5 Psycho Rock Songs Featuring Nick Cave, Def Leppard, The Police, Metallica and Guns N' Roses

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5 Psycho Rock Songs Featuring Nick Cave, Def Leppard, The Police, Metallica and Guns N' Roses

Updated November 5, 2010
4 minute read

Well, there are many romantic rock n’ roll songs, not all rock songs are about romance and love. Some lyrics suggest violence, possession, obsession, death and even murder. Let’s take a ride on rock’s darker side.

P.S. If you like the idea behind this article, you can check out the sequel called "4 Psycho Rock Songs Feat. Def Leppard, Talking Heads, Bon Jovi and The Smiths".

 I thought the vibe and the title are appropirate. Image via: http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images

Nick Cave featuring Kylie Minogue- Where The Wild Roses Grow

Recorded in 1995, this is Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds’ most popular song. Front man Nick Cave shares vocals with fellow Australian Kylie Minogue. So how psychotic is this song? While the music and singing are relaxing and beautiful, the lyrics are not exactly suitable for children:

The beginning of the song depicts the first two days of harmless flirting. But do pay attention to day 3.

“ On the third day he took me to the river

He showed me the roses and we kissed

And the last thing I heard was a muttered word

As he stood smiling above me with a rock in his fist

On the last day I took her where the wild roses grow

And she lay on the bank, the wind light as a thief

As I kissed her goodbye, I said, 'All beauty must die'

And lent down and planted a rose between her teeth”

The Police- Every Breath You Take

While a person with 0 cynicism might find this song very romantic, some might feel this song suggests obsession and possession, rather than love and affection. What do you think?

"Every breath you take and every move you make

Every bond you break

Every step you take, I'll be watching you

Every single day and every word you say

Every game you play

Every night you stay, I'll be watching you

Oh can't you see you belong to me?

How my poor heart aches with every step you take

Every move you make and every vow you break

Every smile you fake

Every claim you stake, I'll be watching you

Since you've gone I've been lost without a trace

I dream at night

I can only see your face

I look around but it's you I can't replace

I feel so cold and I long for your embrace

I keep crying baby, baby please

Oh can't you see you belong to me?

How my poor heart aches with every step you take

Every move you make

And every vow you break

Every smile you fake

Every claim you stake, I'll be watching you

Every move you make

Every step you take, I'll be watching you, I'll be watching you

Every breath you take

Every move you make

Every bond you break

Every step you take, I'll be watching you"

Def Leppard- Two Steps Behind

This song is from Def Leppard’s Retro Active album.

Being the romantic that I am, I have always found this song very sweet. I even used it in a very emotional scene that showed us how deeply in love was the couple. However, there might be a problem if the person being sung about doesn’t know the person who’s dedicating the song. Then the song might just get a stalking vibe.

"Walk away if you want to

it's ok, if you need to

you can run, but you can never hide

From the shadow that's creeping up beside you

There's a magic running through your soul

But you can't have it all

(Whatever you do)

I'll be two steps behind you

(Wherever you go)

and I'll be there to remind you

that it only takes a minute of your precious time

to turn around and I'll be two steps behind."

Guns N' Roses- Used to Love Her

This song is from 1988 and is released in the Lies album. The lyrics don’t really need interpretation.

“I used to love her, but I had to kill her

I used to love her, but I had to kill her

I had to put her

Six feet under

And I can still hear her complain

I used to love her, but I had to kill her

I used to love her, but I had to kill her

I knew I miss her

So I had to keep her

She's buried right in my back yard

I used to love her, but I had to kill her

I used to love her, but I had to kill her

She bitched so much

She drove me nuts

And now I'm happier this way”

Metallica- Die, Die My Darling

While the original song belongs to The Misfits, I first heard the song from Metallica and it is great for releasing some anger.

“Die, die, die my darling

Don't utter a single word

Die, die, die my darling

Just shut your pretty eyes

I'll be seeing you again

Yeah, I'll be seeing you, in hell

So don't cry to me oh baby

Your future's in an oblong box

Don't cry to me oh baby

You should have seen it a-coming on

Don't cry to me oh baby

Had to know it was in your card

Don't cry to me oh baby

Dead-end soul for a dead-end girl

Don't cry to me oh baby

And now your life drains on the floor

Don't cry to me oh baby

Die, die, die my darling

Don't utter a single word

Die, die, die my darling

Just shut your pretty mouth

I'll be seeing you again, yeah-yeah

I'll be seeing you, in hell`

Resources:

http://www.azlyrics.com

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lyrics007.com

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