Ten Dragon Songs That Please Your Ears

By Doug Poe

We were watching the news program showing on the television in the waiting room, when the anchor man read a list of celebrities who had birthdays coming up toward the end of the month. One of them was Tommy James, which the guy seated across from me admitted he had never heard of.

Even though James with the Shondells has many hits, the first that came to mind was "Draggin' the Line." The gentleman obviously mistook my pronunciation of that particular title, thinking I had mentioned two animals in it.

He remarked that he had heard "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" but he knew of no song name that mentioned a dragon. An awkward silence ensued until I came up with another title, "Crimson and Clover", which he said he recognized.

On the way home, though, I myself was thinking about song titles using the word dragon, and here is the list I came up with.

Puff the Magic Dragon by Peter Paul and Mary

Whether or not this hit is about a certain plant or a fictional pet creature matters not, since it continues to be one of the folk trio's most beloved.

Dragon Attack by Queen

Its meaning remains a mystery, as does the reason why this track was so overshadowed by "Another One Bites The Dust" and the other hits from The Game.

St. George and the Dragon by Toto

Mythology is set to music on this fine number from the group's second album, Hydra.

Red Dragon Tattoo by Fountains of Wayne

As the title suggests, the power pop quartet plans to get inked on this catchy track from their second album, Utopia Parkway.

The Beast and the Dragon, Admired by Spoon

Brit Daniel addresses the title creatures in the opening song from Gimme Fiction.

Battle of the Dragon by Stevie Nicks

This tune is part of a record called Miscellaneous, an assortment of non-album tracks like "Stop Dragging My Heart Around" with Tom Petty.

Dragon Lady by Blue Oyster Cult

Highlighting an album called The Revolution By Night, this tune is much more indicative of the band's sound than "Don't Fear the Reaper."

As The Dragonfly Flies by Icicle Works

Their self-titled debut came out on just before similar sounding Tears For Fears released, and topped the charts, with Songs From the Big Chair.

The Dragon Hunters by the Cure

Robert Smith and his new wave band included this one on their self-titled debut.

The Dragon Song by Bonnie Prince Billie

If you want to see fire breathing beasts go deep into the woods, the song suggests, but the singer admits he is too chicken to go with you.