Memphis, Tennessee, by Chuck Berry.
Hot Rod Lincoln. Can’t think of who wrote it at the moment, but I’m thinking of the cover by Commander Cody and his Lost Planet Airmen.
Billy Joel’s “Miami 2017 (Seen The Lights Went Out On Broadway)” certainly fits as a story song (a story set in an alternative universe, when much of New York City was violently destroyed - although Queens could stay - and some of the few survivors eventually end up in Florida).
A case could be made that his “Scenes From An Italian Restaurant” also qualifies, especially the middle “Ballad of Brenda and Eddie” section.
Rocky Raccoon. Perhaps some people think it’s a parody of a story song, which makes it all the better.
And that was actually a sequel – the original song was “Hot Rod Race”.
Detatchable Penis
“I saw it sitting next to a broken toaster oven”
Copacabana by Barry Manilow
“Frankie and Johnny”
Just about any song by Meatloaf.
~ Welcome …~ to the ~ Hotel California ~ ~
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!
You’re right! I confused “Pink Houses” with “Jack and Diane.” But you’re still right, because “Jack and Diane” was really just a “little ditty.” 
I think you made one more fan.
For us sci-fi fans:
The Ballad of Transport 18 by Leslie Fish 
By “Bitter Dregs” did you mean “Maiden Wine?” And you can’t really call “Maiden Wine” a story song - it’s not about a specific instance. :dubious:
My favorite version is by George Pal. Couldn’t find a good quality video online.
A couple of others worth mentioning (as much for the fact that they are brilliant songs) a couple have choruses but…hey, they are brilliant songs, one fairly upbeat, one melancholic and one that depresses you in the nicest possible way.
Pulp - Babies
Billy Bragg - The Saturday Boy
Ben Folds Five - Brick
Bob Dylan -Lily rosemary and jack of hearts from blood on the tracks.
It’s a story-song satirizing the Vietnam War draft and bureaucracy in general.
Briefly, Arlo was arrested one Thanksgiving for littering in sleepy Stockbridge, Mass., and after an overblown trial, was fined and made to clean up the garbage. Later, at his draft induction interview/physical, he was asked he had ever been arrested and convicted. Based on his story of the littering arrest/conviction, he was placed on the “Group W” bench and given a form that calling for him to describe his crime and asking: “Kid, have you rehabilitated yourself?”
In response, Arlo gets to the crux of the story:
The song is memorable and beloved because of the vivid descriptions of the absurd confluence of events by which Arlo came to be asked whether he was moral enough to join the army, which was then engaged in what was perceived by many to be engaged in an immoral war.
Admittedly, it is a bit of a shaggy dog story, but that’s part of the fun of it.
Heh–that’s exactly the song I came in here to post. I love it so much.
The Pogues, The Old Main Drag
