I don’t recall the kind of debate that is currently raging on the internet about Christopher Nolan’s new movie Ulysses since the days of Anne Rice and her vampires. Epic film adaptations of classic texts often stir controversy as audiences applaud or denounce the filmmakers' particular choices.
In this case, Nolan committed a sin that appears unpardonable to some by casting an actress of Kenyan descent, Lupita Nyong’o, in the dual role of Helen and Clytemnestra, and Elliot Page, the actor once known as Ellen Page, in the role of Sinon.
The more nuanced criticism, mostly divorced from current political rhetoric, has derived from a highly critical essay written by Emily Wilson. Nolan cited Wilson’s 2017 translation as a primary inspiration for his film, but Wilson was not impressed with the end product.
Ten rock songs that took their cue from Greek myths
You can read all about that should it interest you. But you came here for rock and roll. So I am ignoring any sense of film criticism today and just offering you ten kick-ass rock songs inspired by Greek mythology.
There are plenty of songs to choose from. Epic adventure stories appeal to rock and roll artists. Characters in trauma and crisis provide excellent fodder. Some of the following songs make literal references to the source material. Most of them use the Greek myth for its symbolism.
To make things interesting, each song will be based on a different character or story, and we will go in alphabetical order. Beginning with…
Achilles - “Achilles Come Down” by Gang of Youths (2017)
I know. You were expecting “Achilles Last Stand.” I know Zeppelin fans who consider it their finest song. But I figure you’ve heard it enough. Besides, it’s ten minutes long. Meanwhile, the Aussie band Gang of Youths needs only seven minutes for their Achilles-inspired tune.
This is outstanding baroque rock and roll built on a skittery cello riff, as frontman David Le’aupepe delves into the psychological depths of the Achilles character. If you want a more traditional rocker derived from Greek mythology, Le’aupepe provides “Atlas Drowned” on the same album.
Calypso - “Calypso” by Suzanne Vega (1987)
Charlize Theron plays the deity in Nolan’s movie. She nurses Ulysses back to health and keeps him happy for seven years before realizing that he eventually must return to Ithaca.
On her sensational second album Solitude Standing – the one with “Tom’s Diner” and “Luka" - Vega explores the psyche of a character who is often seen as an obstacle to the hero’s journey. In Vega’s telling, she becomes a selfless hero, letting her lover leave though she knows it condemns her to loneliness. It is all delivered over swirling, haunting synths and a simple acoustic guitar motif.
Cassandra - “Cassandra” by ABBA (1982)
ABBA were huge international pop stars by 1981. When work commenced on their eighth album, The Visitors, they began exploring darker sounds and stories, though they never really lost that pop magic. What better subject for a dark song than Cassandra, the Trojan priestess who was cursed by being able to see the future but never to be believed.
ABBA treats the story in a literal fashion. Cassandra is not merely a symbol. She is the real thing. The theme of the song goes further, apologizing to all those visionaries – more often than not women – who simply were not listened to. “Cassandra” did not initially appear on the album. It was the B-side of a single the following year and eventually appeared on the deluxe edition of The Visitors in 2012.
Icarus - “Flight of Icarus” by Iron Maiden (1983)
Metal bands love most things epic, and Greek mythology is an ideal conduit. The story of Icarus, who challenged the Gods by flying near the sun and paid the ultimate price, is one of the best source stories you could hope for.
“Flight of Icarus” was the lead single from Maiden’s fourth album, Piece of Mind. The song itself met with some initial resistance in the UK – it actually was a bigger hit on the left side of the Atlantic - but is now mostly considered one of Maiden’s iconic early numbers.
For your information, the story of Icarus will always be an inspiration for rockers. In the last year alone, both Mumford and Sons and Whiskey Myers have recorded tracks titled “Icarus.”
Jason - “Jason and the Argonauts” by XTC (1982)
If you bought XTC’s double album English Settlement back in 1982 and were surprised by the mainstream pop sensibility of the lead single “Senses Working Overtime,” the next track confirmed that they were still prone to going off in weird and wonderful directions.
A skittery little guitar supports whispered references to a golden fleece. Then Andy Partridge launches into a parable which compares the famous adventurer with a rock musician’s relentless touring.
I once read a description of XTC’s music that said it was dance music with undanceable rhythms. That sums up their off-kilter beauty of a ship on the sea and “Jason and the Argonauts” (accent on the middle syllable, of course).
Orpheus - “Orpheus Under the Influence” by the Buttertones (2013)
The Buttertones hail from SoCal, and they can create pristine garage rock that also has echoes of ‘80s new wave and post-punk. They are jangly and whiny in the best way possible. They tackled the character of Orpheus on their self-titled debut album
Orpheus has always drawn artists, and especially musicians. He was a musician himself, and he served a stint with Jason and the Argonauts. But here, Richard Araiza is using Orpheus’ failed descent into Hell to recover his beloved wife Eurydice as the basis for a lament on how love – failed love – can destroy even the greatest of poets.
Pan - “The Return of Pan” by the Waterboys (1993)
Mike Scott had written a song for the Waterboys’ crucial third album, This is the Sea, in 1985. Then he went all in with a sound rooted in Celtic folk with touches of rock. Eight years later, Scott returned to baroque rock and roll, and he also returned to the concept of Pan.
Pan, of course, played the pipes, and on this track, Scott has George Stathos paying homage on his Greek clarinet, which swirls in and around the melody Tommy Hall’s electric jug gave the 13th Floor Elevators their unique rock sound.
Persephone - “Pomegranate Seeds” by Julian Moon (2017)
Self-taught Julian Moon shows her natural gift for penning insanely catchy pop rock. Her Pomegranate Seeds EP uses the story of Persephone, who was whisked away by Hades to be his bride in the underworld. The myth has Persephone bound to Hades’ kingdom for several months because she had eaten several pomegranate seeds.
Moon uses this legend for a song that has a “Big Black Horse & The Cherry Tree” vibe. Both grounded in myth and highly symbolic, Moon turns one of Greek mythology’s most twisted love narratives into pop gold.
Sisyphus - “Sisyphus” by Andrew Bird (2019)
Former Squirrel Nut Zipper violinist Andrew Bird had great solo success with the accurately titled My Finest Work Yet. For the opening track, he drew on the classic story of futility. And he wonders why poor Sisyphus didn’t simply give up on the entire endeavor, something many of us have questioned over the years.
Along with “Calypso,” this is one of the songs on this list that actually rethinks the myth, wondering if the characters are indeed bound to their fate. And with his typical sense of whimsy, Bird answers the question … without really answering anything. He initially sings…
“I’m letting it roll away
It’s got nothing to do with fate
And everything to do with you…”
By the end, he drops the “with you,” leaving the question of cause entirely open-ended. How Sisyphean.
Ulysses - “Tales of Brave Ulysses” by Cream (1967)
OK – I admit it. I chose to go alphabetically by character name so that I could end on this. Not only is it directly linked to the Nolan film, but it is also the greatest rock song ever based on a Greek myth.
It is one of Eric Clapton’s best compositions, and his wah-wah-wah pedal launched a lot of imitators. Jack Bruce is one of the most underrated vocalists in the classic rock era, and Ginger Baker is a madman. It’s glorious psychedelic rock from an iconic trio.
Bruce mentions Aphrodite in the final verse, which has me realizing I left the goddess of love off this list. That hardly seems right, so as a bonus, I offer you Peach Pit’s 2018 alt rocker “Mighty Aphrodite” for your listening pleasure.
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