A Skeleton in the Closet

Album: Among the Living (1987)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This song is based on the Stephen King novella Apt Pupil. It tells the story of a boy who meets a man who was a Nazi during WWII. The boy suddenly has a desire to kill and has nightmares when he isn't killing. He eventually takes a rifle, goes to a highway, and starts shooting people. It takes police officers five hours to take him down. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Cody - Kansas City, MO
  • The Among the Living LP on which this track appears was dedicated to the memory of former Metallica bass player Cliff Burton, who was killed in a bus accident six months prior to the album's release.
  • Stephen King is one of the passions of Anthrax, and both this track and "Among the Living" were inspired by his stories. However, the lawyers at their record label got paranoid about the lyrics and said the band had to get permission. Once Anthrax's manager spoke to the author on the phone, it turned out that he is a fan of the group.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Weird Al Yankovic

Weird Al YankovicFact or Fiction

Did Al play on a Beach Boys record? Did he have beef with George Lucas and Coolio? See if you can spot weird but true stories.

Michael Franti

Michael FrantiSongwriter Interviews

Franti tells the story behind his hit "Say Hey (I Love You)" and explains why yoga is an integral part of his lifestyle and his Soulshine tour.

Jack Tempchin - "Peaceful Easy Feeling"

Jack Tempchin - "Peaceful Easy Feeling"They're Playing My Song

When a waitress wouldn't take him home, Jack wrote what would become one of the Eagles most enduring hits.

Have Mercy! It's Wolfman Jack

Have Mercy! It's Wolfman JackSong Writing

The story of the legendary lupine DJ through the songs he inspired.

Butch Vig

Butch VigSongwriter Interviews

The Garbage drummer/songwriter produced the Nirvana album Nevermind, and Smashing Pumpkins' Gish and Siamese Dream.

Harry Shearer

Harry ShearerSongwriter Interviews

Harry is Derek Smalls in Spinal Tap, Mark Shubb in The Folksmen, and Mr. Burns on The Simpsons.