Favorite lyrics?

[Seareach]

I was always a fan of...gosh, can't remember the album name now: the one with Learning to Fly etc on it (beds on a beach cover...brilliant cover).

A Momentary Lapse of Reason

That's the one!

But today I'm judging (myself! always a constructive thing to do when one's trying to concentrate on work ), hence The Trial!

Not showing feelings of an almost human nature again?

Yes. Exactly! And this will not do!!!!

[lucimay]

In the deep dark hills of eastern Kentucky
That's the place where I trace my bloodline
And it's there I read on a hillside gravestone
You will never leave Harlan alive

Oh, my granddad's dad walked down
Katahrins Mountain
And he asked Tillie Helton to be his bride
Said, won't you walk with me out of the mouth
Of this holler
Or we'll never leave Harlan alive

Where the sun comes up about ten in the morning
And the sun goes down about three in the day
And you fill your cup with whatever bitter brew you're drinking
And you spend your life just thinkin' of how to get away

No one ever knew there was coal in them mountains
'Til a man from the Northeast arrived
Waving hundred dollar bills he said I'll pay ya for your minerals
But he never left Harlan alive

Granny sold out cheap and they moved out west
Of Pineville
To a farm where big Richland River winds
I bet they danced them a jig, laughed and sang a new song
Who said we'd never leave Harlan alive

But the times got hard and tobacco wasn't selling
And ole granddad knew what he'd do to survive
He went and dug for Harlan coal
And sent the money back to granny
But he never left Harlan alive

Where the sun comes up about ten in the morning
And the sun goes down about three in the day
And you fill your cup with whatever bitter brew you're drinking
And you spend your life just thinkin' of how to get away

Where the sun comes up about ten in the morning
And the sun goes down about three in the day
And you fill your cup with whatever bitter brew you're drinking
And you spend your life digging coal from the bottom of your grave

In the deep dark hills of eastern Kentucky
That's the place where I trace my bloodline
And it's there I read on a hillside gravestone
You will never leave Harlan alive

~ darrell scott ~

[sgt.null]

Lightning never strikes anymore
but I can't make it rain
because it would only lightning again
Lightning never strikes anymore
but I can't make it rain
because it would only cause me pain

I have my start but I never have begun
because without you my life is unsung
I have my start but I don't have a part
because without you it only breaks my heart

To be or not to be
that's the question unceasingly
but without you I would long to be yours to be
cause without you I'm not a king
cause without you it will never do
cause I can't think what life
would be like without you

cause you don't love me yet
you don't love me yet
I just won't forget because you don't love me yet

[Endymion9]

As much as I like those two...it's the entire Wish You Were Here album that always blew me away.

[Menolly]

Whereas Meddle's Echoes is mine...

[StevieG]

As much as I like those two...it's the entire Wish You Were Here album that always blew me away.

I can't disagree with that - Shine on you Crazy Diamond, and Wish You Were Here.... 2 more of my favourites.

Edit: Oh, and Echoes too - I'm with you on that one Menolly!

[Cagliostro]

I try and stay away from The Wall and especially The Final Cut, as it affects my mood for the worst. I guess it always did, but I've cheered up from the time I was listening to them the most. The Eels still have that effect on me as well, but they are a bit more life affirming. Here's one of their most so, which I never really got until I saw them in concert and was moved to tears by their live version:

P.S. YOU ROCK MY WORLD - The Eels

i was at a funeral the day i realized
i wanted to spend my life with you
sitting down on the steps at the old post office
the flag was flying at half mast
and i was thinking 'bout how
everyone is dying
and maybe it's time to live

i don't know where we're going
i don't know what we'll do

walked in to the thrif-tee
saw the man with the hollow eyes
who didn't give me all my change
but it didn't bother me this time
'cause i know i've only got
this moment
and it's good
i went to the gas station
old woman honked her horn
waiting for me to fix her car

i don't know where we're going
i don't know what we'll do

laying in bed tonight i was thinking
and listening to all the dogs
and the sirens and the shots
and how a careful man tries
to dodge the bullets
while a happy man takes a walk

and maybe it is time to live

[Cagliostro]

And here's one more of my personal favorites:

DIRTY GIRL - The Eels

i like a girl with a dirty mouth
someone that i can believe
we had a window not open too long
but that time is good and gone

and if i ever see her again
just walking by with some new guy
i know that we will need to pretend
and hope our eyes keep telling lies

sit on the back porch and wonder 'bout her
what is she doing right now
making somebody a happier man
dying her hair back to brown

once in a while your life gets so good
worth all the trouble of the past
that was the case but i think i always knew
good things don't ever last

and if i ever see her again
just walking by with some new guy
i know that we will need to pretend
and hope our eyes keep telling lies

i like a girl with a dirty mouth
know that i can trust her
we had our time but it didn't last too long
and that time is good and gone
that time is good and gone

[StevieG]

The Eels are probably one of my favourite bands. I took a risk a while back and bought a friend of mine Daisies of the Galaxy - he and his wife had lost their 3 month old baby a year before, and both were depressed, they split up because of the stress. Life was hell. To my relief, they both loved it, because even though it's sad, it's also honest and as you say, life affirming.

[Cagliostro]

Daisies is my favorite album, by far. And in general, the most upbeat. Sure, there's more rockin' tunes, such as on Shootenanny!, but that album has the best blend of happy and sad. I was surprised in reading E's autobiography that the record company weren't all that interested in releasing that album for a while. It seems like with most Eels albums, it takes a little while for me to warm to them, but that one I immediately took to. I did the same with Beautiful Freak as well.
I bought that album on a whim as I had a sampler that had "Rags To Rags" on it, which I found myself really liking. I still like that song, but there are so many other layers to his music that I still find it weird that that was the song that encouraged me to buy them. I've been a fan ever since.
I must say that I was surprised that seeing the Eels live is also especially wonderful. The moving songs usually hit a little harder, and the rockin' ones are just a little more fun. With some exceptions. I've only seen them a few times, but it has been a different experience completely each time.

[StevieG]

Daisies is my favorite album, by far. And in general, the most upbeat. Sure, there's more rockin' tunes, such as on Shootenanny!, but that album has the best blend of happy and sad. I was surprised in reading E's autobiography that the record company weren't all that interested in releasing that album for a while. It seems like with most Eels albums, it takes a little while for me to warm to them, but that one I immediately took to. I did the same with Beautiful Freak as well.

I think someone likened Daisies to "a nice walk in the park, while occasionally being bitten by a snake". I think that sums it up nicely - it generally has a light feel musically, but some songs have a real sting.

I bought that album on a whim as I had a sampler that had "Rags To Rags" on it, which I found myself really liking. I still like that song, but there are so many other layers to his music that I still find it weird that that was the song that encouraged me to buy them. I've been a fan ever since.

I bought it after hearing Novocaine for the soul - and Electro-shock blues after Last Stop - This town. But Daisies hooked me to the Eels.

I must say that I was surprised that seeing the Eels live is also especially wonderful. The moving songs usually hit a little harder, and the rockin' ones are just a little more fun. With some exceptions. I've only seen them a few times, but it has been a different experience completely each time.

I've heard their concerts are special - I've never seen them live. I'm kicking myself because they came to Australia a year or so ago and I completely missed out - didn't find out they were coming. I'm not even sure if they'll make it back here now

[Orlion]

Whereas Meddle's Echoes is mine...

That's my (official) favorite song ever! (and as a result, will be quoted)

Overhead the albatross
Hangs motionless upon the air
And deep beneath the rolling waves
In labrynths of coral caves
The echoes of a distant time
Comes willowing across the sand
And everything is green and submarine

And no one showed us to the light
And no one knows the wheres or whys
But something stirs and something tries
And starts to climb towards the light

Strangers passing in the street
By chance two separate glances meet
And I am you and what I see is me
And do I take you by the hand
And lead you through the land
And help me understand the best I can

And no one pauses to move on
And no one forces down are eyes
No one speaks and no one tries
No one flies around the sun

(Followed by some of the best build up ever)

Cloudless every day you fall upon my waking eyes
Inviting and exciting me to rise
And through the window in the wall
Come streaming in on sunlight wings
A million bright ambassadors of morning.

And no one sings me lullabies
And no one makes me close my eyes
So I throw the windows wide
And call to you across the sky

[StevieG]

They Might Be Giants are sometimes mistaken for having absurd lyrics (sometimes they are absurd), but they have many songs that have deeper meanings, and some that are just incredible feats of lyricism....

This song has an upbeat tune, but very concerning lyrics! And if you know it, it's amazing how this plethora of lyrics fit in to the tune - I'm amazed every time I hear it. In particular the bolded section...

There were 87 Advil in the bottle now there's 30 left
I ate 47 so what happened to the other 10?
Why do you suspiciously change the subject and break my concentration
As I dump the bottle out and I count the Advil up again?

Don't interrupt me as I struggle to complete this thought
Have some respect for someone more forgetful than yourself

And I'm not done
And I won't be till my head falls off

Hitting every pocket on my shirt, pants and overcoat
And I'm hitting them again but I don't know where I put my notes
Clearing my throat, and gripping the lectern I smile and face my audience
Clearing his throat and smiling with his hands on the bathroom sink

And when I lean my head against the frosted shower stall
I see stuff through the glass that I don't recognize at all

And I'm not done
And I won't be till my head falls off
Though it may not be a long way off

I'm not done talking yet
I'm not done talking yet

And when I lean my head against the frosted shower stall
I see a broken figure silhouetted on the wall

And I'm not done
And I won't be till my head falls off
Though it may not be a long way off
I won't be done until my head falls off

Ugh never ceases to amaze me....

[Orlion]

Wasted Years (Iron Maiden)

Across the coast of gold,
Across the desert sands
I travel on, far and wide
But now it seems, I'm just a stranger to myself
And all the things I sometimes do
It's not me but someone else
I close my eyes and think of home,
Another city goes by in the night
Funny how it is, you never miss it till it's gone away
And my heart is lying there
And will be till my dying day.

So, understand, don't waste your time
Always searching for those wasted years
Face up, make your stand
And realize you're living in the golden years

Too much time on my hands,
I got you on my mind
Can't ease this pain, so easily
When you can't find the words to say
It's hard to make it through another day
And it makes me want to cry
And throw my hands up to the sky

So, understand, don't waste your time
Always searching for those wasted years
Face up, make your stand
And realize you're living in the golden years

[Cagliostro]

While we are on the topic of They Might Be Giants:

Certain People I Could Name

The few surviving samurai survey the battlefield
Count the arms, the legs and heads and then divide by 5
Drenched in blood they move across the screen
Do I need to point or do you see the one I mean
The one in back, the way he acts
Is he reminding you of anyone we know
Isn't he so like certain people I could name

Halfway through the thirty minutes
Halfway round the world
Here's the story on the genocidal overlord
In the palace with her epilettes
Watch her little gestures as she lights her cigarette
Look at her, you must see it too
Is she reminding you of anyone we know
Isn't she so like certain people I could name

Disembodied and detached a voice describes the scene
As a lizard stalks a helpless creature on TV
Music underscores the tragedy
Eyes with no expression watch the unsuspecting prey
Who is it like, doesn't it strike
You as the very image of someone we know
Isn't it so like certain people--how could anybody miss
The obvious and the uncanny and the clear resemblance
Isn't it just like certain people I could name

[Cagliostro]

Forward to this one: I used to think the lyrics were "you're embracing my collapse." I think that is more poetic, but I still like the lyrics as intended.

I've Got A Match - They Might Be Giants

Get out of the car
Put down the phone
Take off that stupid looking hat you wear
I'm going to die if you touch me one more time
Well I guess that I'm going to die no matter what

Love people are there
The smell of love is everywhere
You think it's always sensitive and good
You think that I want to be understood
I've got a match
Your embrace and my collapse

Beat up the cat if you need someone else on the mat
I put a rock in the coffee in your coffee mug
Which one of us is the one that we can't trust?
You say that I think it's you but I don't agree with that

Love people are there
The smell of love is everywhere
You think it's always sensitive and good
You think that I want to be understood
I've got a match
Your embrace and my collapse
even when we get along
I've got a match
Your embrace and my collapse

Love people are there
The smell of love is everywhere
Why can't you be sensitive and good
Why don't you want to be understood
I've got a match
Your embrace and my collapse
I've got a match
Your embrace and my collapse

[Cagliostro]

The highlighted lyric below is one that took me a long time to notice due to the hard guitars that start at the time, but for some reason it is one of my favorite lyrics Mr. Linnell ever wrote.


The End of the Tour - They Might Be Giants

There's a girl with a crown and a scepter
Who's on WLSD
And she says that the scene isn't what it's been
And she's thinking of going home
That it's old and it's totally over now
And it's old and it's over, it's over now
And it's over, it's over, it's over now
I can see myself

At the end of the tour
When the road disappears
If there's any more people around
When the tour runs aground
And if you're still around
Then we'll meet at the end of the tour
The engagements are booked through the end of the world
So we'll meet at the end of the tour

Never to part since the day we met
Out on Interstate 91
I was bent metal you were a flaming wreck
When we kissed at the overpass
I was sailing along with the people
Driving themselves to distraction inside me
Then came a knock on the door which was odd
And the picture abruptly changed

At the end of the tour
When the road disappears
If there's any more people around
When the tour runs aground
And if you're still around
Then we'll meet at the end of the tour
The engagements are booked through the end of the world
So we'll meet at the end of the tour

This was the vehicle these were the people
You opened the door and expelled all the people
This was the vehicle these were the people
You opened the door and expelled all the people
This was the vehicle these were the people
You let them go

At the end of the tour
When the road disappears
If there's any more people around
When the tour runs aground
And if you're still around
Then we'll meet at the end of the tour
The engagements are booked through the end of the world
So we'll meet at the end of the tour
And we're never gonna tour again
No, we're never gonna tour again

[aliantha]

Thought of this one when I read "The Boxer" in the Storytellers thread.

Here is my song for the asking
Ask me and I will play
So sweetly I'll make you smile

This is my tune for the taking
Take it, don't turn away
I've been waiting all of my life

Thinkin' it over, I've been sad
Thinkin' it over, I'd be more than glad
To change my ways

For the asking
Ask me and I will play
All the love that I hold inside

[Seareach]

She walked by the ocean,
And waited for a star,
To carry her away.

Feelin' so small,
At the bottom of the world,
Lookin' up to God.

She tries to take deep breaths,
To smell the salty sea,
As it moves over her feet.

The water pulls so strong,
And no-one is around,
And the moon is looking down.

Sayin',
Rosie - come with me,
Close your eyes - and dream.

The big ships are rollin',
And lightin' up the night,
And she calls out, but they just her pass by.

The waves are crashin',
But not making a sound,
Just mouthing along.

Sayin',
Rosie - come with me,
Close your eyes and dream,
Close your eyes and dream,
Close your eyes and dream.

[Seareach]

That I'm sorry for the things I've done
But when I start to try to tell you
That's when you have to tell me
Hey... this kind of trouble's only just begun
I tell myself too many times
Why don't you ever learn to keep your big mouth shut
That's why it hurts so bad to hear the words
That keep on falling from your mouth
Falling from your mouth
Falling from your mouth
Tell me...
Why
Why

I may be mad
I may be blind
I may be viciously unkind
But I can still read what you're thinking
And I've heard it said too many times
That you'd be better off
Besides...
Why can't you see this boat is sinking
(this boat is sinking this boat is sinking)
Let's go down to the water's edge
we can cast away those doubts
Some things are better left unsaid
But they still turn me inside out
Turning inside out turning inside out
Tell me...
Why
Tell me...
Why

This is the book I never read
These are the words I never said
This is the path I'll never tread
These are the dreams I'll dream instead
This is the joy that's seldom spread
These are the tears...
The tears we shed
This is the fear
This is the dread
These are the contents of my head
And these are the years that we have spent
And this is what they represent
And this is how I feel
Do you know how I feel
'cause i don't think you know how I feel
I don't think you know what I feel
I don't think you know what I fear
You don't know what I fear