The Lyrics Thread

Aqualung - Jethro Tull

Sitting on a park bench
eyeing little girls with bad intent.
Snot running down his nose
greasy fingers smearing shabby clothes.
Drying in the cold sun
Watching as the frilly panties run.
Feeling like a dead duck
spitting out pieces of his broken luck.

Sun streaking cold
an old man wandering lonely.
Taking time
the only way he knows.
Leg hurting bad,
as he bends to pick a dog-end
he goes down to the bog
and warms his feet.

Feeling alone
the army's up the rode
salvation à la mode and
a cup of tea.
Aqualung my friend
don't start away uneasy
you poor old sod, you see, it's only me.
Do you still remember
December's foggy freeze
when the ice that
clings on to your beard is
screaming agony.
And you snatch your rattling last breaths
with deep-sea-diver sounds,
and the flowers bloom like
madness in the spring.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by DanJennings

Really enjoyed that, and listened to a couple of other songs on youtube, will definitely be checking them out, cheers

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Dan go for 'Angles' their first album, the second ones Ok (a bit patchy) but Angles is superb IMHO, 'Letter from God to Man' using a big beefed up radiohead sample is another highlight.

Actually whilst I'm here...

Dan Le Sac Vs Scroobius Pip
" Letter From God To Man "

Hey there
How's it going?
Long
Time
No
See.
I know I haven't been around much but it didn't seem like you wanted me to be.

The last time I sent down a message, you nailed it to a cross.
So I figured id just leave you to it and let you be your own boss.

But I've been keeping an eye on you, I have. And it's amazing how you've grown.
All your technological advances and the problems you've overthrown.

And all the beautiful art you've created with such grace and such finesse.
But I must admit there are a few things that, I'm afraid, have impressed me less.

So I'm writing to apologise for all the horrors committed in my name.
Although it was never what I intended I feel I should take my share of the blame.

A lot of the good that I tried to do was corrupted when organized religion got into full swing.
What I thought were quite clear messages were taken to unusual extremes.

My teachings were taken out of context to meet the agenda of others.
Interpretations were taken in many different ways and hidden meanings "discovered".

Religion became a tool for the weak to control the strong.
With all these new morals and ethics survival of the fittest was gone.

No longer could the biggest man simply take what ever he needed,
Because damnation was the price if certain rules were not heeded.

Some of the deeds committed in my name just make me wonder where I went wrong.
Back at the start when I "created" all of this, the foundations seemed so strong.

See all the elements were already here long before I began.
I just kind of put them all together. I didn't really think out a long term plan.

I made the sun an appropriate distance and laid the stars across the sky,
So you could navigate this globe or simply experience a sunrise.

I covered the earth with plants and fruits, some for sustenance and some for beauty.
And made the sun shine and clouds rain so there maintenance wasn't your duty.

I tried to give each creature it's own attributes. But without making them enveloped.
I gave you all space to grow and, in your own way, space to develop.

I didn't know that such development would cause rifts and jealousy.
Cause you to war against each other and leave marks on this planet indelibly.

You see, I wasn't the creator, more the curator of nature
And I want to set things straight with homosexuals right now: I DON'T hate ya.

I was a simple being that happened to be the first to yield such powers.
But I just laid the ground. It was you that built the towers.

It was you that invented bombs and fear that comes with them.
It was you that invented money, and corrupt economic systems.

You invented terms like "just wars" and terms like "friendly fire",
And it was you that didn't know when to stop digging deeper and when to stop building higher.

It was you that exhausted the resources I carefully laid out on this earth,
And it was you that even saw these problems coming but accredited them little worth.

It was you that used my teachings for your own personal gain
And it was you that committed such tragedies, even if they were committed in my name.

So I apologise for any mistakes I made and for when my words were misconstrued,
But this apology is to Mother Nature because I created you.

If the following lyric was written by Suzanne Vega I think it would have gained far more recognition, as it was it was written by the winner of the first American Idol. It's a very sad song, written from a girl to her parents.

Quote:

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I will not make the same mistakes that you did
I Will not let myself cause my heart so much misery
I will not break the way you did
You fell so hard
I've learned the hard way, to never let it get that far

Because of you
I'll never stray too far from the sidewalk
Because of you
I learned to play on the safe side
So I don't get hurt
Because of you
I find it hard to trust
Not only me, but everyone around me
Because of you
I am afraid

I lose my way
And it's not too long before you point it out
I cannot cry
Because I know that's weakness in your eyes
I'm forced to fake, a smile, a laugh
Every day of my life
My heart can't possibly break
When it wasn't even whole to start with

Because of you
I'll never stray too far from the sidewalk
Because of you
I learned to play on the safe side
So I don't get hurt
Because of you
I find it hard to trust
Not only me, but everyone around me
Because of you
I am afraid

I watched you die
I heard you cry
Every night in your sleep
I was so young
You should have known better than to lean on me
You never thought of anyone else
You just saw your pain
And now I cry
In the middle of the night
For the same damn thing

Because of you
I'll never stray too far from the sidewalk
Because of you
I learned to play on the safe side
So I don't get hurt
Because of you
I tried my hardest just to forget everything
Because of you
I don't know how to let anyone else in
Because of you
I'm ashamed of my life because it's empty
Because of you
I am afraid

Because of you
Because of you

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Its one o'clock and time for lunch
When the sun beats down and I lie on the bench
I can always hear them talk
Me I'm just a lawnmower you can tell me by the way I walk


From "I know what I like in your wardrobe" - Genesis (as if nobody knew ;) )

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Beechwoods

This kind of social-commentary in lyrics makes me fall for songs. I see them as political albeit quite-often with a small 'P'. One of my favourite lyrics in this vein is 'Merlene On The Wall' by Suzanne Vega. It's difficult to pick a short part, because it's all so good, but it's such a rich song, which can be interpreted in so many ways, and it's recorded so nicely, it's a real keeper.

Marlene is a picture hanging on the wall. Some say that Suzanne Vega had a poster of Marlene Dietrich and that the song is autobiographical. Some say that the song is about a taboo relationship, or an illicit relationship - to me it's a song about domestic abuse, about being trapped in a relationship, and breaking free. There's a lot I could write about this song, but go away and have a listen to it and form your own opinion :)

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Agreed 100%. Excellent reminder that I haven't played this magical track this month. I'll rectify the oversight on Tuesday.

I've been raving about it on other threads, but oh well, I'll bring it up on this one too.

Ben Folds' new album 'Lonely Avenue' was written in an interesting fashion

He was presented with lyrics by the author Nick Hornby, whose obsession with music (and Arsenal grrrr) are well known.

All the tracks are belters, but here's one for starters.



I see it all, I get it, I promise you I do
Your mom walked out on you when you were only two
You've grown up believing that this country hates the poor
You're a dad three times over and you're only twenty-four

The Christians on the radio, they act like you're scum
Self-righteous condescending bastards, each and every one
I don't read the Bible but I try to love you, man
Every flaw and violent act, I think I understand

But your dogs, your dogs, what's fun about those?
And that tat on your neck, and that ring through your nose?
The weed, the junk food, the violent pornography
Don't you think you'd want to be
Just a little bit more like me?

I still have high hopes you could join our community
There's more of us than you now, but we'd welcome the diversity
You?re not white trash, like the other neighbors say
If you want to challenge stereotyping, join the PTA

At night, when your pit bulls are scaring our children
My wife, I'll be honest here, wants me to shoot them
And sometimes I let my fantasies run

But that's only at night, when I'm not really thinking
And you're listening to Metallica in your backyard and drinking
The rest of the time I think we get along fine
I never judge you, I'm a live-and-let-live guy

But your dogs, your dogs, what?s fun about those?
And that tat on your neck, and that ring through your nose?
The weed, the junk food, the violent pornography
Don't you think you'd want to be
Just a little bit more like me?

I'm lowering the tone and reverting fifty plus years but I don't care, courtesy of Guy Mitchell -

CHORUS
Take me back baby, try me one more time.
Take me back baby, try me one more time.
If I don't make ya love me, ain't no fault of mine.

I need your lovin' baby, don't leave me all a-lone.
Without you I'll go crazy. I want you for my own.
On my bended knees I'm beggin' you please, please, please

(Chorus)

Mmm, I love cake and candy, makes me say I do.
But I'd give up cake and candy for one sweet kiss from you.
On my bended knees I'm beggin' you please, please

(Chorus)

Now you've got my devotion. Put me to the test.
I 'll swim the deep blue ocean, won't even stop to rest.
On my bended knees I'm beggin' you please, please

(Chorus)

from "Rocket Cottage" by Steeleye Span - you really have to listen to it in the original version as the WAY the song is sung makes it even more poignant for me...

What makes you go abroad fighting for strangers
When you could be safe at home free from all dangers?

A recruiting sergeant came our way
To an Inn nearby at the close of day
He said young Johnny you're a fine young man
Would you like to march along behind a military band,
With a scarlet coat and a big cocked hat,
And a musket at your shoulder,
The shilling he took and he kissed the book,
Oh poor Johnny what will happen to you?

The recruiting sergeant marched away
From the Inn nearby at the break of day,
Johnny went too with half a ring
He was off to be a soldier he'd be fighting for the King
In a far off war in a far off land
To face a foreign soldier,
But how will you fare when there's lead in the air,
Oh poor Johnny what'll happen to you?

What makes you go abroad fighting for strangers
When you could be safe at home free from all dangers?

The sun shone hot on a barren land
As a thin red line took a military stand,
There was sling shot, chain shot, grape shot too,
Swords and bayonets thrusting through,
Poor Johnny fell but the day was won
And the King is grateful to you
But your soldiering's done and they're sending you home,
Oh poor Johnny what have they done to you?

They said he was a hero and not to grieve
Over two wooden pegs and empty sleeves,
They carried him home and they set him down
With a military pension and a medal from the crown.
You haven't an arm and you haven't a leg,
The enemy nearly slew you,
You'll have to go out on the streets to beg,
Oh poor Johnny what have they done to you?

What makes you go abroad fighting for strangers
When you could be safe at home free from all dangers?

Apologies, sends shivers down my spine..... Things haven't changed, have they?

Rather a poignant one in the light of World events, from my fave, Tina Dico:

http://open.spotify.com/track/5c6IDlHY1b5qmPv7oT7qi1

Some Other Day (2007)

I watched a flood on my TV today
I couldn't say from where
Just another flood on my TV

I wasn't bothered, it was far way
Worlds away from here
From my family and me

But just for a second I could feel
This safe and independent life of mine is not real
Just for a second I could see
That nothing is forever and nothing is for free

When will I go and make a change
I've got the time and I let it waste
I frown at people who don't care but I'm just the same
I wanna make a diffrence
Maybe some other day

A bomb went off not far from here tonight
And now I'm wide awake
Tossing and a-turning in my bed

A glass of Hennessy sits by my side
But with every sip I take
These visions creep into my head

Just in this second I can see
The lights go and bricks and ceilings tumbling on me
Just in this second I can hear
The steps of panicked neighbours
The sound of fear

When will I go and make a change
I've got the time and I let it waste
I frown at people who don't care but I'm just the same
I wanna make a diffrence
Maybe some other day

There’s a house on my block
That’s abandoned and cold
The folks moved out of it a
Long time ago
And they took all their things
And they never came back
Looks like it’s haunted
With the windows all cracked
And everyone calls it
The house, the house where
Nobody lives

Once it held laughter
Once it held dreams
Did they throw it away?
Did they know what it means?
Did someone’s heart break
Or did someone do somebody wrong?

Well the paint was all cracked
It was peeled off of the wood
The papers were stacked on the porch
Where I stood
The weeds had grown up
Just as high as the door
There were birds in the chimney
And an old chest of drawers
Looks like no one will ever
Come back to the
House were nobody lives

Once it held laughter
Once it held dreams
Did they throw it away?
Did they know what it means?
Did someone’s heart break
Or did someone do somebody wrong?

So if you find someone
Someone to have, someone to hold
Don’t trade it for silver
Don’t trade it for gold
I have all of life’s treasures
And they are fine and they are good
They remind me that houses
Are just made of wood
What makes a house grand
Ain’t the roof or the doors
If there’s love in a house
It’s a palace for sure
Without love…
It ain’t nothin but a house
A house where nobody lives
Without love it ain’t nothin
But a house, a house where
Nobody lives.

(Tom Waits: A house where nobody lives)


Operator, number, please: it’s been so many years
Will she remember my old voice while I fight the tears?
Hello, hello there, is this Martha? This is old Tom Frost,
And I am calling long distance, don’t worry ’bout the cost.
’Cause it’s been forty years or more, now Martha please recall,
Meet me out for coffee, where we’ll talk about it all.

And those were days of roses, poetry and prose
And Martha all I had was you and all you had was me.
There was no tomorrows, we’d packed away our sorrows
And we saved them for a rainy day.

And I feel so much older now, and you’re much older too,
How’s your husband? And how’s the kids? You know that I got married too?
Lucky that you found someone to make you feel secure,
’Cause we were all so young and foolish, now we are mature.

And those were days of roses, poetry and prose
And Martha all I had was you and all you had was me.
There was no tomorrows, we’d packed away our sorrows
And we saved them for a rainy day.

And I was always so impulsive, I guess that I still am,
And all that really mattered then was that I was a man.
I guess that our being together was never meant to be.
And Martha, Martha, I love you can’t you see?

And those were days of roses, poetry and prose
And Martha all I had was you and all you had was me.
There was no tomorrows, we’d packed away our sorrows
And we saved them for a rainy day.

And I remember quiet evenings trembling close to you …

(Tom Waits: Martha)