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.
Paperback Ryder
I want my Winona Daisy Red Ryder bb gun!
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