Stephen King, celebrated as one of the most influential American authors, openly shares his deep passion for rock music, weaving it into his work and life. Known for his literary achievements, King’s favorite rock songs reflect his broad musical taste, ranging from classic rock to punk and heavy metal, revealing a personal soundtrack that has accompanied him since the early days of his career.
Stephen King’s Early Connection with Rock Music
In King’s debut novel, Carrie, published in 1974, he references Bob Dylan multiple times, highlighting Dylan’s profound impact on him. A distinctive scene shows Carrie White’s school notebook containing repeated lines from Dylan’s “Just Like a Woman,” demonstrating how deeply King’s characters—and by extension, King himself—connect to rock poetry of the 1960s. By incorporating this detail, Stephen King signals early on his reverence for influential rock figures like Dylan.
A Diverse Collection of Rock Favorites
Over the years, King has publicly named his favorite rock tracks in interviews and on radio shows, revealing an eclectic mix that spans several decades and genres. Below is a detailed look at each of the 13 songs Stephen King counts among his favorites, illustrating his rich musical taste alongside his literary fame.
1. AC/DC’s “Stiff Upper Lip”
In a 2015 interview with BBC Radio 6’s Paperback Writers, King praised AC/DC, calling them
“the best rock and blues band of all time.”
He included “Stiff Upper Lip” on his list and even quoted its lyric,
“I shoot from the hip and keep a stiff upper lip,”
in the preface of his short story collection, The Bazaar of Bad Dreams. This song exemplifies King’s admiration for straightforward, powerful rock music.
2. Sex Pistols’ “Anarchy in the U.K.”
King’s appreciation for punk rock is well documented, especially given the adaptation of his novel Pet Sematary by the Ramones. The Sex Pistols’ “Anarchy in the U.K.” is part of King’s curated playlist for BBC, aligning with his affinity for rebellious and energetic rock subgenres. His connection to punk culture extends to social moments, such as a 2021 photo with the band Rancid after a live show.
3. Creedence Clearwater Revival’s “It Came Out of the Sky”
King has declared Creedence Clearwater Revival his
“favorite musical act of all time”
in a Reddit Ask Me Anything forum. The 1969 track
“It Came Out of the Sky”
from Willy and the Poor Boys featured on his BBC list, though King also cites CCR’s “Bad Moon Rising” as a prophetic allusion within his novel The Shining. CCR’s storytelling and mood resonate deeply with King’s narrative style.
4. The Rolling Stones’ “Dance Little Sister”
King famously wrestled with the question familiar to many rock fans: Beatles or Stones? At one point, he chose the Stones, particularly lauding “Dance Little Sister” from 1974’s It’s Only Rock ’n Roll. This choice underscores his preference for the Stones’ raw sound, though he remains appreciative of the Beatles, as noted later in his selections.
5. John Mellencamp’s “Pink Houses”
The collaboration on the musical Ghost Brothers of Darkland County connected King with John Mellencamp, who provided the music for the show. King respected Mellencamp’s unwillingness to settle for straightforward pop, saying,
“One of the reasons I said yes [to John] is because I respect him as a musician and as somebody who’s not content to do just a certain kind of pop music.”
“Pink Houses” became one of King’s favorite songs, reflecting a blend of storytelling and social commentary.
6. Bruce Springsteen’s “Ramrod”
King regards Bruce Springsteen as an insightful songwriter whose work has evolved significantly. He praised Springsteen’s Nebraska album and singled out “Ramrod” from The River as his favorite, calling it “just straight-ahead rock and roll” that embodies the best of Springsteen’s guitar-driven style. King has also spoken about “Maria’s Bed,” from Springsteen’s Devils & Dust album, highlighting its raw, celebratory vibe.
7. The Beatles’ “She Loves You”
In his 2000 book On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft, King emphasized the power of well-crafted sentences that can stand on their own without unnecessary adverbs—a principle he finds reflected in the Beatles’ “She Loves You.” He shared that it remains “totally fresh” to his ear decades after first hearing it as a teenager, praising its simplicity and timeless impact.
8. Bob Dylan’s “Desolation Row” and Other Works
Dylan holds a special place in King’s musical world, dating back to his teenage years and participation in the 1975 Rolling Thunder Revue concert. Besides “Desolation Row,” King admires several other Dylan songs, including
“Stuck Inside of Mobile With the Memphis Blues Again,”
“Subterranean Homesick Blues,” and “Not Dark Yet.” Notably, King remarked,
“My kids listen to Dylan, and so do my grandkids… That’s three generations. That’s real longevity and quality.”
9. Pretenders’ “Middle of the Road”
Included in King’s BBC 6 Radio list, “Middle of the Road” by Pretenders comes from the 1984 album Learning to Crawl. King’s recurring connection to road-themed song titles may symbolize a deeper metaphorical link, reflecting the journey motif found throughout his writing.
10. Dire Straits’ “The Bug”
King once described “The Bug” from Dire Straits’ 1991 album On Every Street as
“a philosophy lesson in four minutes.”
He highlighted Mark Knopfler’s witty guitar work, quoting the song’s metaphor:
“‘Sometimes you’re the windshield / Sometimes you’re the bug,’”
suggesting the duality and unpredictability of life.
11. Judas Priest’s “Diamonds and Rust”
Although better known for horror fiction, King has expressed interest in heavy metal music, listing bands such as Slayer, Sabbath, Motorhead, Metallica, and Judas Priest as part of his preferred weekend listening. King identified the Priest’s cover of Joan Baez’s “Diamonds & Rust” as a standout, appreciating the haunting lyrics,
“Well, I’ll be damned / Here comes your ghost again.”
12. Billy Bragg and Wilco’s “California Stars”
Initially skeptical of Wilco after their album Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, King grew fond of their 1998 collaborative album Mermaid Avenue with Billy Bragg, which features unreleased Woody Guthrie lyrics. King singled out “California Stars” for Jeff Tweedy’s “sweet, slightly weary vocal,” underscoring the track’s emotional resonance and his appreciation for musical reinvention.
13. Spoon’s “I Summon You”
King described “I Summon You” by Spoon as a song that “defies explanation or analysis.” In 2005, he listened to the track repeatedly, captivated by its mysterious charm and the evocative line,
“I summon you here, my love.”
For King, this song encapsulated an unforgettable summer, expressing the deep human desire for connection.
King’s Unexpected Affection for Disco: The Bee Gees
Despite his reputation as the “King of Horror,” Stephen King reveals a surprising enthusiasm for disco music, especially the Bee Gees. He faced criticism from rock purists in the 1970s for this preference but dismissed their judgments, stating,
“If people hate me and if they want to downgrade my musical taste, I’ll just have to live with that and cry hot tears of shame on my pillow.”
The Bee Gees’ influence remains a unique facet of King’s diverse musical palate.
The Enduring Role of Music in Stephen King’s Life and Work
Stephen King’s extensive list of favorite rock songs provides insight into the musical influences that have paralleled his writing journey. His selections reveal an artist who embraces complexity, nostalgia, and emotional depth across multiple generations of music. The range from Bob Dylan’s poetic storytelling to Judas Priest’s powerful metal demonstrates King’s restless spirit and willingness to explore beyond genre boundaries.
Looking ahead, King’s ongoing engagement with music may continue to inspire his storytelling, as rock rhythms and lyrics remain intertwined with his creative world. His open recognition of these songs invites readers and fans alike to understand the soundtrack behind some of his most iconic works.
I believe I'll have a Heavy Metal Weekend, starting with Slayer, Sabbath, and Motorhead. Saving Metallica & Priest for Sunday.
— Stephen King (@StephenKing) May 13, 2016
