Rock bands throughout the decades have found many different sources of inspiration. Some perform to inspire the future they want to see, while others cite the great tales of our past. These are some of the great classic and more modern rock bands that explore these classic stories to make some great tracks.
A Furry Antagonist Featured by The Heavy
Formed in Bath in 2007, English rock band The Heavy rose to fame in 2009 with “How You Like Me Now.” Years later, still creating hits for Counter Records, the band leaned into one of the most famous antagonists in all of British folklore when they released “The Big Bad Wolf.” Instantly, we know the character and their story.
The Big Bad Wolf so easily translates to all forms of media because of this, even as a feature in Huff N’ Even More Puff Grand online. Here, with the piggies in a mansion, the wolf’s still trying to use its might to get in. In the meantime, the player tries to trigger the prize wheel or build up the persistence upgrade for bigger wins on the spin.
Led Zeppelin’s Trip to Middle-Earth
Despite only being born some 134 years ago, the works of J.R.R. Tolkien have become legendary. Rightly known as “The Father of Fantasy” for writing The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, his works truly crafted a new genre. He didn’t intend to do this; he was merely out to create a kind of mythology for England, which he saw as missing.
His high-fantasy setting has gone on to inspire a huge range of creatives in the decades since, including Led Zeppelin. In 1971, the English rock band launched “The Battle of Evermore.” The song, featuring an acoustic guitar and mandolin to better fit the setting, references Sauron, Smaug, the Ringwraiths, and more.
Into the Rabbit Hole with Jefferson Airplane
Another acclaimed author within the fantasy genre has also seen his works and the themes of his most noteworthy tale being referenced in rock. This time, it’s Lewis Carroll and the enduring tale Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. After diving into the rabbit hole, Alice needs to come to terms with the story and overcome the absurdist realm.
Perceptions of Lewis Carroll and Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland have shifted often, but the core themes and story continue to be loved. That’s why you’ll find many rock references to it, including Jefferson Airplane’s 1967 hit White Rabbit, which draws on the iconic imagery conjured up in Carroll’s 1865 novel.
Tales of Ancient Greece from Cream
Quite relevant to the cinematic sensation that’s taking place at the time of writing, but somehow more honest to the source material, Homer’s The Odyssey has also made it to the annals of rock history. While writing the track Tales of Brave Ulysses, Eric Clapton of Cream said that it was co-writer Martin Sharp’s love of Mediterranean islands that had him pining for the sun and thinking of Greek mythos while it was deep in winter where he worked.
Epic tales, and even fantastical tales, of the past have managed to influence the rock genre from the classic era to more modern groups. Given the current intrigue in all things mythological in pop culture, we’re bound to see more lyrics riffing on ancient tales in the albums to come.
