I forgot 1952 Vincent Black Lightning by Richard Thompson.
“A Quick One While He’s Away” by the Who
Kurt Weill’s “Pirate Jenny”
“L. A. County” by Lyle Lovett
“I’m my own Grandpa.” Heard it only twice, once in the Muppet Show, once in the Donnie and Marie Osmond Show by Paul Lynn.
“Taneytown” and “Tom Ames’ Prayer,” both by Steve Earle.
Sinead O’Conner - Her Mantle So Green: Sinead O'Connor - Her Mantle So Green - YouTube
Luke Kelly - The Kerry Recruit: Luke Kelly The Kerry Recruit (Rare) - YouTube
The Dubliners-Whiskey in the Jar: - YouTube
The Pogues - Fairytale Of New York: The Pogues - Fairytale Of New York (Official Video) - YouTube
Flight Of The Conchords - Jenny: Flight Of The Conchords - Jenny - YouTube
Elvis Costello - God’s Comic: Elvis Costello - God's Comic Live 1989 - YouTube
The Dead Milkmen - Punk Rock Girl: The Dead Milkmen - Punk Rock Girl HD - YouTube
The one thing that needs to be pointed out about story songs is this: They suck.
No, no, actually they’re wonderful and when you hear one you fall in love with it and want to hear it again. Trouble is, everyone else want to hear it again too, so you wind up hearing it a thousand times.
You can be minding your own business listening to the radio when you find yourself dragged back into caring about that stupid kid whose dad doesn’t have time for him and wishing you could push them all off the Tallahatchie Bridge.
Now as to why I have* Billy Don’t Be A Hero in rotation on my mp3 player, the saturation backlash was so fierce I didn’t hear it again for 40 years.
*(or had, until about a week ago, thus completing the circle.)
Country and folk music are full of ballads. Some of my favorite ones are
Tom Dooley - Doc Watson - YouTube
Tennessee Stud - Doc Watson Doc Watson - Tennessee Stud - YouTube
Redneck Love Gone Bad - Shannon Lawson Redneck Love Gone Bad - Shannon Lawson - YouTube
Three Wooden Crosses - Randy Travis Randy Travis - Three Wooden Crosses - YouTube
Golden Ring - George Jones and Tammy Wynette George Jones and Tammy Wynette- Golden ring - YouTube
Two Black Cadillacs - Carrie Underwood Carrie Underwood - Two Black Cadillacs - YouTube
Goodbye Earl - Dixie Chicks The Chicks - Goodbye Earl (Official Video) - YouTube
Big Bad John by Jimmy Dean
Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Sport by Rolf Harris
Lies by Stan Rogers
White Squall by Stan Rogers
Barrett’s Privateers by Stan Rogers
Theme song for the Beverly Hillbillies
Theme song for Gilligan’s Island
Theme song for The Brady Bunch
Hey, you said all genres.
gigi: Your knowledge of Stan Rogers impresses this Canadian.
The obvious choice, but other good ones are
Black Diamond Bay (tragic and hilarious)
Talkin World War III Blues - also hilarious and
Bob Dylan’s 115th Dream.
Most of my off-the-top-of-my-head choices have been taken, so I had to dig Be My Girl, Sally.
The link does not go a Police rendition, but some guy doing the key monologue of the song.
It’s worth a listen.
Not exactly safe for work, but you would really need to be paying attention to the lyrics. Turn down the volume or close your door and enjoy.
Quite a few of Slim Cessna’s songs fall into this category. Here’s the first one I ever heard, and still a favorite, about How We Do Things in the Country.
Because I can’t resist flogging Slim Cessna a little more, That Fierce Cow is Common Sense in a Country Dress.
I’m not sure it’s not; house-rent makes sense in context, but house-man doesn’t - a house-man is a live-in handyman, which isn’t the case for the teller of the tale.
Possibly another meaning for house man… = roomer?
Did anyone mention “Rocky Raccoon” or “She’s leaving Home”? By the Beatles, of course.
Shades of Gray - Cry Cry Cry
And the band played waltzing matilda - Clancy Brothers
The River - Bruce Springsteen
If you’re gonna do “Big Bad John” by Jimmy Dean, then immediately thereafter you have to do “Cajun Queen” also by Jimmy Dean.
(she brings him back to life…and they go on to have 110 grandchildren!)
~VOW
Blacksmith of Brandywine
Dawson’s Christian
With of the Westmereland
Potato’s in the Paddy Wagon