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Author Topic: Favorite lyricists?  (Read 34485 times)

nuisance

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Favorite lyricists?
« Reply #50 on: 28 Aug 2006, 15:33 »

Quote from: DynamiteKid

9. Eminem (again, I mean it)

[...]

Everyone will take the piss for this choice, but I stand by it. Especially for the second example, if only for probably being the first rapper to use 'ignoramus' in a rhyme.

Nah, FWIW I remember a tune on Del Tha Funkee Homosapien's album back in the day (the one with 'Mr Dobalina') where he rhymes "entertain us" and "ignoramus".  Eminem may have a crazy amount of talent, but he's not exactly revolutionary.

Not a lot of fun in the favourite lyrics so far.  I guess (judging by nonsense like Skyclad) people primarily rate lyrics that they think express right-on sentiments?
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KharBevNor

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Favorite lyricists?
« Reply #51 on: 28 Aug 2006, 16:34 »

What do you mean nonsense?

Yes, Martin Walkyier has it spot on, but he also has an incredible facility with the english language. He employs a range of poetic devices beyond simple ABAB rhymes, he builds up complex metaphors and throws off genuinely amusing puns, he has highly original concepts for songs, and he has a genuine love of language that comes out through all of this as well as his 'Shakespeare on speed' delivery and his broad and interesting choice of vocabulary, amongst other things. It's some hefty stuff, but always fun and original.

Skyclad - The Womb of the Worm

"Black hat stranger - affluent as effluent
Hides behind his mirror shades and crocodile smile
Preying on the weak, the vulnerable and innocent
All things pure and virginal he will defile.

Shepherd of a flock of black sheep - he knows his charges well
Their thirst for life is drowning down in his snow filled hell...

They never die - in "the Womb of the Worm" they lie
They never die - in "the Womb of the Worm" they lie.

Slaves to the only god they know,
Drawn by the song of the cosmic diva
The lord of the flies is a dandy beau
King of the hill in the new Bohemia
Where does he come from, their redeemer
Where does he dwell? (they never learn)
What is the prize for the true believer?
Rotting away in the "Womb of the Worm"?

Death is the hand of a handsome stranger - (he speaks, heads turn)
Babes unaware of impending danger - quickening dead in the "Womb of the Worm"

They never die - in "the Womb of the Worm" they lie
They never die - in "the Womb of the Worm" they lie.

At the gravesides of sad lonely children
Reason sits with a tear in her eye
Killed in their prime - tell me why were they taken?
It's not them but "the Worm" that should die.
"Stabat Mater Dolorosa" - a grieving mother's sad refrain
Chasing dragons in the subway, to kill the time and ease the pain.

Words of "the Worm":
"Don't be afraid - just take my hand
'cause life's too short to be a bore
Try it once, you'll understand
Why they keep coming back for more."
Form an orderly line outside death's door
If you want to taste his sweet amnesia
He's never short of clientele
Though most of them die from a fatal seizure
Another mother cries to a chat-show host
(she speaks - my stomach churns)
I hear how a young kid - now a young ghost
Died a sickening death in "the Womb of the Worm."

They never die - in "the Womb of the Worm" they lie
They never die - in "the Womb of the Worm" they lie."


Skyclad - Great Blow For A Day Job

"Hear my tale - I'm Norman Normal, always humble, mild and meek.
In my bank a lowly banker - run-down brach on nowhere street
'till one day a stranger called - a fetid bible black he laughed,
said "Sonny I don't want your money, I don't need an overdraft.

Boy you have a great potential, don't you let it go to waste.
My offer ends - so it's essential that you hurry on (make haste!).
For a life of milk and honey sign along the dotted line...
Thirty years of girls and money - at the end your soul is mine!"

No one can dissuade me - I'm donw on my knees,
my conscience says "No" - my libido "Yes please!"
If I put my pen to paper for eternity I'm damned.
If I don't I'll never be the singer in a fiddel band.
Can anyone blame me? - I don't think they'd dare,
my soul says "No way" - But my mouth cries "Oh yeah!"

Here I am - your good friend norman, not so humble anymore.
Others age - but I look younger, stronger that I did before.
I used to drive a Fiat Panda - now a lime green Cadillac.
Guess my story goes to show not all the devils' own dig black.

I know there is a price I must pay for my thirty years misspent,
when my satanic manager recoups my soul (100%).
I'll meet him at the crossroads, midnight chimes - my time has come
to party with the 'porno-queens' down by the shores of Acheron.

I'll party on in Acheron!

No one could dissuade me - I fell to my kness,
my conscience said "No" - my libido "Yes please!"
I have put my pen to paper and eternally am damned,
I've squandered my immortal soul by singing in a fiddle band.
Could anyone blame me? - I don't think they dare,
my soul said "No way" - but my mouth cried "Oh yeah!"

'Evil I did dwell - Lewd did I live' -
It's a small price to pay for the gift that he gives.
Was it all worth it? - I'm too drunk to tell,
I swap my cocaine for the brimstone of hell.

The end."


Skyclad - Polkageist!

"One day whilst out exploring
In some far-flung foreign corner,
I took respite from my journey
To admire the local fauna.
When from the twilight distance
A peal of bells and laughter,
set my heart-strings fluttering
like bats through chapel rafters.

On entering a clearing I did sense
Impending peril, beheld a Gypsy wench
With flashing eyes bright, sharp and feral.
She smiled at me so sweetly
(bit a lip that smacked of danger),
Gave a look fit to disarm
This poor, unwitting stranger.

[Chorus]
Her rhythm pounced upon me
it trounced me in a trice.
That charm she wove about me
gripped me tight as any vice.
(She spoke in tongues above me).
Though I cast my eyes to Christ,
you'd need the virtue of a saint
to not succumb, and overcome this
Polkageist.

Arms of ivory strummed perfection
summond me toward the middle.
Pan warmed up his pipes
heard Herne a plucking at the fiddle.
She wrapped herself about me
(felt her hot breath at my ear);
Danced a horizontal polka
down the path to Hell I fear.

We're on a path to Hell I fear!

[Chorus]
Her rhythm pounced upon me
it trounced me in a trice.
That charm she wove about me
gripped me tight as any vice.
(She spoke in tongues above me).
Though I cast my eyes to Christ,
you'd need the virtue of a saint
to not succumb, and overcome this
Polkageist.

The Horny Huntress:
"A spirit sent to haunt you
taunting all your earthly days.
Satyrs vaunt
cavorting to the reel Cernunnos plays.
I head our wild procession
(every beast from man to mouse),
finds freedom in possession
Polkageist is in the house!"

Juice of fruit beyond forbidden
dripping slowly from her fingers,
she took my hand and led me
to that place where cunning lingers.

[Chorus]
Her rhythm pounced upon me
it trounced me in a trice.
That charm she wove about me
gripped me tight as any vice.
(She spoke in tongues above me).
Though I cast my eyes to Christ,
you'd need the virtue of a saint
to not succumb and overcome this
Polkageist."



This is, in my opinion, leagues ahead of most other lyricists I can think of. A perfect concoction of melancholy (Some 'clad song titles include 'The Silver Clouds Dark Lining', 'Land of the Rising Slum', 'A Bellyful of Emptiness' etc.) silliness and brilliant, individual poetry. I've never seen anything that touches it. When combined with their general musical exellence and innovation, it's what makes them far and away my favourite band of all time.
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[22:26] Dovey: like, maybe, 4 or 5 times that i know of?
[22:26] Dovey: and at least one of those was a blatant ploy at getting sigquoted

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greenMonkey

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Favorite lyricists?
« Reply #52 on: 28 Aug 2006, 17:39 »

Donald Fagen and Walter Becker.  No competition for my favorites.

In the corner
Of my eye
I saw you in Rudy's
You were very high
You were high
It was a cryin' disgrace
They saw your face

On the counter
By your keys
Was a book of numbers
And your remedies
One of these
Surely will screen out the sorrow
But where are you tomorrow

I can't cry anymore
While you run around
Break away
Just when it
Seems so clear
That it's
Over now
Drink your big black cow
And get out of here

Down to Greene Street
There you go
Lookin' so outrageous
And they tell you so
You should know
How all the pros play the game
You change your name

Like a gangster
On the run
You will stagger homeward
To your precious one
I'm the one
Who must make everything right
Talk it out till daylight

I don't care anymore
Why you run around
Break away
Just when it
Seems so clear
That it's
Over now
Drink your big black cow
And get out of here
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logosmonkey

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Favorite lyricists?
« Reply #53 on: 28 Aug 2006, 18:16 »

I agree with Jello Biafra.
Also Lou Reed.
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Johnny C

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« Reply #54 on: 28 Aug 2006, 18:41 »

I totally forgot Serge Gainsbourg.

Quote from: In French,
Je t'aime, je t'aime  
oh, oui je t'aime!  
moi non plus  
oh, mon amour...  

comme la vague irrésolu  
je vais, je vais et je viens  
entre tes reins  
je vais et je viens  
entre tes reins  
et je me retiens    

je t'aime, je t'aime  
oh, oui je t'aime!  
moi non plus  
oh mon amour...  

tu es la vague, moi l'île nue  
tu va, tu va et tu viens  
entre mes reins  
tu vas et tu viens  
entre mes reins  
et je te rejoins    

je t'aime, je t'aime  
oh, oui je t'aime!  
moi non plus  
oh, mon amour...  

comme la vague irrésolu  
je vais, je vais et je viens  
entre tes reins  
je vais et je viens  
entre tes reins  
et je me retiens    

tu va, tu va et tu viens  
entre mes reins  
tu vas et tu viens  
entre mes reins  
et je te rejoins    

je t'aime, je t'aime  
oh, oui je t'aime!  
moi non plus  
oh mon amour...  

l'amour physique est sans issue  
je vais, je vais et je viens  
entre tes reins  
je vais et je viens  
et je me retiens  

Non! Maintenant viens!


Quote from: Through Google Translate, you see he
I love you, I love you  
oh, yes I love you!  
me either  
oh, my love…  

like irresolute vagueness  
I go, I go and I come between your kidneys  
I go and I come  
between your kidneys  
and I retain myself    

I love you, I love you  
oh, yes I love you!  
me either  
oh my love…  

you are the wave, me the naked island
you go, you go and you come  
between my kidneys  
you go and you come  
between my kidneys  
and I join you    

I love you, I love you  
oh, yes I love you!  
me either  
oh, my love…  

like irresolute vagueness  
I go, I go and I come between your kidneys  
I go and I come  
between your kidneys  
and I retain myself    

you go, you go and you come  
between my kidneys  
you go and you come  
between my kidneys  
and I join you    

I love you, I love you  
oh, yes I love you!  
me either  
oh my love…  

the physical love is without exit
I go, I go and I come between your kidneys  
I go and I come  
and I retain myself  

Not! Now come!


Odes to humpin' abound, though really a grasp of French helps to truly understand how positively filthy he is.
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Storm Rider

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« Reply #55 on: 28 Aug 2006, 21:35 »

Quote from: nuisance
Not a lot of fun in the favourite lyrics so far.  I guess (judging by nonsense like Skyclad) people primarily rate lyrics that they think express right-on sentiments?


Or maybe different people have different ideas of what constitutes good lyrics and you should stop being an elitist jackass.
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Quote
[22:06] Shane: We only had sex once
[22:06] Shane: and she was wicked just...lay there

Scytale

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Favorite lyricists?
« Reply #56 on: 28 Aug 2006, 22:05 »

Quote from: Storm Rider
Well, if we're talking about secondary writers for Iron Maiden, I still like Adrian Smith if only for 2 Minutes to Midnight.

Quote from: Adrian Smith

The bodybags and little rags
of children torn in two
and the jellied brains
of those who remain
they put the finger right on you

As the madmen play on words
and make us all dance to their song
to the tune of starving millions
to make a better kind of gun!


Bruce Dickinson wrote those lyrics and Adrian wrote the music, at least in my copy of Powerslave its credited that way...

Adrian is still a pretty good lyricist my favorite he has written is "Sea of Madness"
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Storm Rider

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Favorite lyricists?
« Reply #57 on: 28 Aug 2006, 22:10 »

My MP3 file credits Smith only for the song, but if you have a physical copy of the album, I'm sure yours is right. My bad.
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[22:06] Shane: We only had sex once
[22:06] Shane: and she was wicked just...lay there

dancarter

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Favorite lyricists?
« Reply #58 on: 28 Aug 2006, 22:11 »

These two are pretty diverse stylistically, but both I love for their use of language, the way they construct things.

Leonard Cohen: (Love Calls You by Name)
You thought that it could never happen
to all the people that you became,
your body lost in legend, the beast so very tame.
But here, right here,
between the birthmark and the stain,
between the ocean and your open vein,
between the snowman and the rain,
once again, once again,
love calls you by your name.
The women in your scrapbook
whom you still praise and blame,
you say they chained you to your fingernails
and you climb the halls of fame.
Oh but here, right here,
between the peanuts and the cage,
between the darkness and the stage,
between the hour and the age,
once again, once again,
love calls you by your name.

Shouldering your loneliness
like a gun that you will not learn to aim,
you stumble into this movie house,
then you climb, you climb into the frame.
Yes, and here, right here
between the moonlight and the lane,
between the tunnel and the train,
between the victim and his stain,
once again, once again,
love calls you by your name.

I leave the lady meditating
on the very love which I, I do not wish to claim,
I journey down the hundred steps,
but the street is still the very same.
And here, right here,
between the dancer and his cane,
between the sailboat and the drain,
between the newsreel and your tiny pain,
once again, once again,
love calls you by your name.

Where are you, Judy, where are you, Anne?
Where are the paths your heroes came?
Wondering out loud as the bandage pulls away,
was I, was I only limping, was I really lame?
Oh here, come over here,
between the windmill and the grain,
between the sundial and the chain,
between the traitor and her pain,
once again, once again,
love calls you by your name.


Nivek Ogre: (Love in Vein)
Through the window, blowing in, message ensured
walk within car passes terminal empty cracks started
showing through unlisted mystery a dead child was thrown
through a window wind opens windows carry promises true will unleash us
dogs bite flesh, biting, exposing,
freezing the soul, whirlwind blowing through the
crashes ceiling no fantasies gone ages ago
crashes through privacy gone ages ago
freezes hands, pale, lighter,
frozen paintings, illumination, illumination gone,
illumination, illumination gone, illumination not wrong,
sides heaving, chest boxed in, I will find the real
you/finally heal you, lighter, hand in smokes,
my treasures, there to know, I write a note,
tossed aside, tossed aside, shines through a
powder, baby the real you, blood shines through a powder,
reads the real you, love shines through a
powder, feel the real you, shines
through a powder, final curtain, what's become of me and you?
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Rubby

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Favorite lyricists?
« Reply #59 on: 28 Aug 2006, 22:22 »

Quote from: Tom Waits
Step right up
step right up
step right up
Everyone's a winner, bargains galore
That's right, you too can be the proud owner
Of the quality goes in before the name goes on
One-tenth of a dollar
one-tenth of a dollar
we got service after sales
You need perfume? we got perfume
how 'bout an engagement ring?
Something for the little lady
something for the little lady
Something for the little lady, hmm
Three for a dollar
We got a year-end clearance, we got a white sale
And a smoke-damaged furniture
you can drive it away today
Act now, act now
and receive as our gift, our gift to you
They come in all colors, one size fits all
No muss, no fuss, no spills
you're tired of kitchen drudgery
Everything must go
going out of business
going out of business
Going out of business sale
Fifty percent off original retail price
skip the middle man
Don't settle for less
How do we do it?
how do we do it?
volume, volume, turn up the volume
Now you've heard it advertised, don't hesitate
Don't be caught with your drawers down
Don't be caught with your drawers down
You can step right up, step right up

That's right, it filets, it chops
It dices, slices, never stops
lasts a lifetime, mows your lawn
And it mows your lawn
and it picks up the kids from school
It gets rid of unwanted facial hair
it gets rid of embarrassing age spots
It delivers a pizza
and it lengthens, and it strengthens
And it finds that slipper that's been at large
under the chaise longe for several weeks
And it plays a mean Rhythm Master
It makes excuses for unwanted lipstick on your collar
And it's only a dollar, step right up
it's only a dollar, step right up

'Cause it forges your signature.
If not completely satisfied
mail back unused portion of product
For complete refund of price of purchase
Step right up
Please allow thirty days for delivery
don't be fooled by cheap imitations
You can live in it, live in it
laugh in it, love in it
Swim in it, sleep in it
Live in it, swim in it
laugh in it, love in it
Removes embarrassing stains from contour sheets
that's right
And it entertains visiting relatives
it turns a sandwich into a banquet
Tired of being the life of the party?
Change your shorts
change your life
change your life
Change into a nine-year-old Hindu boy
get rid of your wife
And it walks your dog, and it doubles on sax
Doubles on sax, you can jump back Jack
see you later alligator
See you later alligator
And it steals your car
It gets rid of your gambling debts, it quits smoking
It's a friend, and it's a companion
And it's the only product you will ever need
Follow these easy assembly instructions
it never needs ironing
Well it takes weights off hips, bust
thighs, chin, midriff
Gives you dandruff, and it finds you a job
it is a job
And it strips the phone company free
take ten for five exchange
And it gives you denture breath
And you know it's a friend, and it's a companion
And it gets rid of your traveler's checks
It's new, it's improved, it's old-fashioned
Well it takes care of business
never needs winding
Never needs winding
never needs winding
Gets rid of blackheads, the heartbreak of psoriasis
Christ, you don't know the meaning of heartbreak, buddy
C'mon, c'mon, c'mon, c'mon
'Cause it's effective, it's defective
it creates household odors
It disinfects, it sanitizes for your protection
It gives you an erection
it wins the election
Why put up with painful corns any longer?
It's a redeemable coupon, no obligation
no salesman will visit your home
We got a jackpot, jackpot, jackpot
prizes, prizes, prizes, all work guaranteed
How do we do it
how do we do it
how do we do it
how do we do it
We need your business
we're going out of business
We'll give you the business
Get on the business
end of our going-out-of-business sale
Receive our free brochure, free brochure
Read the easy-to-follow assembly instructions
batteries not included
Send before midnight tomorrow, terms available
Step right up
step right up
step right up
You got it buddy: the large print giveth
and the small print taketh away
Step right up
you can step right up
you can step right up
C'mon step right up
(Get away from me kid, you bother me...)
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mnimmny

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Favorite lyricists?
« Reply #60 on: 28 Aug 2006, 23:27 »

springsteen (of course)
Most Everything but especcially:
Quote

there's a dark cloud rising from
the desert floor
i packed my bags and I'm heading
straight into the storm
gonna be a twister to blow
everything down
that ain't got the faith to stand itsground
blow away the dreams that tear you apart
blow away the dreams that break your heart
blow away the lies
that leave you nothing but lost and broken hearted


tim buckley
(see "song to the siren")

mark knopfler
(see "romeo and juliet")

leonard cohen
Quote

i did my best, it wasn't much
i couldn't feel, so i tried to touch
i've told the truth, i didn't come to fool you
and even though
it all went wrong
i'll stand before the lord of song
with nothing on my tongue but hallelujah


paul simon
Quote

asking only workmen's wages
i come lookin' for a job
but i get no offers,
just a come on from the whores on seventh avenue
i do declare
there were times i was so lonesome
that i took some comfort there


this is simply for this one part of this one song
despite the fact that its perhaps the most emo thing ever,
but whoever in Brand new that wrote this:
Quote

every minute is a mile.
i've never felt so hollow.
i'm an old abandoned church with broken pews
and empty aisles.


dar williams
(see 'iowa')

harry chapin
also for a whole bunch, but
especially for
Quote

Remember when the music
Came from wooden boxes strung with silver wire
And as we sang the words, it would set our minds on fire,
For we believed in things, and so we'd sing.

Remember when the music
Brought us all together to stand inside the rain
And as we'd join our hands, we'd meet in the refrain,
For we had dreams to live, we had hopes to give.

Remember when the music
Was the best of what we dreamed of for our children's time
And as we sang we worked, for time was just a line,
It was a gift we saved, a gift the future gave.

Remember when the music
Was a rock that we could cling to so we'd not despair,
And as we sang we knew we'd hear an echo fill the air
We'd be smiling then, we would smile again.

Oh all the times I've listened, and all the times I've heard
All the melodies I'm missing, and all the magic words,
And all those potent voices, and the choices we had then,
How I'd love to find we had that kind of choice again.

Remember when the music
Was a glow on the horizon of every newborn day
And as we sang, the sun came up to chase the dark away,
And life was good, for we knew we could.

Remember when the music
Brought the night across the valley as the day went down
And as we'd hum the melody, we'd be safe inside the sound,
And so we'd sleep, we had dreams to keep.

And I feel that something's coming, and it's not just in the wind.
It's more than just tomorrow, it's more than where we've been,
It offers me a promise, it's telling me "Begin",
I know we're needing something worth believing in.

Remember when the music
Came from wooden boxes strung with silver wire
And as we sang the words, it would set our minds on fire,
For we believed in things, and so we'd sing.

...probably the most eloquent rendition of and a damn good dream of what music should be and music should do in a song
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Night Rocker

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Favorite lyricists?
« Reply #61 on: 29 Aug 2006, 00:09 »

Bob Dylan and Pete Townsend. Enough Said.
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The Eyeball Kid

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Favorite lyricists?
« Reply #62 on: 29 Aug 2006, 03:24 »

i love the usual guys- Bob Dylan is my poet-god, and Colin Meloy breaks my heart. but recently its all about Craig Finn of the Hold Steady. Everything he sings is just quotable and perfect. I showed some to a poet friend and she just went nuts

"Kids on the East Coast/about 20 years old/know the perfect ratio of warm beer to the summer smoke/Meatloaf to the Billy Joel" - 'Certain Songs

Thanks Craig. You just summed up alot of my Connecticut childhood in 4 pefect lines. And almost every single line in every single Hold Steady song is like that! And he'll have a lyric echo another song ("Tramps like us/and we like tramps") and then the band will play something that echos the song being quoted ('Thunder Road', in that case)

Just... wow.
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The Eyeball Kid

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Favorite lyricists?
« Reply #63 on: 29 Aug 2006, 03:28 »

My love for Waits and Cave and Cohen and Dylan and Costello KNOWS NO LIMIT, but i'm not talking about them here because saying they're amazing lyricists and write incredible poetry and are gods that walk the Earth isn't saying anything that hasn't been said a million times before
But Craig Finn... there isn't enough Craig Finn love
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lbarbs

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Favorite lyricists?
« Reply #64 on: 29 Aug 2006, 03:54 »

Also, whoever writes the lyrics for the Lucksmiths. http://www.thelucksmiths.com.au/

Quote
We can wander round the football ground
As the sun sets on the grandstand
If it gets a little cold there
We can hold hands in the goal square
It’s getting dark and baby don’t the shops shine bright
I’ve been here for hours
I can’t see the florist for the flowers
And I can’t see the point in hanging around

I know we’ve done all this before
But once more won’t hurt
So let’s do it once more
Bereft of ideas
We live here but we’re sightseers

Somewhere over the railway line
There’s a light on in your loungeroom
Do you remember when I found you fast asleep?
You were so slow to your feet
I didn’t mean to yell
It’s just that I’m a little jealous
‘Cause you can do the Rubik’s Cube and I can’t


Quote
Have you been drinking?
’Cause it’s not too late to start
There’s still a week
Before they come and pull the place apart
And I was thinking
I have sorrows to be drowned
Too complete to contemplate
Without a friend around

...

So act surprised
It’s been a while since I came calling
I know it’s late
But old times’ sake and all that junk
I’ll be alright
We’ll make tonight tomorrow morning
Sometimes you want to go
Where everybody knows you’re drunk


And of course Dylan, Cohen and Simon[/quote]
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nuisance

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« Reply #65 on: 29 Aug 2006, 07:05 »

Quote from: Storm Rider
Quote from: nuisance
Not a lot of fun in the favourite lyrics so far.  I guess (judging by nonsense like Skyclad) people primarily rate lyrics that they think express right-on sentiments?


Or maybe different people have different ideas of what constitutes good lyrics and you should stop being an elitist jackass.

Hang on, you quoted me suggesting one way in which people might have different ideas from mine re: what constitutes good lyrics ... and then you told me off for not thinking that people have different ideas?

Nitpicking aside, fair enough on the elitism call and sorry for being so dismissive, Khar and other fans of Skyclad.  

To be completely honest, I looked up Skyclad to check they weren't some kind of lesser-known Spinal Tap after that first post.  I thought the lyrics were that bad... but from the second batch of lyrics I can see that the guy's at least erudite, just completely at odds with my tastes and (lyrical) interests.
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« Reply #66 on: 29 Aug 2006, 07:18 »

Quote from: nuisance
Quote from: DynamiteKid

9. Eminem (again, I mean it)

[...]

Everyone will take the piss for this choice, but I stand by it. Especially for the second example, if only for probably being the first rapper to use 'ignoramus' in a rhyme.

Nah, FWIW I remember a tune on Del Tha Funkee Homosapien's album back in the day (the one with 'Mr Dobalina') where he rhymes "entertain us" and "ignoramus".  Eminem may have a crazy amount of talent, but he's not exactly revolutionary.


I wasn't implying he was revolutionary. I just thought it was hilarious to use 'ignoramus' in a rhyme.
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« Reply #67 on: 29 Aug 2006, 07:43 »

Spinal Tap? Okay, Skyclad writes songs about sex, and I've quoted two of them (though they're not exactly about sex, per se, they're about paganism), but what's the link between some of the stuff I quoted first, ie:


"What did we learn in history lessons?
How to sit quiet at the back of a class
with so many things open to questions,
it's too late to cry - there's no one to ask.

Life's an education - a multiple equation,
everybody finds their own solution in the end.
"To be or not to be" is a very lengthy question,
has somebody please got a sharpened pencil they can lend?

Marching in time down a production line,
what did that teach you about life in the dole queue?

The Law of Relativity - (life's relative misery).
The Law of Probability - (it's probably contrived).
Newton's Law of Gravity - (we face a grave reality).
The Law that runs the jungle - (only the strong survive)."

and

"The bigger the cushion, the sweeter the pushin'
That's what I said
The looser the waistband, the deeper the quicksand
Or so I have read

My baby fits me like a flesh tuxedo
I'd like to sink her with my pink torpedo

Big bottom, big bottom
Talk about bum cakes, my girl's got 'em
Big bottom drive me out of my mind
How could I leave this behind?"
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« Reply #68 on: 29 Aug 2006, 08:02 »

Sorry, I didn't mean something stylistically identical to Spinal Tap, just a similarly well-crafted parody of a slightly different flavour of rock music - sneering, cynical, and political - more like, say, Roger Waters on his solo albums.  I do find those puns just achingly bad... did no one else make lame jokes about Hamlet and 2B pencils when you were a kid?  Wasn't it on the Muppets or something?
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« Reply #69 on: 29 Aug 2006, 08:51 »

I think that Spinal Tap should be included here for the comedy genius of their lyrics.

"Working on a sex farm...bothering your livestock."
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« Reply #70 on: 29 Aug 2006, 10:00 »

Quote from: nuisance
Sorry, I didn't mean something stylistically identical to Spinal Tap, just a similarly well-crafted parody of a slightly different flavour of rock music - sneering, cynical, and political - more like, say, Roger Waters on his solo albums.  I do find those puns just achingly bad... did no one else make lame jokes about Hamlet and 2B pencils when you were a kid?  Wasn't it on the Muppets or something?


Actually, I don't think it is a joke about 2B pencils.

At least, I've never seen it as such.

Any which way, it's better than just going "SKOOLS ARE PRISONS" or doing a song about twee tricycling pandas on the moon or something.
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« Reply #71 on: 29 Aug 2006, 10:46 »

Quote from: nuisance
Sorry, I didn't mean something stylistically identical to Spinal Tap, just a similarly well-crafted parody of a slightly different flavour of rock music - sneering, cynical, and political - more like, say, Roger Waters on his solo albums.  I do find those puns just achingly bad... did no one else make lame jokes about Hamlet and 2B pencils when you were a kid?  Wasn't it on the Muppets or something?

Hey man, I don't like the Skyclad lyrics either.
I just didn't want to say anything for fear of starting an argument.

Oh wait...



Oh no.
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matt triangle

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« Reply #72 on: 29 Aug 2006, 11:22 »

Quote from: lbarbs
Jeffery Lewis.

If you haven't heard him, do so now. http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/collective/A6999853

(for moondog)


jeffery lewis is a legend.

not so much about lyricists, but here's a couple of my favourite sets of lyrics.

the first is by the good life, a song called album of the year. one of the finest pieces of story telling i've heard.

Quote from: the good life
The first time that I met her I was throwing up in the ladies room stall. She asked me if I needed anything; I said, “I think I spilled my drink”. And that’s how it started (or so I’d like to believe)…

She took me to her mother’s house outside of town where the stars hang down. She said she’d never seen someone so lost, I said I’d never felt so found – and then I kissed her on the cheek… and so she kissed me on the mouth.

Spring was poppin’ daises up ‘round rusted trucks and busted lawn chairs. We moved into a studio in Council Bluffs to save a couple bucks. Where the mice came out at night, neighbors were screaming all the time. We’d make love in the afternoons to Chelsea Girls and Bachelor No. 2, I’d play for her some songs I wrote, she’d joke and say I’m shooting through the roof, I’d say, “They’re all for you, dear, I’ll write the album of the year.”

And I know she loved me then, I swear to God she did. It's way she’d bite my lower lip and push her hips against my hips and dig her nails so deep into my skin.

The first time that I met her I was convinced I had finally found the one. She was convinced I was under the influence of all those drunken romantics – I was reading Fante at the the time – I had bukowski on the mind. She got a job at Jacob’s serving cocktails to the local drunks. Against her will. I fit the the bill: I perched down at the end of the bar, She Said, “Space is not just a place for stars – I gave you an inch, you want a house with a yard.” And I know she loved me once, but those days are gone. She used to call me everyday from a pay phone on her break for lunch – just to say she can’t wait to come home.

The last time that I saw her she was picking through which records were hers. Her clothes were packed in boxes, with some pots and pans and books and a toaster. Just then a mouse scurried across the floor….we started laughing ‘til it didn’t hurt.



for sheer brutality shellac's prayer to god does it for me every time.

Quote from: shellac
To the one true God above:
here is my prayer -
not the first you've heard, but the first I wrote.
(not the first, but the others were a long time ago).
There are two people here, and I want you to kill them.
Her - she can go quietly, by disease or a blow
to the base of her neck,
where her necklaces close,
where her garments come together,
where I used to lay my face...
That's where you oughta kill her,
in that particular place.
Him - just fucking kill him, I don't care if it hurts.
Yes I do, I want it to,
fucking kill him but first
make him cry like a woman,
(no particular woman),
let him hold out, hold back
(someone or other might come and fucking kill him).
Fucking kill him.
Kill him already, kill him.
Fucking kill him, fucking kill him,
Kill him already, kill him.
Fucking kill him, fucking kill him,
Kill him already, kill him.
Just fucking kill him! Fucking kill him,
Fucking kill him already, kill him.
Ah Fucking kill him, fucking kill him,
Kill him already, kill him.
Kill him already, kill him already
Kill him, fucking kill him.
Just fucking kill him, fuckin kill him,
Kill him already, kill him.
Fuckin kill him, kill him,
Fucking kill him already, kill him.

Kill him, fucking kill him,
Kill him, just fucking kill him.
Kill them already, kill them already,
Kill him.
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Scytale

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« Reply #73 on: 30 Aug 2006, 02:15 »

I was listening to Nevermore in my car today and I was reminded about Warrell Danes lyrics, their really good.


from "The Heart Collector"
Quote

To see the actor without tears
Dark rivers carve the years between the lines of self control
In my psychotic karmic fear, I own your tears anyway
And I am you and we are not afraid


From "Medicated Nation"
Quote

Slithering slow and serpentine coiled around your spine
My willing victim so sublime, one taste and you are mine

Did you remember to feed me while I was broken and bleeding?

Preaching words obsidian on the wings of shattered man
The sightless wait oblivious to the scourge that stains their hands
All you feel and all you do, the medication controls you


From "This Godless Endevor"
Quote

All the faithful fall onto their knees
And praise the priests of industrial disease

We contemplate oblivion as we resonate our dissonance
In godless random interpretation
The universe still expands, mankind still can't understand
How to define you, so hide your face and watch us exterminate ourselves over you
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« Reply #74 on: 30 Aug 2006, 02:18 »

I'm too lazy to read all of this so I'm going to assume that KharBevNor has already mentioned Martin Walkyier as the best lyrisist ever. So, I'd like to say ....

He's right.
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« Reply #75 on: 30 Aug 2006, 03:49 »

Did anyone mention Marilion? No?

Marillion - He Knows You Know

Light switch, yellow fever, crawling up your bathroom wall
Singing psychedelic praises to the depths of a china bowl
You've got venom in your stomach, you've got poison in your head
You should have listened to the priest at the confession
When he offered you the sacred bread
He knows, you know, he knows, you know
H e knows, you know, but he's got problems

Fast feed, crystal fever, swarming through a fractured mind
Chilling needles freeze emotion, the blind shall lead the blind
You've got venom in you stomach, you've got poison in your head
When your conscience whispered, the vein lines stiffened
You were walking with the dead

He knows, you know, he knows, you know, he knows, you know
He's got experience, he's got experience, he knows, you know
But he's got problems, problems, problems

He knows... slash wrist, scarlet fever, crawled under your bathroom door
Pumping arteries ooze their problems through the gap that the razor tore
You've got venom in your stomach, you've got poison in your head
You should have listened to your analyst's questions
When you lay on his leather bed

He knows, you know, he knows, you know
He he knows, you know, but he's got problems

Blank eyes, purple fever, streaming through the frosted pane
You learned your lesson far to late from the links in a chemist chain
You've got venom in your stomach, you've got poison in your head
You should have stayed at home and talked with father
Listen to the lies he fed

He knows, you know, he knows, you know,
He knows, you know, but he's got problems
He knows, you know, he knows, you know, he knows, you know
He's got experience, he's got experience, he knows, you know
You know, you know, you know


Marillion - Forgotten Sons

Armalite, street lights, nightsights
Searching the roofs for a sniper, a viper, a fighter
Death in the shadows he'll maim you, he'll wound you, he'll kill you
For a long forgotten cause, on not so foreign shores
Boys baptised in wars
Morphine, chill scream, bad dream
Serving as numbers on dogtags, flakrags, sandbags
Your girl has married your best friend, loves end, poison pen
Your flesh will always creep, tossing turning sleep
The wounds that burn so deep

Your mother sits on the edge of the world
W when the cameras start to roll
Panoramic viewpoint resurrect the killing fold
Your father drains another beer, he's one of the few that cares
Crawling behind a Saracen's hull from the safety of his living room chair
Forgotten sons, forgotten sons, forgotten sons

And so as I patrol in the valley of the shadow of the tricolour
I must fear evil, for I am but mortal and mortals can only die
Asking questions, pleading answers from the nameless faceless watchers
That stalk the carpeted corridors of Whitehall

Who orders desecration, mutilation, verbal masturbation
I in the guarded bureaucratic wombs

Minister, minister care for your children, order them not into damnation
To eliminate those who would trespass against you
For whose is the kingdom, the power, the glory forever and ever, Amen
Halt who goes there, Death, approach friend

You're just another coffin on its way down the emerald aisle
When your children's stony glances mourn your death in a terrorist's smile
The bomber's arm placing fiery gifts on the supermarket shelves
Alley sings with shrapnel detonate a temporary hell
Forgotten Sons

From the dole queue to the regiment a profession in a flash
But remember Monday signings when from door to door you dash
On the news a nation mourns you unknown soldier, count the cost
For a second you'll be famous but labelled posthumous

Forgotten sons, forgotten sons
Peace on earth and mercy mild, Mother Brown has lost her child
Just another Forgotten Son


Marillion - Emerald Lies

To be the prince of possession in the gallery of contempt
Suffering your indiscreet discretions and you ask me to relent
As you accumulate flirtations with the calculated calmness of the whore
I am the harlequin - diamonded costume dripping shades of green
I am the harlequin - sense strangers violate my sanctuary
Prowl my dreams
Plundering your diaries, I'll steal your thoughts innocence
Ravaging your letters, unearth your plots innocence
To don the robes of Torquemada, resurrect the inquisition
In that tortured subtle manner inflict questions within questions
Looking in shades of green through shades of blue
I trust you trust in me to mistrust you

Through the Silk Cut haze to the smeared mascara
A 40 watt sun on a courtroom drama
And the coffee stains gather till the pale kimono
Set the wedding rings dancing on the cold linoleum

And accusations moths that circle on the light
Char their wings and spiral senseless suicidal flight
You packed your world within a suitcase, hot tears melt this icy palace
Dissolve a crystal swallowed by the night
Looking in shades of green through shades of blue
Looking in shades of green through shades of blue


Marillion - Fugazi

Vodka intimate, an affair with isolation in a Blackheath cell
Extinguishing the fires in a private hell
Provoking the heartache to renew the licence
Of a bleeding heart poet in a fragile capsule
Propping up the crust of the glitter conscience
Wrapped in the christening shawl of a hangover
Baptised in the tears from the real
Drowning in the liquid seize on the Piccadilly line, rat race
Scuttling through the damp electric labyrinth
Caress Ophelia's hand with breathstroke ambition
An albatross in the marrytime tradition
Sheathed within the Walkman wear the halo of distortion
Aural contraceptive aborting pregnant conversation
She turned the harpoon and it pierced my heart
She hung herself around my neck

From the Time-Life-Guardians in their conscience bubbles
Safe and dry in my sea of troubles
Nine to five with suitable ties
Cast adrift as their side-show, peepshow, stereo hero
Becalm bestill, bewitch, drowning in the real

The thief of Baghdad hides in Islington now
Praying deportation for his sacred cow
A legacy of romance from a twilight world
The dowry of a relative mystery girl
A Vietnamese flower, a Dockland union
A mistress of release from a magazine's thighs
Magdalenes contracts more than favours
The feeding hands of western promise hold her by the throat

A son of a swastika of '45 parading a peroxide standard
Graffiti conjure disciples testaments of hatred
Aerosol wands whisper where the searchlights trim the barbed wire hedges
This is Brixton chess

A knight for Embankment folds his newspaper castle
A creature of habit, begs the boatman's coin
He'll fade with old soldiers in the grease stained roll call
And linger with the heartburn of Good Friday's last supper

Son watches father scan obituary columns in search of absent school friends
While his generation digests high fibre ignorance
Cowering behind curtains and the taped up painted windows
Decriminalised genocide, provided door to door Belsens
Pandora's box of holocausts gracefully cruising satellite infested heavens
Waiting, the season of the button, the penultimate migration
Radioactive perfumes, for the fashionably, for the terminally insane, insane
Do you realise? Do you realise?
Do you realise, this world is totally fugazi

Where are the prophets, where are the visionaries, where are the poets
To breach the dawn of the sentimental mercenary
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replaced_may_98

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« Reply #76 on: 30 Aug 2006, 12:58 »

Sufjan Stevens and John Darnielle. Definitely John Darnielle.
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« Reply #77 on: 30 Aug 2006, 13:50 »

i'm really surprised noone has mentioned this yet, but what about gunther?

Quote
you touch my tralala, oh my ding ding dong


what we really need are more lyricists who use shitty synonyms for penis.
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« Reply #78 on: 30 Aug 2006, 19:26 »

Gavin from dredg...

Quote

I'm the addict on the corner
I'm the lawyer in the tower
I'm the body with the coroner
No, the leader with all the power

You're the pillow - the cool side
The sand during high tide
The cocktail poolside
The water when clouds collide

From the inside out, we were formed
From the inside out, we will fall
Soon this all will come to an end

I'm a local but a foreigner
Still the addict, yet I'm sober
Still the body with the coroner
Many friends, yet still a loner

You're the pillow - the cool side
The sand during high tide
The cocktail poolside
The water when clouds collide

From the inside out, we were formed
From the inside out, we will fall
Soon this all will come to an end
Soon this all will come to an end

From the inside out, we were formed
From the inside out, we will fall
Soon this all will come to an end
Soon this all will come to an end
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« Reply #79 on: 30 Aug 2006, 19:34 »

Quote from: BeoPuppy
I'm too lazy to read all of this so I'm going to assume that KharBevNor has already mentioned Martin Walkyier as the best lyrisist ever. So, I'd like to say ....

He's right.



It is done and done.

And double done!

Also, I have got to give some love out to Ronny Dorfler, of Cryptic Wintermoon. If only just for Supersatan, which is simply perfection. I would normally transfer this from block caps, but they're pretty much all that do it justice. I've bolded what surely must be the greatest four lines in the history of music.

"I AM HERE BACK FROM THE DEAD
TO PAINT THE WORLD IN BLOOD RED
WATCH OUT THE HELL IN MY EYES
WHEN I TAKE THE HARVEST WITH MY SCYTHE
BRINGING FIRE AS I RIDE
I WILL SEND BOMBS OUT IN THE NIGHT
JUST LISTEN WHAT I HAVE TO TELL
CAUSE I WISH YOU FUCKING HELL

IT WON`T BE NICE TO
 MEET UP WITH ME
CAUSE ALL I WANNA DO
IS TO FISTFUCK YOU


I AM THE SUPERSATAN
BIG BLOCK INSTEAD OF BALLS
YOUR FEAR IS GASOLINE
FOR MY SUPERNATURAL DEATHMACHINE
I AM THE RACING HATE
666 MY LICENSE PLATE

SO FUCK YOU ALL

I`M COMING ROUND TO SATANIZE
TO SLAUGHTER AND TO PULVERIZE
YEA I`M COMING ROUND
I GUESS YOU DO NOT REALLY LOVE ME
BUT RIDING WITH THE EVIL GIVES ME PLEASURE TOO

I AM THE SUPERSATAN
BIG BLOCK INSTEAD OF BALLS
YOUR FEAR IS GASOLINE
FOR MY SUPERNATURAL DEATHMACHINE
I AM THE RACING HATE
666 MY LICENSE PLATE

I AM THE LOVING DARKNESS THAT SWEETLY EMBRACES YOUR SOUL

RACING WITH THE HAND OF DOOM WILL BE VERY COOL
HEY LITTLE MOTHERFUCKER I WILL MAKE YOU A FOOL

I AM THE SUPERSATAN YOUR FEAR IS GASOLINE
NOT WEAPONS KILL ME BUT I FUCK YOU"


Oh YES.

On a similiar note, everything Hreidmarr ever wrote for The Count Nosferatu Kommando. GET A GUN! SHOOT AT RANDOM!
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Scytale

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« Reply #80 on: 30 Aug 2006, 22:41 »

Fuck me, not even Marduk's lyrics are that good...
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« Reply #81 on: 30 Aug 2006, 23:10 »

There are a few Impaled Nazarene songs (Armageddon Death Squad, Ghettoblaster, Total War/Winter War, Sadogoat) that kinda come close, but, essentially, yeah. Great band.

Oh, and whilst we're on this track, I gotta mention Cronos and the mighty Venom. For this:

"Black is the night, metal we fight
Power amps set to explode
Energy screams, magic and dreams
Satan records the first note.
We chime the bell, chaos and hell
Metal for maniacs pure.
Fast melting steel, fortune on wheels
Brain haemorrhage is the cure
For BLACK METAL
lay down your soul to the gods rock `n' roll

Freaking so wild, nobody's mild
Giving it all that you've got.
Wild is so right, metal tonight
Faster than over the top.
Open the door, enter hells core
Black is the code for tonight
Atomic force, feel no remorse
Trunk up the amps now it's night
BLACK METAL
lay down your soul to the gods rock `n' roll
metal ten fold through the deadly black hole
riding hells stallions bareback and free
faking our chances with raw energy

Come ride the night with us
Rock hard and fight
United my legions we stand
Freak hard and wild for us
Give up your souls
Live for the guest satans band

Against the adds, black metal gods
Fight to achieve our goal
Tasting a spell, leather and hell
Black metal gods rock `n' roll
Building up steam, nuclear screams
War-heads are ready to fight
Black leather hounds, faster than sound
Metal our purpose in life.
BLACK METAL
lay down your soul to the gods rock `n' roll
black metal"

But more this:

"Teacher caught me masturbating
underneath the desk
she looked at me and winked her eye
said "see you after class"
I heard the school bell ring that told
me that the day was done
she called me back and locked
the door my lessons just begun
Teachers pet
Teachers wet
Sitting down she crossed her
legs her skirt crept up her thigh
feeling something start to rise
my thought began to fly
You've been a naughty boy she said
now that you can't conceal
I'll have to punish you
the best way that I feel
Teachers pet
Teachers wet
She took my hand and gently placed it
in between her thighs
with open legs and heavy breath
she slowly closed her eyes
Her flesh was aching and her
hands began to stray
on thing that I know for sure
I won't forget today
Teachers pet
Teachers wet
Pulled me down forwards her mound
teacher tasted sweet
sixty-nine - I don't mean lines
this was teachers treat
Played hide and seek with teachers mouth
her lips were warm and wet
Now today I've had my way
and teacher won't forget
Teachers pet
Teachers wet"

\m/
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« Reply #82 on: 31 Aug 2006, 16:12 »

conor oberst and ed maraschino. The dude from Hey Mercedes is good too, as well as bear vs. shark. there's a lot of good stuff in this book, revolution on canvas.
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« Reply #83 on: 31 Aug 2006, 18:14 »

I think someone mentioned him before, but I love some of Noel Gallagher's songs, especially Live Forever.  And I will stand by the Conor Oberst people, if only because I think The First Day of My Life is the sweetest song I've ever heard (to be honest, though, his voice does annoy me).

I also like NOFX's lyrics, mostly for the clever rhyming and such.
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MCGB

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« Reply #84 on: 31 Aug 2006, 20:17 »

Quote
what we really need are more lyricists who use shitty synonyms for penis.


Psh.  Only a simpleton would think "Ding Dong Song" is about a creepy dude with a mullet asking a girl to touch his penis.  Its obviously a scathing criticism of modern politics and the current situation in the Middle East.
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KharBevNor

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« Reply #85 on: 31 Aug 2006, 23:39 »

If we're talking about crude sexual overtones, I would like to remind whoever it was praising Bruce Dickinson last page of this little gem...

Bruce Dickinson - Dive! Dive! Dive!


"Dive! Dive! Dive!

Put an opening shot. Across your bows.
Got tunnel vision. Pull the sheets in now.
Let'em flap. Let'em rip.
This man of war gonna sink your ship.
Gonna blow you midships.
Gonna dive tonight.
There's no release when your deep down inside.

Davey Jones gonna keep your bones.
No monkey buisness. Now your on your own.
Turn your stern and cover me.
We're rolling swell. Just an old sea dog like me.
Gonna blow you midships.
Gonna dive tonight.
There's no release till your deep down inside.

[CHORUS:]

Dive! Dive! Dive!
Dive! Dive! Dive!
Dive! Dive! Dive!
No muff too tuff.
We dive at five.

Seaman Staines is down below.
Torpedoes loaded. He's ready to go.
Wait to discharge. Waiting to release.
I see where the bones came up from below.
Gonna blow you midships.
Gonna dive tonight.
There's no release till your deep down inside.

[CHORUS.]"
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Johnny C

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« Reply #86 on: 01 Sep 2006, 00:00 »

Listen you assholes, I already posted Serge Gainsbourg. There's only room for one filthy-minded genius in this thread, and he's occupying that spot.
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Scytale

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« Reply #87 on: 01 Sep 2006, 00:17 »

Quote from: KharBevNor
If we're talking about crude sexual overtones, I would like to remind whoever it was praising Bruce Dickinson last page of this little gem...

Bruce Dickinson - Dive! Dive! Dive!


"Dive! Dive! Dive!

Put an opening shot. Across your bows.
Got tunnel vision. Pull the sheets in now.
Let'em flap. Let'em rip.
This man of war gonna sink your ship.
Gonna blow you midships.
Gonna dive tonight.
There's no release when your deep down inside.

Davey Jones gonna keep your bones.
No monkey buisness. Now your on your own.
Turn your stern and cover me.
We're rolling swell. Just an old sea dog like me.
Gonna blow you midships.
Gonna dive tonight.
There's no release till your deep down inside.

[CHORUS:]

Dive! Dive! Dive!
Dive! Dive! Dive!
Dive! Dive! Dive!
No muff too tuff.
We dive at five.

Seaman Staines is down below.
Torpedoes loaded. He's ready to go.
Wait to discharge. Waiting to release.
I see where the bones came up from below.
Gonna blow you midships.
Gonna dive tonight.
There's no release till your deep down inside.

[CHORUS.]"


Whats wrong with gratuitous sexual humour, there's a few songs like that on Tatooed Millionaire.
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KharBevNor

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« Reply #88 on: 01 Sep 2006, 09:54 »

Nothing wrong at all.

I'm just sayin'.
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asyluman

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« Reply #89 on: 02 Sep 2006, 16:46 »

Ben Folds.  

I love a good story in my music.
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Will

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« Reply #90 on: 03 Sep 2006, 09:35 »

I second Ben Folds...

The Ben Folds Live album is one that makes a regular appearance in my rotation...and yes, I sing along.
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Injektilo

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« Reply #91 on: 03 Sep 2006, 10:38 »

I'm also behind the Jeff Mangum-ness.  But for my money I'm an especially depraved and easy whore for Craig Finn and Colin Meloy.  Stories songs are an art that is ignored way to much.  Narratives are teh hottseckz and both guys do an amazing job with them.
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Merkava

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« Reply #92 on: 04 Sep 2006, 15:18 »

Man, now that I'm on my sudden and random "Wilco used to be meh but now they're in my top 5" transition, I realize how great a songwriter and lyricist Jeff Tweedy is. She's a Jar's "she begs me not to hit her" was so unexpected and brilliant. The way he changes "she begs me not to miss her" into that was so unsettling, it gave me chills.
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Thrillho

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« Reply #93 on: 04 Sep 2006, 15:54 »

Quote from: Merkava
Man, now that I'm on my sudden and random "Wilco used to be meh but now they're in my top 5" transition, I realize how great a songwriter and lyricist Jeff Tweedy is. She's a Jar's "she begs me not to hit her" was so unexpected and brilliant. The way he changes "she begs me not to miss her" into that was so unsettling, it gave me chills.


That's the genius of that one song. The ENTIRE song changes with the last line.
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nuisance

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« Reply #94 on: 05 Sep 2006, 06:58 »

Quote from: Merkava
Man, now that I'm on my sudden and random "Wilco used to be meh but now they're in my top 5" transition, I realize how great a songwriter and lyricist Jeff Tweedy is. She's a Jar's "she begs me not to hit her" was so unexpected and brilliant. The way he changes "she begs me not to miss her" into that was so unsettling, it gave me chills.

There's a great bit in David Sylvian's 'When The Poets Dream of Angels' a bit like that...

Mellow as fuck song, vaguely Spanish sounding acoustic guitar, hand percussion wandering about, Sylvian kicks in with his low croon: "He kneels beside her once more, and whispers a promise..." (ah, it's romantic, we think) "Next time I'll break every bone in your body" ... ouch.  He's usually a bit earthy and earnest for my tastes (same reason I'll probably never enjoy Dylan etc, whether or not I can appreciate them) but every now and then I really dig it.

So many good lyrics confound expectations I reckon.  It's a bit clever-clever, but I like Nilsson's 'One' - "One is the loneliest number that you'll ever do" ... it completely leads you up the garden path as to what the word "number" means and then "do" makes it clear he's using the word in a different sense from what you first thought.  Well, probably in two senses, I suppose.  Either way, it's cool, and a cooler image than if he meant "number" like, you know, just maths.

Edit: Actually, this is also one reason why many ESL lyricists can be pretty interesting.  Beck is right to use his ESL buddies as a source of inspiration.  The only example I can think of at the moment is the Notwist - eg. 'One with the Freaks' ... grammatically that's sweet, but surely the boring, conventional approach would be "one of the freaks"?  Of course maybe Herr Acher is well aware of what he's doing there... but then there's things like 'Solitaire': "We never will manage to be rude - only twice."  Oof.  Really unnatural grammar, putting "never" in the wrong place and that weird exception having said "never", but it's also pretty awesome, I reckon.
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KharBevNor

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« Reply #95 on: 05 Sep 2006, 12:29 »

Man, I don't think I've posted any Dave Tibet lyrics yet. I've been listening to a lot of Current 93 recently and have remembered just how fantastic some of it is. The intonation and passion he puts into it as he sings is incredible.

Current 93 - A Song For Douglas After He's Dead

"He crouches on the floor
There's a mask on the wall
And he leafs through the pages of a book
But wait as he may in the shadow of other leaves
His heart it embraces to times long since scorched

The horizon folds over with a purple sunrise
And the wind carries smoke from a world that is burning
The smoke locks in his hair and he's covered with patterns
And the descent of his life-trees on his camouflaged soul

With a winter of memories carved powder-bone white
Beyond his skull's form a scorpion lies
In the crunch of the snow as his darkness increases
A twilight of ice encircles his teeth

There's a swastika carved
In the palm of his hand
There's a crooked cross
That is caught in his mind
There waits a falling sun in his eyes
There's the honour of violence on his lips

His father waits for him near the Towers of Silence
Where they worship the fires so long ago quenched
Under two willow trees with elhaz inverted
The fork of life snapped -
There father and son
Will mingle in dust
As if life itself
Has been mostly illusion but partially real
And partially pain

And over some wall
If you look through the rubble
Amongst ruins of churches where life conquers death
Though empires cannot last
Where blood and soil's concepts
Have faltered and failed
A cloud still sows teeth
As the world disappears...

This is a song for Douglas
After he's dead
This is a song for my Douglas
His Mercury dances"



Current 93 - Happy Birthday Pigface Christus


(First verse sung as 'Silent Night'):
"In menstrual night
When red is black
And Christus crawls
From Mary's crack
Wrapped in tatters
And flailing in mud
Child defiled
With tears and blood
Pigface Christus is born
Pigface Christus is born

In menstrual night
When red is black
And darkness crawls
Out of the crack

Some were born
In fields of mourning
Some were ripped
In fields of rape
Some bowed down
In echoed splendour
All were torn
In fields of tears

Crushed by church
And raped by father
Bled by mother
Torn and tearing
In scarlet playgrounds
On iron railways
Christ's pale body
Crucified

Time was
Time is
Time shall be no more

Some with tears
And some with laughter
Some in sadness
All in vain
In fields fresh crippled
The glint of sickles
The scars of sunset
The sound of reaping

You and I
On threshing floors
Lost and losing
Parched and preying
All have numbers
None have names

All have numbers
None have names

Time was
Time is
Time shall be no more

Here open the gates of heaven
Here open the gates of hell

Time was
Time is
Time shall be no more

In menstrual night
We rack and burn in the menstrual night
In menstrual night
We fall asleep in the menstrual night
In menstrual night
We shall return to the menstrual night
In menstrual night
On our knees in the menstrual night"



This is basically one of my favourite songs of all time, and it is christian! That is how good this guy is.


Current 93 - Horsey


"Horses are riding into her arms.
She lost her own way years ago.
Her sister calls her from the far side of night,
And she falls with that call,
It's the only way out.

She tells me "I love you,"
But it's only a game.
So she slips through the silence,
She's fixing a time
To slide back into darkness;
Again with a smile.
"Don't touch me - I'm falling,"
She laughs in the night.
"Don't touch me - I'll return,
When the wheel comes around.
You see we're all born to suffer,
We're all born to fall,
In a grey-shaded world
That calls us to Zero."

Her mothers mouth slits
and her sister lies taken
She touches my body;
But I crouch up to die.
Down the Ramblas we're walking;
In Reykjavik we're talking.
The snow is moon-cold,
The room freezes over.
She's reading a book
She finished it years ago.
She's tearing up papers - she's tearing up life,
But she only starts thinking
When her blood is brown.

And gold is the colour
She promised me she'd wear,
And Christ's blood turns black,
His body she wears.
But she dips him in waters,
Confession of faith.
It's hard to believe you
When you spit in my face.

And I don't want to touch you;
I don't want to lie
In the brownredgold slumber
That you've taken to ride.

I remember I was thinking only of you,
But you shattered me nightly,
You broke all the rules.
I found myself falling,
And then, and then, and then...
Through the wreckage of this parched life
And the pain of the next one
I said, "This is over!
All of this is dust!"
But still the wind calls:
Imperium.

When you rage at the conqueror
You only rage at yourself
When you torture the annointed
You torture yourself!
And you've listened to Pe'ath
But not to the Cross
So you sparkle for seconds
And dissolve into mist
And the fog closes in
And you talk about Crowley
You think it's a game,
But the game is just you!
When will you stop hiding,
In the heart of your nightmare.
When the cold tramways beckon?
When the cold tramways stop?
And christ! I was thinking that you're about to die.
It is blue on the outside; it is blue on the inside.
You said as you buckled, as if you would die:
"There's no point in living...there's no point in life!"
And sometimes I hear you,
At the back of my mind.
And a Golden Dawn opens...
But no light appears.
It closes at ten,
But the time is now midnight.
Oh, I wanted to hold you,
But you're destined to fall."
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minkles

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« Reply #96 on: 05 Sep 2006, 18:28 »

Aesop Rock

Quote
She'd never spoken once throughout the spanning of her life
Until the day she leaned forward, grinned and pulled the nurse aside
And she said:
"Look, I've never had a dream in my life
Because a dream is what you wanna do, but still haven't pursued
I knew what I wanted and did it till it was done
So i've been the dream that I wanted to be since day one!"
Well!
The nurse jumped back,
She'd never heard Lucy even talk,
'Specially words like that
She walked over to the door, and pulled it closed behind
Then Lucy blew a kiss to each one of her pictures
And she died.





Animal Collective

Quote
And my dear dear dear khalana
I talk too much about you
Their ears are getting tired of me singing all the night through
Lets just talk together
You and me and me and you
And if theres nothing much to say
Well, silence is a bore




Alec Ounsworth of Clap Your Hands Say Yeah

Quote
And we can do the zarathustra
We can do the broken fist
We can tear down all the borders
Or abbreviate the list
And when finally the finish line
emerges from the mist we'll sound
a soft alarm




Colin Meloy

Quote
And I say your uncle was a crooked French Canadian
And he was gut-shot running gin
And how his guts were all suspended in his fingers
And how he held 'em
How he held 'em, held 'em in





Spencer Krug
Quote
We've both been very brave
Walk around with both legs
Wait for the scary day
We both pull the tricks out of our sleeves
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books_out_loud

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« Reply #97 on: 11 Sep 2006, 10:27 »

wes eisold:
This is the soundtrack
To saying goodbye
We are making out
With desperate days
So turn the volume up high
(You love it)
God bless repeat - play nights
Heartbreaks and fights
And all the pretty pretty girls
With the tired tired eyes
Sitting out parties
To be with your headphones
Reciting your last words
And writing your last notes


ben nichols:
Smoking the cigarettes more than I should
My hands won't stop shaking and that can't be good
I would forget you if only I could
Think about anything else
Slow dance at the end of the night
And everyone's looking who cares if it's right
Your head on my chest I held you so tight
I don't care what they have to say

paul gonzenbach:
Hello, good evening and goodnight. I’ve stayed too long and said too much.
Hello, good evening and goodnight. It’s far too late for me to say what I
should say to you, or should have said two years ago by now. And so, goodnight.
Hello defeat. It’s been a while... ok, it’s not been that long. You, you’ve
been hiding out in me wasting all your wasted knowlege, wasted on me.
Nothing could ever be easier for me, nothing could feel as good, as saying
goodbye. Yeah, yeah, I could be gone today. I could be miles away by
sunrise.
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soak

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« Reply #98 on: 11 Sep 2006, 21:08 »

Quote from: john darnielle
No Children

I hope that our few remaining friends
give up on trying to save us.
I hope we come out with a fail-safe plot
to piss off the dumb few that forgave us.

I hope the fences we mended
fall down beneath their own weight.
And I hope we hang on past the last exit,
I hope it's already too late.

And I hope the junkyard a few blocks from here
someday burns down.
And I hope the rising black smoke carries me far away,
and I never come back to this town again.

In my life, I hope I lie,
and tell everyone you were a good wife.
And I hope you die,
I hope we both die.

I hope I cut myself shaving tomorrow;
I hope it bleeds all day long.
Our friends say it's darkest before the sun rises;
we're pretty sure they're all wrong.

I hope it stays dark forever,
I hope the worst isn't over.
And I hope you blink before I do,
and I hope I never get sober.

And I hope when you think of me years down the line,
you can't find one good thing to say.
And I'd hope that if I found the strength to walk out,
you'd stay the hell out of my way.

I am drowning.
There is no sign of land.
You are coming down with me,
hand in unlovable hand.

And I hope you die,
I hope we both die.


This song always makes me smile.
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Will

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« Reply #99 on: 11 Sep 2006, 23:34 »

Hooray!  Another Wes Eisold fan on the forum!

I seriously think the lines from AM/PM -
Quote
"my parents fell in love and all I got was life, and all I ever wanted was to not be alone"

and
Quote
"I was counting the good things about this city, the only good thing is that you aren't here"

are some of the best he ever wrote
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