The Rocky Horror Picture Show is the definition of a cult classic. It was met with widespread critical indifference upon its release in 1975 and only began to develop its following in 1976 when the Waverly Theatre in New York showed it as a midnight movie. Now there are shadow casts and viewings with audience participation all over, and it's still regularly shown especially around Halloween.
Four decades after its premiere, it's the longest-running theatrical release in film history. There's no denying the influence the musical has had on the culture of cult classics. Much of its music is regarded as iconic, but we're going to break the songs down and rate them here from worst to best.
Over At The Frankenstein Place
Pretty much every song in Rocky Horror slaps and we don't really want to call any of them bad. But "Over At The Frankenstein Place" just doesn't have the same energy or iconic staying power of many of the other tracks. It sets the scene well enough, gives us an explanation for Brad and Janet's arrival, but doesn't do much beyond that.
Super Heroes
The final song in the movie, aside from the credits reprise, "Super Heroes" is a nihilistic little ditty that emphasizes how lost our hero and heroine are once they'd been shown a new way by Frank, only to have him taken away. It might give the audience something to ponder as they come away from the movie, but doesn't live up to its high points.
Sword of Damocles
This song gives Rocky a moment to reflect on his strange birth. He seems eerily aware of the tragedy that will befall all of them as the night goes on, but none of them can escape their fate.
This song's more in line with the showy energy of the rest.
Hot Patootie - Bless My Soul
Eddie, played by Meat Loaf, doesn't appear in much of the movie, but he certainly does leave an impression. The most rock 'n' roll track in the film features a defrosted Eddie crashing Frank's party, well after Frank was finished with him. As it turns out, people who cross Dr. Frank-n-Furter don't last long.
I Can Make You A Man
This whole song is a reference to Charles Atlas magazine ments, claiming their muscle-building program could "make you a new man" in just seven days. Of course, Frank takes this suggestion rather literally and as always, Tim Curry steals the show.
Wild and Untamed Thing
This triumphant number closes out the floor show and marks an end to Frank-n-Furter's wild party. This is mostly because Riff Raff and Magenta crash the show and proclaim his mission a failure. Unfortunately, the party and sound don't rock on that much longer.
Eddie's Teddy
A surprisingly catchy number recounting Eddie's many flaws, you might not expect this one to be as enjoyable as it is.
But it's got a good beat, offers some insight into a couple of minor characters, and even lets Dr. Scott get in on the musical action.
I'm Going Home
As one of the last songs in the movie, it offers a genuinely emotional close to Frank-n-Furter's story and is probably one of the many reasons the film resonated so strongly with LGBTQ viewers.
In it, Frank laments that he's never felt accepted anywhere, but that despite all his struggles he's still seen beautiful things in the world. It hits even harder juxtaposed against the nonsensical tone of the rest of the film.
Dammit, Janet
The opening is a fun back and forth between Brad and Janet, upbeat and with a lot of simple rhymes. It isn't the most interesting or out-there song in the musical, but it is wildly catchy.
It's also fun watching the scene and catching all the foreshadowing, like the family chorus or the fact that they're attending a funeral.
Don't Dream It, Be It
Another portion of the floor show, "Don't Dream It, Be It" is a languid, sensual number where Frank seems to break the rest of his guests and convince them to him in his life of decadence.
The characters who aren't already part of his harem are struggling to resist him and failing; even the staunchly conservative Dr. Scott dons a pair of fishnets.
