The Greatest Ever Song Lyrics

[Rainmaster 7]

Richard Ashcroft - On A Beach (I totally dig this song...)

Can't go too far wrong with Ashcroft. I'll have to check that one out.

[Kopite Girl 0]

Can't go too far wrong with Ashcroft. I'll have to check that one out.

Do, Georgie. While you're there check out "You On My Mind In My Sleep" awesome song... Ashcroft was possibly one of a handful of singer/songwriters who at a time of madness showed his class by sticking to what he loved best - writing music. It paid off. The Verve are a big time band, but I feel that there is nothing contemporary about them, just very individualist. Much like Radiohead.

[dribbler 6]

Do, Georgie. While you're there check out "You On My Mind In My Sleep" awesome song... Ashcroft was possibly one of a handful of singer/songwriters who at a time of madness showed his class by sticking to what he loved best - writing music. It paid off. The Verve are a big time band, but I feel that there is nothing contemporary about them, just very individualist. Much like Radiohead.

My favourite Ashcroft vocal would have to be on UNKLE's album, Psyence Fiction. Check out 'Lonely Souls'. The tune is a cross over of electro/dance/ambient and classical. Dreamy and utterly brilliant.

I think I made you listen to it already, Steph.

UNKLE are DJ Shadow and James Lavelle.

[Kopite Girl 0]

My favourite Ashcroft vocal would have to be on UNKLE's album, Psyence Fiction. Check out 'Lonely Souls'. The tune is a cross over of electro/dance/ambient and classical. Dreamy and utterly brilliant.

I think I made you listen to it already, Steph.

UNKLE are DJ Shadow and James Lavelle.

Yeah thats right and I loved it. Awesome track.

[dribbler 6]

When you're weary

Feeling small

When tears are in your eyes

I will dry them all

I'm on your side

When times get rough

And friends just can't be found

Like a bridge over troubled water

I will lay me down

Like a bridge over troubled water

I will lay me down

When you're down and out

When you're on the street

When evening falls so hard

I will comfort you

I'll take your part

When darkness comes

And pain is all around

Like a bridge over troubled water

I will lay me down

Like a bridge over troubled water

I will lay me down

Sail on Silver Girl,

Sail on by

Your time has come to shine

All your dreams are on their way

See how they shine

If you need a friend

I'm sailing right behind

Like a bridge over troubled water

I will ease your mind

Like a bridge over troubled water

I will ease your mind

[Argento Reloaded 1]

In the sweet voice of Art Garfunkel it hurts! What a song!!!!

[Autumnpuma 0]

When you're weary

Feeling small

When tears are in your eyes

I will dry them all

I'm on your side

When times get rough

And friends just can't be found

Like a bridge over troubled water

I will lay me down

Like a bridge over troubled water

I will lay me down

When you're down and out

When you're on the street

When evening falls so hard

I will comfort you

I'll take your part

When darkness comes

And pain is all around

Like a bridge over troubled water

I will lay me down

Like a bridge over troubled water

I will lay me down

Sail on Silver Girl,

Sail on by

Your time has come to shine

All your dreams are on their way

See how they shine

If you need a friend

I'm sailing right behind

Like a bridge over troubled water

I will ease your mind

Like a bridge over troubled water

I will ease your mind

You old softie.

[Kopite Girl 0]

This is Here I Am by Leona Lewis. Now I don't much like her, but I feel relevance in the lyrics - which make it great.

"Here I Am"

This is a crazy world

These can be lonely times

It's hard to know who's on your side

Most of the time

Who can you really trust

Who do you really know

Is there anybody out there

Who can make you feel less alone

Some times you just can't make it on your own

If you need a place where you can run

If you need a shoulder to cry on

I'll always be your friend

When you need some shelter from the rain

When you need a healer for your pain

I will be there time and time again

When you need someone to love you

Here I am, hmmm

If you have broken dreams

Just lay them all on me

I'll be the one who understands

So take my hand

If you reach emptyness

You know I'll do my best

To fill you up with all the love

That I can show someone

I promise you you'll never walk alone

Well if you need a place where you can run

If you need a shoulder to cry on

I'll always be your friend

When you need some shelter from the rain

When you need a healer for your pain

I will be there time and time again

When you need someone to love you

Here I am, oooo

Everybody needs somebody who can

keep a heart and soul in two

Well if you need a place where you can run

If you need a shoulder to cry on

I'll always be your friend

When you need some shelter from the rain

When you need a healer for your pain

I will be there time and time again

When you need someone to love you

Here I am, Here I am

[Kopite Girl 0]

Terror - You Can't Break Me Down

(kind of relevant at the moment to me, wonder why?!!!)

Trapped in aggression with vacant stares

All I am turns to emptiness

For myself and the ones I love

All we can do is run

This void is killing me

Life aim brought me to my knees

All times survival cuts to deep

Still I won't face defeat

You can't break me

I won't be beat

Smash myself to see if I can still feel

Pain's the only thing that's ever been real

I'm caught in it and I'm sinking fast

But I know that I will last

You can't break me

I won't be beat

Forced down, my back's against the wall

Try to break me, I'll answer the call

(Though I didn't smash myself lol, this is inspirational at the moment.)

[Kopite Girl 0]

Always, always cheers me up.

Jimi Hendrix - Spanish Castle Magic

It's very far away,

It takes about half a day,

To get there, if we travel by my a.....dragonfly

No, it's not in Spain,

But all the same,

You know,

It's a groovy name

And the wind's just right.

Hang on, My Darling,

Hang on if you want to go

You know it's a really groovy place

And it's just a little bit of Spanish Castle Magic.

The clouds are really low,

And they overflow,

With cotton candy

And battle grounds,

Red and brown.

But it's all in your mind,

Don't think your time,

On bad things,

Just float your little mind around.

Look out

Hang on, My Darling, Yeah

Hang on if you want to go

It puts everything else on the shelf

With just a little bit of Spanish Castle Magic

Just a little bit of daydream here and there.

Hang on, My Darling, Yeah

Hang on if you want to go

It puts everything else on the shelf

With just a little bit of Spanish Castle Magic

Just a little bit of daydream here and there.

[BradSpeedMan 6]

My favourite Ashcroft vocal would have to be on UNKLE's album, Psyence Fiction. Check out 'Lonely Souls'. The tune is a cross over of electro/dance/ambient and classical. Dreamy and utterly brilliant.

Love Ashcroft, had his 1st solo album, and I just can't bloody find it, think it's nabbed...

Anyhooo, this song from the Verve certainly rates amongts the best, certainly in my collection...

The drugs don't work

All this talk of getting old

It's getting me down my love

Like a cat in a bag, waiting to drown

This time I'm comin' down

And I hope you're thinking of me

As you lay down on your side

Now the drugs don't work

They just make you worse

But I know I'll see your face again

Now the drugs don't work

They just make you worse

But I know I'll see your face again

But I know I'm on a losing streak

'Cause I passed down my old street

And if you wanna show, then just let me know

And I'll sing in your ear again

Now the drugs don't work

They just make you worse

But I know I'll see your face again

'Cause baby, ooh, if heaven calls, I'm coming, too

Just like you said, you leave my life, I'm better off dead

All this talk of getting old

It's getting me down my love

Like a cat in a bag, waiting to drown

This time I'm comin' down

Now the drugs don't work

They just make you worse

But I know I'll see your face again

'Cause baby, ooh, if heaven calls, I'm coming, too

Just like you said, you leave my life, I'm better off dead

But if you wanna show, just let me know

And I'll sing in your ear again

Now the drugs don't work

They just make you worse

But I know I'll see your face again

Yeah, I know I'll see your face again

Yeah, I know I'll see your face again

Yeah, I know I'll see your face again

Yeah, I know I'll see your face again

I'm never going down, I'm never coming down

No more, no more, no more, no more, no more

I'm never coming down, I'm never going down

No more, no more, no more, no more, no more

(Repeat and Fade Out)

[Rainmaster 7]

Good stuff Brad. Although I can hardly listen to that song it's so depressing (a problem I have a lot with The Verve).

The Stone Roses - Elephant Stone.

Burst into heaven

Kiss in the cotton clouds

Arctic sheets and fields of wheat

I can’t stop coming down

Your shrunken head

Looking down on me above

Send me home like an elephant stone

To smash my dream of love

Dreaming till the sun goes down

And night turns into day

Rooms are empty i’ve got plenty

You could move in right away It seems like there’s a hole

In my dreams

In my dreams

In my dreams

Down through the heavens

Choke on the cotton clouds

Arctic sheets and fields of wheat

I can’t stop coming down

Your shrunken head

Looking down on me above

Send me home like an elephant stone

To smash my dream of love

Did your bed and bookshelf go

And run run run away

These four walls saw the rise and fall

And your midnight getaway

Seems like there’s a hole

In my dreams

Or so it seems

Yet nothing means anything

Anymore

[cavallino 2]

Like a bridge over troubled water

Dribs, I disagree - I think this song is a prime example of why most song lyrics are meaningless by themselves. It's an incoherent mashup of lines that sound good when sung with feeling, and if you try hard enough, you can create a vague story or image in your mind and pretend that the lyrics hide something deeper. But they don't. Most 'good' song lyrics are just a mash up of such imagery and nice sounding lines. Sure, when Art Garfunkel sings 'sail on silver girl' and the cymbals clash, it sends a shiver down your spine. However, I bet that instead of hiding a deeper meaning, it's just a line put in because it sounds good. And sound good it does. It's like Oasis' 'Don't Look Back in Anger' with the 'Soooooo Sally can wait..' line; rather evocative when heard in the song - sure, poetry it isn't though.

Coldplay are a good example of this, except they take it to an almost criminal levels of pretentiousness.

[Kopite Girl 0]

Not when you really listen, and take the time to understand the lyrics meaning. For example:- Coldplay's Viva La Vida.

I like to think that song is reference to the christian story of Lucifer, the angel of light being kicked from heaven. Although I am an athiest, it makes sense.

Whatever lyrics are, there is a person in the world who will make sense of them or personalise the song to whatever situation/emotion they are living through at that point in their life. Thats why music is wonderful.

[BradSpeedMan 6]

Dribs, I disagree - I think this song is a prime example of why most song lyrics are meaningless by themselves. It's an incoherent mashup of lines that sound good when sung with feeling, and if you try hard enough, you can create a vague story or image in your mind and pretend that the lyrics hide something deeper. But they don't. Most 'good' song lyrics are just a mash up of such imagery and nice sounding lines. Sure, when Art Garfunkel sings 'sail on silver girl' and the cymbals clash, it sends a shiver down your spine. However, I bet that instead of hiding a deeper meaning, it's just a line put in because it sounds good. And sound good it does. It's like Oasis' 'Don't Look Back in Anger' with the 'Soooooo Sally can wait..' line; rather evocative when heard in the song - sure, poetry it isn't though.

Coldplay are a good example of this, except they take it to an almost criminal levels of pretentiousness.

Cav, sometimes, or rather most times, you say something so ridiculous I say wtf over here. You've been so bombarded by commercial music it seems it's glogged your brain.

Successful storytelling is a critical aspect of every good song. Lyrics that tell a story should'nt be seen as meaningless by themselves, they are a means to an end. The 2nd line tells us more of the 1st. All along the Watchtower and Hotel California are prime examples of this. These songs are crafted, like a painting. First there has to be the underlying colour washes, then build up into stronger shapes, then the refining stages, a methodology if you like. I suspect the building stages are the lyrics, and the refining stages the music. It has to fit. When the character in the story is angry the music should portray just that, wether it's done with a cymbal clash or a simple guitar strum. Sometimes it turns out to be pure poetry, the line "Sooooo Sally can wait" is a climax that you recognise and leaves you yearning for more. As my wife would say, it's so appropriate it hurts. You'll realise that "sail on silver girl" does have a deeper meaning, it has a build up right from the 1st line, and how appropriate!

What you are describing is the common problem with commercial music today. There's a lucrative job out there. Lyrics are created and then music is added, music that seems to have a nice tune and which appeal to the masses. Originality is very hard to find. That's why Tracy Chapman was such a breath of fresh air when electronica in the late 80's started to be the norm.

[Rainmaster 7]

Spot on Brad.

I don't think it matters if music makes sense, that isn't the point. There is plenty of good music which doesn't really make sense if you analyse the lyrics without the context of the song and the band who wrote them. I believe Noel Gallagher once said after somebody criticised his lyrics, that when you've got thousands of people singing along when you're playing a concert, each line obviously means something different for everyone. I think he's probably right.

[Bredda Natty 0]

Sam Cooke - A Change Is Gonna Come

I heard this song for the first time watching a doco on Cooke's life and it hit me right in the heart. Luckily, like Bob Marley says: 'One good thing about music, when it hits you feel no pain'.

Anyway, within three months we'd sold everything and moved to NZL to make a new start.

I was born by the river in a little tent

And just like that river I've been running ever since

It's been a long time coming

But I know a change is gonna come, oh yes it will

It's been too hard living, but I'm afraid to die

Cos I don't know what's out there beyond the sky

It's been a long, a long time coming

But I know a change is gonna come, oh yes it will

BRIDGE:

And then I go to see my brother

And I ask him to help me please

And he just winds up knockin' me

Back down on my knees

There were times when I thought I couldn't last for long

But now I think I'm able to carry on

It's been a long, been a long time coming

But I know a change is gonna come, oh yes it will

REPEAT VERSE 2

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQU4torUz-Q

[Kopite Girl 0]

Hey B. I clicked the link. What a brilliant little song. Thanks dude.

[Jenson_Rules 0]

Ok now I would never claim these to be the greatest lyrics ever, far from it in fact, however they certainly make you feel better if you've ever been dumped!

You were so blind to let me go

You had it all but did not know

No one you'll find will ever be

Closer to all your dreams than me

Believing the grass would be greener

You told yourself "I just don't need her now"

But I know you'll soon discover

You're never satisfied with any other

[Chorus:]

Someday oo someday

One you gave away will be the only one you're wishing for

Someday hey hey

Boy you're gonna pay 'cause baby I'm the one who's keeping score

You'll change your mind and call my name

Soon as you find they're all the same

And when you find yourself alone

Don't come back crying

You should have known

Believe me I'm not pretending

It's not hard to predict this ending now

'Cause I know you'll soon discover

You're needing me in spite of all the others

[Chorus]

Maybe now you just can't conceive

That there'll ever come a time

When you're cold and lonely

Baby how could you ever believe

That another could replace me

The one and only

But when you're down

In your time of need

And you're thinking

That you might be coming back to own me

Just think again

'Cause I won't need your love anymore

[Chorus]

[cavallino 2]

I like to think that song is reference to the christian story of Lucifer, the angel of light being kicked from heaven. Although I am an athiest, it makes sense.

Yep, that's one of their songs that is actually coherent. Nothing exceptional lyrically though..

Cav, sometimes, or rather most times, you say something so ridiculous I say wtf over here. You've been so bombarded by commercial music it seems it's glogged your brain.

Way to miss the point completely, go read what I wrote, again, carefully, calmly, trying to keep your heart rate from racing. You have no clue, and your rant has nothing to do with what I said.

You'll realise that "sail on silver girl" does have a deeper meaning, it has a build up right from the 1st line, and how appropriate!

No it doesn't, it's just something they stuck in for people to waste their times trying to make sense of. The song of course is genius. Did I mention that earlier?

And I didn't say all songs are meaningless. Most are though, including most that people have posted here. They sound cool with the right kind of music, but there's nothing profound in there. I think you need to go read some real poetry to understand my point.

My point is there are very very few songs which as text make much sense or say something deep and profound, though as music they can provoke powerful emotions of course.

[Kopite Girl 0]

What would be good (at least for me) is to actually read some of the poetry (lyrically speaking) you talk about. I think it would provide an answer into the insight of what you like to hear, if you don't mind??

Genuine question, I mean - you obviously have some kind of a brain, I just like to see the way other peoples brain power ticks.

[BradSpeedMan 6]

No it doesn't, it's just something they stuck in for people to waste their times trying to make sense of. The song of course is genius. Did I mention that earlier?

And I didn't say all songs are meaningless. Most are though, including most that people have posted here. They sound cool with the right kind of music, but there's nothing profound in there. I think you need to go read some real poetry to understand my point.

My point is there are very very few songs which as text make much sense or say something deep and profound, though as music they can provoke powerful emotions of course.

I understand what you're saying. The question is, Like Steph ask, what do you define real poetry, because most of these songs in text resemble evocative and aesthetic qualities to most of us.

[JHS 1]

Listening to any Bon Jovi songs creates a likely candidate:

his ain't a song for the brokenhearted

No silent prayer for the faith departed

And I ain't gonna be just a face in the crowd

You're gonna hear my voice when I shout it out loud

It's my life

It's now or never

I ain't gonna live forever

I just wanna live while I'm alive

(It's my life)

My heart is like an open highway

Like Frankie said, "I did it my way"

I just wanna live while I'm alive

'Cause it's my life

This is for the ones who stood their ground

For Tommy and Gina who never backed down

Tomorrow's getting harder, make no mistake

Luck ain't even lucky, gotta make your own breaks

It's my life

And it's now or never

I ain't gonna live forever

I just wanna live while I'm alive

(It's my life)

My heart is like an open highway

Like Frankie said, "I did it my way"

I just wanna live while I'm alive

'Cause it's my life

You better stand tall

When they're calling you out

Don't bend, don't break

Baby, don't back down

It's my life

It's now or never

'Cause I ain't gonna live forever

I just wanna live while I'm alive

(It's my life)

My heart is like an open highway

Like Frankie said, "I did it my way"

I just wanna live while I'm alive

(It's my life)

And it's now or never

I ain't gonna live forever

I just wanna live while I'm alive

(It's my life)

My heart is like an open highway

Like Frankie said, "I did it my way"

I just wanna live while I'm alive

'Cause it's my life!

[Autumnpuma 0]

I don't know if this has been posted. Rusty Cage written by Soundgarden (hate their version of it...Johnny Cash does the best version evah).

You wired me awake

And hit me with a hand of broken nails

You tied my lead and pulled my chain

To watch my blood begin to boil

But I'm gonna break

I'm gonna break my

I'm gonna break my rusty cage and run

Too cold to start a fire

I'm burning diesel, burning dinosaur bones

I'll take the river down to still water

And ride a pack of dogs

I'm gonna break

I'm gonna break my

I'm gonna break my rusty cage and run

Hits like a Phillips head Into my brain

It's gonna be too dark

To sleep again Cutting my teeth on bars

And rusty chains,

I'm gonna break my Rusty cage and run

When the forest burns

Along the road Like God's eyes In my headlights

When the dogs are looking

For their bones

And it's raining icepicks

On your steel shore

I'm gonna break

I'm gonna break my

I'm gonna break my rusty cage and run

[Bredda Natty 0]

Hey B. I clicked the link. What a brilliant little song. Thanks dude.