music game What are your favorite lyrics?

[BillD 239]

The one that always tears me up is "The Pretender" by Jackson Browne

 

I'm going to rent myself a house
In the shade of the freeway
I'm going to pack my lunch in the morning
And go to work each day
And when the evening rolls around
I'll go on home and lay my body down
And when the morning light comes streaming in
I'll get up and do it again
Amen
Say it again
Amen

I want to know what became of the changes
We waited for love to bring
Were they only the fitful dreams
Of some greater awakening
I've been aware of the time going by
They say in the end it's the wink of an eye
And when the morning light comes streaming in
You'll get up and do it again
Amen

Caught between the longing for love
And the struggle for the legal tender
Where the sirens sing and the church bells ring
And the junk man pounds his fender
Where the veterans dream of the fight
Fast asleep at the traffic light
And the children solemnly wait
For the ice cream vendor
Out into the cool of the evening
Strolls the Pretender
He knows that all his hopes and dreams
Begin and end there

Ah the laughter of the lovers
As they run through the night
Leaving nothing for the others
But to choose off and fight
And tear at the world with all their might
While the ships bearing their dreams
Sail out of sight

I'm going to find myself a girl
Who can show me what laughter means
And we'll fill in the missing colors
In each other's paint-by-number dreams
And then we'll put out dark glasses on
And we'll make love until our strength is gone
And when the morning light comes streaming in
We'll get up and do it again
Get it up again

I'm going to be a happy idiot
And struggle for the legal tender
Where the ads take aim and lay their claim
To the heart and the soul of the spender
And believe in whatever may lie
In those things that money can buy
Thought true love could have been a contender
Are you there?
Say a prayer for the Pretender
Who started out so young and strong

Only to surrender 

[weitrhino 1,426]

I've never been a lyrics or vocals kind of listener preferring to hear great instrumentation, music construction, tonality, etc.  I like the drama in music far more than any "message" the musician may be intending.  That said, I've been listening to a lot of Freak Kitchen lately. (my gawd they are good! )  One of the tunes that instantly caught my attention is one called

.

 

I'm also impressed how IA's impossible guitar solo plays into the lyrics as if delivering the focus of the message. Stunning musicianship and creativity.

 

 

That junkie logic is bound to fail

We've heard it all before

You defend yourself with tooth and nail

But never fight the downward spiral war

 

Here we go again 

 

 (chorus)

When everything is said and everything is done

One could always suck the barrel of a gun

Get your shit together, beat that rotten past

There's no way your starving soul would ever last

(another) Heroin Breakfast 

 

Every time you're getting back on track

And at least feel semi-well

You take a colorful little something

With side effects from Hell

Hell!

 

Here we go again

 

  (chorus)

When everything is said and everything is done

One could always suck the barrel of a gun

Get your shit together, beat that rotten past

There's no way your starving soul would ever last

(another) Heroin Breakfast 

 

 (chorus repeat) 

[zumbini 6,141]

I agree with Rodney. I was always more into the music as opposed to the lyrics.

One major exception was Steely Dan. They really knew how to turn a phase.

(Anybody that names their band after a strap-on dildo and get's away with it is OK in my book!)

 

KID CHARLEMAGNE

 

While the music played you worked by candlelight

Those San Francisco nights

You were the best in town

Just by chance you crossed the diamond with the pearl

You turned it on the world

That's when you turned the world around

Did you feel like Jesus

Did you realize

That you were a champion in their eyes

On the hill the stuff was laced with kerosene

But yours was kitchen clean

Everyone stopped to stare at your technicolor motor home

Every A-Frame had your number on the wall

You must have had it all

You'd go to L.A. on a dare

And you'd go it alone

Could you live forever

Could you see the day

Could you feel your whole world fall apart and fade away

CHORUS:

Get along, get along Kid Charlemagne

Get along Kid Charlemagne

Now your patrons have all left you in the red

Your low rent friends are dead

This life can be very strange

All those dayglow freaks who used to paint the face

They've joined the human race

Some things will never change

Son you were mistaken

You are obsolete

Look at all the white men on the street

CHORUS

Clean this mess up else we'll all end up in jail

Those test tubes and the scale

Just get them all out of here

Is there gas in the car

Yes, there's gas in the car

I think the people down the hall

Know who you are

Careful what you carry

'Cause the man is wise

You are still an outlaw in their eyes

CHORUS

[RichP714 3,156]

From Oingo Boingo "New Generation"

 

NOTE: with sonic Hologrphay the follwoing lyrics are whispered into your ear (if set-up correctly)

 

From the man whose voice sounds reassuring
Completely firm and so alluring, Like's he's lived a thousand times before
And seen the world from shore to shore
With the calmness and tranquility that oozes credibility
With the wisdom and the confidence that seem to scream out common sense
And it makes you feel just like a babe
Daddy holding you tight and safe
Hush babe everything's all right, Daddy's gonna stay with you tonight
Now he's got you by the balls, he can sell you anything at all
From morality to diamond rings to genocide to magazines
From religion to cosmology to the end of a democracy

[PDR 1,192]

A little PDR history for you.......sorry to bore you.

 

Like a lot of you here I grew up in the seventies, that was a different time for music, there didnt seem to be all the

lines drawn in the sand back then, at least not where I grew up in northern Canada.

It was ok to listen to a lot of different types of music.....I remember listening to Waylon Jennings. the Tubes and Pink Floyd all on the same ride home from work. The exceptions were disco and country.....those were a no no.

The biggest shock probably came from watching Elvis Costello in  1977......he was backed by a band called the Bare naked Ladies....not the band your thinking of.....punk was surreal back then for me.

I was involved with a band ...a garage rock band that had a bit of success with a competition that was held on the local rock radio station. They took submissions from local bands, picked the ten best, and they cut an album. We were lucky......ours was the most popular and we received quite a bit of air play.....another song was recorded.....and that also recieved airplay. That was

the best 6 months of my youth. So what was my role in the band?.....not what you would of expected.....I was the song writer.

I play many instruments.....unfortunatly they are more suited to classical than to a rock band. But I started writing lyrics and playing guitar when I was about 13 yrs old.....it has always been a passion of mine....and though for many yrs now I havnt put a song to paper, I always considered myself a better song writer than a musician.

 

So heres the weird thing...I also dont pay much attention to lyrics in music.....I never did. It was always the music itself that caught my attention.....there are a few exceptions.

This one will date me......Neil Youngs "Old Man"......I always thought this was one of the most beautifully written songs...the guitar playing is so uncomplicated......yet fit the words so well....I always thought this song to be a masterpiece. I was lucky as my first wife bought me tickets to see Neil and Crazyhorse perform.....one week after my 24th birthday......I remember the crowd rocking back and forth to that tune.....amazing....

 

So for what its worth.....this is one of my favs in the lyrics dept.

 

[TNRabbit 370]

Quote

A little PDR history for you............Neil Youngs "Old Man"......I always thought this was one of the most beautifully written songs...the guitar playing is so uncomplicated......yet fit the words so well....I always thought this song to be a masterpiece. I was lucky as my first wife bought me tickets to see Neil and Crazyhorse perform.....one week after my 24th birthday......I remember the crowd rocking back and forth to that tune.....amazing....

 

So for what its worth.....this is one of my favs in the lyrics dept.

 

 

 

[PDR 1,192]

Thanks Gary.......I did enjoy that...

[oldtexasdog 2,390]

Me thanks too Got out my guitar and played along.

[TNRabbit 370]

Weird Al Yankovic

 

Jerry Springer (Parody Of "One Week" By BareNaked Ladies)

 

Songwriters: Alfred Yankovic,Matthew Robertson

 

It's been one week since we got to see

Cheatin' lovers and cousins that marry

Five days since they had the show

With the hermaphrodite, the slut, and the crack ho

Three days since we heard the tale

About the guy who learned his woman was a she-male

Yesterday it occurred to me

That I've been watchin' a bit too much Jerry Springer

 

Holy cow, d'you see it last week?

Well, they had this one freak

Who sucker-punched his whole family

Do you recall when the brawl

Became a total free-for-all

And Jerry's in the middle tryin' to be the referee

Hey, see the stripper with the implants

She likes to lap dance

And date the boyfriend of her mother

Now here come's Jerry's next guest

And it's a slugfest

'Cause it's her trailer trash brother

Nymphomaniac is back on crack

It's like "When Animals Attack"

They all exhibit reprehensible behavior

Hit 'em in the nose, tear off their clothes

Step on their toes, that's how it goes

They get so violent they have to sign a waiver

 

They're always swearin', cursin', kickin' butt, and pointin' blame

On the air? They don't care, they've got no shame

There was one guy who I'm sure felt a little strange

When he found out that his wife had a sex change

They have a tendency to scream and yell constantly

They have a history of ripping off their shirts

 

It's been one week since they had the fight

With the Siamese twins and the transvestite

Five days since that awful brawl

They still haven't got the blood off the wall

It's been three days since the bitter fued

Between the KKK and that gay Jewish black dude

Yesterday, finally dawned on me

I'm spendin' way too much time on that Jerry Springer

 

Guy Guest : Baby, I've been sleepin' with your sister

Gal Guest : Oh? Well, which one?

Guy Guest : All of them

Gal Guest : Oh! Well, I've been sleepin' with your best friend Jake!

Guy Guest : Yah? Well, well me too!

Gal Guest : Oh!

Guy Guest : And I've sleepin' with your dog Woofie!

(barking)

Gal Guest : Woofie, you b-tch!

Gal Guest : Well, I'm also sleepin' with your pet goat!

(baaahhing)

Guy Guest : That goat doesn't love you!

 

Once you start watchin', there's just no stoppin'

Your brain shuts down, then your IQ's droppin'

Jerry's the king of confrontation

He's a sensation

He puts the 'sin' in syndication

It's totally worthless, like a bad check

It's like a train wreck

Don't wanna stare but you can't look away

Like Sally Jesse he does talk shows

But with more weirdos

The ratings jumpin' higher everyday

If you've seen the show, well then you know

It's just as low as you can go

The guests are tacky and they're lacking in their hygiene

And pretty soon some ugly goon

Comes in the room and then it's BOOM

In the face of some unsuspecting drag queen

 

Well it's the kind of show where people scream obscenities

Yankin' hair, throwin' chairs at their hubbies

"Jerry! Jerry!" Now the crowd starts their favorite chant

Should I turn off my TV? I just can't

I have a tendency to watch it religiously

I have a history of taping each one

 

It's been one week since the show about

Psycho killers with problems they should work out

Five days since the big surprise

When some loser's wife said she's still dating twenty guys

Three days since he interviewed

A bunch of psychic porn star midgets who were all nude

Yesterday, it occurred to me

That I've been watchin' a bit too much Jerry Springer

Tired of wastin' my time on that Jerry Springer

I've got way too much class to watch Jerry Springer

Come over here and pull on my finger

 

 

 

Jerry Springer is the fifth (5th) song on the "Running With Scissors" album. It is a parody of "One Week" by Barenaked Ladies with original lyrics by "Weird Al" Yankovic.

[weitrhino 1,426]

Of course, the Beatles said it all with Piggies, indicting corporations and governments all at the same time.

 

Have you seen the little piggies

Crawling in the dirt

And for all the little piggies

Life is getting worse

Always having dirt to play around in.

 

Have you seen the bigger piggies

In their starched white shirts

You will find the bigger piggies

Stirring up the dirt

Always have clean shirts to play around in.

 

In their sties with all their backing

They don't care what goes on around

In their eyes there's something lacking

What they need's a damn good whacking.

 

Everywhere there's lots of piggies

Living piggy lives

You can see them out for dinner

With their piggy wives

Clutching forks and knives to eat their bacon.

 

*"one more time"

[Daddyjt 8,747]

Cat's In The Cradle, by Harry Chapin- So eloquint and yet so simple.  Really makes me slow down and spend time with my kids.

 

My child arrived just the other day
He came to the world in the usual way
But there were planes to catch and bills to pay
He learned to walk while I was away
And he was talkin' 'fore I knew it, and as he grew
He'd say "I'm gonna be like you dad
You know I'm gonna be like you"

And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the man on the moon
When you comin' home dad?
I don't know when, but we'll get together then son
You know we'll have a good time then

My son turned ten just the other day
He said, "Thanks for the ball, Dad, come on let's play
Can you teach me to throw", I said "Not today
I got a lot to do", he said, "That's ok"
And he walked away but his smile never dimmed
And said, "I'm gonna be like him, yeah
You know I'm gonna be like him"

And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the man on the moon
When you comin' home son?
I don't know when, but we'll get together then son
You know we'll have a good time then

Well, he came home from college just the other day
So much like a man I just had to say
"Son, I'm proud of you, can you sit for a while?"
He shook his head and said with a smile
"What I'd really like, Dad, is to borrow the car keys
See you later, can I have them please?"

And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the man on the moon
When you comin' home son?
I don't know when, but we'll get together then son
You know we'll have a good time then

I've long since retired, my son's moved away
I called him up just the other day
I said, "I'd like to see you if you don't mind"
He said, "I'd love to, Dad, if I can find the time
You see my new job's a hassle and kids have the flu
But it's sure nice talking to you, Dad
It's been sure nice talking to you"

And as I hung up the phone it occurred to me
He'd grown up just like me
My boy was just like me

And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the man on the moon
When you comin' home son?
I don't know when, but we'll get together then son
You know we'll have a good time then

[B-Man 4,763]

Queensrÿche - Another Rainy Night (Without You)

 

Don't slam the door, on your way out.

Don't leave without saying goodbye.
Another long distance night alone,
you leave me wanting, always leave me wanting more.

Last word today, you coming home to stay?

Wouldn't that be nice, for a while?

 

But now my take-out food is growing cold.

And the candle's burned a hole in the floor.
And I'm still waiting for the ring of the phone.

 

I'm all alone,

It's just another rainy night, without you.
Guess I'll leave a light on for you.
It's just another rainy night, without you.

 

Listen.

There's a foghorn blowing,

from the coast tonight.
Remember making love in the rain?
Strange how laughter looks like crying with no sound.
Raindrops taste like tears, without the pain.

I'm not much without you, I can't leave if I wanted to.

Maybe that's why you stay around ?

 

But tonight I'll sit here tending the fire,

and pace the floor one hundred times in an hour.
And check the voice-mail for a message you've called.

 

I'm all alone.

It's just another rainy night, without you.
Waiting by the phone, all alone.
It's just another rainy night, without you.
Guess I'll leave a light on for you.

 

I know I've said it before,

I hate the sound of the closing door
and your footsteps walking away.
(solo)

 

But now my take-out food is growing cold.

And the candle's burned a hole in the floor.
And I'm still waiting for the ring of the phone.

 

I'm all alone,

It's just another rainy night, without you.
Waiting by the phone, all alone.
And it's another rainy night, without you.
Guess I'll leave a light on for you.
It's just another rainy night, another rainy night,
another rainy night without you.

[Gene C 1,745]

 

John Lennon

 

"Imagine"

Imagine there's no heaven
It's easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us only sky
Imagine all the people
Living for today...

Imagine there's no countries
It isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine all the people
Living life in peace...

You may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will be as one

Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man
Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world...

You may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will live as one

 

 

 

[Schurkey 138]

Sammy Hagar:

 

I can't drive...Fifty Five.

 

 

[Ratamahatta 425]

There is no pain like that of desireIs there no difference between women and fire?One burns the spirit, the other the flesh

Is sex worth the price of certain death?

 

 

[Gene C 1,745]

 

"Comfortably Numb"

Hello,
Is there anybody in there
Just nod if you can hear me
Is there anyone at home
Come on now
I hear you're feeling down
I can ease your pain
And get you on your feet again
Relax
I'll need some information first
Just the basic facts
Can you show me where it hurts

There is no pain, you are receding
A distant ship smoke on the horizon
You are only coming through in waves
Your lips move but I can't hear what you're saying
When I was a child I had a fever
My hands felt just like two balloons
Now I've got that feeling once again
I can't explain, you would not understand
This is not how I am
I have become comfortably numb

O.K.
Just a little pin prick
There'll be no more aaaaaaaah!
But you may feel a little sick
Can you stand up?
I do believe it's working, good
That'll keep you going through the show
Come on it's time to go.

There is no pain you are receding
A distant ship smoke on the horizon
You are only coming through in waves
Your lips move but I can't hear what you're saying
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 is grown
The dream is gone
And I have become
Comfortably numb.

 

 

 

 

 

[Retriever 1,085]

Eagles Get Over It

 

Like find your inner child and kick it's little ass!

[PDR 1,192]

The Lemon song.......Zep

 

I use to drive my parents crazy with that song......I still use it to do the same to my wife. 

[Gene C 1,745]

Quote

The Lemon song.......Zep

I use to drive my parents crazy with that song......I still use it to do the same to my wife. 

 

LOL! Said, people worry I can't keep you satisfied. Let me tell you baby, you ain't nothin but a two-bit, no-good jive.

[dcl 3,228]

Capt. Beefheart' wrecked my teenage mind: 

Old Fart At Play

 

Pappy with the Khaki sweatband

Bowed goat potbellied barnyard that only he noticed

The old fart was smart

The old gold cloth madonna

Dancin' t' the fiddle 'n saw

He ran down behind the knoll

'n slipped on his wooden fishhead

The mouth worked 'n snapped all the bees

Back t' the bungalow 

Momma was flatten'n lard

With her red enamel rollin' pin

When the fishhead broke the window

Rubber eye erect 'n precisely detailed

Airholes from which breath should come

Is now closely fit

With the chatter of the old fart inside 

An assortment of observations took place

Momma licked 'er lips like uh cat

Pecked the ground like uh rooster

Pivoted like uh duck

Her stockings down caught dust 'n doughballs

She cracked 'er mouth glaze caught one eyelash

Rubbed 'er hands on 'er gorgeous gingham

Her hand grasped sticky metal intricate latchwork

Open t' the room uh smell cold mixed with bologna

Rubber bands crumpled wax paper bonnets

Fat goose legs 'n special jellies

Ignited by the warmth of the room

The old fart smelled this thru his important breather holes

Cleverly he dialed from within from the outside we observed

That the nose of the wooden mask

Where the holes had just been uh moment ago

Was now smooth amazingly blended camouflaged in

With the very intricate rainbow trout replica 

The old fart inside was now breathin' freely

From his perfume bottle atomizer air bulb invention 

His excited eyes from within the dark interior glazed;

watered in appreciation of his thoughtful preparation. 

[xavionics 1,583]

This little nugget was hidden in the back of the 'Songs From The Daily Planet' CD 

 

Talkin' Seattle Grunge Rock Blues

Songwriters: TODD SNIDER

 

(chorus)

hey, hey, my, my
rock and roll will never die
hang your hair down in your eye
you'll make a million dollars

well i was in this band goin' nowhere fast
we sent out demos but everybody passed
so one day we finally took the plunge
moved out to seattle to play some grunge
washington state that is
space needle
eddie vedder
mudhoney

now to fit in fast we wear flannel shirts
we turn our amps up until it hurts
we've got bad attitudes and what's more
when we play we stare straight down at the floor
wowee
pretty scary
how pensive
how totally alternative

now to fit in on the seattle scene
you've gotta do somethin' they ain't never seen
so thinkin' up a gimmick one day
we decided to be the only band that wouldn't play a note
under any circumstances
silence
music's original alternative
root's grunge

well we spread the word through the underground
that we were the hottest new thing in town
the record guy came out to see us one day
and just like always we didn't play
it knocked him out
he said he loved our work
he said he loved our work but he wasn't sure if he could sell a record
with nothing on it
i said tell 'em we're from seattle
he advanced us two and a half million dollars

(chorus)

well they made us do a video but that wasn't tough
'cuz we just filmed ourselves smashin' stuff
it was kinda weird 'cuz there was no music
but mtv said they'd love to use it

the kids went wild, the kids went nuts
rolling stone gave us a five-star review said we played with guts
we're scorin' chicks, takin' drugs
then we got asked to play mtv unplugged
you should have seen it
we went right out there and refused to do acoustical versions of the
electrical songs we had refused to record in the first place
then we smashed our shit

well we blew 'em away at the grammy's show
by refusing to play and refusing to go
and then just when we thought fame would last forever
along come this band that wasn't even together
now that's alternative
now that's alternative to alternative
i feel stupid
and contagious

well our band got dropped and that ain't funny
'cuz we're all hooked on drugs but we're outta money
so the other day i called up the band
i said boys i've taken all i can
shave off your goatees
pack the van
we're goin' back to athens

[Gene C 1,745]

Band On The Run

 

 

Stuck inside these four walls, sent inside forever,
Never seeing no one nice again like you,
Mama you, mama you.
If I ever get out of here,
Thought of giving it all away
To a registered charity.
All I need is a pint a day
If I ever get out of here.

Well, the rain exploded with a mighty crash as we fell into the sun,
And the first one said to the second one there I hope you're having fun.
Band on the run, band on the run.
And the jailer man and sailor sam were searching every one

For the band on the run, band on the run, band on the run, band on the run

Well, the undertaker drew a heavy sigh seeing no one else had come,
And a bell was ringing in the village square for the rabbits on the run.
Band on the run, band on the run.
And the jailer man and sailor sam, were searching every one

For the band on the run, band on the run,band on the run, band on the run

Well, the night was falling as the desert world began to settle down.
In the town they're searching for us every where, but we never w I'll be found.
Band on the run, band on the run

And the county judge, who held a grudge
Will search for evermore
For the band on the run, band on the run, band on the run, band on the run

 

 

 

 

[RonW. 41]

Skynyrd's:

Whiskey bottles, brand new car

Oak tree in my way....

 

Classic!

[BluesMan57 1,330]

Muddy Waters - Champagne And Reefer

 

Yeah bring me champagne when I'm thirsty.
Bring me reefer when I want to get high.
Yeah bring me champagne when I'm thirsty.
Bring me reefer when I  want to get high.
Well you know when I'm lonely
Bring my woman set her  right down here by my side.
Well you know there should be no law
on  people that want to smoke a little dope.
Well you know there should be no  law
on people that want to smoke a little dope.
Well you know it's good  for your head
And it relax your body don't you know.

Everytime I get  high
I lay my head down on my baby's breast.
Well you know I lay down be  quiet
Tryin' to take my rest.
Well you know she done hug and kiss me
Says Muddy your one man that I love the best.

I'm gonna get high
Gonna get high just as sure as you know my name.
Y'know I'm gonna get so  high this morning
It's going to be a cryin' shame.
Well you know I'm  gonna stick with my reefer
Ain't gonna be messin' round with no cocaine.

[xavionics 1,583]

Jimmy Buffett

A Pirate Looks at Forty

Mother, mother ocean, 

I have heard you call,

Wanted to sail upon your waters 

since I was three feet tall. You've seen it all, 

You've seen it all. 

 

Watched the men who rode you, 

Switch from sails to steam.

And in your belly you hold the treasure

That few have ever seen, Most of them dreams,

Most of them dreams.

 

Yes, I am a pirate

Two hundred years too late.

The cannons don't thunder there's nothin' to plunder

I'm an over forty victim of fate; arriving too late

Arriving too late.

 

I've done a bit of smugglin'

I've run my share of grass.

I made enough money to buy Miami,

But I pissed it away so fast, Never meant to last,

Never meant to last.

 

I have been drunk now for over two weeks, 

I passed out and I rallied and I sprung a few leaks,

but I've got to stop wishin', got to go fishin'

I'm down to rock bottom again. Just a few friends,

Just a few friends.

 

I go for younger women,

Lived with several awhile,

And though I ran away, They'll come back one day.

And still I can manage a smile

It just takes awhile, just takes awhile.

 

Mother mother ocean, 

after all these years I've found

My occupational hazard being 

my occupation's just not around

I feel like I've drowned, gonna head uptown.