Turgon's Rock Opera

We built this city… we built this city on rock and roll! On the anniversary of the publication of The Silmarillion, we’re reflecting on the importance of music in Arda. From the song of the Ainur to Sam singing and Frodo answering, Tolkien’s legendarium rings with music. Many key moments or events would not be the same without it. We’re also taking inspiration from Gondolin, the hidden city whose names reference music and stone. (Close enough to rock for us!)

This month’s challenge prompts are rock songs. You are free to use any aspect of a prompt, whether it’s the title, the artist or band name, song or album cover art, the music, the lyrics, the video, or the general vibe! To receive a prompt, comment on our Dreamwidth, send us an ask on Tumblr, post in the #monthly-challenges channel on our Discord, or message us through the SWG site.

This challenge opened in September 2023 .

Prompts

Choose your prompt from the collection below.

View Prompts

We Will Rock You (Queen) lyrics | video

We Are The Champions (Queen)  lyrics |  video 

Mother (Pink Floyd)  lyrics |  video 

Livin’ On The Edge (Aerosmith)  lyrics |  video  (subtitles/CC available for video)

With A Little Help From My Friends (The Beatles)    lyrics |  video

Born To Run (Bruce Springsteen)  lyrics |  video (YouTube description includes lyrics)

(I Just) Died In Your Arms (Cutting Crew)   lyrics |  video (subtitles/CC available for video)

All Along The Watchtower (Jimi Hendrix) lyrics |  video (YouTube description includes lyrics)

When The Levee Breaks (Led Zeppelin)  lyrics |  video

Lola (The Kinks)  lyrics |  video (YouTube description includes lyrics)

Hotel California (The Eagles)  lyrics |  video (subtitles/CC available for video) 

Smoke On The Water (Deep Purple)   lyrics |  video

La Grange (ZZ Top)  lyrics |  video

It’s The End Of The World As We Know It (REM)  lyrics |  video (subtitles/CC available for video)

Free Fallin’ (Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers)  lyrics |  video (subtitles/CC available for video) 

Jump (Van Halen)  lyrics |  video (subtitles/CC available for video)

Video Killed The Radio Star (The Buggles)  lyrics |  video (subtitles/CC available for video)

What’s Love Got To Do With It (Tina Turner)  lyrics |  video (YouTube description includes lyrics)

She’s Always A Woman (Billy Joel)  lyrics |  video  (YouTube description includes lyrics)

I Think We’re Alone Now (Billie Joe Armstrong)  lyrics |  video (YouTube description includes lyrics)

Like A Rolling Stone (Bob Dylan)  lyrics |  video (subtitles/CC available for video)

Light My Fire (The Doors)  lyrics |  video

Big Girls Don’t Cry (The Four Seasons)  lyrics |  video

Been Caught Stealing (Jane’s Addiction)  lyrics |  video (YouTube description includes lyrics)

Head Like A Hole (NIN)  lyrics |  video (YouTube description includes lyrics) 

Cherry Bomb (The Runaways)  lyrics |  video (subtitles/CC available for video)

Enter Sandman (Metallica)  lyrics |  video

Purple Rain (Prince)  lyrics |  video

Livin On A Prayer (Bon Jovi)  lyrics |  video (subtitles/CC available for video)

Back On The Chain Gang (The Pretenders)  lyrics |  video (YouTube description includes lyrics)

The Boys Are Back In Town (Thin Lizzy)  lyrics |  video

Born To Be Wild (Steppenwolf)  lyrics |  video

Heart of Glass (Blondie)  lyrics |  video (subtitles/CC available for video)

I Love Rock ‘N Roll (Joan Jett & The Blackhearts)  lyrics |  video

Cum On Feel The Noise (Quiet Riot)  lyrics |  video (subtitles/CC available for video)

Professional Widow (Tori Amos)  lyrics |  video

Come To My Window (Melissa Etheridge)  lyrics |  video

Little Sister (Queens of the Stone Age)  lyrics |  video (subtitles/CC available for video)

We Built This City (Starship)  lyrics |  video

Pour Some Sugar On Me (Def Leppard)  lyrics |  video

Tom Sawyer (Rush)  lyrics |  video (subtitles/CC available for video)

Don’t Fear The Reaper (Blue Öyster Cult)  lyrics |  video (subtitles/CC available for video) RowanHenry/reprehensible raccoon

Just A Girl (No Doubt)  lyrics |  video (subtitles/CC available for video)

Against All Odds (Take a Look At Me Now)  (Phill Collins)  lyrics |  video  

Nothing Compares 2 U (Sinead O’Connor)  lyrics |  video (subtitles/CC available for video)

Only Happy When It Rains (Garbage)  lyrics |  video 

Everybody Wants To Rule The World (Tears For Fears)  lyrics |  video (subtitles/CC available for video)

Juke Box Hero (Foreigner)  lyrics |  video

Killing In The Name (Rage Against The Machine)  lyrics |  video

Mr. Brightside (The Killers)  lyrics |  video (subtitles/CC available for video)

Free Bird (Lynyrd Skynyrd)  lyrics |  video

All I Know So Far (Pink)  lyrics |  video (subtitles/CC available for video, YouTube description includes lyrics)

Welcome To The Jungle (Guns N Roses)  lyrics |  video (subtitles/CC available for video)

Everlong (Foo Fighters)  lyrics |  video  (subtitles/CC available for video)

Zombie (The Cranberries)  lyrics |  video (subtitles/CC available for video)

You Oughta Know (Alanis Morissette)  lyrics |  video (subtitles/CC available for video)

You've Got the Love (Florence + The Machine)  lyrics |  video (subtitles/CC available for video)

Tonight Tonight (Smashing Pumpkins)  lyrics |  video (subtitles/CC available for video)

Let Her Cry (Hootie and the Blowfish)  lyrics |  video  (YouTube description includes lyrics)

Crash into Me (Dave Matthews Band)  lyrics |  video (subtitles/CC available for video) 

9 to 5 (Dolly Parton)  lyrics |  video (subtitles/CC available for video)

Here I Go Again (Whitesnake)  lyrics |  video (subtitles/CC available for video)