13 Songs With Chess Lyrics
Chess and music have been linked throughout history.
Both of these cerebral pursuits live at the intersection of science and art, and both are breeding grounds for amazing geniuses and prodigies.
The logic, structure, and meaning of music can be directly compared to the rules and strategies of chess — not only on a mathematical level, but intuitively, as well.
The artistic struggle in a chess game is often used as a lyrical metaphor for other meaningful aspects of the human condition: love, war, or the search for one’s place in life.
Sometimes, though, chess lyrics are used to add a fun and smart angle to a song.
Here are 13 popular songs that feature chess in their lyrics. Let us know your favorite chess songs in the comments and on Facebook.
1. Taylor Swift: “Dear John”
And I lived in your chess game, but you changed the rules every day.
2. Jamie Cullum: “Get Your Way”
Queen takes pawn, check or checkmate.
3. Weezer: “Chess”
Chess is such a difficult game.
There are so many pieces,
So many squares where you can go.
So few promises.
Cover by Rivers Cuomo:
4. Murray Head: “One Night In Bangkok”
The crème de la crème of the chess world...
5. John Mayer: “My Stupid Mouth”
I played a quick game of chess with the salt and pepper shaker.
6. Wu-Tang Clan: “Da Mystery Of Chessboxin’”
The game of chess is like a sword fight.
You must think first before you move.
7. Bob Dylan: “Only A Pawn In Their Game”
He's only a pawn in their game.
Cover by Joe Pasolini:
8. Jay-Z: “This Life Forever”
Poppa raised me to chess moves.
9. Arcade Fire: “Deep Blue”
You could never predict it,
That it could see through you,
Kasparov-Deep Blue 1996.
10. Public Enemy: “Rebel Without A Pause”
No matter what the name,
We’re all the same pieces in one big chess game.
11. Yes: “I've Seen All Good People”
Its news is captured...for the queen to use.
Move me on to any black square.
12. Hilltop Hoods: “Cosby Sweater”
I feel like Bobby Fischer,
Always four moves ahead of my competition.
13. Wu-Tang Clan: “Weak Spot”
I stay on the 64 squares, while patrolling the center,
Trading space from material, the time zone I enter.
It's calculated by movement, from pushed pieces,
Advancements and development, once the pawn reaches,
To eighth-ranked now heavily armed with a tank,
My opponent's base is threated, soldiers cut with shanks.
Moved all my small pieces, MC's are driven back,
Unable to avoid capture from the attack.
What are your favorite chess lyrics and songs?
Let us know in the comments.
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