Hi guys!

Ever found any lyrical line from a song that you find it so unique or so special? Perhaps some of them have bring meaningful thought that boost your daily motivations, maybe helps getting through depression, or maybe it has interesting story behind the lyrical content, or many other reason that you find it gave some special thoughts.

I hope it's alright to start a thread to share such moment and discovery.

I will start mine with a song from Sting. I've no idea a song can be written in such a way to express such feelings or thoughts, which I found it is so unique and never heard in any other songs before. The song is "Englishman in New York". I admire the way it was written and composed.

Lyrics

I don't take coffee, I take tea, my dear
I like my toast done on one side
And you can hear it in my accent when I talk
I'm an Englishman in New York

See me walking down Fifth Avenue
A walking cane here at my side
I take it everywhere I walk
I'm an Englishman in New York

Oh, I'm an alien, I'm a legal alien
I'm an Englishman in New York
Oh, I'm an alien, I'm a legal alien
I'm an Englishman in New York

If "manners maketh man" as someone said
He's the hero of the day
It takes a man to suffer ignorance and smile
Be yourself no matter what they say

Oh, I'm an alien, I'm a legal alien
I'm an Englishman in New York
Oh, I'm an alien, I'm a legal alien
I'm an Englishman in New York

Modesty, propriety can lead to notoriety
You could end up as the only one
Gentleness, sobriety are rare in this society
At night a candle's brighter than the sun

Takes more than combat gear to make a man
Takes more than a license for a gun
Confront your enemies, avoid them when you can
A gentleman will walk but never run

If "manners maketh man" as someone said
He's the hero of the day
It takes a man to suffer ignorance and smile
Be yourself no matter what they say
Be yourself no matter what they say
Be yourself no matter what they say

Be yourself no matter what they say (oh, I'm an alien, I'm a legal alien)
Be yourself no matter what they say (I'm an Englishman in New York)
Be yourself no matter what they say (oh, I'm an alien, I'm a legal alien)
Be yourself no matter what they say (I'm an Englishman in New York)
Be yourself no matter what they say (oh, I'm an alien, I'm a legal alien)
Be yourself no matter what they say (I'm an Englishman in New York)
Be yourself no matter what they say (oh, I'm an alien, I'm a legal alien)
Be yourself no matter what they say (I'm an Englishman in New York)
Be yourself no matter what they say

 

Here's my number one song when it comes to lyrics:

This song is alcoholism personified. I especially love the lines "You won't, but you might" and "Do what I say". It always breaks my heart when I hear it. It perfectly portraits the feeling of sinking and helplessness.

 

"You'll go to hell for what your dirty mind is thinking"

 

Milk blood to keep from running out

 

Most meaningful lyrics ever written, speaks to the human condition on a cosmic level,

Put your left leg in
your left leg out

In
out
in
out
shake it all about.
Do the Hokey-Cokey and you turn around

That's what it's all about.
I like Cokey
I like Cokey
I like Cokey

Knees bent
arms stretched
rah
rah
rah.

Put your right leg in
your right leg out

In
out
in
out
shake it all about. . . .

Put your left arm in
your left arm out

In
out
in
out
shake it all about. . . .

Put your right arm in
your right arm out

In
out
in
out
shake it all about. . . .

I like Cokey
I like Cokey
I like Cokey

Knees bent
arms stretched
rah
rah
rah.

Put your whole self in
your whole self out

In
out
in
out
shake it all about. . . .

I like Cokey
I like Cokey
I like Cokey

Knees bent
arms stretched
rah
rah
rah.

 

Human's voice and their blah blah blah is one of those signal sources that usually doesn't impress me. Watching those talent finder programs is like hearing a big joke. What's wrong with me? Should I quit the music world?

 

Last edited by a moderator: Nov 28, 2017

Listened to this for the first time in twenty years and forgot the power of words in music:

He rides a freight-train out of town
And whistles at the icy rime
The cattle float like thistle-downs
And God is on the edge of time
Somewhere behind a siren wails
The freight-train soars above the rails
The traveller, he's hard as nails
As the train sweeps down the line

The salmon Season's here to stay
And etched into each shoulder-bone
The mark of Cain is on display
As stone above each measured stone
Old Dresden burns above the breeze
The traveller, he's on his knees
He's watching sledge-wings dip and play
So far above the holy throne

 

Some great lyrics about writing lyrics:

I Typed For Miles - Blake Schwartzenbach

I live in a hotel
must keep writing
if I'm to be better than everyone else
like figure skating
like asphyxiating
on your own seeping fumes
you're just waiting
living in a hotel
but I'm not traveling
between two points, in mid air,
I'm levitating
above the earth
beneath the sky
eyes like static
in my three feet
from bed to wall
there sleeps a genius
leave me here to my devices
the call could come at any time
they're playing love songs on the radio tonight
I can't relate to that right now
note so self: no one cares. your voice is average
in worried piles I typed for miles and noone noticed
I will begin
I will put right
this morning terror
I have been kissed
between the ears
by human error
leave me here to my devices
I need a word to change my life
I've tied my ankles to the table legs with wire
he can't write so much as type
leave me here to my devices
I can't think with all this noise
they're playing love songs on your radio tonight
I don't get those songs on mine
you keep fucking up my life

 

Peace Sells Megadeth


What do you mean, "I don't believe in God"?
I talk to him everyday.
What do you mean, "I don't support your system"?
I go to court when I have to
What do you mean, "I can't get to work on time"?
I got nothing better to do.
And, what do you mean, "I don't pay my bills"?
Why do you think I'm broke? Huh?
If there's a new way,
I'll be the first in line.
But it better work this time.
What do you mean, "I hurt your feelings"?
I didn't know you had any feelings.
What do you mean, "I ain't kind"?
Just not your kind.
What do you mean, "I couldn't be the President
Of the United States of America"?
Tell me something, it's still "We the people, " right?
If there's a new way
I'll be the first in line
But it better work this time
Can you put a price on peace?
Peace,
Peace sells,
Peace,
Peace sells,
Peace sells, but who's buying?
Peace sells, but who's buying?
Peace sells, but who's buying?
Peace sells, but who's buying?
No, peace sells

 

[Verse 1]
Sneakin’ out of my house I was just sixteen
Met you in the dark down by the creek
We’d mess around until we got cold feet
Summers in Kentucky they were hard to beat

[Verse 2]
Twenty five years later our lives have changed
Meeting girls on the road who are half my age
Sometimes I think about the creek when I’m on stage
Summers in Kentucky, man I miss that place

[Chorus 1]
Used to press your pussy up against my mouth
Now you’ve had a couple kids and it’s all stretched out
But I’m starting to think we could figure it out
Summers in Kentucky, wanna be back now

[Verse 3]
If you ever feel like ditchin’ your man
Grab your kids hit the road with a country band
There’s room for all y’all inside of my van
We could start our lives all over again

[Chorus 2]
Heard you gained a few got saggy tits
But who am I to say cuz I’ve aged liked shit?
That’s why I think we’d be the perfect fit
Summers in Kentucky man I sure miss it

[Outro]
I’d give up all the pussy and the young shaved muff
Bring your flabby ass back that would be enough
You and I both lookin’ pretty rough
Since those summers in Kentucky man I miss that stuff

 

"if you're late again, the superviser says we're going to put you on daily signing.
Hah!".
intro to:
Born to Run.
Frankie goes to Hollywood.
I bet nobody expected that

 

Leather Strip - Claus Larsen. That guy makes some really impressive lyrics that really jive with me. So simple yet so deep.

**** Life Is Painful ***

Don't talk to me
Just stay inside your nightmare
Don't blind me
Nobody likes you anywhere
Stay away
From masters of the unborn
Break away
Your soul will be torn

Blame yourself
Your innocence is changing
You're guilty
And nothing is changing
Hit yourself
And wake up to reality
Look at your face
And you will see me

[chorus]
Life is painful and hard to bear
You look for comfort but no one cares
Life is painful and hard to bear
You look for comfort but no one cares

[break]
Life is painful
You all make me sick

Tempt yourself
With all of nature's wonders
Cry for help
Your life is in chains
Don't talk to me
Just stay inside your nightmare
Don't blind me
Nobody likes you anywhere

[Chorus]
[Break]

p.s. I had to edit all the grammatical errors from the source I've copied it from. It's rather incredible... who writes this shit? Children in Mosambic?

 

Last edited: Nov 29, 2017

Even though the lyric is short, music is 4 minutes absolute beautiful.
The lyric is really deep.

Crywolf - Mabúl [CEPHALOTUS]

[Verse 1]
Chrysalis
I'm growing up and dying every minute you exist
I’ll venture down into your tombs
A peristome covered womb

[Verse 2]
Chrysalis
I'm gonna chew you till my teeth are numb
I'll drink your poison as I bloom
Digest my way down to my doom

[Outro]
Pulling me down
Pulling me down
(I’m growing up and dying every minute you exist)
Pulling me down
Pulling me down
Pulling me down
Pulling me down
(I'm growing up and dying every minute you exist)
Pulling me down
Pulling me down

 

Little by little
I've come to this point
On my own I've been searching my way
I lost you so early
The days went so fast
You don't know I prayed every day
A song to remember
A song to forget
You'll never know how I tried
To make you proud
And to honor your name but
You never told me goodbye
Now that your are gone
Casting shadows from the past
You and all the memories will last
Don't you cry
Or suffer over me
I will be waiting for you
Don't you cry
Angels never fade away
I'll be watching over you
See you through
Now I'm a man and
I'm feeling you still
Could it be you were there all along
A time to surrender
A time to forgive
With solace I give you this song
Now that you are gone
Casting shadows from the past
In my dreams I hear your voice at last
Don't you cry
Or suffer over me
I will be waiting for you
Don't you cry
Angels never fade away
I'll be watching over you
I can see you tonight
In the pale winter light
Father and son again
The bond of blood will never end

 

Fucks me up every time that I listen to it by making me the witness.

Ballad of Hollis Brown

Hollis Brown
He lived on the outside of town
Hollis Brown
He lived on the outside of town
With his wife and five children
And his cabin broken down
Oh he looked for work and money
And he walked a ragged mile
Oh he looked for work and money
And he walked a ragged mile
And your children are so hungry
That they don't know how to smile
Your baby's eyes look crazy
They're a-tuggin' at your sleeve
Your baby's eyes look crazy
They're a-tuggin' at your sleeve
You walk the floor and wonder why
With every breath you breathe
Hey, hey!
The rats have got your flour
Bad blood it got your mare
Oh
The rats have got your flour
Bad blood it got your mare
If there's anyone that knows
Is there anyone that cares?
And oh, you prayed to the Lord above
Oh please send you a friend
And oh, you prayed to the Lord above
Oh please send you a friend
Your empty pockets tell you
That you ain't a-got no friend
Your babies' eyes are crying
It's pounding on your brain
Your babies' eyes are crying
It's pounding on your brain
Your wife's screams are stabbin' you
Like the dirty drivin' rain
Your grass it is turning black
There's no water in your well
Your grass is turning black
There's no water in your well
You spent your last lone dollar
On seven shotgun shells
Way out in the wilderness
A cold coyote calls
Way out in the wilderness
A cold coyote calls
Your eyes fix on the shotgun
That's hangin' on the wall
Your brain is a-bleedin'
And your legs can't seem to stand
Your brain is a-bleedin'
And your legs can't seem to stand
Your eyes fix on the shotgun
That you're holdin' in your hand
Woah oh oh oh, oh oh oh, Woah oh oh oh, oh oh oh
There's seven breezes a-blowin'
All around the cabin door
There's seven breezes a-blowin'
All around the cabin door
Seven shots ring out
Like the ocean's pounding roar
There's seven people dead
On a South Dakota farm
There's seven people dead
On a South Dakota farm
Somewhere in the distance
There's seven new people born

 

Pale Blue Eyes by The Velvet Underground...

Lyrics

Sometimes I feel so happy
Sometimes I feel so sad
Sometimes I feel so happy
But mostly you just make me mad
Baby, you just
Make me mad
Linger on
Your pale blue eyes
Linger on
Your pale blue eyes
Thought of you as my mountain top
Thought of you as my peak
Thought of you as everything
I've had but couldn't keep
I've had but couldn't keep
Linger on
Your pale blue eyes
Linger on
Your pale blue eyes
If I could make the world as pure
And strange as what I see
I'd put you in the mirror
I put in front of me
I put in front of me
Linger on
Your pale blue eyes
Linger on
Your pale blue eyes
Skip a life completely
Stuff it in a cup
She said, "Money is like us in time
It lies, but can't stand up
Down for you is up"
Linger on
Your pale blue eyes
Linger on
Your pale blue eyes
It was good what we did yesterday
And I'd do it once again
The fact that you are married
Only proves, you're my best friend
But it's truly, truly a sin
Linger on
Your pale blue eyes
Linger on
Your pale blue eyes

 

Attention (especially) Christians: you can enjoy worship songs all you want, but if this doesn't motivate you to true acts of faith (generous giving) you can hang it all up, imho.

You gotta feed the poor
They're dying every day
If your momma asks you if you fed the poor
What are you gonna say

You gotta feed the poor
You must obey
If your pappa asks you if you fed the poor
What are you gonna say

There's a little boy lying on the ground
Too weak to lift his head up, too sick to make a sound
There's a little baby girl with her eyes shut tight
Her body burns with fever, there is no food tonight

You gotta feed the poor
You must obey
If the angels ask if you fed the poor
What would you say

You gotta feed the poor
They're dying every day
And when Jesus asks you if you fed the poor
What are you gonna say

They're cutting down the rain forest so they can feed the cows
Fast food corporations, they got no time for ploughs
The wet lands and the swamp land are being drained away
The animals and bird life, they have no place to stay

Insidious conglomerates deny that they're involved
Offshore phoney shell fronts make it hard to solve
With a thousand miles of paper trails winding round and round
While you subpoena affidavits another million trees comes down

Inner city children go to school without a meal
They study this great land of ours, it must seem so unreal
In Haiti and in Africa and in your small town too
There's children starving everywhere and they are watching you

You gotta feed the poor
You gotta feed the poor
Gotta feed the poor
Feed the poor

 

I don't mean to be a party pooper, but since I became a musician, I can't focus on the words. They don't move me. Of course, some songs have amazing lyrics. I love the sadness and grief of "For No One" by the Beatles, but those songs come from my time before I picked up the bass. Now I listen to a song and the words are a mumble. I naturally will narrow in on the arrangement, the bass line, the drum fills, the effects.

The casual listener experience has been ruined for me.

That doesn't apply to some authors like Joaquin Sabina from Spain. His lyrics are really intricate and very profound. Sometimes they move me emotionally and at other times they move me at a cognitive level.

 

I pay very little attention to lyrics, but I always thought this line was cool.

"Wave upon wave of demented avengers
March cheerfully out of obscurity into the dream"

Which is a line from the song Sheep by Pink Floyd (written by Roger Waters)

By the way....Maiden or Priest?