13 Songs That Reference Wolves features some ‘wolfish’ songs courtesy of artists Breaking Benjamin, Highly Suspect, Miguel, Selena Gomez, and The Spencer Lee Band among others. 

Ladies and gents, we present to you a playlist comprised of wolves – rather songs that references wolves! There are a couple of important criteria for this particular list.  Number one, each song title must feature wolf or wolves in its title or it’s a no-go.  Secondly, to be eligible for this particularly wolfish list, the song had to be released after 2010. That means, that sadly, the Warren Zevon classic “Werewolves of London” didn’t make the cut.  But hey, the late musician gets a shout-out nonetheless! Without further ado, here are 13 Songs That Reference Wolves, featuring artists including Breaking Benjamin, Miguel, and Selena Gomez. 

1. The Spencer Lee Band, “The Wolf”

Writers: Spencer Lee, Eric Valentine & Freddy Wexler | Producers: Freddy Wexler, Joe Pringle & Spencer Lee

Fifty Shades Freed (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) • Republic • 2018

“I wanna jack it, smack it / You know the shit that turns you on? / I wanna lick it, kiss it / I’ll give you everything you want.” #Damn Daniel, rather #Damn Spencer. The Spencer Lee Band shines on highlight “The Wolf”, which commences with a refreshing pop-soul groove. After setting the tone instrumentally, Spencer Lee enters in with biting, commanding lead vocals. The vibe is sexual early on, with the innuendo ‘turned up to next level’ on the pre-chorus (excerpted above). Lee follows the risqué pre-chorus with a catchy, continually soulful, chorus. Still on the second verse, The Spencer Lee Band continue to amplify the horniness. “I watch you burn this place to ashes / Move that ass / And raise a glass to how you love to misbehave, baby.”

2.Breaking Benjamin, “Feed the Wolf”

Writers: Aaron Bruch, Ben Burnley, Shaun Foist, Jasen Rauch & Keith Wallen | Producers: Aaron Bruch & Ben Burnley

Ember • Hollywood • 2018

“Carry me through this world of lies / I feel no more, the suffering / Bury me in this cold light / I feed the wolf, and shed my skin.” “Feed the Wolf” commences emphatically with biting guitars. In addition to the assertive guitars, the record is anchored by pummeling, hard-hitting drums.  Ultimately, the music, set in a minor key, sets the tone for the record. Matching the hard-nosed musical backdrop, frontman Benjamin Burnley serves up commanding, confident vocals.  As tough as he may sound, he sprinkles in a dash of falsetto.  This fits in with the melodic nature of “Feed of the Wolf.”  All in all, “Feed the Wolf” is an enjoyable number that is chocked-full of punch, yet benefits from being incredibly melodic.

3. Selena Gomez & Marshmello, “Wolves”

Writers: Louis Bell, Selena Gomez, Brian Lee, Marshmello, Carl Rosen, Alexandra Tamposi, Andrew Wotman | Producers: Andrew Watt, Marshmello

Now That’s What I Call Music, Vol. 65 • Interscope / UMe • 2017

“Wolves” commences with smooth guitar accompaniment, sounding like any other pop song.  This remains the backdrop as Selena Gomez begins singing. Vocally, Gomez is a nice fit for this particular record.  It plays to her strengths.  Yes, a lot is made to her limited set of pipes, but all in all, her instrument and this song are a match. After a relatively smooth verse, the production becomes to pick up, becoming more ornate and establishing the true identity of “Wolves.” Additionally, the tempo picks up, and Gomez amplifies the intensity, specifically on the chorus section. Following the surprising, pop-oriented start, “Wolves” gives into its electro-dance persona.

4. Miguel, “Wolf”

Ft. QUIÑ

Writers: Miguel Pimentel, Raphael Saadiq & Dylan Wiggins | Producers: Raphael Saadiq

War & Leisure • RCA • 2017

“Wolf” featuring Quiñ is an instant highlight, finding Miguel growing animalistic in reference to his sexual desires. His vocals are steeped in the carnal, yielding one of his strongest performances of War & Leisure, as well as his career.  The old-school rock-pop cues, fused with some modern touches is brilliant.  Notably, “Wolf” is a Raphael Saadiq co-write.

5. Action Bronson, “Wolfpack”

Writers: Ariyan Arslani (Action Bronson), Augusto Martelli & Justin Nealis | Producer: Party Supplies

Blue Chips 7000 • Atlantic • 2017

Action Bronson opens Blue Chips 7000 with a ‘high’ thanks to “Wolfpack.” The specific high comes from the intro on the track, in which Bronson asks his mother (presumably) to describe her high.  Eventually, the song begins, with the rapper’s typical over-the-top rhymes and old-school, jazzy-soul production.

6. Manchester Orchestra, “The Wolf”

Writer: Andy Hull | Producers: Andy Hull, Catherine Marks & Robert McDowell

A Black Mile to the Surface • Loma Vista • 2017

“I wasn’t prepared to embark with the wolf of the mountain / It wasn’t a place that we could call our own.” “The Wolf” serves as the eighth track off of the 2017 album by The Manchester Orchestra, A Black Mile to the Surface.  Taken out of context of the album, “The Wolf” leaves the listener a bit confused in regards to the narrative.  Ultimately, it’s just one part of a larger story that centers around death and regret.  “In the blink of an eye there’s a hole in your belly / Your body recoils ironically into the family planning aisle…Don’t let ‘em tell you that I never found…”

7. Mac DeMarco, “A Wolf Who Wears Sheeps Clothes”

Writer: Mac DeMarco

This Old Dog • Captured Tracks • 2017

“Don’t let the world outside the windowpane get to your head / Hopefully make some sense of all this shit before you’re dead.” ‘Jizz-jazz’ singer-songwriter Mac DeMarco keeps things “short and sweet” on “A Wolf Who Wears Sheeps Clothes.” The song, comprised of two verses, doesn’t feature a true chorus, though the final line of both verses serves the role of a chorus. “All predisposed to believe in, in a wolf who wears sheep’s clothes.”  DeMarco is filled with wisdom, sigh.

8. Rise Against, “Wolves”

Writers: Brandon Barnes, Joseph Pincipe, Tim McIlrath, Zach Blair | Producers: Nick Raskulinecz

Wolves • Virgin • 2017

“We grow from our guts and howl until it hurts.” “Wolves” serves as the opener and title track to the 2017 album by Rise Against.  From the start, frontman Tim McIlrath is turned-up to the nth degree.  By the chorus, him and the rest of the band explodes. “We are the wolves at the gates / Our numbers growing every day, now / But you can’t fight us alone, no / No, you can’t fight / We are the wolves at the wall / We break in like a waterfall, yeah / But you can’t fight us alone, no / No you can’t fight.”

9. Highly Suspect, “Wolf”

Writers: Highly Suspect, Johnny Stevens | Producer: Joel Hamilton

The Boy Who Died Wolf • 300 Entertainment • 2016

Led by their gives zero fucks frontman Johnny Stevens, Highly Suspect are unapologetic and profane to the nth degree throughout their sophomore album, The Boy Who Died Wolf.  “Wolf” concludes The Boy Who Died Wolf intriguingly.  Once more, Stevens comes over as a badass, showcasing both tender and gritty vocal moments.  Lyrically, he describes “Wolf” perfectly: “It’s not a question / this shit is real.”

10. One Direction, “Wolves”

Writers: Andrew Haas, Ian Franzino, Liam Payne, Niall Horan & Will Champlin | Producers: Afterhrs & Julian Bunetta

Made in the A.M. • Columbia • 2015

“In the middle of the night when the wolves come out / Headed straight for your heart like a bullet in the dark / One by one, I gotta take them down / We can run and hide, ain’t going down without a fight.” Those who ‘cheaped-out’ likely didn’t hear “Wolves,” a bonus cut appearing on the deluxe edition of Made in the A.M., the fifth studio album by One Direction.  The up-tempo, major-key cut is definitely worth the splurge, with its rhythmic vocals and incredibly catchy lyrics.  There’s a dash of vintage pop//rock that spices up this joint even more.

11. All Time Low, “Dancing with a Wolf”

Writers: All Time Low | Producer: Mike Green

Future Hearts • Hopeless • 2015

“Should have known that you’ve been dancing with a wolf / So don’t you call my name.” “Dancing with a Wolf” is among the most catchy, infectious songs from Future Hearts, the 2015 album by All Time Low.  The aforementioned lyric is lifted from the songs crowning achievement, the chorus. “So don’t you call my name / I will take you down / Should have known that you’ve been dancing with a wolf / So don’t you call my name / I will take you down / I’m not your friend, you burned the bridge / I’ll chew you up and spit you out.”

12. AWOLNATION, “Hollow Moon (Bad Wolf)”

Writer: Aaron Bruno | Producer: Aaron Bruno

Run • Red Bull • 2015

“I’m-a make a deal with the bad wolf / So the bad wolf don’t bite no more.” Straight out of the mouth of Aaron Bruno, better known as AWOLNATION.  “Hollow Moon (Bad Wolf)” is the third track off of the band’s sophomore album, Run.  The spiciest lyric from the record appears on the second verse: “Motherf*cker I’ll be back from the dead soon / I’ll be watching from the center of the hollow moon.” Charming.

13. Tyler, the Creator, “Wolf”

Writers: Tyler Okonma (Tyler, the Creator) | Producer: Tyler, the Creator

Wolf • Odd Future • 2013

“Wolf,” an interlude essentially, opens Wolf fading into a lush sounding instrumental, characterized by piano, strings, and big, pummeling drums.  The first word uttered by Tyler, the Creator is is f*ck, which he goes on to glamorize, basically flipping the bird at any who disapproves.  That said, considering a ‘wolf’ is a violent animal, maybe him taking the first blow is symbolic.  #Wolf Gang