| The Velvet Underground – Sunday Morning Lyrics | 16 years ago |
| Anybody here ever hear Susanna Hoffs' version? Her delivery is especially haunting and it is every bit as good as the original. I play bass in a bar band and sometimes I'll sing this one. | |
| Paper Lace – The Night Chicago Died Lyrics | 17 years ago |
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One of the WORST songs ever recorded. I'm not even from Chicago, but I can tell you this: 1) Chicago has NO east side. It would be underwater because of Lake Michigan. 2) Al Capone and his men never had a shoot-out with the cops--many of the cops were on his payroll. |
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| Emerson, Lake & Palmer – I Believe in Father Christmas Lyrics | 17 years ago |
| This is the version that surfaced in the mid-1990s. Previously, Greg Lake had the hit with this song. | |
| Greg Lake – "I Believe In Father Christmas" Lyrics | 17 years ago |
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This song was unfortunately out of print for many years, but a new version by Emerson Lake and Palmer surfaced in the mid-1990s. It's production is much more lavish. The stanza "And I believed in Father Christmas/And I looked at the sky with excited eyes/'Till I woke with a yawn, in the first light of dawn/And I saw him through his disguise." is the most bitter. "And I saw him through his disguise". He begins to see Santa as a lie. Rikdad sums it up beautifully in his/her take on the last verse. I think it is an ironic mention of hope. And yet, I think Greg Lake is being sincere when he wishes "All anguish, pain, and sadness leave your heart and let your road be clear." He offers hope, yet the road to this hope will not be an easy one. I must ask, which Christmas song is more depressing, yet brutally honest--this or Gordon Lightfoot's "Circle of Steel"? |
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| Gordon Lightfoot – Circle of Steel Lyrics | 17 years ago |
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Indeed, one of the saddest Christmas songs ever written. It may be even more depressing than Greg Lake's "I Believe in Father Christmas" (Emerson Lake & Palmer also did a version). I agree with "The Eye's" comment about the juxtaposition of what should be a happy time with the despair of the new mother. My favorite couplet in this song is "Your father’s pride was his means to provide/ And he’s servin’ three years for that reason." The father had to steal in order to provide for his family. But in reality, Christmas can be one of the saddest times of the year for many. Songs like these are needed. They make me realize how good I have it and not to take what I have for granted. |
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| Eagles – Wasted Time Lyrics | 17 years ago |
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The song is the best post-breakup song. The key to it is in the closing "So you can get on with your search, baby, and I can get on with mine/ And maybe someday we will find , that it wasn't really wasted time" What it means is that, in looking back on the relationship, the protagonist realizes that it was NOT wasted time. That whatever happened in the relationship has shaped them both. If you've ever seen "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind", you'll know what I mean. |
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| Elton John – Someone Saved My Life Tonight Lyrics | 17 years ago |
| I just saw "Hamlet 2" and this song was put to really good effect in the movie! It is sung by the "Tuscon Gay Men's Choir" and is done remarkably well! Surprisingly, it works! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81NJV-Iwul8 | |
| Michelle Shocked – Anchorage Lyrics | 17 years ago |
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To ringfingers, I'm not saying you are wrong, but I don't think that's what this song is about at all. To me, it's simply a song about someone who really misses an old friend, that's it. To Island Myk--It's also possible that Leroy isn't overbearing at all. Perhaps he doesn't know the protagonist well enough, but still wants to say "hello". But I think you might be right about a couple of friends who "used to be wild and free" and now one of them is married with kids. I know the feeling, in a way. I'm married and in my early 30s and play bass in a bar band with my sibling and my cousins. We used to play four or five gigs every weekend. It's getting harder and harder to do now because everyone has family and work obligations now. At most we do 2 or 3 gigs a month now. |
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| 10,000 Maniacs – Because the Night (Patti Smith Group cover) Lyrics | 18 years ago |
| I don't like this version. Natalie Merchant is way too polished to sing this song. Her voice lacks the raw power and passion that this song requires. | |
| David Gray – Babylon Lyrics | 18 years ago |
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I agree that this song is an arguement that happened on Friday. Saturday is the emotional wreck that he is. Sunday is the act of forgiveness and that she is waiting for him. But unfortunately most versions on the radio eliminate the "Sunday" verse. |
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| Randy Newman – Short People Lyrics | 18 years ago |
| This was obviously one of the most mis-interpreted songs ever. But, yes, he is satirizing short people. Interestingly, I thing Newman himself is short. | |
| R.E.M. – Exhuming McCarthy Lyrics | 18 years ago |
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caitsith01 I remember the quote from the movie GOOD NIGHT AND GOOD LUCK. |
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| Gathering Field – Lost In America Lyrics | 18 years ago |
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This is a wonderful song and it is definitely based on Kerouac's writings. Let's look closely at this song: "Snow on the railroad tracks/Dogs in the moonlight" He is a hobo, a drifter riding the rails or walking them on a winter's night. "Stoned out on Kerouac/ Tryin' to get it just right" He is literate and he has read Kerouac. Maybe he is trying to follow in Kerouac's footsteps. "A phone in a dim lit room /Rings out forever" He has left home? "He had a rambling soul /He drank a bottle of cheap wine" No doubt he is a wanderer. And an alcoholic or perhaps cheap wine is all he can afford. "Turned up his collar to the cold/And waited, he waited for a sign" It is winter, and he's searching. "Fueled by amphetamines /And visions of beauty As far as the eye could see /Was all that he strived for" Hmmm, a problem with drugs too? And is he aiming for the world? "A waitress in Tennessee /Said he looked like Jesus" He is unkempt, or perhaps she thinks he's her saviour? "He silenced her raging sea /Then walked out the door /He had a rambling soul" He loved her and left her because he's a drifter. But I've never seen that expressed so deeply. I have no doubt that it was passionate! "Under an open sky /He stands with his eyes closed If anyone asked him why /He would not know He's lost in America /Hell bent for no place A rusty harmonica /That won't even play He's lost in America..." I see him on a hilltop or maybe in an open field under a vast sky. As I've said before, he is searching for something. Perhaps he doesn't even know what. |
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| Tom Cochrane – I Wish You Well Lyrics | 18 years ago |
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Well it's a terrific break up song. He knows he wants her out of his life. "Gonna cash my chips and roam/Gonna walk before you fade to black/I'm gonna write a new resume/I'm gonna write you off the page". Here, he's made up his mind to leave. "And in another year/The pain will disappear and I Will look back on this life as if it were a scene In a film somebody made for you and me" He knows that it will take time for her to get over him and vice-versa (he still has feelings for her). And in a year, it won't seem real anymore. "I cannot believe there's nothing left to save." Uh-oh, his bravado is starting to crack. He himself can't believe it's over." I was surprised that this single never clicked. It is a much better tune than LIFE IS A HIGHWAY. |
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| Matthew Sweet – Girlfriend Lyrics | 18 years ago |
| But I find the ending stanza too creepy ("I'm never gonna set your free")--almost possessive-ish and/or stalker-ish! | |
| Talking Heads – This Must Be the Place (Naive Melody) Lyrics | 18 years ago |
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Great interpretation by res87cue! I couldn't have said it better myself. I really suppose that the song has a couple of messages: 1) Life is what you make it. 2) Home is wherever you make it. The covers band I'm in does this. |
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| Talking Heads – And She Was Lyrics | 18 years ago |
| I once heard that this song was about levitation. | |
| Barenaked Ladies – If I Had A $1000000 Lyrics | 18 years ago |
| I forgot to add, it' simply a fun song to listen to and perform and sometimes get the audience involved in! | |
| Barenaked Ladies – If I Had A $1000000 Lyrics | 18 years ago |
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It's a terrific song and very playful as the other posters have said. It seemed a little "strange" at first to have a couple of guys go back and forth on this song, but that's what makes it so good. Anyways, the band I'm in has worked this into our shows too. We figured if a couple of guys who are non-gay (ie. Steven and Ed) could get away with performing this, so could a couple of opposite-sex siblings. We'll even ad-lib some "sibling rivalry" jokes into it. All in good fun and taste, that is. Kinda like this song! One time, my bro threw in "I'd buy you John Wilkes Booth's remains just to throw me off (I do the "response" vocals on this song). |
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| Barenaked Ladies – God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen/We Three Kings (Featuring Sarah Mclachlan) Lyrics | 18 years ago |
| A decent enough take on a couple of old Christmas tunes. | |
| Simple Minds – Sanctify Yourself Lyrics | 18 years ago |
| This is the best Simple Minds song! It rocks! | |
| Simple Minds – Don't You (Forget About Me) Lyrics | 18 years ago |
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Some of the above posters were right. I've heard it said that Jim Kerr didn't like the song in the first place. It was given to them (now mind you, this is what I heard, I'm not saying it's true). But if you listen to the other Simple Minds hits (SANCTIFY YOURSELF, ALIVE & KICKING), those songs are more Simple Minds' style. |
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| James McMurtry – Childish Things Lyrics | 18 years ago |
| This song is really sad when you think about it. It's about a man who has reached middle age and has lost his ideals. You have to follow the whole sequence "I'll put away childish things/I've put away childish things." "Heaven" represents these ideals--the good things in life. But he still believes in ghosts. "Ghosts" can mean whatever traumatizes him, whatever skeletons are in his closet. | |
| James McMurtry – We Can’t Make It Here Lyrics | 18 years ago |
| What an attack on present day United States and the political climate here! I couldn't have said it better myself! George W. Bush is fast completing the vision of America that Reagan had, only he's screwing us harder and in ways that Reagan couldn't have imagined! | |
| Billy Bragg and Wilco – I Guess I Planted Lyrics | 18 years ago |
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"Union song, union battled All added up won us all what we got now" To those of you who hate unions, let me remind you of a few things. Do you like anti-child labor laws? The idea of a 40 hour week? Paid overtime? Safer working conditions? Carpenters, plumbers and electricians properly trained? Then thank the unions! No they're not perfect, but since Ronald Reagen began this country's war on working people, we've seen worker's rights eliminated, we're working longer for less money, health care benefits have been cut as costs have skyrocketed, jobs shipped to China (and just look how virtually everything made in China is being recalled). All so you can work at your McJob or Wal-mart. |
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| Billy Bragg and Wilco – Christ for President Lyrics | 18 years ago |
| Remember that during the Great Depression of the 1930s, this song would have made sense. Many people turned to Socialism at that time because they felt Capitalism wasn't working. | |
| Billy Bragg and Wilco – California Stars Lyrics | 18 years ago |
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Bead Beeman, Yours is an interesting interpretation. But I don't think that there's anything hidden beneath this song. I simply think it's about a time (before smog) when a young romantic man would just lie on his back on a hillside, stargaze, and think of his true love. |
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| Carbon Leaf – Life Less Ordinary Lyrics | 18 years ago |
| I absolutely love playing my bass to this tune! | |
| The Kinks – Top Of The Pops Lyrics | 18 years ago |
| Oddly enough, the Smithereens also have a song called TOP OF THE POPS and there's no mistaking the Kinks influence on them. | |
| The Kinks – Come Dancing Lyrics | 18 years ago |
| "pally" should be spelled "Palais"--a French word for "Palace." | |
| Rob Thomas – A New York Christmas Lyrics | 18 years ago |
| You have to remember that this was written post-9/11/01. It is very appropriate for the time. The first time I heard it, I thought WOW! Because I think that Rob Thomas/Matchbox 20 is usually so Wonderbread Bland. But this song packs an emotional punch. | |
| Talking Heads – (Nothing But) Flowers Lyrics | 18 years ago |
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I like what Samadriel says. I'm a type-1 diabetic, so I'd certainly miss my insulin. That said, I think the song uses a sort of "reverse-irony" to prove its point. It's every bit about the environment and how we've come to depend on these things such as Pizza Huts, Dairy Queens, and 7-11s. A good example proving Byrne's point is this. Ever see people take a walk in the woods, yet they can't NOT be without their cel phones. They can't appreciate the nature in front of them, they want to talk about nothing to someone who's someplace else that is no more interesting. |
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| The Beach Boys – I Know There's An Answer Lyrics | 18 years ago |
| F. Cassady. Yes but the original title of the song is HANG ON TO YOUR EGO. But Mike Love thought that no one would want to hear a song with that title, hence it was changed. Both versions are available on newer editions of PET SOUNDS. | |
| The Beach Boys – In My Room Lyrics | 18 years ago |
| It's about child abuse. Reportedly, Brian was really abused by his dad, Murray Wilson. Murray hit him so hard once that Brian lost hearing in one ear (which is why his Beach Boys songs are all in mono--he can't hear stereo). Brian would take refuge in his room | |
| John Hiatt – Shredding the Document Lyrics | 18 years ago |
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"Well maybe from Larry King". Few artists, except for maybe REM, name drop as much as John Hiatt. |
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| Don Henley – Through Your Hands Lyrics | 18 years ago |
| I think that this was originally a John Hiatt song. | |
| Counting Crows – A Murder Of One Lyrics | 18 years ago |
| Whoops, I should say that my brother is now engaged to A great girl (meaning of course a different girl)! | |
| R.E.M. – Shiny Happy People Lyrics | 18 years ago |
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Well, duh this song is sarcastic! I believe that it was a stab at lazy-ass yuppies and Gen-X (which I'm a part of) and even Gen-Y. This song has special meaning for me because it was the first song to which my brother and I did a duet and from that point, we decided to form a band. Incidentally, Pierson is some 15 years older than Stipe. Pevious posters are right--Stipe dances like a dork. but Pierson gives it her all and I hope that I look that good when I get to age 43. |
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| Counting Crows – Big Yellow Taxi (Joni Mitchell cover) Lyrics | 18 years ago |
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It appears to me that this is a tune that can be taken on many levels. Yes it is about the environment. That part of it is a given. But as one other poster says, it is also about loss. Here, the writer successfully merges loss of the environment with loss (perhaps death) of a loved one. I'm in a band and we've been doing this one for several years now, both with and without me singing the Vanessa Carlton part. Unfortunately, the audience seems to like the version with Vanessa better. My brother (our lead vocalist) has a great voice and he sings this song very well. |
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| The Kings – This Beat Goes On Lyrics | 18 years ago |
| What does this song mean to me? Nothing! I was five or so when it came out! But, boy, is it ever a fun party tune It still holds up well. I'm in a band and we love to cover this one! | |
| Counting Crows – A Murder Of One Lyrics | 18 years ago |
| By the way, I'm typing this at 7am without the benefit of coffee! I forgot to mention that my brother and I are twins. Obviously fraternal twins, but there's always been that bond between us. I could be wrong that about the possibility of the protagonist being a sibling, but what tipped me off was the line "It's been years since we were born." Well, who else besides siblings would know each other for that long? | |
| Counting Crows – A Murder Of One Lyrics | 18 years ago |
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Wow, I can't believe this thread lasts over 5 years! Anyways, the protagonist doesn't necessarily have to be a potential lover. He could even be a sibling. Something similar happened in my life. My brother and I are in a bar band together and we are very close. A few years ago, he was in a relationship with a woman who ended up being mentally abusive towards him. She was mean to him and VERY possessive. He would hate himself after being out with her, but would try to convince himself (and me) that things would get better between them and she would love him. Her meanness didn't just trickle down to me-it cascaded! As his sister, and his friend,I began to get very worried about him until it got to the point that I couldn't stand to see him so miserable. So one night, I insisted that he go out to dinner with me and that I was paying (note: when your opposite sex sibling does this, you know something's up). I didn't want to cause a scene at the restaurant, so I then insisted he take me for a walk in the park. We sat down on a bench and I laid it out to him, asking him many of the same questions that the song asks, essentially asking him if he was happy with her. I didn't do any name calling, didn't try to tell him what to do, but I did say that she was mean to me and I said "I'm simply asking you to think these things over." He called me up the next day to say that he broke up with her and that it was an UGLY scene. I risked my own relationship with my brother, but I felt that it was worth the gamble to try to get him to see what was going on. By the way, we've played A MURDER OF ONE in our shows for years (it's a great closer) and he is now engaged to great girl. |
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