1001 Songs Challenge #844: The Beautiful People (1996)

On 11 February 2019 I set myself the challenge of reading 1001 Songs You Must Hear Before You Die by Robert Dimery (ed.) and following the book’s advice to the letter. I’ve previously read 1001 Films… and started 1001 Albums… but felt 1001 Songs… would be a sensible place to start for what I have in mind here.

My challenge is to read about one song per day and listen to it (YouTube and Spotify, I need you tonight!) before sharing my own thoughts. Some songs I will love, others I’ll hate, and I’m sure there will be those that leave me perplexed but listen to them I shall.

I’ll also try, and most likely fail, to pinpoint the best song from the 1001 on offer but I’m nothing if not foolhardy. Instead of one song, I’m predicting I’ll have about 100 favourites by the end and may have to resort to a Top 10 so far to maintain any semblance of sanity.

So long as I post every day (including Christmas) then this challenge should come to an end on Wednesday 8 November 2021. Staying with the Barney Stinson theme I am hoping that the whole experience will prove to be… legendary!

Marilyn Manson – The Beautiful People (1996)

We’re leaving New York behind, dear reader, and heading down to Florida, the only state in the US where yours truly has ever been. Only 49 more states to go to complete the collection. Anyway, formed in 1989 as Marilyn Manson & The Spooky Kids, the band later condensed its name down to Marilyn Manson who is the frontman for the group, his name a combination of Marilyn Monroe and Charles Manson, ever a juxtaposition if ever there was one. We join the group in 1996 with the release of their second album – Antichrist Superstar – and from there 1001 Songs have gone with the track – The Beautiful People. 

The Beautiful People is taken from a concept album, a rock opera by Marilyn Manson that would extend into a trilogy of albums. The song is rather intricate in its influences, drawing on the work of Nietzsche and also tapping into the theory of Social Darwinism. The song reflects the unpleasant face of society, the gulf in classes, wealth, privilege and even beauty. The beautiful people of the title appear to embody good fortune, looking down upon the common people in the gutter while they thrive at the heights of their deluxe towers. In the context of the album, the song is an observation made by the protagonist, Antichrist Superstar, perhaps a lament or even condemnation of social injustice that is allowed to happen in the class system and that we ourselves bear witness to every day.

I have heard this track before, though I can’t say I know a lot of music by Marilyn Manson. He has been around for many years now and in his early career was noteworthy for eye-catching and often shocking antics on stage, not to mention his rather intimidating appearance. Antichrist Superstar sold well upon release and The Beautiful People also proved a big success for Marilyn Manson. Though not as popular as they once were, Marilyn Manson continue to perform but the lead singer has sadly been in the headlines a lot in recent months with accusations of sexual abuse against various women.

Favourite songs so far:

The Animals – House of the Rising Sun (1964)

Simon & Garfunkel – The Sounds of Silence (1965)

The Beatles – A Day in the Life (1967)

The Doors – The End (1967)

Pink Floyd – Wish You Were Here (1975)

Meat Loaf – Bat Out of Hell (1977)

Ultravox – Vienna (1980)

Tracy Chapman – Fast Car (1988)

U2 – One (1991)

Jeff Buckley – Hallelujah (1994)