# Why are there both a reggae song and TV show from the 80's called "Murder She Wrote"? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [May 5, 2010, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-there-both-a-reggae-song-and-tv-show-from-the-80s-called-murder-she-wrote/538346 "2010-05-05T00:00:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![cuauhtemoc](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ecb155/32.png) [@cuauhtemoc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cuauhtemoc)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2010, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-there-both-a-reggae-song-and-tv-show-from-the-80s-called-murder-she-wrote/538346/1 "2010-05-05T00:00:43Z")
Do they have something to do with one another? ---
**Author:** ![jasonh300](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/46a35a/32.png) [@jasonh300](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jasonh300)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2010, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-there-both-a-reggae-song-and-tv-show-from-the-80s-called-murder-she-wrote/538346/2 "2010-05-05T03:42:59Z")
Just to clarify, it’s **Murder, She Wrote**. Actually, there should probably be quotation marks around the word “Murder”. The comma is important. The TV series was about a murder mystery author who continually found herself aiding the local sheriff in murder investigations (every week for 12 years, as is common in small New England seaside towns in the world of TV). The TV show ran from 1984 to 1996. The reggae song came out in 1992. After looking at the lyrics to the reggae song, I don’t think it had anything to do with the TV series. That’s all I have. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2010, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-there-both-a-reggae-song-and-tv-show-from-the-80s-called-murder-she-wrote/538346/3 "2010-05-05T04:03:45Z")
Moving to Cafe Society from GQ. Colibri General Questions Moderator ---
**Author:** ![cuauhtemoc](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ecb155/32.png) [@cuauhtemoc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cuauhtemoc)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2010, 1:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-there-both-a-reggae-song-and-tv-show-from-the-80s-called-murder-she-wrote/538346/4 "2010-05-05T13:10:46Z")
Is “Murder, She Wrote” a popular expression? Something that would have meaning to viewers of prime-time mystery TV shows as well as people who listen to reggae music? Or were they targeting the cross-section of these two groups? The song came later, so I’m wondering if they knew about the TV show when they wrote the song. And if so, weren’t they afraid people would think the song was about the show? ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2010, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-there-both-a-reggae-song-and-tv-show-from-the-80s-called-murder-she-wrote/538346/5 "2010-05-05T13:30:42Z")
Titles cannot be copyrighted: [Unca Cecil’s column](http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/132/how-come-people-steal-song-titles-and-nothing-happens). ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2010, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-there-both-a-reggae-song-and-tv-show-from-the-80s-called-murder-she-wrote/538346/6 "2010-05-05T13:36:18Z")
I think the phrase was a take on “[Murder, She Said](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murder,_She_Said)” a film made from an Agatha Christie book. ---
**Author:** ![WotNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e19b73/32.png) [@WotNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WotNot)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2010, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-there-both-a-reggae-song-and-tv-show-from-the-80s-called-murder-she-wrote/538346/7 "2010-05-05T13:42:07Z")
> [@cuauhtemoc](#): > > Is “Murder, She Wrote” a popular expression? Something that would have meaning to viewers of prime-time mystery TV shows as well as people who listen to reggae music? Or were they targeting the cross-section of these two groups? > > The song came later, so I’m wondering if they knew about the TV show when they wrote the song. And if so, weren’t they afraid people would think the song was about the show? The TV show was originally conceived as an american version of Agatha Christie’s Miss Marple, and the title was a variation on the title of a 1962 film adaptation of _4:50 From Paddington,_ [_Murder, She Said._](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murder,_She_Said) There’s also 1945 animated short called [_It’s Murder She Says,_](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0154659/) and I think that’s the original form of the phrase. I seem to recall it as a repeated refrain in either a song or a recitation or something of that sort. So, I think “Murder, She Wrote” is original to the TV series, but based on an earlier phrase that had some wide-spread recognition. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2010, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-there-both-a-reggae-song-and-tv-show-from-the-80s-called-murder-she-wrote/538346/8 "2010-05-05T13:42:20Z")
Joanne Fluke wristes a series of culinary mysteries. Her websiteis address is Murder, she baked ---
**Author:** ![cuauhtemoc](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ecb155/32.png) [@cuauhtemoc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cuauhtemoc)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2010, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-there-both-a-reggae-song-and-tv-show-from-the-80s-called-murder-she-wrote/538346/9 "2010-05-05T14:08:00Z")
> [@WotNot](#): > > The TV show was originally conceived as an american version of Agatha Christie’s Miss Marple, and the title was a variation on the title of a 1962 film adaptation of _4:50 From Paddington,_ [_Murder, She Said._](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murder,_She_Said) > > There’s also 1945 animated short called [_It’s Murder She Says,_](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0154659/) and I think that’s the original form of the phrase. I seem to recall it as a repeated refrain in either a song or a recitation or something of that sort. > > So, I think “Murder, She Wrote” is original to the TV series, but based on an earlier phrase that had some wide-spread recognition. Makes sense. So, the audience for the TV show, mostly over-50 suburbanites, who as everyone knows are the hippest people on the planet, lends some of its legitimacy to these two reggae artists from the early 90’s, who hope to reach millions of kids in dancehalls around the world by naming their song after a cool show their grandparents watch. I understand perfectly now. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2010, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-there-both-a-reggae-song-and-tv-show-from-the-80s-called-murder-she-wrote/538346/10 "2010-05-05T14:19:02Z")
I came here specifically to read about Angela Lansbury’s brief flirtation with cannabis. But I guess not.☹ ---
**Author:** ![Cliffy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/59ef9b/32.png) [@Cliffy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cliffy)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2010, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-there-both-a-reggae-song-and-tv-show-from-the-80s-called-murder-she-wrote/538346/11 "2010-05-05T14:34:47Z")
There was a big hit song with a related title in the '40’s – Murder, He Says. There’s a somewhat [famous clip](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ClGNm89GZBE) of Betty Hutton, who does a slam-bang performance of the song for the troops during WWII. –Cliffy N.B. I can’t watch YouTube on this computer, so I haven’t verified the link. ---
**Author:** ![Lucky\_13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucky_13/32/13209_2.png) [@Lucky\_13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucky_13)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2010, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-there-both-a-reggae-song-and-tv-show-from-the-80s-called-murder-she-wrote/538346/12 "2010-05-05T15:02:30Z")
I heard the song “Murder, She Wrote” was inspired by one of the songwriters’ ex-girlfriend having an abortion he didn’t want her to have, which he found out after the fact. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2010, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-there-both-a-reggae-song-and-tv-show-from-the-80s-called-murder-she-wrote/538346/13 "2010-05-05T15:03:51Z")
Well, the song appears to be about a dangerous type of woman, the kind who would break your heart in such a way that the crime would be comparable to murder. It sounds like Mr. Songz was looking for a good line to describe such a femme fatale and decided Murder, She Wrote would be appropriate. Either that or he’s saying Angela Lansbury broke his heart. ETA: Or it could be about what he perceived as the actual murder of his unborn child. Jeez. ---
**Author:** ![WotNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e19b73/32.png) [@WotNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WotNot)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2010, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-there-both-a-reggae-song-and-tv-show-from-the-80s-called-murder-she-wrote/538346/14 "2010-05-05T16:31:44Z")
> [@Cliffy](#): > > There was a big hit song with a related title in the '40’s – Murder, He Says. There’s a somewhat [famous clip](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ClGNm89GZBE) of Betty Hutton, who does a slam-bang performance of the song for the troops during WWII. > > –Cliffy > > N.B. I can’t watch YouTube on this computer, so I haven’t verified the link. That’s what I was thinking of. And why I couldn’t find it with “Murder, **She** Says”. ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2010, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-there-both-a-reggae-song-and-tv-show-from-the-80s-called-murder-she-wrote/538346/15 "2010-05-05T16:55:20Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > I came here specifically to read about Angela Lansbury’s brief flirtation with cannabis. But I guess not.☹ If you want to see Lansbury flirting with something, check out _Gaslight_. Rrrrrawr. ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2010, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-there-both-a-reggae-song-and-tv-show-from-the-80s-called-murder-she-wrote/538346/16 "2010-05-05T16:57:44Z")
I feel I should also point out that the Black Sabbath song Iron Man is not about the super hero Iron Man even though it is used in the trailers. Tony Stark AFAIK was not turned to steel in a great magnetic field and did not travel time for the future of mankind. ---
**Author:** ![cuauhtemoc](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ecb155/32.png) [@cuauhtemoc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cuauhtemoc)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2010, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-there-both-a-reggae-song-and-tv-show-from-the-80s-called-murder-she-wrote/538346/17 "2010-05-05T17:12:10Z")
I’ve decided to become a music producer. My first project will be a hard-core gangsta rap act called _Matlock_. Their first CD will be called _Scarecrow and Mrs. King_ and the breakout track will be _Hardcastle and McCormick_. Doesn’t that sound like a great idea? ---
**Author:** ![lost4life](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c4cdca/32.png) [@lost4life](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lost4life)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2010, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-there-both-a-reggae-song-and-tv-show-from-the-80s-called-murder-she-wrote/538346/18 "2010-05-05T17:19:37Z")
I don’t have my music in front of me, but I know there were several reggae songs that took their names from TV & movie titles, with the lyrics having little or nothing to do with the show. The only one I can think of off hand was Replacement Killers by Elephant Man. If I get time, I’ll try to pull a list together. ---
**Author:** ![BrotherCadfael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@BrotherCadfael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrotherCadfael)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2010, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-there-both-a-reggae-song-and-tv-show-from-the-80s-called-murder-she-wrote/538346/19 "2010-05-05T19:37:07Z")
> [@KneadToKnow](#): > > If you want to see Lansbury flirting with something, check out _Gaslight_. Rrrrrawr. And if you want to cool back down, watch _The Manchurian Candidate_. Brrrrrr! ---
**Author:** ![Nzinga\_Seated](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b5ac83/32.png) [@Nzinga\_Seated](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nzinga_Seated)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2010, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-are-there-both-a-reggae-song-and-tv-show-from-the-80s-called-murder-she-wrote/538346/20 "2010-05-05T21:01:33Z")
> [@Lucky\_13](#): > > I heard the song “Murder, She Wrote” was inspired by one of the songwriters’ ex-girlfriend having an abortion he didn’t want her to have, which he found out after the fact. Well, Maxine in the song has several abortions. I think Chaka Demus just liked the sound of the title. It sounds mysterious, and wicked. As an aside, I don’t like that song. But in dancehall music, they have rhythms (riddums) that many artists sing lyrics over for their own song. Like, say, if you hear a song by Brittany Spears, and you like the beat but not the lyrics, it’s fine, because Madonna, Lady Gaga, Fergi and Kelly Clarkson will all have a pop song out at the exact same time with that exact same beat. I liked every other song on that rhythm besides Murder, She Wrote. No clue why.