References to John F. Kennedy in Marilyn Manson's music

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Eventually They Discovered That J.F.K. Was, in Fact, a Firearm

President John F. Kennedy is a recurring figure in the music of Marilyn Manson, particularly on the Mechanical Animals and Holy Wood albums. Kennedy's infamous public assassination is thought to be the basis of Manson's Celebritarian concept, or the idea that both the victim and murderer becomes more of a celebrity in publicized death due to media coverage and attention than anyone could attain typically. This article lists the instances of the 35th President of the United States in both Marilyn Manson's music and imagery, as well as other areas relating to the band or its influences.

  • In the Mechanical Animals song "Posthuman", the lyrics reference Jackie O. (Kennedy's wife from 1953-1963) and Abraham Zapruder (the man responsible for capturing the Kennedy assassination on video tape).
  • In the "Coma White" music video, Manson reenacts JFK's shooting.
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  • "President Dead" is 3:13 in playtime length. Frame 313 of the Zapruder film, the most complete visual recording of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, is the precise frame where Kennedy is shot.
  • The title "President Dead" is a direct reference to Kennedy's assassination in 1963 by Lee Harvey Oswald.
  • In the song, A Place in the Dirt the lyrics, "And now we hold the "Ugly Head..." is noted in Chapter 10 of the Holy Wood (novel) "get as the Gaelic say "Kennedy," which means, of course, ugly or wounded head."
  • In the song "Target Audience (Narcissus Narcosis)", Lee Harvey Oswald is referenced. Oswald was the man who shot Kennedy with an italian carbine rifle in Dealey Plaza in Dallas, Texas on November 22, 1963.
  • In "Lamb of God" assassination victims treated as martyrs in media are referenced in the lyrics. John F. Kennedy is referred to by nickname ("thats how Jack became sainted") in the song.
  • On the promotional website ThisIsValentine'sDay.com, an image of the Time magazine dated February 14, 1964, had Marina Oswald featured on the cover. Marina Oswald was Lee Harvey Oswald's wife.
  • On Celebritarian.com, a song played in the background is "I'm Leaving it Up To You" by Dale and Grace (the song was the number one song on November 22, 1963, the day John F. Kennedy was assassinated).
  • Kennedy is seen in the video backdrop of the "Personal Jesus" music video. Other figures seen are Ghandhi, Stalin, Hitler and George W. Bush.
  • On the "Guns, God and Government" tour for the song "Valentine's Day" Kennedy's face was included with pictures of celebrities or famous figures throughout history mostly dead at the time adorned on banners on both sides of the stage.