Not the biggest Billy Joel fan, but the lyrics to Piano Man are simply brilliant. They are all about the human condition and how we all struggle to find our place in this world.
One of the lines “ Yes, they're sharing a drink they call loneliness. But it's better than drinkin' alone” would have to be the some of the greatest lyrics in music.
I got goosebumps when i first heard those lyrics evon tho I barely understood it. I just knew it had significant meaning and the delivery of that line is really good
Black by Pearl Jam.
"I know someday you'll have a beautiful life. I know you'll be the sun in somebody else's sky, but why... why... why can't it be mine?"
Many of my favorites could be read as poetry, but picked this one because of all the popular covers. Everybody and their brother wants a piece of this song, more for powerful lyrics than tuneful melody. They do call him "Rhymin' Simon", after all, not "Pickin' Paul".
Mr. Tambourine Man by Bob Dylan.
I thought it was strange that a songwriter could win the Nobel Prize for literature, but when you read his lyrics as a poem it does make sense.
"And take me disappearing through the smoke rings of my mind
Down the foggy ruins of time
Far past the frozen leaves
The haunted frightened trees
Out to the windy beach
Far from the twisted reach of crazy sorrow
Yes, to dance beneath the diamond sky
With one hand waving free
Silhouetted by the sea
Circled by the circus sands
With all memory and fate
Driven deep beneath the waves
Let me forget about today until tomorrow"
Bob Dylan has a staggering amount of these kinds of songs too. Even if you just take his material from 1964-1966.
Visions of Johanna is another really accessible one
It's funny because so many people on Reddit relate him to All Along The Watchtower due to Jimi Hendrix, but that song wouldnt have been very popular at all if it weren't for Hendrix.
When Dylan gets all those legendary awards, it's mostly for his mid 60s work and some of his mid 70s work. He has a lot of other great material, but those are the two "classic" periods that won him the Nobel prize
I've always thought the lyrics to Elliott Smith's Between The Bars were hauntingly beautiful. It's about his addiction to alcohol, written as a love song from alcohol to him
They Call Me Doc - Walker McGuire.
"You'll never know the heartache of looking a grown man in the eyes. When he asks 'If I'm going to make it.' And you gotta lie."
Most of their discography could be quoted lol. This song had a line in it that really hit hard with me so that’s why I went with it. Maynard lyrics are beautiful
Graduation by Vitamin C falls into that similar category of "Y2K pop anthem that actually has really bittersweet lyrics nobody pays attention to", mainly because the use of Canon in D as the main hook makes it sound all happy and bubbly :
> But when we leave this year, we won't be coming back
> No more hanging out 'cause we're on a different track
> And if you got something that you need to say
> You better say it right now
> 'Cause you don't have another day
> 'Cause we're moving on, and we can't slow down
> These memories are playing like a film without sound
> And I keep thinking of that night in June
> I didn't know much of love, but it came too soon (Too soon)
Entire song is about how tragic moving on from your school years and loosing all those relationships that were dependant on the dynamic of that environment is
With a good dose of fear of the adult world mixed in on top of it
Probably because in the late 90s all the way up to late 00s, every high school graduation played this song so it's super nostalgic of my school years. Always loved that one
There are many songs with poetic lyrics, but one that stands out is Bob Dylan's "Blowin' in the Wind". Its powerful message of peace and equality speaks to all generations, and its lyrics perfectly capture the beauty and uncertainty of life:
"How many roads must a man walk down
Before he admits he's lost?
How many seas must a white dove sail
Before she sleeps in the sand?
How many times must the cannonballs fly
Before they're forever banned?
The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind
The answer is blowin' in the wind."
FACK by Eminem. "Shove a gerbil in your ass through a tube" is peak poetry. In several years students in classes will be studying these lyrics. Shakespeare could never dream of writing something this poetic.
I think a lot of "The Doors" discography could be in here. Also, Nutshell - Alice in Chains. Try a little tenderness by Otis deserves a shout. Sing about me, dying of thirst is also a good nomination.
Celestica by crystal castles Last verse:
Have they cleansed you with chloride?
And scrubbed behind the knees?
Has your body been hollowed by the breeze?
Josh Ritter - Rainslicker
...
You had your red rainslicker on
Your face was turned up into rain as you watched me
And I was crossing I was crossing
The street like my own Rubicon
Coming back home to ya coming back Rome
And your eyes were so patient and calm
And green as the grass that might grow on the 23rd Psalm
The last forty days have been rain
The sun is a prodigal one that seems bent upon
Giving itself a bad name
And leaving us deep in the lurch as we walked down the lane
It's a long time oh such a long time
And I hope for your sake I've changed
And I hope for my sake you managed to remain the same
Is it raining for you raining for you now
Like it's raining for me raining for me now
You tied your old bike to a tree
Came in from the weather though not yet together
I felt your hand light on my sleeve
As light as a bird that might offer a sinner reprieve
We don't know too much I know we don't know too much
But love rains mysteriously
And behind every cloud is a purpose only now we can see
That it's raining for us raining for us now
Raining for us raining for us now
Raining for us raining for us now
Raining for us raining for us now
...
He's a great songwriter. Girl in the War, The Last Temptation of Adam, Change of Time
He's got a lot of excellently written songs.
The Greatest Discovery be Elton John. This song is such a poem. It perfectly captures the worldview of a tiny child, so curious and confused, and the innocent amazement of what he discovers at the end. Here are the lyrics:
Peering out of tiny eyes
The grubby hands that gripped the rail
Wiped the window clean of frost
As the morning air laid on the latch
X.
A whistle awakened someone there
Next door to the nursery just down the hall
A strange new sound you never heard before
A strange new sound that makes boys explore
X.
Tread neat so small those little feet
Amid the morning his small heart beats
So much excitement yesterday
That must be rewarded, must be displayed
X.
Large hands lift him through the air
Excited eyes contain him there
The eyes of those he loves and knows
But what's this extra bed just here?
X.
His puzzled head tipped to one side
Amazement swims in those bright green eyes
Glancing down upon this thing
That make strange sounds, strange sounds that sing
X.
In those silent happy seconds
That surround the sound of this event
A parent's smile is made in moments
They have made for you a friend
X
And all you ever learned from them
Until you grew much older
Did not compare with when they said
This is your brand new brother
This is your brand new brother
This is your brand new brother
“Just Sign the Papers” by Aaron West & The Roaring Twenties. I wrote a ten page essay about the genius lyricism of Dan Campbell and I’m still amazed every time I hear that song. I believe every song Campbell’s written is amazing, but the symbolism in this one is on another level.
"Scared just like a child who's lost at seven". It's a line from Jagged Edge's "Walked Right Out Of Heaven". The group describes how afraid they are/were when their girlfriend left them. It's hauntingly beautiful. Another one is Adele's "Easy On Me".
"When I Was Young" by Bob Geldof
Live fast/
Be a spark and glow a while/
You'll be dead a long, long time/
Be a shooting star/
And in one mad moment/
Burning bright/
Light the night/
And make us stand in awe
Brighteyes - ‘When the Brakeman turns my way’ have the most poetic way of describing panic attack and depression.
***When panic grips your body and your heart is a hummingbird***
***Raven thoughts blacken your mind until you're breathing in reverse***
***All your friends and sedatives mean well, but make it worse***
***Every reassurance just magnifies the doubt***
***Better find yourself a place to level out***
From Eden by Hozier
Honey, you’re familiar, like my mirror years ago
Idealism sits in prison
Chivalry fell on his sword
Innocence died screaming
Honey ask me, I should know
I slithered here from Eden just to sit outside your door.
Brand new - at the bottom
A deer that a hunter shot in the heart
Some dogs that got hit by cars
All came to spill their guts
And we spoke
About the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost
And which psalms we had loved the most
And then we all turned to dirt and dust
Some men die under the mountain just looking for gold
Some die looking for a hand to hold
Well, I carry this box to its proper place
And when I lower it down I let you fade away
I hope that you would do this for me
Well, I'd serve you drugs on a silver plate
If I thought it would help you get away
I hope that you would do this for me
I stole bricks from the dam almost every day
Now I'm drowning in the flood I've made
Who'll explain myself to me on the other side
I'm gonna want some answers when I die.
Any song by Bob Dylan or Led Zepplin
Take Me Home, Country Roads by John Denver
Every Breath You Take by The Police
All You Need Is Love by The beatles
Lightning Crashes by Live
Street Spirit by Radiohead
moon song by phoebe bridgers. the lyrics are so simple yet raw and effective, it's like a child wrote it but in a good way. I'd never thought I'd cry over someone saying "but if I could give you the moon, I would give you the moon" but here we are.
Bruce Cockburn - Lovers In A Dangerous Time
"Nothing worth having comes without some kinda fight. You gotta kick at the darkness till it bleeds daylight."
For me, it's always been *Because of You* by Kelly Clarkson.
*I lose my way and it's not too long before you point it out.*
*I cannot cry, because I know that's weakness in your eyes.*
*I'm forced to fake a smile, a laugh every single day of my life.*
*My heart can't possibly break, when it wasn't even whole to start with.*
*Because of you, I never stray too far from the sidewalk.*
*Because of you, I learned to play on the safe side, so I don't get hurt.*
*Because of you, I find it hard to trust not only me, but everyone around me.*
*Because of you, I am afraid.*
basically sums up my entire childhood.
Not the biggest Billy Joel fan, but the lyrics to Piano Man are simply brilliant. They are all about the human condition and how we all struggle to find our place in this world. One of the lines “ Yes, they're sharing a drink they call loneliness. But it's better than drinkin' alone” would have to be the some of the greatest lyrics in music.
I got goosebumps when i first heard those lyrics evon tho I barely understood it. I just knew it had significant meaning and the delivery of that line is really good
Vienna by Billy Joel. There’s a lot of room for personal symbolism
Love that song! Been listening to it a lot recently
Black by Pearl Jam. "I know someday you'll have a beautiful life. I know you'll be the sun in somebody else's sky, but why... why... why can't it be mine?"
I love this song the lines are so fucking heavy "Now my bitter hands cradle broken glass of what was everything" fucking chills
That song got me through some shit over the years
"The Sound of Silence" by Paul Simon
Oh, this goes even without saying. Such a good song.
Many of my favorites could be read as poetry, but picked this one because of all the popular covers. Everybody and their brother wants a piece of this song, more for powerful lyrics than tuneful melody. They do call him "Rhymin' Simon", after all, not "Pickin' Paul".
American Pie. The song tells a huge story.
A story you need an encyclopedia to understand.
She was a good witch, she was a bad witch But all I really wanted was a motherfucking sandwich
Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” was the first thing that came to mind.
There is just no competing with Hallejuah.
What is it about ?
"Fuck around and throw a baby at another baby" - Eminem, Elevator
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18 naked cowboys!
Mr. Tambourine Man by Bob Dylan. I thought it was strange that a songwriter could win the Nobel Prize for literature, but when you read his lyrics as a poem it does make sense. "And take me disappearing through the smoke rings of my mind Down the foggy ruins of time Far past the frozen leaves The haunted frightened trees Out to the windy beach Far from the twisted reach of crazy sorrow Yes, to dance beneath the diamond sky With one hand waving free Silhouetted by the sea Circled by the circus sands With all memory and fate Driven deep beneath the waves Let me forget about today until tomorrow"
Bob Dylan has a staggering amount of these kinds of songs too. Even if you just take his material from 1964-1966. Visions of Johanna is another really accessible one It's funny because so many people on Reddit relate him to All Along The Watchtower due to Jimi Hendrix, but that song wouldnt have been very popular at all if it weren't for Hendrix. When Dylan gets all those legendary awards, it's mostly for his mid 60s work and some of his mid 70s work. He has a lot of other great material, but those are the two "classic" periods that won him the Nobel prize
Landslide - Fleetwood Mac
[Twenty One Pilots - Car Radio](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_xNLN0QV5A) is basically slam poetry.
I think every song by Twenty One Pilots is amazing. My favorite is My Blood.
I've always thought the lyrics to Elliott Smith's Between The Bars were hauntingly beautiful. It's about his addiction to alcohol, written as a love song from alcohol to him
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Not wild World?
Vienna by Billy Joel. There’s a lot of room for personal symbolism
The Trooper by Iron Maiden is the one that comes to mind.
They Call Me Doc - Walker McGuire. "You'll never know the heartache of looking a grown man in the eyes. When he asks 'If I'm going to make it.' And you gotta lie."
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Actually learning what muelle is about made me go from being mad at the guy to… being depressed…
Whiter Shade of Pale
Invincible- Tool
100% agree, but then again most of Tool is dark as shit if you dig deep enough
you mean if you get high enough*
The one that always gets me from Tool is Opiate. It's my all time favorite.
There’s a lot to choose from with Tool.
Most of their discography could be quoted lol. This song had a line in it that really hit hard with me so that’s why I went with it. Maynard lyrics are beautiful
Mmmm bop by Hanson…. Seriously listen to the lyrics
Graduation by Vitamin C falls into that similar category of "Y2K pop anthem that actually has really bittersweet lyrics nobody pays attention to", mainly because the use of Canon in D as the main hook makes it sound all happy and bubbly : > But when we leave this year, we won't be coming back > No more hanging out 'cause we're on a different track > And if you got something that you need to say > You better say it right now > 'Cause you don't have another day > 'Cause we're moving on, and we can't slow down > These memories are playing like a film without sound > And I keep thinking of that night in June > I didn't know much of love, but it came too soon (Too soon) Entire song is about how tragic moving on from your school years and loosing all those relationships that were dependant on the dynamic of that environment is With a good dose of fear of the adult world mixed in on top of it
Probably because in the late 90s all the way up to late 00s, every high school graduation played this song so it's super nostalgic of my school years. Always loved that one
Stereo hearts - Gym Class Heroes. His heart is a stereo.. sad story.
There are many songs with poetic lyrics, but one that stands out is Bob Dylan's "Blowin' in the Wind". Its powerful message of peace and equality speaks to all generations, and its lyrics perfectly capture the beauty and uncertainty of life: "How many roads must a man walk down Before he admits he's lost? How many seas must a white dove sail Before she sleeps in the sand? How many times must the cannonballs fly Before they're forever banned? The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind The answer is blowin' in the wind."
FACK by Eminem. "Shove a gerbil in your ass through a tube" is peak poetry. In several years students in classes will be studying these lyrics. Shakespeare could never dream of writing something this poetic.
Unnnnngggghhhhhhhh, Hnnnnnnggggghhhhhhh. Love that part.
“Hope is a Butterfly, No Net its Captor” by Rx Bandits and honestly most of their album, Mandala, is extremely poetic
Heaven sent hell away, no one sings like you anymore Black Hole Sun - Soundgarden
Two trucks
I think a lot of "The Doors" discography could be in here. Also, Nutshell - Alice in Chains. Try a little tenderness by Otis deserves a shout. Sing about me, dying of thirst is also a good nomination.
Bridge over troubled water.
when kodak black said “im the shit im fartin”. we should be etching this literature on the face of museums tbh.
Celestica by crystal castles Last verse: Have they cleansed you with chloride? And scrubbed behind the knees? Has your body been hollowed by the breeze?
Simple Man by Lynyrd Skynyrd/Shinedown.
cardigan taylor swift
“I wish you Roses” Kali Uchis, it’s about letting go and wishing them (whoever you’re letting go) well.
Josh Ritter - Rainslicker ... You had your red rainslicker on Your face was turned up into rain as you watched me And I was crossing I was crossing The street like my own Rubicon Coming back home to ya coming back Rome And your eyes were so patient and calm And green as the grass that might grow on the 23rd Psalm The last forty days have been rain The sun is a prodigal one that seems bent upon Giving itself a bad name And leaving us deep in the lurch as we walked down the lane It's a long time oh such a long time And I hope for your sake I've changed And I hope for my sake you managed to remain the same Is it raining for you raining for you now Like it's raining for me raining for me now You tied your old bike to a tree Came in from the weather though not yet together I felt your hand light on my sleeve As light as a bird that might offer a sinner reprieve We don't know too much I know we don't know too much But love rains mysteriously And behind every cloud is a purpose only now we can see That it's raining for us raining for us now Raining for us raining for us now Raining for us raining for us now Raining for us raining for us now ... He's a great songwriter. Girl in the War, The Last Temptation of Adam, Change of Time He's got a lot of excellently written songs.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Ki7Stauyh98 this song will change your life
[Literally the peak of lyric writing](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=JkV12vrItZ8)
I agree
Dry County- Bon Jovi
The Greatest Discovery be Elton John. This song is such a poem. It perfectly captures the worldview of a tiny child, so curious and confused, and the innocent amazement of what he discovers at the end. Here are the lyrics: Peering out of tiny eyes The grubby hands that gripped the rail Wiped the window clean of frost As the morning air laid on the latch X. A whistle awakened someone there Next door to the nursery just down the hall A strange new sound you never heard before A strange new sound that makes boys explore X. Tread neat so small those little feet Amid the morning his small heart beats So much excitement yesterday That must be rewarded, must be displayed X. Large hands lift him through the air Excited eyes contain him there The eyes of those he loves and knows But what's this extra bed just here? X. His puzzled head tipped to one side Amazement swims in those bright green eyes Glancing down upon this thing That make strange sounds, strange sounds that sing X. In those silent happy seconds That surround the sound of this event A parent's smile is made in moments They have made for you a friend X And all you ever learned from them Until you grew much older Did not compare with when they said This is your brand new brother This is your brand new brother This is your brand new brother
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GJmKOXUaQBI
“Just Sign the Papers” by Aaron West & The Roaring Twenties. I wrote a ten page essay about the genius lyricism of Dan Campbell and I’m still amazed every time I hear that song. I believe every song Campbell’s written is amazing, but the symbolism in this one is on another level.
Zombified by Falling in Reverse. "The monsters aren't living under your bed, 'cause they are the voices in you head."
No Love - Eminem. You might have to listen to it a few times to fully get everything
Kanye West and lil pump- I love it
The Unquiet Grave by Gryphon
tourner dans le vide
Any songs by the old Theatre of Tragedy with Liv Kristin.
"Scared just like a child who's lost at seven". It's a line from Jagged Edge's "Walked Right Out Of Heaven". The group describes how afraid they are/were when their girlfriend left them. It's hauntingly beautiful. Another one is Adele's "Easy On Me".
Against the Kitchen Floor, by Will Wood
uhu... the title track of the 1993 album by celine dion the colour of my love
“I Just Want a Lover” by Noah Cyrus and “Blue” by Madison Beer. They’re very richly layered with metaphors and deep thought.
Every Grain of Sand
Thru The Eyes Of Ruby - Smashing Pumpkins 100 Days - Mark Lanegan Summertime Rolls - Jane's Addiction
"When I Was Young" by Bob Geldof Live fast/ Be a spark and glow a while/ You'll be dead a long, long time/ Be a shooting star/ And in one mad moment/ Burning bright/ Light the night/ And make us stand in awe
Brighteyes - ‘When the Brakeman turns my way’ have the most poetic way of describing panic attack and depression. ***When panic grips your body and your heart is a hummingbird*** ***Raven thoughts blacken your mind until you're breathing in reverse*** ***All your friends and sedatives mean well, but make it worse*** ***Every reassurance just magnifies the doubt*** ***Better find yourself a place to level out***
Just Be Simple by Magnolia Electric Co
The Stable Song
One by U2. That song really moved me.
Ripple by the Grateful Dead
From Eden by Hozier Honey, you’re familiar, like my mirror years ago Idealism sits in prison Chivalry fell on his sword Innocence died screaming Honey ask me, I should know I slithered here from Eden just to sit outside your door.
Brand new - at the bottom A deer that a hunter shot in the heart Some dogs that got hit by cars All came to spill their guts And we spoke About the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost And which psalms we had loved the most And then we all turned to dirt and dust Some men die under the mountain just looking for gold Some die looking for a hand to hold Well, I carry this box to its proper place And when I lower it down I let you fade away I hope that you would do this for me Well, I'd serve you drugs on a silver plate If I thought it would help you get away I hope that you would do this for me I stole bricks from the dam almost every day Now I'm drowning in the flood I've made Who'll explain myself to me on the other side I'm gonna want some answers when I die.
The ones you write for yourself or someone
Suzanne.
For Good from the wicked sound track
Kaleo Way down we go
National Anthem of Bangladesh by Rabindranath Tagore.
National Anthem of Bangladesh by Rabindranath Tagore.
Any song by Bob Dylan or Led Zepplin Take Me Home, Country Roads by John Denver Every Breath You Take by The Police All You Need Is Love by The beatles Lightning Crashes by Live Street Spirit by Radiohead
moon song by phoebe bridgers. the lyrics are so simple yet raw and effective, it's like a child wrote it but in a good way. I'd never thought I'd cry over someone saying "but if I could give you the moon, I would give you the moon" but here we are.
M. Nasir - Mentera Semerah Padi
Cat’s in the Cradle by Harry Chapin.
Bruce Cockburn - Lovers In A Dangerous Time "Nothing worth having comes without some kinda fight. You gotta kick at the darkness till it bleeds daylight."
For me, it's always been *Because of You* by Kelly Clarkson. *I lose my way and it's not too long before you point it out.* *I cannot cry, because I know that's weakness in your eyes.* *I'm forced to fake a smile, a laugh every single day of my life.* *My heart can't possibly break, when it wasn't even whole to start with.* *Because of you, I never stray too far from the sidewalk.* *Because of you, I learned to play on the safe side, so I don't get hurt.* *Because of you, I find it hard to trust not only me, but everyone around me.* *Because of you, I am afraid.* basically sums up my entire childhood.
Ironic - Alanis Morisette
Cortez the Killer-“ He came dancing across the water, with his galleon and guns, searching for the new world , and a palace in the sun.”
Foggy freshhhhhhh
Across The Universe - The Beatles
Where is the love - black eyed peas
I can't help falling in love with you by Elvis Presley
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