Animal House

Album: Animal House Soundtrack (1978)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This is the theme song to the movie Animal House, which starred John Belushi as an unruly fraternity brother. Bishop appeared in a scene where Belushi (in a toga) smashes his guitar. Bishop told Songfacts: "That song that I came up with to do in the scene is a public domain song... it's been around for a hundred years or more ('I Gave My Love a Cherry'). It seemed like the right song to do in the scene. I worked with Kenny Vance on my contributions to the Animal House albums - 'Animal House' and 'Dream Girl.' I had a crush on Carrie Fisher back then and at the end of 'Dream Girl' you can hear me sing 'Carrie Baby.' Both songs were fashioned after the Four Seasons with Frankie Valli."
  • Animal House was the first big movie Karen Allen appeared in, and she met Bishop on the set. They had a long relationship which inspired Bishop to write the song "Separate Lives." Allen played the love interest of Indiana Jones in Raiders of the Lost Ark.

Comments: 2

  • Bill from UsDidn't every college have at least one dork sitting around, usually in the student lounge, strumming a guitar to dorky song? We all wanted to do what Bluto did! The great inside joke was cameo Stephen Bishop who wrote this song.
  • Stormy from Kokomo, InWhen I graduated from Kokomo High School in Kokomo, Indiana in 1968, my friend Bill Cox and I got drunk at the Indy 500 time trials and then drove down to Indiana University to get "rushed" at Tau Kappa Epsilon ("Tekes"). I wasn't even planning on attending I.U., but, what the hell, I went anyway! I swear that the "Tekes" house was EXACTLY like "Animal House" with some of the same character types! It was a memorable weekend to say the least! Every time that I watch this movie, I think of that weekend!
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Matthew Wilder - "Break My Stride"

Matthew Wilder - "Break My Stride"They're Playing My Song

Wilder's hit "Break My Stride" had an unlikely inspiration: a famous record mogul who rejected it.

Subversive Songs Used To Sell

Subversive Songs Used To SellSong Writing

Songs about drugs, revolution and greed that have been used in commercials for sneakers, jeans, fast food, cruises and cars.

Chris Squire of Yes

Chris Squire of YesSongwriter Interviews

One of the most dynamic bass player/songwriters of his time, Chris is the only member of Yes who has been with the band since they formed in 1968.

Janis Ian

Janis IanSongwriter Interviews

One of the first successful female singer-songwriters, Janis had her first hit in 1967 at age 15.

Billy Joe Shaver

Billy Joe ShaverSongwriter Interviews

The outlaw country icon talks about the spiritual element of his songwriting and his Bob Dylan mention.

Christmas Songs

Christmas SongsFact or Fiction

Rudolf, Bob Dylan and the Singing Dogs all show up in this Fact or Fiction for seasonal favorites.