Murder Ballads Old & New: A Dark and Bloody Record by Steven L. Jones is a chilling and deeply researched journey into the American obsession with death, loss, and violence as told through song. Covering everything from obscure 18th-century laments to punk-era reinterpretations, this book traces the cultural legacy of true crime storytelling in music. Jones unpacks the stories behind classic murder ballads, explores their psychological and sociological roots, and follows their influence across generations. With black-and-white archival imagery and a blend of musicology, folklore, and dark Americana, Murder Ballads Old & New is essential reading for fans of folk, punk, alternative country, and American Gothic culture.
Steven L. Jones is a writer, visual artist, and musician based in Chicago. A native of Kentucky, he taught at VCU and the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. His work has appeared in Sing Out! and other music-focused publications. Murder Ballads Old & New is his first book, drawing on a lifelong engagement with American folk traditions and the aesthetics of loss and memory.
