The Ultimate Vampire Resource and Directory

This song was the Bauhaus's first single, released in August 1979, and is often considered to be the first gothic rock record released.

The song is over nine minutes in length and was recorded "live in the studio" in a single take.

The title references horror film star Béla Lugosi (1882-1956), who did much to establish the modern vampire image as the title character in the 1931 film Dracula. Lugosi was, in fact, buried in his Dracula cape - an event depicted in the film Ed Wood.

"Bela Lugosi's Dead" has been covered by many artists including Electric Hellfire Club, Sepultura, Until December, Buzzcocks, Godhead, Dream Disciples, Opera IX, Poison Idea, XIII Stoleti, XPQ21, Nouvelle Vague, and Acumen Nation.

Peter Murphy — vocals, guitar
Daniel Ash — guitar
David J — bass
Kevin Haskins — drums

Lyrics

White on white translucent black capes
Back on the rack
Bela Lugosi's dead
The bats have left the bell tower
The victims have been bled
Red velvet lines the black box
Bela Lugosi's dead
Undead undead undead
The virginal brides file past his tomb
Strewn with time's dead flowers
Bereft in deathly bloom
Alone in a darkened room
The count
Bela Logosi's dead
Undead undead undead