21 Best Songs About Romeo And Juliet
Contents
12. “Romeo Loves Juliet” by Rick Astley
Song Year: 2001
Again, here’s a song in which the characters aren’t the actual Romeo and Juliet, but the names tell us all we need to know about who they are in the story Rick Astley is telling (and no, clicking on the link to the video will NOT result in you getting Rick-rolled. Promise).
“Romeo Loves Juliet” is about missing out on the important things in life because you’re too caught up in details or trivialities. Juliet spends time on her cell phone and misses the signals Romeo gives off. He loves her, but she doesn’t have a clue. Pay attention, girl.
13. “To You I Bestow” by Mundy
Song Year: 1996
Full disclosure: neither Romeo nor Juliet appears in “To You I Bestow.” However, it was part of the soundtrack to Baz Luhrman’s adaptation of the story, one of several Leonardo di Caprio films that reached iconic status. It seems wrong to complete a list like this without at least one song from that soundtrack.
With references to being dead and outlandish plans for a future that we know the lovers won’t have, it’s a haunting song. It was one of Mundy’s first big hits. While the mononymic musician is huge in his native Ireland, “To You I Bestow” is all most know of him, but with the film’s reach, a lot of people know this song.
14. “(Just Like) Romeo and Juliet” by The Reflections
Song Year: 1964
If you’re going to sing about love, you can do worse than
- Making reference to Romeo and Juliet;
- Singing it as a doo-wop song.
Something is appealing about the form, and endearing, too. The Reflections tell a tale of young love that draws on those feelings we all had about our first love, specifically the idea that if this relationship doesn’t work out, then all is lost, and I’ll never, ever find love again.
As adults, we all poo-poo that sentiment coming from the next generation, but we all went through it.
The kid in the song fears that if he doesn’t get a job, he won’t be able to win his girlfriend’s parents’ approval (which is adorable), and that will spell the end. Losing her, he believes, would be on par with Romeo losing Juliet. Presumably, the songwriters didn’t think she’d kill herself.
15. “Happy Ending” by Elvis Presley
Song Year: 1963
“Happy Ending” is more or less about the opposite of Romeo and Juliet. From the Elvis Presley film, It Happened at the World’s Fair, the song comes in at the end (duh). The lyrics refer to the literary couple as the opposite of something to which to aspire.
The lyrics speak of finding a happy ending and that thoughts of ending up like Romeo and Juliet would be bad. It may be kind of obvious, but not every romantic comedy musical can be Waitress or The Goodbye Girl.
16, “Your Kind of Woman” by Supertunes
Song Year: 2022
Supertunes is the name under which Obinna Miracle performs. He’s a Nigerian musician who you can tell, upon just one listen, is well-versed in reggae rhythms and styles, though this may be more accurately described as world music. In “Your Kind of Woman,” he sing-speaks to the object of his affection, hoping she’ll be the Juliet to his Romeo.
Again the overlooking of how the story ends.
Miracle remains an underground sensation, but with his sound, that may change soon.
17. “Here In Heaven” by Sparks
Song Year: 1974
Sparks was a band centered around brothers Russell and Ron Mael. The Los Angelenos headed for the UK and, in turn, embraced glam rock. Then along came Kimono My House, Sparks’ breakthrough album (it spawned a number two hit with “This Town Ain’t Big Enough for Both of Us”).
It also contained “Here in Heaven,” a wonderfully weird little song that finds Romeo in the afterlife, fuming at Juliet for how things turned out. The thing is, the tantrum Romeo throws in the song must have been short-lived.
Once the lovesick teenager killed himself, he’d have arrived at the pearly gates only to discover that Juliet hadn’t died. And sure, he’d be mad, but just a few minutes after his death, she would awake, discover what he’d done, and join him in the afterlife. Young love, right?
18. “Romeo & Juliet” by Kasey Chambers
Song Year: 2017
Another song that plays somewhat fast and loose with the events of the play, “Romeo & Juliet” is a folk song that looks at the tragedy from Juliet’s point of view, though she seems to be alive after Romeo is gone. So perhaps the lyrics address the last few minutes of her life.
She woke up to find Romeo dead, having not gotten the message from Friar Lawrence about her faking her death. Juliet, in this song, tells Romeo’s corpse that he should meet her at the church, but only if he died for her. Perhaps this Juliet is unclear as to what happened in the tomb that night, even though, in the play, she sees the empty vial of poison.
19. “Romeo and Juliet” by Malcolm McLaren & the World’s Famous Supreme Team
Song Year: 1990
Remember that good-times hip hop of the 80s and 90s? “Romeo and Juliet” may be the culmination of this genre that includes the Fat Boys and other party anthem creators.
What’s so fun about this piece is that it’s crammed full of samples. There’s a deep cut from The Police, spoken dialogue from a 1936 film version of Romeo and Juliet (starring a then-34-year-old Norma Shearer playing Juliet, who is 13 at the beginning of the play), the voice of Vincent Price for some reason, the Pointer Sisters, and even the music of Prokofiev. It’s a jumbled mess that’s ridiculously fun.
It doesn’t so much tell of the star-crossed lovers as a sexual encounter that goes off the rails. The comparison between the lummox in the song and Romeo is laughable.
20. “The Cinema Show” by Genesis
Song Year: 1973
“The Cinema Show” is a 10-minute song from the old days of Genesis, the line-up people seem to forget. Phil Collins was playing drums for the band by then, but the lead singer was still Peter Gabriel. His distinctive voice— though you can hear how young he is— is unmistakable.
Romeo and Juliet are stand-ins, as they are other songs, and in this one, the two are separately preparing for their date at the movies. Both are hoping for things to get physical after the flick. Good luck, you crazy kids.
21. “Romeo and Juliet” by Johnny Drille
Song Year: 2017
Nigerian folk singer Johnny Drille weaves a tale about a girl he loves. Predictably, he wants her to be his Juliet, and he’s more than happy to be her Romeo.
Yes, it’s cliche, and yes, it’s yet another song that conveniently forgets all the murder and suicide surrounding and ultimately doing in the pair, but we all know what he means.
Drille’s lilting voice makes it sound like true love is just around the corner for anyone.
Top Songs About Romeo And Juliet, Final Thoughts
Take the couple’s white-hot love for each other. Take their commitment to doing what they think is right no matter what their friends and families think. Leave the part where people get stabbed or drink poison. Romeo and Juliet is the height of romance for many, and these songs mine the play for some great material.
