A Musical Wonderland: Inspirations From Classic Literature

By Seb Gorlov

For years, classic literature has had a major impact from a musical perspective,  where some of the most famous works have been referenced or used for inspiration .

Here’s a selection of some of the best songs inspired by or referencing classic literary works and why they should be on your playlist.

1) “Mad Hatter” – Melanie Martinez (Cry Baby)

With an entrancing xylophone beat that quickly turns dark and sinister, the thirteenth track on Melanie Martinez’s 2015 album Cry Baby uses references from the book as an allegory for madness, drawing inspiration from the Mad Hatter, an iconic character from Lewis Carroll’s classic novel Alice in Wonderland, in order to make the album’s fictional protagonist Cry Baby describe herself as completely crazy.

It is a scathing, brutally honest confession, but works perfectly in aligning with the themes of the Mad Hatter’s own character arc, the track making you feel as if you have stepped into Wonderland itself, with a multitude of acoustics providing a powerful backdrop to Martinez’s ephemeral vocals, such as the heavy kick drum patterns throughout. With lyricism that details a descent into madness, it adds to the overall feel of the tune.

“ You think I’m psycho / You think I’m gone / Tell the psychiatrist something is wrong.” (“Mad Hatter”, Cry Baby, Melanie Martinez).

“Mad Hatter” is a fan favourite amongst Martinez’s younger listeners for having a relatability in its approach to identity struggles and embracing yourself, making it one of the most notable songs in her discography.

“The album has a satisfying end with “Mad Hatter,” an anthem of sorts about accepting one’s “craziness” since “all the best people are,” and celebrating it with equally crazy friends.” (Fuller, Trill Mag, 10.03.26).

 

2) “Wuthering Heights” – Kate Bush (The Kick Inside)

Taken from the Emily Bronte novel of the same name, Kate Bush’s “Wuthering Heights” is an instant classic. The track from her album The Kick Inside – released when she was just nineteen years old – sees saccharine vocals blending with a slow and steady drumbeat, soothing guitar rhythms and gentle piano notes.

The latter of these instruments takes centre stage around her harmonies to draw the listener into the world she aspires to create stepping into the shoes of Cathy, the book’s protagonist who is head over heels for the handsome Heathcliffe. The song is full of clever lyricism that reflects Cathy’s undying love for Heathcliffe.

“Oh it gets dark/ It gets lonely/ On the other side from you” (“Wuthering Heights”, The Kick Inside, Kate Bush).

The dreamy tones of the track feel perfect for a slow, romantic dance, further enhancing the fact that this was engineered to be a timeless love song. Wuthering Heights is a literary work that has been recognisable for generations and has seen many modern adaptations.

Emerald Fennell’s recent film version had everyone talking, with a soundtrack by pop icon Charli XCX. This is testament to the popularity of Bronte’s original concept, yet Bush’s take on the story is her magnum opus and a powerful anthem that deserves all the praise it has received.

 

3) “Emperor’s New Clothes” – Panic! At The Disco (Death of A Bachelor)

Taking its name from the classic Hans Christian Andersen tale, the fourth track on Panic! At The Disco’s 2016 album Death of A Bachelor reiterates the themes from the story, as frontman Brendon Urie tells a story of the dangers of vanity and the importance of being honest.

In the story, the townsfolk remain silent about the emperor’s suit being fake, not willing to admit the truth, until someone finally speaks out, putting the emperor at risk of being exposed as not as important as he says he is.

“The Emperor in this story is not very wise, but he is very vain. He is not interested in the needs of his kingdom or subjects. He is interested in how he looks and the appearance of his castle.” (Cohen, Medium, 03.11.25).

Here, Urie cleverly utilises the emperor’s plight with a dash of the creative wordplay that makes him one of this generation’s best vocalists. The song is both sonically and lyrically fascinating, the themes remaining consistent throughout.

The repetition of “finders keepers, losers weepers” in the chorus is a particular standout that hones in on the theme of vanity – by wearing the suit the emperor believes he is the most powerful and important person in town and everyone else is insignificant. This is also evident in the verses, which describe the emperor living an opulent lifestyle.

“Sycophants on velvet sofas / Lavish mansions, vintage wine / I am so much more than royal / Snatch your chain and mace your eyes” (“Emperor’s New Clothes”, Death of a Bachelor, Panic! At The Disco).

 

4) “We’re Not In Kansas Anymore” – I See Stars (New Demons)

I See Stars have been tearing up the rulebook for the last twenty years, with a consistent approach to making music, yet a change in style, shifting from heavy metal acoustics and guttural vocalisations to a cleaner sound . The Michigan-based post-hardcore group formed in 2006, with their first album 3D being released in 2009.

Since their inception, the band – comprised of lead vocalist Devin Oliver, drummer Andrew Oliver and the guitarists Brent Allen and Jeff Valentine – have released eight albums, most notably THE WHEEL, which was released last year. 

Taken from their 2013 album New Demons, which featured in the top ten on the Billboard Top Rock Albums Chart, “We’re Not In Kansas Anymore” starts with a captivating synth pattern and ends with a beautiful electronic solo – highlighting the band’s versatility – before dissolving into a fierce maelstrom of sharp and succinct guitar riffs, heavy drum beats. Meanwhile Devin Oliver showcases his impressive vocals throughout, his singing similar to Pierce The Veil frontman Vic Fuentes.

The song’s title is a line from children’s book The Wizard of Oz, said by main character Dorothy to her dog Toto when she realises they are far from their home following a storm, the main theme being the sense of being in unfamiliar surroundings and the confusion and distress it can cause.

“959 miles away is where you’ll find me / I’m afraid I’ve been locked away” (“We’re Not In Kansas Anymore”, New Demons, I See Stars).

 

5) “Gravity’s Rainbow” – Klaxons

Klaxons – comprising of lead singer Jamie Reynolds, James Righton and Simon Taylor –  were one of the most influential groups of the early 21st century and their 2007 album Myths of The Near Future, which takes its name from a JG Ballard novel, is full of tracks with supernatural, mystical elements – and several references to sci-fi stories for good measure. The album also won a Mercury Prize in 2007. It is testament to their creativity and hard work. When paired with their trademark brand of indie-electronica, it’s crystal clear to see why the British band were adored in the way they were.

Starting with a solid guitar riff that remains consistent throughout amidst the enrapturing synth patterns, drum beats and keyboard melodies, “Gravity’s Rainbow” is a maelstrom of creativity and not just sonically. It is a masterpiece where the creative lyricism feels like it would have fit right into the world created by Gravity’s Rainbow author Thomas Pynchon.

“All ships of sense on hyper ocean / All kinds of chaos still in motion / My culture vulture, such a dab hand / I’ll steal you from the year 4000” (“Gravity’s Rainbow”, Myths of The Near Future, Klaxons).

The book – despite being known for being notoriously difficult to read – is classed as one of the greatest works of all time and contains plenty of science fiction references

“Across 700-plus pages, Pynchon teases out a hefty head trip of plots and subplots, introduces hundreds of characters, and riffs on rocket science, cinema, Germanic runology, Pavlovian behaviorism, probability theory, witchcraft, futurism, zoot-suit couture, psychedelic chemistry, and the annihilation of the dodo.” (Semley, Wired, 16.02.23).

 

Overall, the key takeaway from all these examples and more is that literary works – which can be creative and draw us into different worlds in their own way- have for many years and will surely continue to inspire songs, therefore having a profound impact in the modern world we live in today.