Warren Zevon – Werewolves Of London (Official Music Video) [HD]
Inspiration Behind Werewolves of London:
Every Halloween, Warren Zevon’s biggest hit ever, “Werewolves of London.” makes its way back into the song rotation for October. Werewolves of London combine humor with a catchy melody that produces a timeless appeal for listeners. Modern song writers would try to force the theme of werewolves into a song. yet Warren took a playful, 15‑minute joke by Phil Everly and turned this into a classic hit.
Biblical Application:
And God said, “Let the land produce living creatures according to their kinds: the livestock, the creatures that move along the ground, and the wild animals, each according to its kind.” And it was so. 25 God made the wild animals according to their kinds, the livestock according to their kinds, and all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good, Genesis 1:24-25.
Exegesis of Werewolves in London:
[Verse 1]
I saw a werewolf with a Chinese menu in his hand
Walking through the streets of Soho in the rain
He was looking for the place called Lee Ho Fook’s
Gonna get a big dish of beef chow mein
The beginning of a joke. Setting the stage for a solid punchline.
[Chorus]
Ah-hoo, werewolves of London
Ah-hoo
Ah-hoo, werewolves of London
Ah-hoo
A funny transition about the presence of werewolves in town.
[Verse 2]
You hear him howling around your kitchen door
You better not let him in
Little old lady got mutilated late last night
Werewolves of London again
Perhaps symbolic of a hungry child who is complaining. Transitioning into a modern version of Little Red Riding Hood. Reference to a local news story, suggesting another victim to Werewolves in London.
[Chorus]
Ah-hoo, werewolves of London
Ah-hoo
Ah-hoo, werewolves of London
Ah-hoo, huh
They are here.
Verse 3]
He’s the hairy-handed 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
Using poetry to begin this stanza. A warning to watch out for a werewolf in disguise.
[Chorus]
Ah-hoo, werewolves of London
Ah-hoo
Ah-hoo, werewolves of London
Ah-hoo
They have become a nuisance.
[Verse 4]
Well, I saw Lon Chaney walking with the queen
Doing the werewolves of London
I saw Lon Chaney, Jr.walking with the queen, uh
Doing the werewolves of London
I saw a werewolf drinking a piña colada at Trader Vic’s
And his hair was perfect
Na!
This has now become a dance like Thriller. Meanwhile, these werewolves are spreading, even infiltrating royalty.
[Chorus]
Ah-hoo
Werewolves of London
Huh, draw blood, uh
Ah-hoo
Werewolves of London
Watch out for their fangs.
Final Thoughts:
This is one of those songs that you make up late at night at work, blending strange lyrics with a rhymical sound. While the Bible references Kraken and large beast. werewolves are not mentioned. This is more of a horror film fantasy linked with vampires. Although there may be demonic entities and spirits which can turn animals into uncontrolled beasts, werewolves are merely a legendary tale linked to a creature not of this world.
by Jay Mankus
