Favourite Songwriter (No beatles!) - Give an example of their work.

[Zimmerman The Gnome]

No guessing who mine is - Bob Dylan. But I love to read good song lyrics without listening to them, stripped of the music. Post an example of your fav songwriters work too!

Here's mine:

I dreamed I saw St. Augustine,
Alive as you or me,
Tearing through these quarters
In the utmost misery,
With a blanket underneath his arm
And a coat of solid gold,
Searching for the very souls
Whom already have been sold.

"Arise, arise," he cried so loud,
In a voice without restraint,
"Come out, ye gifted kings and queens
And hear my sad complaint.
No martyr is among ye now
Whom you can call your own,
So go on your way accordingly
But know you're not alone."

I dreamed I saw St. Augustine,
Alive with fiery breath,
And I dreamed I was amongst the ones
That put him out to death.
Oh, I awoke in anger,
So alone and terrified,
I put my fingers against the glass
And bowed my head and cried.

[biglou114]

I'd have to go with Dylan also.

Darkness at the break of noon
Shadows even the silver spoon
The handmade blade, the child's balloon
Eclipses both the sun and moon
To understand you know too soon
There is no sense in trying.

Pointed threats, they bluff with scorn
Suicide remarks are torn
From the fool's gold mouthpiece
The hollow horn plays wasted words
Proves to warn
That he not busy being born
Is busy dying.

Temptation's page flies out the door
You follow, find yourself at war
Watch waterfalls of pity roar
You feel to moan but unlike before
You discover
That you'd just be
One more person crying.

So don't fear if you hear
A foreign sound to your ear
It's alright, Ma, I'm only sighing.

As some warn victory, some downfall
Private reasons great or small
Can be seen in the eyes of those that call
To make all that should be killed to crawl
While others say don't hate nothing at all
Except hatred.

Disillusioned words like bullets bark
As human gods aim for their mark
Made everything from toy guns that spark
To flesh-colored Christs that glow in the dark
It's easy to see without looking too far
That not much
Is really sacred.

While preachers preach of evil fates
Teachers teach that knowledge waits
Can lead to hundred-dollar plates
Goodness hides behind its gates
But even the president of the United States
Sometimes must have
To stand naked.

An' though the rules of the road have been lodged
It's only people's games that you got to dodge
And it's alright, Ma, I can make it.

Advertising signs that con you
Into thinking you're the one
That can do what's never been done
That can win what's never been won
Meantime life outside goes on
All around you.

You lose yourself, you reappear
You suddenly find you got nothing to fear
Alone you stand with nobody near
When a trembling distant voice, unclear
Startles your sleeping ears to hear
That somebody thinks
They really found you.

A question in your nerves is lit
Yet you know there is no answer fit to satisfy
Insure you not to quit
To keep it in your mind and not fergit
That it is not he or she or them or it
That you belong to.

Although the masters make the rules
For the wise men and the fools
I got nothing, Ma, to live up to.

For them that must obey authority
That they do not respect in any degree
Who despise their jobs, their destinies
Speak jealously of them that are free
Cultivate their flowers to be
Nothing more than something
They invest in.

While some on principles baptized
To strict party platform ties
Social clubs in drag disguise
Outsiders they can freely criticize
Tell nothing except who to idolize
And then say God bless him.

While one who sings with his tongue on fire
Gargles in the rat race choir
Bent out of shape from society's pliers
Cares not to come up any higher
But rather get you down in the hole
That he's in.

But I mean no harm nor put fault
On anyone that lives in a vault
But it's alright, Ma, if I can't please him.

Old lady judges watch people in pairs
Limited in sex, they dare
To push fake morals, insult and stare
While money doesn't talk, it swears
Obscenity, who really cares
Propaganda, all is phony.

While them that defend what they cannot see
With a killer's pride, security
It blows the minds most bitterly
For them that think death's honesty
Won't fall upon them naturally
Life sometimes
Must get lonely.

My eyes collide head-on with stuffed graveyards
False gods, I scuff
At pettiness which plays so rough
Walk upside-down inside handcuffs
Kick my legs to crash it off
Say okay, I have had enough
What else can you show me?

And if my thought-dreams could be seen
They'd probably put my head in a guillotine
But it's alright, Ma, it's life, and life only.

But another great one in Tom Petty

Well I started out down a dirty road
Started out all alone
And the sun went down as I crossed the hill
And the town lit up, the world got still

I'm learning to fly, but I ain't got wings
Coming down is the hardest thing

Well the good ol' days may not return
And the rocks might melt and the sea may burn

I'm learning to fly, but I ain't got wings
Coming down is the hardest thing

Well some say life will beat you down
Break your heart, steal your crown
So I've started out for God knows where
I guess I'll know when I get there

I'm learning to fly, around the clouds
But what goes up must come down

I'm learning to fly, but I ain't got wings
Coming down is the hardest thing

[Pepperland Kamer]

Well since you Dylan was already said, I'd have to pick Bowie as one of my faves, all his songs are weird,quirky and imaginative (although I have a few other faves as well, Jim Morrison, Jimi Hendrix,etc etc) a Random example of the White Dukes songwriting "Jean Genie":
A small jean genie snuck off to the city
Strung out on lasers and slash back blazers
Ate all your razors while pulling the waiters
Talking bout monroe and walking on snow white
New york’s a go-go and everything tastes nice
Poor little greenie, woh ho
Get back home

The jean genie lives on his back
The jean genie loves chimney stacks
He’s outrageous, he screams and he bawls
Jean genie let yourself go!

Sits like a man but he smiles like a reptile
She love him, she love him but just for a short while
She’ll scratch in the sand, won’t let go his hand
He says he’s a beautician and sells you nutrition
And keeps all your dead hair for making up underwear
Poor little greenie, woh ho

The jean genie lives on his back
The jean genie loves chimney stacks
He’s outrageous, he screams and he bawls
Jean genie let yourself go oh

He’s so simple minded he can’t drive his module
He bites on the neon and sleeps in the capsule
Loves to be loved, loves to be loved
Woh ho
Woh ho

Aoo jean genie lives on his back
The jean genie loves chimney stacks
And he’s outrageous, he screams and he bawls
The jean genie let yourself go! go

Go

Jean genie lives on his back
Jean genie loves chimney stacks
And he’s outrageous, he screams and he bawls
Jean genie let yourself go woh go
Go go

[ilovemacca]

I'd have to go with Jack Bruce of Cream. Here's a song he co-wrote with Eric Clapton and Pete Brown:
It's getting near dawn,
When lights close their tired eyes.
I'll soon be with you my love,
To give you my dawn surprise.
I'll be with you darling soon,
I'll be with you when the stars start falling.


I've been waiting so long
To be where I'm going
In the sunshine of your love.


I'm with you my love,
The light's shining through on you.
Yes, I'm with you my love,
It's the morning and just we two.
I'll stay with you darling now,
I'll stay with you till my seas are dried up.


Chorus

Repeat Second Verse


I've been waiting so long
I've been waiting so long
I've been waiting so long
To be where I'm going
In the sunshine of your love.

O'course, it's not much different from the Beatles, since Cream (Clapton, Bruce, and Ginger Baker) were from the later days of the Beatles and Clapton was George Harrison's best friend, but you knew that already. Right?

[matt5]

Hallucinex by Stereolab


I look foreward to
that day when
the show will stop
will stop
stop reviewing itself
halt

when the most mundane
the most pedestrian show
will cause
and instill such boredom

boom

ooh-wah ooh-wah ooh-wah ooh-wah-oh-way
ooh-wah ooh-wah ooh-wah ooh-wah-oh-way

the time when all forms
of expressions of life
will be so
destitute of substance

bang

then life will become
so intolerable
that perhaps
our senses will wake up
wake

ka-bang!


Captain Easychord by Stereolab

Let live what must live, die what must die
(what must live, what must die)
Let live what must live, die what must die
(what must live, what must die)
Birth comes with a death, comes with a rise
(come with death, come with birth)
Birth comes with a death, comes with a birth
(come with death, come with birth)
No one must go, must stay, stay
Ne retenez pas, rȳistez pas
(qui doit partir, restez) (ce qui part, ce qui reste)

Faites vivre ce qui, ce qui doit vivre
(faites vivre ce qui doit vivre)
Laissez mourir ce qui doit mourir
(laissez mourir ce qui doit mourir)
Qui doit partir, laissez rester
Let live what must live, die what must die
(no one must go, must stay, stay) (what must go, what must stay)

II
There are two sides to one�same thing
There are two sides
Breathing is like a tide, rolls in then retires
Bestow the frank questions
The plants in my garden
Flourish, seed and perish.

[luvsthebeatles]

Kirby Heyborne :smile1:

Chances -

We are the fire destroying ourselves
and what we don't understand
I'm a poor man with a mind full of change
And I laugh out loud to see you smile

Clever words and pretty faves
Are what they use to lead us away.
I'm awake to fill my senses
And I laugh out loud at what we say

I am hope, I believe
I am alive, I am everything

I have come to take these chances
I wonder when things will go my way
I was born to live my life
And no one tells me who I am

Calloused hands sow independence.
Turn around to see your face
Help pull the weight and I remember
To laugh out loud at what we say

Who's awake? Who's pretending?
We all have something to keep us down
Take your stand and sing your protest
And Laugh out loud and dance away.

Maybe now's the perfect time to keep my confidence alive
I wonder if I'll ever find the easy way to dull the mind
I'm living like a kid again another way to tear the skin
And no one's here to tell me who I am

I don't know why but this is about my favorite song ever :smile1:

[Hari's Chick]

Well, Bob would be my favorite :smile1: ... but for the sake of variety I will say Kris Kristofferson. Mmmm.... what a songwriter and what a voice!

IF YOU DON'T LIKE HANK WILLIAMS

I dig Bobby Dylan and I dig Johnny Cash
And I think Waylon Jennings is a table thumpin' smash
And hearin' Joni Mitchell feels as good as smokin' grass
And if you don't like Hank Williams, honey, you can kiss my ass

Chorus:
'Cause I think what they've done is well worth doin'
And they're doin' it the best way that they can
You're the only one that you are screwin'
When you put down what you don't understand

I said, I dig Roger Miller, Merle Haggard; George Jones
Shotgun Willie Nelson and them rockin' Rollin' Stones
And Jerry Lee's still gotta be the coolest in the class
And if you don't like Hank Williams, honey, you can kiss my ass.

Chorus:
'Cause I think what they've done is well worth doin'
And they're doin' it the best way that they can
You're the only one that you are screwin'
When you put down what you don't understand

*****************************
BEST OF ALL POSSIBLE WORLDS

I was runnin' thru the summer rain, try'n' to catch that evenin' train
And kill the old familiar pain weavin' thru my tangled brain
When I tipped my bottle back and smacked into a cop I didn't see
That police man said, "Mister Cool, if you ain't drunk, then you're a fool."
I said, "If that's against the law, then tell me why I never saw
A man locked in that jail of yours who wasn't neither black or poor as me?"
Well, that was when someone turned out the lights
And I wound up in jail to spend the night
And dream of all the wine and lonely girls
In this best of all possible worlds.

Well, I woke up next mornin' feelin' like my head was gone
And like my thick old tongue was lickin' something sick and wrong
And I told that man I'd sell my soul for something wet and cold as that old cell.
That kindly jailer grinned at me, all eaten up with sympathy
Then poured himself another beer and came and whispered in my ear,
"If booze was just a dime a bottle boy, you couldn't even buy the smell"
I said, "I knew there was something I liked about this town."
But it takes more than that to bring me down, down, down.
'Cause there's still a lot of wine and lonely girls
In this best of all possible worlds

Well, they finally came and told me they was a gonna set me free
And I'd be leavin' town if I knew what was good for me
I said, "It's nice to learn that ev'rybody's so concerned about my health."
(They were obsessed with it)
I said, "I won't be leavin' no more quicker than I can
'Cause I've enjoyed about as much of this as I can stand
And I don't need this town of yours more than I never needed nothin' else."
'Cause there's still alot of drinks that I ain't drunk
And lots of pretty thoughts that I ain't thunk
And lord there's still so many lonely girls
In this best of all possible worlds.

******************************************
STRANGER

Maybe she was smilin' in the mirror
Maybe I was too, 'cause I was stoned
Singin' every sad song on the juke-box one more time
Honey, they were hittin' close to home

And I said - Maybe this'll make you think I'm crazy
Honey, don't feel lonesome if you do
But if you wanna make a young man happy one more time
I'd sure like to spend the night with you

Chorus:
And she said - Stranger
Shut out the light and lead me
Somewhere - shut out the shadows, too
And while we lay there, makin' believe you love me
Stranger, could I believe in you

Maybe you got all you got together
Maybe you keep rollin' like a stone
Maybe some old lonesome song'll take you by surprise
And leave you just a little more alone

Chorus:
Singing - Stranger
Shut out the light and lead me
Somewhere - shut out the shadows, too
And while we lay there, makin' believe you love me
Stranger, could I believe in you

Chorus:
Keep Singing - Stranger
Shut out the light and lead me
Somewhere - shut out the shadows, too
And while we lay there, makin' believe you love me
Stranger, could I believe in you

*******************************

JESUS WAS A CAPRICORN

(Owed to John Prine)

Jesus was a Capricorn, he ate organic foods.
He believed in love and peace and never wore no shoes.
Long hair, beard and sandals and a funky bunch of friends.
Reckon they'd just nail him up if He come down again.

'Cos everybody's got to have somebody to look down on.
Who they can feel better than at anytime they please.
Someone doin' somethin' dirty, decent folks can frown on.
If you can't find nobody else, then help yourself to me.

Get back, John!

Egg Head's cousin Red Neck's cussin' hippies for their hair.
Others laugh at straights who laugh at freaks who laugh at squares.
Some folks hate the whites who hate the blacks who hate the clan.
Most of us hate anything that we don't understand.

'Cos everybody's got to have somebody to look down on.
Who they can feel better than at anytime they please.
Someone doin' somethin' dirty, decent folks can frown on.
If you can't find nobody else, then help yourself to me.

Help yourself, brother.
Help yourself, Gentlemen.
Help yourself Reverend.

[SnarkyKat]

My favorite songwriter would probably have to be Ben Folds. He has a reputation for being a smart-alecky type, with songs full of foul language (which won't be repeated here). But he has some really good, really thoughtful songs, as well -- and those will be the ones I'll quote here.

Cigarette

Fred Jones
was worn out
from caring for
his often
screaming and
crying wife
during the day, but
he couldn't sleep at night for fear that she,
in a stupor from the drugs that didn't
ease the pain,
would set the house ablaze
with a cigarette.

********

Fred Jones Pt 2

Fred sits alone
at his desk in the dark.
There's an awkward
young shadow that waits in the hall.

He has cleared all his things,
and he's put them in boxes.
Things that remind him
that life has been good.

Twenty-five years
he's worked at the paper.
A man's here
to take him downstairs,
and "I'm sorry,
Mr. Jones, it's time"

There was no party
and there were no songs
'cause today's just a day
like the day that he started.

And no one is left here
that knows his first name.
Yeah, and life barrels on
like a runaway train

where the passengers change
They don't change anything.
You get off
someone else can get on.
And "I'm sorry,
Mr. Jones, it's time"

The streetlight
it shines through the shades
casting lines on the floor
and lines on his face.
He reflects on the day.

Fred gets his paints out
and goes to the basement
projecting some slides
onto a plain white canvas

and traces it,
fills in the spaces.
He turns off the slides
and it doesn't look right.

Yeah, and all of these bastards
have taken his place.
He's forgotten, but not yet gone.
And "I'm sorry, Mr. Jones"
And "I'm sorry, Mr. Jones"
And "I'm sorry, Mr. Jones, it's time"

********

Late

Under some dirty words
On a dirty wall
Eating take-out by myself
I played the shows
Got back in the van and put the walkman on
And you were playing

In some other dive a thousand miles away
I played a thousand times before
And like pathetic stars
The truck stops and the rock club walls
I always knew
You saw them too
But you never will again

It's too late
Don't you know
It's been too late for a long time

Elliott, man you played a fine guitar
And some dirty basketball
The songs you wrote
Got me through a lot
Just wanna tell you that

But it's too late
It's too late
No, don't you know
it's been too late
for a long time

Oh, no
Things were looking up
Least that's what I heard
Oh, no
Someone came and washed away your hard-earned
Peace of mind

When desperate static beats the silence up
A quiet truth to calm you down
The songs you wrote
Got me through a lot
Just wanna tell you that

But it's too late
It's too late
No, don't you know
It's been too late
For a long time
It's too late
It's too late
No, don't you know
It's been too late
For a long time

[sourmilkpinky]

here is my contribution:



I hold you in my arms
as the band plays
What are those words whispered baby
just as you turn away
I saw you last night
out on the edge of town
I wanna read your mind
To know just what I've got in this new thing I've found
So tell me what I see
when I look in your eyes
Is that you baby
or just a brilliant disguise

I heard somebody call your name
from underneath our willow
I saw something tucked in shame
underneath your pillow
Well I've tried so hard baby
but I just can't see
What a woman like you
is doing with me
So tell me who I see
when I look in your eyes
Is that you baby
or just a brilliant disguise

Now look at me baby
struggling to do everything right
And then it all falls apart
when out go the lights
I'm just a lonely pilgrim
I walk this world in wealth
I want to know if it's you I don't trust
'cause I damn sure don't trust myself

Now you play the loving woman
I'll play the faithful man
But just don't look too close
into the palm of my hand
We stood at the alter
the gypsy swore our future was right
But come the wee wee hours
Well maybe baby the gypsy lied
So when you look at me
you better look hard and look twice
Is that me baby
or just a brilliant disguise

Tonight our bed is cold
I'm lost in the darkness of our love
God have mercy on the man
Who doubts what he's sure of



Copyright © Bruce Springsteen (ASCAP)

[Scouser]

Since I can't say George, and Dylan has already been mentioned numerous times, I'll go with Joni Mitchell:

California:
Sitting in a park in Paris, France
Reading the news and it sure looks bad
They won't give peace a chance
That was just a dream some of us had
Still a lot of lands to see
But I wouldn't want to stay here
It's too old and cold and settled in its ways here
Oh, but California
California I'm coming home
I'm going to see the folks I dig
I'll even kiss a Sunset pig
California I'm coming home

I met a redneck on a Grecian isle
Who did the goat dance very well
He gave me back my smile
But he kept my camera to sell
Oh the rogue, the red red rogue
He cooked good omelettes and stews
And I might have stayed on with him there
But my heart cried out for you, California
Oh California I'm coming home
Oh make me feel good rock'n roll band
I'm your biggest fan
California, I'm coming home

Oh it gets so lonely
When you're walking
And the streets are full of strangers
All the news of home you read
Just gives you the blues
Just gives you the blues

So I bought me a ticket
I caught a plane to Spain
Went to a party down a red dirt road
There were lots of pretty people there
Reading Rolling Stone, reading Vogue
They said, "How long can you hang around?"
I said "a week, maybe two,
Just until my skin turns brown
Then I'm going home to California"
California I'm coming home
Oh will you take me as I am
Strung out on another man
California I'm coming home

Oh it gets so lonely
When you're walking
And the streets are full of strangers
All the news of home you read
More about the war
And the bloody changes
Oh will you take me as l am?
Will you take me as l am?
Will you?


Big Yellow Taxi:

They paved paradise
And put up a parking lot
With a pink hotel, a boutique
And a swinging hot spot
Don't it always seem to go
That you don't know what you've got
Till it's gone
They paved paradise
And put up a parking lot

They took all the trees
Put 'em in a tree museum
And they charged the people
A dollar and a half just to see 'em
Don't it always seem to go
That you don't know what you've got
Till it's gone
They paved paradise
And put up a parking lot

Hey farmer farmer
Put away that D.D.T. now
Give me spots on my apples
But leave me the birds and the bees
Please!
Don't it always seem to go
That you don't know what you've got
Till it's gone
They paved paradise
And put up a parking lot

Late last night
I heard the screen door slam
And a big yellow taxi
Took away my old man
Don't it always seem to go
That you don't know what you've got
Till it's gone
They paved paradise
And put up a parking lot
~~~~~

And India Arie

Beautiful:
The time is right
I'm gonna pack my bags
And take that journey down the road
Cause over the mountain I see the bright sun shinning
And I want to live inside the glow
Yeah

I wanna go to place where I am nothing and everything
That exists between here and nowhere
I wanna got to a place time as no consequence oh yeah
The sky opens to my prayers

I wanna go to beautiful, beautiful, beautiful,
I wanna go to beautiful, beautiful, beautiful,
I wanna go to beautiful, beautiful, beautiful,
I wanna go to beautiful, beautiful, beautiful,

Please understand that it not that I don't care
But right know these wall are closing in on me
I love you more than I love life itself

But I need to find a place were I can breathe
I can breathe
I wanna go to place were I can hold the intangible
And let of the pain with all my might

I wanna go to a place where I am suspended in ecstasy
Some where between dark and light
Where wrong becomes right

I wanna go to beautiful, beautiful, beautiful,
I wanna go to beautiful, beautiful, beautiful,
I wanna go to beautiful, beautiful, beautiful,
I wanna go to beautiful, beautiful, beautiful,


~Layla

[darkhorse]

OK, so Dylan's taken... I must stay with Stevie Nicks. Beautiful woman, beautiful ways of expressing herself.

SARA

Wait a minute, baby...
Stay with me awhile
You said you'd give me light
But you never told me about the fire

Drowning in the sea of love
Where everyone would love to drown
But now it's gone
It doesn't matter what for
When you build your house
Then call me home

And he was just like a great dark wing
Within the wings of a storm
I think I had met my match
He was singing
And undoing...and undoing the laces
Undoing the laces

Said, Sara
You're the poet in my heart
Never change, never stop
But now it's gone
It doesn't matter what for
But when you build your house
Well, then call me home

Hold on
The night is coming
And the starling flew for days
I'd stay home at night all the time
I'd go anywhere, anywhere, anywhere
Ask me and I'm there
Ask me and I'm there, 'cause I care

In the sea of love
Where everyone would love to drown
But now it's gone
They say it doesn't matter anymore
If you build your house
Then, please, call me home

Sara, you're the poet in my heart
Never change, and don't you ever stop
And now it's gone
No, it doesn't matter anymore
When you build your house
I'll come by

Sara, baby
There's a heartbeat and it never really died
Never really died
Would you swallow all your pride?
Could you speak a little louder?

All I ever wanted
Was to know that you were dreaming...

******

FROZEN LOVE

You may not be as strong as me
And I may not care to teach you
It may be hard to keep up with me
But I'll always be able to reach you

And if you go forward (if you go forward)
I'll meet you there
And if you climb up through the cold, freezing air
Look down below you; search out above
And cry out to life for a frozen love
Cry, love

Life gave me you; yeah, the change was made
And there's no beginning over
You are not happy, but what is love?
Hate gave you me for a lover...

And if you go forward (if you go forward)
I'll meet you there
And if you climb up through the cold, freezing air
Look down below you; search out above
And cry out to life for a frozen love
Cry, love

You may not be (You may not be)
As strong as me (as strong as me)
And I may not care (I may not care)
To teach you (to teach you)
It may be hard (It may be hard)
To keep up with me (to keep up with me)
But I'll always...
Yes, I'm always going to be able to reach you

And if you go forward (if you go forward)
I'll meet you there
And if you climb up through the cold, freezing air
Look down below you; search out above
And cry out to life for a frozen love
Cry, love

[chaitanya]

I love Dylan and all the others mentioned above (bows to Joni..)

so I go for David Crosby man !

I though I met a man who said he knew a man
Who knew what was going on
I was mistaken, only another stranger that I knew

And I thought that I'd found the light
To guide me through my nights and all my darkness
I was mistaken, it was only reflections of a shadow that I saw

And I thought I've seen someone who seemed at last
To know the truth
I was mistaken, only a child laughing in the sun

Ahhhhhhhhhhhh in the sun

[Scout]

Oh it's Tori Amos hands down for me, how can you not fall in love with stream of conciousness songwriting like this.

Silent All These Years

Excuse me, but can I be you for awhile
my dog won't bite if you sit real still
I got the anti-christ in the kitchen yelling at me again
yeah I can hear them

Been saved again by a garbage truck
I got something to say, you know, but nothing comes
yes I know what you think of me, you never shut up
yeah I can hear them

But what if I'm a mermaid
in these jeans of his with our names still on it
but I don't care, cause sometimes
I said sometimes
I hear my voice and it's been
here.

Silent all these years.

So you found a girl who thinks really deep thoughts
what's so amazing about really deep thoughts
boy you best pray that I bleed real soon
how's that thought for you

My screams got lost in a paper cup
do you think there's a heaven where some screams have gone
I got 25 bucks and a cracker do you think it's enough
to get us there, cause

What if I'm a mermaid
in these jeans of his with our names still on it
but I dont care cause sometimes
I said sometimes
I hear my voice and it's been
here

Silent all these

Years go by will I still be waiting for somebody else to understand
Years go by if I'm stripped of my beauty and the orange clouds raining in my head
Years go by will I choke on my tears till finally there is nothing left
One more casualty, you know we're too easy, easy, easy

But I love the way we communicate
your eyes focus on my funny lip shape
let's hear what you think of me now, but baby don't look up
the sky is falling

Your mother shows up in a nasty dress
and it's your turn now to stand
where I stand
everybody looking at you
here take hold of my hand
yeah I can hear them

But what if I'm a mermaid
in these jeans of his with our names still on it
but I don't care cause sometimes
I said sometimes
I hear my voice, I hear my voice, I hear my voice and it's been
here

Silent all these years

I've been here.

Silent all these years
Silent all these
Silent all these years.

Mr. Zebra

Hello Mr. Zebra
can I have your sweater, cause it's cold cold cold
in my hole hole hole
ratatouile strynchnine sometimes she's a friend of mine
with a gigantic whirlpool that will blow your mind

Hello Mr. Zebra
ran into some confusion
with a Mrs. croc-o-dile dile dile
furry mussels marching on
she thinks she Kaiser Wilhelm
or a civilized syllabub to blow your mind

Figure it out, she
she's a good time fella, she got a little fund to fight for Moneypenny's rights

Figure it out, she
she's a good time fella, too bad the burial was premature she said and smiled.

[IWantToTellYou]

Peter Gabriel

Don't Give Up

In this proud land we grew up strong
We were wanted all along
I was taught to fight, taught to win
I never thought I could fail

No fight left or so it seems
I am a man whose dreams have all deserted
I’ve changed my face, I’ve changed my name
But no one wants you when you lose

Don’t give up
’cause you have friends
Don’t give up
You’re not beaten yet
Don’t give up
I know you can make it good

Though I saw it all around
Never thought I could be affected
Thought that we’d be the last to go
It is so strange the way things turn

Drove the night toward my home
The place that I was born, on the lakeside
As daylight broke, I saw the earth
The trees had burned down to the ground

Don’t give up
You still have us
Don’t give up
We don’t need much of anything
Don’t give up
’cause somewhere there’s a place
Where we belong

Rest your head
You worry too much
It’s going to be alright
When times get rough
You can fall back on us
Don’t give up
Please don’t give up

’got to walk out of here
I can’t take anymore
Going to stand on that bridge
Keep my eyes down below
Whatever may come
And whatever may go
That river’s flowing
That river’s flowing

Moved on to another town
Tried hard to settle down
For every job, so many men
So many men no-one needs

Don’t give up
’cause you have friends
Don’t give up
You’re not the only one
Don’t give up
No reason to be ashamed
Don’t give up
You still have us
Don’t give up now
We’re proud of who you are
Don’t give up
You know it’s never been easy
Don’t give up
’cause I believe there’s a place
There’s a place where we belong

[Celebrian]

The Tea Party

"Save Me"

I must leave you tonight my love, remain so faithfully
I must go off to war my dear, the kings await me
I will go so far away.
I will always love you, but you knew.

I regret to tell you, your man has died tonight.
He was a brave man, he fought a brave fight.
He was killed by the other side.
He was killed by the other men's knives.

She said save me
Save me

Why must you love this man, he is your brother?
This is easy to understand, my son, there is no other.
I cannot pretend to love this man Like my father.
I cannot pretend, mother, there is no other.

She said save me
Save me

When there is no truth, let's end this lie tonight.
This is easy to understand, without your best fight.
But I see a new sun rising in the east
But I see a new sun rising in the east

She said save me
Save YOU!


"Sister Awake"
when the winter was over
she returned there to find him
and her memories filled her with light

she remembered the beauty
she remembered desires
and her memories filled her with light

i am the sun in the flame
cold from the flame turns away
and in these winds came a change
she awakes...

sister walk through these fields of delight
but I want you to know
desperation's the tenderest trap
so gently you go
what will it take
sister awake

when this beautiful cult of desire
has left you for dead
isolation will cradle the lies
of things left unsaid
what will it take
sister awake

and you'll look to the heavens above
and taste it's deceit
these temptations have blinded desires
to sleep at their feet
what will it take
sister awake

and you'll hear them call out your name
invoking the fates
chances are you've travelled too far
in stirring their hate
what will it take
sister awake
awake

[Sally]

Ivor Cutler


Your face is like a lemon
but you're sweet inside

[wednesdaymorning]

Jim Morrison

"The End"

"This is the end
Beautiful friend
This is the end
My only friend, the end

Of our elaborate plans, the end
Of everything that stands, the end
No safety or surprise, the end
I'll never look into your eyes...again

Can you picture what will be
So limitless and free
Desperately in need...of some...stranger's hand
In a...desperate land

Lost in a Roman...wilderness of pain
And all the children are insane
All the children are insane
Waiting for the summer rain, yeah

There's danger on the edge of town
Ride the King's highway, baby
Weird scenes inside the gold mine
Ride the highway west, baby

Ride the snake, ride the snake
To the lake, the ancient lake, baby
The snake is long, seven miles
Ride the snake...he's old, and his skin is cold

The west is the best
The west is the best
Get here, and we'll do the rest

The blue bus is callin' us
The blue bus is callin' us
Driver, where you taken' us

The killer awoke before dawn, he put his boots on
He took a face from the ancient gallery
And he walked on down the hall
He went into the room where his sister lived, and...then he
Paid a visit to his brother, and then he
He walked on down the hall, and
And he came to a door...and he looked inside
Father, yes son, I want to kill you
Mother...I want to...fuck you

C'mon baby, take a chance with us
C'mon baby, take a chance with us
C'mon baby, take a chance with us
And meet me at the back of the blue bus
Doin' a blue rock
On a blue bus
Doin' a blue rock
C'mon, yeah

Kill, kill, kill, kill, kill, kill

This is the end
Beautiful friend
This is the end
My only friend, the end

It hurts to set you free
But you'll never follow me
The end of laughter and soft lies
The end of nights we tried to die

This is the end"

[pattiboyd's slave]

Some damn good choices of favorite songwriters. Here's a sample of Mr. Leonard Cohen's work for your diligent inspection.

"The Future"

Give me back my broken night
my mirrored room, my secret life, it's lonely here,
there's no one left to torture
Give me absolute control over every living soul
And lie beside me, baby, that's an order!
Give me crack and anal sex,
Take the only tree that's left
and stuff it up the hole in your culture
Give me back the Berlin wall, give me back Stalin and St. Paul
I've seen the future, brother: it is murder!

Things are going to slide, slide in all directions
Won't be nothing, nothing you can measure anymore
The blizzard, the blizzard of the world has crossed the threshold
and it has overturned the order of the soul
When they say Repent, I wonder what they meant
You don't know me from the wind
you never will, you never did
I'm the little jew that wrote the Bible
I've seen nations rise and fall
I've heard theirs stories, heard them all
but love's the only engine of survival
Your servant here, he has been told to say it clear, to say it cold
It's over, it ain't going any further
And now the wheels of heaven stop
you feel the devil's riding crop
Get ready for the future: it is murder!

There'll be the breaking of the ancient western code
Your private life will suddenly explode
There'll be phantoms, there'll be fires on the road
and the white man dancing
You'll see a woman hanging upside down
her features covered by her fallen gown
and all the lousy little poets coming round tryin' to sound like Charlie Manson
and the white man dancing

Give me back the Berlin wall
Give me Stalin and St. Paul
Give me Christ or give me Hiroshima
Destroy another fetus now
I've seen the future, baby: and it is murder!

*as an added note, Leonard Cohen is a bona fide poet, you know with books published and all that; and he also writes a pretty mean song lyric!

[BrazilianFlag]

Pete Townshend

"Empty Glass"

Why was I born today
Life is useless like Ecclesiastes say
I never had a chance
But opportunity's now in my hands

I stand with my guitar
All I need's a mirror
Then I'm a star
I'm so sick of dud TV
Next time you switch on
You might see me...oh.what a thrill for you

I've been there and gone there
I've lived there and bummed there
I've spinned there, I gave there
I drank there and I slaved there

I've had enough of the way things been done
Every man on a razors edge
Someone has used us to kill with the same gun
Killing each other by driving a wedge

My life's a mess I wait for you to pass
I stand here at the bar, I hold an empty glass

Why was I born today
Life is useless like Ecclesiastes say
I didn't get a chance
Opportunity's in my hand

I stand with my guitar
All I need's a mirror
Then I'm a star
I'm so sick of dud TV
Next time you switch on
You might see me...

I've been there and gone there
I've lived there and bummed there
I've spinned there, I gave there
I drank there and I slaved there

I've had enough of the way things have been done
Every man on a razor's edge
Someone has used us to shoot with the same gun
We where killing each other by driving a wedge

My life's a mess I wait for you to pass
I stand here at the bar, I hold an empty glass

Don't worry smile and dance
You just can work life out
Don't let down moods entrance you
Take the wine and shout

My life's a mess I wait for you to pass
I stand here at the bar, I hold an empty glass

*****
"No Road Romance"

When you look through the lights to the stage, you see the man of your dreams
You think his life's full of parties and love, but it's not what it seems
If you could see in his room right now, you'd see how much love is showed
There's never really any romance on the road

His forehead seems cut in two, by the crease in his brow
He chews his nails as he fidgets, just trying to settle on down
The TV channels keep flippin', his adrenaline slowed
There's never really any romance on the road, oh no

There's never romance on the road, only frustration and overload
He could fall in love, but he'd never know
For she's only riding, and he's only hiding
He's sure to ask, 'cause she won't say no
But there's never really any romance on the road

He was up in the bar straight-backed, did you see him before?
Did he sign you his name, come with me, listen in at his door
Hear himself so drunk calling home, can't remember the code
You know, there's never really any romance on the road, oh no no no

He's held some beautiful girls in his arms, but now he clutches his bunk
For all the good that they're doing him now he might as well be a monk
For his memories ain't worth a thing, 'till he's old and he's gone
And his past never quite catches up, the show's moving on

Did he say he kept a picture of a blonde haired girl who'd been kind
When he was last home his own daughter brought it into his mind
Maybe closing bars and jets, paid some debts that he owed
But there's never really any romance on the road

There's never romance on the road, only frustration and overload
He's never learned a thing from the dust that blowed
On stage for an hour, on a laser beam tower
But you know he slept while the neon glowed
There's never really any romance on the road

There's never romance on the road, only frustration and overload
He could fall in love, but he'd never know
For she's only riding and he's only hiding
He's sure to ask, but she won't say no
There's never really any romance on the road

[mojolawoman]

yay for Ben Folds and Stereolab!!!! I LOVE Stevie Wonder:

You and I

Here we are on earth together,
It's you and I,
God has made us fall in love, it's true,
I've really found someone like you

Will it say the love you feel for me, will it say,
That you will be by my side
To see me through,
Until my life is through

Well, in my mind, we can conquer the world,
In love you and I, you and I, you and I

I am glad at least in my life I found someone
That may not be here forever to see me through,
But I found strength in you,
I only pray that I have shown you a brighter day,
Because that's all that I am living for, you see,
Don't worry what happens to me

Cause' in my mind, you will stay here always,
In love, you and I, you and I, you and I, you and I
In my mind we can conquer the world
In love, you and I, you and I, you and I

also Rufus Wainwright:


14th Street

You've got my lost brother's soul
My dear mother's eyes
A brown horse's mane
And my uncle's name
You walked me down 14th Street
For the doctor to meet after thoughts of the grave
In the home of the brave and of the weak

But why'd you have to break all my heart
Couldn't you have saved a little bit of it?
Why'd you have to break all my heart?
Couldn't you have saved a minor part?

I could have clipped and saved and planted in the garden
Damn you guess I'll have to get a new one

I'd love to sit and watch you drink
With the reins to the world, gripping a smoke
Vaguely missing link
Don't ever change you hungry little bashful hound
I got the sheep, poor little Bo Peep
Has lost and filed for grounds.

But why'd you have to break all my heart
I could have ripped apart and thrown into the river
Wonder if there's hearts that will deliver

Don't ever change, don't ever worry
Because I'm coming back home tomorrow
To 14th Street where I won't hurry
And where I'll learn how to save, not just borrow
And they'll be rainbows and we will finally know


enjoy:)

[feelfab]

Bobby, Joni, all taken.

Neil Young!

I caught you knockin' at my cellar door
I love you baby can I have some more
Oh oh the damage done

I hit the city and I lost my band
I watched the needle take another man
Gone gone the damage done

I sing the song because I love the man
I know that some of you don't understand
Milk blood to keep from runnin' out

I've seen the needle and the damage done
A little part of it in every one
But every junkie's like a setting son

[Nowhere Anne]

Gary Numan - "Are 'Friends' Electric?" (1979 - number 1 hit)

It's cold outside
And the paint's peeling
Off of my walls
There's a man outside
In a long coat, grey hat
Smoking a cigarette

And now
The light fades out
And I wonder
What I'm doing
In a room like this
And there's
A knock on the door
And just for a second
I thought
I remembered you

So now I'm alone
And now
I can think for myself
About little deals
And S.U's
And things
I just don't understand
A white lie that night
Or a sly touch at times
I don't think it
Meant anything to you

So I open the door
It's the 'friend'
That I'd left
In the hallway
'Please sit down'
A candlelit shadow
On a wall near the bed

You know I hate to ask
But are 'friends' electric?
Only mine's broke down
And now I've no-one to love

So I found out
Your reasons
For the phone calls
And smiles
And it hurts
And I'm lonely
And I should never
Have tried
And I missed you tonight
It must be time to leave
You see it meant
Everything to me

Now the light fades out
And I wonder
What I'm doing
In a room like this
It's cold outside
And the paint's peeling
Off of my walls
You know I hate to ask
But are 'friends' electric?
Only mine's broke down
And now
I've no-one to love

Here is an iconic Top of the Pops performance of the song:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hcOw6OkoV1Q

[ManAtTheWindow]

Wot, no Paul Simon yet? :look:

Okay then, here's a couple, selected almost at random.
(He has so many brilliant lyrics.)

DARLING LORRAINE

The first time I saw her
I couldn't be sure
But the sin of impatience
Said, "She's just what you're looking for."

So I walked right up to her
And with the part or me that talks
I introduced myself as Frank
From New York, New York.

She's so hot, she's so cool,
I'm not. I'm just a fool
In love with darling Lorraine

All my life I've been a wanderer...
...Not really.
I mostly lived near my parents' home

Anyway Lorraine and I got married
And the usual marriage stuff
Then one day she says to me, from out of the blue,
"Frank, I've had enough.

Romance is a heartbreaker
I'm not meant to be a homemaker,
And I'm tired of being darling Lorraine."

What - you don't love me anymore?
What - you're walking out the door?
What - you don't like the way I chew?
Hey, let me tell you!

You're not the woman that I wed.
You say you're depressed but you're not.
You just like to stay in bed.
I don't need you darling Lorraine

Darling Lorraine, Lorraine
I long for your love

Financially speaking,
I guess I'm a washout
Everybody's buy and sell and sell and buy
And that's what the whole thing's all about.

If it had not been for Lorraine
I'd have left here long ago
I should have been a musician
I love the piano

She's so light, she's so free
I'm tight, well, that's me
But I feel so good with darling Lorraine.

On Christmas morning Frank awakes
To find Lorraine has made a stack of pancakes.
They watch the television, husband and wife
All afternoon "It's a Wonderful Life."

What - you don't love me anymore?
What - you're walking out the door?
What - you don't like the way I chew?
Hey, let me tell you

You're not the woman that I wed.
Gimme my robe I'm going back to bed
I'm sick to death of you, Lorraine.

Darling Lorraine, Lorraine
Her hands like wood
The doctor was smiling
But the news wasn't good.

Darling Lorraine
Please don't leave me yet
I know you're in pain
Pain you can't forget

Your breathing is like an echo of our love
Maybe I'll go down to the corner store
And buy us something sweet
Here's an extra blanket honey
To wrap around your feet

All the trees were washed with April rain
And the moon in the meadow
Took darling Lorraine


HEARTS AND BONES

One and one-half wandering Jews,
Free to wander wherever they choose,
Are travelling together
In the Sangre de Cristo
The Blood of Christ mountains
Of New Mexico,
On the last leg of the journey
They started a long time ago
The arc of a love affair
Rainbows in the high desert air
Mountain passes slipping into stones,
Hearts and bones
Hearts and bones
Hearts and bones.

Thinking back to the season before
Looking back through the cracks in the door
Two people were married
The act was outrageous
The bride was contagious
She burned like a bride.
These events may have had some effect
On the man with the girl by his side,
The arc of a love affair
His hands rolling down her hair.
Love like lightning shaking till it moans
Hearts and bones
Hearts and bones
Hearts and bones.

And whoa, whoa, whoa,
She said, "Why, why don't we drive through the night
And we'll wake up down in Mexico?"
"Oh I, I don't know nothin' about, nothin'
About no Mexico..."
"And tell me why, why won't you love me
For who I am, where I am?"
He said, " 'Cause that's not the way the world is baby,
This is how I love you, baby,
This is how I love you, baby."

One and one-half wandering Jews
Returned to their natural coasts
To resume old acquaintances
Step out occasionally
And speculate who had been damaged the most.
Easy time will determine if these consolations
Will be their reward,
The arc of a love affair,
Waiting to be restored.
You take two bodies and you twirl them into one
Their hearts and their bones
And they won't come undone
Hearts and bones
Hearts and bones
Hearts and bones
Hearts and bones

[JonnyLytnin]

Ronnie Van Zant of Lynyrd Skynyrd
Skynyrd only made 5 studio albums and 1 live release before the tragic plane crash in 1977. Here is a song from each album during that period, including a song from the live album that never had a studio release by the band.

Simple Man from the 1973 album "(Pronounced 'Lĕh-'nérd 'Skin-'nérd)"

Mama told me when I was young
Come sit beside me, my only son
And listen closely to what I say.
And if you do this
It'll help you some sunny day. Oh Yah!
Oh, take your time... Don't live too fast,
Troubles will come and they will pass.
You'll find a woman, yea yea, you'll find love,
And don't forget son,
There is someone up above.

(Chorus)
And be a simple, kind of man.
Oh be something, you love and understand.
Baby be a simple, kind of man.
Oh, won't you do this for me son,
If you can?

Forget your lust, for the rich man's gold
All that you need, is in your soul,
And you can do this, oh baby, if you try.
All that I want for you my son,
Is to be satisfied.

(Chorus)

Boy, don't you worry... you'll find yourself.
Follow your heart, lord, and nothing else.
And you can do this, oh baby, if you try.
All that I want for you my son,
Is to be satisfied.

(Chorus)

Baby be a simple, be a simple man.
Oh be something, you love and understand.
Baby be a simple, kind of man. (Fade out)


The Ballad of Curtis Loew from the 1974 album "Second Helping"

Well I used to wake the morning before the rooster crowed
Searching for soda bottles to get myself some dough
Brought 'em down to the corner, down to the country store
Cash 'em in and give my money to a man named Curtis Loew

Old Curt was a black man with white curly hair
When he had a fifth of wine he did not have a care
He used to own an old dobro, used to play it across his knee
I'd give old Curt my money, he'd play all day for me

(Chorus)
Play me a song Curtis Loew, Curtis Loew
I got your drinking money, tune up your dobro
People said he was useless, them people are the fools
'Cause Curtis Loew was the finest picker to ever play the blues

He looked to be sixty, and maybe I was ten
Mama used to whoop me but I'd go see him again
I'd clap my hands, stomp my feets, try to stay in time
He'd play me a song or two
Then take another drink of wine.

(Chorus)

Yes sir

On the day old Curtis died, nobody came to pray
Ol' preacher said some words, and they chunked him in the clay
But he lived a lifetime playin' the black man's blues
And on the day he lost his life, that's all he had to lose

Play me a song Curtis Loew, Hey Curtis Loew
I wish that you was here so everyone would know
People said he was useless, them people all are fools
'Cause Curtis you're the finest picker to ever play the blues


I'm a Country Boy from the 1975 album "Nuthin' Fancy"

New York City is a thousand miles away
And if you ask me, I'll tell you that's OK
Now I'm not trying to put the big apple down
'Cause they don't need a man like me in town
I pick cotton down on the Dixie line
Work hard all day tryin' to make a dime
But that's allright, that's OK by me
'Cause that's the way that it was meant to be

Big city, hard times don't bother me
I'm a country boy, I'm as happy as I can be

I don't like smoke chokin' up my air
And some of those city folks well they don't care
I don't like cars buzzing around
I don't even want a piece of concrete in my town
I like sunshine, fresh clean air
Makes me feel like you wouldn't care but
That's all right, each to his own
But one smell from the city
And this country boy is gone
Big city, hard times don't bother me
I'm a country boy, I'm as happy as I can be

Well, I don't want to even read about it

Let me tell you something, let me tell you true
What's right for me might not be right for you
Well, you live your way, I'll live mine
And I hope that your happy all the time
I pick cotton down on the Dixie line
Work hard all day tryin' to make a dime
But that's all right, that's OK by me
'Cause that's the way that it was supposed to be

Big city, hard times never bother me
I'm a country boy, I'm as happy as I can be

Let me tell ya, ... I said
Big city, hard times never bother me
I'm a country boy, I'm as happy as I can be
Ooh, that's my way, baby
I don't want you to even tell me about the big city
I don't want to read about it...


Gimme Back My Bullets from the 1976 album "Gimme Back My Bullets"

Life is so strange when it's changin', yes indeed
Well I've seen the hard times and the pressure's been on me
But I keep on workin' like the workin' man do
And I've got my act together, gonna walk all over you

(Chorus)
Gimme back my bullets
Put 'em back where they belong
Ain't foolin' around 'cause I done had my fun
Ain't gonna see no more damage done
Gimme back my bullets

Sweet talkin' people done ran me out of town
And I drank enough whiskey to float a battleship around
But I'm leavin' this game one step ahead of you
And you will not hear me cry 'cause I do not sing the blues

(Chorus)
Gimme back my bullets
Put 'em back where they belong
Ain't foolin' around 'cause I done had my fun
Ain't gonna see no more damage done
Gimme back, gimme back my bullets
Oh, put 'em back... where they belong

Been up and down since I turned seventeen
Well I've been on top, and then it seems I lost my dream
But I got it back, I'm feelin' better everyday
Tell all those pencil pushers, better get out of my way

(Chorus)
Gimme back my bullets
Put 'em back where they belong
Ain't foolin' around, 'cause I done had my fun
Ain't gonna see no more damage done
Gimme back, gimme back my bullets
Oh put 'em back where they belong
Gimme back my bullets


Travellin' Man from the 1976 LIVE album "One More from the Road"

I was born a travelin' man, that's all I'll ever be
Moving around from town to town is what makes me so free
My father was a trucker for the years of '23
On the day that I was born his blood was left to me

(Chorus)
I'm a travelin' man
Travelin' man -- that's what I am
Travelin' man
Travelin' man
That's what I am

Travelin' man -- that's what I am
No woman puts a hold on me
You'll see me once or maybe twice
That's all you'll see of me
All you pretty women, lord, I hope you understand
Don't be a fool, lord no, and put your heart in a travellin' man

(Chorus)
I'm a travelin' man
Travelin' man
Travelin' man -- that's what I am
Travelin' man

(Bridge)
Travelin' man -- that's what I am
Guess I'll always be
Travelin' man -- that's what I am
But at least I'm free

Travelin' man
Oh - that's what I am

Travelin' man -- that's what I am, lord I move so fast
I have had so many women, none of them have last
I am just a mover, moving fast as sound
Always free, sometimes lonely. always movin' around

(Chorus)
Travelin' man
Travelin' man -- that's what I am
Travelin' man
Oh - that's what I am

That Smell from the 1977 album "Street Survivors"

Whiskey bottles, and brand new cars
Oak tree you're in my way
There's too much coke and too much smoke
Look what's going on inside you

(Chorus)
Ooooh that smell
Can't you smell that smell
Ooooh that smell
The smell of death surrounds you

Angel of darkness is upon you
Stuck a needle in your arm
So take another toke, have a blow for your nose
One more drink fool, will drown you

(Chorus)
Ooooh that smell
Can't you smell that smell
Ooooh that smell
The smell of death surrounds you

(Bridge)
Now they call you Prince Charming
Can't speak a word when you're full of 'ludes
Say you'll be all right come tomorrow
But tomorrow might not be here for you

(Chorus)
Ooooh that smell
Can't you smell that smell
Ooooh that smell
The smell of death surrounds you

One little problem that confronts you
Got a monkey on your back
Just one more fix, Lord might do the trick
One hell of a price for you to get your kicks

(Chorus)
Ooooh that smell
Can't you smell that smell
Ooooh that smell
The smell of death surrounds you
Ooooh that smell
Can't you smell that smell
Ooooh that smell
The smell of death surrounds you

[Marmalade Skies]

Wot, no Paul Simon yet? :look:

LOL! I was skimming through this thread and literally seconds before I saw your post I asked myself "No Paul Simon?"

Bob Dylan has become an obvious one now that the thread has progressed so I won't go into it, but I'll throw down a few more favorites for Leonard Cohen (who might be my favorite lyricist now that I think about it), Paul Simon, and Bruce. I'm happy Ben Folds was mentioned! I'll have to think about some good examples that weren't already mentioned and post again later.

I don't think I'll have to say anything about "Hallelujah", do I? :rolleyes:

Stranger Song - Leonard Cohen
It's true that all the men you knew were dealers
who said they were through with dealing
Every time you gave them shelter
I know that kind of man
It's hard to hold the hand of anyone
who is reaching for the sky just to surrender
who is reaching for the sky just to surrender.

And then sweeping up the jokers that he left behind
you find he did not leave you very much not even laughter
Like any dealer he was watching for the card
that is so high and wild
he'll never need to deal another
He was just some Joseph looking for a manger
He was just some Joseph looking for a manger.

And then leaning on your window sill
he'll say one day you caused his will
to weaken with your love and warmth and shelter
And then taking from his wallet
an old schedule of trains, he'll say
I told you when I came I was a stranger
I told you when I came I was a stranger.

But now another stranger seems
to want you to ignore his dreams
as though they were the burden of some other
O you've seen that man before
his golden arm dispatching cards
but now it's rusted from the elbows to the finger
And he wants to trade the game he plays for shelter
Yes he wants to trade the game he knows for shelter.

Ah you hate to watch another tired man
lay down his hand
like he was giving up the holy game of poker
And while he talks his dreams to sleep
you notice there's a highway
that is curling up like smoke above his shoulder
and suddenly you feel a little older

You tell him to come in sit down
but something makes you turn around
The door is open you can't close your shelter
You try the handle of the road
It opens do not be afraid
It's you my love, you who are the stranger
It's you my love, you who are the stranger.

Well, I've been waiting, I was sure
we'd meet between the trains we're waiting for
I think it's time to board another
Please understand, I never had a secret chart
to get me to the heart of this
or any other matter
When he talks like this
you don't know what he's after
When he speaks like this,
you don't know what he's after.

Let's meet tomorrow if you choose
upon the shore, beneath the bridge
that they are building on some endless river
Then he leaves the platform
for the sleeping car that's warm
You realize, he's only advertising one more shelter
And it comes to you, he never was a stranger
And you say ok the bridge or someplace later.

And then sweeping up the jokers that he left behind
you find he did not leave you very much not even laughter
Like any dealer he was watching for the card
that is so high and wild
he'll never need to deal another
He was just some Joseph looking for a manger
He was just some Joseph looking for a manger.

And then leaning on your window sill
he'll say one day you caused his will
to weaken with your love and warmth and shelter
And then taking from his wallet
an old schedule of trains, he'll say
I told you when I came I was a stranger
I told you when I came I was a stranger.

"Bird On The Wire" - Leonard Cohen
Like a bird on the wire
Like a drunk in a midnight choir
I have tried in my way to be free
Like a worm on a hook
Like a knight from some old fashioned book
I have saved all my ribbons for thee
If I, if I have been unkind
I hope that you can just let it go by
If I, if I have been untrue
I hope you know it was never to you
Oh, like a baby, stillborn
Like a beast with his horn
I have torn everyone who reached out for me
But I swear by this song
And by all that I have done wrong
I will make it all up to thee
I saw a beggar leaning on his wooden crutch
He said to me, "You must not ask for so much"
And a pretty woman leaning in her darkened door
She cried to me, "Hey, why not ask for more?"
Oh, like a bird on the wire
Like a drunk in a midnight choir
I have tried in my way to be free

Kodachrome - Paul Simon
When I think back
On all the crap I learned in high school
It's a wonder
I can think at all
And though my lack of education
Hasn't hurt me none
I can read the writing on the wall

Kodachrome
They give us those nice bright colors
They give us the greens of summers
Makes you think all the world's a sunny day, Oh yeah
I got a Nikon camera
I love to take a photograph
So mama don't take my Kodachrome away

If you took all the girls I knew
When I was single
And brought them all together for one night
I know they'd never match
my sweet imagination
everything looks WORSE in black and white

Kodachrome
They give us those nice bright colors
They give us the greens of summers
Makes you think all the world's a sunny day, Oh yeah
I got a Nikon camera
I love to take a photograph
So mama don't take my Kodachrome away

Mama don't take my Kodachrome away
Mama don't take my Kodachrome away
Mama don't take my Kodachrome away

Mama don't take my Kodachrome
Mama don't take my Kodachrome
Mama don't take my Kodachrome away

Mama don't take my Kodachrome
Leave your boy so far from home
Mama don't take my Kodachrome away
Mama don't take my Kodachrome
Mama don't take my Kodachrome away


"For You" - Bruce Springsteen
rincess 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
They 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.

[Reverend Rock]

Bruce Cockburn:

CANDY MAN'S GONE

Sun climbs toward high noon,
Glints metallic off the bowl of the spoon
Sliding through the air toward parted lips
Watch the expression when the straight taste hits
Face crumples, tongue's quickly withdrawn
I hate to tell you but the candy man's gone

Oh sweet fantasia of the safe home
Where nobody has to scrape for honey at the bottom of the comb
Where every actor understands the scene
And nobody ever means to be mean
Catch it in a dream, catch it in a song
Seek it on the street, you find the candy man's gone
I hate to tell you but the candy man's gone

In the bar, in the senate, in the alley, in the study
Pimping dreams of riches for everybody
"Something for nothing, new lamps for old
And the streets will be platinum, never mind gold"
Well, hey, pass it on
Misplaced your faith and the candy man's gone
I hate to tell you but the candy man's gone

SILVER WHEELS

High speed drift on a prairie road
Hot tires sing like a string being bowed
Sudden town rears up then explodes
Fragments resolve into white line code
Whirl on silver wheels

Black earth energy receptor fields
Undulate under a grey cloud shield
We outrun a river colour brick red mud
That cleaves apart hills soil rich as blood

Highway squeeze in construction steam
Stop caution hard hat yellow insect machines
Silver steel towers stalk rolling land
Toward distant stacks that shout "Feed on demand"

100 miles later the sky has changed
Urban anticipation -- we get 4 lanes
Red orange furnace sphere notches down
Throws up silhouette skyline in brown

Sundogs flare on windshield glass
Sudden swoop skyward iron horse overpass
Pass a man walking like the man in the moon
Walking like his head's full of irish fiddle tunes

The skin around every city looks the same
Miles of flat neon spelling well-known names
USED TRUCKS DIRTY DONUTS YOU YOU'RE THE ONE
Fat wheeled cars squeal into the sun

Radio speakers gargle top 40 trash
Muzak soundtrack to slow collapse
Planet engines pulsate in sidereal time
If you listen close you can hear the whine

LORD OF THE STARFIELDS

Lord of the starfields
Ancient of Days
Universe Maker
Here's a song in your praise

Wings of the storm cloud
Beginning and end
You make my heart leap
Like a banner in the wind

O love that fires the sun
Keep me burning.
Lord of the starfields
Sower of life,
Heaven and earth are
Full of your light

Voice of the nova
Smile of the dew
All of our yearning
Only comes home to you

O love that fires the sun
keep me burning

IF I HAD A ROCKET LAUNCHER

Here comes the helicopter -- second time today
Everybody scatters and hopes it goes away
How many kids they've murdered only God can say
If I had a rocket launcher...I'd make somebody pay

I don't believe in guarded borders and I don't believe in hate
I don't believe in generals or their stinking torture states
And when I talk with the survivors of things too sickening to relate
If I had a rocket launcher...I would retaliate

On the Rio Lacantun, one hundred thousand wait
To fall down from starvation -- or some less humane fate
Cry for guatemala, with a corpse in every gate
If I had a rocket launcher...I would not hesitate

I want to raise every voice -- at least I've got to try
Every time I think about it water rises to my eyes.
Situation desperate, echoes of the victims cry
If I had a rocket launcher...Some son of a bitch would die

LOVERS IN A DANGEROUS TIME

Don't the hours grow shorter as the days go by
You never get to stop and open your eyes
One day you're waiting for the sky to fall
The next you're dazzled by the beauty of it all
When you're lovers in a dangerous time
Lovers in a dangerous time

These fragile bodies of touch and taste
This vibrant skin -- this hair like lace
Spirits open to the thrust of grace
Never a breath you can afford to waste
When you're lovers in a dangerous time
Lovers in a dangerous time

When you're lovers in a dangerous time
Sometimes you're made to feel as if your love's a crime --
But nothing worth having comes without some kind of fight --
Got to kick at the darkness 'til it bleeds daylight
When you're lovers in a dangerous time
Lovers in a dangerous time
And we're lovers in a dangerous time
Lovers in a dangerous time

[Blue_Byrd]

Roger Waters! :cool1:

Hello?
Is there anybody in there?
Just nod if you can hear me.
Is there anyone home?
Come on, Come on, Come on, now,
I hear you're feeling down.
Well, I can ease your pain
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's 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.
(solo)
I have become comfortably numb.

O.K.
Just a little pin prick.
There'll be no more aaaaaaaaah!
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's 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.
but I have become comfortably numb.

[JonnyLytnin]

Roger Waters! :cool1: ... comfortably numb.

I have yet to make my way to Pink Floyd, but the first time I heard this song was while watching "The Departed." It captivated me as a song like none other in a while. Truly great.