In honor of William Shakespeare’s Birthday today, I put together the 10 Best songs with Shakespearean references that I have heard and/or enjoy. I was going to use I am Walrus by the Beatles, but decided a recording of Hamlet isn’t quite the same as including Shakespeare in the Lyrics, at least for this list. I have listed the artist, the Song, and the Shakespearean work that is referenced. Enjoy!
1. The Eagles – Get Over It – A Midsummer’s Night Dream
2. Rush – Limelight – As You Like It
3. Dire Straits – Romeo and Juliet (also covered by Inigo Girls)
4. Bon Jovi – Always – Romeo and Juliet
5. Elvis Costello – The Juliet Letters/Mystery Dance – Romeo and Juliet
6. Sting – Nothing like the Sun – Sonet 130
7. Blue Oyster Cult – The Reaper – Romeo and Juliet, plus various other works reference the Reaper
8. Sammy Hager – Rock n Roll Romeo – Romeo and Juliet
9. Nick Lowe – Cruel to be Kind – Hamlet
10. Lou Reed – Romeo had Juliette – Romeo and Juliet
Honorable Mention:
Spin Doctors – How Could You Want Him (When You Know You Could Have Me?) – Hamlet
Deniece Williams – Let’s Hear it for the Boys (from Footloose) – Romeo and Juliet
Other choices today included movies as the first Vitascope projector was demonstrated in New York on this date in 1896. Hank Aaron hit his 1st home run in 1954 and William Shakespeare shares his birthday with Shirley Temple and Lee Majors, both of which could have made interesting lists. Please feel free to add a comment with your favorite song with a Shakespearean reference.
Tags: Blue Oyster Cult, Bon Jovi, Dire Straits, Elvis Costello, Lou Reed, Music, Nick lowe, Rush, Sammy Hager, Shakespeare, Spin Doctors, Sting, The Eagles, William Shakespeare
