Hit songs that reference William Shakespeare

When pop goes Shakespeare... and becomes a massive hit.
taylor-swift-love-story.jpg

Given music featured so heavily in William Shakespeare's plays, it’s no surprise that it has long been a source of inspiration in pop music – whether it’s direct quotes, borrowing the themes of his work or even a mention of The Bard himself.  

Last year saw mega hitmaker Max Martin take that concept on its head, using Shakespeare as the basis of West End musical & Juliet, featuring many of the pop producer’s global hits.

Below are some the biggest chart hits to reference Shakespeare and his work.  

Taylor Swift – Love Story  

With some not-so-subtle references to The Bard’s tragic tale of star-crossed lovers, it seems only right to start with Taylor’s breakout single Love Story, which sent her to Number 2 in 2009. From Romeo being told to “stay away from Juliet” to sneaking around and the terrifying wait to meet up at the end. At least there’s a happy ending to this one! 

Dire Straits - Romeo and Juliet  

This track became Dire Straits’ second Top 10 single when it reached Number 8 in 1981. Another single directly referencing the play throughout with character names, Frontman Mark Knopfler took inspiration from Shakespeare in this song about unrequited love. 

Arctic Monkeys – I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor  

Another breakout single featuring a reference to Shakespeare’s tragic love story (spotting a theme yet?), I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor debuted at Number 1 in October 2005, featuring the lyrics “there ain't no love, no Montagues or Capulets, just banging tunes and DJ sets”. 

One True Voice - Shakespeare’s (Way With) Words  

“If I had Shakespeare’s way with words, I would write a sonnet, put your name upon it” is truly a lyric for the ages. The second – and final – release by Popstars: The Rivals winners One True Voice, this summery bop was about struggling to put into words how you feel about someone, wishing they only had Billy’s writing prowess… and obviously referring to themselves as Romeo trying to woo their Juliet. It peaked at Number 10 before the group parted ways. 

Mumford & Sons – Sigh No More 

The title of Mumford’s hugely successful debut album and its title track is lifted straight from Much Ado About Nothing. Within the lyrics of the songseveral lines are pulled from the play and re-purposed; in Roll Away Your Stone, also on the album, the band references Macbeth. You can rip off Shakespeare all you like” singer Marcus Mumford once told the Evening Standard, no lawyers going to call you up on that one. He's got a point.

Iron Maiden  The Evil That Men Do 

The heavy metal outfit reference Julius Caeser in this 1988 Number 5 single, from Mark Antony’s Friends, Romans, Countrymen speech. Frontman Bruce Dickinson would often intro the track during live shows with “The good that men do is oft interred with their bones, but the evil that men do lives one”, reversing a line from the speech. View Iron Maiden's Official Chart history in full here.

Spandau Ballet - Through the Barricades

Shakespeare's greatest love tragedy, Romeo & Juliet, is referenced again, this time in Spandau Ballet's 1986 single. Through the Barricades tells the story of a relationship between a Catholic and Protestant set around the backdrop of troubled Northern Ireland in the 80's. Lyrics such as "Hearts go to their graves" suggest the people in the song suffered a similarly tragic ending, but there was cause for celebrating for the track itself, peaking at Number 6 on the Official Singles Chart.

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JHC

John H. Coffman

0

Check out an\ oldie from the early 1960s, Just like Romeo and Juliet by The Reflections.

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Piran

2

Coincidentally, I have a song called 'Juliet & Romeo' by Martin Solveig ft Roy Woods at #1 on my personal chart this week, which obviously also references Shakespeare! :D

It doesn't seem like that it's far away from making the Top 40 of the Official Singles Chart either.

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🧡 oliviasnoodles 🍜

1

Talking of the Top 40, he’s done it...

CAPTAIN TOM IS #1!! :’)

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Piran

1

Absolutely incredible! :')

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🧡 oliviasnoodles 🍜

1

Oh yeah, Juliet & Romeo! Hopefully for you it’ll become a hit so OCC put it in this list.

By the way, I’ll probably be on later tonight as I’m having a barbecue. Looking forward to it though! :)

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Piran

1

I hope OCC will edit it in too! :D

Yeah, something's telling me it'll be very busy! I'm catching up with a friend at 8pm though, so won't be on after for more than another hour tonight mate.

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Piran

0

Also, 'Love Story' by Taylor Swift is my favourite song of all-time, so it's amazing to see it first on the list! ;)