Frankenstein versus Godzilla
Since Frankenstein came first in the roll call of famous monsters, he might hold the advantage in being the favorite of a good many fans of the horror genres. And though the story is a European invention and takes place in Europe, thanks to Hollywood Frankenstein seems like more of an American invention whereas Godzilla is definitely the spawn of post World War II Japan.
The monster of the Frankenstein stories has been incorrectly referred to by his creator's surname --Dr. Frankenstein--and that misnomer has stuck ever since the original publication of the Mary Shelley novel in 1818. The Frankenstein monster has appeared in numerous adaptions and derivations over the years, endearing him to monster fans throughout the world.
The Frankenstein Monster's biggest film rival since 1954 has been the Japanese reptilian monster Godzilla who has also appeared many times since, primarily in Japanese made films. While Dr. Frankenstein created his monster out of the body parts of dead humans, Godzilla was an already created being that was roused from a comatose sleep by nuclear radiation.
Both stories are warnings to humans not to play God and tamper with powers that are beyond us. The outcomes of most of the stories of either monsters end with death and destruction humans and property, yet with a certain sympathetic view of the monstrous anti-heroes. Over the years these monsters have become beloved by many as well as specters that can haunt our dark fantasies and nightmares.
As one might expect with beloved characters such as these, they have also inspired songs in their honor. In this current round of Battle of the Bands you decide which monster has inspired your favorite song about them...
Battle of the Bands
Edgar Winter Group "Frankenstein" (1973)
I'm using a long performance version of the song so it's up to you how long you want to listen to it. It's a pretty cool version I think and maybe you'll agree. Maybe you'll also think this is the best of the two monster songs in this Battle. Prepare to rock...
Blue Oyster Cult "Godzilla" (1977)
BOC did a lot songs with science fiction related themes, but with a group name that refers a group of aliens who guide Earth's history that shouldn't come as any surprise. Considering the heavy metal nature of the group's music, it's also not surprising that one of their big hits would be about a big scary monster. It's a real rocker, but the question here is whether you like this one better than the song by Edgar Winter. The choice is yours...
Time to Vote!
This is a monstrous decision, I know, but you better make a choice or else. Personally I think both versions are powerful. Which song do you prefer? Which monster do you like the best? Hopefully you have an opinion of some kind. You don't have to know about music to have an opinion since it all comes down to your own personal taste.
Please vote on your favorite by letting us know your choice in the comment section and tell us why you prefer the version you chose. Then after you've finished here, please visit the other blogs listed below who may or may not be participating this time around. And if you've put up your own BOTB contest let us know that as well so we can vote on yours.
Here are some other places where you might find BOTB posts:
StMcC Presents Battle of the Bands
‘YOUR DAILY DOSE’
'MIKE'S RAMBLINGS'
'Curious as a Cathy'
Sound of One Hand Typing
The Doglady's Den
Angel's Bark
Jingle, Jangle, Jungle
Cherdo on the Flipside
A I Love Music
Winner of this Battle Announced on Wednesday January 22nd
If you don't vote then watch out! One or both monsters might come to haunt you! Be sure to come back next Wednesday to see which monster hit you preferred and who really is king of the monsters.
Which is your favorite Frankenstein movie? Do you have a favorite Godzilla movie? Which monster do you like best?
No contest! Blue Oyster Cult's Godzilla. Excellent song from a great band and extra geeky to boot.
ReplyDeleteAlex, BOC is one of my favorites.
DeleteFirst vote goes to BOC.
Lee
Lee,
ReplyDeleteI definitely like 'Frankenstein' by Edgar Winter but I think I enjoyed more the newly introduced 'Godzilla' by Blue Oyster Cult. Their song has more of the classic rock vibe edging out the early 70s artsy-rock instrumental.
My favorite Frankenstein movie is "Young Frankenstein" which is hardly scary but sure to scare you into the ER with some broken ribs from laughing so hard. The only Godzilla films I recall seeing are the ones from the late 60s and early 70s. Did I ever tell you that I went to a cattle call with the hopes of being picked as an extra in the mid-80s when Hollyweird was in town shooting a Godzilla flick? I didn't get picked but it was a lot of fun to do. My favorite monster type movies are about vampires. My battle is now open!
Mr Blue Sky BoTB showdown
Cathy, I've been meaning to rewatch Young Frankenstein--it's been years since I've seen it. I recall when they filmed a King Kong film in East Tennessee, but I didn't know they did a Godzilla film. I was on the road for most of the 80s so I guess I didn't hear about that filming.
DeleteVampires are a popular genre for sure.
Another vote for BOC.
Lee
We saw Edgar Winter live a few years ago and were blown away by the level of talent. I thought for sure, my vote would go to Frankenstein, but I'm really liking the psychedelic vibe of Godzilla, a song I've never heard before. Please give my vote to Blue Oyster Cult!
ReplyDeleteI'm not a huge fan of monster movies, but do like the vampire stuff. First movie that came to mind is "Transylvania 6-5000", a 1985 comedy starring Jeff Goldblum. It's hilarious! ☺
Debbie D, Edgar Winter had a mighty talented group though I was never much into his music. I'm surprised you haven't heard the BOC song before. I've followed that group from their early days.
DeleteA vote for BOC.
Lee
They say he's got to go - go, go Godzilla!
ReplyDeleteThat is definitely my vote.
L.Diane, Godzilla really going to town so far in this Battle.
DeleteA definite vote for Godzilla.
Lee
Go, go Godzilla! I forgot how much I liked that song ;-)
ReplyDeleteWould "The Fly" count as a monster movie? "Silver Bullet" - about a werewolf - was surprisingly good.
Diedre, BOC did a lot of great songs.
DeleteThe Fly is most certainly a monster movie and both versions were good.
A vote for BOC.
Lee
Fantastic Battle, LEE! This is definitely my favorite Battle you've put together in quite awhile. Very clever concept. (Damn! I shoulda thought of doing this "Monster" idea!)
ReplyDeleteI have always dug both of these terrific songs! In fact, 'Godzilla' comes from the BOC album 'Spectres' which was a huge favorite of mine and is one of only a small handful of Hard Rock albums from the "Classic Rock" era that I still own. I was even playing the 'Spectres' album only a few days ago! Every song on that collection is great, and I still say that Buck Dharma is the most underrated guitarist from that era of Rock music! Man, that guy came up with so many unique and memorable solos!
And then 'Frankenstein' I have loved going back to when I was actually hearing it every couple of hours on the radio. If you slap the metal handrail that runs along the ramp leading down to the Santa Monica Pier, you'll get a sound that is very similar to a synthesizer sound that one hears during the instrumental section in the studio recording of 'Frankenstein'. Every time I'd walk down to the pier (or back up from it), I would slap that railing and marvel at how it reminded me of that little part in 'Frankenstein'.
I think BOTH of these songs are classics, and I really HATE to have to vote against one of them, but I'm gonna break up this (up until now) shutout and cast the first vote for THE EDGAR WINTER GROUP. Damn! That musicianship is stellar, and I never realized until now just how talented Edgar Winter was! Was there any instrument that guy couldn't play?!
~ D-FensDogG
STMcC Presents BATTLE OF THE BANDS
POSTSCRIPT:
Sixgun McItchyfinger, have you ever listened to the studio version of 'Frankenstein' while watching that skateboarder on Geiger Grade?
STMcC, if I ever go back to Santa Monica Pier I'll have to remember to "slap the handrail" to get that Frankenstein sound. If I remember.
DeleteYou've saved me from a shutout!
Finally a vote for Edgar Winter.
Lee
I know both versions but I give it to Edgar Winter because that song is just so original whereas the Godzilla one seemed more noise with the word "Godzilla" thrown in too many time. I love The Bride of Frankenstein but my heart goes to Godzilla for favourite monster. I love it when Godzilla turns "good" and starts fighting Gamarah. I also love Rodan.
ReplyDeleteBirgit, looks like a turnaround in the works for Edgar Winter.
DeleteBride of Frankenstein is a good film--I watched it again a few years ago and realized how good it was. I need to watch out for another showing on TCM.
Godzilla is a Japanese cultural treasure.
Another vote for Edgar Winter.
Lee
Very different contenders so I wavered. However, I'm going for Edgar Winter Group even if the Frankenstein aspect is not so obvious. Your film poster opening is brilliant, Lee. I grew up with Hammer Horror movies so lean towards the European monsters.
ReplyDeleteRoland, love those old film posters and some of the concepts behind the films are pretty wild. I used to love the old Hammer films.
DeleteA vote for Edgar Winter.
Lee
I shall gladly cast a nod for Frankenstein. Edgar Winter and Rick Zehringer, who by this time was Rick Derringer, whom you recall as the teenage singer for the McCoys on the garage band classic, "Hang On Sloopy," created an entire new groove.
ReplyDeleteWhile I prefer Godzilla, as an entity, because Godzilla does good, and Frankenstein is a ruiner, my musical vote must be for...
Frankenstein
Michael, the McCoys turned out some excellent albums after their success with "Sloopy". I still have a couple of their old albums on vinyl.
DeleteA vote for Edgar Winter.
Lee
I've always liked "Frankenstein," even if it is just an excuse for Edgar Winter to show us how many musical instruments he can play. In fact, maybe it's the reason I like it so much. I'm going with Edgar and the boys here.
ReplyDeleteJohn H, "Frankenstein" is quite a musical showcase for sure.
DeleteAgain it's Edgar Winter.
Lee
Oh gosh, this is so hard! I really like both of these songs a lot. Like, I truly like one as much as the other.
ReplyDelete"Frankenstein" is one of the best instrumentals I've ever heard, and clocking in at just under ten minutes, it is indeed a monster of a song. However, the ten minutes goes by fast, and there isn't an awkward sound in the entirety of it. This song is tight, and I also love the jam-band quality of it.
"Godzilla" is just so awesome, though. I love the sound and the vibe and it really takes me there. I love spooky/scary-ish songs, and all of BOC's songs have that element to me.
So....I am giving my vote to BOC, but ONLY because I'm feeling them just a little bit more today.
Well done battle!
Kim
Kim, it's a tough choice for me as well. Thanks for your vote for...
DeleteBOC.
Lee
It's kind of a tough decision to make between the two songs. The lyrics to the second one are really neat, while the first doesn't have any lyrics period (of what I listened to; I only had time to listen to it half-way). As much as I dig Blue Oyster Cult, I'm more so into their lesser heavy metal songs such as "Don't Fear The Reaper" and "I'm Burning For You". Winter's song has more of a jazz-funk fusion sound to it, which I'm really into jazz and funk, so I'm going to chose "Frankenstein" over "Godzilla" in this case. However, I really do dig both Frankenstein's Monster and Godzilla who are two of my favourite classic monster characters. But I vote "Frankenstein" as my song of preference here.
ReplyDeleteSteven, the Frankenstein and Godzilla monsters have become so ingrained in the cultural psyche of not only the U.S., but internationally. Either song is a pretty good tribute to these famous monsters.
DeleteA vote for Frankenstein.
Lee
Excellent concept! Great battle this time, with both contenders known, but worthy.
ReplyDeleteLike everyone else, I like 'em both. But - although I don't have the LP album of BOC - I DO have the Edgar Winter Group album that I bought when Frankenstein came out! I always thought they were one heck of a group! So I am voting EWG this time.
Lee - do you remember the mid-sixties when monsters were all the rage? The Addams Family, The Munsters, Saturday reruns of "The Creature from the Black Lagoon" etc. I liked all those old black and white movies. I think the Mummy was my favorite. Some friends and I once got some bay leaves from my mom's spice rack and pretended to burn "9 Tana Leaves" to try to revive the monster. But as an earlier commenter posted: Young Frankenstein was my favorite monster movie. "Frau Blücher!" "Neighhhhh!" HA HA!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bps5hJ5DQDw
And StMcC - No, I have NOT tried Frankenstein on the Geiger Grade video, but hokey smokes! I'll bet it works really well!
6-Gun, I never had any albums by Edgar Winter, but I've not only got some BOC in my collection, but I've also seen them in concert. Great group!
DeleteI was totally into monsters when I was a kid in the sixties. Watched those shows you mentioned and saw as many of the monster movies as I could. I liked the Mummy as well--he was probably my favorite monster model that I built and painted back when I was getting those model kits.
Another vote for Edgar Winter.
Lee
Finally home from the hospital, and finding a moment to stop by to cast my vote.
ReplyDeleteI've always enjoyed both of these monster tunes, but when push comes to shove, I'm going to give my vote to Edgar Winter Group.
Great concept for a battle!
Mary B, so good that you are out and I hope you manage to limit your doctor visits in favor of great health. Be well!
DeleteA vote for Edgar Winter.
Lee
One for Blue Oyster Cult
ReplyDeleteMike, you got it!
DeleteA vote for BOC.
Lee
Lee,
ReplyDeleteI'm having issues in Blogosphere this morning. I would've replied to your reply but it just kept spinning like it wasn't doing anything so let me try it here. Anywho, you're right it was King Kong film NOT Godzilla. I don't know where my brain is sometimes! *smack forehead*
Cathy, I think maybe Blogger has been tinkering with this site again. I've had some of those same problems commenting. Not sure what's going on.
ReplyDeleteI recall the King Kong movie because an old friend who was also my insurance agent at the time told me about the filming because he had gotten a part as one of the extra soldiers in the scenes that were filmed on the section of Hwy 321 through Wears Valley.
Lee