lyric of the day #7 – a re-entry

OK, been away a long time this time. No excuses, doesn’t really matter why. So I return with a lyric that to me packs emotion and imagery into a few words. I think that’s a definition of art.

the only thing that’s keeping me
from staying here is leaving
the only thing that saves me from it all
is i’ll be gone
and just when i could trust 
in all the things that i believe in 
i had to pack it up and move along 
and i’ll tell you boys my work is never done
so like a sweet and salty gypsy kiss I’m gone 

“Carnival Song”  - Jeff Black

lyric of the day #6 – the Friday song

“We’re gonna lay around the shanty mama, and put a good buzz on”

“The Shanty Song” – Jonathon Edwards

There was, and still may be a radio station around here that plays an edited version of this song every Friday afternoon at 5, to get the weekend started. The video sucks, because there wasn’t a real one ever made, but the song is perfect for starting off the weekend or a vacation.

lyric of the day #5

“Well I’m a happy boy, a happy boy
Oh ain’t it good when things are going your way – hey hey!”

“The Happy Boy Song” – The Beat Farmers

Just a stupid, silly, funny song from a really good band – ENJOY

 

lyric of the day #4

Singin: dont worry bout a thing,
cause every little thing gonna be all right.
Singin: dont worry (dont worry) bout a thing,
cause every little thing gonna be all right!

“Three Little Birds” – Bob Marley

Long before everyone heard this in “I am Legend“, Bob Marley was preaching revolution and peace through music. I’ve owned this song, and the landmark album it comes on – “Exodus“ - on vinyl, eight track, cassette, CD, and MP3. You really should have a copy.

 

lyric of the day #3 – Father’s Day

And the cat’s in the cradle and the silver spoon,
Little boy blue and the man in the moon.
“When you coming home, dad?” “I don’t know when,
But we’ll get together then.
You know we’ll have a good time then.”

“Cat’s in the Cradle” – Harry Chapin

Really you need to listen to the whole song. But there should be a class for guys who want to be fathers, and they should play this song in every single session. I tried to keep it in mind as my sons grew up, I’m not sure how well I did. Time will tell.

Lyric of the day #2

“And though the world is filled with the grace and beauty of God’s hand, well I wish I were blind when I see you with your man”

“I Wish I Were Blind” – Bruce Springsteen

My wife tells me that I should listen to more country music because it’s so emotional. I do listen to a little country, but only in small doses. If this line from this song doesn’t cry heartache I don’t know what does.

Lyric of the day

I love music, some of almost any kind. I can’t play anything, wish I could. But I’ve tried several times and it’s just not something I’m wired for I guess. I admire the hell out of those who do have that talent, not only to play, but to write. Good music, or a good song will provoke some kind of emotional response – joy, amusement, melancholy, longing, anger, calm – whatever. And that association of emotion to music is different for everybody and different things trigger it – a memory of what you were doing or what happened to you the first time you heard a particular song, relating to the lyrics, the emotion of the performer that comes through the performance, the melody or rythym – something makes you respond to a song or a piece of music, otherwise it’s just noise.

For me it’s usually the lyric, actually just a part of a lyric. I love what some call “story songs” because they make you pay attention and draw you in. Good ones make you put yourself in them. But story song or not, lyrics are the hook for me most of the time. So, because a blog needs content, and the lyric game is pretty popular I’m starting a series of entries that highlight my favorite lyrics. There may or may not be an explanation, but there will always be the writer and song titel, and a link to the writer’s site if I can find one. Play along – leave your favorites in the comments. To kick things off:

“It’s hard to see the future looking backwards through a telescope.”
“The Leaving” by Jeff Black