# best lyrics?? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [September 8, 1999, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-lyrics/7838 "1999-09-08T22:56:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Falcon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/49beb7/32.png) [@Falcon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Falcon)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 1999, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-lyrics/7838/21 "1999-09-10T15:43:00Z")
Omni - Hey, I’d melt. For either that or “Lover Lay Down.” As I said on another thread somewhere around here, I think Dave is _very_ sexy, and mainly because of that voice. Can’t wait to go see him again next year! ---
**Author:** ![Valerieblaise](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@Valerieblaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Valerieblaise)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 1999, 9:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-lyrics/7838/22 "1999-09-12T09:16:00Z")
The best lyrics I’ve ever felt have been from the Judybats. I doubt many of you have heard of 'em. This is one of the best songs (lyrically) from their last album, “Full/Empty” Stoned Are your eyes green, or is it just envy? I only like music when I’m stoned Are your lies pleased? We believe nothing, here in the Doubters’ Club 'til it’s shown. People will compliment you on your choices What you buy, what you abuse… eerie voices - on the accesorizing of your ego they’ll never know, never know On Bourbon Street, in a fit of disclosure, I only spill my secrets when I’m blown Is it this heat? See, I only seek closure I never love my demons 'til I’m alone You talk about where I’m at - or where I’ve got to, Life is more than an escape. what I go through Like those ultimate, dear destinations Well it could be you - It could be me and you. Tell me, are your eyes green, or is it just envy? I never really need you 'til I’m alone Are you this weak? Surely you’re teasing I only like music when I’m stoned It’s just the exageration of the moment Stuff forgets yourself, your dreams. Yeah, but don’t it? Over-emphasizing every emotion… it scares me so. It scares me so ---
**Author:** ![PunditLisa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/4af34b/32.png) [@PunditLisa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PunditLisa)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 1999, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-lyrics/7838/23 "1999-09-13T00:40:00Z")
I cannot believe that no one has yet mentioned those great lyrics “Da Do Run Run, Baby, Da Do Run Run.” 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Astroglide](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/6de8d8/32.png) [@Astroglide](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Astroglide)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 1999, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-lyrics/7838/24 "1999-09-13T01:08:00Z")
If I’m gonna cry, Will you wipe away my tears? If I’m gonna die, Lord please take away my fears. **-Suicidal Tendencies** _How Will I Laugh Tommorrow, When I Can’t Even Smile Today_ Yeah, I know; but it’s always stuck with me. ---
**Author:** ![Ringo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/779978/32.png) [@Ringo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ringo)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 1999, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-lyrics/7838/25 "1999-09-13T01:37:00Z")
I just need a Pepsi… ---
**Author:** ![ChiefScott](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/58f4c7/32.png) [@ChiefScott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ChiefScott)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 1999, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-lyrics/7838/26 "1999-09-13T19:19:00Z")
“Once in a while you get shown the light, in the strangest of places if you look at it right.” – Hunter/Garcia ---
**Author:** ![BurnMeUp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/91b2a8/32.png) [@BurnMeUp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BurnMeUp)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 1999, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-lyrics/7838/27 "1999-09-13T19:22:00Z")
How about that Elton John soliloquy that goes: Saturday, saturday, saturday, saturday, saturday, saturday, saturday, saturday, saturday night’s alright * * * Don’t let the loveless ones sell you a world wrapped in grey. ---
**Author:** ![SqrlCub](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea5d25/32.png) [@SqrlCub](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SqrlCub)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 1999, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-lyrics/7838/28 "1999-09-13T19:51:00Z")
I posted this one on the songs that make you cry thread, but since I feel it is one of the best that I have heard, I thought it should be reposted. Kilkelly (Peter Jones) Kilkelly, Ireland, 1860, my dear and loving son John Your good friend schoolmaster Pat McNamara’s so good as to write these words down. Your brothers have all got a fine work in England, the house is so empty and sad The crop of potatoes is sorely infected, a third to a half of them bad. And your sister Brigid and Patrick O’Donnell are going to be married in June. Mother says not to work on the railroad and be sure to come on home soon. Kilkelly, Ireland, 1870, my dear and loving son John Hello to your Mrs and to your 4 children, may they grow healthy and strong. Michael has got in a wee bit of trouble, I suppose that he never will learn. Because of the darkness there’s no turf to speak of and now we have nothing to burn. And Brigid is happy, you named a child for her and now she’s got six of her own. You say you found work, but you don’t say what kind or when you will be coming home. Kilkelly, Ireland, 1880, dear Michael and John, my sons I’m sorry to give you the very sad news that your dear old mother has gone. We buried her down at the church in Kilkelly, your brothers and Brigid were there. You don’t have to worry, she died very quickly, remember her in your prayers. And it’s so good to hear that Michael’s returning, with money he’s sure to buy land For the crop has been bad and the people are selling at every price that they can. Kilkelly, Ireland, 1890, my dear and loving son John I suppose that I must be close on eighty, it’s thirty years since you’ve gone. Because of all of the money you send me, I’m still living out on my own. Michael has built himself a fine house and Brigid’s daughters have grown. Thank you for sending your family picture, they’re lovely young women and men. You say that you might even come for a visit, what joy to see you again. Kilkelly, Ireland, 1892, my dear brother John I’m sorry I didn’t write sooner to tell you, but father passed on. He was living with Brigid, she says he was happy and healthy right down to the end. Ah, you should have seen him play with the grandchildren of Pat McNamara, your friend. And we buried him alongside of mother, down at the Kilkelly churchyard. He was a strong and a feisty old man, considering his life was so hard. And it’s funny the way he kept talking about you, he called for you in the end. Oh, why don’t you think about coming to visit, we’d all love to see you again. ---
**Author:** ![dougie\_monty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@dougie\_monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougie_monty)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 1999, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-lyrics/7838/29 "1999-09-13T21:10:00Z")
Steve Goodman–“City of New Orleans.” Allan Sherman–“Good Advice.” Benny Hill–“In Our Garden of Love” (full of puns). Billy Joel–“Honesty” or “Just the Way You are.” 🙂 Homer & Jethro–“Fer the Good Times” (parody of Kristofferson’s song). Weird al Yankovic–“The Biggest Ball of Twine in Minnesota.” Benny Bell–“Shaving Cream”! 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Dirty\_Devil](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Dirty\_Devil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dirty_Devil)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 1999, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-lyrics/7838/30 "1999-09-13T22:54:00Z")
The woman was a dream I had Though rather hard to keep. For when my eyes were watching hers They closed, and I was still asleep. For when my hand was holding hers She whispered words and I awoke. And faintly bouncing around the room, The echo of whomever spoke. I awoke and faintly bouncing 'round the room, The echo of whomever spoke. -“Bouncing 'Round The Room” by Phish * * * “What I wonder is why people are so afraid of everybody coming up with their own reality on their own terms.” - Jerry Garcia ---
**Author:** ![sly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e56c9b/32.png) [@sly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sly)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 1999, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-lyrics/7838/31 "1999-09-14T00:07:00Z")
I can’t complain, but sometime I still do. Life’s been good to me so far. ---
**Author:** ![Sam\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 1999, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-lyrics/7838/32 "1999-09-14T19:19:00Z")
Let me add Warren Zevon to the mix. Biting satire, humor, and some great love songs too. ---
**Author:** ![Valerieblaise](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@Valerieblaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Valerieblaise)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 1999, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-lyrics/7838/33 "1999-09-15T13:22:00Z")
Screw what I said earlier. These are from Junkyard’s first CD. The song is “Hands Off”: And for three days on end She was in bed with my best friend Discussing our little ‘problem’ She cried, and she basically said, “David, we didn’t do anything. He’s a really understanding guy and he really LISTENS -” and I said, “Baby - you gave him head! GODDAMN!!” Sorry, just love that song \> 🙂 * * * “You’re going to listen to ME? To something I said? Haven’t I made it abundantly clear over the tenure of our friendship that I don’t know shit?” - Brodie, “Mallrats” ---
**Author:** ![Coldfire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a587f6/32.png) [@Coldfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coldfire)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 1999, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-lyrics/7838/34 "1999-09-15T15:53:00Z")
REGARDING RUSH When “The Trees” was played regularly on radio, Rush have been blamed for all sorts of things, like being commies, conservatives, racists (Geddy Lee is a JEW for christsake 😉 ), you name it. Truth is, and songwriter Neil Peart has explained this in many an interview: there is absolutely NO deeper meaning behind the lyrics of “The Trees”. He once saw a cartoon about trees getting into arguments about the bigger ones getting all the sunlight, etc etc, and based the song on that. Kinda makes you think what the hell they were smoking at the time, but racists or anything, NO. The boys of Rush wouldn’t be the ones to chikcen out and deny accusations if their lyrics would have offended someone or some political group, as many of their songs actually DO contain politically charged lyrics which Rush are quite open and straightforward about, even if the topics offend majorities. “Manhattan Project”, “Limelight”, the Fear-trilogy, just a few that spring to mind… Sorry guys, no cigar so far… although it’s a common myth about “The Trees”, I’ll give you that. Great lyrics, though. Even it’s just a cartoon story elaborated upon 🙂 Coldfire * * * “You know how complex women are” - Neil Peart, Rush (1993) ---
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 1999, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-lyrics/7838/35 "1999-09-15T15:59:00Z")
I have made a big decision I’m gonna try to nullify my life 'Cause when the blood begins to flow When it shoots up the dropper’s neck When I’m closing in on death You can’t help me, not you guys or all you girls with your sweet silly talk You can all go take a walk… Heroin, be the death of me Heroin, it’s my wife and it’s my life ``` -- Lou Reed ``` ---
**Author:** ![Sassy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e47c2d/32.png) [@Sassy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sassy)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 1999, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-lyrics/7838/36 "1999-09-15T20:11:00Z")
Yikes, Ike - I would not have thought of that one, although I think it’s brilliant and have long held the belief that Lou Reed is God. (My life has actually improved since I took up that belief!) My favorite is “All Tomorrow’s Parties.” * * * The reason gentlemen prefer blondes is that there are not enough redheads to go around. ---
**Author:** ![PTVroman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/bb73d2/32.png) [@PTVroman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PTVroman)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 1999, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-lyrics/7838/37 "1999-09-15T22:25:00Z")
I have to aggree with a lot of what’s here. Andy Partridge of XTC comes up with some of the most immaginative phraises. > [@](#): > > If I’m not the sole fool to pull his trousers down, > then, Dear Madam Barnum, I resign as clown. Dylan was one of the first in rock & roll whos lyrics could stand as poetry; Lou Reed has a wonderful sence of the grimy side of reality (see quote above from Heroin, or listen to Street Hassle); any one who could write a song like “A Dying Cub Fan’s Last Request” (Steve Goodman) can’t be all bad. But for true immaginative lyrics, you have to go back to Gilbert & Sullivan or Cole Porter. Many of their lyrics are a bit dated (You’re the top!.. You’re cellophane!), but with a little bit of historical perspective, their genius shows. * * * _“The large print givith, and the small print taketh away.”_ Tom Waites, “Step Right Up” ---
**Author:** ![Beruang](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/77aa72/32.png) [@Beruang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beruang)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 1999, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-lyrics/7838/38 "1999-09-15T22:40:00Z")
Bob Dylan and The Beatles, of course. There’s a hopelessly obscure dude name o’ Tonio K. who’s first album, “Amerika: Cars, Guitars and Teenage Violence” is amazing. I’ve always had a soft spot in my head for Suzanne Vega. But above all else, Cole Porter. Especially “Night and Day.” Gershwin, Kahn, Coward? Yes, yes, very nice, very good. Excellent, excellent. Ah, but Cole… ---
**Author:** ![donpitt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/53a042/32.png) [@donpitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/donpitt)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 1999, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-lyrics/7838/39 "1999-09-15T22:41:00Z")
I have to agree with the Lou Reed posting - “Heroin” is the best ever rocknroll song. And to whoever nominated the Dave Matthews, that is one of the best songs to help move things along (if you get my drift) ever recorded. But… the best lyrics have to be from the Violent Femmes “Country Death Song” “Gather 'round boys to the tale that I tell You wanta know how to take a short trip to hell? It’s guaranteed to get your own place in hell. Just take your lovely daughter and push her in the well, Take your lovely daughter and throw her in the well. Don’t speak to me of lovers with a broken heart, You wanna know what will really tear you apart? I’m going out to the barn with a never stopping pain. I’m going out to the barn to hang myself in shame.” [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-lyrics/7838.md?page=1)