Songs 'inspired' by poetry: Shrews, Hughes, and Blues

 10 Things I Hate About You

Officially, Leah Kate says that her song "10 Things I Hate About You" wasn't inspired by the 1999 movie of the same name or its corresponding poem, just a loser ex.

But I feel like there has to be some subconscious connection given the nearly identical themes between the song and the movie—which was itself inspired by Shakespeare's "The Taming of the Shrew."

Regardless, the song is a punchy tune that will make you want to watch the movie again, or at least the scene with the poem.

The Dream Keeper

"The Dream Keeper" by Langston Hughes is a lovely little poem that was turned into an equally lovely choral tune.

I learned the song for choir, and it quickly became one of my favorites. Likewise, the song was a big help for when I later had an assignment that required me to memorize a poem.

Killing Me Softly

The 1973 song "Killing Me Softly" by Roberta Flack, also popularly covered by Fugees, was inspired by Lori Lieberman's poem-turned-song of the same name.

Also, the famous line "Killing me softly with his song" was apparently originally "Killing me softly with his blues," something that changed when Lieberman didn't like the effect of the original line.

I think the changed lyric was definitely to the song's advantage with that sweet sense of alliteration.