There are plenty of rabbit songs for your Easter playlist

Patrick Varine, Tribune-Review, Greensburg, Pa.
·2 min read

Apr. 9—The Easter Bunny is hopping all across the world today, inexplicably leaving eggs behind despite being a mammal.

There are also plenty of songs about rabbits to pad out your Easter playlist for today's holiday get-together. Here are just a few.

"Rabbit in a Log" (Trad.)

This traditional folk tune, which has become a staple in the bluegrass canon, doesn't really sound like a good way to catch a rabbit. Grab a briar branch and twist it in the rabbit's hair? We'll probably just head down to Wholey's in the Strip District for our rabbit, thanks. This version is a duet by two bluegrass legends, Ralph Stanley and Jimmy Martin.

Jefferson Airplane, "White Rabbit"

Drawing on "Alice in Wonderland" as a metaphor for the untethered psychedelic experimentation of the late 1960s, Airplane vocalist Grace Slick is in full control here, her commanding alto settling right into the Eastern-tinged melody as she warns of hookah-smoking caterpillars and the Red Queen.

Two Man Gentleman Band, "Rabbit Foot Stomp"

Don't play this song for your vegan friends. That is our best advice. That doesn't make it any less hilarious, though. Is it morose? Yes. Does it include kazoo? Also yes.

Ray Anthony, "The Bunny Hop"

Perhaps the original rabbit song. We definitely didn't know it had lyrics, but we also had no idea that Ray Anthony would look this ridiculous while doing it.

Iron & Wine, "Rabbit Will Run"

This one is a little more esoteric. Iron & Wine's Sam Beam is big on using nature as a metaphor for whatever he's singing about, and his musical arrangements are always intricate and well-built.

Little Bunny Foo Foo, "Nobody Knows"

To be honest, I only put this scene from the old "Big Rock Candy Mountain" television show on here because it's kind of terrifying and I can't believe this was considered quality children's entertainment when I was young.

Elton John, "Jack Rabbit"

We did not know Elton John wrote a simple song about a rabbit being hunted — how 'bout that?

T. Rex, "Rabbit Fighter"

We were pretty disappointed to find out that this is not a song about punching rabbits, but rather about fighting against the establishment. That's fine. Would've liked more rabbit pugilism, though.

Steeleye Span, "Bonny Black Hare"

And finally, a British "rock" band with a fiddle singing about rabbits? Sure, let's close it out with that one.

Patrick Varine is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Patrick by email at pvarine@triblive.com or via Twitter .