6: He'll Rip Your Lungs Out, Jim!

6. "Werewolves of London" by Warren Zevon {#21; 3/78} [Video: Werewolves of London. (Nice werewolf. Thanks!)]

I cannot name one song by Warren Zevon other than "Werewolves of London." None.

Before sitting down to write this, I could tell you two things about Warren Zevon:
1) He sang "Werewolves of London."
B) He died of cancer, and shortly before he passed away he made a heartfelt, emotional appearance on The Late Show with David Letterman.

That's it. That's all I know.

Now, I get the feeling that I'm missing out. Zevon was well liked and well respected. He apparently put out a lot of excellent music. I feel like I should look into it more. Maybe I should listen to his other stuff. (If it's half as good as "Werewolves of London," it would certainly be worth it.) I might actually discover more great music to like.

He kind of looks like John Denver. Or maybe he just beat up John Denver and stole his glasses. (Draw blood!)

So, no, I don't know much about Warren Zevon, but what I do know is this: This song is FANTASTIC!!!

It's fun, it's funny, it's clever, it's weird, it's bouncy, and it's certifiably sing-along-able!

The opening piano riff is jaunty and joyous, and puts a smile on my face every time. (The only problem with it is that the turd-juggler known as Kid Rock stole the piano bit, mashed it up with the highly overrated "Sweet Home Alabama," and made a "new" song that makes me want to punch him in the face every time I hear it.)

The lyrics, of course, are superb, from the opening line ("I saw a werewolf with a Chinese menu in his hand, walking through the streets of Soho in the rain.") to the very last line, "I saw a werewolf drinking a pina colada at Trader Vic's. His hair was perfect.")

There's more! Like, "He's the hairy-handed gent who ran amok in Kent." (Why are people who are amok always running? Does anyone ever stand amok?)

There's, "You better stay away from him, he'll rip your lungs out, Jim."

And don't forget Lon Chaney and Lon Chaney, Jr. walking with the queen.

But that's not all! There is, as was pointed out to me by a somewhat psychotic junior high English teacher, perhaps the greatest line of alliteration ever sung in a song, "Little old lady got mutilated late last night."

Oh, and did I mention the werewolf howls? Lots and lots of werewolf howls!!!
"Aaahooo!"
"Aaahooo!"
"Aaahooo!"

The only thing that's missing (besides maybe some hand-claps) is a series of follow-up songs:
"The Werewolves of Munich"
"The Werewolves of Brisbane"
"The Werewolves of Tampa"
"The Werewolves of Inkom."

COMING UP NEXT: It's just a fantasy. (Or is it?)