Henry Purcell Dido's lament "When I am laid in earth" from the opera Dido and Aeneas. Written during early Barroc period about Ahmed Kashi before the resurrection. And no, no pop stars versions, It's Jessye Norman or nothing for next season's player of the year.
His family taught him right from wrong With local tales and children's songs Sunday school was his shelter With his friends Joe and Walter Now those days seem far away An empty swing where he once played Now Bill's grown so fat and bald He never thought that he'd grow old And every day when he gets the train Looks out the window and thinks in vain If only I could be that boy again His sales job gets him down Same old faces same old sounds Heart attacks, orthopedic backs Documents in labeled racks His wife can't stand the sight of him With his routine glass of gin She makes his lunch of processed ham And waits in for the meter man And every day when he gets the train Looks out the window and thinks in vain If only I could be that boy again If only he could be that boy again Another day another gin His kids don't even notice him Something different about his face His happy smile seems out of place His family gathered around for tea Eyes fixed on their new telly Newsflash came, then it said Bill McCai was just found dead No more windows, no more trains Hung himself out in the rain Now he'll never be that boy again And we say by-bye Bill McCai
And I thought that I found someone Who seemed at last to know the truth I was mistaken Only a child laughing in the sun Laughing - David Crosby
Do you ever get the feeling that The story's too damn real And in the present tense Or that everybody is on the stage And it seems like you're the only person Sitting in the audience. Jethro Tull - Skating away on the thin ice of the new day
Well I seen you out there parading In the streets of your distant land In your strange caps and clothing Shouting, "I don't understand." But you, you look so loaded It's something I can't feel But I'm into some God action And maybe yours is real 'Cos I'm falling I need your God on my side I need your God on my side
Well I see you objecting so strongly To the ways of the liberal disease And your armchair satisfaction As you narrow the meaning of free And I dream of a home that is tidy And a church full of money bees And I wonder about the suppression That you get when you're down on your knees And I'm falling I need your God on my side I need your God on my side
Well I see you thought we could change the world If we gather round and pray But it's just like sending one letter to more than just one place But, "Dear God can you help us" Must be the opening phrase Cos we're falling Need your God on my side One I can call my own I need my God on your side Make a happy home We need their God on our side In search of him I will roam Need our God on our side Mine got up and left home You need our God on your side Ooh ooh ooh World Party - God on my side
Sometimes you'll find me yearning for the quiet life The country air and all of it's joys But Badgers couldn't compensate at twice the price For just another night with the boys. Editions of You - Roxy Music
That's the way that I want it to stay And I always want it to be that way for my Lola Girls will be boys, and boys will be girls. It's a mixed up, muddled up, shook up world, Except for Lola. Lo lo lo lo Lola.
Well I left home just a week before, And I've never ever kissed a woman before, But Lola smiled and took me by the hand, And said, "Little boy, gonna make you a man."
Well I'm not the world's most masculine man, But I know what I am and I'm glad I'm a man, And so is Lola. The Kinks - Lola
You've had lots of lovely women Now you turn your gaze to me Weighing the beauty and the imperfection To see if I'm worthy Like a Church, like a Cop, like a Mother You want me to be truthful Sometimes you turn it on me like a weapon though And I need your approval Joni Mitchell - The Same Situation
Sitting on the park bench -- eyeing little girls with bad intent. Snot is running down his nose -- greasy fingers smearing shabby clothes. Oh Aqualung Drying in the cold sun -- Watching as the frilly panties run. Aqualung Feeling like a dead duck -- spitting out pieces of his broken luck. Whoa, aqualung
Sun streaking cold -- an old man wandering lonely. Taking time the only way he knows. Leg hurting bad, as he bends to pick a dog-end -- he goes down to the bog and warms his feet.
Feeling alone -- the army's up the road salvation a la mode and a cup of tea. Aqualung my friend -- don't you start away uneasy you poor old sod, you see, it's only me. Do you still remember The December's foggy freeze -- when the ice that clings on to your beard was screaming agony. And you snatch your rattling last breaths with deep-sea-diver sounds, and the flowers bloom like madness in the spring.
JETHRO TULL
I was never a big Tull fan back in the day but some of Ian Anderson's lyrics were a joy.
Sex jibe husband murders wife Bomb blast victim fights for life Girl Thirteen attacked with knife
Princess Di is wearing a new dress
Jet airliner shot from sky Famine horror, millions die Earthquake terror figures rise
Princes Di is wearing a new dress
You can't change the world But you can change the facts And when you change the facts You change points of view If you change points of view You may change a vote And when you change a vote You may change the world
In black townships fires blaze Prospects better premier says Within sight are golden days
Princess Di is wearing a New Dress
You can't change the world But you can change the facts And when you change the facts You change points of view If you change points of view You may change a vote And when you change a vote You may change the world
Always had a guilty pleasure with the song 'If' by Bread. The following lines are my favourite.
'If a man could be (in) two places at one time I'd be with you'.
Perfect devotion but equally stupid because you could actually be in the pub, fishing, football etc..... whilst keeping the missus happy at the same time.
Always had a guilty pleasure with the song 'If' by Bread. The following lines are my favourite.
'If a man could be (in) two places at one time I'd be with you'.
Perfect devotion but equally stupid because you could actually be in the pub, fishing, football etc..... whilst keeping the missus happy at the same time.
On the subject of devotion these lyrics from The Devine Comedy are class
If you were the road I'd go all the way If you were the night I'd sleep in the day
If you were the day I'd cry in the night 'Cause you are the way The truth and the light
If you were a tree I could put my arms around you And you could not complain If you were a tree
I could carve my name into your side And you would not cry, 'Cause trees don't cry
If you were a man I would still love you If you were a drink I'd drink my fill of you
If you were attacked I would kill for you If your name was Jack I'd change mine to Jill for you
If you were a horse I'd clean the crap out of your stable And never once complain If you were a horse
I could ride you through the fields at dawn Through the day until the day was gone I could sing about you in my songs As we rode away into the setting sun
If you were my little girl I would find it hard to let you go If you were my sister I would find it doubly so
If you were a dog I'd feed you scraps from off the table Though my wife complains If you were my dog
I am sure you'd like it better Then you'd be my loyal four legged friend You'd never have to think again And we could be together till the end
Well, you're just across the street Looks a mile to my feet I want to go to you Funny how I'm nervous still I've always been the easy kill I guess I always will
Could it be that everything goes 'round by chance? Or only one way that it was always meant to be You kill me, you always know the perfect thing to say I know what I should do, but I just can't walk away
I can picture your face well From the bar in my hotel I wish I'd go to you I pick up put down the phone Like your favorite Heatmeiser song goes It's just like being alone
Oh God, please don't tell me this has been in vain I need answers for what all the waiting I've done means You kill me, you've got some nerve, but can't face your mistakes I know what I should do, but I just can't turn away
So go on love Leave while there's still hope for escape Got to take what you can these days There's so much ahead So much regret I know what you want to say I know it but can't help feeling differently I loved you, and I should have said it But tell me just what has it ever meant
I can't help it baby, this is who I am Sorry, but I can't just go turn off how I feel You kill me, you build me up, but just to watch me break I know what I should do, but I just can't walk away
"I saw two shooting stars last night, I wished on them, but they were only satellites, it's wrong to wish on space hardware..."
Billy Bragg's New England. No idea what he's driving at but the last line makes me laugh every time.
From the same song, "I love the words you wrote to me, But that was bloody yesterday"
Always makes me smile
I had that song on a compilation CD from Q magazine I think. It was an introduction to him (as a big R.E.M. Fan I later realised he was on the live comedy cover of Tom's Diner) and I love that song now.
"I saw two shooting stars last night, I wished on them, but they were only satellites, it's wrong to wish on space hardware..."
Billy Bragg's New England. No idea what he's driving at but the last line makes me laugh every time.
From the same song, "I love the words you wrote to me, But that was bloody yesterday"
Always makes me smile
I had that song on a compilation CD from Q magazine I think. It was an introduction to him (as a big R.E.M. Fan I later realised he was on the live comedy cover of Tom's Diner) and I love that song now.
I'll be honest, I have never heard the original, I am only familiar with the Kirsty McColl cover. Apparently BB changed and adapted it slightly to suit her.
Got a feeling inside (can't explain) It's a certain kind (can't explain) I feel hot and cold (can't explain) Yeah, down in my soul, yeah (can't explain)
"I saw two shooting stars last night, I wished on them, but they were only satellites, it's wrong to wish on space hardware..."
Billy Bragg's New England. No idea what he's driving at but the last line makes me laugh every time.
From the same song, "I love the words you wrote to me, But that was bloody yesterday"
Always makes me smile
I had that song on a compilation CD from Q magazine I think. It was an introduction to him (as a big R.E.M. Fan I later realised he was on the live comedy cover of Tom's Diner) and I love that song now.
I'll be honest, I have never heard the original, I am only familiar with the Kirsty McColl cover. Apparently BB changed and adapted it slightly to suit her.
I've only ever heard the Jamie-T version and love that.
"I saw two shooting stars last night, I wished on them, but they were only satellites, it's wrong to wish on space hardware..."
Billy Bragg's New England. No idea what he's driving at but the last line makes me laugh every time.
From the same song, "I love the words you wrote to me, But that was bloody yesterday"
Always makes me smile
I had that song on a compilation CD from Q magazine I think. It was an introduction to him (as a big R.E.M. Fan I later realised he was on the live comedy cover of Tom's Diner) and I love that song now.
I'll be honest, I have never heard the original, I am only familiar with the Kirsty McColl cover. Apparently BB changed and adapted it slightly to suit her.
Think Bragg wrote it for Kirsty. I can feel a cover to cover coming on
The Bard of Rock Pete Townshend has written some of the greatests lyrics ever.......
Slip Kid I've got my clipboard, text books, Lead me to the station, Yeah, I'm off to the civil war I've got my kit bag, my heavy boots I'm runnin' in the rain,Gonna run till my feet are raw
Slip kid, slip kid, second generation And I'm a soldier at thirteen Slip kid, slip kid, realization There's no easy way to be free No easy way to be free
It's a hard, hard world
I left my doctor's prescription bungalow behind me I left the door ajar. I left my vacuum flask Full of hot tea and sugar Left the keys right in my car
Slip kid, slip kid, second generation Only half way up the tree Slip kid, slip kid, I'm a relation I'm a soldier at sixty-three No easy way to be free
Who Are You?
I woke up in a Soho doorway A policeman knew my name He said "You can go sleep at home tonight If you can get up and walk away"
I staggered back to the underground And the breeze blew back my hair I remember throwin' punches around And preachin' from my chair
[chorus:] Well, who are you? (Who are you? Who, who, who, who?) I really wanna know (Who are you? Who, who, who, who?) Tell me, who are you? (Who are you? Who, who, who, who?) 'Cause I really wanna know (Who are you? Who, who, who, who?)
Behind Blue Eyes
No one knows what it's like to be the bad man. To be the sad man behind blue eyes No one knows what it's like to be hated. To be fated to telling only lies
But my dreams they aren't as empty as my conscience seems to be. I have hours, only lonely. My love is vengeance that's never free
No one knows what it's like to feel these feelings like I do. And I blame you No one bites back as hard on their anger. None of my pain and woe can show through
But my dreams they aren't as empty as my conscience seems to be. I have hours, only lonely. My love is vengeance that's never free
When my fist clenches, crack it open Before I use it and lose my cool When I smile, tell me some bad news Before I laugh and act like a fool
If I swallow anything evil Put your finger down my throat If I shiver, please give me a blanket Keep me warm, let me wear your coat
No one knows what it's like to be the bad man. To be the sad man behind blue eyes.
"I saw two shooting stars last night, I wished on them, but they were only satellites, it's wrong to wish on space hardware..."
Billy Bragg's New England. No idea what he's driving at but the last line makes me laugh every time.
From the same song, "I love the words you wrote to me, But that was bloody yesterday"
Always makes me smile
I had that song on a compilation CD from Q magazine I think. It was an introduction to him (as a big R.E.M. Fan I later realised he was on the live comedy cover of Tom's Diner) and I love that song now.
I'll be honest, I have never heard the original, I am only familiar with the Kirsty McColl cover. Apparently BB changed and adapted it slightly to suit her.
Think Bragg wrote it for Kirsty. I can feel a cover to cover coming on
I'd thought I'd read that he added the last verse for her but it was his own song originally.
"When Kirsty MacColl asked to cover this song, Billy Bragg wrote her an extra verse because it was a bit short for a single."
Also:
"This song was inspired by Bragg seeing 2 satellites flying alongside each other in the clear night sky on his way back home from the pub. He was searching for some romantic inspiration at the time but had to make do with wising on "Space Hardware" instead. He scribbled words about a poet besotted with a girl he does not yet know on some fish and chips paper."
Some great lyrics on here. But for me, only the ones I already knew. I read the unfamiliar lyrics and they all seem a bit meh. I guess you need to hear them in context. Anyone else noticed this?
Comments
Written during early Barroc period about Ahmed Kashi before the resurrection.
And no, no pop stars versions, It's Jessye Norman or nothing for next season's player of the year.
With local tales and children's songs
Sunday school was his shelter
With his friends Joe and Walter
Now those days seem far away
An empty swing where he once played
Now Bill's grown so fat and bald
He never thought that he'd grow old
And every day when he gets the train
Looks out the window and thinks in vain
If only I could be that boy again
His sales job gets him down
Same old faces same old sounds
Heart attacks, orthopedic backs
Documents in labeled racks
His wife can't stand the sight of him
With his routine glass of gin
She makes his lunch of processed ham
And waits in for the meter man
And every day when he gets the train
Looks out the window and thinks in vain
If only I could be that boy again
If only he could be that boy again
Another day another gin
His kids don't even notice him
Something different about his face
His happy smile seems out of place
His family gathered around for tea
Eyes fixed on their new telly
Newsflash came, then it said
Bill McCai was just found dead
No more windows, no more trains
Hung himself out in the rain
Now he'll never be that boy again
And we say by-bye Bill McCai
Who seemed at last to know the truth
I was mistaken
Only a child laughing in the sun
Laughing - David Crosby
Do you ever get the feeling that
The story's too damn real
And in the present tense
Or that everybody is on the stage
And it seems like you're the only person
Sitting in the audience.
Jethro Tull - Skating away on the thin ice of the new day
Well I seen you out there parading
In the streets of your distant land
In your strange caps and clothing
Shouting, "I don't understand."
But you, you look so loaded
It's something I can't feel
But I'm into some God action
And maybe yours is real
'Cos I'm falling
I need your God on my side
I need your God on my side
Well I see you objecting so strongly
To the ways of the liberal disease
And your armchair satisfaction
As you narrow the meaning of free
And I dream of a home that is tidy
And a church full of money bees
And I wonder about the suppression
That you get when you're down on your knees
And I'm falling
I need your God on my side
I need your God on my side
Well I see you thought we could change the world
If we gather round and pray
But it's just like sending one letter
to more than just one place
But, "Dear God can you help us"
Must be the opening phrase
Cos we're falling
Need your God on my side
One I can call my own
I need my God on your side
Make a happy home
We need their God on our side
In search of him I will roam
Need our God on our side
Mine got up and left home
You need our God on your side
Ooh ooh ooh
World Party - God on my side
Sometimes you'll find me yearning for the quiet life
The country air and all of it's joys
But Badgers couldn't compensate at twice the price
For just another night with the boys.
Editions of You - Roxy Music
That's the way that I want it to stay
And I always want it to be that way for my Lola
Girls will be boys, and boys will be girls.
It's a mixed up, muddled up, shook up world,
Except for Lola. Lo lo lo lo Lola.
Well I left home just a week before,
And I've never ever kissed a woman before,
But Lola smiled and took me by the hand,
And said, "Little boy, gonna make you a man."
Well I'm not the world's most masculine man,
But I know what I am and I'm glad I'm a man,
And so is Lola.
The Kinks - Lola
You've had lots of lovely women
Now you turn your gaze to me
Weighing the beauty and the imperfection
To see if I'm worthy
Like a Church, like a Cop, like a Mother
You want me to be truthful
Sometimes you turn it on me like a weapon though
And I need your approval
Joni Mitchell - The Same Situation
eyeing little girls with bad intent.
Snot is running down his nose --
greasy fingers smearing shabby clothes.
Oh Aqualung
Drying in the cold sun --
Watching as the frilly panties run.
Aqualung
Feeling like a dead duck --
spitting out pieces of his broken luck.
Whoa, aqualung
Sun streaking cold --
an old man wandering lonely.
Taking time
the only way he knows.
Leg hurting bad,
as he bends to pick a dog-end --
he goes down to the bog
and warms his feet.
Feeling alone --
the army's up the road
salvation a la mode and
a cup of tea.
Aqualung my friend --
don't you start away uneasy
you poor old sod, you see, it's only me.
Do you still remember
The December's foggy freeze --
when the ice that
clings on to your beard was
screaming agony.
And you snatch your rattling last breaths
with deep-sea-diver sounds,
and the flowers bloom like
madness in the spring.
JETHRO TULL
I was never a big Tull fan back in the day but some of Ian Anderson's lyrics were a joy.
Bomb blast victim fights for life
Girl Thirteen attacked with knife
Princess Di is wearing a new dress
Jet airliner shot from sky
Famine horror, millions die
Earthquake terror figures rise
Princes Di is wearing a new dress
You can't change the world
But you can change the facts
And when you change the facts
You change points of view
If you change points of view
You may change a vote
And when you change a vote
You may change the world
In black townships fires blaze
Prospects better premier says
Within sight are golden days
Princess Di is wearing a New Dress
You can't change the world
But you can change the facts
And when you change the facts
You change points of view
If you change points of view
You may change a vote
And when you change a vote
You may change the world
"he's a black belt and first dan, but the nearest he got to China was a week in Camber Sands"
Hope little girl
Come blow me away
I don't care much
I win anyway
Just a dog
I'm God damn rich
An exploding man
When I talk in the night
There's oil on my hands
What a dog
Fall dog is cruel and smart
Smart time breaks the heart
Fall dog bombs the moon
Devil in a market place
Devil in your bleeding face
Fall dog bombs the moon
What a dog
There's always a moron
Someone to hate
A corporate tie
A wig and a date
Just a dog
These blackest of years
That have no sound
No shape, no depth
No underground
What a dog
Fall dog is cruel and smart
Smart time breaks the heart
Fall dog bombs the moon
A devil in a market place
A devil in your bleeding face
Fall dog bombs the moon
What a dog
'If a man could be (in) two places at one time I'd be with you'.
Perfect devotion but equally stupid because you could actually be in the pub, fishing, football etc..... whilst keeping the missus happy at the same time.
If you were the road
I'd go all the way
If you were the night
I'd sleep in the day
If you were the day
I'd cry in the night
'Cause you are the way
The truth and the light
If you were a tree
I could put my arms around you
And you could not complain
If you were a tree
I could carve my name into your side
And you would not cry,
'Cause trees don't cry
If you were a man
I would still love you
If you were a drink
I'd drink my fill of you
If you were attacked
I would kill for you
If your name was Jack
I'd change mine to Jill for you
If you were a horse
I'd clean the crap out of your stable
And never once complain
If you were a horse
I could ride you through the fields at dawn
Through the day until the day was gone
I could sing about you in my songs
As we rode away into the setting sun
If you were my little girl
I would find it hard to let you go
If you were my sister
I would find it doubly so
If you were a dog
I'd feed you scraps from off the table
Though my wife complains
If you were my dog
I am sure you'd like it better
Then you'd be my loyal four legged friend
You'd never have to think again
And we could be together till the end
Well, you're just across the street
Looks a mile to my feet
I want to go to you
Funny how I'm nervous still
I've always been the easy kill
I guess I always will
Could it be that everything goes 'round by chance?
Or only one way that it was always meant to be
You kill me, you always know the perfect thing to say
I know what I should do, but I just can't walk away
I can picture your face well
From the bar in my hotel
I wish I'd go to you
I pick up put down the phone
Like your favorite Heatmeiser song goes
It's just like being alone
Oh God, please don't tell me this has been in vain
I need answers for what all the waiting I've done means
You kill me, you've got some nerve, but can't face your mistakes
I know what I should do, but I just can't turn away
So go on love
Leave while there's still hope for escape
Got to take what you can these days
There's so much ahead
So much regret
I know what you want to say
I know it but can't help feeling differently
I loved you, and I should have said it
But tell me just what has it ever meant
I can't help it baby, this is who I am
Sorry, but I can't just go turn off how I feel
You kill me, you build me up, but just to watch me break
I know what I should do, but I just can't walk away
Billy Bragg's New England. No idea what he's driving at but the last line makes me laugh every time.
And now it's happening in mine"
The Smiths - That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore. One of the most universally applicable lyrics I reckon.
But that was bloody yesterday"
Always makes me smile
Apparently BB changed and adapted it slightly to suit her.
It's a certain kind (can't explain)
I feel hot and cold (can't explain)
Yeah, down in my soul, yeah (can't explain)
Slip Kid
I've got my clipboard, text books, Lead me to the station, Yeah, I'm off to the civil war
I've got my kit bag, my heavy boots I'm runnin' in the rain,Gonna run till my feet are raw
Slip kid, slip kid, second generation
And I'm a soldier at thirteen
Slip kid, slip kid, realization
There's no easy way to be free
No easy way to be free
It's a hard, hard world
I left my doctor's prescription bungalow behind me I left the door ajar.
I left my vacuum flask Full of hot tea and sugar Left the keys right in my car
Slip kid, slip kid, second generation
Only half way up the tree
Slip kid, slip kid, I'm a relation
I'm a soldier at sixty-three
No easy way to be free
Who Are You?
I woke up in a Soho doorway
A policeman knew my name
He said "You can go sleep at home tonight
If you can get up and walk away"
I staggered back to the underground
And the breeze blew back my hair
I remember throwin' punches around
And preachin' from my chair
[chorus:]
Well, who are you? (Who are you? Who, who, who, who?)
I really wanna know (Who are you? Who, who, who, who?)
Tell me, who are you? (Who are you? Who, who, who, who?)
'Cause I really wanna know (Who are you? Who, who, who, who?)
Behind Blue Eyes
No one knows what it's like to be the bad man. To be the sad man behind blue eyes
No one knows what it's like to be hated. To be fated to telling only lies
But my dreams they aren't as empty as my conscience seems to be.
I have hours, only lonely. My love is vengeance that's never free
No one knows what it's like to feel these feelings like I do. And I blame you
No one bites back as hard on their anger. None of my pain and woe can show through
But my dreams they aren't as empty as my conscience seems to be.
I have hours, only lonely. My love is vengeance that's never free
When my fist clenches, crack it open
Before I use it and lose my cool
When I smile, tell me some bad news
Before I laugh and act like a fool
If I swallow anything evil
Put your finger down my throat
If I shiver, please give me a blanket
Keep me warm, let me wear your coat
No one knows what it's like to be the bad man. To be the sad man behind blue eyes.
I may not always love you
But long as there are stars above you
You never need to doubt it
I'll make you so sure about it
God only knows what I'd be without you
If you should ever leave me
Though life would still go on believe me
The world could show nothing to me
So what good would living do me
God only knows what I'd be without you
God only knows what I'd be without you
If you should ever leave me
Well life would still go on believe me
The world could show nothing to me
So what good would living do me
God only knows what I'd be without you
God only knows what I'd be without you
God only knows
Brian Wilson and Tony Asher
"When Kirsty MacColl asked to cover this song, Billy Bragg wrote her an extra verse because it was a bit short for a single."
Also:
"This song was inspired by Bragg seeing 2 satellites flying alongside each other in the clear night sky on his way back home from the pub. He was searching for some romantic inspiration at the time but had to make do with wising on "Space Hardware" instead. He scribbled words about a poet besotted with a girl he does not yet know on some fish and chips paper."
"Money, it's a gas
Grab that cash with both hands and make a stash
New car, caviar, four star daydream,
Think I'll buy me a football team"
So that's where Roland got the idea!
Sad song, because she never got to go to the Valley