Favourite lyrics Thread

[The Boss]

First topic message reminder :

Basically, what it says on the tin.

What are your favourite lyrics? The ones that speak to you the most? Or just the ones that you think or effin' great!

1 A rainy night in Soho- The Pogues
"Some of them fell into heaven. Some of them fell into hell" Love Shane McGowan. Just a pity he drank himself to incoherence.

2 Badlands- Bruce Springsteen
"Poor man wanna be rich. Rich man wanna be king. And the King ain't satisfied till he rules everything." Dome of my favourite Springsteen lyrics but not one of my favourite songs.

3 Lyin' eyes- The Eagles
"City girls just seem to find out early how to open doors with just a smile. "
Just the song in general is well written but the opening line is class!

Over to you's anyway or I'll just end ip continuing on with a monologue.

[Galted]

Bruce hornsby and the range...........The way it is............

Well they passed a law in 64
To give those who ain't got a little more
But it only goes so far
Because a law don't change anothers mind
when all it sees at the hiring time
Is the line of the color bar..

That's just the way it is
Some things will never change
That's just the way it is..
Ah but don't you believe them..................

wonderful stuff..

Great song but he ripped off 2pac for that 1.

 
 
 
Would assume you're on a wind-up with that.

[ONETWOFOREVER]

Bruce hornsby and the range...........The way it is............

Well they passed a law in 64
To give those who ain't got a little more
But it only goes so far
Because a law don't change anothers mind
when all it sees at the hiring time
Is the line of the color bar..

That's just the way it is
Some things will never change
That's just the way it is..
Ah but don't you believe them..................

wonderful stuff..

Great song but he ripped off 2pac for that 1.

 
 
 
Would assume you're on a wind-up with that.

No wind up 2pac made a tune called ''changes''. This Hornsby fella stole the chorus and the melody but different lyrics.

[Galted]

Check the dates ONETWO.

[TRUSSMAN66]

tupac must have been 14 when he wrote it..

[The Special Juan]

"Meet the new boss
Same as the old boss"

YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAH!

[Rowley]

Bruce hornsby and the range...........The way it is............

Well they passed a law in 64
To give those who ain't got a little more
But it only goes so far
Because a law don't change anothers mind
when all it sees at the hiring time
Is the line of the color bar..

That's just the way it is
Some things will never change
That's just the way it is..
Ah but don't you believe them..................

wonderful stuff..

Great song but he ripped off 2pac for that 1.

   

[88Chris05]

Not sure why, but I love the line 'She comes out of the sun in a silk dress, running like a watercolour in the rain' by Al Stewart in Year of the Cat. Just always stands out to me.

Father Figure by Geroge Michael, basically every lyric in the song.

I always thought that "She was more like a beauty queen from a movie scene" from Billie Jean is one of the best opening lines ever. Just makes you want to listen from the off.

"Time the magician played a few old tricks on us" by Clifford T Ward. Would only class myself as a moderate fan of his, but great, great lyrics in that one.

'Operator' by Jim Croce....Again, just about the whole song.

'Here, There and Everywhere' by The Beatles.....Again, impossible for me to single out just one line or verse, sorry!

"Good times for a change, see the luck I've had could make a good man turn bad." The Smiths, 'Please please please let me get what I want.'

'Safe Home' by Anthrax has some great lines, too. Again, not a huge fan, more of a on-off one, but I saw them live in 2004 and their performance of this track blew me away. Favourite line in it is probably "I've been places in my head - behind me worse than what's ahead."

Not a massive Jake Bugg fan either, but love 'As Simple as This' and lyrically I think it's the best thing on his album by a country mile.

[Rowley]

Nice to see a shout out for the Smiths Chris. Like Ray Davies or Dylan so hard to pick out the best when they have so many great lyrics. However for me like the opening line to This Charming Man "punctured bicycle on a hillside desolate" Such a different opening for a song. Would also have to praise the whole lot of There is a Light that Never goes out. Brilliant from start to finish.

[TRUSSMAN66]

Good choices Chris............

A song that moves me and reminds me of my youth back home is SOLSBURY HILL by Peter Gabriel..........

Climbing up on Solsbury Hill
I could see the city light
Wind was blowing time stood still
Eagle flew out of the night

"Son" he said "grab your things"
I've come to take you home.....

[Galted]

not sure if this line from Sitting On The Dock Of The Bay qualifies as very good or very bad:

And this loneliness won't leave me alone

[sodhat]

American Pie - Don McLean
All of it is excellent

Hurricane - Bob Dylan
Brilliantly tells a true story, and actually keeps you interested for the full 8 minutes or so...

In terms of contemporary stuff I love Alex Turner's lyrics. Seldom gets bogged down in cliche. Unlike stuff like Beady Eye. Have you heard their songs? I swear Liam Gallagher can't write a song without mentioning "space" or "time" or "light". I'll do the actual research one day.

[Guest]

Bruce hornsby and the range...........The way it is............

Well they passed a law in 64
To give those who ain't got a little more
But it only goes so far
Because a law don't change anothers mind
when all it sees at the hiring time
Is the line of the color bar..

That's just the way it is
Some things will never change
That's just the way it is..
Ah but don't you believe them..................

wonderful stuff..

Great song but he ripped off 2pac for that 1.

   

Jay-Z ripped of Ice-T for "99 problems"..now there's some lyrics for ya...
"I got a ho from the East, got a ho from the west
Got a ho that likes to jack it off and rub it on her chest"

[TRUSSMAN66]

I wouldn't mind a ho like that............she can even drink pints..

[Rowley]

Unlike stuff like Beady Eye. Have you heard their songs? I swear Liam Gallagher can't write a song without mentioning "space" or "time" or "light". I'll do the actual research one day.

Mate lent me their new album. Dear god it was awful. Never thought anything could do this but actually made me nostalgic for late era Oasis. Pains me to agree with Robbie Williams on anything but the odd chorus here or there would not go amiss. Andy Bell needs to leave and reunite Ride. Would make me very happy indeed.

[Mind the windows Tino.]

In terms of contemporary stuff I love Alex Turner's lyrics. Seldom gets bogged down in cliche.

Yeah, I would agree with this, sodhat. I love their newer stuff. I know its not musically 'hip' to like a bands newer material but the Arctic Monkeys most recent stuff is excellent. R U Mine? and Do I Wanna Know? are superb.

"Do you ever get that fear that you can't shift, the type that sticks around like summat in your teeth?"

Only Alex Turner could make "summat in your teeth" sound like a good lyric.

[sodhat]

In terms of contemporary stuff I love Alex Turner's lyrics. Seldom gets bogged down in cliche.

Yeah, I would agree with this, sodhat.  I love their newer stuff.  I know its not musically 'hip' to like a bands newer material but the Arctic Monkeys most recent stuff is excellent.  R U Mine? and Do I Wanna Know? are superb.

"Do you ever get that fear that you can't shift, the type that sticks around like summat in your teeth?"

Only Alex Turner could make "summat in your teeth" sound like a good lyric.

I prefer their newer stuff to the older material too though. Their fourth album is my current favourite, but this fifth one sounds like it's shaping up to be excellent. Why Do You Only Call Me When You're High is another excellent song, brilliantly written. They never stick with a single style musically either, each album is distinct. Best band around right now, for me.

[ONETWOFOREVER]

Love is the answer
and you know that
for sure
love is a flower
you gotta let it
you gotta let it grow

we've all been playing those mind games forever

John Lennon - Mind games

[superflyweight]

Oh, the alcoholic afternoons
When we sat in your rooms
They meant more to me
Than any, than any living thing on earth
They had more worth
Than any living thing on earth
On earth, on earth, oh ...

From These Things Take Time by the Smiths

[JuliusHMarx]

If I was a young and modern guy,
Wouldn't I?
So when did I cease to see the light?
and maybe you were right
Maybe I’m all dried up inside
Maybe I’m not built for these times
Maybe I don’t know how to live

"Why in the World?" - Lloyd Cole

[The Boss]

Love that song Truss.

Frankie lee and Judas Priest by Dylan is also very good!

[TRUSSMAN66]

Dylan's...The story of the hurricane........Is lyrical genius...

[The Boss]

Great song too. Subterranean homesick blues deserves a shout.

[TRUSSMAN66]

He really was a genius...and like most geniuses was flawed.........

Love subterraneon blues too........Certainly influenced the boss...

[JuliusHMarx]

Edna Million in a drop dead suit
Dutch Pink on a downtown train
Two-dollar pistol but the gun won't shoot
I'm in the corner in the pouring rain
Sixteen men on a dead man's chest
And I've been drinking from a broken cup
Two pairs of pants and a mohair vest
I'm full of bourbon, I can't stand up

[Guest]

I am the man from the human chokehold
I am the product of your restraint
I watched the years pass by me
Never once did I complain
Never once did I say "no"
Now I watch myself explode
My body is scarred by age
Now you get to taste my rage

From the wreckage of humiliation
I got myself respewct
I pulled myself together
What the hell did you expect
The should see the pain I go through
When I see myself, I see you,
Everything that you did, id do
When I see myself, I..SEE...YOU

I'm just like you
My blood's not my blood
My mind's not my mind
Life has been unkind

Rage.......

"Just Like You" ROLLINS BAND

[Union Cane]

There's a guy in the place
He's got a bittersweet face
And he goes by the name of Ebeneezer Goode
His friends call him Eezer and he is the main geezer
And he'll vibe about the place
Like no other man could
He's refined, sublime, he makes you feel fine
Though very much maligned and misunderstood
But if you know Eezer he's a real crowd pleaser
He's ever so good, he's Ebeneezer Goode
You can see that he's mysterious,
Mischievious and devious
As he circulates amongst the people in the place
But once you know he's fun
And something of a genius
He gives a grin that goes around
From face to face to face
Backwards and then forwards,
Forwards and then backwards
Eezer is the geezer who loves to muscle in
That's about the time the crowd
All shout the name of Eezer
As he's crouching in the corner,
Laughing by the bass bin

Eezer Goode, Eezer Goode
He's Ebeneezer Goode
Eezer Goode, Eezer Goode
He's Ebeneezer Goode
Eezer Goode, Eezer Goode
He's Ebeneezer Goode
Eezer Goode, Eezer Goode
He's Ebeneezer Goode

Ebeneezer Goode, leading light of the scene
Know what I mean - see
He created the vibe,
He takes you for a ride and as if by design
The party ignites like he's comin alive
He takes you to the top, shakes you all around
Then back down, you know as he gets mellow
Then as smooth as the groove
That is making you move
He glides into your mind with a sunny "Hello!"
A gentleman of leisure,
He's there for your pleasure
But go easy on old Eezer
He's got nothing to lose
Extraordinary fellow, like Mr. Punchinello
He's the kind of geezer who must never be abused
When you're in town and Ebeneezer is around
You can sense a presence
In the sound of the crowd
He gets them all at it, the party starts rocking
The people get excited it's time to shout loud!

Eezer Goode, Eezer Goode
He's Ebeneezer Goode
Eezer Goode, Eezer Goode
He's Ebeneezer Goode
Eezer Goode, Eezer Goode
He's Ebeneezer Goode
Eezer Goode, Eezer Goode
He's Ebeneezer Goode

[seanmichaels]

Got any salmon?

[Union Cane]

Sorted.

[bhb001]

For story telling, I like Al Stewart. His album Past Present and Future is a superb example of what he can do when he is not trying to be popular with Year of the Cat.

[ChequeredJersey]

not sure if this line from Sitting On The Dock Of The Bay qualifies as very good or very bad:

And this loneliness won't leave me alone

It's deliberate tautology and poetic. It's good. If you're in doubt, check the artist name. If it's Otis Redding it automatically qualifies as good

[Galted]

not sure if this line from Sitting On The Dock Of The Bay qualifies as very good or very bad:

And this loneliness won't leave me alone

It's deliberate tautology and poetic. It's good. If you're in doubt, check the artist name. If it's Otis Redding it automatically qualifies as good

 
 
 
Thanks for the advice.  I have to add that I'd give the benefit of the doubt to anyone named Otis.

[kingraf]

Otis Redding's Sittin' on The Dock is a time capsule song. It cant be bad, it captures a feeling which so many can identify with...

I left my home in Georgia
Headed for the 'Frisco Bay
I have nothing to live for
Looks like nothing's gonna come my way


Switch the locations with your location, and you have 90% of people's problems.

My personal favourite lyrics all come from Eminem. Here's My Band

These chicks dont even know the name of my band
But they all on me like they wanna hold hands
Cause once I blow they know that I'll be the man
All because Im the lead singer of my band

Such satirical lyrics touch on the celebrity culture prevailing in the world. Theres a touch of genius... Also: from Sing For the Moment

Thats why we seize the moment
Try to freeze it own it
Squeeze it and hold it
Cause we consider these minutes golden
And maybe theyll admit it when we're gone
Just let our spirits live on
In the lyrics that you here in our song...

[ChequeredJersey]

I can forgive Eminem any crassness for his lyrical genius

[JuliusHMarx]

Those Eminem lyrics remind me of this :-
Pat is the guy with a record shop
and John sells fruit but wants to be a cop
and Paul deals speed in a Celtic top
but I'm just a drunk in a band

and this :-
There's a bimbo in the limo and the bimbo is me
Cocaine crusted round my nostrils like a sad celebrity
I'm a worthless little nobody from digital TV
There's a bimbo in the limo and the bimbo is me

Both courtesy of Justin Currie

[Rowley]

Not a fan of theirs by any stretch of the imagination but I have to concede the lyrics to Old Red Eyes is Back by the Beautiful South are a brilliant piece of song writing from start to finish.

[Galted]

Pink Floyd have been responsible for some of the best as well as some of the most drug-addledly moronic lyrics, this verse from Possible Pasts counts amongst the former.

By the cold and religious we were taken in hand
Shown how to feel good and told to feel bad.
Tongue tied and terrified we learned how to pray
Now our feelings run deep and cold as the clay.
And strung out behind us the banners and flags
Of our possible pasts lie in tatters and rags.

Oddly the middle two lines appear on the lyric sheet and not in the actual song.

[JuliusHMarx]

Not a fan of theirs by any stretch of the imagination but I have to concede the lyrics to Old Red Eyes is Back by the Beautiful South are a brilliant piece of song writing from start to finish.

I prefer the original Korean version.

[Guest]

Not a fan of theirs by any stretch of the imagination but I have to concede the lyrics to Old Red Eyes is Back by the Beautiful South are a brilliant piece of song writing from start to finish.

I prefer the original Korean version.

Kin Jong Il was a genius

"I'm so ronery, so ronery
So ronery and sadry arone"

[88Chris05]

[quote="Rowley"]Not a fan of theirs by any stretch of the imagination but I have to concede the lyrics to Old Red Eyes is Back by the Beautiful South are a brilliant piece of song writing from start to finish. [/quote

I think Heaton's an unbelievable lyricist. 'Sail This Ship Alone' and 'Prettiest Eyes' are superbly written.

[Mind the windows Tino.]

I love the opening two verses to Dignity by Deacon Blue. Absolutely love them.

There's a man I meet
Walks up our street
He's a worker for the council
Has been twenty years
And he takes no lip off nobody
And litter off the gutter
Puts it in a bag
And never thinks to mutter
And he packs his lunch in a Sunblest bag
The children call him Bogie
He never lets on
But I know 'cause he once told me
He let me know a secret
About the money in his kitty
He's gonna buy a dinghy
Gonna call her Dignity

And I'll sail her up the west coast
Through villages and towns
I'll be on my holidays
They'll be doing their rounds
They'll ask me how I got her I'll say
I saved my money
They'll say isn't she pretty
That ship called Dignity

[JuliusHMarx]

I prefer the lyrics to Chocolate Girl.

[sodhat]

Few more single liners:

"What comes first, the chicken or the silly billy?"

"There's no more distressing sight than that, of an Englishman in a baseball cap"

"The trucks are all passing me, the lights are all flashing me, I'm on my way home from your place"

[Mind the windows Tino.]

"There's no more distressing sight than that, of an Englishman in a baseball cap"

Great choice, sodhat.

Same song;

"It's eating, it's chewing me up. It's not right for young lungs to be coughing up blood"

&

"But there's a rumour spread nasty disease around town. Caught 'round the houses with your trousers down"

Definitely a bit of self-confession running through that track. Brilliant song.

[sodhat]

One of their best, Tino. Brilliant album all around too.

There is a lot you can knock Doherty for, but his lyrics aren't one of them. Sure, he's a robbing smackhead (allegedly) that paints with his own blood, but he also wrote "mind yer bleedin' own, you two-bob Kumquat".

(swear filter probably got the last word)

[sodhat]

Actually, Can't Stand Me Now should get a mention too because it profiled the break-down of the band:

An ending fitting for the start
you twist and tore our love apart
your light fingers through the dark
that shattered the lamp and into the darkness cast us...

No you've got it the wrong way round
you shut me up and blamed it on the brown
cornered the boy kicked out at the world...the world kicked back
alot Frak' harder now

[JuliusHMarx]

Instincts that can still betray us,
A journey that leads to the sun,
Soulless and bent on destruction,
A struggle between right and wrong.
You take my place in the showdown,
I'll observe with a pitiful eye,
I'd humbly ask for forgiveness,
A request well beyond you and I.

[Guest]

Kenny Rogers - I just dropped in to see what condition my condition was in

[kingraf]

Im more of a Hip Hop fan than most here, but I really love the lyrics of Jay Z's December 4th:

They say they never really miss you 'til you dead or you gone
So on that note Im leavin after this song
So you aint gotta feel no way about Jay, so long
At least let me tell you why Im this way, hold on
I was conceived by Gloria Carter and Adnus Reeves
Who made love under the sycamore tree
Which makes me, a more sicker MC than my momma would claim
At ten pounds when I was born I didnt give her pain
Although through the years I gave her her fair share
I gave her her first real scare
I made up for birth when I got here
She knows my purpose wasnt hurt cause I aint perfect I care
But I feel wprthless cause my shirts wasnt matching my gear
Now Im just sratchin the surface cause whats buried under there
Was a kid torn apart once his pops disappeared
I went to school got goods grades, could behave when I wanted
But I had demons deep inside that would raise when confronted.
Hold on

GENIUS!

Also like the lyrics of Run by Snow Patrol.

[Mind the windows Tino.]

Not mine but Mrs Hornblower's favourite lyric which she is getting it as a tattoo.

James - Sometimes:

Sometimes, when I look deep in your eyes
I swear I can see your soul

Nothing wrong with that, hornblower. There is some beautiful imagery in that track. Probably their best song for me.

"There's a storm outside, and the gap between crack and thunder
Crack and thunder, is closing in, is closing in
The rain floods gutters and makes a great sound on concrete
On a flat roof, there's a boy leaning against the wall of rain
Aerial held high, calling, "Come on thunder, come on thunder"

Sometimes, when I look deep in your eyes
I swear I can see your soul

The boy is hit, lit up against the sky, like a sign, like a neon sign
And he crumples, drops into the gutter, cuts strange, legs twitching
The flood swells his clothes and delivers him on, delivers him on

Sometimes, when I look deep in your eyes
I swear I can see your soul"

I have missed a verse out but I love the story in this song.

[essexblue1976]

Kiss me where the sun don't shine
The past was yours but the futures mine
You're all out of time

or

She wakes up with the sun
She asked me what is all the fuss
As she gave me more than she thought she should
She wakes up with the sun
I think what have I done
As I gave her more than I thought I would

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