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What Is the Best Song Ever Written About Winona Ryder?
Far Out Magazine ^ | Fri 22 August 2025 | Aimee Ferrier

Posted on 08/23/2025 11:43:18 AM PDT by nickcarraway

In the 1990s, it seemed like everyone was obsessed with Winona Ryder. Well, I wasn’t born, so I can’t say I witnessed the height of the actor’s fame for myself, but you only have to look at the number of songs which name-drop the star to realise how popular she was.

Ryder is, of course, so much more than a muse: Johnny Depp’s infamous ‘Winona forever’ tattoo emerged from the embers of their passionate relationship, while Tim Burton has never hesitated to cast her in his work. But it’s undeniable that she has been the inspiration for many art forms. Having started her career in the 1980s with unforgettable roles cosplayed to this day in the likes of the dark comedy satire Heathers and Burton’s gothic comedy Beetlejuice, Ryder soon dominated the ‘90s, her rise to fame and shaggy black hair perfectly aligning with the angst-ridden grunge movement soundtracked by the raw guitars of Nirvana and Melvins.

In the wake of her popularity, her name began to creep into lyrics across everything from indie rock to rap. Of course, Winona is a rather unconventional name that you don’t hear too often, so it’s no surprise that the nomenclature captivated lyricists looking for unique words to slide into their songs. Not only that, but her distinctive gothic-tinged persona made her a recognisable symbol to be referenced.

Sometimes, references to the actor have verged on the side of ridiculous and obscene, like the song ‘xxxx California’ by The Presidents of the United States of America, which contains the lyrics, “And you’ve been xxxxxx’ Winona Ryder/ And she got crabs on your bone”.

Meanwhile, rapper Tyga once decided to reference Ryder’s shoplifting scandal with the beautifully eloquent and incredibly poetic lyrics, “This killa music, that’s Michael Myers/ I’m so great, like Tony Tiger/ They steal my style, that’s Winona Ryder”. I don’t think Keats could’ve come up with that. Even Kanye West took a jab at the actor’s penchant for sticky fingers with the song ‘Like This’, in which he raps, “Get your own style don’t Winona Ryder his”.

What about the John Grant song ‘Sigourney Weaver’? Poor Ryder’s questionable accent in Bram Stoker’s Dracula is ridiculed with the lines, “I feel just like Winona Ryder/ In that movie about vampires/ And she couldn’t get that accent right/ Neither could that other guy”. At least Keanu Reeves’ accent is made fun of, too.

Despite Ryder’s frequent name-dropping in songs that seem to use her as a bit of a punchline, there are various tracks out there that are a lot more admiring of the actor. The Irish band Picture This made the song ‘Winona Ryder’ a few years back, which saw them sing, “She’s got attitude, I wouldn’t try her/ And she looks just like a young Winona Ryder”. It’s not a great song, but it’s certainly more flattering. The band even weave some movie references into their lyrics, “And there’ll be stranger things to happen/ Than this girl interrupting me/ And we’re lost souls on the Heathers, but she still fell in love with me”. You’ve got to give them some credit for trying.

So, what is the best song written about Ryder? There’s a lot to love about the lo-fi indie of ‘Winona Ryder (Xx)’ by Unrest, released in 1993. It’s a slightly messy and almost childlike track that bleeds with a DIY punk sensibility that feels much more in line with the actor’s persona. The band broke up shortly after the song was released, but it remains one of the best songs inspired by the iconic actor.

Then there’s ‘Winona’ by shoegazers Drop Nineteens from their album 1992 Delaware. It’s the strongest song here by far, with its whirring guitars and slightly contemplative, nostalgic quality, although it’s not really about the actor at all. Talking to First Revival, singer Greg Ackell revealed, “I dated a girl who played [Ryder’s] sister in a movie called Boys and I was a fan of Winona’s, but it’s not really a song about her. She features in the song, but it’s really a song about Drop Nineteens.” So, while she might have inspired the name of the track, the connection doesn’t go much further.

Maybe a band will eventually write a genuinely good song in true homage to the actor that doesn’t feature references to her shoplifting era. For now, we can enjoy the fuzzy guitars of Unrest and Drop Nineteen’s dreamy track loosely inspired by the ’90s icon.


TOPICS: Music/Entertainment; TV/Movies
KEYWORDS: 90s; music; winonaryder
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Winona Ryder (Xy)

Winona - Drop 19s


I thought it would be this song:

Winona - Matthew Sweet


I don't know why, but apparently there are tons of songs about her. What;s the fascination. I found a few others:

Picture This - Winona Ryder (Official Video) (2020)

Rollerskate Skinny Old 97s [This is her favorite song about herself.]

Happy. - Winona Ryder (Official Music Video)

Beck - Lost Cause

Willie Nelson - Lost Cause (Official Audio) [Not sure if Nelson knew this song was about her.]


Beck, and a member of Soul Asylum, and Old 97s dated her, the others presumably made it up. It says she dated Paul Westerberg and Jamiroqui dated her, but it doesn't mention any songs about her. I didn't post any of the Ryan Adams songs.

1 posted on 08/23/2025 11:43:18 AM PDT by nickcarraway
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To: nickcarraway

Hmm I don’t know. Bob Dylan said the best song ever written is ‘Wichita Lineman’


2 posted on 08/23/2025 11:47:40 AM PDT by stanne (Because they were mesmerized by Obama, the man for whom this was named, whose name they left out of )
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To: stanne

Bob Dylan said the best song ever written is ‘Wichita Lineman’
By Jimmy Webb


3 posted on 08/23/2025 11:48:30 AM PDT by stanne (Because they were mesmerized by Obama, the man for whom this was named, whose name they left out of )
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To: nickcarraway
Best song ever about Wynonna
4 posted on 08/23/2025 11:51:45 AM PDT by NorthMountain (... the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed)
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To: nickcarraway

Wynona’s big brown beaver


5 posted on 08/23/2025 11:52:24 AM PDT by Kinzua (What have we allowed to happen?)
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To: nickcarraway

“Johnny Depp’s infamous ‘Winona forever’”

Johnny Depp seems to have moved on to Hedy Lamarr.

Jeff Beck and Johnny Depp - This is a Song for Miss Hedy Lamarr

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=maa1xTKu7aQ


6 posted on 08/23/2025 11:52:27 AM PDT by Larry Lucido
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To: nickcarraway

Wynona’s Big Brown Beaver. By Primus


7 posted on 08/23/2025 11:52:53 AM PDT by Pocketdoor
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To: nickcarraway
Jane's Addiction - Been Caught Stealing (Official Music Video)
8 posted on 08/23/2025 11:53:31 AM PDT by Drew68 (I haven’t seen the Democrats this mad since yesterday. Save some tears for tomorrow.)
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To: nickcarraway
[In the afterlife waiting room] Receptionist: Number fifty-four million six hundred and one... Ferndoch.


9 posted on 08/23/2025 11:54:16 AM PDT by DeplorablePaul
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To: nickcarraway
Wynona’s Big Brown Beaver?

Primus

10 posted on 08/23/2025 11:56:14 AM PDT by Deaf Smith (When a Texan takes his chances, chances will be taken that's for sure.)
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To: stanne

I don’t think that song was written about anyone specific. It’s kind of existential.


11 posted on 08/23/2025 11:56:45 AM PDT by nickcarraway
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To: Drew68

LOL. That was written a long time before Winona’s been caught stealing.


12 posted on 08/23/2025 11:58:32 AM PDT by nickcarraway
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To: stanne

“And I need you more than want you, and I want you for all time...”


13 posted on 08/23/2025 11:58:40 AM PDT by 9YearLurker
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To: nickcarraway

I know

It wasn’t about Winona Judd it was written in the ‘60s


14 posted on 08/23/2025 11:58:46 AM PDT by stanne (Because they were mesmerized by Obama, the man for whom this was named, whose name they left out of )
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To: NorthMountain; Deaf Smith; Kinzua; Pocketdoor

Music journalists speculated that “Wynona” was about actress Winona Ryder; Ryder herself supposedly confronted the band about it backstage at HFStival[1], but Claypool contradicted this account saying “I met Winona Ryder. She had heard from a friend of ours that I’d possibly written a song about her. She’s actually really cool. She wasn’t pissed really; I think she was just more confused. She wanted to know why we might write a song about her and I told her, ‘It has nothing to do with you.’ It was really cool. I got to meet a movie star.” He also said he was surprised he was not asked about country singer Wynonna Judd instead, considering the song’s country music influence and the name being pronounced and spelled with a “y”, which was closer to Judd’s name.


15 posted on 08/23/2025 11:59:32 AM PDT by nickcarraway
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To: nickcarraway
"I want a girl with a 'Short Skirt and a Long Jacket'" (by Cake)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=85zV1fpSJQ0&list=RD85zV1fpSJQ0&start_radio=1



16 posted on 08/23/2025 11:59:50 AM PDT by T.B. Yoits
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To: stanne
I didn't really like the song until I listened to the words. I never liked McArthur Park until I read what it was about - his relationship with Susan Ronstadt. I'll have to consider it by the time I get to Phoenix in my beautiful balloon.
17 posted on 08/23/2025 12:01:54 PM PDT by nickcarraway
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To: T.B. Yoits

LOL. She changed her name from Kitty to Karen.


18 posted on 08/23/2025 12:03:30 PM PDT by nickcarraway
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To: NorthMountain; Pocketdoor
I was kinda a middling Primus fan back in the day. Sorta liked em but not super crazy.

Somehow, my 14-y/o son discovered Primus (I have no idea from where) and is a big fan.

Well, they were coming through San Diego and tix were pretty cheap so I said, why not, and bought some for myself and my two boys. I'd never seen them live before and it had been a while since I'd been to a real rock concert.

Anyhow, absolutely one of the best live shows I've ever seen! I was so blown away by how good they are! The sound might've been the best audio quality of any rock concert I'd ever been to. Loud, but not too loud. perfect, crystal clear mixing.

And the visual media that was playing on the screen made me feel like I was tripping on mushrooms even though I was stone cold sober (which is more than I could say for much of the crowd, who despite plentiful booze and weed, were totally chill and friendly). The stuff on screen behind the band was just so cool.

They did not play WBBB but the setlist was still pretty cool.

Anyhow, TL;DR: If you are a rock fan, see Primus live if you ever get the chance. I can't believe I passed up so many other opportunities until now.

19 posted on 08/23/2025 12:04:16 PM PDT by Drew68 (I haven’t seen the Democrats this mad since yesterday. Save some tears for tomorrow.)
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To: nickcarraway

The essential record is Jimmy Webb’s ‘Five Easy Pieces’


20 posted on 08/23/2025 12:05:21 PM PDT by stanne (Because they were mesmerized by Obama, the man for whom this was named, whose name they left out of )
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