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Warren Zevon, who recorded the 1978 novelty rock tune “Werewolves of London,” described it as a dumb song for smart people.

Zevon considered the tune a throwaway, an album-filler. When the record company chose “Werewolves” to release as a single, he and his co-writers were genuinely shocked.

They got over it, of course, and the unlikely hit remains popular today. After almost 40 years, the song still gets regular radio play.

“Werewolves” involved several familiar names in addition to Zevon. The initial idea came from Phil Everly after he saw the 1935 movie “Werewolf of London” on late-night TV. The recording itself features Mick Fleetwood on drums and John McVie on bass. Jackson Browne also recorded a version of the song and praised it often over the years.

No wonder, when it features one of the best opening lines ever.

Werewolves of London

By Warren Zevon, 1978
Written by Leroy Marinell, Waddy Wachtel, and Warren Zevon,

I saw a werewolf with a Chinese menu in his hand,
Walkin’ through the streets of Soho in the rain.
He was lookin’ for the place called Lee Ho Fook’s.
Gonna get a big dish of beef chow mein.

Aah-ooh! Werewolves of London.
Aah-ooh!
Aah-ooh! Werewolves of London.
Aah-ooh!

You hear him howlin’ around your kitchen door,
Better not let him in.
Little old lady got mutilated late last night.
Werewolves of London again.

Aah-ooh! Werewolves of London.
Aah-ooh!
Aah-ooh! Werewolves of London.
Aah-ooh!

He’s the hairy-handed gent who ran amok in Kent.
Lately he’s been overheard in Mayfair.
You better stay away from him.
He’ll rip your lungs out, Jim!
Hah — I’d like to meet his tailor.

Aah-ooh! Werewolves of London.
Aah-ooh!
Aah-ooh! Werewolves of London.
Aah-ooh!

Well, I saw Lon Chaney walkin’ with the queen,
Doin’ the werewolves of London.
I saw Lon Chaney Jr. walkin’ with the queen,
Doin’ the werewolves of London.
I saw a werewolf drinkin’ a piña colada at Trader Vic’s.
his hair was perfect.

Aah-ooh! Werewolves of London.
Hah — Draw blood!
Aah-ooh! Werewolves of London.