Greatest Lyrics Of All Time

[Guest Jlall]

On a more serious note...

 

Iris by the goo goo dolls

Verse 1

 

And I'd give up forever to touch you

Cause I know that you feel me somehow

You're the closest to heaven that I'll ever be

And I don't want to go home right now

Verse 2

 

And all I can taste is this moment

And all I can breathe is your life

Cause sooner or later it's over

I just don't want to miss you tonight

Chorus

 

And I don't want the world to see me

Cause I don't think that they'd understand

When everything's made to be broken

I just want you to know who I am

Verse 3

 

And you can't fight the tears that ain't coming

Or the moment of truth in your lies

When everything seems like the movies

Yeah you bleed just to know your alive

 

Chorus

 

And I don't want the world to see me

Cause I don't think that they'd understand

When everything's made to be broken

I just want you to know who I am

Chorus

 

I don't want the world to see me

Cause I don't think that they'd understand

When everything's made to be broken

I just want you to know who I am

 

I just want you to know who I am

I just want you to know who I am

I just want you to know who I am

I just want you to know who I am

[Winstonm]

You did say ALL-TIME best, right? Then....Jimmy Buffet is king.

 

Why don't we get drunk, and screw?

I just bought a waterbed,

It's filled up for me and you

They say you are a snuff queen,

Honey I don't think that's true,

So why don't we get drunk, and screw?

[Fluffy]

U2: Sunday, Bloody Sunday

 

Yes...

 

I cant believe the news today

Oh, I cant close my eyes and make it go away

How long...

How long must we sing this song?

How long? how long...

 

cause tonight...we can be as one

Tonight...

 

Broken bottles under childrens feet

Bodies strewn across the dead end street

But I wont heed the battle call

It puts my back up

Puts my back up against the wall

 

Sunday, bloody sunday

Sunday, bloody sunday

Sunday, bloody sunday (sunday bloody sunday...)

(allright lets go!)

 

And the battles just begun

Theres many lost, but tell me who has won

The trench is dug within our hearts

And mothers, children, brothers, sisters torn apart

 

Sunday, bloody sunday

Sunday, bloody sunday

 

How long...

How long must we sing this song?

How long? how long...

 

cause tonight...we can be as one

Tonight...

Tonight...

 

Sunday, bloody sunday (tonight)

Tonight

Sunday, bloody sunday (tonight)

(come get some!)

 

Wipe the tears from your eyes

Wipe your tears away

Wipe your tears away

I wipe your tears away

(sunday, bloody sunday)

I wipe your blood shot eyes

(sunday, bloody sunday)

 

Sunday, bloody sunday (sunday, bloody sunday)

Sunday, bloody sunday (sunday, bloody sunday)

(here I come!)

 

And its true we are immune

When fact is fiction and tv reality

And today the millions cry

We eat and drink while tomorrow they die

 

The real battle yet begun (sunday, bloody sunday)

To claim the victory jesus won (sunday, bloody sunday)

On...

 

Sunday bloody sunday

Sunday bloody sunday...

[han]

I know I can't top the thong song and I have a hard time picking Mark Knopfler's greatest lyrics. Here is a simple one from 2007 that I like:

 

When I gave my heart

to a tinker boy

he said a fish could love a swallow

And I will go with my travelling man

Wherever he goes I will follow

 

He will mend

your pots and pans

Your kitchen knives he’ll take and sharpen

Then I’ll be gone with my travelling man

and never more your doorway darken

 

The fish and the bird

who fall in love

will find no place to build a home in

The fish and the bird who fall in love

are bound forever to go roaming

[joshs]

It's lonesome away from your kindred and all

By the campfire at night where the wild dingos call

But there's nothin' so lonesome, so dull or so drear

Than to stand in the bar of a pub with no beer

 

Now the publican's anxious for the quota to come

There's a faraway look on the face of the bum

The maid's gone all cranky and the cook's acting queer

What a terrible place is a pub with no beer

 

The stockman rides up with his dry, dusty throat

He breasts up to the bar, pulls a wad from his coat

But the smile on his face quickly turns to a sneer

When the barman says suddenly: "The pub's got no beer!"

 

There's a dog on the verandah, for his master he waits

But the boss is inside drinking wine with his mates

He hurries for cover and he cringes in fear

It's no place for a dog round a pub with no beer

 

Then in comes the swagman, all covered with flies

He throws down his roll, wipes the sweat from his eyes

But when he is told he says, "What's this I hear?

I've trudged fifty flamin' miles to a pub with no beer!"

 

Old Billy, the blacksmith, the first time in his life

Has gone home cold sober to his darling wife

He walks in the kitchen; she says: "You're early, me dear"

Then he breaks down and he tells her that the pub's got no beer

 

It's lonesome away from your kindred and all

By the campfire at night where the wild dingos call

But there's nothin' so lonesome, so dull or so drear

Than to stand in the bar of a pub with no beer

[joshs]

I always was fond of this song, even if the author confuses Judas and Trotsky...

 

 

Stand Up For Judas

(Leon Rosselson)

 

The Romans were the masters

When Jesus walked the land

In Judea and in Galilee

They ruled with an iron hand

The poor were sick with hunger

And the rich were clothed in splendour

And the rebels, whipped and crucified

Hung rotting as a warning

And Jesus knew the answer -

"Give unto Caesar what is Caesar's"

Said, "Love your enemies"

But Judas was a Zealot and he

Wanted to be free

"Resist", he said, "the Romans' tyranny"

 

So stand up, stand up for Judas

And the cause that Judas served

It was Jesus who betrayed the poor with his word

 

Now Jesus was a conjuror,

Miracles were his game

He fed the hungry thousands

And they glorified his name

He cured the lame and leper

He calmed the wind and the weather

And the wretched flocked to touch him

So their troubles would be taken

And Jesus knew the answer -

"All you who labour, all you who suffer

Only believe in me"

But Judas sought a world where no-one

Starved or begged for bread

"The poor are always with us", Jesus said

 

Now Jesus sowed division

Where none had been before

Not the slave against the master

But the poor against the poor

Caused son to rise up against father

And brother to fight against brother

For "He that is not with me

Is against me" was his teaching

Said Jesus, "I am the answer

You unbelievers shall burn forever

Shall die in your sins"

"Not sheep or goats" said Judas but

"Together we may dare

Shake off the chains of tyranny we share"

 

Jesus stood upon the mountain

With a distance in his eyes

"I am the Way, the Life" he cried

"The Light that never dies

So renounce all earthly treasures

And pray to your heavenly father"

And he pacified the hopeless

With the hope of life eternal

Said Jesus, "I am the answer

And you who hunger only remember

Your reward's in heaven"

So Jesus preached the other world

But Judas wanted this

And he betrayed his master with a kiss

 

By sword and gun and crucifix

Christ's gospel has been spread

And two thousand cruel years have shown

The way that Jesus led

The heretics burned and tortured

And the butchering bloody Crusaders

The bombs and rockets sanctified

That rain down death from heaven

They followed Jesus, they knew the answer

All unbelievers must be believers

Or else be broken

"So place no trust in saviours"

Judas said, "for everyone

Must be to his or her own self a sun"

[mikeh]

The Rose by Bette Midler.

 

Lyrics

The Rose was written by Amanda McBroom, and her version, done more simply than Midler's because McBroom didn't have a great backup band, is more moving by far. My wife insists that I put it on the turntable (yes, I still prefer a turntable for good sound) most times we host a party... towards the end when everyone is getting mellow(er)

[mikeh]

Alexandra Leaving: Leonard Cohen

 

Suddenly the night has grown colder

The god of love preparing to depart

Alexandra hoisted on his shoulder

They step between the sentries of the heart

 

Upheld by the simplicity of pleasure

They gain the light, they tenderly embrace;

And radiant beyond your widest measure

They fall among the voices and the wine

 

It's not a trick, your senses all deceiving,

A fitful dream, the morning will exhaust-

Say goodbye to Alexandra leaving

Then say goodbye to Alexandra lost

 

Even though she sleeps upon your satin

Even though she wakes you with a kiss

Do not say the moment was imagined

Do not stoop to stratagies like this

 

As someone long prepared for this to happen

Go firmly to the window. Drink it in

Exquisite music. Alexandra laughing

Your firm commitments tangible again

 

And you who had the honor of her evening

And by that honor had yours restored-

Say goodbye to Alexandra leaving

Alexandra leaving with her lord

 

Even though she sleeps upon your satin

Even though she wakes you with a kiss

Do not say the moment was imagined

Do not stoop to strategies like this

 

As someone long prepared for the occasion

In full command of every plan you wrecked-

Do not choose a coward's explanation

That hides behind the cause and the effect

 

And you who were bewildered by a meaning

Whose code was broken, crucifix uncrossed

Say goodbye to Alexendra leaving

Then say goodbye to Alexandra lost

 

Say goodbye to Alexandra leaving

Then say goodbye to Alexandra lost

 

Not the most meaningful lyrics, but (especially in Cohen's voice) a wonderful evocation of emotion ... but I am a Cohen fan :P

[shyams]

Re-animating an old thread... Apologies

 

Where is the love (Black Eyed Peas) has some very nice lyrics; may not be the greatest of all time but surely quite good.

The part I like a lot is below

I feel the weight of the world on my shoulder

As I'm gettin' older, y'all, people gets colder

Most of us only care about money makin'

Selfishness got us followin' our wrong direction

Wrong information always shown by the media

Negative images is the main criteria

Infecting the young minds faster than bacteria

Kids wanna act like what they see in the cinema

Yo', whatever happened to the values of humanity

Whatever happened to the fairness in equality

Instead in spreading love we spreading animosity

Lack of understanding, leading lives away from unity

That's the reason why sometimes I'm feelin' under

That's the reason why sometimes I'm feelin' down

There's no wonder why sometimes I'm feelin' under

Gotta keep my faith alive till love is found

[babalu1997]

Lulu Santos Como uma Onda (Zen-Surfismo) Lyrics:

(Lulu Santos - Nelson Motta)

Nada do que foi será

De novo do jeito que já foi um dia

Tudo passa, tudo sempre passará

A vida vem em ondas como um mar

Num indo e vindo infinito

Tudo que se vê não é

Igual ao que a gente viu a um segundo

Tudo muda o tempo todo no mundo

Não adianta fugir nem mentir

Pra si mesmo agora

Há tanta vida lá fora

Aqui dentro sempre

Como uma onda no mar

Nada do que foi será

De novo do jeito que já foi um dia

Tudo passa, tudo sempre passará

A vida vem em ondas como um mar

Num indo e vindo infinito

Tudo que se vê não é

Igual ao que a gente viu a um segundo

Tudo muda o tempo todo no mundo

Não adianta fugir nem mentir

Pra si mesmo agora

Há tanta vida lá fora

Aqui dentro sempre

Como uma onda no mar

[Fluffy]

lyrics that I couldn't send out of my head would be extreme: more than words.

 

But for lyrics who actually made me think, best is Sunday Bloody Sunday (U2)

[ggwhiz]

B B King

 

Nobody loves me but my mother and she may be jivin too.

[jjbrr]

Def not greatest lyrics of all time, but perhaps worthy of honorable mention.

 

When I was young me and my mama had beef

Seventeen years old kicked out on the streets

Though back at the time, I never thought I'd see her face

Ain't a woman alive that could take my mama's place

Suspended from school; and scared to go home, I was a fool

with the big boys, breakin all the rules

I shed tears with my baby sister

Over the years we was poorer than the other little kids

And even though we had different daddy's, the same drama

When things went wrong we'd blame mama

I reminice on the stress I caused, it was hell

Huggin on my mama from a jail cell

And who'd think in elementary?

Heeey! I see the penitentiary, one day

And runnin from the police, that's right

Mama catch me, put a whoopin to my backside

And even as a crack fiend, mama

You always was a black queen, mama

I finally understand

for a woman it ain't easy tryin to raise a man

You always was committed

A poor single mother on welfare, tell me how ya did it

There's no way I can pay you back

But the plan is to show you that I understand

You are appreciated

 

[Chorus]

 

Lady...

Don't cha know we love ya? Sweet lady

Dear mama

Place no one above ya, sweet lady

You are appreciated

Don't cha know we love ya?

 

[second and third chorus]

 

Now ain't nobody tell us it was fair

No love from my daddy cause the coward wasn't there

He passed away and I didn't cry, cause my anger

wouldn't let me feel for a stranger

They say I'm wrong and I'm heartless, but all along

I was lookin for a father he was gone

I hung around with the Thugs, and even though they sold drugs

They showed a young brother love

I moved out and started really hangin

I needed money of my own so I started slangin

I ain't guilty cause, even though I sell rocks

It feels good puttin money in your mailbox

I love payin rent when the rent's due

I hope ya got the diamond necklace that I sent to you

Cause when I was low you was there for me

And never left me alone because you cared for me

And I could see you comin home after work late

You're in the kitchen tryin to fix us a hot plate

Ya just workin with the scraps you was given

And mama made miracles every Thanksgivin

But now the road got rough, you're alone

You're tryin to raise two bad kids on your own

And there's no way I can pay you back

But my plan is to show you that I understand

You are appreciated

 

[Chorus]

 

Pour out some liquor and I reminsce, cause through the drama

I can always depend on my mama

And when it seems that I'm hopeless

You say the words that can get me back in focus

When I was sick as a little kid

To keep me happy there's no limit to the things you did

And all my childhood memories

Are full of all the sweet things you did for me

And even though I act craaazy

I gotta thank the Lord that you made me

There are no words that can express how I feel

You never kept a secret, always stayed real

And I appreciate, how you raised me

And all the extra love that you gave me

I wish I could take the pain away

If you can make it through the night there's a brighter day

Everything will be alright if ya hold on

It's a struggle everyday, gotta roll on

And there's no way I can pay you back

But my plan is to show you that I understand

You are appreciated

[Trinidad]

I have two of them:

- Johnny Cash (written by Shell Silverstein), A boy named Sue (1969)

- Drs. P., Dodenrit (1974)

 

Rik

 

Johnny Cash, A boy named Sue

Well my daddy left home when I was three

And he didn't leave much to ma and me

Just this old guitar and an empty bottle of booze.

Now, I don't blame him cause he run and hid

But the meanest thing that he ever did

Was before he left, he went and named me "Sue."

 

Well, he must o' thought that is quite a joke

And it got a lot of laughs from a' lots of folk,

It seems I had to fight my whole life through.

Some gal would giggle and I'd get red

And some guy'd laugh and I'd bust his head,

I tell ya, life ain't easy for a boy named "Sue."

 

Well, I grew up quick and I grew up mean,

My fist got hard and my wits got keen,

Roam from town to town to hide my shame.

But I made me a vow to the moon and stars

That I'd search the honky-tonks and bars

And kill that man who gave me that awful name.

 

Well, it was Gatlinburg in mid-July

And I just hit town and my throat was dry,

I thought I'd stop and have myself a brew.

At an old saloon on a street of mud,

There at a table, dealing stud,

Sat the dirty, mangy dog that named me "Sue."

 

Well, I knew that snake was my own sweet dad

From a worn-out picture that my mother'd had,

And I knew that scar on his cheek and his evil eye.

He was big and bent and gray and old,

And I looked at him and my blood ran cold

And I said: "My name is 'Sue!' How do you do!

Now you gonna die!!"

Yeah that's what I told him

 

Well, I hit him hard right between the eyes

And he went down, but to my surprise,

He come up with a knife and cut off a piece of my ear.

But I busted a chair right across his teeth

And we crashed through the wall and into the street

Kicking and a' gouging in the mud and the blood and the beer.

 

I tell ya, I've fought tougher men

But I really can't remember when,

He kicked like a mule and he bit like a crocodile.

I heard him laugh and then I heard him cuss,

He went for his gun and I pulled mine first,

He stood there lookin' at me and I saw him smile.

 

And he said: "Son, this world is rough

And if a man's gonna make it, he's gotta be tough

And I know I wouldn't be there to help you along.

So I give ya that name and I said goodbye

I knew you'd have to get tough or die

And it's the name that helped to make you strong."

 

He said: "Now you just fought one hell of a fight

And I know you hate me, and you got the right

To kill me now, and I wouldn't blame you if you do.

But ya ought to thank me, before I die,

For the gravel in ya guts and the spit in the eye

Cause I'm the son-of-a-bitch that named you "Sue.'"

 

What could I do? What could I do?

I got all choked up and I threw down my gun

And I called him my pa, and he called me his son,

And I came away with a different point of view.

And I think about him, now and then,

Every time I try and every time I win,

And if I ever have a son, I think I'm gonna name him

Bill or George! Any damn thing but Sue! I still hate that name!

 

Drs. P., Dodenrit

We rijden met de troika door het eindeloze woud

Het vriest een graad of dertig, het is winter en vrij koud

De paardenhoeven knarsen in de pasgevallen sneeuw

Het is avond in Siberië en nergens is een leeuw

 

We rijden met de kinderen, al zijn ze nog wat jong

Door het eindeloze woud waarover ik zoëven zong

Een lommerrijk en zeer onoverzichtelijk terein

Waarin men zich gelukkig prijst dat er geen leeuwen zijn

 

We zijn opweg naar Omsk, maar de weg daarheen is lang

En daarom vullen wij de tijd met feestelijk gezang

Intussen gaat zich iets bewegen in de achtergrond

Iets donkers en iets talrijks, en het lijkt me ongezond

 

Ze zijn nog vrij ver achter ons, ik zie ze echter wel

Het is een hele massa en ze lopen nog al snel

En door ons achterna te lopen halen zij ons in

Wat onvoordelig uit kan pakken voor een jong gezin

 

De donkere gedaanten zijn bijzonder vlug ter been

Ze lopen op vier poten en ze kijken heel gemeen

Ze hebben grote tanden dat is duidelijk te zien

Het zijn waarschijnlijk wolven en kwaadaardig bovendien

 

Al is de toestand zorgelijk ik raak niet in paniek

Ik houd de moet erin door middel van de volksmuziek

We kennen onze bundel en we zingen heel wat af

Terwijl de wolven nader komen in gestrekte draf

 

Het is van hier naar Omsk nog een kleine honderd werst

'T is prettig dat de paarden net vanmiddag zijn ververst

Maar jammer dat de wolven ons toch hebben ingehaald

Men ziet de flinke eetlust die hun uit de ogen straalt

 

We doen heel onbekommerd en we zingen continu

Toch moet er iets gebeuren onder moeders paraplu

En zonder op te vallen overleg ik met mijn vrouw

Wie moet er aan geloven vraag ik toe bedenk eens gauw

 

Moet Igor het maar wezen?, nee want Igor speelt viool

Wat vind je van Natasha?, maar die leert zo goed op school

En Sonja dan?, nee Sonja niet, zij heeft een mooie alt

Zodat de keus tenslotte op de kleine Pjotr valt

 

Dus onder het gezang pak ik het ventje handig beet

Daar vliegt hij uit de troika met een griezelige kreet

De wolven hebben alle aandacht voor die lekkernij

Nog vierentachtig werst en o wat zijn we heden blij

 

We mogen Pjotr wel waarderen om zijn eetbaarheid

Want daardoor raken wij die troep voorlopig even kwijt

Zo jagen wij maar voort als in een gruwelijke droom

ajo ajo ajo al in die hoge klapperboom

 

Daar klinkt weer dat gehuil en onze hoop is weer verscheurd

De wolven zijn terug en nu is Sonja aan de beurt

Daar gaat dat arme kind, zij was zo vrolijk en zo braaf

Nog acht-en-zestig werst en in Den Haag daar woont een graaf

 

Ik zit nog na te peinzen en mijn vrouw stort meen'ge traan

En kijk daar komen achter ons die wolven alweer aan

Dus Igor 't is wel spijtig maar jij wordt geen virtuoos

Nog twee-en-vijftig werst en daar was laatst een meisje loos

 

Nu Igor is verwijderd hebben wij weer even rust

Maar nee daar zijn de wolven weer op nog een prak belust

De doodskreet van Natasha snijdt ons pijnlijk door de ziel

Nog zes-en-dertig werst en in een blauwgeruite kiel

 

Mijn vrouw en ik zijn over dus we zingen een duet

En als het even mee wil zitten halen we het net

Helaas ik moet haar afstaan aan de hongerige troep

Nu nog maar twintig werst en hoeperdepoep zat op de stoep

 

Ik zing nu weer wat lustiger want Omsk komt in zicht

Ik maak een sprong van blijdschap en verlies mijn evenwicht

Terwijl de wolven mij verslinden denk ik dat is pech

Ja Omsk is een mooie stad maar net iets te ver weg

 

Troika hier - troika daar, ja je ziet er veel dit jaar

Troika hier - troika daar, overal zit paardenhaar

Troika hier - troika daar, steeds uit voorraad leverbaar

Troika hier - troika daar, zachtjes stort de Samuvar

Troika hier - troika daar, met een Slavisch handgebaar

Troika hier - troika daar, doe het zelf met naald en schaar

Troika hier - troika daar, is dat nu niet wonderbaar

Troika hier - troika daar, twee halfom en een tartaar

Troika hier - troika daar, een liefdadigheidsbazaar

Troika hier - troika daar, Hulde aan het gouden paar

Troika hier - troika daar, foei hoe suffert staat gij daar

Troika hier - troika daar, moeder is de koffie klaar

Troika hier - troika daar, kijk! daar loopt een adelaar

Troika hier - troika daar, is hier ook een abattoir?

Troika hier - troika daar, basgitaar en klapsigaar

Troika hier - troika daar, flinkgebouwde weduwnaar

Troika hier - troika daar, LEVE ONZE GOEDE TSAAR!!

[spotlight7]

Hi:

 

Lili Marleen.

 

It was played by both sides in WWII. The fighting often stopped when the song was played. Both sides sang along and dreamed of home.

 

Regards,

Robert

[zman102]

"American Pie" by Don McLean has always been one of my favorite songs. Before the internet I didn't realize how the lyrics referred mostly to rock-n-roll groups and their songs (as interpreted by various folks (don't believe Don McLean has ever stated much except to say the song was dedicated to Buddy Holly)).

 

I tended to interpret the lyrics in my own reference (as I guess we all do). The lines "the birds flew off with a fallout shelter. Eight miles high and falling fast" meant to me the very real fears that we had during the fifties and sixties of having a hydrogen bomb dropped on us. But folks think it refers to the Byrds who had a song "Eight miles high". That makes sense, but I didn't know about the reference for about 35 years. Anyway, I think the song was written about 1969-1971 and if you have never heard it you might enjoy listening to the song. It is long, over 5 minutes, but it is, I think, my all time favorite.

 

 

American Pie lyrics

 

A long long time ago

I can still remember how that music used to make me smile

And I knew if I had my chance

That I could make those people dance

And maybe they'd be happy for a while.

But February made me shiver

With every paper I'd deliver

Bad news on the doorstep

I couldn't take one more step

I can't remember if I cried

When I read about his widowed bride

But something touched me deep inside

The day the music died

 

{Refrain}

So bye-bye, Miss American Pie

Drove my chevy to the levee

But the levee was dry

And them good old boys were drinkin' whiskey and rye

Singin' this'll be the day that I die

This'll be the day that I die

 

Did you write the Book of Love

And do you have faith in God above

If the Bible tells you so

Do you believe in rock 'n roll

Can music save your mortal soul

And can you teach me how to dance real slow

Well, I know that you're in love with him

'Cause I saw you dancin' in the gym

You both kicked off your shoes

and I digged those rhythmy blues

I was a lonely teenage broncin' buck

With a pink carnation and a pickup truck

But I knew I was out of luck

The day the music died

 

I started singin'

{Refrain}

 

Now for ten years we've been on our own

And moss grows fat on a rollin' stone

But that's not how it used to be

When the jester sang for the King and Queen

In a coat he borrowed from James Dean

And a voice that came from you and me

Oh, and while the King was looking down

The jester stole his thorny crown

The courtroom was adjourned

No verdict was returned

And while Lenin read a book of Marx

The quartet practiced in the park

And we sang dirges in the dark

The day the music died

 

We were singing

{Refrain}

 

Helter Skelter in a summer swelter

The birds flew off with a fallout shelter

Eight miles high and falling fast

It landed foul out on the grass

The players tried for a forward pass

With the jester on the sidelines in a cast

Now the half-time air was sweet perfume

While the Sergeants played a marching tune

We all got up to dance

Oh, but we never got the chance

'Cause the players tried to take the field

The marching band refused to yield

Do you recall what was revealed

The day the music died

 

We started singing

{Refrain}

 

Oh, and there we were all in one place

A generation Lost in Space

With no time left to start again

So come on, Jack be nimble, Jack be quick

Jack Flash sat on a candlestick

'Cause fire is the Devil's only friend

Oh, and as I watched him on the stage

My hands were clenched in fists of rage

No angel born in hell

Could break that Satan's spell

And as the flames climbed high into the night

To light the sacrificial rite

I saw Satan laughing with delight

The day the music died

 

He was singing

{Refrain}

 

I met a girl who sang the blues

And I asked her for some happy news

But she just smiled and turned away

I went down to the sacred store

Where I'd heard the music years before

But the man there said the music woudn't play

And in the streets the children screamed

The lovers cried, and the poets dreamed

But not a word was spoken

The church bells all were broken

And the three men I admire most

The Father, Son and the Holy Ghost

They caught the last train for the coast

The day the music died

 

And they were singing

{Refrain}

 

They were singing bye-bye, Miss American Pie

Drove my chevy to the levee

But the levee was dry

Them good old boys were drinking whiskey and rye

Singin' this'll be the day that I die

[gwnn]

you aaaask yourself

who'd watch for me

your only friend, who could it be?

well I hate to say it

but I have to say it

it's probably me.

[Al_U_Card]

Philosophically, something that makes you think...when you drink.

 

Immanuel Kant was a real pissant

Who was very rarely stable

Heidegger, Heidegger was a boozy beggar

Who could think you under the table

David Hume could out-consume

Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel

And Wittgenstein was a beery swine

Who was just as schloshed as Schlegel

 

There's nothing Nietzsche couldn't teach ya

'Bout the raising of the wrist

Socrates himself was permanently pissed

 

John Stuart Mill, of his own free will

With half a pint of shandy got particularly ill

Plato, they say, could stick it away

Half a crate of whiskey every day

Aristotle, Aristotle was a bugger for the bottle

Hobbes was fond of his dram

And Rene Descartes was a drunken fart

"I drink therefore I am"

 

Yes, Socrates himself is particularly missed

A lovely little thinker but a bugger when he's pissed

[Winstonm]

1) And when I die, and when I'm gone, there'll be one child born in this world to carry on, to carry on.

 

2) Oh bla di, oh bla da, yeah, la la la la life goes on.

 

3) All in all you're just another brick in the wall.

 

4) Go away from my window, leave at your own chosen speed, I'm not the one you want, babe, I'm not the one you need. You say you wanted someone who was never weak but always strong, someone to defend you and protect you, whether you are right or wrong, someone to open each and every door, well, it ain't me, babe, a no, no, no it ain't me, babe, it ain't me you're looking for, babe.

[Lobowolf]

Well I'll be damned

Here comes your ghost again

But that's not unusual

It's just that the moon is full

And you happened to call

And here I sit

Hand on the telephone

Hearing a voice I'd known

A couple of light years ago

Heading straight for a fall

 

As I remember your eyes

Were bluer than robin's eggs

My poetry was lousy you said

Where are you calling from?

A booth in the midwest

Ten years ago

I bought you some cufflinks

You brought me something

We both know what memories can bring

They bring diamonds and rust

 

Well you burst on the scene

Already a legend

The unwashed phenomenon

The original vagabond

You strayed into my arms

And there you stayed

Temporarily lost at sea

The Madonna was yours for free

Yes the girl on the half-shell

Would keep you unharmed

 

Now I see you standing

With brown leaves falling around

And snow in your hair

Now you're smiling out the window

Of that crummy hotel

Over Washington Square

Our breath comes out white clouds

Mingles and hangs in the air

Speaking strictly for me

We both could have died then and there

 

Now you're telling me

You're not nostalgic

Then give me another word for it

You who are so good with words

And at keeping things vague

Because I need some of that vagueness now

It's all come back too clearly

Yes I loved you dearly

And if you're offering me diamonds and rust

I've already paid

 

 

-Diamonds and Rust

Joan Baez

 

© 1975 Chandos Music (ASCAP)

[y66]

Brown Eyed Girl by Van Morrison. Do you remember when we used to sing sha la la la la ...?

 

Maggie May by Rod Stewart. Wake up Maggie I think I got something to say to you ...

 

Might have posted American Pie if zman hadn't already.

 

Diamonds and Rust? Have never heard all the words to that. Good stuff. It says a lot about Bob Dylan's charm that Joan Baez could have fallen so hard for him. Still hard to believe though.

[jonottawa]

She was a fast machine, she kept her motor clean, etc.

 

or maybe

 

I'm just a regular joe, with a regular job, I'm your average white, suburbanite slob, etc.

[mike777]

Brown Eyed Girl by Van Morrison. Do you remember when we used to sing sha la la la la ...?

 

Maggie May by Rod Stewart. Wake up Maggie I think I got something to say to you ...

 

Might have posted American Pie if zman hadn't already.

 

Diamonds and Rust? Have never heard all the words to that. Good stuff. It says a lot about Bob Dylan's charm that Joan Baez could have fallen so hard for him. Still hard to believe though.

Of course Louie Louie but cant go wrong with alot of these second choices

 

 

House of the Rising Sun, Satisfaction, Like a Rolling Stone...the list is endless but fun to discuss.

 

and as others mentioned....Brown Eyed Girl, Maggie May...

[jjbrr]

All I can say is that my life is pretty plain

I like watching the puddles gather rain

[mike777]

All I can say is that my life is pretty plain

I like watching the puddles gather rain

this is a greatest lyric of all time? sigh....