13 Classic Rock Songs That Give Different Perspectives On Death

There's no lyrics in this chilling track, which is–in total Pink Floyd concept fashion–supposed to simply sound like dying. The wailing of singer Clare Torry on the track apparently comes from the band telling her: "There's no lyrics. It's about dying—have a bit of a sing on that, girl." In one haunting take, she nailed it.

There's three stories going on here. The first verse is about his brother metaphorically taken by child protective services. The second verse deals with a man and his death. The third verse talks about the waves carrying away his mother in a metaphorical sense, and finally freeing herself from this Earthly body.

Essentially, "castles of made of sand, slip into the sea, eventually." We all will inevitable meet our end.

This song was written as a memoir for Marilyn Monroe. It was also rewritten as an ode to Princess Diana in 1997. It has a sense of compassion for those that we've lost and that's why it resonates beautifully, yet mournfully on the subject of people. 

"When I die and they lay me to rest // Gonna go to the place that's the best // When I lay me down to die // Goin' up to the spirit in the sky"

Pretty straight forward what this song is referring to. Norman Greenbaum's classic rock hit has been in nearly 50 movies and countless TV shows and commercials. It's an anthem that resonates but serves as a reminder of the ending of life that's unavoidable. 

"Ohio" was written by Neil Young and performed by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young in response (read: as a protest) to the Kent State shootings in 1970. The song became a counterculture anthem of the decade.

"Tin soldiers and Nixon coming // We're finally on our own // This summer I hear the drumming // Four dead in Ohio"

Dylan's song "Knockin' On Heaven's Door" is a rendition of something you might hear at a funeral, and the tear-jerking lyrics have indeed been used at endless funerals since it was released. If you're longing for a release from the troubles of this Earth, exiting to heaven (whatever that may be in your eyes), is not only desirable but finally welcomed after the long struggle. Dylan embodied that lifelong journey in just two and half minutes. 

Blue Öyster Cult is probably more known for Will Ferrell playing the cowbell in an SNL parody of this song at this point, but this song was a hit in the late 70s. The lyrics are a helpful reminder to not fear death as its approaching at the end of life, and instead relish in the moments left with those you love by your side. The band explains it's about "eternal love." In the end, telling listeners not to fear something so terrifying as death is a tough task to take on.

"Will it be poison I put in my glass? // Will it be slow or will it be fast?"

The "D" in the title is referring to death itself. Keith Richards has been flirting with death his entire life including drug addiction, house fires, brutal falls and a near-electrocution among other problems we may not even be aware of. Maybe Richards is who Mick Jagger had in mind when penning this track.

This song helped catapult Aerosmith into rock n' roll superstardom. Steven Tyler reminisces over parts of his life that he's already experienced or missed out on while hauntingly remembering that death could be as soon as tomorrow. You simply never know, and if they could ask you to do one thing, it's to dream on and keep living your life.

"Good God! Don't jump // A boy sat on the ledge" ... "Save the life of my child // Cried the desperate mother"

This track of Simon & Garfunkel's fourth studio album tells the story of a mother crying out for help as her child nears the end his life, with a deadly jump. Listen to it above to get the full story.

"Hey Joe, where you goin' with that gun of yours? // Hey Joe, I said where you goin' with that gun in your hand, oh // I'm goin' down to shoot my old lady// You know I caught her messin' 'round with another man"

This song has been recorded and performed by hundreds of artists since first appearing in the 60s, but was made most popular as the debut single for the Jimi Hendrix Experience. It deals with the story of a man, as you read in the verse, and the eventual shooting of his wife.

Led Zeppelin didn't write this song themselves (it's an old gospel tune), but what they did do was turn it into an iconic classic rock song–giving the gospel an 11-minute stunning track reimagining. Singer Robert Plant please for forgiveness from his countless mistakes in life throughout the thrilling track, and Jimmy Page offers up a memorable slide on the guitar while John Bonham pounds endlessly on the kit from the back.

Country Joe & The Fish was an influential San Francisco psychedelic rock band of the 60s and 70s, even performing at Woodstock. It's a protest to the Vietnam War and he shows his disgust when he lets the crowd spell out "F-U-C-K!" as the track famously begins.

"And it's five, six, seven // Open up the pearly gates // Well there ain't no time to wonder why // Whoopee! we're all gonna die"