The Godfather of freak folk, Michael Hurley, died on April 3 at the age of 83. His songs often mixed humor, unusual characters, and emotion and were also described as “outsider folk.” Hurley also painted along with singing, and he even sometimes used to make artwork for his own album covers.
The late singer also performed multiple times at the Nelsonville Music Festival, with his last appearance in 2022. As we look back on his life and music, here are five Michael Hurley songs that show his unique style and are worth revisiting.
5 must-listen songs by Michael Hurley
Werewolf
The song first appeared as The Werewolf Song on his debut album First Songs in 1964 and later became a part of his Armchair Boogie album. The haunting soundtrack's cover art shows a werewolf enjoying food. The song compares a man to a werewolf who has a wild and untamed nature. The song was later covered by Cat Power, an American singer.
Hog of the Forsaken
The song was featured on Michael Hurley's Long Journey album, released in 1976. It quickly gained recognition after being used in the HBO TV series Deadwood. Hurley also played the song at the 2022 Nelsonville Music Festival along with the band Yo La Tengo, which received appreciation from his fans.
Sweet Lucy
Michael Hurley’s song "Sweet Lucy" is from the 1976 album Have Moicy!, made with The Unholy Modal Rounders and Jeffrey Frederick & The Clamtones. The song gained popularity over the years and was covered by the band Ekoostik Hookah in 2002 on their album Ohio Grown and by Steve Gunn and Cass McCombs in 2020.
Knockando
"Knockando" was released in 2007 as a part of Michael Hurley's The Ancestral Swamp album. The song talks about a man drinking Knockando and how its blue flames remind him of old memories and hurt. It also describes the sadness he feels from being far from a place he really wants to go back to.
Sweedeedee
Michael Hurley's "Sweedeedee" was released in his 1971 album Armchair Boogie. The song playfully talks about a man asking for love from a woman who troubles him but still means a lot to him. The song was also covered by Cat Power after becoming a hit.
Trending
After the sad news of Michael Hurley’s death on April 3, 2025, fans all over the world are remembering and honoring the late singer for his music contribution. His last album, The Time of the Foxgloves, came out in 2021. He also released Sweetkorn (Remaster) in 2023.
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