Some favorite lyrics–short ones.
I’m a lyrics freak. For the longest time I could never understand people who say they never pay attention to song lyrics. How can you not? But in the last few years, as I’ve gotten into doom metal, and other types of music where you can’t really understand what the singer is saying, I’m starting to see how some people don’t care about lyrics.
Here’s some short lines I love.
—
In the battle of time in the battle of will
It’s only your hope and your heart that gets killed
— Patty Griffin, “Sweet Lorraine”
No apology is expected
Love carved sorry in his face
— Ben Harper, “The Woman in You”
Well this should cheer you up for sure
See, I found your old ID, and you’re all dressed up like the Cure
— Ben Folds Five, “Battle of Who Could Care Less”
Me and Timory holdin’ hands - I was shakin’ hers, ‘cause she said she was a fan.
There was an awkward pause, and something that should’ve began
Just passed us by.
But I watched her sing along with every word, in the prettiest voice that I never heard
And I still see her dancing, wearin’ my shirt: Right there.
— Ted Leo, “Timorous Me”
Where oh where can Jah love be now?
My dear, it’s here in the underground
Inside the hearts of your own children
In this house of suffering
— Bad Brains, “House of Suffering”
Questions upon question upon questions crowding round the side of my bed
Here are just a few of the best ones adrift in my head
Who’s driving this airplane? Did I live hard enough?
Is it gonna rain, and how well have I loved?
How well have I loved?
— Mike Scott (Waterboys), “Questions”
Time will come when we know what happened here
Change will come in time and make it clear
We learn one thing if we learn at all
In the secret wars we call our lives
Anything can happen
— Jackson Browne, “Anything Can Happen”
I’ll post the Bad Brains and Mike Scott songs to the radio.blog, top right.
I love lyrics. Well, good ones! One of my all time favorites:
“And I’m lying on the table
Washed out in a flood
like a Christian fearing vengeance from above
I don’t pretend to know what you want
But I offer love”
-Distant Sun, Crowded House
Comment by gabby — August 23, 2005 @ 11:26 pm
That’s awesome. I need to pick up some Crowded House. Actually, I think I have some live stuff…maybe it’s a bootleg. Gotta dig it out.
Comment by Susan M — August 24, 2005 @ 2:07 pm
nice choice w/ the bad brains. i didn’t think many people knew who they were anymore.
some of my favorite lyrics are from modest mouse. like the following from “night on the sun” from the everywhere and his nast parlor tricks ep:
also, how about built to spill’s dystopian dream girl?
Comment by mike — August 25, 2005 @ 10:57 am