# Best Story Songs? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 2, 2013, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-story-songs/651850 "2013-03-02T21:41:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![bobkitty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/c67d28/32.png) [@bobkitty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobkitty)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2013, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-story-songs/651850/61 "2013-03-03T19:09:10Z")
Scenes from an Italian Restaurant, Billy Joel. It’s All Coming Back To Me Now, Celine Dion The Boxer, Simon and Garfunkel No Son of Mine, Phil Collins Agree with almost everything by Loreena. ---
**Author:** ![lisiate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f05b48/32.png) [@lisiate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lisiate)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2013, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-story-songs/651850/62 "2013-03-03T20:04:23Z")
> [@mcgato](#): > > Dylan’s _Lily, Rosemary, and the Jack of Hearts_ Another vote for this, apparently as a toddler I’d rock along to this on my rocking horse for the whole 7 minutes or so. Great lyrics and a good story. > [@MadTheSwine](#): > > Thirded, and adding _Utah Carol_, _Feleena_(which is El Paso from the woman’s view) and_The Master’s Call_ … so many more by Marty. > > Steve Earle _Copperhead Road_,_The Devil’s Right Hand_ _Copperhead Row_ is a great song. > [@Lemur866](#): > > Sinead O’Conner - Her Mantle So Green: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TcuL2lTFp34](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TcuL2lTFp34) > > Luke Kelly - The Kerry Recruit: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nkqK72W-HLk](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nkqK72W-HLk) > > The Dubliners-Whiskey in the Jar: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8eOIU9ekSMk](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8eOIU9ekSMk) > > The Pogues - Fairytale Of New York: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9jbdgZidu8](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9jbdgZidu8) > > Flight Of The Conchords - Jenny: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mlYkIJVguCU](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mlYkIJVguCU) > > Elvis Costello - God’s Comic: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N0N6TfU54o8](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N0N6TfU54o8) > > The Dead Milkmen - Punk Rock Girl: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZyaK3jo4Sl4](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZyaK3jo4Sl4) I prefer Thin Lizzy’s cover of _Whiskey in the Jar_ Looking a the wikipedia [article](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whiskey_in_the_jar) this may be the oldest song mentioned thus far. _Fairytale of New York_ is another great one. Another one which I’m surprised not to have seen mentioned - The Band’s _[The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Night_They_Drove_Old_Dixie_Down)_. ---
**Author:** ![Saintly\_Loser](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saintly_loser/32/4045_2.png) [@Saintly\_Loser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saintly_Loser)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2013, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-story-songs/651850/63 "2013-03-03T20:15:44Z")
> [@Hello\_Again](#): > > Boy Named Sue by Johnny Cash By Shel Silverstein, actually. At least if we understand “by” to mean “written by.” ---
**Author:** ![Zebra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/c0e974/32.png) [@Zebra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zebra)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2013, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-story-songs/651850/64 "2013-03-03T20:23:27Z")
**Maragritaville by Jimmy Buffet** (what the hell is wrong with you people?) Also [Uneasy Rider by Charlie Daniels](http://youtu.be/952h-AJ3Bcg) Loads of Irish songs [Molly Malone](http://youtu.be/vdxLxnhGnvo) as sung by the Dubliners [Don’t Go for the One](http://youtu.be/iWxYajqvRHM) by Gaelic Storm [Darcy’s Donkey](http://youtu.be/TVzY69iZxlo) by Gaelic Storm (a total blast of a song) ---
**Author:** ![James\_Otto\_Sweet\_Heart](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ac8455/32.png) [@James\_Otto\_Sweet\_Heart](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/James_Otto_Sweet_Heart)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2013, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-story-songs/651850/65 "2013-03-03T22:02:11Z")
Go [here](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oMskejTJ6aM) to see my most favorite singer James Otto perform “In Color” written by him and Jamey Johnson and Lee Thomas Miller in front of a crowd that I was a part just over two years ago which in my opinion could not be more of a story type of song. 🙂 🙂 🙂 God bless you and James always!!! 🙂 🙂 🙂 Holly P.S. This song was named the 2009 CMA and ACM Song of the Year. 🙂 🙂 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2013, 4:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-story-songs/651850/66 "2013-03-04T04:29:57Z")
> [@Leaffan](#): > > **gigi** : Your knowledge of Stan Rogers impresses this Canadian. I love him so much and it makes me sad everything that he might have done. **Lies** is probably my all-time favorite song of any genre, both the writing and his beautiful delivery. /Stan Rogers Sweet Heart ---
**Author:** ![BobArrgh](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobarrgh/32/2881_2.png) [@BobArrgh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobArrgh)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2013, 4:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-story-songs/651850/67 "2013-03-04T04:32:50Z")
> [@gigi](#): > > **Barrett’s Privateers** by Stan Rogers This song is amazing! Very well played, **gigi**. ---
**Author:** ![Fat\_Orange\_Cat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e495f1/32.png) [@Fat\_Orange\_Cat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fat_Orange_Cat)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2013, 4:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-story-songs/651850/68 "2013-03-04T04:35:58Z")
Cold Missouri Waters by James Keelaghan ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2013, 4:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-story-songs/651850/69 "2013-03-04T04:46:46Z")
[_Ringo_ by Lorne Greene.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=noER_E34jr4) He doesn’t actually _sing_ it, of course. Does it count as a song? ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2013, 4:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-story-songs/651850/70 "2013-03-04T04:52:56Z")
Missed the edit window: This one does, though. [Angie Baby,](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQKyGt_I5L4) as performed by Helen Reddy. ---
**Author:** ![Reepicheep](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ed655f/32.png) [@Reepicheep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reepicheep)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2013, 5:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-story-songs/651850/71 "2013-03-04T05:22:25Z")
Chris De Burgh has a number of these From \*Spanish Train and other Stories \*– [Spanish Train](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ace7mrRFG6A) [Patricia the Stripper](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KrJzbMqRoZk) [The Painter](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H0KH72pPp9c) From _Crusader_ [Crusader](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABT7DWGw1dA) [The Girl with April in Her Eyes](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aeIWgKIqSao) ---
**Author:** ![Zebra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/c0e974/32.png) [@Zebra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zebra)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2013, 5:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-story-songs/651850/72 "2013-03-04T05:58:04Z")
Mr. Bojangles ---
**Author:** ![Odesio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/odesio/32/20003_2.png) [@Odesio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odesio)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2013, 7:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-story-songs/651850/73 "2013-03-04T07:04:31Z")
“Drink with the Living Dead” by Ghoultown. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/yywGI1H_oyM/maxresdefault.jpg "Ghoultown "Drink With The Living Dead" [Official]") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yywGI1H_oyM) ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2013, 8:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-story-songs/651850/74 "2013-03-04T08:40:48Z")
Folsom Prison Blues - Johnny Cash Frankie and Johnny - Johnny Cash You Never Can Tell - Chuck Berry Back In the USA - Chuck Berry (Actually, most of Chick Berry’s songs) The Battle of New Orleans - Johnny Horton Sink the Bismark - Johnny Horton Fernando - ABBA Whiskey Lullaby - Alison Krauss Alice’s Restaurant Massacre - Arlo Guthrie The Weight - The Band Jail House Rock - Elvis In the Ghetto - Elvis The Sloop John B. - Beach Boys Brandy - Looking Glass ---
**Author:** ![TonySinclair](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/49beb7/32.png) [@TonySinclair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TonySinclair)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2013, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-story-songs/651850/75 "2013-03-04T15:48:25Z")
> [@Zebra](#): > > Mr. Bojangles +1. Also, _The Year of the Cat_, Al Stewart, though more for the music than the story. And I am in absolute awe that they could make a [live version](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QM7LR46zrQU) come out so well. ---
**Author:** ![Indian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c0e974/32.png) [@Indian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Indian)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2013, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-story-songs/651850/76 "2013-03-04T15:52:40Z")
A deck of Cards by Tex Ritter ---
**Author:** ![Infovore](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/infovore/32/420_2.png) [@Infovore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Infovore)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2013, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-story-songs/651850/77 "2013-03-04T15:54:48Z")
_Big Riff and Mando_, Jethro Tull Pretty much anything by C. W. McCall: _Convoy_, _Wolf Creek Pass_, _Classified_, _Roses for Mama_, _Black Bear Road_, _Crispy Critters_, _The Little Brown Sparrow and Me_…um, yeah. Just go listen to just about anything of his. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![bup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/6bbea6/32.png) [@bup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bup)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2013, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-story-songs/651850/78 "2013-03-04T15:57:37Z")
Lyle Lovett - \*Church \*and _Lights of LA County_ ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2013, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-story-songs/651850/79 "2013-03-04T16:15:07Z")
The Ballad of John and Yoko. ---
**Author:** ![Ellen\_Cherry](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellen_cherry/32/3600_2.png) [@Ellen\_Cherry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellen_Cherry)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2013, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-story-songs/651850/80 "2013-03-04T16:16:24Z")
Harry Chapin has been mentioned, but not [Mr. Tanner](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upZB5VlbC6o). It’s a real three-hanky weeper, too. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-story-songs/651850.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-story-songs/651850.md?page=5)