Lyrics that you think are great.

[Mudcat]

<font color='#000000'>I'm surprised nobody has mentioned Jim Morrison and &quot;When the Musics Over&quot;. &nbsp;Even if you are not a Doors fan (or remember Apocolypse Now) those lyrics really cut through. &nbsp;Most of stuff today is more about profit than message. &nbsp;Just as a lot of old stuff has &quot;too much message&quot;. &nbsp;And listening to a song performed live may hold more meaning than one just listened to on a disc. &nbsp;Be that as it may, Bruce Springsteens Lost in the Flood (heard live) and The Who's Won't Get Fooled Again (live), and Pink Floyds The Wall (all songs - also heard live) all raise the hair on my neck.</font>

 

[stiletto pat]

<font color='#000000'>Okay, let's shift gears for you old timers. &nbsp;From the Tubes 1st album, listen to &quot;What to you want from life&quot;. &nbsp;Besides being outrageously funny, it can also cause one to comtemplate exactly what it is that we're living for. &nbsp;Mind you, it's not Pink Floyd caliber thought, but humorous thought, nevertheless.

Pat

</font>

 

[Unregistered]

Deck's verse on Triumph

I bomb atomically
Socrates' philosophies and hypotheses
Can't define how I be droppin' these
Mockeries
Lyrically perform armed robbery
Flee with the lottery
Possibly they spotted me.

And GZA's opening on "Duel of the Iron Mic"
Picture bloodbaths
and elevator shafts
like these murderous rhymes tight from genuine craft

 

[joelincoln]

Many songs by Billy Joel have great lyrics...
Angry Young Man
Lullabye
Captain Jack
Miami 2017
And So It Goes



And then there's early Genesis (from the '70s).

 

[Hawkeye]

"Did you ever wonder why we had to run for shelter when the
promise of a brave new world unfurled beneath a clear blue
sky?" - Roger Waters song - 'Goodbye Blue Sky' from "The Wall"

"Hey bartender over here
Two more shots
And two more beers
Sir turn up the TV sound
The war has started on the ground
Just love those laser guided bombs
They're really great
For righting wrongs
You hit the target
And win the game
From bars 3,000 miles away
3,000 miles away
We play the game
With the bravery of being out of range
We zap and maim
With the bravery of being out of range
We strafe the train
With the bravery of being out of range
We gain terrain
With the bravery of being out of range.."
Roger Waters - 'Bravery of Being Out of Range' from "Amused to Death" cd. Comparing today's military technology to a video game, (and in the process de-humanizing it).


"There are unsmiling faces and bright plastic chains
And a wheel in perpetual motion
And they follow the races and pay out the gains
With no show of an outward emotion..."

"There's a sign in the desert that lies to the west
Where you can't tell the night from the sunrise
And not all the king's horses and all the king's men
Have prevented the fall of the unwise..."
-Eric Woolfson (of The Alan Parsons Project) from "Turn of a Friendly Card
part I" from the cd of the same name.
* This has recently been released in HDAD format - DVD-A stereo only.

 

[Hawkeye]

<font color='#000000'>Here is another song I think is borders on genius. Most Pink Floyd songs were poetic and well written but this one is special. The song is about communication and it starts off with the voice of one of those speak and spell toys which symbolizes talk and language, then it goes on with the male singing one part and the female vocals singing the other part. </font>

That "speak and spell" voice is that of Dr. Stephen Hawking - one of the world's leading theoretical physicists. He is one of the most brilliant, brilliant minds of the last century, or any century for that matter. He's trapped in a body, slowing decaying due to ALS, (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, more commonly known as Lou Gerihg's Disease).

I believe I read somewhere that his part in the song was lifted from an advertisement he was involved with for British telecommunications - not sure though.

 

[spenny]

Lamb: Gorecki.

if i should die, this very moment.
i wouldn't fear.
for i've, never known completeness
like, being here
wrapped in the warmth of you
loving every breath of you
stole my heart this moment
oh it might burn
could we stay right here
till the end of time
till the earth stops turning
will i love you
till the seas run dry

i've found the one
i've, waited for

all this time i loved you
and never known your face
all this time i've missed you
and searched, this human race
here is true peace
here my heart knows calm
safe in your soul
bathed in your sighs

wanna stay right here
till the earth stops turning
gonna love you
till the seas run dry
i've found the one
i've waited for
the one
i've waited for

all i've known
all i've done
all i've felt
was laid into this

all i've known
all i've done
all i've felt
was laid into this

 

[Polkfan]

One of my all time favorites from Blondie:

"Rapture (Original Promo Single Version)"

Toe to toe
Dancing very slow
Barely breathing
Almost comatose
Wall to wall
People hypnotized
And they're stepping lightly
Hang each night in Rapture

Back to back
Sacrailiac
Spinless movement
And a wild attack

Face to face
Sadly solitude
And it's finger popping
Twenty-four hour shopping in Rapture

Fab Five Freddie told me everybody's high
DJ's spinnin' are savin' my mind
Flash is fast, Flash is cool
Francois sez fas, Flashe' no do
And you don't stop, sure shot
Go out to the parking lot
And you get in your car and you drive real far
And you drive all night and then you see a light
And it comes right down and lands on the ground
And out comes a man from Mars
And you try to run but he's got a gun
And he shoots you dead and he eats your head
And then you're in the man from Mars
You go out at night, eatin' cars
You eat Cadillacs, Lincolns too
Mercurys and Subarus
And you don't stop, you keep on eatin' cars
Then, when there's no more cars
You go out at night and eat up bars where the people meet
Face to face, dance cheek to cheek
One to one, man to man
Dance toe to toe
Don't move to slow, 'cause the man from Mars
Is through with cars, he's eatin' bars
Yeah, wall to wall, door to door, hall to hall
He's gonna eat 'em all
Rapture, be pure
Take a tour, through the sewer
Don't strain your brain, paint a train
You'll be singin' in the rain
I said don't stop, do punk rock

Man to man, body muscular
Sismic decibel by the jugular
Wall to wall, tea time technology and a digital ladder
No sign of bad luck in rapture

Well now you see what you wanna be
Just have your party on TV
'Cause the man from Mars won't eat up bars when the TV's on
And now he's gone back up to space
Where he won't have a hassle with the human race
And you hip-hop, and you don't stop
Just blast off, sure shot
'Cause the man from Mars stopped eatin' cars and eatin' bars
And now he only eats guitars, get up!

 

[pearljamfan]

Anything by Alanis Morissete is usually amazing. If you've heard Unsent, you know what I'm talking about - It literally takes prose and creates a song out of it!!! "That I would be Good" is an epic of a song. Or "No Pressure Over Cappucino" where she sings,

"You May Never Be or Have a Husband,
You May Never Have or Hold a Child,
You Will Learn to Lose Everything,
We are temporary Arrangements "

Ed Vedder from Pearl Jam consistently writes great songs (forget Bugs and Hey Foxymophandlemama...!) If you heard "I am Mine" from Riot Act, just the one line, "I know I was born and I know that I will die, the in between is mine. I am Mine!" is enough to let you know how great Pearl Jam's lyrics are.

P.S. I know a guy who thinks the greatest lyrics ever are, "Alice..Alice..who the f*** is Alice?"

 

[spenny]

once divided
nothing left to subract
some words when spoken
can't be taken back
walks on his own
with thoughts he can't help thinking
future's above
but in the past he's slow and sinking

caught a bolt of lightning
cursed the day he let it go
nothingman
nothingham
isn't it something
nothingman
...

 

[pearljamfan]

Nothingman is one of my absolute favorites...Excellent Choice!

 

[surveyor]

Bob Dylan

Your dady he's an outlaw
And a wanderer by trade
He'll teach you how to pick and choose
And how to throw the blade
He oversees his kingdom
So no stranger does intrude
His voice it trembles as he calls out for you
Another plate of food

One more cup of coffee for the road
One more cup of coffee 'fore I go
To the valley below

Dylan is the man!!

 

[spenny]

the Stripes did a cover of that and I must say that it is very, very good.
Dylan's stuff is everywhere isn't it? Everyone sooner or later ends-up covering at least one of his songs in the end.


Your breath is sweet and weak your eyes are like
the jewels in the sky
your back is straight, your hair is smooth
on the pillow, as you lie
but i don't sense affection
no gratitude, no love
you're loyalty is not to me
but, to the stars above...

 

[JoeE SP9]

It's very clear, our love is here to stay
Not for a year but ever and a day
Although the Rockies may tumble
Gibraltor may crumble
They're only made of clay
But, our love is here to stay

If those aren't great lyrics, I don't know what is.

I think I'll play Jacintha Here's to Ben Groove Note GRV1001-2.
Great sounding recording done live in the studio. Tremendous soundstage and sonics. She has a wonderful voice. The musicians are not slouches either. What Jazz singing is all about.

 

[zipper]

Have always loved this song by Rush:


The Spirit of Radio

Begin the day with a friendly voice,
A companion unobtrusive
Plays the song that's so elusive
And the magic music makes your morning mood.

Off on your way, hit the open road,
There is magic at your fingers
For the Spirit ever lingers,
Undemanding contact in your happy solitude.


Invisible airwaves crackle with life
Bright antennae bristle with the energy
Emotional feedback on timeless wavelength
Bearing a gift beyond price, almost free

All this machinery making modern music
Can still be open-hearted.
Not so coldly charted
It's really just a question of your honesty, yeah,
Your honesty.
One likes to believe in the freedom of music,
But glittering prizes and endless compromises
Shatter the illusion of integrity.


For the words of the profits were written on the studio wall,
Concert hall
And echoes with the sounds of salesmen.

 

[bodhisattva]

PRETZEL LOGIC

I would love to tour the Southland
In a travelling minstrel show
Yes I'd love to tour the Southland
In a traveling minstrel show
Yes I'm dying to be a star and make them laugh
Sound just like a record on the phonograph
Those days are gone forever
Over a long time ago, oh yeah
I have never met Napoleon
But I plan to find the time
I have never met Napoleon
But I plan to find the time
'Cause he looks so fine upon that hill
They tell me he was lonely, he's lonely still
Those days are gone forever
Over a long time ago, oh yeah

I stepped up on the platform
The man gave me the news
He said, You must be joking son
Where did you get those shoes?
Where did you get those shoes?

Well, I've seen 'em on the TV, the movie show
They say the times are changing but I just don't know
These things are gone forever
Over a long time ago, oh yeah

 

[jaxvon]

Deacon Blues - My favorite song off of one of the best albums ever recorded

This is the day
Of the expanding man
That shape is my shade
There where I used to stand
It seems like only yesterday
I gazed through the glass
At ramblers
Wild gamblers
That's all in the past

You call me a fool
You say it's a crazy scheme
This one's for real
I already bought the dream
So useless to ask me why
Throw a kiss and say goodbye
I'll make it this time
I'm ready to cross that fine line

CHORUS:
I'll learn to work the saxophone
I'll play just what I feel
Drink Scotch whisky all night long
And die behind the wheel
They got a name for the winners in the world
I want a name when I lose
They call Alabama the Crimson Tide
Call me Deacon Blues

My back to the wall
A victim of laughing chance
This is for me
The essence of true romance
Sharing the things we know and love
With those of my kind
Libations
Sensations
That stagger the mind

I crawl like a viper
Through these suburban streets
Make love to these women
Languid and bittersweet
I'll rise when the sun goes down
Cover every game in town
A world of my own
I'll make it my home sweet home

CHORUS

This is the night
Of the expanding the man
I take one last drag
As I approach the stand
I cried when I wrote this song
Sue me if I play too long
This brother is free
I'll be what I want to be

CHORUS

 

[RhapsodyInBlack]

Leericks...

peart and the boys from rush haven't received quite enough love on this topic yet,so....i'll add one of my all time (lyrically) favorites from rush...

Witchhunt


The night is black,
Without a moon.
The air is thick and still.

The vigilantes gather on
The lonely torchlit hill.

Features distorted in the flickering light,
The faces are twisted and grotesque.
Silent and stern in the sweltering night,
The mob moves like demons possesed.
Quiet in conscience, calm in their right,
Confident their ways are best.

The righteous rise
With burning eyes
Of hatred and ill-will.

Madmen fed on fear and lies
To beat and burn and kill.

They say there are strangers who threaten us,
In our immigrants and infidels.
They say there is strangeness, too dangerous
In our theatres and bookstore shelves,
That those who know what's best for us
Must rise and save us from ourselves.

Quick to judge,
Quick to anger,
Slow to understand

Ignorance and prejudice
And fear
Walk hand in hand.

this particular song and most of their work is still quite relevent in just about every manner....another reason why they are still to this day the best gift to come out of the great white north !

 

[JohnA]

Just for the fun of it

eBay by Wierd Al

Yeah
A used ... pink bathrobe
A rare ... mint snowglobe
A Smurf ... TV tray
I bought on eBay

My house ... is filled with this crap
Shows up in bubble wrap
Most every day
What I bought on eBay

Tell me why (I need another pet rock)
Tell me why (I got that Alf alarm clock)
Tell me why (I bid on Shatner's old toupee)
They had it on eBay

I'll buy ... your knick-knack
Just check ... my feedback
"A++!" they all say
They love me on eBay

Gonna buy (a slightly-damaged golf bag)
Gonna buy (some Beanie Babies, new with tag)
(From some guy) I've never met in Norway
Found him on eBay

I am the type who is liable to snipe you
With two seconds left to go, whoa
Got Paypal or Visa, what erev'll please
As long as I've got the dough

I'll buy ... your tchotchkes
Sell me ... your watch, please
I'll buy (I'll buy, I'll buy, I'll buy ...)
I'm highest bidder now

(Junk keeps arriving in the mail)
(From that worldwide garage sale) (Dukes Of Hazard ashtray)
(Hey! A Dukes Of Hazard ashtray)
Oh yeah ... (I bought it on eBay)

Wanna buy (a PacMan Fever lunchbox)
Wanna buy (a case on vintage tube socks)
Wanna buy (a Kleenex used by Dr. Dre, Dr. Dre)
(Found it on eBay)

Wanna buy (that Farrah Fawcet poster)
(Pez dispensers and a toaster)
(Don't know why ... the kind of stuff you'd throw away)
(I'll buy on eBay)

What I bought on eBay-y-y-y-y-y-y-y-y-y

 

[GettinDegreez]

Coheed and Cambria - Delerium Trigger

we're now up here alone terror on the intercom can someone save us
systems malfunction blast it this damn machine over and out captain
something lurks creeps on the counter top somewhere behind you
parasitic cyst i can't stand to watch it's coming up and out of your chest

remember when we were young
sit up right on the table a photograph of earth feeding me a way back
frightened i tear alone or maybe not the the only one there
hello... hello when it rings will you answer?
there corner tall short stance
it's you come on kill me!!

you made a good friend to me but while you were outnumbered
and torn you made us do things

oh dear god, i don't feel alive when you're cut short of misery
will you pray it be the end? give a look surprised wide eyes to me
then you'll know just what i am the scare that triggers your fear
come know me in a different light now, come know me as god

you made a good friend to me but while you were outnumbered
and torn you made us do things to you

run sand hourglass its my time will i be worth?
spin 'round carousel when your horse isn't screwed in

oh dear god, i don't feel alive when you're cut short of misery (raise forth lost cause)
will you pray it be the end? give a look surprised wide eyes to me (raise forth lost cause)
then you'll know just what i am (subtle demise the legitimate cry)
the scare that triggers your fear come know me in a different light now
come know me as god (raise forth lost cause)