Song Lyrics of Note
Song lyrics can be powerful things. They can capture the mood and spirit of an era. They can also make powerful socio-political points. Or they can simply be pleasing to the listener by their use of language and playfulness. They can stick in your mind for both deep and trivial reasons. Mishearing them is also a common problem but that is a separate blog post. On this occasion I thought it would be worthwhile exploring the subject of song lyrics of note. Hence I have collated some that I find interesting, wise or just entertaining. These aren’t necessarily my favourite songs of all time, because I like so many. Instead these are some of the ones that sprang to mind when I was preparing this post. I have decided to have the selected lyrics first and the name of the artists afterwards, so that the emphasis is placed upon the words from the song. Although is is more than likely that you’ll be able to identify the songs from the lyrics immediately, or at least for some of them.
Song lyrics can be powerful things. They can capture the mood and spirit of an era. They can also make powerful socio-political points. Or they can simply be pleasing to the listener by their use of language and playfulness. They can stick in your mind for both deep and trivial reasons. Mishearing them is also a common problem but that is a separate blog post. On this occasion I thought it would be worthwhile exploring the subject of song lyrics of note. Hence I have collated some that I find interesting, wise or just entertaining. These aren’t necessarily my favourite songs of all time, because I like so many. Instead these are some of the ones that sprang to mind when I was preparing this post. I have decided to have the selected lyrics first and the name of the artists afterwards, so that the emphasis is placed upon the words from the song. Although is is more than likely that you’ll be able to identify the songs from the lyrics immediately, or at least for some of them.
Time it was and what a time it was, it was
A time of innocence, a time of confidences
Long ago, it must be, I have a photograph
Preserve your memories, they're all that's left you
Bookends. Simon & Garfunkel
The track Old Friends seamlessly segues in to the reprise of Bookends theme. Both tracks are quite profound in there consideration of old age. However, I find the final line to be quite heart wrenching. Time diminishes us both bodily and mentally Advance age also changes the way society perceives us and treats us. Our autumn years can take everything from us. Especially in light of the possibility of cognitive decline.
I got you in the camera
And I got you in my camera
A second of your life
Ruined for life
You wanna ruin me in your magazine
You wanna cover us in margarine
[Chorus]
And now is the time
You got the time
To realise
To have real eyes
I Wanna be Me. Sex Pistols
The intelligence of their lyrics was lost among the outrage and bluster of the times, when the Sex Pistols achieved fame or notoriety, depending on your perspective. They were utterly right in their assessment of the UK tabloid press and the lyrics featured still ring true today. Sadly too many readers of such so-called newspapers lack the ability to “have real eyes”.
You could have your choice of men
But I could never love again
He's the only one for me, Jolene
I had to have this talk with you
My happiness depends on you
And whatever you decide to do, Jolene
Jolene. Dolly Parton
This song is a masterpiece of economy. There is no villainous or vitriol. Just the singer the admitting that another woman possesses everything she fears she lacks. The vulnerability makes it unusually powerful. I have always found this song fascinating because it is very credible in its depiction of female hierarchy and the associated power dynamic of beauty. I have often pondered why the character singing cleaves to such an unworthy man but the country genre is filled with laments for male wastrels.
If you like to gamble, I tell you I'm your man
You win some, lose some, it's all the same to me
The pleasure is to play, it makes no difference what you say
I don't share your greed, the only card I need is
[Chorus]
The Ace of Spades
The Ace of Spades
Ace of Spades. Motörhead
Fans and aficionados often see the lyrics of Ace of Spades to be a metaphor and validation of living a fast, high-risk, and unapologetic life. However, Lemmy told the BBC that people often tried to read deep, clever metaphors into the song, stating bluntly: “which it isn't”. He insisted it was just about playing cards. For me it doesn’t matter either way. The lyrics work perfectly with the song and express a mood, rather than a philosophy.
Deutschland
Mein Herz in Flammen
Will dich lieben und verdammen
Deutschland
Dein Atem kalt
So jung
Und doch so alt
Deutschland
Deutschland. Rammstein
Song lyrics in another language are fascinating. Literal translations often fail to convey the complexities of the original lyrics. Often a deeper understanding of a nations semantic culture is required. However, not knowing the language in question doesn’t have to be an issue. The listener can take pleasure in the cadence, pronunciation and tone of the words that are being sung, irrespective of whether they understand them. Rammstein’s lyrics often paint complex and evocative mental pictures in their native German. However, not being a native speaker, when I hear a new song by them, I often find the sound of the words and lead singer Til Linderman’s inflexion, is what makes them compelling.
I love you much
It's not enough
You love blow and I love puff
And life
Is like a pipe
And I'm a tiny penny rollin' up the walls inside
[Chorus]
We only said goodbye with words
I died a hundred times
You go back to her
And I go back to
We only said goodbye with words
I died a hundred times
You go back to her
And I go back to black
Back to Black. Amy Winehouse
This is a brutally concise breakup song. Winehouse’s lyrics rarely hide behind abstraction. The humiliation, desire, self-destructive behaviour and resentment present in the song (which is often drawn from her own experiences) have an almost uncomfortable frankness. All of which makes it so credible and emotionally honest.
Now your dancing child with his Chinese suit
He spoke to me, I took his flute
No, I wasn't very cute to him, was I?
But I did it, because he lied and
Because he took you for a ride
And because time was on his side and
Because I…
[Chorus]
Want you
I want you
Yes I want you, so bad
I Want You. Bob Dylan
Dylan is often thought to be referring to Brian Jones, the guitarist and multi-instrumentalist of The Rolling Stones. The pair shared a complex, volatile relationship that included moments of genuine artistic kinship. They also had periods of friction and public disputes. The lyrics here are suitably condescending and withering. They are all the more powerful when heard delivered in Dylan’s unique vocal style.
Song lyrics can be powerful things. They can capture the mood and spirit of an era. They can also make powerful socio-political points. Or they can simply be pleasing to the listener by their use of language and playfulness. They can stick in your mind for both deep and trivial reasons. Mishearing them is also a common problem but that is a separate blog post. On this occasion I thought it would be worthwhile exploring the subject of song lyrics of note. Hence I have collated some that I find interesting, wise or just entertaining. These aren’t necessarily my favourite songs of all time, because I like so many. Instead these are some of the ones that sprang to mind when I was preparing this post. I have decided to have the selected lyrics first and the name of the artists afterwards, so that the emphasis is placed upon the words from the song. Although is is more than likely that you’ll be able to identify the songs from the lyrics immediately, or at least for some of them.