| Simon and Garfunkel – I Am A Rock Lyrics | 8 years ago |
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One thing that I find so amazing about Paul Simon and this early S&G stuff is that he was so young when he wrote it. Bloody hell, he hadn't lived long enough to experience all those emotions and pain. Amazing writer... |
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| Simon and Garfunkel – The Boxer Lyrics | 8 years ago |
| Arguably the greatest folk song ever written. This is sublimely epic. | |
| Bob Dylan – Don't Think Twice, It's All Right Lyrics | 8 years ago |
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@[goofyasfuck:4205] The verse has incredible depth. This is it, the split, the goodbye, and while not cordial, it's at least polite... Except that what is really being said, in a really not very hidden way, is "Go fuck yourself, bitch, I'm outta here..." Agreed, one of the greatest verses ever written. |
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| Robert Earl Keen, Jr. – Merry Christmas From The Family Lyrics | 8 years ago |
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@[xLucyInTheSkyx3:4204] Southern states have a reputation for being racist. To me the beauty of this verse is what the words and video imply. "A Mexican? She's going out with a MEXICAN???" And then they hear him sing.... and he is immediately and fully accepted into the family. Fantastic storytelling. |
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| The Cars – Drive Lyrics | 8 years ago |
| @[duhaast:4186] Thanks to both Wolf and Freak, both those interpretations are just completely devastating. Bloody hell.... | |
| X – 4th of July Lyrics | 11 years ago |
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I'm going to respectfully disagree, for two reasons. 1., He tells her to "dry your tears and take a walk outside".' If it were a breakup, there's not many girls who don't cry getting kicked to the curb. 2., This has more to do with the construction of the song itself. I know X didn't write it, but it's in their style in that the lyrics are very straight forward, they mean what they say. The 'breakup' interpretation requires a shift mid-verse from straight forward to metaphor, the only metaphor in the entire song. Sorry, I don't see it. |
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| The Moldy Peaches – Nothing Came Out Lyrics | 13 years ago |
| If you think about it, even the ringing of the phone fits in a way. It's right on cue when Kimya is singing about a failed attempt at communication. | |
| Social Distortion – Ball and Chain Lyrics | 13 years ago |
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Not sure the song is 'about' anything. Kustom 22 was close. What this song is, is a prayer. The hit bottom, gutter-wallowing, soul-wrenched plea for help to God from someone at the end of their rope. The 'ball and chain' can be anything, gambling, sex, you name it. For Mike Ness it was drugs and alcohol. Something to ponder is that I firmly believe God listens to prayers like this a whole lot more than He does to the vapid, empty prayers full of 'thous' and 'thines' of some fat pedophile Bishop in flowing robes. Yes indeed, this is an extremely spiritual and insightful song. |
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| The Verve Pipe – The Freshmen Lyrics | 13 years ago |
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This is an extremely deep and insightful song. The absolute, overwhelming arrogance of youth, finally realized and condemned with the venomous, self-loathing epithet "we were merely freshmen..." Amazingly spectacular writing. |
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| Elton John – Friends Lyrics | 13 years ago |
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There is another piece on the 'Friends' soundtrack that is very moving. It is mostly an instrumental, with some short lyrics at the end. It's called 'Seasons' (The First Kiss). I'm telling you, I'm a Harley-riding old guy (almost 60), and this can turn me into a blubbering puddle of goo. To understand why, read my comments for Henley's 'Boys Of Summer'. 'Seasons' (The First Kiss) For our world, the circle turns again Throughout the year we've seen the seasons change It's meant a lot to me to start anew Oh the winter's cold but I'm so warm with you Out there there's not a sound to be heard And the seasons seem to sleep upon their words As the waters freeze up with the summer's end Oh it's funny how young lovers start as friends Yes it's funny how young lovers start as friends |
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| Don Henley – The Boys of Summer Lyrics | 13 years ago |
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Great post, landed09. Getting old sux, doesn't it? LOL... There were several Henley/Eagles songs that I really identify with, Boys of Summer, like you, Heart of the Matter, and Lyin' Eyes. It was at least a decade before I could listen to that one without tearing up... We do have different interpretations of the 'didn't know what love was' line, but that's part of the beauty of music and poetry. I think we're sort of the flip side of each other though. I'm with you for the first half, "I didn't know what love was, I only thought I did, and I thought I was in love with her." For me, what changes here is realization that it wasn't that I didn't love her, it's that I didn't realize how much I did. In a way, I still do. It's hard to explain. Do I want her back? No. Would I take her back? No. Even if she asked? No. (she won't, BTW...LOL) It's more like the certainty that she was The One. We talk via email on very rare occasions, every year or two, and up until now I don't think she's ever understood how I feel, I think she's starting to though. For me, like you, it's a memory, but it certainly isn't gone. |
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| Patti Smith – Because the Night Lyrics | 13 years ago |
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Good analysis by suitboy. Is it just me, or does anyone else hear the words shown as "touch me now...touch me now...touch me now..." when sung by Patti as "take me now..."? Because over the years that has been the magical hook of this song for me, the image of the hard, plain, rough around the edges, rode-hard-and-put-up-wet Patti erotically growling the totally feminine "Take me now...take me now...take me now...". |
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| The Chicks – Travelin' Soldier Lyrics | 14 years ago |
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knifefight said "what kind of arrogant asshole would wish that sort of horror on anyone, let alone some internet stranger? " The kind that understands your immaturity and ungratefulness to vets like me who have fought wars for others. You should be kissing my ass and telling me "welcome home" rather than continuing the insult of spitting (if even just figuratively) on those who did and do serve. Indeed, who truly is the arrogant asshole? |
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| The Chicks – Travelin' Soldier Lyrics | 14 years ago |
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knifefight said "what kind of arrogant asshole would wish that sort of horror on anyone, let alone some internet stranger? " The kind that understands your immaturity and ungratefulness to vets like me who have fought wars for others. You should be kissing my ass and telling me "welcome home" rather than continuing the insult of spitting (if even just figuratively) on those who did and do serve. Indeed, who truly is the arrogant asshole? |
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| Don Henley – The Boys of Summer Lyrics | 15 years ago |
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Re-posting to get it in the main thread..... ------------------- A couple more things about the song and vid. I don't think it's just me, but does anyone else hear the guitar seagulls during the bridge? Great evocation of the whole "summer" feel. About the vid... IMHO one of the finest music vids ever shot. Absolutely perfect storytelling. The vollyball "boys". Though she's with Him, she always saw all the other boys... The use of projected film as 'memory'. Even the little boy playing drums I think is the adult Him...it's just his inner child looking over his shoulder to the past..."It shouldn't have been that way. It should have lasted." The brooding, pencil-snapping adult....Him now, after all these years, angry, but I think mostly at himself for his failure (I'm gonna get you back, gonna show you what I'm made of..") still unable to forget and stop looking at the past. (Note: the angry adult does not appear to be Henley) The ending car sequence... Absolute genius of visual tricks. We've been watching His memories, and so has he. He sees them everywhere, even on blank walls. And as His life goes on, and he forces himself to break out of his thought shell and go (home?), we are shown that He is, in fact, Don Henley. |
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| Robert Earl Keen, Jr. – Merry Christmas From The Family Lyrics | 15 years ago |
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A friend wondered why they needed so many tampons. Another friend said "For all the bloody noses from the fist fights in the back yard..." |
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| Don Henley – The Boys of Summer Lyrics | 15 years ago |
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A couple more things about the song and vid. I don't think it's just me, but does anyone else hear the guitar seagulls during the bridge? Great evocation of the whole "summer" feel. About the vid... IMHO one of the finest music vids ever shot. Absolutely perfect storytelling. The vollyball "boys". Though she's with Him, she always saw all the other boys... The use of projected film as 'memory'. Even the little boy playing drums I think is the adult Him...it's just his inner child looking over his shoulder to the past..."It shouldn't have been that way. It should have lasted." The brooding, pencil-snapping adult....Him now, after all these years, angry, but I think mostly at himself for his failure (I'm gonna get you back, gonna show you what I'm made of..") still unable to forget and stop looking at the past. (Note: the angry adult does not appear to be Henley) The ending car sequence... Absolute genius of visual tricks. We've been watching His memories, and so has he. He sees them everywhere, even on blank walls. And as His life goes on, and he forces himself to break out of his thought shell and go (home?), we are shown that He is, in fact, Don Henley. |
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| Eagles – Lyin' Eyes Lyrics | 16 years ago |
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I was breaking up with my first wife when this song was on the charts, and it was devastating to me. At the time, I was working in the Rickenbacher (the guitars) wood shop and I remember working at a drill press, hearing this on the radio, and tears just streaming down my face. It was many years before I could listen to it without tearing up. I just read Acey Dearest's above post (#6), and something struck me... the last lines before the chorus >>>can be in either voice |
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| The Chicks – Travelin' Soldier Lyrics | 16 years ago |
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Hey knife.... Kiss it. |
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| The Chicks – Travelin' Soldier Lyrics | 16 years ago |
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bballchick, yes, she's the girl with the bow. Imagine the scene. For everyone in the stadium the names are unknown...except for one name and one girl. She hasn't had letters from him for a while, just as he told her, so she hasn't been concerned. And then she hears............. |
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| The Chicks – Travelin' Soldier Lyrics | 16 years ago |
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You been to war, assclown? I have. You do not have a clue as to what you are spewing about. You shut the hell up and fight your own wars next time. |
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| Joni Mitchell – California Lyrics | 17 years ago |
| I was on a Navy ship off the coast of Vietman in 1972. When we finally got orders to return to the U.S., we would play this song over the P.A. speakers when we finished up with supplying another ship. | |
| Neil Young – Cinnamon Girl Lyrics | 17 years ago |
| She's a redhead. | |
| Neil Young – Powderfinger Lyrics | 17 years ago |
| My thought has always been that it is a revenue (Treasury Dept.) boat coming after moonshiners. I place it in time during prohibition, when going after stills was a big deal. | |
| The Cars – Drive Lyrics | 17 years ago |
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One of the early criticisms of music videos was that they stole our personal images and meanings from songs. That having been said, the video of this song (try using youtube in conjunction with this site) is about a relationship troubled by substance abuse or mental illness. The thing I have wondered about for 20 years is what Rick is saying to the girl in the institution. If anyone can read lips, please post. |
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| The Outlaws – Green Grass and High Tides Lyrics | 17 years ago |
| Ah,what singer are you reffering to, docnova? As far as I can tell, there was no suicide involved with the band. | |
| Social Distortion – Don't Think Twice Lyrics | 17 years ago |
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I don't think anyone has ever said "Fuck you, I'm outta here" to a lover in a longer or more round-about way. The Peter, Paul, & Mary version is the one that sticks with me. |
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| Iggy Pop – Candy Lyrics | 17 years ago |
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Two people from the seedier side of life have found each other after 20 years. For them, their earlier relationship was passionate and intense. Notice that much of the words are in the past tense. IMHO, Candy was/is a prostitute. (I've learned to take it and Just smile along Down on the street Those men are all the same I need a love Not games...) However, she had feelings for Iggy from the start, and never considered him a trick or charged him. (You gave me love for free.) Why has Iggy been gone for 20 years? I think he's been in prison for those years and just got out. (Yeah, well it hurt me real bad when you left, I'm glad you got out...) I don't know if at this point they are ships passing in the night, or if they will renew their relationship, but they seem to be confessing their continuing love for each other. I would hope that at this point in their lives (they'd probably be 40-50), they could have the strenght and wisdom to really try to make something good happen in their lives. Candy says "I need (present tense) a love, not games...", and Iggy says "I can't (present tense) let you go" I think they make it. |
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| Don Henley – The Boys of Summer Lyrics | 17 years ago |
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The song is about looking back on your life and loves after you have started to get on in years. The girl is the love of his life. He has not nor will ever forget her. The boys of summer are just that...the fleeting affairs of youth. He will still love her after the boys...and years... are all past. "Out on the road today, I saw a DEADHEAD sticker on a Cadillac A little voice Inside my head said, "Don't look back. You can never look back." I thought I knew what love was What did I know? Those days are gone forever I should just let them go but-" Regret. Longing. What could have been..... I'm 55 now...married with two grown kids, but then I was 22, she was 19, and we were together 3 years, married for half of that. Her name is Jacqui, and I know I will never ever forget her. |
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| The Chicks – Travelin' Soldier Lyrics | 17 years ago |
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I'm a 55 year old Viet Nam vet who is brought to tears when I hear this song. It was a quite unexpected reaction the first time I heard it, and I have not heard the song for a couple years now. I am no fan of the Dixie Chicks, and am in general a supporter of the W.O.T. I have thought about this song and my reaction to it a lot. I think it may be that many...or most people do not truly understand the heart of military men. We do not glory in war. We probably hate it more than the most virulent anti-war protestors. We certainly grieve more than the antis at the loss of a commrad. The difference is that we understand that sometimes war is a necessary evil, and when we go off to war, we are closer to and feel the losses to an extent that is just not understandable to those not at arms. God bless our troops. |
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| X – 4th of July Lyrics | 17 years ago |
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Two people, a man and his wife/girlfriend have been together a long time, and the relationship has been on the rocks for a long time, and they have apparently fought recently. Both feel lost, helpless, angry, but most of all, tired and beaten down by life. He's so tired, he doesn't even know what day it is. And yet...as he goes outside for a smoke, he sees the fireworks, realizes what day it is, and still has some hope of redemption for the relationship. They can fix this. He takes the initiative, offers apologies, reaches out to his girl to share the moment with him. The relationship ultimately may not survive, but at this point in time, he has not given up and tries to make things right. A great tune, with very insightful, mature lyrics. I love this song. |
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