Undertaker Music: The History, Meaning, and Trivia of The Deadman's Theme Songs
If there is one wrestler who is synonymous with WWE, it is The Undertaker. For over 30 years, he has been a dominant force in the ring, a loyal servant to the company, and a legend in the industry. His matches, feuds, and moments have captivated millions of fans around the world. But what makes The Undertaker so special is not just his wrestling skills, but also his music.
The Undertaker's theme songs are an integral part of his character, his entrance, and his aura. They set the tone for his matches, they reflect his personality, and they evoke emotions in the audience. They are also some of the most recognizable and iconic pieces of music in wrestling history.
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In this article, we will explore the history, meaning, and trivia of The Undertaker's theme songs. We will look at how they changed over time, how they matched his gimmicks, and how they influenced wrestling culture. We will also share some of the sources that we used to gather information for this article, such as YouTube videos, Wikipedia articles, and interviews with The Undertaker himself.
Introduction
Who is The Undertaker and why is his music important?
The Undertaker is the ring name of Mark William Calaway, an American retired professional wrestler who spent most of his career in WWE. He debuted in 1990 as a mysterious and supernatural character who was accompanied by a manager named Paul Bearer. He soon became known as "The Deadman", a nickname that stuck with him throughout his career.
The Undertaker's music is important because it enhances his character, his entrance, and his aura. His music creates a sense of anticipation, dread, and awe in the audience. It also helps him stand out from other wrestlers and makes him memorable. His music is often associated with his signature moves, such as the Tombstone Piledriver, the Chokeslam, and the Last Ride.
What are the main types of Undertaker music and how did they evolve over time?
The main types of Undertaker music are:
The original "Funeral March" theme, which was a slow and ominous instrumental piece that featured bells, organs, choirs, and thunder sounds. This theme was used from 1990 to 1998.
The "Ministry" theme, which was a dark and heavy metal piece that featured guitars, drums, chants, and distorted vocals. This theme was used from 1998 to 1999, when he was the leader of a cult-like faction called The Ministry of Darkness.
The "American Badass" theme, which was a rap rock piece that featured vocals by Kid Rock, Limp Bizkit, or Jim Johnston. This theme was used from 2000 to 2002, when he adopted a biker persona and rode a motorcycle to the ring.
The "Big Evil" theme, which was a hard rock piece that featured vocals by Jim Johnston or Rob Zombie. This theme was used from 2002 to 2004, when he became a more ruthless and arrogant heel.
The "Return of The Deadman" theme, which was a variation of his original theme that featured more guitars, drums, and vocals. This theme was used from 2004 to 2020, when he reverted to his Deadman gimmick and mixed elements of his previous themes.
The Undertaker's music evolved over time to suit his character changes, his storylines, and his opponents. He also experimented with different genres, styles, and artists to create a diverse and unique musical portfolio.
What are the main sources of information for this article?
The main sources of information for this article are:
YouTube videos that showcase The Undertaker's theme songs, entrances, and matches. Some examples are .
Wikipedia articles that provide background information, facts, and trivia about The Undertaker and his music. Some examples are .
Interviews with The Undertaker and other WWE personalities that reveal insights, opinions, and anecdotes about his music. Some examples are .
The Early Years: From Badlands to Rest in Peace
How did The Undertaker debut in WWE and what was his first theme song?
The Undertaker made his WWE debut on November 22, 1990, at the Survivor Series pay-per-view. He was introduced as the mystery partner of Ted DiBiase's Million Dollar Team. He wore a black trench coat, a black hat, and gray gloves. He had pale skin, dark eyes, and long black hair. He looked like a zombie or a mortician.
His first theme song was called "Badlands", which was composed by Jim Johnston. It was a slow and ominous instrumental piece that featured bells, organs, choirs, and thunder sounds. It created a sense of fear and mystery in the audience. It also contrasted with the upbeat and colorful music of the other wrestlers at the time.
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How did he change his music to fit his character development and feuds?
As The Undertaker's character developed and evolved, so did his music. He changed his music to fit his mood, his alignment, and his feuds. He also added or removed elements from his original theme to create variations.
Some examples of how he changed his music are:
In 1991, he turned face and feuded with Jake Roberts. He used a version of his theme that had more organ sounds and less thunder sounds. He also added a gong sound at the beginning of his entrance.
In 1994, he feuded with Yokozuna and was "buried alive" at the Royal Rumble. He used a version of his theme that had more choir sounds and a funeral march beat. He also added a voice-over that said "The spirit of The Undertaker lives within the soul of all mankind."
In 1996, he feuded with Mankind and Paul Bearer turned on him. He used a version of his theme that had more guitar sounds and a faster tempo. He also added a voice-over that said "Rest in peace."
In 1997, he feuded with Shawn Michaels and Bret Hart. He used a version of his theme that had more orchestral sounds and a darker tone. He also added a voice-over that said "You're gonna pay."In 1998, he formed The Ministry of Darkness and feuded with Vince McMahon and Stone Cold Steve Austin. He used a new theme song called "Dark Side", which was composed by Jim Johnston. It was a dark and heavy metal piece that featured guitars, drums, chants, and distorted vocals. It also had a voice-over that said "The Undertaker is not here right now. But if you leave your name and number, he'll get back to you as soon as possible."
What are some of the trivia and facts about his early theme songs?
Some of the trivia and facts about his early theme songs are:
His original theme song was inspired by the movie "Phantasm", which featured a villain named The Tall Man who controlled flying metal spheres that killed people. The movie also had a funeral home setting and a similar music score.
His original theme song was also influenced by the music of John Carpenter, who composed the scores for horror movies such as "Halloween", "The Thing", and "The Fog". Carpenter's music was known for its simplicity, repetition, and tension.
His original theme song was sometimes played in reverse to create a creepy effect. This was done at WrestleMania VIII, when he faced Jake Roberts, and at WrestleMania XII, when he faced Diesel.
His original theme song was also used by other wrestlers who had a connection to him, such as Kane, The Undertaker impostor, and The Corporate Ministry.
His Ministry theme song was originally intended for another wrestler named Gangrel, who had a vampire gimmick. However, The Undertaker liked the song and asked to use it instead. Gangrel then got a new theme song called "Blood", which was also composed by Jim Johnston.
His Ministry theme song had different versions depending on the event and the opponent. For example, at WrestleMania XV, he used a version that had more guitar sounds and less vocal sounds. At King of the Ring 1998, he used a version that had more vocal sounds and less guitar sounds.
The American Badass Era: From Rollin' to Dead Man
How did The Undertaker reinvent himself as a biker and what was his new theme song?
In 2000, The Undertaker took a hiatus from WWE due to an injury. He returned at Judgment Day 2000 with a new look and a new attitude. He ditched his dark and supernatural gimmick and became a biker who wore leather jackets, bandanas, sunglasses, and jeans. He also rode a motorcycle to the ring and spoke more on the mic.
His new theme song was called "Rollin'", which was performed by rap rock band Limp Bizkit. It was an upbeat and energetic piece that featured vocals by Fred Durst, guitars by Wes Borland, drums by John Otto, and turntables by DJ Lethal. It also had a chorus that said "Keep rollin', rollin', rollin', rollin'."
How did he use popular rock songs to enhance his entrance and persona?
The Undertaker used popular rock songs to enhance his entrance and persona as a biker. He used songs that matched his mood, his style, and his feuds. He also used songs that were popular at the time or had a connection to him.
Some examples of how he used popular rock songs are:
In 2000, he used "American Badass" by Kid Rock as his theme song for a short period of time. It was a rap rock piece that featured vocals by Kid Rock, guitars by Kenny Olson, drums by Stefanie Eulinberg, and turntables by Uncle Kracker. It also had samples from "Sad But True" by Metallica.
In 2001, he used "Dead Man Walkin'" by Jim Johnston as his theme song for a short period of time. It was a hard rock piece that featured vocals by Jim Johnston, guitars by Jim Johnston and drums by Jim Johnston. It also had a chorus that said "You've done it now, you've gone and made a big mistake."
In 2002, he used "You're Gonna Pay" by Jim Johnston as his theme song for a short period of time. It was a hard rock piece that featured vocals by Jim Johnston, guitars by Jim Johnston, and drums by Jim Johnston. It also had a chorus that said "You're gonna pay, you're gonna pay, there's no forgiveness this time."
In 2003, he used "Never Gonna Stop" by Rob Zombie as his theme song for a short period of time. It was an industrial rock piece that featured vocals by Rob Zombie, guitars by Riggs, bass by Blasko, and drums by Tempesta. It also had a chorus that said "Never gonna stop me, never gonna stop."
In 2004, he used "Now That We're Dead" by Metallica as his theme song for a short period of time. It was a heavy metal piece that featured vocals by James Hetfield, guitars by James Hetfield and Kirk Hammett, bass by Robert Trujillo, and drums by Lars Ulrich. It also had a chorus that said "Now that we're dead, my dear, we can be together."
What are some of the trivia and facts about his American Badass theme songs?
Some of the trivia and facts about his American Badass theme songs are:
His Rollin' theme song was also used by the XFL team The New York/New Jersey Hitmen in 2001. The XFL was a short-lived football league that was co-owned by WWE and NBC.
His Rollin' theme song was also used by the US military during the invasion of Iraq in 2003. The song was played over loudspeakers to intimidate the Iraqi soldiers and to boost the morale of the American troops.
His American Badass theme song was also used by Kid Rock as his entrance music when he performed live at WrestleMania XXV in 2009.
His Dead Man Walkin' theme song was also used by The Undertaker's brother Kane as his entrance music when he impersonated The Undertaker at Vengeance 2006.
His You're Gonna Pay theme song was also used by The Undertaker's protege Maven as his entrance music when he turned heel in 2004.
The Return of The Deadman: From Ain't No Grave to Now That We're Dead
How did The Undertaker resurrect his Deadman gimmick and what was his new theme song?
In 2004, The Undertaker was buried alive by Kane at Survivor Series. He returned at WrestleMania XX with his Deadman gimmick and his original manager Paul Bearer. He wore a black trench coat, a black hat, and black gloves. He had pale skin, dark eyes, and long black hair. He looked like a zombie or a mortician.
His new theme song was called "Rest in Peace", which was composed by Jim Johnston. It was a variation of his original theme that featured more guitars, drums, and vocals. It also had a gong sound at the beginning of his entrance and a voice-over that said "Rest in peace."
How did he mix elements of his previous themes to create a hybrid sound?
The Undertaker mixed elements of his previous themes to create a hybrid sound that suited his character and his matches. He used different versions of his theme depending on the event and the opponent. He also used different songs for special occasions or tributes.
Some examples of how he mixed elements of his previous themes are:
In 2007, he used a version of his theme that had more orchestral sounds and a slower tempo. He used this version for his match against Batista at WrestleMania 23.
In 2009, he used a version of his theme that had more choir sounds and a faster tempo. He used this version for his match against Shawn Michaels at WrestleMania 25.
In 2011, he used a song called "Ain't No Grave" by Johnny Cash as his entrance music for his match against Triple H at WrestleMania 27. It was a country rock piece that featured vocals by Johnny Cash, guitars by Mike Campbell, bass by Smokey Hormel, and drums by Matt Chamberlain. It also had lyrics that said "Ain't no grave can hold my body down."
In 2012, he used a song called "The Memory Remains" by Metallica as his entrance music for his match against Triple H at WrestleMania 28. It was a heavy metal piece that featured vocals by James Hetfield, guitars by James Hetfield and Kirk Hammett, bass by Robert Trujillo, and drums by Lars Ulrich. It also had lyrics that said "The memory remains."
In 2014, he used a song called "In Time" by Mark Collie as his entrance music for his match against Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania 30. It was a country rock piece that featured vocals by Mark Collie, guitars by Mark Collie and Brent Mason, bass by Glenn Worf, and drums by Eddie Bayers. It also had lyrics that said "In time, you'll see."
In 2017, he used a song called "Now That We're Dead" by Metallica as his entrance music for his match against Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 33. It was a heavy metal piece that featured vocals by James Hetfield, guitars by James Hetfield and Kirk Hammett, bass by Robert Trujillo, and drums by Lars Ulrich. It also had lyrics that said "Now that we're dead, my dear, we can be together."
What are some of the trivia and facts about his return theme songs?
Some of the trivia and facts about his return theme songs are:
His Rest in Peace theme song was also used by The Undertaker's wife Michelle McCool as her entrance music when she adopted a similar gimmick to his in 2009.
His Ain't No Grave theme song was also used by The Undertaker as his entrance music for his match against John Cena at WrestleMania 34 in 2018.
His The Memory Remains theme song was also used by The Undertaker as his entrance music for his match against AJ Styles at WrestleMania 36 in 2020.
His In Time theme song was also used by The Undertaker as his entrance music for his match against Bray Wyatt at WrestleMania 31 in 2015.
His Now That We're Dead theme song was also used by The Undertaker as his entrance music for his final farewell at Survivor Series 2020.
Conclusion
What is the legacy and impact of Undertaker music on WWE and wrestling culture?
The legacy and impact of Undertaker music on WWE and wrestling culture is immense and undeniable. His music has been a part of WWE history for over three decades, and has influenced generations of fans and wrestlers. His music has also transcended wrestling and become part of popular culture.
Some examples of the legacy and impact of Undertaker music are:
His music has been featured in video games, movies, TV shows, commercials, and other media. Some examples are WWE SmackDown vs. Raw, WWE 2K, Ready Player One, Family Guy, American Dad, The Simpsons, South Park, Honda Civic, and Mountain Dew.
His music has been covered, remixed, parodied, or sampled by various artists and genres. Some examples are Disturbed, Killswitch Engage, Marilyn Manson, Jonathan Young, Leo Moracchioli, Weird Al Yankovic, Eminem, and Lil Wayne.
His music has been performed live by various bands and musicians. Some examples are Limp Bizkit, Kid Rock, Rob Zombie, Metallica, his storylines, and his opponents. He also used different versions of his theme songs depending on the event and the situation.
What is The Undertaker's favorite theme song?
The Undertaker's favorite theme song is "Rest in Peace", which is a variation of his original theme song. He said that he likes this theme song because it has a classic and timeless feel, and it suits his Deadman character well. He also said that he likes the gong sound and the voice-over that say "Rest in peace."
What is the most popular theme song of The Undertaker?
The most popular theme song of The Undertaker is "Rollin'", which was performed by Limp Bizkit. It was his theme song during his American Badass era, and it was an upbeat and energetic piece that featured rap rock vocals, guitars, drums, and turntables. It also had a catchy chorus that said "Keep rollin', rollin', rollin', rollin'." Many fans loved this theme song because it was fun, cool, and different from his previous theme songs.
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