5 Times Literature Inspired Songwriters

To be a good writer, one must be a great reader. This article lists some contemporary music inspired by classical literature.

Written by Nehal Kamel

Illustrated by Caitlin Rounds

In order to be a great writer, first, you must be a great reader. Allowing oneself to be impacted by a story gives artists the gift of impacting others. Once we realize how vital literature is to our entertainment, the truth of this idea becomes clear. Your favorite artists are readers before they are writers, and their most cherished works are reflected in their songs. Here are just a few examples of when classic literary works inspired some of our most beloved artists. By the end of the list, hopefully you’ll realize that literature is just as timeless as music.

1. “Firework” by Katy Perry, inspired by “On the Road” by Jack Kerouac

When asked about the inspiration for the 2010 sensational song, Katy Perry says Kerouac’s “On The Road” inspired her to write “Firework” and how her favorite quote from the novel first gave the song its premise:

“The only people that interest me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones that never yawn or say a commonplace thing.. but burn, burn, burn like roman candles across the night.” - Jack Kerouac

Perry said in the interview that she wanted to write a song about these people, the people that are “buzzing and fizzing and full of life … and make everyone go ‘awe’” because she wanted everyone to know that they could make others go ‘awe.’ And that they could be fireworks across the night.

2. Bob Dylan Inspired by “Moby Dick,” “The Odyssey,” and More

In his Nobel Prize acceptance speech, Bob Dylan spoke about some books that have had a great influence on his music. He talked about “The Odyssey” and how his song “Isis” is a retelling of the epic poem. Dylan passionately explained how the disturbing plotline of Erich Maria Remarque’s famous war novel “All Quiet On The Western Front” inspired him to write his powerful anti-war song “Masters Of War.” Dylan also mentions “Moby Dick,” explaining his interpretation that the story talks about man’s obsession, evil, and highbrow vs. lowbrow life, and how he scattered these themes in multiple songs he wrote. Dylan said that though he may not have understood every aspect of the books, they inspire him enough to write.

3. “Woman” by Harry Styles, inspired by Charles Bukowski’s “Old Man, Dead in a Room”

Twitter user @narcissistVEVO created a thread about Charles Bukowski’s influence on Harry Styles. In the thread, she provided multiple pictures of Styles reading the author’s works. Styles is often seen with a book in hand, and on more than one occasion, it is a work of Bukowski. The author’s work also made an appearance in Styles’ “Behind The Album” film and photobook. Jess (@narcissistVEVO) found a poem by Charles Bukowski called “Old Man, Dead in a Room” that has the following lines:

“this thing upon me

like a flower and a feast,”

Styles altered the poem’s lines in his song “Woman:”

“This thing upon me, howls like a beast

You flower, you feast”

“Woman’s” lyrics, along with the excerpt in the photo above about Styles’ fascination with Bukowski and multiple sightings of him reading Bukowski, are evidence enough that Harry Styles draws inspiration from his favorite poetry.

4. "Same Drugs" by Chance the Rapper, inspired by J. M. Barrie’s “Peter Pan” J. M. Barrie

“Same Drugs,” a track on Chance’s self-released album Coloring Book became an instant success. And when the inspiration for the song is taken into account, it is no surprise why this song became a favorite, just like the story of Peter Pan.

“When did you change?

Wendy, you've aged

I thought you'd never grow up

I thought you'd never

Window closed, Wendy got old

I was too late,

I was too late

A shadow of what I once was”

The story of Peter Pan is a childhood classic, and Eryn Allen Kane sings the parts of Wendy to create what seems to be a conversation between Wendy and Peter Pan.

Another reference to the fictional character appears towards the end, with the lyrics:

“Don't forget the happy thoughts

All you need is happy thoughts”

Peter Pan’s secret to flying is thinking happy thoughts along with some faith, trust, and pixie dust. All of these parallels show us that Peter Pan inspired “Same Drugs.”

5. “Something Wicked” by 2Pac inspired by Shakespeare’s “Macbeth”

Tupac Shakur, famously known as “2pac,” was a fan of Shakespeare since his school days when he took part in Shakespeare plays. So it came as no surprise when he released his album “2pacalypse Now” that Shakespeare’s “Macbeth” heavily influenced the track “Something Wicked.” The song draws inspiration from a line that first appeared in “Macbeth” before becoming one of the most famous lines in history:

“2nd Witch: By the pricking of my thumbs,

Something wicked this way comes. [Knocking]

Open locks,

Whoever knocks!

[Enter Macbeth]”

Shakur cleverly picked the title and lyrics to maintain the theme of the famous line, also using the line as his first and last verse. Through this timeless piece of literature, 2Pac created a timeless song.