Werewolves Of London

Lyrics: Warren Zevon
Music: Warren Zevon

Played by the Grateful Dead a few times in 1978, and thereafter only on Halloween, in 1985, 1990 and 1991. Robert Hunter sang a verse and the chorus in a concert on 1 September 1980.

I saw a werewolf with a chinese menu in his hand
Walking through the streets of Soho in the rain
He was looking for the place called Lee Ho Fuk's
For to get a big dish of beef chow mien

Chorus
Ah-oooh werewolves of London
Ah-oooh
Ah-oooh werewolves of London
Ah-oooh

He's the hairy handed gent who ran amuck in Kent
Lately he's been overheard in Mayfair
You better stay away from him, he'll rip your lungs out Jim (note 1)
I'd like to meet his tailor

[chorus]

You hear him howling around your kitchen door (note 2)
You better not let him in
Little old lady got mutilated last night
Werewolves of London again (note 3)

[chorus]

Well I saw Lon Cheyney walking with the Queen
Doing the werewolves of London
I saw Lon Cheyney Junior walking with the Queen (note 4)
Doing the werewolves of London
I saw a werewolf drinking a pina colada at Trader Vic's
And his hair was perfect

[chorus]
[chorus]
Notes
(1) Garcia sang "You better not mess with him ..."
(2) Garcia sang "You find him sneaking round your kitchen door"
(3) on 31 October 1991, in Oakland, Garcia sang "Werewolves of Oakland" here, and in the second and third choruses. (Thanks to Bill for pointing this out). On 31 October 1987 (with the JGB), Jerry sang "Werewolves of Broadway.
(4) on 31 October 1987 (with the JGB), Jerry Garcia sang:
I saw Steve Parish walking with the Queen
Doing the werewolves of Broadway
I saw Bill Graham drinking a ...
Doing the werewolves of Broadway
(Thanks to Elissa Sheehan for pointing this out)

Grateful Dead Recordings
     Date Album
     24 Apr 1978 Dave's Picks Volume 7
     11 May 1978 Dick's Picks Vol 25
      3 Jul 1978 July 1978: The Complete Recordings
      8 Jul 1978 July 1978: The Complete Recordings
 
Jerry Garcia Recordings
     Date Album Recorded By
     31 Oct 1987 Pure Jerry: Lunt-Fontanne Jerry Garcia Band
     31 Oct 1992 Garcia Live Volume 19 Jerry Garcia Band



Further Information
For an online discussion of the lyrics to this song see the deadsongs.vue conference on The Well.
For more information on recordings see Matt Schofield's Grateful Dead Family Discography
For online chords and TAB see www.rukind.com

 


Home | Find words/phrases| Find Song lyrics| Dead originals| Dead covers|