What songs can you connect with The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde?

Answer 1

What an interesting question.

The most superficial way to answer is to quote songs that mention it, e.g. James Blunt's 'Tears & Rain': 'Hides my true shape, like Dorian Gray', and I think there's a Liz Phair song that also mentions it. The U2 song 'The Ocean' makes a passing reference.

Or if you're talking about overall plot summary:

'Forever Young' - Bob Dylan, many cover versions.

This is maybe the song that captures Dorian's early wonder that the painting is ageing instead of him.

(I also like the suggestion someone made above about Carly Simon's 'You're So Vain'. Again, it captures Dorian's twisted perception at the very beginning that beauty is all that counts.)

Of course, things turn very sour for him, very soon.

If the moral message of the book is that you can truly never run from the consequences of your actions, then I'd choose the following lines from Elvis Costello:

'One day you're going to have to face
A deep, dark, truthful mirror.'

('Deep, Dark Truthful Mirror' from the album 'Spike')

When Dorian finally faced reality, it was his final act.

You can't run forever.

Answer 2

Loved the book, but I can't connect any songs with it.

Answer 3

are you lonesome tonight

Answer 4

You're so Vain................