# Songs you love because of the lyrics. **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [April 15, 2005, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-you-love-because-of-the-lyrics/299428 "2005-04-15T03:23:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Hampshire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hampshire/32/4887_2.png) [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2005, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-you-love-because-of-the-lyrics/299428/21 "2005-04-15T15:03:18Z")
**Country Death Song** by the Violent Femmes It tells the story of a man on hard times with a wife and daughters who decides the only way they are going to survive is if there aren’t so many mouths to feed. In a state of delerium he takes his youngest daughter out for a walk and ends up pushing her into a well. In the aftermath he tells of his guilt that’s eating at him and ends up hanging himself in shame. _I’m thinking and I’m thinking till there’s nothing I ain’t thunk,_ _I’m breathing in the stink, till finally I stunk._ _It was at that time, I swear I lost my mind,_ _I started making plans to kill my own kind._ _I threw my child into a bottomless pit,_ _She was screaming as she fell, but I never heard her hit._ _I’m going out to the barn with a never stopping pain,_ _I’m going out to the barn to hang myself in shame._ ---
**Author:** ![Beware\_of\_Doug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/278dde/32.png) [@Beware\_of\_Doug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beware_of_Doug)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2005, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-you-love-because-of-the-lyrics/299428/22 "2005-04-15T15:14:04Z")
I was gonna post something by Johnny Mercer or Larry Hart or like that. But I’d feel like the old guy in the drip dry raincoat and tennis shoes. So I’ll be off now for a pastrami sammich. ---
**Author:** ![stpauler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9d8465/32.png) [@stpauler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stpauler)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2005, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-you-love-because-of-the-lyrics/299428/23 "2005-04-15T15:25:24Z")
[Sage Francis’ "Makeshift Patriot](http://www.seeklyrics.com/lyrics/Sage-Francis/Makeshift-Patriot.html)" which is a screaming indictment of the events after 9/11, including this section where he “paraphrases” Bush: > [@](#): > > There is a new price on freedom, so buy into it while supplies last. > Changes need to be made; > no more curbside baggage, > seven pm curfew, > racial profiling will continue with less bitching. > We’ve unified over who to kill, so until I find more relevant scripture to quote, > remember, our kind is bigger, stronger, smarter, and much wealthier. > So wave those flags with pride, especially the white part. Greg Brown’s [“The Poet Game”](http://ag.arizona.edu/~steidl/GB/ThePoetGame.txt) where he laments the loss of a friendship in one verse: > [@](#): > > I had a friend who drank too much and played too much guitar > and we sure got along. > Reel-to-reels rolled across the country near and far > with letters, poems, and songs > but these days he won’t talk to me and he won’t tell me why. > I miss him every time I say his name. > I don’t know what he’s doing or why our friendship died > while we played the poet game. John Wesley Harding’s “Me Against Me” which is a song about self-destruction: > [@](#): > > Got the plane out of Atlanta > Stripped the honour bar of booze > Saw the ceiling melt like candles > Dripping wax onto my shoes > Needed proof I was still breathing > So I held my breath for a while > Fell flat on my face on purpose > Just to see somebody smile > > And they say that it’s them and it’s us > And they say that it’s you and it’s me > But now I can see that it’s me against me > Against me against me against me Ani DiFranco’s [“Untouchable Face”](http://www.danah.org/Ani/Dilate/UntouchableFace.html), a song about being in love with someone who’s unattainable because they’re in a relationship: > [@](#): > > tell you the truth i prefer the worst of you > too bad you had to have a better half > she’s not really my type > but i think you two are forever > and i hate to say it but you’re perfect together > > so fuck you > and your untouchable face > fuck you > for existing in the first place > and who am i > that i should be vying for your touch > who am i > bet you can’t even tell me that much 13th Floor Elevators’ “I Had to Tell You” (Covered wonderfully by Poi Dog Pondering). It’s just a romantic song without the saccharine: > [@](#): > > Everything is quiet. > But the song that keeps me sane. > I can hear you’re voice, > echo in my voice softly. > I can feel your strength, > reinforcing mine. > If you fear I’ll lose my spirit, > like a drunkard’s wasted wine, > don’t you even think about it, > I’m feelin’ fine. Dar Williams’ “As Cool As I Am” which is just a good break-up song: > [@](#): > > You tried to make me doubt, to make me guess, tried to make me feel like a little less, > Oh, I liked you when your soul was bared, I thought you knew how to be scared, > And now its amazing what you did to make me stay, > But truth is just like time, it catches up and it just keeps going, > > And so I’m leaving, you can find out how much better things can get, > And if it helps, Id say I feel a little worse than I did when we met, > So when you find someone else, you can try again, it might work next time, And finally, I’ll throw out Bob Dylan’s [“The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll”:](http://www.dylanchords.com/03_times/hattie_carroll.htm) > [@](#): > > In the courtroom of honor, the judge pounded his gavel > To show that all’s equal and that the courts are on the level > And that the strings in the books ain’t pulled and persuaded > And that even the nobles get properly handled > Once that the cops have chased after and caught ‘em > And that the ladder of law has no top and no bottom, > Stared at the person who killed for no reason > Who just happened to be feelin’ that way without warnin’. > And he spoke through his cloak, most deep and distinguished, > And handed out strongly, for penalty and repentance, > William Zanzinger with a six-month sentence. > Oh, but you who philosophize disgrace and criticize all fears, > Bury the rag deep in your face > For now’s the time for your tears. ---
**Author:** ![ddgryphon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/8c91f0/32.png) [@ddgryphon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ddgryphon)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2005, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-you-love-because-of-the-lyrics/299428/24 "2005-04-15T17:58:34Z")
> [@Beware of Doug](#): > > I was gonna post something by Johnny Mercer or Larry Hart or like that. But I’d feel like the old guy in the drip dry raincoat and tennis shoes. So I’ll be off now for a pastrami sammich. Don’t feel bad doug, I quoted Larry Hart – fine lyracist that he was others have quoted from Broadway – it’s a big tent and others might benefit from your knowlege. Share. ---
**Author:** ![Stark\_Raven\_Mad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Stark\_Raven\_Mad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stark_Raven_Mad)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2005, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-you-love-because-of-the-lyrics/299428/25 "2005-04-15T18:22:24Z")
I’m surprised no one’s mentioned Weird Al’s [“Good Enough For Now”](http://www.songlyrics.com/song-lyrics/Yankovic_Weird_Al/Polka_Party/Good_Enough_For_Now/238265.html). > [@](#): > > You’re pretty close to what I’ve always hoped for > That’s why my love for you is fairly strong > And I swear I’m never gonna leave you, darlin’ > At least 'til something better comes along ---
**Author:** ![vetbridge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b5e925/32.png) [@vetbridge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vetbridge)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2005, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-you-love-because-of-the-lyrics/299428/26 "2005-04-15T18:30:22Z")
Tom Waits _Tom Traubert’s Blues_ (aka Waltzing Mathilda) > [@](#): > > And it’s a battered old suitcase to a hotel someplace, > And a wound that will never heal > No prima donna, the perfume is on an > Old shirt that is stained with blood and whiskey > And goodnight to the street sweepers, the night watchmen flame keepers > And goodnight to mathilda, too ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2005, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-you-love-because-of-the-lyrics/299428/27 "2005-04-15T18:52:25Z")
**stpauler** , John Wesley Harding and Dar Williams, you have good taste. _The Devil in Me_ and _Are You Out There_, respectively, are brilliant. All of **The Legal Ramifications of a Hot Dog Vendor Who Works at Yankee Stadium** by Christine Lavin, but I’ll single out this bit: > [@](#): > > A seeing-eye dog picks up the cell phone, > takes it to his master, dog thought it was an old bone. > The blind guy call a pal in Timbuktu; > he calls his wife, his girlfriend and his mother too. > > People sitting near the blind guy start yelling, they’re sick of his yakkety-yak, > but he don’t care, he keeps on talking, tells his dog to attack. For a break-up, **Main and Broadway** by Cub: > [@](#): > > Love letters, broken lockets, > Dead flowers, candy boxes; > That’s what you’re left with when it’s over. And maybe the best quatrain I’ve ever heard, from **Happy Endings (Romeo and Juliet)** by Andrew Ratchin: > [@](#): > > Maybe a lover comes along, > Maybe in story or in song, > Maybe the heart is really strong. > A million lemmings can’t be wrong. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2005, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-you-love-because-of-the-lyrics/299428/28 "2005-04-15T18:58:42Z")
Wait a minute. I knew that title didn’t sound right. It should be **The Legal Ramifications of a Crackerjack Vendor Who Works at Yankee Stadium**. And that really is vital to the song, too. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2005, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-you-love-because-of-the-lyrics/299428/29 "2005-04-15T19:05:36Z")
Many songs by Kinky Freidman fall into this catagory. Serious ones like: In the wind-dows, candles glowing Remind you of the time you were a child. The road ahead, forever rolling And anything worth crying can be smiled So Ride, Ride em Jewboy, Ride them all around the old corral. I’m, I’m with you boy, if I got to ride six million miles. And funny ones too: They ain’t making Jews like Jesus anymore They ain’t making carpenters who know what nails are for. The whole damn place was singing as I strolled out of the door Well, they ain’t making Jews like Jesus anymore. ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2005, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-you-love-because-of-the-lyrics/299428/30 "2005-04-16T01:56:45Z")
Guys, take a note of [this here Pit thread.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=312148) We don’t want that to happen here. The OP asked for a small snippet of the lyrics. 2 to 4 lines. You can always link to the lyrics. Not trying to come off like a junior mod here, but I’m enjoying this thread and don’t want to see it closed or disappeared. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2005, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-you-love-because-of-the-lyrics/299428/31 "2005-04-16T02:20:27Z")
Short snippet? Okay here’s a short snippet. In my Tennessee mountain home Life is as peaceful as a baby’s sigh Yup, before Dolly Parton became a self-caricature, she could write a damn fine lyric. ---
**Author:** ![roger\_thornhill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/d9b06d/32.png) [@roger\_thornhill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/roger_thornhill)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2005, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-you-love-because-of-the-lyrics/299428/32 "2005-04-16T02:20:36Z")
**Best In-Love Lyrics** The Hollies: _The Air That I Breathe_ If I could make a wish I think I’d pass Can’t think of anything I need… Making love with you Leaves me peaceful, warm and tired What more could I ask? There’s nothing left to be desired… Peace came upon me And it leaves me weak So sleep, silent angel, Go to sleep. ---
**Author:** ![TellMeI\_mNotCrazy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tellmei_mnotcrazy/32/3419_2.png) [@TellMeI\_mNotCrazy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TellMeI_mNotCrazy)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2005, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-you-love-because-of-the-lyrics/299428/33 "2005-04-16T02:29:47Z")
John Mayer: 3 x 5 …didn’t have a camera by my side this time, Hoping I would see the world through both my eyes, Maybe I will tell you all about it when I’m in the mood to lose my way with words. 83 Here I stand, 6 feet small, Romanticizing years ago, It’s a bitter sweet feeling hearing “Wrapped Around Your Finger” on the radio I think his lyrics are simply amazing. ---
**Author:** ![KarlGauss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/karlgauss/32/3713_2.png) [@KarlGauss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGauss)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2005, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-you-love-because-of-the-lyrics/299428/34 "2005-04-16T02:47:52Z")
When I was a just a bit younger ( 🙂 ), I absolutely loved the lyrics to _Epitaph_ by **King Crimson**. Still do. Especially the second verse. The wall on which the prophets wrote Is cracking at the seams. Upon the instruments of death The sunlight brightly gleams. When every man is torn apart With nightmares and with dreams, Where no-one lays the laurel wreath And silence drowns the screams. Between the iron gates of fate, The seeds of time were sown, And watered by the deeds of those Who know and who are known; Knowledge is a deadly friend When no one sets the rules. The fate of all mankind I see Is in the hands of fools. ---
**Author:** ![Lakai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/9de0a6/32.png) [@Lakai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lakai)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2005, 4:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-you-love-because-of-the-lyrics/299428/35 "2005-04-16T04:49:23Z")
Jeff Buckley- Grace And the rain is falling and i believe My time has come It reminds me of the pain Immortal Technique - You Never Know Baby don’t you see, I had a blood transfusion that left me with HIV Hoped the end exists for me since late in 1993 I died a virgin, I wish I could’ve given myself to you I cried in the hospital because there was no one else but you DEAD KENNEDYS - Holiday In Cambodia Play ethnicky jazz to parade your snazz On your five grand stereo Braggin that you know how the niggers feel cold And the slums got so much soul ---
**Author:** ![racer72](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/racer72/32/3075_2.png) [@racer72](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/racer72)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2005, 5:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-you-love-because-of-the-lyrics/299428/36 "2005-04-16T05:00:33Z")
[What It’s Like](http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/everlast/whatitslike.html) by Everlast. Mary got pregnant from a kid named Tom who said he was in love He said don’t worry about a thing baby doll I’m the man you’ve been dreamin’ of But three months later he said he won’t date her or return her call And she sweared god damn if I find that man I’m cuttin’ off his balls And then she heads for the clinic and she gets some static walkin’ through the doors They call her a killer, and they call her a sinner, and they call her a whore ---
**Author:** ![kimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f0a364/32.png) [@kimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kimera)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2005, 5:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-you-love-because-of-the-lyrics/299428/37 "2005-04-16T05:49:21Z")
[**Winter** by **Tori Amos**.](http://www.davemcnally.com/lyrics/ToriAmos/WINTER.asp) I was told it was a song about her relationship with her father and it makes sense from the lyrics. > [@](#): > > When you gonna make up your mind > When you gonna love you as much as I do > > …I tell you that I’ll always want you near > You say that things change my dear And [White Houses by Vanessa Carlton](http://www.lyricstop.com/w/whitehouses-vanessacarlton.html) This one reminds me of a group of friends I used to have. I think it speaks perfectly of the early college years, at least for me. This may be a bit personal, but: > [@](#): > > My first time, hard to explain > Rush of blood, oh, and a little bit of pain > On a cloudy day, it’s more common than you think > He’s my first mistake I assume we aren’t allowed to post links to download the mp3s here. but if you email me, I will send these songs to you. ---
**Author:** ![rjung](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/45deac/32.png) [@rjung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rjung)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2005, 6:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-you-love-because-of-the-lyrics/299428/38 "2005-04-16T06:45:16Z")
“Elvis is Everywhere,” by Mojo Nixon and Skid Roper. What? ---
**Author:** ![ddgryphon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/8c91f0/32.png) [@ddgryphon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ddgryphon)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2005, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-you-love-because-of-the-lyrics/299428/39 "2005-04-16T21:15:06Z")
> [@rjung](#): > > “Elvis is Everywhere,” by Mojo Nixon and Skid Roper. Elvis is everywhere Elvis is everything Elvis is everybody Elvis is still the king Man o man What I want you to see Is that the big E’s Inside of you and me [Link](http://www.letssingit.com/?http://www.letssingit.com/song/6kc4m4l.html) ---
**Author:** ![look\_ninjas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/b2d939/32.png) [@look\_ninjas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/look_ninjas)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2005, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-you-love-because-of-the-lyrics/299428/40 "2005-04-16T21:55:33Z")
“I can’t pretend I don’t need to defend Some part of me from you” - Interpol, “The New” “We’ll have a lot of fun; we’ll have a couple mishaps; We will ride upon the Wonder Wheel” - Maggie Estep, “Fire Eater” “Isolation pushes past self-hatred, guilt, and shame, To a place where suffering is just a game” - Elliot Smith, “Memory Lane” [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-you-love-because-of-the-lyrics/299428.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-you-love-because-of-the-lyrics/299428.md?page=3)