61 Z: Sci-Fi References in Music List
Description
This article is from the SF references in music List FAQ, by Rich Kulawiec rsk@gsp.org with numerous contributions by others.
61 Z: Sci-Fi References in Music List
ZZ Top:
Just a note to mention that the videos for the songs from their "Afterburner"
album had SF themes; also the song "TV Dinners" from "Eliminator" had
some SF references, and shows a little TV-channel-changing alien.
"Sleeping Bag" from "Afterburner" shows the transmogrification of the
Eliminator into a space-shuttle looking vehicle...this is continued in
the video for "Rough Boy". The little alien above shows up again in the
video for "Burger Man" from "Recycler", this time somewhat larger.
Recorded "Double Back", the theme from "Back to the Future III".
The band has expressed a desire to be the first lounge act on the shuttle.
Zager & Evans:
"In the Year 2525"; dated but cute; was #1 when Armstrong walked on the moon.
Zappa, Frank, and the Mothers:
"Cheapnis", from "Roxy and Elsewhere", is the story of a grade Z monster movie.
"Thing-Fish" (evil scientist, etc.). "Inca Roads" from "One Size Fits All"
discusses the question of whether or not extraterrrestrials made the
huge patterns visible from the air in the Andes. See also "The Radio is
Broken" (from "The Man from Utopia") and the title track from "Drowning Witch".
See also "Billy the Mountain" from "Was Mothers Just Another
Bands from L.A.?", the story of a sentient mountain which refuses
induction into the U.S. armed forces. Also "Joe's Garage", a dystopian
operatta about a society which controls its citizens by making as many
things as possible illegal; presented as if it were an object lesson
told by an enforcer from that society. This album also includes
a parody of the Church of Scientology (Church of Aplientology)
as well as a couple of songs about possible sex with a robot: "Stick
it Out" and "Sy Borg". The former contains a fair smattering
of lyrics in German since the robots are supposedly attracted to those
who can speak conversational German.
Zevon, Warren:
"Werewolves of London" from "Excitable Boy", just for fun.
"Transverse City" is a concept album which, according to interviews
with Zevon, is based in part on "Bladerunner" and the works of
cyberpunk author William Gibson. SF tracks on the album include the
title cut, "Run Straight Down", and "The Long Arm of the Law".
(Zevon also cut a track for grins called "Werewolves of Bryn Mawr",
referring to the Philadelphia suburb.)
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