10 Best Songs With The Word 'Wolf' In The Title

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Wolves have long captured the imagination of storytellers, musicians, and filmmakers, symbolizing everything from primal instincts to mystery and danger. In pop culture, wolves have been a metaphor for wildness and transformation, appearing in folklore, classic literature, and modern media as enigmatic and often fearsome figures. From the cautionary tales of werewolves to their portrayal as misunderstood creatures in contemporary works, wolves have remained a potent symbol of human fascination with nature and the untamed. Music, too, has embraced this powerful imagery, with countless artists weaving wolves into their lyrics and themes.

In Warren Zevon’s “Werewolves of London,” the wolf becomes a tongue-in-cheek symbol of urban chaos and eccentricity, blending humor with macabre charm. The Grateful Dead’s “Dire Wolf” takes a more narrative approach, evoking folklore and exploring themes of fate and mortality. Duran Duran’s “Hungry Like the Wolf” uses the wolf as a metaphor for desire and relentless pursuit, set against the backdrop of their new wave sound. Heart’s “The Wolf” delivers a gritty rock tale of deception and primal instincts, underscored by powerful instrumentation. In “Cry Wolf,” Stevie Nicks examines betrayal and resilience, using wolf imagery to underscore emotional intensity. Todd Rundgren’s “You Cried Wolf” takes a playful yet cautionary approach, drawing on the fable of crying wolf to explore trust and consequences. Uriah Heep’s “Night of the Wolf” builds a haunting, atmospheric narrative of danger and desperation.

Steppenwolf’s “Chicken Wolf” combines satire with hard rock to critique hypocrisy, using the wolf as a symbol of duplicity. Rainbow’s “Run With the Wolf” weaves mystical imagery with powerful guitar work, reflecting themes of transformation and survival. Finally, Nita Strauss’s “The Wolf You Feed” uses the wolf as a metaphor for internal conflict, delivering a message of empowerment and self-determination. Together, these songs demonstrate the enduring allure of wolves in music, each offering a unique perspective on this captivating creature.

# 10 – The Wolf You Feed (feat. Alissa White-Gluz) – Nita Strauss

“The Wolf You Feed,” featured on Nita Strauss’s 2022 album The Call of the Void, is a commanding track that blends Strauss’s virtuosic guitar work with the dynamic vocal prowess of Alissa White-Gluz from Arch Enemy. The song was produced by Kile Odell and recorded during 2021 and early 2022, with Strauss laying down her guitar parts during the extended downtime of the COVID-19 pandemic. Drummer Josh Villalta also contributed to the track, creating a rhythmic backbone that complements Strauss’s intricate riffs and White-Gluz’s dual clean and growled vocals. The song’s themes of internal conflict and personal transformation are rooted in the parable of the two wolves, emphasizing how the choices we make shape the person we become.

# 9 – Run With The Wolf – Rainbow

“Run With the Wolf,” the second track on Rainbow’s Rising album, is a dark and evocative exploration of mythology and mortality. Recorded in February 1976 at Musicland Studios in Munich, Germany, the song was produced by Martin Birch, a master of capturing the expansive soundscapes of hard rock and metal. The lineup featured Ritchie Blackmore on guitar, Ronnie James Dio on vocals, Tony Carey on keyboards, Jimmy Bain on bass, and Cozy Powell on drums. Together, this newly formed group of virtuosos created a track that balances dynamic instrumentation with vivid, metaphorical storytelling.

# 8 – Chicken Wolf – Steppenwolf

At Your Birthday Party by Steppenwolf (1995) Audio CD

We can’t compose a list of “Wolf” songs without including at least one Steppenwolf song. “Chicken Wolf,” from Steppenwolf’s third album, At Your Birthday Party, released in March 1969 by ABC Dunhill Records, stands out as a biting commentary wrapped in the band’s signature hard rock sound. Recorded at American Recording Company in California, the album marked a transitional period for the band, with Nick St. Nicholas replacing bassist Rushton Moreve and Michael Monarch nearing the end of his tenure as guitarist. Produced by Gabriel Mekler, the track reflects Steppenwolf’s ability to fuse sharp lyrical wit with raw musical energy, a hallmark of their earlier successes like “Born to Be Wild.”

Read More: Top 10 Steppenwolf Songs

# 7 – You Cried Wolf – Todd Rundgren

“You Cried Wolf,” from Todd Rundgren’s Hermit of Mink Hollow album, released in May 1978, is a brisk and satirical track that blends sharp lyricism with Rundgren’s mastery of pop-rock arrangements. Recorded entirely at his home studio on Mink Hollow Road in Lake Hill, New York, Rundgren performed all the vocals and instruments himself, a hallmark of his solo work. The album’s production showcases Rundgren’s meticulous attention to detail, with Mike Young providing additional engineering support. This track appears on the album’s “Difficult Side,” reflecting its biting tone and brisk energy.

Read More: Top 10 Todd Rundgren Songs

# 6 – Night Of The Wolf – Uriah Heep

Equator-25th Anniversary Expanded Edition

“Night of the Wolf,” the closing track on Uriah Heep’s Equator album, released in 1985, is a dramatic and atmospheric piece that showcases the band’s ability to weave storytelling with their signature rock sound. Recorded at the Roundhouse Studios in London, the track was produced by Tony Platt, known for his work with AC/DC and Iron Maiden. The lineup featured Mick Box on guitar, Peter Goalby on lead vocals, Trevor Bolder on bass, Lee Kerslake on drums, and John Sinclair on keyboards. This lineup, though short-lived, delivered a performance that underscored the haunting narrative of the song.

Read More: Top 10 Uriah Heep Songs

# 5 – Cry Wolf – Stevie Nicks

“Cry Wolf,” from Stevie Nicks’s 1989 album The Other Side of the Mirror, showcases her signature blend of poetic lyricism and layered production. The album, released on May 30, 1989, was recorded in various locations, including California, New York, and Buckinghamshire, England, under the guidance of producer Rupert Hine. This track stands out for its biting narrative, underscored by Nicks’s unmistakable voice and the intricate instrumentation provided by a stellar lineup that includes Jamie West-Oram on guitars, Tony Levin on bass, and Jerry Marotta on drums.

# 4 – Hungry Like The Wolf – Duran Duran

Duran Duran’s “Hungry Like the Wolf” is one of the definitive tracks of the early 1980s, encapsulating the band’s knack for blending new wave aesthetics with pop sensibility. Recorded in 1982 at AIR Studios in London and produced by Colin Thurston, the song features Simon Le Bon on vocals, John Taylor on bass, Nick Rhodes on keyboards, Andy Taylor on guitar, and Roger Taylor on drums. It appears on their Rio album, a release that helped propel Duran Duran to international stardom. The track is driven by a pulsating synth riff, infectious rhythm, and an anthemic chorus, solidifying its place as one of the band’s most enduring hits.

In comparison to other songs on this list, such as Stevie Nicks’s “Cry Wolf,” “Hungry Like the Wolf” leans heavily into metaphor and theatricality, focusing less on personal relationships and more on the raw, universal themes of pursuit and instinct. Chart-wise, the song peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States and reached No. 5 in the UK, cementing Duran Duran’s status as icons of the 1980s. Its combination of infectious melody, evocative lyrics, and groundbreaking visual accompaniment ensures its legacy as a classic of its era.

Read More: Top 10 Duran Duran Songs

# 3 – The Wolf – Heart

“The Wolf,” from Heart’s self-titled 1985 album, is a fiery and visceral track that underscores the band’s foray into mainstream rock while retaining their edge. Recorded in Los Angeles and released on Capitol Records, Heart was produced by Ron Nevison, a producer known for his polished work with rock acts like Led Zeppelin and The Who. This lineup featured Ann Wilson on lead vocals, Nancy Wilson on guitar and backing vocals, Howard Leese on guitar and keyboards, Mark Andes on bass, and Denny Carmassi on drums. Written by the Wilson sisters alongside Leese, Andes, Carmassi, and longtime collaborator Sue Ennis, “The Wolf” represents the album’s darker and more biting thematic moments.

Read More: 10 Most Rocking Heart Songs

# 2 – Dire Wolf – The Grateful Dead

“Dire Wolf,” featured on The Grateful Dead’s seminal 1970 album Workingman’s Dead, merges folklore, vivid imagery, and country-inspired melodies to create one of the band’s most enduring tracks. Written by Robert Hunter and Jerry Garcia, the song was recorded in early 1970 at Pacific High Recording Studio in San Francisco and produced by Bob Matthews, Betty Cantor, and the band itself. The song’s blend of acoustic guitar, pedal steel, and Garcia’s gentle, evocative vocals exemplifies the Americana influences that defined the album.

# 1 – Werewolves of London – Warren Zevon

“Werewolves of London,” one of Warren Zevon’s most iconic tracks, first appeared on his 1978 album Excitable Boy. Written by Zevon, LeRoy Marinell, and Waddy Wachtel, the song is a tongue-in-cheek exploration of urban legend and pop culture, delivered with Zevon’s characteristic wit and dark humor. Recorded at Elektra Sound Recorders in Los Angeles, the track features an impressive lineup, including Mick Fleetwood on drums and John McVie on bass—both of Fleetwood Mac fame. The song was produced by Jackson Browne and Waddy Wachtel, with the final version chosen from a grueling 59 takes.

Compared to other songs on this list, such as “Dire Wolf” by The Grateful Dead, “Werewolves of London” trades in suspense and allegory for humor and absurdity, offering a lighter, more sardonic take on wolf imagery. Despite Zevon’s initial objections, the song was chosen as the album’s lead single, reaching No. 21 on the Billboard Hot 100. Its enduring popularity, bolstered by its use in films and commercials, speaks to its unique combination of sharp lyricism, memorable melody, and Zevon’s inimitable storytelling. “Werewolves of London” remains a testament to his ability to craft songs that are as entertaining as they are eccentric.

Read More: Top 10 Warren Zevon Songs