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One of My Favorite Songs About Murderers

October 24, 2011 by WendyB

In 2007, in a post about Norman Mailer, I mentioned that one of my all-time favorite songs is “Gary Gilmore’s Eyes” by British punk band The Adverts. Gary Gilmore was a murderer who was executed in Utah, by firing squad, in January 1977.  He was the first person executed in the U.S. since the reinstatement of the death penalty in 1976, so it was a big story. His organs were indeed donated and two people received his corneas; The Adverts came out with their single about a fictional transplant recipient in August 1977. Norman Mailer’s book about Gilmore, The Executioner’s Song, came out in 1980.

Gary Gilmore. His last words were "Let's do it."

I listen to this song every day at the gym, and every day, I feel amused by Gary Gilmore’s brother’s name change. Every day! It never gets old! Read my old post for more information on Gary’s brother, his name change and his excellent book. Click here to read the lyrics of Saturday Night Live‘s “Let’s Kill Gary Gilmore for Christmas” December 1976 Christmas carol. And here are The Adverts performing their song on Top of the Pops in 1977.

I enjoy other songs about murderers too. One day I should put together a playlist. Today’s not that day, though.

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Filed Under: music

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Susan Tiner says

    October 24, 2011 at 1:59 pm

    Of course I had to read the old post to get of all these reference. So hilarious that you threatened to spank Mailer!

    I should reread The Executioner’s Song, I loved it first time around.

    As for Dori Lessing, I read the The Children of Violence books in college and loved them. So evocative of that time.

  2. Make Do Style says

    October 24, 2011 at 2:50 pm

    I love this song too – it creeped me out at one time but it is a great number & brilliant lyrics!!

  3. Cameron says

    October 24, 2011 at 3:28 pm

    That bassist looked so disinterested during that performance. Of course, I would, too, if I was just miming instead of being allowed to actually play my instrument as I would have on The Tube or The Old Grey Whistle Test.

    If you do make a playlist, though, I could let you take over Music Monday and post your top five songs about murderers! It would be the perfect Halloween MM!

    • WendyB says

      October 24, 2011 at 3:30 pm

      I’ll do it!

      • Cameron says

        October 24, 2011 at 4:47 pm

        I’ll set up the account!

  4. That's Not My Age says

    October 24, 2011 at 4:38 pm

    Love this song – and the line, ‘Gary and his eyes have parted company!’

    • WendyB says

      October 24, 2011 at 4:39 pm

      Ha ha! Yes!

  5. Collette Osuna says

    October 24, 2011 at 4:56 pm

    Ill have to take a listen…:)

  6. Rebecca says

    October 24, 2011 at 6:44 pm

    I’ve never heard that song, but I’ll listen to it now.

  7. Suzanne aka Punk Glam Queen says

    October 24, 2011 at 7:02 pm

    I listen to this song on a regular basis as well! Love the Adverts and wish they had gone further as they were a great band! Nick Cave’s “Murder Ballads” is chock a block full of songs about murder! Mostly told as stories and quite eerie with Kylie Minogue and PJ Harvey providing extra vocals.
    XXX
    Suzanne

  8. Mary Panjari says

    October 24, 2011 at 9:40 pm

    I love the Adverts too! Also I concur re Murder Ballads. Of course Nick had affairs with PJ and maybe Kylie. Anyway, it gave Kylie some street cred.

  9. Megan Mae says

    October 24, 2011 at 10:28 pm

    If you ever to compile a playlist, I need a copy. I think that is sufficiently Creepy. I also have not heard the song before, or the story. Thanks for always introducing new stuff into my life.

    • WendyB says

      October 24, 2011 at 10:44 pm

      I have a mini-playlist ready for next Monday!

  10. Penny Dreadful Vintage says

    October 25, 2011 at 5:20 pm

    Please include Stagger Lee when you put that list together x

    • WendyB says

      October 25, 2011 at 5:55 pm

      Too late! Already wrote it and my picks are very basic and obvious…do a response to it when it comes out and improve upon my selection!

  11. stacy says

    October 26, 2011 at 2:11 am

    I love that band. Is that wrong? If loving the Adverts is wrong, I don’t wanna be right.

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MEET WENDY BRANDES

Award-winning designer of fine jewelry inspired by women's history and pop culture. A former journalist who writes about jewelry, fashion, medieval history, news, feminism, dogs, cats and whatever else is on her mind. Blogging since 2007.
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