3 Songs That Cult Leader Charles Manson Wrote (And 3 Musicians Who Covered Them)

For fans of true crime or those who were around when Charles Manson became the infamous cult leader he is known as today, Manson’s involvement in the music industry is pretty wild. Before people realized just how horrible he was, quite a few musicians collaborated with him back in the day. And before and after his involvement in the Manson Murders, a few bands and musicians have covered his musical works. Let’s look at just a few spooky examples.

1. “I’ll Never Say Never To Always”

Let’s start with a particularly creepy one. “I’ll Never Say Never To Always” is by far one of Charles Manson’s most ominous and eerie tracks. It sounds more like a hex than a song, honestly. It also made it to an album released by the cult members who avoided prison time following the Manson Murders.

The haunting tune was, surprisingly enough, covered by Crispin Glover. You might remember him as the famously odd actor who played George McFly in Back To The Future. The song appears on Glover’s album The Big Problem ≠ The Solution. The Solution = Let It Be, an avant-garde effort that oddly suits the song in question.

2. “Home Is Where You’re Happy”

Alternative rock band The Lemonheads came to be after Charles Manson was no longer involved in music, but they covered a lot of his music, nonetheless. It’s not really clear if they were being ironic or just really liked the cult leader’s tunes.

“Home Is Where You’re Happy” is one Manson-penned tune, among several, that The Lemonheads have covered. During live performances of this song, singer Devandra Banhart has also covered the song with them.

3. “Cease To Exist”

Dennis Wilson of The Beach Boys and Charles Manson briefly worked together (and even lived together) before Manson became the monstrosity he is known as today. Manson wrote “Cease To Exist” and offered it to the band, and they ended up recording an alternate version of the original tune, which they titled “Never Learn To Love”.

Interestingly enough, that song was the B-side to the very pleasant and sweet song “Bluebirds Over The Mountain”. Manson was paid cash (and a motorcycle) in lieu of a songwriting credit. The Lemonheads would later cover the song as well.