This blog is the fourth in a series that explores the use of harpsichord in popular music. (Part 1 the 1940s and 1950s) (Part 2 the 1960s) (Part 3 the 1970s)

Harpsichord continues to be used in recordings—sometimes only in the background, but often it takes a prominent role. I find it fascinating how many ways this versatile instrument is used. 

Songs from the 1980s that Use Harpsichord

Damned, The

“Grimly Fiendish” (1985) was on their album, Phantasmagoria. The character Grimly Feendish is a British comic book character. He was the inspiration for this song. The spelling was changed to avoid a lawsuit.

Dire Straits 

“One World” (1985) is from the album, Brothers in Arms. The harpsichord comes in at about 1:33.

Elvis Costello

“You Little Fool” (1982) was written by Elvis Costello and performed by Elvis Costello and the Attractions. It features baroque stylings with Steve Nieve playing harpsichord. It is partially dubbed backwards onto the track’s closing segment. Costello said he meant for the track to sound archaic, thus the use of the harpsichord and 12-string guitar. “I wanted it to sound like Vanity Fair or Left Banke . . .”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYmVfF3WX_Q

Skeeter Davis

“How Many Tears” (1985) is on the album, She Sings, They Play by Skeeter Davis and NRBQ. The song is written by T. Adams. Terry Adams is playing the harpsichord on the song. He is also the founding member of the musical group NRBQ. NRBQ is short for New Rhythm and Blues Quartet (originally (Quintet).

Stranglers, The 

“Golden Brown” (1981) is from their sixth studio album, La Folie. Dave Greenfield, the keyboardist for the group, had written a piece in waltz-time for the harpsichord. The main body of the song has a 6/8 feel and every fourth bar is in 4/4. This became the song “Golden Brown” after band member Hugh Cornwell added lyrics.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qca9ByvLhBA

Songs from the 1990s that Use Harpsichord

Destiny’s Child

“Bills, Bills, Bills” (1999) 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiF6-0UTqtc

Mercyful Fate

“Is That You, Melissa” (1993) is from their album, In the Shadows. Mercyful Fate is a Danish heavy metal band from Copenhagen, formed in 1981. John Marshall is playing harpsichord.

Mick Jagger

“Angel In My Heart” (1993) was written by Mick Jagger and is on his third solo album, Wandering Spirit. Matt Clifford is playing harpsichord. 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pSMj5DuLDes

R. E. M. 

“Half a World Away” (1991) Mike Mills, a founding member of the group, is playing harpsichord.

Tori Amos 

“Blood Roses” (1996) is on her third studio album, Boys for Pele. The album was recorded in rural Ireland and Louisiana and features eighteen songs that use harpsichord, clavichord, harmonium, gospel choirs, brass bands, and full orchestra. She wrote all of the tracks and was sole producer for her album. The album was nominated for a Grammy in 1996 for Best Alternative Album.

Songs from the 2000s and Beyond that Use Harpsichord

Aloe Blacc

“The Man” (2013) is on his EP, Wake Me Up. The song was later released as the second single from his third studio album.

Arcade Fire

“Rococo” (2010) is from their third album, The Suburbs. They are a Canadian indie rock band.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ly65sLPIKVw

Black Keys, The

“Too Afraid To Love You” (2010) is on their sixth studio album, Brother. They are an American rock duo comprised of Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney. In 2011 the album won three Grammy Awards, including honors for Best Alternative Music Album. This album was the first album recorded in thirty years at the famous Muscle Shoals Sound Studio in Alabama.

Co-producer Mark Neill told the story of this song in a track-by-track on The Black Keys Fan Lounge: “This is born out of a crazy idea about a harpsichord. In the Spring of last year (2009) we were talking about the instruments we were going to bring to the recording. I said I’d bring all this stuff, and I’ve got some magic tambourines, but I told him (vocalist/guitarist Dan Auerbach) ‘Look, tell the Management I want a harpsichord down there.’ And there was silence on the phone for a minute and then he goes, ‘Cool!’ [laughs]. Much to my surprise, after much double-checking and goading, finally it did show up mid-way through the session from Nashville. Immediately I just turned the lights down in the studio and shoo’ed everybody out. Dan sat down, we talked a little bit, and then I shut up and he just started writing that song. Beautiful. It’s not a ballad, it’s, I dunno, it’s soul music! It’s beautiful.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2uIWmOtCKdg

Deerhunter

“Death in Midsummer” (2019) is from their eighth album, Why Hasn’t Everything Already Disappeared? Deerhunter is an American rock band from Atlanta, Georgia. The harpsichord is played by Cate Le Bon. 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-QsfpLMF5ts

Demon Hunters

“Dead Flowers” (2012) is by the Christian metal band Demon Hunters. The group is from Seattle, Washington and started in 2000 by brothers Don Clark and Ryan Clark. This song is on their album, True Defiance. The harpsichord is used on the intro and verses. Clark told Alternative Press: “I originally had that melody mapped out with guitar, and it’s still in there, but lower in the mix to allow the harpsichord to shine.”

Elliott Smith

“Junk Bond Trader” (2000) is on his final studio album, Figure 8. Elliott is playing the harpsichord on this track.

Hold Steady, The

“One for the Cutters” (2008)

Jason Kaye 

“Little Children” (2004) by Jason Kaye & Co. is from Out of Nowhere: The White Whale Story (Vol. 2). The album was released in 2004 and is a compilation album of various artists.

Jethro Tull

“Thick as a Brick 2” (2021) The harpsichord comes in at the 7:27 point of Part 2.

Panic! At the Disco

“I Write Sins Not Tragedies” (2005) is from their debut studio album, A Fever You Can’t Sweat Out. 

Paul McCartney 

“People Want Peace” (2018) is on his seventeenth album, Egypt Station. Paul is playing the harpsichord.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0g8F_5mt1u0

Rufus Wainwright

“Little Sister” (2004) is from his fourth album, Want Two.

twenty one pilots 

“Isle of Flightless Birds” (2009) The song is about people who waste their potential in life. This is referenced as an island of flightless birds. These birds have beautiful wings but they choose not to use them to fly. The song is meant to inspire the listener to action and to stop being apathetic.

The Arcana 

“Hotel Reveal” (2020)

Vampire Weekend 

“M79” (2008) is on their album, Vampire Weekend. Rostam Batmanglij is playing harpsichord on this track. He is a founding member of the group.

“Taxi Cab” (2010) is on their second studio album, Contra. Rostam Batmanglij is playing harpsichord on this track. 

“Step” (2013) 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_mDxcDjg9P4

In my next blog, “Use of Harpsichord in Popular Music: Part 5.” I list country songs that use harpsichord. Right along with the fiddle, steel guitar, banjo, harmonica, and mandolin—the harpsichord is included on occasion—even as far back as the late 1950s. I admit that I found this very surprising!

Do you know other songs from the 1980s or later that use harpsichord? List them in the comments below.