I know I can’t speak for everyone, but I first became aware of and fell in love with this song when it became The Smoking Man’s theme from The X-Files. It was also used in the Scream films. I don’t really watch TV of any kind these days, but from what I have read, the song has also been used on the show Peaky Blinders. In addition, it has become the inspiration for a Dr. Seuss Book in Australia.

The title of song comes from the phrase “red right hand” in John Milton’s poem Paradise Lost referring to the vengeful hand of God. Songfacts says the song itself is a “semi-comically melodramatic take on Stephen King’s novel The Stand [depicting] a nightmarish figure emerging on ‘the edge of town.'” Thank you once again, Songfacts!

It has been a couple of years since I read the book, but it’s difficult to forget the character of Trashcan Man. As I recall, he was largely left out of mini-series, but he has an interesting storyline that runs parallel with the main plot. He really is the most important character because it is him that brings the WMD to Las Vegas that allows God to reach down in order to destroy the den of sin that Randall Flagg has created there. The “Red Right Hand”. The lyrics of the song, and the music video itself are what come to your mind when you are reading the Trashcan Man sections. He is a deeply troubled person who has a rather horrifying journey, but one that pulls him eventually to Las Vegas as if he has been called on high to be the enabler of the hand of God on Earth. The evil figure spoken of and portrayed as a serial killer in the music video could be Randall Flagg (essentially the Anti-Christ) and/or the murderous The Kid who was left out of the original printing of the book.

It is always interesting to see them using black and white past the 80s in music videos. Otherwise it is a simple music video that follows the dark narrative that–much like Jace Everett’s Bad Things–could be placed over any scenes with characters that are evil in some fashion, and it wouldn’t seem out of place. I can see why YouTube recommends a video of Psycho Killer by Talking Heads when I finish watching the music video. I can also see why it has been used so many times in film and television since its’ release.

Director Jesse Dylan has done 30+ music videos. You might also know him as the director of American Wedding (2003) and Kicking & Screaming (2005).

Enjoy!