Song Meaning
This track paints a surreal picture of London populated by werewolves, blending the mundane with the monstrous. The opening verse sets a bizarre scene: a werewolf, clutching a Chinese menu, navigates Soho's rain in search of beef chow mein. This immediate juxtaposition of a mythical creature engaged in everyday errands establishes a darkly comedic tone. The lyrics then pivot to a more sinister implication, warning listeners to "better not let him in" after a "little old lady got mutilated." This hints at the underlying danger beneath the absurdity.
The central tension arises from the contrast between the werewolves' terrifying nature and their surprisingly ordinary, even dapper, activities. We hear of a "hairy handed gent" who "ran amuck in Kent" but is now found in Mayfair, implying a widespread, yet somehow civilized, presence. The narrator's flippant remark, "I'd like to meet his tailor," further underscores this, treating the monstrous with a peculiar, almost fashionable, detachment. This disconnect between expected savagery and observed behavior is the song's driving force.
The most striking craft element is the seamless integration of pop culture and historical figures into the werewolf lore. Seeing "Lon Chaney walking with the Queen" and Lon Chaney Jr. doing the same is a surreal, almost dreamlike, image that elevates the narrative beyond a simple monster story. It suggests a world where the legendary and the regal coexist, blurring the lines between myth and reality. The final image of a werewolf with "perfect" hair at Trader Vic's, drinking a piña colada, solidifies the song's unique blend of horror and high society.
Ultimately, the lyrics' effectiveness lies in their ability to create a vivid, unforgettable, and unsettling atmosphere through sheer imaginative force. The unexpected details—the menu, the chow mein, the tailor, the piña colada—make the monstrous feel strangely familiar and therefore more disquieting. The song doesn't just describe werewolves; it places them within a specific, albeit warped, social landscape, making their presence both absurd and genuinely menacing.