Hey fellow dopers,
I am looking to find the best songs that tell a non-love story. Things to consider would be originality (which strikes out any love song ever), good tune, interesting story. Here are some of my early contenders:
Cats in the Cradle - Harry Chapin
Copperhead Road - Steve Earle
The Greatest - Kenny Rogers
Anybody else have some nominations?
I searched and do not think this thread is a repeat, if it is, feel free to let me know and I will stand humbly corrected.
No contest… * Alice’s Restaurant * by Arlo Guthrie.
Does past love count?
Taxi… by the aforementioned Harry Chapin. He is sorely missed.
Alice’s Restaurent definately…
Kudo’s to Scenes from Italian Restaurent by Billy Joel… (Which is the only thing I can think of off the top of my head… but its an interesting song with a few stories. 
)
Screeme
myrr…almost a simupost!
Great song.
How about The Boxer or the one about Lincoln Duncan (maybe that’s the title?) by Paul Simon.
Asmodeus: moreover, you came up with one almost as good as my suggestion
I definitely second any of Harry Chapin.
Gonna beat Coldfire to this one: 2112, by Rush.
How about The Devil Went Down to Georgia?
Girls with Guitars
If you’re into comedy, Third Rock from the Sun (no connection to the TV show).
As long as being extremely depressing doesn’t disqualify a song, I’ll have to say “Waltzing Matilda” by the Pogues
How about “The Trees” by Rush?
But my favorite–gotta be “The Blind Man in the Bleachers/The Last Game of the Season” by Dave Geddes. Heart-rending.
“Friend of the Devil” by The Greatful Dead: Depending on my mood, one of my favorite Dead songs, and sheer poetry. A great story-song.
“Tangled Up In Blue” by Bob Dylan: Another great narrative song…
And as much as I LOVE “Alice’s Restaurant,” I’m not so sure it qualifies as a proper song. It’s more of a monologue with a guitar track.
Other than that, I second all of the previously mentioned songs.
“The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald” by Gordon Lightfoot
“Poncho and Lefty” by Willie Nelson and Merle Hagard
“Vincet (Starry Starry Night)” Don Mclean
“House at Pooh Corner” Kenny Logins
“Detachable Penis” by King Missle
and
“Brick” by Ben Fold’s Five
I kinda like “Lola,” especially for its ambiguity (Is Lola a man? Or is she glad the singer’s a man?).
Tom Chapin (Harry’s more talented and obscure brother) wrote quite a few – “Plenty of Room,” “It’s a Long Way Home,” “Parade Came Marching” – but most people undeservedly dismiss him because his songs are aimed at kids.
“Utah Carol”, “The Strawberry Roan”, “The Masters Call”,“Ballad of The Alamo”, And “El Paso City”(not to be confused with El Paso)- Marty Robbins
“Devils Right Hand”- Steve Earle
A rather short song, but I also like “When The Tigers Broke Free” by Pink Floyd.
“Roland The Headless Thompson Gunner”- Warren Zevon
“Tweeter And The Monkeyman”- Travelling Wilburys
Long Arm of the Law Kenny Rogers
Dress Rehearsal Rag - Leonard Cohen
The Man in Black - Johnny Cash
Papa Won’t Leave You Henry - Nick Cave
Sister Ray - The Velvet Underground
Marquee Moon - Television
Frankie Teardrop - Suicide
Rime of the Ancient Marriner - Iron Maiden (sure they stole it from Coleridge, but it’s still a great story)
HenrySpencer
Whoops - forgot one great one:
Buenos Tardes Amigos - Ween
(spelling’s probably wrong, but if you’ve heard it, you know what I mean)
HenrySpencer
** jayron 32: ** blasphemer–get thee gone from this hallowed place.
Also, the entire * Murder Ballads * album by Nick Cave. Eexcept for the cover of “Death is Not the End”. It’s a good cover, but I don’t think it fits this category.