TimeOut

Hi all,

 

I was listening to commercial radio driving home last night and a couple of lines from songs caught my attention. Perhaps not music that I would regularly listen to, but from U2’s “One”

 

Have you come here for forgiveness
Have you come to raise the dead
Have you come here to play Jesus
To the lepers in your head

 

And Bon Jovi’s “Wanted Dead or Alive”

 

I walk these streets, a loaded six string on my back

I play for keeps, 'cause I might not make it back

I'm a cowboy, on a steel horse I ride …

 

Some songwriters tell a story, others string together words in a way that Shakespeare would have done: words that sound right together, while still others evoke strong visual images.

 

What are the most memorable lyrics for you?

 

Andrew

I couldn’t pass up an opportunity to post some Floyd lyrics. When I was growing up I connected with Roger’s lyrics and Floyd’s expansive soundscape. I have no idea what it says about my mindset, but PF have stuck with me to this day. Here are some favourites:

 

“Comfortable Numb”

 

When I was a child
I caught a fleeting glimpse
out of the corner of my eye
I turned to look but it was gone
I cannot put my finger on it now
the child has grown
the dream is gone
I have become comfortably numb.

 

“Time”

And then one day you find ten years have got behind you.
No one told you when to run, you missed the starting gun.

 

“Dogs”

 

And when you loose control, you’ll reap the harvest you have sown.

 

“Breath”

 

Long you live and high you fly
And smiles you’ll give and tears you’ll cry
And all you touch and all you see
Is all your life will ever be.

 

“Wish you were here”

 

We’re just two lost souls
Swimming in a fish bowl,
Year after year,
Running over the same old ground.
What have we found?
The same old fears.
Wish you were here.

No message body

… and I got the last, so lets put it all together:

 

“Wish you were here”

 

So, so you think you can tell
Heaven from Hell,
Blue skies from pain.
Can you tell a green field
From a cold steel rail?
A smile from a veil?
Do you think you can tell?

Did they get you to trade
Your heroes for ghosts?
Hot ashes for trees?
Hot air for a cool breeze?
And cold comfort for change?
Did you exchange
A walk on part in the war,
For a lead role in a cage?

How I wish, how I wish you were here.
We're just two lost souls
Swimming in a fish bowl,
Year after year,
Running over the same old ground.
What have we found
The same old fears.
Wish you were here.

always brings shivers down my spine
and for some strange reason my eyes become moist
Cheers
Damian

Interesting topic. I am sure there are lots of good lyrics out there. But I will quote a couple from my all time favorite band.

Wish You Were Here

So, so you think you can tell
Heaven from Hell,
Blue skys from pain.
Can you tell a green field
From a cold steel rail?
A smile from a veil?
Do you think you can tell?

If (from Atom Heart Mother - going back a ways)

If I were a swan, I'd be gone.
If I were a train, I'd be late.
And if I were a good man,
I'd talk with you
More often than I do.

J.

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Biz Markie "Just a Friend"

I asked her her name, she said blah-blah-blah
She had 9/10 pants and a very big bra
I took a couple of flicks and she was enthused
I said, "How do you like the show?"
she said, "I was very amused"
I started throwin' bass, she started throwin' back mid-range
But when I sprung the question, she acted kind of strange
Then when I asked, "Do ya have a man?" she tried to pretend
She said, "No I don't, I only have a friend"
Come on, I'm not even goin' for it
This is what I'm goin' sing

You, you got what I need but you say he's just a friend
And you say he's just a friend, oh baby
You, you got what I need but you say he's just a friend
But you say he's just a friend, oh baby
You, you got what I need but you say he's just a friend
But you say he's just a friend

 

…that you are not taking this entirely seriously, Dr MW!

 

But you got my attention in the first two lines:

 

I asked her her name, she said blah-blah-blah
She had 9/10 pants and a very big bra

 

Andrew

 

Ps. I did notice the    Good stuff

Glad you have a good sense of humor Andrew!   

How about Boys II Men acapella cover of 'In the Still of the Night'?

In the still of the night
I held you, held you tight
Oh I love, love you so
Promise I'll never let you go
In the still of the night
(In the still of the night)

I remember (I remember) that night in May
that the stars (I remember) were bright up above
I hope and I pray
To keep your precious love

So before the light
Hold me again
With all of your might
In the still of the night
(In the still of the night)

So before the light
Hold me again with all of your might
(In the still of the night)
In the still of the night


-MW

If it was still Valentine’s Day I could let this one pass.

 

How about some counterpoint with classic Meatloaf / Jim Steinman:

 

“Paradise by the dashboard light” (excerpt)

 

You got to do what you can
And let Mother Nature do the rest
Ain't no doubt about it
We were doubly blessed
Cause we were barely seventeen
And we were barely —

 

Or perhaps you are more of a hopeless romantic than I thought.

 

A

Eagles  'Hotel California'?

-MW

Too funny DRMW!

For those that don't remember '89, here you go:

No message body

For about ten years I only had Pink Floyd and Roger Waters cd's in my car  Since my favorite album "wish you were here" has been covered I will add a few others.

The Greatest Gig in the Sky

You just have to listen past the inital lyrics to understand.

Brain Damage  (Roger Waters)

The lunatic is in my head.
The lunatic is in my head
You raise the blade, you make the change
You re-arrange me 'til I'm sane.
You lock the door
And throw away the key
There's someone in my head but it's not me. 

 

Eclipse
(Waters) (as engraved on my i-pod)

All that you buy,
beg, borrow or steal.

 

What God Wants, Part I (Roger Waters)
God wants goodness God wants light God wants mayhem God wants a clean fight What God wants God gets.   Perfect Sense, Part Ii (Roger Waters) Hi everybody I'm Marv Albert (really is Marv) And welcome to our telecast Coming to you live from Memorial Stadium It's a beautiful day And today we except a sensational matchup Bur first our global anthem Can't you see It all makes perfect sense Expressed in dollars and cents Pounds shillings and pence Can't you see It all makes perfect sense It's A Miracle (Roger Waters) We cower in our shelters With our hands over our ears Lloyd-Webber's awful stuff Runs for years and years and years An earthquake hits the theatre But the operetta lingers Then the piano lids comes down And break his fxxxxng fingers It's a miracle

I'm a big fan of Roger Water and the Floyd.

Lyrics and music is so inspired.

Thanks for reminding this piece of Poetry.

Best,

Nicolas

. . . "Let It Rain" . . .

The rain is falling thru the mist of sorrow that surrounded me
The sun could never thaw away the bliss that lays around me

Let it rain, let it rain
Let your love rain down on me
Let it rain, let it rain
Let it rain, rain, rain

Her life was like a desert flower burning in the sun
Until I found the way to love, it's harder said than done

Let it rain, let it rain
Let your love rain down on me
Let it rain, let it rain
Let it rain, rain, rain

Now I know the secret, there is nothing that I lack
If I give my love to you, you'll surely give it back

Let it rain, let it rain
Let your love rain down on me
Let it rain, let it rain
Let it rain, rain, rain

. . . "The Wind" . . .

I listen to the wind
to the wind of my soul
Where I'll end up well I think,
only God really knows
I've sat upon the setting sun
But never, never never never
I never wanted water once
No, never, never, never

I listen to my words but
they fall far below
I let my music take me where
my heart wants to go
I swam upon the devil's lake
But never, never never never
I'll never make the same mistake
No, never, never, never

. . . "Scotch and Soda" . . .

Scotch and soda, mud in your eye. Baby, do I feel high, oh, me, oh, my. Do I feel high.
Dry martini, jigger of gin. Oh, what a spell you've got me in, oh, my. Do I feel high.

People won't believe me. They'll think that I'm just braggin'. But I could feel the way I do and still be on the wagon.
All I need is one of your smiles. Sunshine of your eyes, oh, me, oh, my. Do I feel high.

People won't believe me. They'll think that I'm just braggin'. But I could feel the way I do and still be on the wagon.
All I need is one of your smiles. Sunshine of your eyes, oh, me, oh, my. Do I feel higher than a kite can fly.
Give me lovin', baby. I feel high.

Eric Clapton, Cat Stevens, the Kingston Trio . . . favorites all.

Guy Clark makes me smile.

From "Baton Rouge":
I like Crawfish I like rice
I like girls that treat you nice
I'm gonna find me one in Baton Rouge

Townes Van Zandt makes me cry.

Selected verses from "Rex's Blues":
If I had a nickel I'd find a game
If I won a dollar I'd make it rain
If it rained an ocean I'd drink it dry
and lay me down dissatisfied

Legs to walk and thoughts to fly
eyes to laugh and lips to cry
a restless tongue to classify
all born to grow and grown to die

I'm chained upon the face of time
feelin' full of foolish rhyme
there ain't no dark till something shines
I'm bound to leave this dark behind

Ride the blue wind high and free
she'll lead you down through misery
leave you low, come time to go
alone and low as low can be

Best,

Jed

"Many dreams come true, and some have silver linings.  I live for my dream, and a pocketful of gold." -- from the song "Over the Hills and Far Away" by Led Zeppelin.  I had these lyrics inscribed on a set of rings I had made.  The lyrics show up in other places in my life as well.

The above are my favorite lyrics of all time.  For me, the best songs are either poetry or stories.  U2 have some very poetic lyrics. 

Songs that I love for their lyrics, and the artists who performed them:

"Home" by Sheryl Crow

"Tangled Up In Blue" by Bob Dylan (one of the greatest lyricists)

"Ode To Billy Joe" by Bobbie Gentry

"Red Dirt Girl" by Emmylou Harris

"Can't Let Go" by Lucinda Williams

"Asking For Flowers" by Kathleen Edwards

I'll stop now, but could probably go on, and on.    I'm the type of person who always listens to the lyrics of a song.  I'm not afraid to admit that I will sometimes get choked up singing along to a song in the car or at home because I'm so moved by the lyrics.

Cheers,

Daos 

 

Ian Drury was excellent at using a few words to convey an idea:

Had a love affair with Nina
In the back of my Cortina
A seasoned-up hyena
Could not have been more obscener

Madness also had a similar way with lyrics.  Another favourite is Ray Davies, who has a gift for nostalgia.

nick

..."Cat's in the cradle" by Harry Chapin.

You know how it goes.....

 

Cheers,

pplater.

Where's the sense in stealing, without the grace to be it...Ian McCullough (Echo & The Bunnymen)

I've seen this happen in other people's lives, and now it's happening in mine...Morrissey (The Smiths)

If I have to be this lonely, I may as well be alone...Mark Eitzel (American Music Club)

Yearbooks with their autographs
From friends you might have had
These are your important years
You'd better make them last
Falling in and out of love just like...
These are your important years, your life...Bob Mould (Husker Du - "These Important Years")

...and the lyrics from "What is a Juggalo" by Insane Clown Posse.  I won't reprint them here.

No message body

Funny lyrics, though not suitable for reprint here.

I love his oldie "Positively Fourth Street"

     I wish that just for moment

     you could stand in my shoe

     Then you would see what a drag

     It is to be you . . . .

 

There's another part where he sings " . . .you just want to be on the side that's winning . . . "

but I'll add one that I think is flourishly descriptive, I admit to running with a few girls like this


"For You", Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band, __Greetings From Asbury Park, N.J.__

Princess cards she sends me with her regards
barroom eyes shine vacancy, to see her you gotta look hard
Wounded deep in battle, I stand stuffed like some soldier undaunted
To her Cheshire smile. I'll stand on file, she's all I ever wanted.
But you let your blue walls get in the way of these facts
honey, get your carpetbaggers off my back
you wouldn't even give me time to cover my tracks.
You said, "Here's your mirror and your ball and jacks".
But they're not what I came for, and I'm sure you see that too
I came for you, for you, I came for you, but you did not need my urgency
I came for you, for you, I came for you, but your life was one long emergency
and your cloud line urges me, and my electric surges free

Crawl into my ambulance, your pulse is getting weak
reveal yourself all now to me girl while you've got the strength to speak
Cause they're waiting for you at Bellevue with their oxygen masks
But I could give it all to you now if only you could ask.
And don't call for your surgeon even he says it's too late
It's not your lungs this time, it's your heart that holds your fate
Don't give me money, honey, I don't want it back
you and your pony face and your union jack
well take your local joker and teach him how to act
I swear I was never that way even when I really cracked
Didn't you think I knew that you were born with the power of a locomotive
able to leap tall buildings in a single bound?
And your Chelsea suicide with no apparent motive
you could laugh and cry in a single sound.

And your strength is devastating in the face of all these odds
Remember how I kept you waiting when it was my turn to be the god?

You were not quite half so proud when I found you broken on the beach
Remember how I poured salt on your tongue and hung just out of reach
And the band they played the homecoming theme as I caressed your cheek
That ragged, jagged melody she still clings to me like a leech.
But that medal you wore on your chest always got in the way
like a little girl with a trophy so soft to buy her way
We were both hitchhikers but you had your ear tuned to the roar
of some metal-tempered engine on an alien, distant shore
So you, left to find a better reason than the one we were living for
and it's not that nursery mouth I came back for
It's not the way you're stretched out on the floor
cause I've broken all your windows and I've rammed through all your doors
And who am I to ask you to lick my sores?
And you should know that's true...
I came for you, for you, I came for you, but you did not need my urgency
I came for you, for you, I came for you, but your life was one long emergency
and your cloud line urges me, and my electric surges free



And another meaningful gem from a rough bunch of rockers
"Yesterdays", Guns n' Roses, __Use Your Illusion II__

Yesterday, there was so many things
I was never told
Now that I'm startin' to learn
I feel I'm growing old

'Cause yesterday's got nothin' for me
Old pictures that I'll always see
Time just fades the pages
In my book of memories
Prayers in my pocket
And no hand in destiny
I'll keep on movin' along
With no time to plant my feet

'Cause yesterday's got nothin' for me
Old pictures that I'll always see
Some things could be better
If we'd all just let them be

Yesterday, there was so many things
I was never shown
Suddenly this time I found
I'm on the streets and I'm all alone

Yesterday's got nothin' for me
Old pictures that I'll always see
I ain't got time to reminisce old novelties

Shake dreams from your hair
My pretty child, my sweet one.
Choose the day and choose the sign of your day
The day's divinity
First thing you see.

A vast radiant beach in a cool jeweled moon
Couples naked race down by it's quiet side
And we laugh like soft, mad children
Smug in the wooly cotton brains of infancy
The music and voices are all around us.
Choose they croon the Ancient Ones
The time has come again
Choose now, they croon
Beneath the moon
Beside an ancient lake
Enter again the sweet forest
Enter the hot dream
Come with us
Everything is broken up and dances.

Damian

That's a brilliant lyric line, Damian.

Spine tingling really, when read as a poem.

Thanks for reminding us ...

Andrew

Franks says:

Do Be Do Be Do

That sums it up!