Article published by Mike James, an independent content writer working together with London based education recruitment specialist Redbox Teachers.

Modern songwriters take their inspiration from everywhere. Of course, they’re artists, so it’s no wonder that works of literature and books that have been particularly influential to them will find their way into song lyrics.

Some are obvious; Kate Bush’s Wuthering Heights is clearly based on Emily Bronte’s classic novel. But there are hundreds if not thousands of other musical compositions that are also inspired by great literature – and you would never know it.

Whether you are an English teacher with a geeky and proud obsession of all things literary, or you’re on the prowl for useful pub quiz material, here are 13 songs that have a deliberate yet obscure literary connection.

1. Led Zeppelin: Ramble On
Based on: Lord Of The Rings (JRR Tolkien)

2. The Police: Don’t Stand So Close To Me
Based on: Lolita (Vladimir Nabokov)

3. Nirvana: Scentless Apprentice
Based on: Perfume (Patrick Suskind)

4. The Beatles: I Am The Walrus
Based on: King Lear (William Shakespeare)

5. Lana Del Ray: Ultraviolence
Based on: A Clockwork Orange (Anthony Burgess)

6. Elton John: Rocket Man
Based on: The Rocket Man (Ray Bradbury)

7. The Muse: Resistance
Based on: 1984 (George Orwell)

8. Bob Dylan: All Along The Watchtower
Based on: Frankenstein (Mary Shelley)

11. T’Pau: China In Your Hand
Based on: Frankenstein (Mary Shelley)

12. Mumford and Sons: Sigh No More
Based on: Much Ado About Nothing (William Shakespeare)