I feel old realizing that among the movie anniversaries in 2025 is the 50th anniversary of The Rocky Horror Picture Show. A fantastic musical that’s as much a relic of the past and a cult classic as it is one of the most celebrated and controversial movies of all time, The Rocky Horror Picture Show’s cultural footprint can’t be exaggerated.
The rumor about a revival with a comic book sequel is an exciting prospect for fans who revisit the movie every year, host dress-up viewing parties, and watch every possible live show of the musical. The joy felt in sharing the experience of watching The Rocky Horror Picture Show with a group of people equally enamored with it is timeless.
With a stacked cast dancing around in some of the best costumes in The Rocky Horror Picture Show, the movie couldn’t be more chaotic, energetic, and flamboyant if it tried. 50 years after its initial release, The Rocky Horror Picture Show’s timeless and electric soundtrack still enthralls viewers who keep the fandom growing and grooving to the music.
16
“Over At The Frankenstein Place”
For such a cheeky self-referential nod to the fact that The Rocky Horror Picture Show is a reimagination of Frankenstein, Over At The Frankenstien Place is a rather slow and soft song. While it’s a sweet expression of hope about the light that Janet (Susan Sarandon) and Brad (Barry Bostwick) see, it’s not the most memorable song in the movie.
One of the most fabulous quotes in The Rocky Horror Picture Show is from this song, however, as there’s a beautiful sense of triumph that Brad and Janet experience when they realize the mansion’s not empty. The song is made even cheekier by the eventual realization that their presumed source of solace will haunt them for life.
15
“The Sword of Damocles”
The tongue-in-cheek humor that pervades every second of The Rocky Horror Picture Show is perhaps its biggest strength. The sword of Damocles, an allusion to the famous courtier of Dionysius, is a proverbial term used to refer to the dangers anyone in power faces by wielding power, but the one who sings the song has the least autonomy.
Rocky (Peter Hinwood), a muscular man with blond hair and a sharp jawline, wearing a golden Speedo, is created by Dr. Frank-N-Furter (Tim Curry) for his sexual pleasure, and is destined to be a sex slave for Frankie. Yet, the first words out of his mouth are “The sword of Damocles is hangin’ over my head.”
14
“Planet Schmanet, Janet”
Dr. Frank-N-Furter’s truly villainous bent of mind is already clear by the time he freezes the three humans in their tracks and then turns them into stone. However, the way he taunts Janet and touches her because she had sex with Rocky reveals how insecure Frankie is. However, his off-putting antics make this performance hard to watch.
Planet Schmanet, Janet may be a portrayal of Frankie’s demonic side, but the song’s catchy and groovy composition undercuts any potential criticism of the character. It’s difficult to not enjoy the song even as Frankie’s villainy is potentially ruining the lives of the protagonists, who haven’t done anything wrong enough to deserve this treatment.
13
“I Can Make You A Man”
While many have said that the concept of the ideal male body in The Rocky Horror Picture Show has aged poorly, the sheer gender euphoria experienced watching a lean, non-muscular man who isn’t attractive by conventional standards cross-dressing and giving a lecture about masculinity in song cannot be exaggerated. Frankie’s cheeky reduction of masculinity to sexually attractive traits is hilarious.
However, I Can Make You A Man is just not catchy enough to get stuck in your head. Otherwise, it would be among the best songs in the movie. The song also highlights his brilliance as a scientist, as he can successfully create living beings in just a week. It’s a gym song from before gym songs were a thing.
12
“I Can Make You A Man” (Reprised)
Until he brutally murders Eddie (Meat Loaf), Frankie just seems a little eccentric. However, he almost shows a psychopathic, cold-bloodedness when he goes back to singing I Can Make You A Man after killing Eddie. The reprised song is arguably better than the first version, at least funnier and more iconic, because it’s even more salacious.
Frankie isn’t hiding that Rocky exists to please him sexually, and he continues singing praises of muscled bodies by naming specific parts and conveying through his body language how the thought of them excites him beyond control. This is also where he drops his lab coat and the gender euphoria from the first part of the song is felt more.
11
“Eddie”
You will have to see the choreography of Eddie to believe how much music and dance can be created with utensils and by witty movements made by guests seated at a dinner table. The fact that the song is criticizing and simultaneously expressing love for a man who was killed a few minutes ago makes it darkly funny.
The Rocky Horror Picture Show is a popular cult classic even today because of the way it interrogates gender norms, and Eddie is a prime example. The refrain of the song goes “When Eddie said, ‘He didn’t like his teddy’/ you knew he was a no-good kid”, disagreeing with the notion that liking cuddle toys as a kid is unmanly.
10
“Super Heroes”
It is fitting that The Rocky Horror Picture Show ends with a haunting song about the harrowing transformation that Brad and Janet underwent during their time in Dr. Frank-N-Furter’s mansion. After Riff Raff has killed Rocky and Frankie, he flies the mansion, which was apparently a spaceship, while Brad, Janet, and Dr. Scott (Jonathan Adams) crawl away in the smoke.
The song is a short epilogue-of-sorts, as Janet and Brad reflect on the lessons they learnt in the mansion, and a haunting chorus envelops them as the camera spins away. Super Heroes also acknowledges how lost and tiny humans feel when they briefly discover Bohemian aliens. It’s not among the best songs in the movie, but it’s the perfect closer.
9
“Once In A While”
Perhaps because it didn’t suit the energy of the rest of the musical, which remains upbeat and electric even during moments of sorrow or grief, this one song was cut from the movie, and only exists in a deleted scene. Once In A While is a song Brad sings regretfully after he has sex with Dr. Frank-N-Furter, cheating on Janet.
The song’s haunting tone is made even more somber by the realization that Janet herself cheated on Brad with Frankie earlier, although she needed persuading, much like him. With a beautiful montage of moments from their relationship, Once In A While is a soft declaration of love through the eyes of a regretful lover.
8
“Science Fiction/Double Feature”
One of the art forms that are slowly disappearing from the craft of filmmaking is the art of creating memorable opening credits and title cards. While not an obsolete practice, it occurs much less than it used to before, and The Rocky Horror Picture Show’s opening credits prove why it’s an effective storytelling tool as well.
Actress Patricia Quinn, who plays Margerita in The Rocky Horror Picture Show, graces us with her lips when the movie opens. With an erotic energy, she lip-syncs to the lyrics of Science Fiction/Double Feature, which plays in the background as the opening credits appear. Viewers know the movie will be chaotic, erotic, and will involve sci-fi before it’s even begun.
7
“Hot Patootie, Bless My Soul”
The Rocky Horror Picture Show hit box office charts in 2021, 46 years after its release, proving it’ll never fade into obscurity because its fans care about it enough to keep it alive. One of the fan-favorite moments is the brief appearance of Meat Loaf as Eddie, a leather-jacket-wearing bike-riding rock-and-roll-loving older experiment of Dr. Frank-N-Furter.
Hot Patootie, Bless My Soul is one of the grooviest songs in the movie, as it will have you headbanging within moments. The only pure rock song in the soundtrack, its impact is further buoyed by Meat Loaf’s wacky dance, which is a perfect mix of classic rock star dance and Frankenstein-like chaotic body movements.
