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Warren Zevon — Werewolves Of London
Album: Excitable Boy
Avg rating:
7.5

Your rating:
Total ratings: 2764









Released: 1976
Length: 3:15
Plays (last 30 days): 1
I saw a werewolf with a Chinese menu in his hand
Walking through the streets of SoHo in the rain
He was looking for the place called Lee Ho Fooks
For to get a big dish of beef chow mein

Ah-hooo, werewolves of London
Ah-hooo
Ah-hooo, werewolves of London
Ah-hooo

You hear him howling around your kitchen door
You better not let him in
Little old lady got mutilated late last night
Werewolves of London again

Ah-hooo, werewolves of London
Ah-hooo
Ah-hooo, werewolves of London
Ah-hooo
Hunh

He's the hairy-handed gent
Who ran amok in Kent
Lately he's been overheard in Mayfair
You better stay away from him
He'll rip your lungs out, Jim
Hunh, I'd like to meet his tailor

Ah-hooo, werewolves of London
Ah-hooo
Ah-hooo, werewolves of London
Ah-hooo

Well, I saw Lon Chaney walking with the Queen
Doin' the werewolves of London
I saw Lon Chaney Junior walking with the Queen, uh!
Doin' the werewolves of London
I saw a werewolf drinkin' a Piña Colada at Trader Vic's
And his hair was perfect
Na!

Ah-hooo
Werewolves of London
Heh, draw blood
Ah-hooo
Werewolves of London
Comments (401)add comment
Will always remind me of being 16, riding in Johnny and Danny Madrid's mom's plush Olds 98, widows down, volume up, beers in hand, joint going 'round, flying about 90 or so, coming back from the lake, all of us singing, "Ahh-HOOO!" --Huh...draw blood! RIP J&D!
I named my dog Zevon, which may give a hint as to the score I assigned this song. 
Is there anyone who doesn't love saying/singing

"Little old lady got mutilated late last night"?   

Doesn't seem possible.
Makes me smile every time. 
I play in a covers band and put the “Ahoooo”s into any song I can - “Take the money and run” and (of course) “Sweet Home Alabama” being two current songs. 
I know I shouldn't but I love this. Can't explain why though.
Wonderful
 yofitofu wrote:
Got a lot of mileage out of 3 chords. I guess that fits a lot of sings.



And it WORKS WELL on this tune!
Got a lot of mileage out of 3 chords. I guess that fits a lot of sings.
Aaaaaaawooooo!!!!
 unclehud wrote:

I pulled submarine duty, 1978-1982.  Wasn't unusual to hear a shipmate shout, "AAAAHHHHWOOOOOO, Werewolves of London" in the middle of the night while on patrol.  

We took turns assuming the revered title of "Roland the Headless Thompson Gunner."



i love this! (love both songs, too.)
 RedTopFireBelow wrote:
This song was so overplayed, I just can't stomach it anymore.


You know what? It holds up.
"Little old lady got mutilated late last night"
A rather unpleasant sentiment, but damn, those words just flow together so rhythmically.
This song was so overplayed, I just can't stomach it anymore.
 todbothom wrote:

Why on an LP full of great tunes you choose the most commercial song I can't fathom? It's not horrible but every other tune on the LP is better than this one.



Just because it was commercial at one time doesn't mean it isn't feckin' brilliant. 
 bobcouch wrote:


Yes! I agree!! Maybe "Excitable Boy" for starts.
 


We need "Lawyers, Guns and Money" at least once every couple of days please.
Why on an LP full of great tunes you choose the most commercial song I can't fathom? It's not horrible but every other tune on the LP is better than this one.
 Sbed wrote:

Little old lady got mutilated late last night

Love that line ! trying to say it fast !



I, too, am a fan of mellifluous alliteration.
 Baby_M wrote:

The intro from "Werewolves of London" is being used as the music bed for a Raisin Bran commercial.  The English language lacks an adjective strong enough to convey just how wrong that is.



speaking of wrong - Kid Rock also stole this riff for one of his "tunes"
We're having a nerdy dance off...and now he's howling at the confused dog. Good times!
What a quirky genius he was. Miss you Warren... 


Unique.  Different. Legendary. Always think of The Slaughtered Lamb when I hear this. 
Always brings a smile to my face too Bill! 
38.. What is it with famous musos and dying young. It's not always smack addictions etc. I think part of it is the shit food that's available for touring musicians , grabbing fast food instead of having decent fresh cooked food. We think it'll do us no harm to live on the sugar laden crap for a few months, but it's going to take it's toll. The SAD diet has got a lot to answer for. It's a worse pandemic than covid by far, and it's killed many more people and will still do every year.
 unclehud wrote:
Troubled, talented man who ran with his throttle wide open until he crashed -- and from cancer!  (What a surprise!)
 


mesothelioma is not a cancer cause by excessive partying...just sayin'
 secretsauce wrote:
David Lindley -- who has that wonderful slide solo in this cut -- does a nice version of this song.  But let us let the author show us how it's done!
 
True, but Mr. Dave's reggae version is the bomb.
Trivia: The back-up band on this recording is largely Fleetwood Mac. 
Am I hearing a  Tuba? Fun song.
David Lindley -- who has that wonderful slide solo in this cut -- does a nice version of this song.  But let us let the author show us how it's done!
 Baby_M wrote:
The intro from "Werewolves of London" is being used as the music bed for a Raisin Bran commercial.  The English language lacks an adjective strong enough to convey just how wrong that is.
Possibly 'Belgium' (courtesy of Zaphod Beeblebrox)?  
http://www.bbc.co.uk/cult/hitchhikers/guide/belgium.shtml


Little old lady got mutilated late last night

Love that line ! trying to say it fast !
Troubled, talented man who ran with his throttle wide open until he crashed -- and from cancer!  (What a surprise that it wasn't from some crazy behavior!)
Love this song
I'm playing 9 ball pool on my tablet and this is the perfect soundtrack
Love it! RIP Warren
The Hunter S. Thompson of rock and roll. 
 
The intro from "Werewolves of London" is being used as the music bed for a Raisin Bran commercial.  The English language lacks an adjective strong enough to convey just how wrong that is.
Aaaaahhhhoooooooooo! {#Roflol}
 treatment_bound wrote:


As a Yankee hater, I always hear:

Walking through the streets with Luis Sojo in the rain!
  

  Too funny!  As a fan of my local team (Seattle Mariners) I once posted how this song reminds me of another former Mariner; Raul Ibanez.  This was his "walk-up" song with the howl replaced by R-A-U-U-U-U-U-U-L!!

My son was playing his guitar in his room the other day and I poked my head in and asked if he was playing Sweet Home Alabama and he said no, he was playing Werewolves Of London.
 kylieh wrote:
And so begins this year's Halloween theme. The question is, will Bill play Ghostbusters or Thriller?

 
Ray Parker Jr. > Michael Jackson (today only)
And so begins this year's Halloween theme. The question is, will Bill play Ghostbusters or Thriller?
Warren is always good, but add that John McVie bass and those poppy Mick Fleetwood drums and you've got yourself a tune!
I pulled submarine duty, 1978-1982.  Wasn't unusual to hear a shipmate shout, "AAAAHHHHWOOOOOO, Werewolves of London" in the middle of the night while on patrol.  

We took turns assuming the revered title of "Roland the Headless Thompson Gunner."
 CHuLoYo wrote:
More Warren please!!

 

Yes! I agree!! Maybe "Excitable Boy" for starts.
 
I hear this song, and all I can think about is the old Bill Cosby routine about a werewolf going to a barber for a haircut.
 VH1 wrote:
{#Stop}{#Arghhh}{#Taped-shut} This one of the most stupidest songs ever!

 
I mean, I have to admit that as lyrics go, it's pretty phenomenally ridiculous.  But it's just a straight up great song anyway.  AHOOOOOOOOOOO!
Whatever happened to Trader Vic's? OK there are a few left.
I miss me some Pina Coladas Piña Colada.jpg
Yup, this is for sure one of the best songs you could have blaring, windows down, in your best friend's mom's car, joint passing around, AHHOOOO! --huh!  Draw blood... 
 VH1 wrote:
{#Stop}{#Arghhh}{#Taped-shut} This one of the most stupidest songs ever!

 
Try Tiny Tim's Tiptoe Through the Tulips ,,,, that one will give you a run for your money. 

Since Warren is a deity at this point, anything by him is Godlike...... 
Love this one. Sometimes these so-called "stupid" songs are pretty great!
{#Stop}{#Arghhh}{#Taped-shut} This one of the most stupidest songs ever!
 zigzag wrote:

Indeed.

And to dismiss the artist because of this is akin to suggesting the Beatles were worthy of dismissing because they wrote and released Yellow Submarine.

...are we there yet? 

 
dismissing the artist?
not me, i was making light of the song
.
.
.....been there 
Such a delight to hear good song writing. And that's why this song never gets old. 
More Warren please!!
 Skydog wrote:
This is just a novelty song, like Monster Mash, Call Me The Streak, Wooley Bully etc etc

 
Indeed.

And to dismiss the artist because of this is akin to suggesting the Beatles were worthy of dismissing because they wrote and released Yellow Submarine.

...are we there yet? 
This is just a novelty song, like Monster Mash, Call Me The Streak, Wooley Bully etc etc
 Dssident wrote:
"his hair was perfect..."
my wife and I still sing this in unison every time we hear this...
 
I'd like to meet his tailor ...


As a Yankee hater, I always hear:

Walking through the streets with Luis Sojo in the rain!
  
today, that werewolf  would be looking for the Cha Cha Moon.
How many more times can you listen to this? I've got up to 999 more. A 10 for one of rock's best albums.
WZ was a beauty!

Can’t over emphasize how much I dislike this song.  It’s like fingernails on a chalkboard;   No disrespect. 


"his hair was perfect..."
my wife and I still sing this in unison every time we hear this...
Can't believe this album is 37 years old - still fresh today!
 TerryS wrote:
Being a hairy headed gent who (used to) run amuck in Kent, I can empathise with this gentleman.

 
{#Roflol} Although Warren's singing about a hairy-handed gent...
Being a hairy headed gent who (used to) run amuck in Kent, I can empathise with this gentleman.
 thewiseking wrote:

S'cuse me? AIn't nothing tackier than old orange haired pompadover and his ex-prozzie ex wife.



 
HAHA! Yeah really!

How bout a nice Bronx Cheer for Trump... {#Razz}

I miss Trader Vic's.

When Donald Trump owned the Plaza here in NYC he turned the renovation over to Ivanka who closed the place calling it "tacky"!

S'cuse me? AIn't nothing tackier than old orange haired pompadover and his ex-prozzie ex wife.


Warren,,,,,godlike
Good choice for Halloween...
I like the "aawooooooooooo" seque from Here Comes Your Man.  What's next? Calamity Song?
Favorite verse:

He's the hairy-handed gent
Who ran amok in Kent
Lately he's been overheard in Mayfair
You better stay away from him
He'll rip your lungs out, Jim
Hunh, I'd like to meet his tailor


Masterful!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 
{#Roflol}
AHOOOOOO!! 

They broke the mold when they made this guy.

RIP, Warren.
 
Man, this was the COOLEST thing, to hear at 16, smoking a joint, chugging a beer, with the wind in our hair in the car as we roared AHOO
You know how the jazz cats have "Jazz Standards?" This is a Rock Standard. 10
 gandalfbmg wrote:
Oh, Warren, the world misses you. I hope you're spenidng the afterlife kicking ass and haunting Kid Rock.

 
Can you imagine the jams with Warren and Lou Reed OMG.
Zevon gets a huge point for the look of sheer What the hell? that crossed my small son's face when he stopped and listened to the lyrics...heh.
Pleased to have my rating of 10 move this song from a criminal 7.5 to a slightly-less-criminal 7.6.  Don't punish the song for it's being overplayed on the radio ...
Good God I MISS YOU, WARREN

Your hair was PERFECT!

Oh, Warren, the world misses you. I hope you're spenidng the afterlife kicking ass and haunting Kid Rock.
I agree with some others here that Warren's disdain for this song is unfounded.  He may have some misguided romantic idea that he'd rather be a starving artist or something but he did this song quite well.  And, it isn't really pop fluff.  Other forgettable songs of the time were but not this one.  He added some subtle coolness to this when he sings near the end "Draw blood!"
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!
 (former member) wrote:

We be dancing...  love it...

 
  Romeo - Your hair (and other aspects) are PERFECT.


Ah-hoooooooooooooooooooo!
 (former member) wrote:

We be dancing...  love it...

 
 
Its all in the codpiece, dude!
 TerryS wrote:


Wouldn't that be wontonly dancing?
 
I think they ordered a Chinese food delivery from 'Lee Ho Fook' up to that hotel room, and there was a werewolf spotted with a Chinese menu in his hand.
I cringe whenever I hear that mess by Kid Rock where he uses this and Sweet Home Alabama.
A total "driveway moment" for this piece on NPR about a daughter and her father and this song:
https://www.npr.org/2012/07/26/157429964/from-scorn-for-zevon-a-father-daughter-moment-is-born?ps=rs

Yes, I sniffled!
{#Bananapiano} {#Bananajumprope} {#Angel} {#Drummer}  {#Dancingbanana} {#Daisy} {#Dancingbanana} {#Bananajam} {#Dancingbanana_2}{#Cheers}
 romeotuma wrote:

Oh, yes, we be wantonly dancing...  love it...

hope you are having a great time right this minute... 
 

Wouldn't that be wontonly dancing?
this song always make me laugh, not because of Warren, who was awesome, but because when I hear it, I hear Jerry and Phil singing "awhooo" way off key! 
 romeotuma wrote:


marvelous...  love it...
 


 
not dancing to it though?
 bachbeet wrote:
Warren Zevon always had some good lines in his songs.  Always liked his "I'll sleep when I'm dead."
 
I always liked..."my shit's fucked up"
 d-don wrote:
Little old lady got mutilated last night, werewolves of London again.
 

dyep!!!
My favorite opening line in Rock Music:

"I saw a werewolf with a Chinese menu in his hand"
 Stratocaster wrote:
I read an interview with Warren Zevon where he said that he despised this song more than anyone could imagine...to the point where he was sorry he ever recorded it.  The interviewer said 'but look at the exposure it's given you, look at the millions you've made off it!'.  Zevon basically said he didn't care, he'd rather be poor and unknown, with integrity intact, than to have recorded this POS.
 
With all respect due to Mr. Zevon, that is (was) his problem, not mine.  It obviously struck a chord with a lot of people.  Yes it's a piece of pop fluff.  But it's well written and performed pop fluff, and that's not a bad thing.

He performed it before being asked at an acoustic concert I saw a long time ago - basically saying it was his cross to bear.  Great show.

See, you wait long enough and RP plays this 
Awful!
I read an interview with Warren Zevon where he said that he despised this song more than anyone could imagine...to the point where he was sorry he ever recorded it.  The interviewer said 'but look at the exposure it's given you, look at the millions you've made off it!'.  Zevon basically said he didn't care, he'd rather be poor and unknown, with integrity intact, than to have recorded this POS.

Wonder how much of that was true?

It gets a 7 from me.
Little old lady got mutilated last night, werewolves of London again.
 SherryBerry wrote:
My kids love this music.  Had to push my middle schooler out the door this morning.  They're getting a music education, and they don't even know it.
Sherry Berry
 

Don't forget to school them on "Lawyers, Guns, and Money"! And with Halloween upon us, maybe let the kids dress up as  "Roland the Headless Thompson Gunner."

{#Devil_pimp}
My kids love this music.  Had to push my middle schooler out the door this morning.  They're getting a music education, and they don't even know it.
Sherry Berry
 TimeWaster wrote:
Indeed. Joking. Forgot to put a {#Tongue} after it.

 
Chuckaluphagus wrote:

You must be joking.

 
 
Well, thank goodness, TimeWaster - I was about to send a firing squad out for your sorry hide! {#Lol}

I'd love to hear things from his "The Wind" CD - the last thing he recorded before he died. He had SO much fun on that one - Bruce Springsteen winging the harmony vocal to "Disorder in the House" and Warren's somber, sweet ode to his wife on "Keep Me In Your Heart...."  I HATE it that he's gone...  I'm going to have to go back through my Zevon library and find new gems, because the old ones are just too much a part of me now...
Warren Zevon always had some good lines in his songs.  Always liked his "I'll sleep when I'm dead."

like this one - dislike the cover version



HA!  I'd like to meet his tailor. . . 
 
His hair was perfect!
Summer of '78...Danny M is driving his mom's luxe Olds 98...he's a year older than me...his younger brother John is next to him in the front seat; he's a year younger than me...we all know each other from Boy Scouts and through the same school and church; we're doing maybe 90 or more miles an hour, flying along, headed back into town from the wilds out by a lake...this comes on, and we decide we ain't ready to go home just yet...we light another one and pop open some more cheap beer...I'm in the back seat, and the speakers are CRANKED, and I can feel the worries of my mind slipping out the window like the bluish smoke we had pressurized the cabin with...and I like it! 
Sadly, Danny left us all behind a year or more ago, so whenever I hear this song, I REMEMBER...  Thanks, RP!
Ya hear him howlin around your kitchen door, ya better not let him in.
Littleoldladygotmutilated late last night, werewolves of London again.

one of the most fun murder couplets outside of Sweeny Todd!


he'll rip your lungs out, Jim...

Thank you (again) RP - my brother (RIP) turned me on to this in '78 - timeless.

While this song holds a special place in my memory, I must agree with other commentors: Mr. Zevon had many other tunes that equal or better this one.  That is, of course, if you have a really twisted sense of humor.

 SmileOnADog wrote:

My freshman year in the dorms there was a crew that called themselves "the Excitable boys".  Definitely applicable.  One of the rituals was after you won a hand of poker with trips or better, you had to yell "Fore!!" and down a can of beer.


 
Ah college life!  No matter how old you are you, hopefully, have good memories like this that always bring a smile to your face.

And the earlier poster who said this song is a solid 7 "quite likeable" is right on.  Lighten up folks, it doesn't make you less a musicologist to admit that this is a fun song.

 bindi wrote:
owoooooooooooo - classic!  I regret never seeing WZ live. If it weren't for tobacco and our tendency to become addicted to things that are bad for us, we could be hearing this live tonight.  RIP - you are fondly remembered.
 
I saw him live three times, and for two of those shows it was a one man show: Warren, a piano, and a few guitars.  All three are among the best shows I've ever seen.

My freshman year in the dorms there was a crew that called themselves "the Excitable boys".  Definitely applicable.  One of the rituals was after you won a hand of poker with trips or better, you had to yell "Fore!!" and down a can of beer.


 Cynaera wrote:

Thirded.  Zevon did this song as a commercial sell-out, but he hated performing it. <...>

 
What do I care as long as the songs brightens up my mind? It's just so much fun to me!

Put this first on a Halloween party tape back in the day....people ran to dance to it.