# Your Favorite Lyrics **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [October 13, 2008, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-lyrics/467761 "2008-10-13T19:49:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2008, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-lyrics/467761/21 "2008-10-14T19:32:32Z")
**Billy Bragg** -\* There is power in a Union\*: There is power in a factory, power in the land Power in the hands of a worker But it all amounts to nothing if together we don’t stand There is power in a Union … The Union forever defending our rights Down with the blackleg, all workers unite With our brothers and out sisters from many far off lands There is power in a Union **Dead Can Dance** - _Severance_: “Severance,” The birds of leaving call to us, Yet here we stand Endowed with the fear of flight. … Indifference, The plague that moves throughout this land Omen signs In the shapes of things to come. Tomorrows child is the only child. ---
**Author:** ![vetbridge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b5e925/32.png) [@vetbridge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vetbridge)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2008, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-lyrics/467761/22 "2008-10-14T19:33:57Z")
Tom Waits _Chocolate Jesus_ > [@](#): > > Well I don’t want no Anna Zabba > Don’t want no Almond Joy > There ain’t nothing better > Suitable for this boy > Well it’s the only thing > That can pick me up > Better than a cup of gold > See only a chocolate Jesus > Can satisfy my soul ---
**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:** [October 14, 2008, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-lyrics/467761/23 "2008-10-14T20:30:55Z")
There are SO many Lyle Lovett lyrics that I love. _The waltzing fool He’s got lights in his fingers The waltzing fool He just don’t never say The waltzing fool He keeps his hands in his pockets And waltzes the evening away_ — Waltzing Fool ---
**Author:** ![sinjin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ebca7d/32.png) [@sinjin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sinjin)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2008, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-lyrics/467761/24 "2008-10-14T23:57:00Z")
“You can’t always get what you want.” ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2008, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-lyrics/467761/25 "2008-10-15T00:18:04Z")
_Standing at the crossroads trying to read the signs to tell me which way I should go to find the answers and all the time I know Plant your love and let it grow_ Eric Clapton ---
**Author:** ![erislover](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/71e660/32.png) [@erislover](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/erislover)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2008, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-lyrics/467761/26 "2008-10-15T00:37:07Z")
_Stars and Stripes of Corruption_ by the Dead Kennedys. A sample of this _very long_ song: > [@](#): > > Finally got to Washington in the middle of the night > I couldn’t wait > I headed straight for the Capitol Mall > My heart began to pound > Yahoo! It really exists > The American International Pictures logo LOL Actually all my favorite lyrics are from Jello. He did a great album with DOA and had “Full Metal Jackoff” which is also awesome. > [@](#): > > We worry about burning flags > And pee in jars at work > To keep our jobs > > But if someone came for you one night > And dragged you away > do you really think your neighbors > Would even care There’s always room for Jello. ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2008, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-lyrics/467761/27 "2008-10-15T01:05:41Z")
> [@](#): > > We all know success > When we all find our own dreams > And our love is enough > To knock down any walls > > And the future’s been seen > As men try to realize > The simple secret > Of the note in us all -Pete Townshend ---
**Author:** ![shantih](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f6c823/32.png) [@shantih](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shantih)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2008, 9:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-lyrics/467761/28 "2008-10-15T09:35:14Z")
Harry Chapin, from ‘Taxi:’ Oh, I’ve got something inside me to drive a princess blind. There’s a wild man, wizard, he’s hiding in me, illuminating my mind. Oh, I’ve got something inside me but it’s not what my life’s about 'Cause I’ve been letting my outside tide me over 'til my time runs out. ---
**Author:** ![ivan\_astikov](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/58f4c7/32.png) [@ivan\_astikov](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivan_astikov)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2008, 11:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-lyrics/467761/29 "2008-10-15T11:08:13Z")
This first verse never fails to inspire me. > [@](#): > > When this old world starts getting me down > And people are just too much for me to face > I climb way up to the top of the stairs > And all my cares just drift right into space > On the roof, it’s peaceful as can be > And there the world below can’t bother me > Let me tell you now ---
**Author:** ![bauble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/f6c823/32.png) [@bauble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bauble)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2008, 1:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-lyrics/467761/30 "2008-10-15T13:01:03Z")
Tom Waits, The One That Got Away: Well, I’ve lost my equilibrium, My car keys and my pride. The tattoo parlor’s warm, So I hustle there inside; And the grinding of the buzzsaw, “Whatchoo want that thing to say?” “Just don’t misspell the name, buddy; She’s the one that got away”. (Yeah, I’m still hung up on someone; does it show?) ---
**Author:** ![vetbridge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b5e925/32.png) [@vetbridge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vetbridge)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2008, 1:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-lyrics/467761/31 "2008-10-15T13:07:38Z")
> [@bauble](#): > > Tom Waits, The One That Got Away: > > Well, I’ve lost my equilibrium, > My car keys and my pride. > The tattoo parlor’s warm, > So I hustle there inside; > And the grinding of the buzzsaw, > “Whatchoo want that thing to say?” > “Just don’t misspell the name, buddy; > She’s the one that got away”. > (Yeah, I’m still hung up on someone; does it show?) More from Tom (\* Warm Beer And Cold Women\*): > [@](#): > > all my conversations I’ll just be > talkin’ about you baby > borin’ some sailor as I try to get through > I just want him to listen > that’s all you have to do > he said I’m better off without you > till I showed him my tattoo ---
**Author:** ![Mixolydian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/da6949/32.png) [@Mixolydian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mixolydian)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2008, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-lyrics/467761/32 "2008-10-15T13:52:08Z")
from It’s Alright Ma (I’m Only Bleeding) - Dylan While them that defend what they cannot see With a killer’s pride, security It blows the mind most bitterly For them that think death’s honesty Won’t fall upon them naturally Life sometimes must get lonely ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Wolfe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/58f4c7/32.png) [@Richard\_Wolfe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Wolfe)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2008, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-lyrics/467761/33 "2008-10-15T14:13:27Z")
I’m a huge fan of a band called Bright Eyes which I really enjoy because the singer and the songs place a huge focus on the writing, which Conor Oberst excels at magnificently. I’d recommend most of the albums by them save perhaps Digital Ash in a Digital Urn since it’s my least favorite. Otherwise a great source of lyrically meaningful and exceptionally written songs. If The Brakeman Turns my Way > [@](#): > > When panic grips your body and your heart is a hummingbird > Raven thoughts blacken your mind until you’re breathing in reverse > All your friends and sedatives mean well but make it worse > Every reassurance just magnifies the doubt > Better find yourself a place to level out > > Got a cricket for a conscience always looks the other way > A cocaine soul starts seeming like an empty cabaret > Hey, where have all the dancers gone? Now the music doesn’t play > Tried to listen to the river but you couldn’t shut your mouth > Better take a little time to level out > > I never thought of running > My feet just led the way > > Mixed up Signals > Bullet Train > Cars are switched out in the crazy rain > I could meet you any place > If the Brakeman turns my way > > All this automatic writing I have tried to understand > From a psychedelic angel who was tugging on my hand > It’s an infinite coincidence but it doesn’t form a plan > So I’m headed for New England or the Paris of the South > Gonna find myself somewhere to level out > > Are your brothels full, Oh Babylon, with merry Middlemen? > Never peer out of their periscopes from those deep opium dens > All this death must need a counterweight always someone born again > First a mother bathes her child then the other way around > The Scales always find a way to level out > > I tried to pass for nothing > But my dreams gave me away > > Mixed up Signals > Bullet Train > People snuffed out in the brutal rain > I could live to any age > If the Brakeman turns my way > > It is an old world it’s hard to remember > Like a dime store mystery > I’m a repeat first time offender > Who has rewritten history > > Mixed up tea leaves > Phantom Pain > Fuzzy logic in the crazy rain > Getting better every day > If the Brakeman turns my way > Mixed up Signals > Bullet Train > Cars are switched out in the blinding rain > He’ll be smiling as he seals my fate > When the Brakeman turns my way That’s one of my favorites from the Cassadaga album. Really I’d say just about every song from them has verses that are worth quoting so it’s hard to choose specifics. ---
**Author:** ![Merhouse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5a626/32.png) [@Merhouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merhouse)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2008, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-lyrics/467761/34 "2008-10-15T18:25:28Z")
> [@Cuckoorex](#): > > # (This despite me not being a male and therefore not anyone’s daughter, of course.) > > # **I’m probably going to regret this, but you’re not a male AND you’re not anyone’s daughter??? What am I missing??? 😕** > > Which to me is the simple message that people need to love some part of themselves, and when things seem dark and depressing, that is what will sustain you. Now THAT is a beautiful sentiment. Good job! 😃 One song that has particular meaning to me is Rain On The Roof by Lovin Spoonful: o/` You and me and rain on the roof, Caught up in a summer shower, Drying while it soaks the flowers. Maybe we'll be caught for hours, Waiting out the sun. You and me, we're gathered away Deep in conversation, sitting in the hay. Honey, how long was I laughing in the rain with you? Cause I didn't feel a drop til the thunder brought us to. o/` Yes, I’m old, and so I’m told, it’s better to be Over the Hill than under it 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2008, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-lyrics/467761/35 "2008-10-15T19:24:42Z")
Oi. I could go on forever. Really. > [@](#): > > _Rush - Turn the Page_ > Truth is, after all, a moving target > Hairs to split and pieces that don’t fit > How can anybody be enlightened? > Truth is, after all, so poorly lit > [@](#): > > _Rush - The Spirit of Radio_ > All this machinery making modern music > Can still be open hearted > Not so coldly charted it’s really just a question of your honest, yeah, your honesty > One likes to believe in the freedom of music > But glittering prizes and endless compromises > Shatter the illusion of integrity > [@](#): > > _Rush - Everyday Glory_ > If the future’s looking dark > We’re the ones who have to shine > If there’s no one in control > We’re the ones who draw the line > Though we live in trying times > We’re the ones who have to try > Though we know that time has wings > We’re the ones who have to fly > [@](#): > > _Rush - Red Lenses_ > I’m thinking about the overhead…the underfed > Couldn’t we talk about something else instead? > [@](#): > > _Rush - Prime Mover_ > From the point of conception to the moment of truth > At the point of surrender to the burden of proof > From the point of ignition to the final drive > The point of the journey is not to arrive > Anything can happen > [@](#): > > _Rush - Time Stand Still_ > Summers going fast nights growing colder > Children growing up old friends growing older > Experience slips away ---
**Author:** ![Sunshine\_and\_Smiles](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a5b964/32.png) [@Sunshine\_and\_Smiles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunshine_and_Smiles)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2008, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-lyrics/467761/36 "2008-10-15T19:45:42Z")
The Good Life - Album of the Year: She took me to her mother’s house Outside of town where the stars hang down She said she’d never seen someone so lost I said I’d never felt so found And then I kissed her on the cheek And so she kissed me on the mouth Also, Bright Eyes - One Foot in Front of the Other (which is essentially an earlier, better version of Landlocked Blues that appeared on the compilation disc Saddle Creek 50) And Laura’s asleep in my bed As I’m leaving, she wakes up and says “I dreamed you were carried away on the crest of a wave Baby, don’t go away, come here” ---
**Author:** ![Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de053/32.png) [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2008, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-lyrics/467761/37 "2008-10-15T20:07:39Z")
The couplet of the century so far: From Coldplay’s “Viva La Vida” “I hear Jerusalem bells a ringing, Roman cavalry choirs are singing” From Ludo’s “Love Me Dead” “You’re a parasitic psycho filthy creature finger-banging my heart” From The The’s “Love Is Stronger Than Death”: “How could you believe that the life within the seed, that grew arms that reached, and a heart that beat, and lips that smiled and eyes that cried, could ever die?” [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-lyrics/467761.md?page=1)