524: “Bela Lugosi’s Dead” becomes Goth-rock staple
Bauhaus’ essential goth rock dirge “Bela Lugosi’s Dead” makes a memorable and significant connection between the emerging goth culture and vampires by referencing Lugosi, the vintage horror star who originated the role of Dracula on stage and screen. “Dead” was Bauhaus’ first single, released in 1979, and while it did not enter the pop charts on either side of the Atlantic, it remained on sale as a single for many years in the UK. It is over nine minutes in length and was recorded in a single take. Live versions can clock several minutes longer, and “Dead”’s stark, free-form drone calls to mind The Doors and early Floyd as well as Krautrock. The song was later featured in the opening of 1983 cult vampire film The Hunger with Catherine Denevue, Susan Sarandon and David Bowie. For its release on The Hunger soundtrack, “Dead” was trimmed down to a shorter 7″ promo single exclusively released to theaters showing the film.