Heya, Covers! Haven't we all listened to the lyrics of a song before and thought, 'damn, that's pure poetry!'? Well, here is the place to share the lyrics of your favourite tracks! I have a few too many hits to mention, but I thought I'd start with a song I recently discovered by Eartha Kitt, followed by a song I have raved on about before, 'Little Cream Soda' by The White Stripes.
Enjoy the poetr- I mean, songs, and comment your favourites below!
'I Want To Be Evil' by Eartha Kitt
I've posed for pictures with Iv'ry Soap I've petted stray dogs, and shied clear of dope My smile is brilliant, my glance is tender But I'm noted most for my unspoiled gender I've been made Miss Reingold, though I never touch beer And I'm the person to whom they say, "You're sweet, my dear" The only etchings I've seen have been behind glass And the closest I've been to a bar was at ballet class Prim and proper, the girl who's never been kissed I'm tired of being pure and not chased Like something that seeks it's level I wanna go to the devil I wanna be evil, I wanna spit tacks I wanna be evil and cheat at jacks I wanna be wicked, I wanna tell lies I wanna be mean and throw mud pies I want to wake up in the morning With that dark brown taste I wanna see some dissipation in my face I wanna be evil, I wanna be mad But more than that, I wanna be bad I wanna be evil and trump an ace Just to see my partner's face I wanna be nasty, I wanna be cruel I wanna be daring, I wanna shoot pool And in the theatre, I want to change my seat Just so I can step on everybody's feet I wanna be evil, I wanna hurt flies I wanna sing songs like the guy who cries I wanna be horrid, I wanna drink booze And whatever I've got, I am eager to lose I wanna be evil, little evil me Just as mean and evil as I can be
Songwriters: Lester Judson / Raymond Taylor
'Little Cream Soda' by The White Stripes
One, two, three, four
Well, every highway that I go down seems to be longer Than the last one that I knew about, oh, well
And every girl that I walk around seems to be more of an illusion Than the last one that I found, oh, well
And this old man in front of me wearing canes and ruby rings Is like containing an explosion when he sings And with every chance to set himself on fire He just ends up doin' the same thing
Well, each beautiful thing I come across tells me To stop moving and shake this riddle off, oh, well
And there was a time when all I wanted was my ice cream colder And a little cream soda, oh, well, oh, well
And a wooden box and an alley full Of rocks was all I had to care about Oh, well, oh, well, oh, well
Now my mind is filled with rubber tires and forest fires And whether I'm a liar And lots of other situations where I don't know what to do At which time God screams to me "There's nothing left for me to tell you." Nothing left for me to tell you Nothing left
Oh, well, oh, well, oh, well, oh, well Oh, well, oh, well, oh, well, oh, well
Songwriter: Jack White III
I like this song from an album Sound City, Reel To Reel called From Can To Can’t…
Under the water It's cold and it's grey My torrid autumn Another season decays Open up the hollow And my walls come down I tell you it's a problem Just when no one's around But then
I know what's wrong God, you complicated everything I know you're gone, gone, gone This is where I will draw a line
I will draw my line
I'm burning my cathedrals 'Cause I don't pray anymore Look at all of these people, tragic little people They smile and then they don't know what for But then
I know what's wrong God, you complicated everything I know you're gone, gone, gone This is where I will blur my line
Thought this song would be a good follow up to @nicki
The Italian version is in the video above, but here are the lyrics translated into English:
[Intro]
Tell me your truths, Coraline, Coraline
Tell me your truths, Coraline, Coraline
Tell me your truths, Coraline, Coraline
Tell me your truths, Coraline, Coraline
[Verse 1]
Coraline, as beautiful as the sun
Warrior with a zealous heart
Hair like red roses
Those precious copper strings, my love, bring them to me
If you hear bells singing
You'll see Coraline crying
Taking in other people's pain
And then carry it within her
[Bridge]
Coraline, Coraline, tell me your truths
Coraline, Coraline, tell me your truths
Coraline, Coraline, tell me your truths
Coraline, Coraline
[Verse 2]
But she knows the truth
Not everyone can carry on
With their heart split in two halves
It's cold already
She's just a kid, but she feels something weighing on her
And sooner or later she'll break
And people will say "she's worth nothing
She can't even walk out of a miserable door"
But one day, someday, she'll make it
And I told Coraline she's allowed to grow up
Collect her things and leave
But she feels a monster is keeping her in a cage
Covers her path with landmines
And I told Coraline she's allowed to grow up
Collect her things and leave
But Coraline doesn't want to eat, no
Yes, Coraline would rather disappear
[Chorus]
And Coraline cries
Coraline has anxiety
Coraline is longing for the sea, but is afraid of the water
And maybe the sea is inside her
Every word is an axe
A stab in the back
Like a raft sailing a swollen river
And maybe the river is inside her, her
[Verse 3]
I'll be the fire and the cold
A winter shelter
I'll be what you breathe
I'll understand what you hold inside
And I'll be the water you drink
The meaning of good
I'll even be a soldier
Or a light in the evening
I ask for nothing in return
Just a smile
Every little tear of yours is an ocean on my face
And I ask for nothing in return
Just a little time
I'll be a battle banner, a shield
Or your silver sword, and
[Chorus]
And Coraline cries
Coraline has anxiety
Coraline is longing for the sea, but is afraid of the water
And maybe the sea is inside her
Every word is an axe
A stab in the back
Like a raft sailing a swollen river
And maybe the river is inside her, her
[Outro]
And tell me your truths, Coraline, Coraline
Tell me your truths, Coraline, Coraline
Tell me your truths, Coraline, Coraline
Tell me your truths, Coraline, Coraline
Coraline, as beautiful as the sun
She lost the fruit of her womb
She never knew love
She has a father who's nothing like a father
They told her there's a castle in town
With such strong walls
That if you move in
Nothing will ever hurt you again
Nothing will ever hurt you again
CW: language.
Let's all go on an urban safari
We might see some illegal migrants
Oi look there's a chav
That means council housed and violent
He's got a hoodie on give him a hug
On second thoughts don't you don't wanna get mugged
Oh sh*t too late, that was kinda dumb
Whose idea was that, stupid c*nt
He's got some front, ain't we all
Be the joker, play the fool
What's politics, ain't it all
Smoke and mirrors, April fools?
All year round, all in all
Just another brick in the wall
Get away with murder in the schools
Use four letter swear words cause we're cool
We're all drinkers, drug takers
Every single one of us buns the herb
Keep on believing what you read in the papers
Council estate kids, scum of the earth
Think you know how life on a council estate is
From everything you've ever read about it or heard
Well it's all true, so stay where you're safest
There's no need to step foot out the 'burbs
Truth is here, we're all disturbed
We cheat and lie, its so absurd
Feed the fear, that's what we've learned
Oi! I said Oi!
What you looking at you little rich boy?
We're poor round here, run home and lock your door
Don't come round here no more, you could get robbed for
Real, because my manor's ill
My manor's ill
For real
Yeah you know my manor's ill, my manor's ill!
You could get lost in this concrete jungle
New builds keep springing up outta nowhere
Take the wrong turn down a one way junction
Find yourself in the hood, nobody goes there
We got an eco friendly government
They preserve our natural habitat
Built an entire Olympic village
Around where we live without pulling down any flats
Give us free money and we don't pay any tax
NHS healthcare, yes please, many thanks
People get stabbed round here, there's many shanks
Nice knowing someone's got our backs when we get attacked
Don't bloody give me that
Who closed down the community centre?
I kill time there, used to be a member
What will I do now until September?
Schools out, rules out, get your bloody tools out
London's burning, I predict a riot
Who knows what it's all about
What did that chief say? Something bout the kaisers
Kids on the street no they never miss a beat
Never miss a cheap
Thrill when it comes their way
Let's go looting
No not Luton, the high street's closer
Cover your face
And if we see any rich kids on the way,
We'll make 'em wish they stayed inside
Here's a charge for congestion, everybody's gotta pay
Do what Boris does, rob them blind
Oi! I said Oi!
What you looking at you little rich boy?
We're poor round here, run home and lock your door
Don't come round here no more, you could get robbed for
Real, because my manor's ill
My manor's ill
For real
Yeah you know my manor's ill, my manor's ill!
We've had it with you politicians
You bloody rich kids never listen
There's no such thing as
Broken Britain
We're just bloody broke in Britain
What needs fixing is the system
Not shop windows down in Brixton
Riots on the television
You can't put us all in prison!
Oi! I said Oi!
What you looking at you little rich boy?
We're poor round here, run home and lock your door
Don't come round here no more, you could get robbed for
Real, because my manor's ill
My manor's ill
For real
Yeah you know my manor's ill, my manor's ill!
'Ill Manors' by PLAN B
https://youtu.be/s8GvLKTsTuI
I left my home still as a child
I walked a thousand sorry miles
To wait for my father, to gather up his truth
He said my boy you've got to run
Don't wait for me, don't wait for mum
We'll come get you, when it's safe for us to move
So I waited many years,
Held back the pain behind my tears
For my father, to come find me like he said
And in that time I was alone,
So many years without my home
I made brothers of a different kind instead
And in the time I didn't know,
Just how hard the wind could blow
Towards disaster, and the things that I would see
I never found my father,
I never found my mother
Even would I know in my lifetime I will be
A hero into the masses,
To those born without chances
There's a freedom that everyone deserves
I know there's greed and there's corruption
I've seen death and mass destruction
But I'm telling you, and I hope that I'm heard
And I will not be commanded,
And I will not be controlled
And I will not let my future go on,
Without the help of my soul
And I will not be commanded,
And I will not be controlled
And I will not let my future go on,
Without the help of my soul
And I will not be commanded,
And I will not be controlled
And I will not let my future go on,
Without the help of my soul
I will not be commanded,
I will not be controlled
And I will not let my future go on,
Without the help of my soul
'The Lost Son' by GREG HOLDEN
https://youtu.be/Bmnbom5Hcrs
Some roads that you take
Some bonds we'll choose to break
I swore I'd no longer be the pallbearer
But I carried you to bed
So you could rest your head
You were taking off a load, heavy drinking
The world it carries on
Your memories and song
And your pictures on my wall, are not forgotten
There was hymns that came from mouths
That turned crosses upside down
But it came through their teeth with great ease
And all are bobbing heads in sync
And all have got a lot on their minds to think about
But you carry on in pictures and in song
And the unmade bed you slept in
Where I laid you down to rest one last time
Goodbye, dear friend, Goodbye, dear friend
Some stories break your heart
And some with such applaud
Buried deep inside, where it's OK to cry
Some boys won't shed a tear
Oh, but I tell it like this here
It can break me down and get me where it hurts the most
And all are bobbing heads in sync
And all have got a lot on their minds to think about
But you carry on in pictures and in song
And the unmade bed you slept in
Where I laid you down to rest one last time
Goodbye, dear friend, Goodbye, dear friend
But you carry on in pictures and in song
And the unmade bed you slept in
Where I laid you down to rest one last time
Goodbye, dear friend, Goodbye, dear friend
'Goodbye, Dear Friend' by DEER TICK
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tCrHyhIqD7U
If I may...
Keep The Wolves Away
By Uncle Lucius
[Verse 1]
Took my first breath, where the muddy Brazos
Spills into the Gulf of Mexico
Where the skyline’s colored by chemical plants
T’put bread on the table of the working man
Where the working man does his best to provide
Safety and shelter for kids and a wife
Given little of his soul every day
Making over time to keep the wolves away
[Verse 2]
Well I was barely thirteen when the company man
Tried to dig my dad his grave
It happened on a French owned tanker ship
Spillin' poison in the Galveston Bay
Where the liquid fire filled his lungs and his eyes
Silenced any mortal cries
Cold and the grip of death stinging pain
He fought like hell to keep the wolves away
[Verse 3]
For the next few years dad was sick as a dog
But he made a recovery just to spite the odds
The settlement came and we moved out of town
Where the sky isn’t heavy with refinery clouds
Yeah he’s still alive he’s doing good he’s in his fifties
But the moneys running out, 'n he’s pinching for pennies
So goin’ for broke with every song I’ve made
'Cause now it’s my turn to keep the wolves away
Lost In The Wild
WALK THE MOON
Eyelids split at sunrise Morning breaks like splatter paint Wipe the dust from my eyes You must have left before morning came Flashes of the night come rushing in In a stampede of misbehaviors Just a sophomore running my mouth I really thought that I could save us And we're only animals Didn't mean to start a forest fire Brush the ashes off your shoulders Let's get lost in the wild We're all built for something Trying to find a starting line Don't look over your shoulders Let's get lost in the wild Let's get lost in the wild Let's get lost in the wild Something shocks my muscles Hard rain backhands my senses Now I'm flying fast on my feet Skipping rivers, clearing them fences I'm tracking you into the city Ooh, under the pressure of the traffic lights I'm chasing the clues you left me That you might still join me in the wild And we're only animals Didn't mean to start a forest fire Brush the ashes off your shoulders Let's get lost in the wild We're all built for something Trying to find a starting line Don't look over your shoulders Let's get lost in the wild Let's get lost in the wild Let's get lost in the wild Scratches on my hands and feet You belong out here with me Tearing up my hands and feet You belong out here with me You belong out here with me I'm flying fast on my feet And we're only animals Didn't mean to start a forest fire Brush the ashes off your shoulders Let's get lost in the wild We're all built for something Trying to find a starting line Don't look over your shoulders Let's get lost in the wild Let's get lost in the wild Let's get lost in the wild Let's get lost in the wild Let's get lost in the wild
This one definitely does!
Not sure if this actually belongs here, but I just found this and wanted to share it!
I thought it was wholesome, relatable and bang on the money to a jaunty tune?
Soooo a literal song that could be a poem. I'm getting married tomorrow (29/07/2022) in a small registry office. We're having a song, as poem, as a reading. It's not the best song ever, or the best poem but it's really personal too us and is a real world bonafied example of a "song that could be a poem" - I fiddled with the verses or "Stanza" order little from the original;
My beating heart belongs to you I walked for miles 'til l found you I'm here to honour you If I lose everything in the fire I'm sending all my love to you
I text a postcard, sent to you Did it go through? Sending all my love to you You are the moonlight of my life every night Giving all my love to you
My beating heart belongs to you I walked for miles 'til I found you I'm here to honour you If I lose everything in the fire I'm sending all my love to you
With every breath that I am worth Here on Earth I'm sending all my love to you So if you dare to second guess You can rest assure That all my love's for you
My beating heart belongs to you I walked for miles 'til l found you I'm here to honour you If I lose everything in the fire I'm sending all my love to you
"All Around Me" by Flyleaf
My hands are searching for you My arms are outstretched towards you I feel you on my fingertips My tongue dances behind my lips for you This fire rising through my being Burning, I'm not used to seeing you I'm I'm alive, I'm I'm alive I can feel you all around me Thickening the air I'm breathing Holding on to what I'm feeling Savoring this heart that's healing My hands float up above me And you whisper you love me And I begin to fade Into our secret place The music makes me sway The angels singing say we are alone with you I am alone, and they are too with you I'm alive, I'm alive I can feel you all around me Thickening the air I'm breathing Holding on to what I'm feeling Savoring this heart that's healing And so I cry (holy) The light is white (holy) And I see you I'm alive, I'm alive, I'm alive, I'm alive I can feel you all around me Thickening the air I'm breathing Holding on to what I'm feeling Savoring this heart that's healing Take my hand I give it to you Now you owe me All I am You said you would never leave me I believe you I believe I can feel you all around me Thickening the air I'm breathing Holding on to what I'm feeling Savoring this heart that's healed
...
Just the sheer level of repetition and rhyme pattern of this song reflects how poetic it is, and the allusions are fabulous as well. Plus I really like Flyleaf.
As its Friday, and it's been a tough one this week I want to share with you "I Wish it Was True", by The White Buffalo. I'm putting the video up with the lyrics separately because the video is awesome. It's very Americana (Not country) The words are beautiful. And I love the idea of directing verses to people in his life. I might nick that because I think that would transfer to our medium well. I'm sure you will all be able to name when this has been done many times, but I've not come across it yet. Thanks for everyone who reads my posts by the way, I do appreciate it. I know this is self indulgence, but it's nice to share art with people who appreciate it.
Genius.com - "The song follows the progression of a soldier’s life, and the cycle of regret for disappointing others and culminating in being disappointed himself by his country. It seems he is unable to satisfy those around him his whole life, ultimately causing feelings of disillusionment and alienation from those around him and the nation as a whole."
Mother, I tried to do right by you To do what you asked me to I did wrong and I knew
Mother I tried to behave for you Now I'm a digging a grave for you It was all I could do
Find a way back home, make everything new But I wish it was true
Father, well I'll give my soul to you I came in blind folded for you It was all that I knew
Open your arms and I'll fly out of hell up to you I wish it was true
Boy come on out from the cold Your lost outside there don't you know It's not what you say it was you do Just keep wishing your wishes are true Well your dreams there reality There's no pain there's no misery Just polish the blood and the bruise For there's just no way you can lose But I wish it was true
Country, I was a solider for you I did what you asked me to It was wrong and you knew
Country, now I'm just a stranger to you A number, a name it's true Throw me away when you're through
Home of the brave and the free, the red white and blue But I wish it was true
What better way to celebrate some poetics than a nice upbeat bluegrass version of the Raven Man's Annabelle Lee.
Also this one reminds me of the odes of old.
I think this song has poem-like qualities as it mentions its title "Kill" in each verse, but with a different context each time it's like a very basic sestina type of format. Also, it's a banging pop song that will get stuck in your head and Jimmy Eat World are one of my favourite bands.