Songs About The Zodiac
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This is a reader suggestion list, coming from social media last year, so it is something that I had to research a bit. Songs about the signs of the Zodiac!
To start with, the Zodiac is a series of symbols that represent people based on their date of birth, the study called Astrology. There are several different forms of Zodiac, but this list will be looking at the Western Zodiac and the 12 signs associated with it.
This list proved to be rather strange. I could only think of a few off the top of my head, but otherwise, it meant I had to go through my collection to find any songs with the star sign in the title. I really wanted to stick to that because listening to songs based on what their lyrics might contain was going to be challenging. As it is, when we come to Cancer, you'll see I had to think slightly left of centre.
Now, I actually own an album by keyboard maestro Rick Wakeman and Tony Fernandez called
Zodiaque (1988), which has a series of musical compositions based on each of the 12 signs of the Zodiac. I like the album, and was tempted to use it in the case of the sign where I struggled (Cancer), but in the end, decided against it because it felt like a cheat.
I have also avoided songs about all the signs of the Zodiac. I was going to include one at the end but decided against it because I thought it might break the tone I had set.
The only rules are the sign of the Zodiac needs to be in the song title, and that no other signs of the Zodiac are mentioned in the lyrics. This last I could have missed, and if so, I apologise now.
Songs About the Zodiac!
**Aries (Ram): March 21–April 19
'
Song For Aries' by Cactus (1971)**
This is the only Aries song I own, an instrumental, but that's fine because this is such a wonderful piece of music. The build is gradual and lifts as it goes, with some amazing guitar playing. I know nothing about the band (except Carmine Appice was their drummer), but if this is anything to go by, I should seek out more by them.
**Taurus (Bull): April 20–May 20
'
Taurus II' by Mike Oldfield (1982)**
The original version is side one of the
Five Miles Out] album and lasts more than twenty minutes, so I've put up a live excerpt here. This is a great instrumental (using the human voice as an instrument) and is yet another example (following from other columns) of non-
Tubular Bells Oldfield tracks that are worth tracking down.
**Gemini (Twins): May 21–June 21
'
Gemini Dream' by The Moody Blues (1981)**
The Moody Blues really leant into the 1980s synth-sound heavily, and they had a strong second lease of life throughout that decade because of that, starting with this charting single. It is a really strong track, and they deserved to come back with this.
**Cancer (Crab): June 22–July 22
'
Sign Of The Crab' by Evil Stig (1995)**
Evil Stig were a band featuring Joan Jett (which was how I discovered them, being quite the fan in the 1980s and 1990s) and the group the Gits. They are a hard rock outfit, and this song about the Zodiac sign is just great rock.
**Leo (Lion): July 23–August 22
'
Maybe I'm A Leo' by Deep Purple (1972)**
Deep Purple's
Machine Head is a seminal album in hard rock, and every track is strong, and this one is no exception, with some great musicianship dominating things.
**Virgo (Virgin): August 23–September 22
'
Virgo Vibes' by Famus AAA (2020)**
This is the only Virgo song I own, on a compilation album. It is that slow rap/hip-hop style that was popular at the time. It is pleasant enough, and quite chilled, really.
**Libra (Balance): September 23–October 23
'
Libra Sign' by Stupid Rich Kid (2019)
NSFW! Language Warning!!**
This is the only Libra song I could find in my collection. It's okay, a little slow, and there is a lot of swearing in it (which is how I got it – someone gave me a pile of modern songs with swearing in them for a column for another site), but it is still a decent track.
**Scorpio (Scorpion): October 24–November 21
'
Scorpio' by Dennis Coffey and the Detroit Guitar Band (1971)**
An instrumental, some glorious funk from a band I know nothing about. I was introduced to this song in about 1984 because there was a group of breakdancers who used a slightly remixed version for their routine, and I was fascinated by breakdancing. But the original is better and great.
**Sagittarius (Archer): November 22–December 21
'
Sagittarius A*' by Declan McKenna (2020)**
I have this on a compilation album, and it is a fun track. I like the pop sound with added guitars and his voice is decent enough. I know nothing else about him, and this song is the only one of his I own, but it is a decent track.
**Capricorn (Goat): December 22–January 19
'
Capricorn Dancer' by Richard Clapton (1977)**
This was the only song I considered for this sign on the list. Richard Clapton is a phenomenal Australian musician who is all but forgotten nowadays, and yet his music is so very good. This is one of his better-known tracks and is just wonderful.
**Aquarius (Water Bearer): January 20–February 18
'
Aquarius/Let The Sun Shine In' by The 5th Dimension (1967)**
This is a medley of two songs from the hippie musical
Hair, and it reached the upper placings on many charts, including topping the US Billboard. The Age of Aquarius was apparently the period of time coming when the world would become a better place, ruled by that star sign.
**Pisces (Fish): February 19–March 20
'
Pisces Fish' by George Harrison (2002)**
Brainwashed was Harrison's last album, released after his death, having been completed by his son and producer/musician Jeff Lynne. It is not as strong as some of his other albums, but I like all of his post-Beatles work, and this is a decent album, with a sense of joy about it. This song is a decent one from the collection.
There we are! Twelve songs representing signs of the Zodiac in music. This was an interesting one to compile, and it does show that no matter the topic, there seems to be a song out there for it.
Like this person, if you have any requests for music columns, then please leave a comment below and I will try my hardest to comply. No promises, but I will try.
Hope you enjoyed this one.
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82789 - 2023-06-11 06:34:31