WatchmenComicMovie.com Forum

I've been trying to compile a list of all the songs referenced in Watchmen (Just out of curiousity really). I've come up with these so far:

1. Desolation Row - Bob Dylan
2. Neighborhood Threat - Iggy Pop
3. The Ride of The Valkyries - Written by Richard Wagner
4. Enola Gay - Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark*
5. Vesti La Giubba - Written by Ruggero Leoncavallo*
6. The Comedians - Elvis Costello and The Attractions
7. Jocko Homo - Devo
8. Unforgettable - Nat "King" Cole
9. Quark, Strangeness and Charm - Hawkwind*
10. You're My Thrill - Billie Holiday (written by Sidney Clare)
11. These Foolish Things (Remind Me Of You) - Written by Holt Marvell, Jack Stachey & Harry Link
12. All Along The Watchtower - Bob Dylan
13. The Times They Are A-Changin' - Bob Dylan
14. Sanities - John Cale

* While none of these songs are directly mentioned or referenced to in the book, they are mentioned in an indirect way. "Enola Gay" was referenced (somewhat) in the sequence where Rorschach laments over the lack of "American Love" on the New York streets. "Quark, Strangeness, and Charm" is also referenced in an indirect way through the motto on the large photoboard in the bar in Arizona where Jon Osterman and Janey Slater meet. "Vesti La Giubba" is, of course, the famous "sad clown" song from the play Pagliacci which Rorschach references in joke form.

If anyone else finds other references to other songs in some form or another, post them here. I'll update the list as more songs are discovered (if there are anymore).

Its actually quite fun looking for little references here and there. Like playing Where's Waldo. Oooh, there's an idea, Alan Moore's Where's Waldo...On second thought, no.

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The release of atom power has changed everything except our way of thinking. The solution to this problem lies in the heart of mankind. If only I had known, I would have become a watchmaker. - Albert Einstein

I love this. I smell a new page for the main site brewing. Thanks, Watchmaker.

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Those who dance are considered insane by those who can't hear the music - George Carlin

Hey, no problem. I mean its not like I have anything better to do with my time.

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The release of atom power has changed everything except our way of thinking. The solution to this problem lies in the heart of mankind. If only I had known, I would have become a watchmaker. - Albert Einstein

Yeah. you too, huh?

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Those who dance are considered insane by those who can't hear the music - George Carlin

Unfortunately, I have neither the time, inclination nor brainpower to add to this list. Great job though, Watchmaker. And Doomsday, I'd love to see these songs on the site. Some YouTube links to the music videos, perhaps?

For my part, I've always wanted to hear the Joker's song in The Killing Joke committed to music. Alan Moore did a great job writing that one.

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This is truly a madhouse. And I'm the lunatic running it. I've spent three years wondering if I should be proud or ashamed.

In the meantime, catch This Vicious Cabaret lifted from the pages of V for Vendetta:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZZCTgu8BJI

As much as I like both Kurt Wagner, frontman of the Band Lambchop (great music!), and Kurt Wagner aka Nightcrawler, member of the X-Men, the credit for having written the "The Ride of The Valkyries" is due to german composer Richard Wagner.

Nevertheless, thanks a lot for the list, Watchmaker!

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The world is a mess and I just need to rule it.

Haha oh geeze, thank you for catching that Kyos. In defense though, if you've ever seen a pic of Mr. Wagner, you'd see he had a striking resemblance to the Incredible Nightcrawler.

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The release of atom power has changed everything except our way of thinking. The solution to this problem lies in the heart of mankind. If only I had known, I would have become a watchmaker. - Albert Einstein

Why, yes! You're excused, they're quasi twins...

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The world is a mess and I just need to rule it.

Why is Nightcrawler wearing a luxurious smoking jacket in that picture?

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VII.10.2/3 Laurie demonstrates her knowledge of 70s New Wave by referencing Devo and their ditty Are We Not Men? - sounds kind of appropriate. Dan counters with his appreciation of R&B flavored jazz with a fondness for Billie Holiday (played later in the Owlship), Nellie Lutcher, and Louis Jordan.

Also, In his Nova Express interview at the end of Chapter 11, Veidt explains to his interviewer that he likes "electronic music." He names the artists John Cage, Karlheinz Stockhausen, Krzysztof Penderecki, Andrew Lang, Pierre Henry and Terry Riley as some of his favorite artists.

He also mentions liking Dub Music, which is electronic reggae. If your interested in learning more about that genre, check out Augustus Pablo, Lee "Scratch" Perry, and Black Uhuru.

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Those who dance are considered insane by those who can't hear the music - George Carlin

Great list, Watchmaker.

I don't think that all of these are actually song references, though. The "Enola Gay" reference in Watchmen was probably to the original Enola Gay, which is the name of the plane that dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima (which the song also refers to, of course). Similarly, the terms "quark", "strangeness", and "charm" are terms in particle physics, which was what the scientists at Gila Flats were ostensibly working on.

Still, nice work.

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"Oh, how mortals blame the gods, saying that evils come from us! But it's their own arrogance that brings them pain beyond their share." -- Zeus, Odyssey I: 32-34

Guy who dropped the Enola Gay

R.I.P.

He did a great service to his country and caused many great pain. But we can not blame him

R.I.P

Hiroshima victims.

Enola Gay "dropped" him too. (It was his mother's name).

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two words: YAAAAAA MOOOONNNNNNN!

Makes me wanna dread lock my hair, puff some magic dragons and have kids i don't even know about!

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I see that you've come to resist me...
I'm a pitbull in time.

i heard the song references mention by DD. some are nice but i was suprised when i typed "American Love" in you tube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pKNezpfcIcE

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I see that you've come to resist me...
I'm a pitbull in time.

Enola Gay is the name of the plane that flew the bomb over. The two bombs were named "Fat Man" and "Little Boy." Don't know which one was dropped on Hiroshima.

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Those who dance are considered insane by those who can't hear the music - George Carlin

Enola Gay Tibbets gave birth to Paul Tibbets, who named his B-29 "Enola Gay" and dropped "Little Boy" over Hiroshima. (Was an airburst at 1,900 ft).

So both Enola Gay Tibbets and Paul Tibbets dropped little boys. Quaint.

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