Music and mythology seem to be many worlds apart. Yet, fascinating stories have emerged to prove that music is an art laced with mysteries. From satanic messages in "Hotel California" to Robert Johnson's alleged pact with the devil, it seems that urban legends are an inherent part of fame.
Some songs, however, have more horrifying tales to tell. Here are some lesser-known myths hidden in 10 of the most cryptic songs ever written.
10.The Forest Ogre - "The Erlking"
In 1782, young German poet Johann Wolfgang von Goethe wrote a ballad that soon launched a terrifying urban legend. Entitled "The Erlking," the musical piece tells the story of a sinister creature who preys on travelers and children.
Also known as the "King of Alders," this forest monster is said to be a mistranslation of the original Danish "elf king." Still, it has remained a haunting reminder of our childhood fears and the dark underworld hiding in the jungles.
Legend has it that a man was riding on a horse with his young son one eerie night. As they passed through the dark corners of the forest, the young boy suddenly heard whispers from the unknown. Terrified, he told his father about the ominous sign. However, the father reassured his child that it was just the wind "rustling with the dead leaves."
The voice grew louder. But with his father ignoring him, the boy had no other choice. As they finally reached home, the father got the shock of his life. He found his poor son lifeless, with his soul allegedly consumed by the Erlking.
The story of the malevolent creature soon found its way into different communities and folk legends. In Dartmoor, for instance, a demon huntsman named Dewer is known to kill innocent children, hide them in sacks, and deliver the corpses straight to their parents. Another Erlking-inspired child killer is Ireland's Tuatha De Danann, an evil creature known for leaving changelings in cradles to replace the poor infant victims.
9.Devil's Dance - "Asereje" ("The Ketchup Song")
In 2002, Spanish girl trio Las Ketchup conquered the international music scene with an unexpected hit. The song "Asereje" ("The Ketchup Song"), accompanied by awkward dance steps, became one of the best-selling singles of all time. But not long after it became an overnight sensation, rumors of backmasking and satanic references began to emerge.
It all started when an email message—allegedly from a newspaper in Chihuahua, Mexico—exposed hidden messages behind the song's lyrics. The controversy focused on two major areas: the title and the song's lead character named Diego.
If broken down and translated into English, "Asereje" also means "a being of heresy." On the other hand, the alternative title, "Ketchup," can be divided into two parts: "Up" (meaning "heaven"), and "chet" (loosely translated as "dung" or "sh–t").
When combined, the resulting word can mean "heaven is sh–t" or a direct attack on the sky. Backmasking also applies to the rest of the lyrics—allegedly to conceal clues which describe Diego as Satan's messenger.
The singers denied the rumors and repeatedly said that the song was based on the 1979 rap hit "Rapper's Delight" by Sugarhill Gang. Turns out, Asereje is an example of mondegreen, in which a foreign song is reinvented due to a linguistic difference.
However, some international groups didn't buy these explanations. In Dominican Republic, Mango TV banned all Asereje video clips. Iglesia ni Cristo (INC), an influential Christian sect in the Philippines, followed suit by preventing all its members from listening to the controversial song.
8.Texas Serial Killer - "Possum Kingdom"
Possum Kingdom Lake is a man-made body of water near the Dallas-Fort Worth area. It had remained an uneventful fishing spot until alternative rock band Toadies put a bizarre twist on its name.
