12 More Songs About Mass Murderers (Vol. 3) | Playlist 🎧

1. Macabre, “David Brom Took an Axe”

Gloom• Decomposed • 1989

Mass Murderer: David Brom

Macabre – satirical death metal band extraordinaire – was formed in the 1980s. Appearing on multiple songs on this twisted playlist, they first tackle David Brom. Who is Brom? Brom, a 16-year old from Minnesota, killed his parents, his brother, and his sister by way of ax in 1988.

“David Brom killed his dad
His mother and brother and sister
He took an axe to their heads.” 

The New York Times article goes on to cite “trouble with his parents,” specifically regarding “a tape he had bought [that his dad] didn’t want him listening to it.” Macabre, naturally seized upon this tidbit of info.

“He took an axe
And then attacked
And away at his family
He began to hack
His dad wouldn’t let him
Listen to a hardcore band
So here comes David
With an axe in his hand.”

2. The Doors, “Riders on the Storm”

Writers: Jim Morrison, John Densmore, Raymond Manzarek, Robert Krieger & The Doors « Producers: Bruce Botnick & The Doors

L.A. Woman • Elektra • 1971

Mass Murderer: Billy Cook

Who was Billy Cook? Great question! Before doing a bit of research, I’d personally never heard of the mass murderer.  According to Ben Cosgrove of Time, Cook is “barely remembered today”. Cosgrove writes:

“The story of the American mass murderer Billy ‘Cockeyed’ Cook – who killed six people, including an entire family of five, during a tarrying three-week spree across American states in early January 1951 – is barely remembered.”

Interestingly, hitchhiking was part of Cook’s murderous strategy, something that iconic rock band The Doors highlight on their classic, “Riders on the Storm.”

“There’s a killer on the road
His brain is squirmin’ like a toad...
If you give this man a ride
Sweet family will die
Killer on the road.”

Frontman Jim Morrison accurately describes the results of Good Samaritans, who ultimately lost their lives because of the cruel, deranged nature of Cook.  Ultimately, he was executed by gas chamber in 1952 at the age of 23.

3. Macabre, “There Was A Young Man Who Blew Up A Plane (Jack Gilbert Graham)”

Sinister Slaughter • Nuclear Blast • 1993

Mass Murderer: Jack Gilbert Graham

Of Jack Gilbert Graham, Macabre sings: “There was a young man who blew up a plane / He blew up the plane for personal gain / I guess he was insane.”  Indeed, Graham’s claim to infamy is being a mass murderer, who “blew up a plane using a homemade bomb”.

“There was a young man who planted a bomb
He planted a bomb on his mom
He planted the bomb to blow up the plane
He blew up the plane for personal gain
I guess he was insane.”

Apparently, Graham had a specific victim in mind – mom. The lyric where Macabre sings, “He blew up the plane for personal gain” centers around collecting the insurance money from his anticipated deceased mother.  Sick.  Even sicker is that 44 people were killed because of his disgusting, selfish actions, which Cat McAuliffe (Ranker) writes, he wasn’t remorseful of, which ultimately earned him execution via cyanide gas.

“There were forty-four people who got on the plane
They got on the plane then they were slain
By the young man who planted the bomb…

The judge and jury showed no remorse
He’s dead of course.”

4. Amanda Palmer, “Strength Through Music”

Writer: Amanda Palmer « Producer: Ben Folds

Who Killed Amanda Palmer • Roadrunner • 2008

Mass Murderers: Eric Harris & Dylan Klebold

“Tick-tick-tick-tick-tick.” Amanda Palmer seems to suggest that Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold, the perpetrators of the devastating Columbine High School Massacre were “ticking time bombs.” While “Strength Through Music” isn’t an explicit tone poem to the horrors the massacre, it’s patterned after where a potential perpetrator’s mindset.  This perspective includes the murderer being “locked in his bedroom,” seeing “a web of answers and cumshot girls”. Palmer lyrically highlights the debates surrounding the influences of Harris and Klebold, including video games, guns. Also, she cleverly makes reference to music via “He picked a soundtrack,” and perhaps more disturbingly, “He hung his Walkman around his neck.”

The most chilling lyrics occur on the fourth and final verse, as the perpetrator experiences no emotions as he kills.

“It’s so simple
The way they fall
No cry, no whimper
No sound at all.”

5. The Calling, “One by One”

Writers: Aaron Kamin & Alex Band « Producers: Aaron Kamin, Alex Band & Marc Tanner

Two• RCA • 2004

Mass Murderers: Eric Harris & Dylan Klebold

“And now the power of one human being / Has gone and changed so many lives…” “One by One” serves as the opening song from Two, the 2004 sophomore album from off-and-on again Los Angeles, California rock band, The Calling.  Of Two, AllMusic reviewer Johnny Loftus didn’t have many kind words, ultimately giving the album just one-and-half-stars out of five – ouch!

He also didn’t praise the song at hand, which according to frontman Alex Band, “One by One” was written about the Columbine High School massacre.

“His hair is long, and it’s twisted, it’s twisted
Around the smile spread cheek to cheek
Another child, another soul, grabs a hold
To the metal that will end his misery...
In this deep dark, fucked up, played out, reality show
So, who’s the man, with the plan
Eating up all that he can?
Don’t you see, don't you see...”

6. Michale Graves, “Nobody Thinks About Me”

Return to Earth • Horror High • 2006

Mass Murderers: Eric Harris & Dylan Klebold

“Good morning Columbine / I’ll get to my agenda / Fourth Period, Jesus Christ / I’m the one you terrorize.”  Michale Graves, like Amanda Palmer earlier, examines the mindset of the perpetrators as opposed to the victims.  Neither Eric Harris or Dylan Klebold are named explicitly on “Nobody Thinks About Me” but there’s no doubt this song is about the tragic incident that shook everybody.

Notably, Michale Graves highlights the disillusionment, loneliness, and social isolation of the perpetrators.  The titular lyric is the key lyric, repeated numerous times throughout the song.

“Good afternoon, goodbye
I’ll get to my agenda
Gonna be the enemy
Gonna smile and destroy.”

7. Maren Morris, “Dear Hate”

Ft. Vince Gill

Writers: David Hodges, Maren Morris & Tom Douglas

Dear Hate – Single • Columbia • 2017

Mass Murderer:  Stephen Paddock

A song for times such as these– that’s what Maren Morris offers up on single, “Dear Hate,” a response to the Las Vegas mass shooting, which took the lives of 58 innocent people.  Morris enlist a country music juggernaut, the one and only, Vince Gill.  Morris kicks things off exceptionally, showcasing the utmost vocal prowess and musicianship on the first two verses. Lyrically, the text is incredibly thoughtful – eloquent and pitch-perfect.  On the chorus, she combines forces with Gill, exhibiting vocal chemistry nothing short of awe-inspiring.  Gill earns the best verse, citing the hate occurring in Selma, JFK’s assassination, and the September 11 attacks. The perpetrator, 64-year old Stephen Paddock rightfully isn’t mentioned – Morris and Gill make this about healing and most of all, love: “Love’s gonna conquer all.”

8. Macabre, “Patrick Purdy Killed Five and Wounded Thirty”

Gloom • Decomposed • 1989

Mass Murderer: Patrick Purdy

“My name is Patrick Purdy / And I have a duty / To kill as many children / As I can.”  Thankfully, 24-year old mass murderer Patrick Purdy didn’t kill more than the five, innocent students who lost their lives in the Cleveland Elementary School Shooting. Macabre continues to impart the horrific tale of Purdy:

“…So, it’s off to school
Where I used to go
With my AK-47
In my hands.”

Shameful. The main reason Purdy seems to have targeted the elementary school was hate, perhaps specific to a population of Asian immigrants. His five fatalities were all Asian. Ultimately, he committed suicide. Also, worth noting, this particular shooting at Cleveland Elementary School in Stockton, California occurred nearly 10 years after a shooting at Cleveland Elementary School in San Diego, California (more on that one later).

“Patrick Purdy
Thought he was doing his duty
Thought he was in the army
And the children was his enemy
Patrick Purdy
Killed five and wounded thirty
His tactics were quite dirty
The children's blood was squirting.”

9. Macabre, “Holidays of Horror”

Gloom • Decomposed • 1989

Mass Murderer: Ronald Gene Simmons

“Simmons went crazy / Murdered sixteen / Fourteen of them family / He killed them / For the holidays.” Mass murderer Ronald Gene Simmons Indeed killed his entire family during the holiday season, hence why Macabre titled their song about him “Holidays of Horror.” In addition to killing his wife, children, and grandchildren, Simmons also killed a crush who rejected him, and a total stranger.  Ultimately, this Arkansas monster was sentenced to death and executed by lethal injection.

“Merry Christmas
He gunned his family down
His bullets were their presents
Dead relatives all around
Happy New Year
One they won’t be here to see
It’s the holiday of horror
Because of Ronald Gene
Simmons.”

10. Cheap Trick, “The Ballad of T.V. Violence (I’m Not the Only Boy)”

Writer: R. Nielsen « Producer: Jack Douglas

Cheap Trick • Epic •1977

Mass Murderer: Richard Speck

“The Ballad of T.V. Violence (I’m Not the Only Boy)” – what a song title Cheap Trick, what a song title.  Apparently, the song, written about Richard Speck had a different song title originally, “The Ballad of Richard Speck.” Rolling Stone goes on the state that the record “was acted out onstage with [frontman Rick] Nielsenin the role of mass murderer.”

“I need a girl to give me some love
I need some love Gimme your love gimme your love
I need a knife To get me a wife
I need a knife give me your life give me your life
I need a gun to have me some fun I need a gun
Gimme your love gimme your love…
I need some rope it’s my only hope and when you’re fighting so
I just can’t go on
I need a girl to give me some love...”

Like so many of the deviants highlighted on this list, the troubles began early with Speck (1941-1991). His biggest claim to infamy is his murder spree, killing eight student nurses. It wasn’t well enough for him to stab them to death, he also abused them all, “raping at least one victim,” according to the NY Times.  Originally sentenced to death, the sentence would be changed to life imprisonment. Speck died at 49, just missing his 50^th birthday after having a heart attack. In regards to the song itself, Nielsen and company continue to address the needs of Speck, who “was a lonely boy” but “not the only boy! No!”

11. The Boomtown Rats, “I Don’t Like Mondays”

Writer: Bob Geldof « Producer: Philip Neil Wainman

The Fine Art of Surfacing • Mercury • 1979

Spree Killer: Brenda Spencer

“Tell me why / I don’t like Mondays / I wanna shoot the whole day down.” Irish rock band The Boomtown Rats cover the Grover Cleveland Elementary School shooting on “I Don’t Like Mondays,” a song from their 1979 album, The Fine Art of Surfacing.  Infamously, 16-year old Brenda Spencer, who truly didn’t like Mondays, killed two adults and injured eight children with a .22 caliber semiautomatic rifle at the elementary across from her house.  The band captures the tragic tale.

“And all the playing’s stopped in the playground now
She wants to play with the toys a while
And school’s out early and soon we’ll be learning
And the lesson is how to die.”

Notably, Tori Amos covered “I Don’t Like Mondays” on her 2001 album, Strange Little Girls.

12. Harry Chapin, “Sniper”

Sniper and Other Love Songs • Atlantic • 1972

Mass Murderer: Charles Whitman

Grammy-nominated folk-rock singer/songwriter Harry Chapin concludes this dark, murderous list with one of the more infamous mass murderers, Charles Whitman.  Over the course of 10 dynamic minutes, the late Grammy-nominated musician doesn’t explicitly cite Whitman, but bases “Sniper” on him.

“He heads towards the tower that stands in the campus
He goes through the door, he starts up the stairs
The sound of his footsteps, the sound of his breathing
The sound of the silence when no one was there…” 

Whitman was an unlikely mass murderer with his clean-cut, All-American looks. Nonetheless, there’s no doubt about the fact that he committed the horrendous deeds that he did. He’s known for his hellish killing spree atop the tower at the University of Texas in 1966. Ultimately, the former military sniper took the lives of 17 innocent victims.

“He laid out the rifles, he loaded the shotgun
He stacked up the cartridges along the wall
He knew he would need them for his conversation
If it went as it he planned, then he might use them all...
Bill Whedon was questioned as stepped from his car
Tom Scott ran across the street but he never got that far
The police were there in minutes, they set up barricades
He spoke right on over them in a half-mile circle
In a dumb struck city his pointed questions were sprayed...”