Sweet Home Alabama that opens the same way.
The song appeals to me quite a bit. Maybe it’s the driving tempo of the piano and the husky, Bob Seger-like vocals of Warren Zevon. Yeah that’s part of it. But there’s more. Maybe, in addition to the fact that it generally jams, there’s a lyrical lure as well.
There are a number of places where the writer starkly juxtaposes the two sides of a werewolf with references to a well groomed gentleman and a ravenous, homicidal beast. He gives us a detail or two of savagery then tells us, perhaps parenthetically but oddly enough with almost equal emphasis, about his admiration for the creature’s urbane image. This contrast hits me as hilarious at first, then strikes me as strange, and finally it seems to make some sense. In the old-school monster genre, darkness could be endearing at times, but this was due to some strength or pleasantry in the nerdowell existing right alongside his villainy. According to Zevon, the werewolf has unparalleled classiness and good looks, probably present when he is in his right mind. Yet, methinks this kind of fiend knows a little something of his nighttime naughtiness. Perhaps he arrogantly dismisses the “dreams” that coincide with the recent rash of violent crime in the city as mere coincidence. Perhaps, he knows all too well what he’s done, but cares too much for his image and his appetite. Maybe he has been a werewolf so long that his malevolence has carried over into his “rational” state as well. Let’s go a step further, maybe his human state is merely a mendacious mask, a gallant guise meant to cover the brute that lies beneath. This last point reminds me of another classic by the Rolling Stones:
So if you meet me, have some courtesy have some sympathy and some taste
I heard this song the other day after quite a howling hiatus (I think it was done in 1978 so I guess it only airs on certain “classic” stations now). I was thrilled when I was quite sure that it was, in fact, Werewolves of London playing because Kid n Play (or whatever the hell his name is) has some dim-witted version of Sweet Home Alabama that opens the same way.
The song appeals to me quite a bit. Maybe it’s the driving tempo of the piano and the husky, Bob Seger-like vocals of Warren Zevon. Yeah that’s part of it. But there’s more. Maybe, in addition to the fact that it generally jams, there’s a lyrical lure as well.
There are a number of places where the writer starkly juxtaposes the two sides of a werewolf with references to a well groomed gentleman and a ravenous, homicidal beast. He gives us a detail or two of savagery then tells us, perhaps parenthetically but oddly enough with almost equal emphasis, about his admiration for the creature’s urbane image. This contrast hits me as hilarious at first, then strikes me as strange, and finally it seems to make some sense. In the old-school monster genre, darkness could be endearing at times, but this was due to some strength or pleasantry in the nerdowell existing right alongside his villainy. According to Zevon, the werewolf has unparalleled classiness and good looks, probably present when he is in his right mind. Yet, methinks this kind of fiend knows a little something of his nighttime naughtiness. Perhaps he arrogantly dismisses the “dreams” that coincide with the recent rash of violent crime in the city as mere coincidence. Perhaps, he knows all too well what he’s done, but cares too much for his image and his appetite. Maybe he has been a werewolf so long that his malevolence has carried over into his “rational” state as well. Let’s go a step further, maybe his human state is merely a mendacious mask, a gallant guise meant to cover the brute that lies beneath. This last point reminds me of another classic by the Rolling Stones:
So if you meet me, have some courtesy have some sympathy and some taste
Use all your well learned politesse or I'll lay your soul to waste
Hmmm... sounds similar to Zevon's description of the alluring lycan. Something is afoot. Werewolves-- a hyperbolic metaphor for the true measure of many a man, or in fact a symbol for the devil in disguise? You decide.
Hmmm... sounds similar to Zevon's description of the alluring lycan. Something is afoot. Werewolves-- a hyperbolic metaphor for the true measure of many a man, or in fact a symbol for the devil in disguise? You decide.
good read. im really enjoying your posts!
ReplyDeletewhen i read the title i assumed it was bones telling captain kirk about some villainous alien. tehe.
funny...i didn't even think of that. i just found the line to be oddly hilarious.
ReplyDeleteIt is a shame that Warren had to die a few years ago.
ReplyDeletei didn't realize that
ReplyDelete