Favorite songs that tell a story

[KenJennings]

Reba McEntrire's version of "Fancy" is really powerful stuff.

 

 

I remember it all very well lookin' back

It was the summer I turned eighteen

We lived in a one room, rundown shack

On the outskirts of New Orleans

We didn't have money for food or rent

To say the least we were hard pressed

Then Mama spent every last penny we had

To buy me a dancin' dress

Mama washed and combed and curled my hair

And she painted my eyes and lips then I stepped into a satin

Dancin' dress that had a split on the side clean up to my hip

It was red velvet trim and it fit me good

Standin' back from the lookin' glass

There stood a woman where a half gown kid had stood

She said here's your one chance Fancy don't let me down

Here's your one chance Fancy don't let me down

Mama dabbed a little bit of perfume on my neck

And she kissed my cheek

Then I saw the tears wellin' up in her troubled eyes

When she started to speak

She looked at a pitiful shack

And then she looked at me and took a ragged breath

She said your Pa's run off and I'm real sick

And the baby's gonna starve to death

She handed me a heart shaped locket that said

"To thine own self be true"

And I shivered as I watched a roach crawl across

The toe of my high heel shoe

It sounded like somebody else that was talkin'

Askin' Mama what do I do

She said just be nice to the gentlemen Fancy

And they'll be nice to you

She said here's your chance Fancy don't let me down

Here's your one chance Fancy don't let me down

Lord forgive me for what I do, but if you want out

Well it's up to you

Now don't let me down you better start movin' uptown

Well, that was the last time I saw my Ma

The night I left that rickety shack

The welfare people came and took the baby

Mama died and I ain't been back

But the wheels of fate had started to turn

And for me there was no way out

And it wasn't very long 'til I knew exactly

What my Mama's been talkin' about

I knew what I had to do but I made myself this solemn vow

That I's gonna be a lady someday

Though I don't know when or how

I couldn't see spending the rest of my life

With my head hung down in shame you know

I might have been born just plain white trash

But Fancy was my name

Here's your one chance Fancy don't let me down

Here's your one chance Fancy don't let me down

It wasn't very long after a benevolent man

Took me off the street

And one week later I was pourin' his tea

In a five room hotel suite

I charmed a king, a congressman

And an occasional aristocrat

Then I got me a Georgia mansion

In an elegant New York townhouse flat

And I ain't done bad

Now in this world there's a lot of self-righteous hypocrite

That would call me bad

And criticize Mama for turning me out

No matter how little we had

But though I ain't had to worry 'bout nothin'

For nigh on fifteen years

I can still hear the desperation in my poor

Mama's voice ringin' in my ear

She said, here's your one chance Fancy don't let me down

Here's your one chance Fancy don't let me down

Lord, forgive me for what I do

But if you want out well it's up to you

Now don't let me down

Your Mama's gonna help you uptown

I guess she did

[Entre_Perpetuo]

The whole Tommy album, but especially Acid Queen, Cousin Kevin, and Do You Think It’s Alright / Fiddle About

[IbanezJem]

Impossible to pin down what or who is the target of Dylan's anger, but I love a revenge song. "Pay In Blood" is a modern classic.

 

Well I'm grinding my life out, steady and sure

Nothing more wretched than what I must endure

I'm drenched in the light that shines from the sun

I could stone you to death for the wrongs that you've done

 

Sooner or later you make a mistake,

I'll put you in a chain that you never will break

Legs and arms and body and bone

I pay in blood, but not my own

 

Night after night, day after day

They strip your useless hopes away

The more I take the more I give

The more I die the more I live

 

I got something in my pocket make your eyeballs swim

I got dogs could tear you limb from limb

I'm circlin' around the southern zone

I pay in blood, but not my own

Low cards are what I've got

 

But I'll play this hand whether I like it or not

I'm sworn to uphold the laws of God

You could put me out in front of a firing squad

 

I've been out and around with the rising men

Just like you, my handsome friend

My head's so hard, must be made of stone

I pay in blood, but not my own

 

Another politician coming out the abyss

Another angry beggar blowing you a kiss

You got the same eyes that your mother does

If only you could prove who your father was

 

Someone must of slipped a drug in your wine

You gulped it down and you've crossed the line

Man can't live by bread alone

I pay in blood, but not my own

 

How I made it back home, nobody knows

Or how I survived so many blows

I've been through Hell, What good did it do?

You bastard! I'm supposed to respect you!

 

I'll give you justice, I'll fathom your purse

Show me your moral that you reversed

Hear me holler, hear me moan

I pay in blood but not my own

 

You get your lover in the bed

Come here I'll break your lousy head

Our nation must be saved and freed

You've been accused of murder, how do you plead?

 

This is how I spend my days

I came to bury, not to raise

I'll drink my fill and sleep alone

I play in blood, but not my own

Edited May 2, 2019 by IbanezJem

[Amps211]

Johnny's Camero - David Wilcox

 

Early on in his career David used to make up little stories, and sometimes even raps, to get the attention of his audience. He found that they would listen to him tell stories, and once he had their attention, he'd be able to get them to pay closer attention to his songs. This song came out of one of those stories. I really like it. It's ultimately about growing as a person, and ultimately outgrowing a relationship. Check it out if you have 9 minutes sometime.

 

 

"Can I have another quarter?" he said.

"What?"

"Can I have another quarter?"

"Why?" she said.

"Uh, I dropped it, " he said.

"Sure, " she said, and she handed him another quarter.

And he reached out of the window there, and dropped it in the toll basket.

Up comes the gate, and out comes...

Johnny's camero, Johnny's camero

Johnny loved his camero, maybe more than life itself.

Oh it was no big deal, he was just taking her to the airport.

It was autumn in New York City,

There was a wind a lot like this.

It was springtime however, in Africa.

She'd been saving up her money.

She was going to go on one of these outward bound trips,

So he was just giving her a ride to the airport.

And around and around the airport they went,

Through that parking garage, looking for a parking space.

"There's one, " she said.

"No."

"There's one, " she said.

"No."

You see, actually it takes two parking spaces...

for Johnny's camero, Johnny's camero

He's a little nervous walking through the airport.

He's always looking back over his shoulder.

"You can go back if you want, " she said.

"No, no man, I'll stay."

And he did. He stayed until the plane took off.

Then he ran back.

But meanwhile, she was high up over the city.

She was looking down.

She was looking down at the lights of the buildings.

She was looking down at the lights of the boats on the water.

She was looking down at the lights.

You could see them crossing the bridges,

And through the little canyon streets.

Little tiny, diamond toward you and ruby away.

You know, those little tiny moving lights.

And she knew that one of them was... well you know.

Man, I've got to tell you about the adventure she had in Africa.

I think I should start with the silver bracelet,

I think that's where it all turns around.

She hadn't been on the trip long and one of the guides sort of

Took her under his wing.

'Cause she was sort of startled easy,

She was a little nervous about being out there.

The first time she got sunburned through her hat

She realized she was a long way from being home.

She had just left the group for a little while one day,

She had just went to take a pee,

She said "I'll be right back, " but she didn't come back for awhile.

And this guide, this African man went to look for her.

"Laura! Laura?"

He found her standing on the lowest branch of a fairly tall tree,

Way off the ground."

"How you get up there?"

Well she had jumped.

"Why?"

Well there was a hyena, and they had told her about hyenas.

They have jaws that can crush bone.

She wasn't in a really confident position anyway,

And she just ran, and there was the branch.

She jumped - one hand slipped, one hand held.

She was not coming down.

"He's gone."

So now she trusted him, and she swings back down

And both arms straight, hanging from that branch,

Her feet are four feet off the ground.

Man, she didn't know she could jump that high.

Ah, but she does now.

It was changes like that that made him give her that silver bracelet.

It was the one that he'd always wear kind of between his elbow

And his shoulder, kind of wrapped tight around his arm.

It was a beautiful silver bracelet, and he bent it down to fit around

Her muscle there and she smiled.

So much so that it startled him.

So much so that on the last day of that trip, when they were getting

Back on the bus to go to the small airport to go to the big airport

To go across the ocean to go back to... you know,

When they were getting back on the bus and she leaned out the window

For that last little cheesecake snapshot

And as he looked through the camera, he had to slowly take the camera

Down, and turn his head to the side a little bit, look a little bit

Sad and say

"How you get up there?"

She was dreaming over the ocean

Dreaming of being home again

Dreaming over the ocean

Of what would never be the same.

Well he wasn't at the gate when she got into the airport.

He must have been looking for a parking space.

So she just walked through the airport, you know,

And it wasn't like before.

Now the airport seemed kind of small.

The airport seemed kind of stuffy, ceiling was a little bit low.

And everyone was getting out of her way.

I don't know - well, actually I do know.

Maybe it was because it had been winter, you see,

And she had just come back from summer.

And she was just dressed normally. Everyone else was bundled up,

But she had on her hiking boots and shorts and tank top,

Hair tied back, and a knife on her belt, and a big old silver bracelet,

I think it was the silver bracelet,

But everybody was getting out of her way.

She didn't see him 'til the backpack comes rolling down the

Old baggage claim, and suddenly there's this arm

And this voice saying, "I'll get that."

And she says, "Hey, that's my backpack, gimme it. Where you parked?"

So he reluctantly gave her the backpack,

And she swung it over her shoulder

And they went out and carefully nestled it in the trunk

And then, out of the parking garage and into the city.

And she had to lean out the window,

She pushed the button and made the window go down

And she leaned out a little bit to feel the wind in her hair.

Man, this is the wild place to be.

I mean, this is the place,

She has to lean a little further out of the car just to

Just to see it all, just to look up at some of the buildings.

As a matter of fact, she leaned a little farther back

So she could look back behind

And watch those big tires rolling on that pavement,

And then suddenly the window came back up

And she comes back in, startled

And sure enough Johnny's got his finger on the power...

...the power... the power window.

And he's looking at her like,

"Will you get your feet off the upholstery!"

The upholstery, the upholstery. She forgot. How could she forget?

Well, she'd been in Africa, come on.

She took her feet off the upholstery.

As a matter of fact, she took her feet off the upholstery politely.

As a matter of fact, she folded her hands in her lap

And she settled in for this ride.

I saw just a glint of a smile as she turned her face to one side.

Maybe to feel the plush upholstery brush against her cheek.

Maybe to see the lights of the graphic equalizer on the stereo

Reflected in the side window.

Maybe to watch that lone drop of water make its weary way across

That perfectly waxed surface.

But I think it was just to enjoy this ride...

This ride...

This last ride...

in Johnny's camero, Johnny's camero.

Edited May 2, 2019 by Amps211

[The Cat 3]

Queen - The Prophet Song

 

 

Oh oh people of the earth

Listen to the warning

The Seer he said

Beware the storm that gathers here

Listen to the wise man

 

I dreamed I saw on a moonlit stair

Spreading his hands on the multitude there

A man who cried for a love gone stale

And ice cold hearts of charity bare

I watched as fear took the old men's gaze

 

Hopes of the young in troubled graves

I see no day, I heard him say

So grey is the face of every mortal

Oh oh people of the earth

Listen to the warning

The prophet he said

For soon the cold of night will fall

Summoned by your own hand

 

Oh oh children of the land

Quicken to the new life

Take my hand

Oh, fly and find the new green bough

Return like the white dove

 

He told of death as a bone white haze

Taking the lost and the unloved babe

Late, too late, all the wretches run

These kings of beasts now counting their days

From mother's love is the son estranged

Married his own his precious gain

The earth will shake in two will break

And death all around will be your dow'ry

 

Oh oh people of the earth

Listen to the warning, the seer, he said

For those who hear and mark my words

Listen to the good plan

 

Oh oh oh oh and two by two my human zoo

They'll be

Running for to come

Running for to come

Out of the rain

Oh, flee for your life

Who heed me not, let all your treasure make you

 

Oh, fear for your life

Deceive you not the fires of hell will take you

Should death await you

 

Oh, oh, people can you hear me (oh, oh, people can you hear me)

(Oh, oh, people can you hear me)

And now I know (now I know) (now I know)

And now I know (now I know) (now I know)

Now I know that you can hear me (now I know that you can hear me)

And now I know (now I know) (now I know)

Now I know (now I know) (now I know)

Now I know (now I know) (now I know)

Now I know (now I know) (now I know)

 

The Earth will shake in two will break in two will

Shake in two will break in two

Doubts all around around around around around around around around

 

Now I know (now I know) (now I know)

Now I know (now I know) (now I know)

Now I know (now I know) (now I know)

Now I know (now I know) (now I know)

Wow ooh wow ooh wow ooh wow ooh wow ooh wow ooh wow ooh wow ooh

Listen to the wise (listen to the wise) (listen to the wise)

Listen to the wise (listen to the wise) (listen to the wise)

Listen to the wise man (listen to the wise man) (listen to the wise man)

 

Laa laa la la la la laa laa (laa laa la la la la laa laa)

La la la la laa laa (la la la la laa laa)

La la la la laa laa (la la la la laa laa)

La la la la laa laa (la la la la laa laa)

La la la la laa laa (la la la la laa laa)

La la la la laa laa (la la la la laa laa)

La la la la laa laa (la la la la laa laa)

La la laa laa (la la laa laa)

La la laa laa (la la laa laa)

La la (la la)

La la (la la)

La la (la la)

 

Come here (come here)

I you come here (I you come here)

I you come here (I you come here)

I you (ah)

Aah (ah)

Aha (aha)

Aah (ah)

Aha (aha)

 

Listen to the mad (listen to the mad)

Listen to the man (listen to the man)

Listen to the mad (listen to the mad)

Listen to the mad man (listen to the mad man)

 

God give you the grace to purge this place

And peace all around may be your fortune

Oh oh children of the land

Love is still the answer, take my hand

The vision fades, a voice I hear

Listen to the madman

Oh, but still I fear and still I dare not

Laugh at the madman

 

Data From: LyricFind

See fewer lyrics

[The Cat 3]

Kris Kristofferson - Here Comes That Rainbow Again

 

The scene was a small roadside cafe

The waitress was sweepin' the floor

Two truck-drivers drinkin' their coffee

And two okie-kids by the door

 

How much are them candies, they asked her

How much have you got, she replied

We've only a penny between us

Them's two for a penny, she lied

 

Chorus:

And the daylight grew heavy with thunder

And the smell of the rain on the wind

Ain't it just like a human

Here comes that rainbow again

 

One truckdriver called to the waitress

After the kids went outside

Them candies ain't two for a penny

So what's it to you, she replied

 

In silence they finished their coffee

Got up and nodded godbye

She called, hey, you left too much money

So what's it to you, they replied

 

Chorus:

And the daylight grew heavy with thunder

And the smell of the rain on the wind

Ain't it just like a human

Here comes that rainbow again

[Lurkst]

[Entre_Perpetuo]

David Bowie - Ziggy Stardust

[Rutlefan]

Kris Kristofferson (what a great song that is) reminds me of Leonard Cohen, as Kris once said that he wants his tombstone to read "Like a bird on the wire, like a drunk in a midnight choir, I have tried in my way to be free."

 

Sisters of Mercy:

 

Oh the sisters of mercy, they are not departed or gone.

They were waiting for me when I thought that I just can't go on.

And they brought me their comfort and later they brought me this song.

Oh I hope you run into them, you who've been travelling so long.

 

Yes you who must leave everything that you cannot control.

It begins with your family, but soon it comes around to your soul.

Well I've been where you're hanging, I think I can see how you're pinned:

When you're not feeling holy, your loneliness says that you've sinned.

 

Well they lay down beside me, I made my confession to them.

They touched both my eyes and I touched the dew on their hem.

If your life is a leaf that the seasons tear off and condemn

They will bind you with love that is graceful and green as a stem.

 

When I left they were sleeping, I hope you run into them soon.

Don't turn on the lights, you can read their address by the moon.

And you won't make me jealous if I hear that they sweetened your night:

We weren't lovers like that and besides it would still be all right,

We weren't lovers like that and besides it would still be all right.

Edited May 2, 2019 by Rutlefan

[goose]

Dixie Chicks - Travelin' Soldier

[laughedatbytime]

Beth - kiss

Christine Sixteen

[laughedatbytime]

Beth - kiss

Christine Sixteen

I

 

Seriously, though, Detroit Rock City

[Principled Man]

Pretty Little One - Steve Martin (With a surprise end to the story - so pay attention!! )

 

[goose]

In a similar vein, here's Johnny Be Fair:

 

Well, Johnny be fine and Johnny be fair he wants me for to wed

And I would marry Johnny, but my father up and said,

“I’m sorry to tell you daughter what your mother never knew

But Johnny he’s a son of mine, so he’s kin to you.”

 

Well, Willie be fine and Willie be fair he wants me for to wed

And I would marry Willie, but my father up and said,

“I’m sorry to tell you daughter what your mother never knew

But Willie he’s a son of mine, so he’s kin to you.”

 

Well, Jimmy be fine and Jimmy be fair he wants me for to wed

And I would marry Jimmy, but my father up and said,

“I’m sorry to tell you daughter what your mother never knew

But Jimmy he’s a son of mine, so he’s kin to you.”

 

Well, never was there a girl so sad and sorry as I was

The boys in town, they’re all my kin and my father is the cause!

I will not be contented for to die a single miss

I think I’ll go to mother and complain to her of this.

 

“Well, daughter, haven’t I taught you to forgive and to forget?

So, your father sowed his oats, oh still you should not fret.

Your father may be the cause of all the boys in town, but still…..

He’s not the one who sired you so marry who you will.”

[driventotheedge]

Bryan Adams - Summer of '69

[driventotheedge]

Lynyrd Skynyrd - Gimme Three Steps

[The Cat 3]

Brian Setzer - Hennepin Bridge Song

 

Father Hennepin went down to Bennigan's

To discuss the construction of the Hennepin Bridge

He had time to kill down by the flour mill

So he planned a picnic lunch on St Anthony Main

 

Now Father Hennepin he was notorious

And he liked a little drunk down at Nye's Polanaise

His explorations were more than glorious

So they planned to build a bridge that would feature his name

 

Well, first Niagara and then St Anthony's

Were discovered by the fella with the Hennepin name

But when the lock was filled on the lower falls

Eveyone was shoppin' on the Nicollet Mall

 

And when the rope was cut on the Hennepin

Father Louis had a most unusual plan

He would take a dip in the Mississippi

He would dive from the centre and swim to the dam

 

When the time had come and he took the plunge

Everyone screamed: "My God, what has he done"

And though he tried to swim, the current carried him

Closer and closer to the brink of the falls

 

The people lined the banks of the Mississippi

To watch Father Hennepin go over the edge

The people there that day, they all swear they say

Father Hennepin was laughin' as he fell to his death

 

[goose]

"Country Death Song", bu the Violent Femmes. Very dark, but very good.

[Lurkst]

 

[Lurkst]

 

[laughedatbytime]

http://youtu.be/oXNebt4EmkQ

Charity, Chastity, Prudence and Hope from the same album

[Entre_Perpetuo]

In Only Seven Days - Queen

[laughedatbytime]

"Country Death Song", bu the Violent Femmes. Very dark, but very good.

See post #58 for the link to the song.

[driventotheedge]

Jim Croce - Bad Bad Leroy Brown

Don Henley - Boys of Summer

David Bowie - Space Oddity

Janis Joplin - Me and Bobby McGee (written by Kris Kristofferson)

Jeannie C. Riley - Harper Valley PTA (written by Tom T. Hall)

Bob Seger - Roll Me Away

Chuck Berry - My Ding-A-Ling..................

Edited May 3, 2019 by driventotheedge

[driventotheedge]

................and easily one of my all-time favorite story songs and I can't believe it hasn't been mentioned yet............

 

 

Meat Loaf - Paradise By The Dashboard Light

 

 

 

".........and now I'm paryin' for the end of time, to hurry up and arrive........"