# Great story songs. **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 26, 2014, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-story-songs/708187 "2014-12-26T03:20:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![SpyOne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/82dd89/32.png) [@SpyOne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpyOne)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2015, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-story-songs/708187/121 "2015-02-09T17:31:33Z")
So many great songs have already been mentioned, but let me add a few more. [Same Auld Lang Syne](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cmVXYOJzAJM) by Dan Fogelberg, which only gets airplay around Christmas despite the only holiday references being the lyrics in the second line and the sax playing Auld Lang Syne at the end. Or if funny is more your vein, [Sittin’ Up With The Dead](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0FJNZyhRfA4), by Ray Stephens. ---
**Author:** ![SpyOne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/82dd89/32.png) [@SpyOne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpyOne)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2015, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-story-songs/708187/122 "2015-02-09T17:44:09Z")
> [@WOOKINPANUB](#): > > Can someone give me a brief synopsis or even explain what is so compelling about this song? Is it mostly a matter of “You had to be there, it’s a product of its time” sort of thing? I was only a year old when it was released, yet I’m familiar with a lot of music from that time. No, I don’t know how I’ve managed to live 48 years without ever having heard this famous song and at this point I don’t really feel like I missed out on anything. Educate me, people! I could probably give a decent synopsis, but the point of the thing is it is a long and rambling story that really only ties together at the end, so making it shorter kind of ruins it. I agree with others that you should listen to a recording, as there is much that will not come through on a printed page. And “lyrics” is probably the wrong word to use. While Arlo plays the guitar throughout, he’s just telling a story (except during the chorus). There’s no particular number of syllables per measure or anything, just “play these chords over and over while you’re talking”. As others have said, it’s not exactly “anti-war”, although that’s a fair characterization. How about, “It is the (fictional) story of how Arlo Guthrie tried to avoid being drafted into the Army, and how the (mostly true) story of having Thanksgiving dinner with a friend related to that.” Used to be the Classic Rock station would play it every year on Thanksgiving, at noon. Not many 18 minute songs get that much airplay. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2015, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-story-songs/708187/123 "2015-02-09T18:27:22Z")
> [@WOOKINPANUB](#): > > I do have a really stoopid question, if no one minds the digression. I had literally never heard \*Alice’s Restaurant \*(that I know of at least)nor read the lyrics. I have, of course heard \*of \*it and am aware that it is an antiwar song. Upon reading the lyrics, I must say I’m left with a big WTF? also appreciated by folkies is the really long and funny in the fashion that his dad, Woody, did so well. ---
**Author:** ![PapSett](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ecc23a/32.png) [@PapSett](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PapSett)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2015, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-story-songs/708187/124 "2015-02-09T19:16:23Z")
Wildfire by Michael Martin Murphy Shannon by Henry Gross- I cannot listen to this song without crying. ---
**Author:** ![River\_Hippie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/river_hippie/32/26_2.png) [@River\_Hippie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/River_Hippie)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2015, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-story-songs/708187/125 "2015-02-09T22:04:43Z")
This may be my longest running thread on SD! Keep 'em coming. I’ll add [Loreena Mckennitt-The Highwayman](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UvKBPr71dhA) ---
**Author:** ![A\_Dodgy\_Dude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a87d85/32.png) [@A\_Dodgy\_Dude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/A_Dodgy_Dude)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2015, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-story-songs/708187/126 "2015-02-09T22:32:30Z")
[Kilkelly, Ireland](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N76kAivCb20) - but be warned: it’s a sad song and a true story. ---
**Author:** ![JoseB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/joseb/32/1530_2.png) [@JoseB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JoseB)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2015, 5:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-story-songs/708187/127 "2015-02-10T05:34:56Z")
This one is one of my favorites – and quite recent to boot! [“Shia LaBeouf”, by Rob Cantor.](http://youtu.be/o0u4M6vppCI) ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2015, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-story-songs/708187/128 "2015-02-10T16:55:30Z")
Jeff Daniels (the actor) has written several story songs. For example, [Dirty Harry Blues](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jwdrn_TvzdY), about getting shot by Clint Eastwood (in a movie), and [Recreational Vehicle](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lAHLErr1-nY), which is actually just a story with guitar accompaniment (like the non-singing portions of “Alice’s Restaurant”). ---
**Author:** ![Enigma42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/87869e/32.png) [@Enigma42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enigma42)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2015, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-story-songs/708187/129 "2015-02-10T21:12:06Z")
How about [Telegraph Road](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dd3btVhwr48) and [5:15 AM](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UnrPq6ejZmg) by Dire Straits and Mark Knopfler respectively\*. Knopfler seems to be fond of story songs and I think these are both good examples that cover long time periods. \*You could make a fair case that Dire Straits was really not much different from Mark Knopfler with a backing band. . . But that’s another thread. ---
**Author:** ![Damfino](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Damfino](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Damfino)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2015, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-story-songs/708187/130 "2015-02-10T22:08:11Z")
How about Scott Walker 's \*\* The Seventh Seal \*\*? ---
**Author:** ![Labdad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/439d5e/32.png) [@Labdad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labdad)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2015, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-story-songs/708187/131 "2015-02-10T22:18:30Z")
['On the Road to Fairfax County"](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bjofXfctH7Y) by the Roches. ---
**Author:** ![Grestarian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grestarian/32/3227_2.png) [@Grestarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grestarian)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2015, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-story-songs/708187/132 "2015-02-10T23:52:27Z")
> [@Grestarian](#): > > I haven’t seen it listed, so I thought I’d add it in. > > A great song about a great man: The Ballad of John Henry > > Lots of artists have done it, with lots of variations. > I favor Bruce Springsteen and the Seeger Sessions. > > —G! > [@Thudlow\_Boink](#): > > [The definitive version is by the Smothers Brothers.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wgfxgKRc4jo) Oy! I fell for that one! It’s a fun rendition, to be sure, but I’ll stand by Springsteen/Seeger. –G! ---
**Author:** ![carrps](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carrps/32/2957_2.png) [@carrps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carrps)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2015, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-story-songs/708187/133 "2015-02-10T23:55:06Z")
> [@bienville](#): > > I seem to remember from a Thread some time ago that I’m not the only Stan Rogers fan here. > For this Thread, I’ll suggest: > [The Mary Ellen Carter](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fhop5VuLDIQ) > …one of my all time favorite story songs. Yes, yes, yes! ---
**Author:** ![carrps](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carrps/32/2957_2.png) [@carrps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carrps)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2015, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-story-songs/708187/134 "2015-02-11T00:22:15Z")
> [@carrps](#): > > Yes, yes, yes! Oops. Meant to add one of my favorite Stan Rogers’ songs: Witch of the Westmoreland. I love to sing along in the car … when I’m alone. No one wants to hear me singing. ---
**Author:** ![Milt\_Roemney](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b77776/32.png) [@Milt\_Roemney](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Milt_Roemney)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2015, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-story-songs/708187/135 "2015-02-13T23:01:23Z")
[Jesus - The Missing Years](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9BRia7J9P4) by John Prine. Not just a story, but the story behind the story. ---
**Author:** ![pnkflyd11](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a3d4f5/32.png) [@pnkflyd11](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pnkflyd11)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2015, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-story-songs/708187/136 "2015-02-15T15:26:50Z")
> [@TreacherousCretin](#): > > You didn’t _win_ anything. You have to _pay_ fifty dollars and pick up the garbage. Funny, good one!! ---
**Author:** ![CheshireKat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheshirekat/32/1207_2.png) [@CheshireKat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CheshireKat)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2015, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-story-songs/708187/137 "2015-02-15T16:23:52Z")
And now for something completely different… **Taro** by Alt-J The meaning behind the song is here: [Taro by Alt-J - Songfacts](http://www.songfacts.com/detail.php?id=27105) I recommend listening the first time with the lyrics on the screen: There is also a version with a selection of Capra's photographs: I was drawn to this song before I understood what he was singing about; finding out just made me like it more. A grim subject, but for me the song is poetic and beautiful. ---
**Author:** ![Clothahump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/51bf81/32.png) [@Clothahump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clothahump)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2015, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-story-songs/708187/138 "2015-02-16T19:48:17Z")
Can’t believe I didn’t put this into my original post. Damn near every song Al Stewart has ever written. For example: [Old Admirals](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=59BeWSmPkCk) is the story of Admiral John Arbuthat Fisher. [Flying Sorcery](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QyjHaZGbG_c) is the story of Amy Johnson, who was England’s version of Amelia Earhart. [Genie on a Tabletop](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ANx8zBwavGk) was written in honor of Ol’ Satchmo - Louis Armstrong. ---
**Author:** ![scabpicker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scabpicker/32/8268_2.png) [@scabpicker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scabpicker)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2015, 5:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-story-songs/708187/139 "2015-02-23T05:08:33Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > Heh–that’s exactly the song I came in here to post. I love it so much. 🙂 It’s nice to have people agree with you on matters of taste. I recently bought a copy of _No Kinda Dancer_ purely because I knew it had “Front Porch Song” on it, and I didn’t check the rest of the songs before giving it a listen. When I ran into “The Armadillo Jackal” on side B, I was overjoyed. I knew the song from the radio, but didn’t know I’d bought a copy of it. Lou Reed’s [“Street Hassle”](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bkG9BKgDvNI) has a humanity that relates in the same way, but brings at least two stories in a direct way that no hunting story can relate to a person who’s lived in a modern metropolitan area. The second story is from the point of view of a shithead, but his perspective is appropriate for that shitty world. The lady he’s talking about is human, but there’s nothing that can be done for her now in their world. The third movement is an appeal after either of the first stories have passed. It’s just as true as the first two. I only purchased that record in the last few years, but it’s only brought out when I’m ready to be moved to tears. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/great-story-songs/708187.md?page=6)