For some reason, certain arrangements of basic parts of speech attached to pitch and cadence got themselves permanently attached to my (remaining) brain cells.
What are your favs?
Here's my Top 3.
#1:
"Her teeth were like the stars above because they come out every night." Homer and Jethro, Live at the Country Club (Side one)
#2:
"They'll never forgot you, until somebody new comes along." (I think you know this one)
#3:
I had an internal UFC level battle going on in my head for this position, with no less than 11 contenders duking it out. So, I just gave up, and passed the baton to you guys.
“Pride of Man” is a bible-based song, which references the destruction of Babylon and possibly the Tower of Babel fiasco, as well. The song was written and originally performed as Dylanesque folk-rock by Hamilton Camp, on his 1964 album, Paths of Victory. It was an enjoyable listen in that incarnation
But in 1968, the San Francisco band, Quicksilver Messenger Service, recorded the definitive performance of the song as a full-on rocker, featuring some of Quicksilver guitarist John Cippolina’s best work ever.
Turn around, go back down
Back the way you came
Can't you see that flash of fire
Ten times brighter then the day
And behold a mighty city
Broken in the dust again
Oh god, pride of man
Broken in the dust again
Turn around, go back down
Back the way you came
Babylon is laid to waste
Egypt's buried in her shame
Their mighty men are all beaten down
Their kings are fallin' in the ways
Oh god, pride of man
Broken in the dust again
Turn around, go back down
Back the way you came
Terror is on every sign
Though our leaders are dismayed
All those who place their faith in fire
In fire their fate shall be repaid
Oh god, pride of man
Broken in the dust again
Turn around, go back down
Back the way you came
And shout a warning to the nation
That the sword of god is raised
Get Babylon backed by its city
Rich in treasure, wide in fame
Oh god, pride of man
Broken in the dust again
Yeah!
Ahhhhhh
Ahhhhhh
Ahh ahh ahh ahh
And it shall cause your tower to fall
Make of you a pyre of flame
Oh, you who dwell on many waters
Rich in treasure, wide in fame
You bow unto your... your god of gold
Your pride of might shall be a shame
For only god can lead his people
Back unto the earth again
Oh god, pride of man
Broken in the dust again
Our holy mountain be restored
And mercy on the people
The people
Ahhhhhhh ahhhh
Sometimes I don't know where this dirty road is taking me
Sometimes I don't even know the reason why
But I guess I'll keep a-gamblin', lots of booze and lots of ramblin'
But it's easier than just a-waitin' around to die
Oh one time, friends, I had a ma, even had a pa
Well, he beat her with a belt once 'cause she cried
She told him to take care of me, headed down to Tennessee
Well, it's easier than just a-waitin' around to die
I came age and I found a girl in a Tuscaloosa bar
Oh, she cleaned me out and hit it on the sly
Well, I tried to kill the pain, I bought some wine and hopped a train
Seemed easier than just a-waitin' around to die
Had a friend, said he knew where some easy money was
We robbed a man, and brother did we fly
But the posse caught up with me and drug me back to Muskogee
And it's two long years a-waitin' around to die
Oh, but now I'm out of prison
I got me a friend at last
He don't drink or steal or cheat or lie
Oh, his name's codeine
He's the nicest thing I've seen
Well, together we're gonna wait around and die
Yeah, together we're gonna wait around and die
There's a road I'd like to tell you about, lives in my home town
Lake Shore Drive, the road is called and it'll take you up or down
From rats on up to riches, fifteen minutes you can fly
Pretty blue lights along the way, help you right on by
And the blue lights shining with a heavenly grace, help you right on by
And there ain't no road just like it
Anywhere I found
Running south on Lake Shore Drive heading into town
Just slippin' on by on LSD, Friday night trouble bound
And it starts up north from Hollywood, water on the driving side
Concrete mountains rearing up, throwing shadows just about five
Sometimes you can smell the green if your mind is feeling fine
There ain't no finer place to be, than running Lake Shore Drive
And there's no peace of mind, or place you see, than riding on Lake Shore Drive
And there ain't no road just like it
Anywhere I found
Running south on Lake Shore Drive, heading into town
Just slippin' on by on LSD, Friday night trouble bound
And it's Friday night and you're looking clean
Too early to start the rounds
A ten minute ride from the Gold Coast back, make sure you're pleasure bound
And it's four o'clock in the morning and all of the people have gone away
Just you and your mind and Lake Shore Drive, tomorrow is another day
And the sunshine's fine in the morning time, tomorrow is another day
And there ain't no road just like it
Anywhere I found
Running south on Lake Shore Drive, heading into town
Just snaking on by on LSD, Friday night trouble bound
A hand print on the driver's side it looks a lot like engine oil and tastes like being poor and small and popsicles in summer ...Neko Case : Deep Red Bells
Paul Weller - "As You Lean Into The Light" off Heavy Soul
Gentle rain
Here it comes again
Rattling 'round your window, threatening pain
Coming on like a friend, but you know better than
Yesterday that held you by a different hand
Hail and stone
And all that's gone
When everything that passes, cuts to the bone
Turning like a wheel dragging a heavy stone
A weight that ties you down that you will never own
Strange to see, a paper smile on thee
When once you moved and light the room
For us all to be
Now if I could be the sun I'd shine in your life
If I could be the rain, I'd rain from your eyes
And I'd wash away the emptiness you feel inside
While lyrics don't make or break music for me (I listen to a lot of instrumental music, and music in different languages), great lyrics are a nice plus.
Genesis - The Lamia
The scent grows richer, he knows he must be near,
He finds a long passageway lit by chandelier.
Each step he takes, the perfumes change
From familiar fragrance to flavors strange.
A magnificent chamber meets his eye.
Inside, a long rose-water pool is shrouded by fine mist.
Stepping in the moist silence, with a warm breeze he's gently kissed.
Thinking he is quite alone,
He enters the room, as if it were his own,
But ripples on the sweet pink water
Reveal some company unthought of
Rael stands astonished doubting his sight,
Struck by beauty, gripped in fright;
Three vermilion snakes of female face,
The smallest motion, filled with grace.
Muted melodies fill the echoing hall,
But there is no sign of warning in the siren's call:
"Rael welcome, we are the Lamia of the pool.
We have been waiting for our waters to bring you cool."
Putting fear beside him, he trusts in beauty blind,
He slips into the nectar, leaving his shredded clothes behind.
"With their tongues, they test, taste and judge all that is mine.
They move in a series of caresses
That glide up and down my spine.
As they nibble the fruit of my flesh, I feel no pain,
Only a magic that a name would stain.
With the first drop of my blood in their veins
Their faces are convulsed in mortal pains.
The fairest cries, 'We all have loved you Rael'."
Each empty snakelike body floats,
Silent sorrow in empty boats.
A sickly sourness fills the room,
The bitter harvest of a dying bloom.
Looking for motion I know I will not find,
I stroke the curls now turning pale, in which I'd lain entwined
"O Lamia, your flesh that remains I will take as my food"
It is the scent of garlic that lingers on my chocolate fingers.
Looking behind me, the water turns icy blue,
The lights are dimmed and once again the stage is set for you.
"I have all the self-loathing of a wolf in sheep's clothing." - Billy Bragg: "Accident Waiting to Happen"
"She's got cheekbones like geometry and eyes like sin and she's been sexually enlightened by Cosmopolitan." Lloyd Cole: "Perfect Skin"
"I wore my heart on my sleeve to court the wretched and the free." - Lloyd Cole: "Man Enough.
"What she asked of me at the end of the day, Caligula would have blushed." - Morrissey (Smiths): "Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now"
"I seek to express my belief, that sweet talk like candy rots teeth." - Paddy MacAloon (Prefab Sprout): "Hallelujah"
"You should be loving someone and you know who it must be, cause you'll never find Atlantis till you make that someone me." - Paddy MacAloon (Prefab Sprout): "Looking for Atlantis"
Tired of lying in the sunshine, staying home to watch the rain
And you are young and life is long, and there is time to kill today
And then one day you find ten years have got behind you
No one told you when to run, you missed the starting gun
See her picture in a thousand places
’Cause she’s this year’s girl
You think you all own little pieces
Of this year’s girl
Forget your fancy manners
Forget your English grammar
’Cause you don’t really give a damn about this year’s girl
Still, you’re hoping that she’s well spoken
’Cause she’s this year’s girl
You want her broken with her mouth wide open
’Cause she’s this year’s girl
Never knowing it’s a real attraction
All these promises of satisfaction
While she’s being bored to distraction
Being this year’s girl
Time’s running out
She’s not happy with the cost
There’d be no doubt
Only she’s forgotten much more than she’s lost
A bright spark might corner the market
In this year’s girl
You see yourself rolling on the carpet
With this year’s girl
Those disco synthesizers
Those daily tranquilizers
Those body building prizes
Those bedroom alibis
All this, but no surprises for this year’s girl
All this, but no surprises for this year’s girl
All this, but no surprises for this year’s girl
Well, it's a marvelous night for a Moondance
With the stars up above in your eyes
A fantabulous night to make romance
'Neath the cover of October skies
And all the leaves on the trees are falling
To the sound of the breezes that blow
And I'm trying to please to the calling
Of your heart-strings that play soft and low
And all the night's magic seems to whisper and hush
And all the soft moonlight seems to shine in your blush
Can I just have one a' more Moondance with you, my love
Can I just make some more romance with a-you, my love
Well, I wanna make love to you tonight
I can't wait 'til the morning has come
And I know that the time is just right
And straight into my arms you will run
And when you come my heart will be waiting
To make sure that you're never alone
There and then all my dreams will come true, dear
There and then I will make you my own
And every time I touch you, you just tremble inside
And I know how much you want me that you can't hide
One more Moondance with you in the moonlight
On a magic night
La, la, la, la in the moonlight
On a magic night
Can't I just have one more dance with you my love
I never saw the morning 'til I stayed up all night
I never saw the sunshine 'til you turned out the light
I never saw my hometown until I stayed away too long
I never heard the melody until I needed a song
I never saw the white line, 'til I was leaving you behind
I never knew I needed you until I was caught up in a bind
I never spoke "I love you" 'til I cursed you in vain
I never felt my heartstrings until I nearly went insane
I never saw the east coast until I moved to the west
I never saw the moonlight until it shone off of your breast
I never saw your heart until someone tried to steal, tried to steal it away
I never saw your tears until they rolled down your face
I never saw the morning 'til I stayed up all night
I never saw the sunshine 'til you turned out your love light, baby
I never saw my hometown until I stayed away too long
I never heard the melody until I needed the song
Ain't it just like the night to play tricks
When you're tryin' to be so quiet
We sit here stranded, though we're all doin' our best to deny it
And Louise holds a handful of rain, temptin' you to defy it
Lights flicker from the opposite loft
In this room the heat pipes just cough
The country music station plays soft
But there's nothing, really nothing to turn off
Just Louise and her lover so entwined
And these visions of Johanna that conquer my mind
Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens
Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens
Brown paper packages tied up with strings
These are a few of my favorite things…..
————————————————————
Once I lived the life of a millionaire
Spent all my money, I just did not care
Took all my friends out for a good time
Bought bootleg whiskey, champagne and wine
Then I began to fall so low
Lost all my good friends, I did not have nowhere to go
I get my hands on a dollar again
I'm going to hang on to it until that eagle grins
Because no, no, nobody knows you
When you're down and out
In your pocket, not one penny
And as for friends, you don't have any….
I must be hungry
Because I go crazy
Over your leather boots
Now baby, I know
That's not normal
Frank Zappa: Camarillo Brillo
She had a snake for a pet and an amulet
And she was breeding a dwarf but she wasn't done yet
She had gray-green skin, a doll with a pin
I told her she was alright but I couldn't come in
(I couldn't come in right then...)
Neil Young: After the Gold Rush
I was lyin' in a burned out basement
With the full moon in my eyes
I was hopin' for replacement
When the sun burst through the sky
There was a band playin' in my head
And I felt like getting high
I was thinkin' about what a friend had said
I was hopin' it was a lie
Thinkin' about what a friend had said
I was hopin' it was a lie
Well, I dreamed I saw the silver space ships flyin'
In the yellow haze of the sun
There were children cryin' and colors flyin'
All around the chosen ones
All in a dream, all in a dream
The loadin' had begun
Flying Mother Nature's silver seed
To a new home in the sun
Flying Mother Nature's silver seed
To a new home
John Prine: Hello in There
We had an apartment in the city
Me and Loretta liked living there
Well, it'd been years since the kids had grown
A life of their own left us alone
John and Linda live in Omaha
And Joe is somewhere on the road
We lost Davy in the Korean War
And I still don't know what for, don't matter anymore
O Holy Night (Traditional)
Truly He taught us to love one another;
His law is love and His Gospel is Peace
Chains shall He break, for the slave is our brother
And in His name, all oppression shall cease
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we
Let all within us Praise His Holy name
Christ is the Lord; O praise His name forever!
His power and glory evermore proclaim
His power and glory evermore proclaim
I agree with James McMurtry as a writer of great lyrics, although one would have to quote the entire song to fully appreciate the lyrics. His are not one-liner lyrics.
Greg Brown also writes great lyrics, again not one-liners and a couple of songs off his Poet's Game album are incredibly good. The title track about the power of words and the ultimate futility of words is particularly good in the context of current events. Another song on this album called "Brand New Dodge" describes a young boy riding in the new family car--a '64 Dodge they bought in November of '63. It describes the innocence that of that time that is about to be shattered by the Kennedy assassination. The only mention of Kennedy is the boy's description of the people he thinks Jesus loves which includes "And Jesus loves our president, even though he is a Catholic." Actually, there is a one-liner from a song called "Jesus & Elvis" on the same album that describes the two miracle workers; the song opens with "Jesus had some water, said "wine would be better yet, Elvis picked up a guitar and made all the women wet."
..:Well, I don't exactly know
What's going on in the world today
Don't know what there is to say
About the way the people are treating
Each other, not like brothers
Leaders take us far away from ecology
With mythology and astrology
Has got some words to say
About the way we live today
Why can't we learn to love each other
It's time to turn a new face
To the whole world wide human race
Stop the money chase
Lay back, relax
Get back on the human track
Stop racing toward oblivion
Oh, such a sad, sad state we're in
And that's a thing
Do you recognize the bells of truth
When you hear them ring
Won't you stop and listen
To the children sing
Won't you come on and sing it children…
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