Great Lyrics

I was always liked this one better.

“Roland The Headless Thompson Gunner”

Roland was a warrior from the Land of the Midnight Sun
With a Thompson gun for hire, fighting to be done
The deal was made in Denmark on a dark and stormy day
So he set out for Biafra to join the bloody fray

Through sixty-six and seven they fought the Congo war
Fingers on their triggers, knee-deep in gore
For days and nights they battled the Bantu to their knees
They killed to earn their living and to help out the Congolese

Roland the Thompson gunner...

His comrades fought beside him - Van Owen and the rest
But of all the Thompson gunners Roland was the best
So the CIA decided they wanted Roland dead
That son-of-a-bitch Van Owen blew off Roland’s head

Roland the headless Thompson gunner (Time, time, time
For another peaceful war
Norway’s bravest son But time stands still for Roland
‘Til he evens up the score)
They can still see his headless body stalking through the night
In the muzzle flash of Roland’s Thompson gun
In the muzzle flash of Roland’s Thompson gun

Roland searched the continent for the man who’d done him in
He found him in Mombassa in a barroom drinking gin
Roland aimed his Thompson gun - he didn’t say a word
But he blew Van Owen’s body from there to Johannesburg

Roland the headless Thompson gunner...

The eternal Thompson gunner, still wandering through the night
Now it’s ten years later but he still keeps up the fight
In Ireland, in Lebanon, in Palestine and Berkeley
Patty Hearst heard the burst of Roland’s Thompson gun
And bought it

-Warren Zevon

Yeah yeah ... I know. No world beater. But I like ‘em!

What did you think
I would at this moment?
When you’re standing before me
With tears in your eyes?
Trying to tell me that you -
You found you another,
And you just don’t love me no more.

What did you think
I would say at this moment?
When I’m faced with the knowledge
That you just don’t love me?
Did you think I would curse you
Or say things to hurt you
‘Cause you just don’t love me no more?

Did you think I could hate you,
Or raise my hands to you?
Now, come on you know me too well.
How I could I hurt you,
When, darlin’, I love you?
And you know, I could never hurt you, ooh, ohh, ooh.

What did you think
I would give at this moment?
If you’d stay I’d subtract
Twenty years from my life.
I’d fall down on my knees,
Kiss the ground that you walk on
If I could just hold you again.

I’d fall down on my knees
Kiss the ground that you walk on, baby
If I could just hold you -

If I could just hold you -
If I, if I could just hold you
Again.

At This Moment
Billy Vera and the Beaters

... and these ... (I’m a sucker for a weepy love song) ...

Hey, maybe I’ll dye my hair
Maybe I’ll move somewhere
Maybe I’ll get a car
Maybe I’ll drive so far
They’ll all lose track
Me, I’ll bounce right back

Maybe I’ll sleep real late
Maybe I’ll lose some weight
Maybe I’ll clear my junk
Maybe I’ll just get drunk on apple wine
Me, I’ll be just

Fine and Dandy
Lord it’s like a hard candy christmas
I’m barely getting through tomorrow
But still I won’t let
Sorrow bring me way down

I’ll be fine and dandy
Lord it’s like a hard candy christmas
I’m barely getting through tomorrow
But still I won’t let
Sorrow get me way down

Hey, maybe I’ll learn to sew
Maybe I’ll just lie low
Maybe I’ll hit the bars
Maybe I’ll count the stars until dawn
Me, I will go on

Maybe I’ll settle down
Maybe I’ll just leave town
Maybe I’ll have some fun
Maybe I’ll meet someone
And make him mine
Me, I’ll be just

Fine and dandy
Lord it’s like a hard candy christmas
I’m barely getting through tomorrow
But still I won’t let
Sorrow bring me way down

I’ll be fine and dandy
Lord it’s like a hard candy christmas
I’m barely getting through tomorrow
But still I won’t let
Sorrow bring me way down

‘Cause I’ll be fine
(I’ll be fine)
Oh, I’ll be fine

Hard Candy Christmas
Dolly Parton

Statesboro Blues (but you have to do the guitar licks in your mind at the end of each line):

Wake up momma, turn your lamp down low;
Wake up momma, turn your lamp down low.
You got no nerve baby, to turn uncle john from your door.

I woke up this morning, I had them statesboro blues,
I woke up this morning, had them statesboro blues.
Well, I looked over in the corner, and grandpa seemed to have them too.

Well my momma died and left me,
My poppa died and left me,
I aint good looking baby,
Want someone sweet and kind.

Im goin to the country, baby do you wanna go?
But if you cant make it baby, your sister lucille said she wanna go.
(and I sure will take her).

I love that woman, better than any woman Ive ever seen;
Well, I love that woman, better than any woman Ive ever seen.
Well, now, she treat me like a king, yeah, yeah, yeah,
I treat her like a dog gone queen.

Wake up momma, turn your lamp down low.
Wake up momma, turn your lamp down low.
You got no nerve babe, to turn uncle john from your door.

MAMMAL

Glass of milk
Standing in between extinction in the cold
and explosive radiating growth.
So the warm blood flows
Through the large four-chambered heart,
Maintaining the very high metabolism rate they have.
Mammal, mammal
Their names are called
They raise a paw
The bat, the cat
Dolphin and dog
Koala bear and hog
One of us might lose his hair
But you’re reminded that it once was there
From the embryonic whale to the monkey with no tail.
So the warm blood flows
with the red blood cells, lacking nuclei
Through the large four-chambered heart
Maintaining the very high metabolism rate they have
Mammal, mammal
Their names are called
They raise a paw
The bat, the cat
Dolphin and dog
Koala bear and hog
Placental the sister of her brother Marsupial
Their cousin called Monotreme
Dead uncle Allotheria
Mammal, mammal
Their names are called
They raise a paw
The bat, the cat
Dolphin and dog
Koala bear and hog
The fox, the ox
Giraffe and shrew
Echidna, caribou

- They Might Be Giants

Lost in Space
by Graeme Edge

I'm just in space like the rest of my race
Changin' cells from day that I was born
But I'm still the same though the meat has all changed
Something's holding me together that's for sure

I find myself suspended in a vacuum
A vacuum that goes either way
But there must be something else to it
'cause the sun comes to me every day

When I see the truth I see it with my own imagery
It's my brain lying, trying to make me see,
That the truth is so big that it runs eternity
And is small enough to fit inside me

Far away past a star into the void inside of me
Or smaller past the atoms that have nothing inside
Just the same as a car or a leaf or a star
Cannot move without command
Something moves me and without it I'd be no more living
Than a hole in the sand

Hold my hand feel its warm touch from the fire inside
Hold my heart feel its beating how can I decide
I don't control my sleeping or when I dream away
But there must be something to it
For I wake up everyday

This album, Kick Off Your Muddy Boots, is pretty good.

Collideascope - The Dukes of Stratosphear (aka XTC)

Collideascope
Careful, don’t look down the wrong end
You will see ships that fall out of the sky
Who put that nail in your eye
You make me want to cry with your...

Collideascope
Everything looks smashed and broken
You will see fishes that drown in the sea
If you don’t alter your mind
I’d hate you to go blind why don’t you

Wakey Wakey Wakey
Little Sleeper
If you doze much longer
Then life turns to dreaming
Wakey Wakey Wakey
Little Sleeper
If you doze much longer
Then dreams turn to nightmares

Collideascope
Everything looks topsy turvy
You will see one young girl split into two
One half who’s false one half true
You better get your glue ready

Wakey Wakey Wakey
Little Sleeper

Collideascope
Careful don’t look down the wrong end
All the world’s colours will crash into one
Monochrome living’s no fun
You’re staring down a gun with your
Collideascope

Tom Waits Step Right Up Lyrics
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...)
Step right up, step right up, step right up
c’mon, c’mon, c’mon, c’mon, c’mon
Step right up
you can step right up
c’mon and step right up
C’mon and step right up

All the snow has turned to water,
Christmas days have come and gone.
Broken toys and faded colors are all that's left to linger on.
I hate graveyards and old pawn shops,
For they always bring me tears.
I can't forgive the way they robbed me of my childhood souvenirs.

Memories, they can't be boughten.
They can't be won at carnivals for free.
Well it took me years to get those souvenirs,
And I don't know how they slipped away from me.

Broken hearts and dirty windows
Make life difficult to see.
That's why last night and this morning
Always look the same to me.
And I hate reading old love letters
For they always bring me tears.
I can't forget the way they robbed me,
Of my sweetheart's souvenirs.

Memories they can't be boughten,
They can't be won at carnivals for free.
Well it took me years to get those souvenirs
And I don't know how they slipped away from me.

One of the best love songs of all time. Great vocals.

Jefferson Starship
Miracles
If only you believe like I believe, baby
We’d get by
If only you believe in miracles, baby
So would I
If only you believe like I believe, baby
We’d get by
If only you believe in miracles, baby
So would I.

I might have to move heaven and earth to prove it to you, baby
So we’re makin’ love and you feel the power
And I feel the power
Then there’s really nothing that we can’t do
If we wanted to, baby
We could exist on the stars
It’d be so easy
All we gotta do
Is get a little faith in you
Oh, I’ve been (to) so many places
I’ve seen some things
I know, love is the answer
Keeps holding this world together
Ain’t nothing better
Ain’t nothing better
And all the answers to our prayers
Hell , it’s the same everywheres, baby
Nothing ever breaks up the heart
Only tears give you away
Then you’re right where I found ya
With my arms around ya
Oh baby, baby, baby, love is a magic word, yeah
Few ever find in a lifetime
But from that very first look in your eyes
I knew you and I had but one heart
Only our bodies were apart
That was so easy, so easy
I had a taste of the real world
When I went down on you, girl.

If only you believe like I believe, baby
We’d get by
If only you believe in miracles, baby
So would I
If only you believe like I believe, baby
We’d get by
If only you believe in miracles, baby
So would I.

I can hear windmills and rainbows
Whenever you’re talkin’ to me
I feel like swirling and dancin’
Whenever you’re walking with me
You ripple like a river when I touch you
When I pluck your body like a string
When I start dancin’ inside ya
Oh baby, you make me wanna sing
Yeah, baby, baby, baby, baby
Oh yeah, all right
Baby, we’re sure doin’ it tonight
Everytime you come by, let me try
Pretty, please sugar on it
That’s how I like it
I can’t even believe it, with you
It’s like having every dream I ever wanted
Come true
I picked up your vibes
You know it opened my eyes
But I’m still dreamin’ yeah
And you’re right where I found ya
With my arms around ya.

“The Trees” - Rush

There is unrest in the forest
There is trouble with the trees
For the maples want more sunlight
And the oaks ignore their pleas

The trouble with the maples
(And they’re quite convinced they’re right)
They say the oaks are just too lofty
And they grab up all the light
But the oaks can’t help their feelings
If they like the way they’re made
And they wonder why the maples
Can’t be happy in their shade

There is trouble in the forest
And the creatures all have fled
As the maples scream ‘Oppression!’
And the oaks just shake their heads

(Insert most awsome bitch’n instumental here..)

So the maples formed a union
And demanded equal rights
‘The oaks are just too greedy
We will make them give us light’
Now there’s no more oak oppression
For they passed a noble law
And the trees are all kept equal
By Hatchet! Axe! And saw!

Red Vines – Aimee Mann

They’re all still on their honeymoon
just read the dialogue balloon
everyone loves you—why should they not?

And I’m the only one who knows
that Disneyland’s about to close
I don’t suppose you’d give it a shot
knowing all that you’ve got

are cigarettes and Red Vines
just close your eyes, cause, baby—
you never do know
and I’ll be on the sidelines,
with my hands tied,
watching the show

Well, it’s always fun and games until
it’s clear you haven’t got the skill
in keeping the gag from going too far

So you’re running ‘round the parking lot
til every lightning bug is caught
punching some pinholes in the lid of a jar
while we wait in the car

With cigarettes and Red Vines
just close your eyes, cause, baby—
you never do know
and I’ll be on the sidelines,
with my hands tied,
watching the show

And tell me, would it kill you
would it really spoil everything
if you didn’t blame yourself
do you know what I mean?

Cigarettes and Red Vines
just close your eyes, cause, baby—
you never do know
and I’ll be on the sidelines,
with my hands tied,
watching the show
watching the show

One of the best love songs of all time. Great vocals. Jefferson Starship Miracles

I’m not sure about being one of the best “love songs” of all time but back in ‘75 when this song came out this, then 14 year old, loved it but I couldn’t figure out why it made me feel so “tingle-y” all over. Some years later I heard the song on a “classic rock” station and realized – oh…that’s why! After listening, I had to go outside to smoke a cigarette.

I gave up smoking some years ago but I still like to feel “tingle-y”… this song, especially the Norah Jones cover, works for me….

"The Nearness Of You"
[Originally written by Ned Jones and Hoagy Carmichael for the movie "Romance In The Dark"] [Recorded by Hoagy Carmichael in 1937]

It's not the pale moon that excites me That thrills and delights me, oh no It's just the nearness of you

It isn't your sweet conversation That brings this sensation, oh no It's just the nearness of you

When you're in my arms and I feel you so close to me All my wildest dreams came true

I need no soft lights to enchant me If you'll only grant me the right To hold you ever so tight

And to feel in the night the nearness of you

“Xanadu” - Rush

(Bitchin’ long instrumental intro)

‘To seek the sacred river Alph
To walk the caves of ice
To break my fast on honeydew
And drink the milk of Paradise...’

I had heard the whispered tales of immortality
The deepest mystery
From an ancient book I took a clue
I scaled the frozen mountain tops of eastern lands unknown
Time and Man alone
Searching for the lost Xanadu

Xanadu...

To stand within the Pleasure Dome
Decreed by Kubla Khan
To taste anew the fruits of life
The last immortal man
To find the sacred river Alph
To walk the caves of ice
Oh, I will dine on honeydew
And drink the milk of Paradise

A thousand years have come and gone but time has passed me by
Stars stopped in the sky
Frozen in an everlasting view
Waiting for the world to end, weary of the night
Praying for the light
Prison of the lost
Xanadu

Xanadu...

Held within the Pleasure Dome
Decreed by Kubla Khan
To taste my bitter triumph
As a mad immortal man
Nevermore shall I return
Escape these caves of ice
For I have dined on honeydew
And drunk the milk of Paradise

(written by Neil Peart)

The Nearness of You, not sure if I know that one…. Sounds like a good old fashioned romance song, nice sentiments.

Ignore the video, but it was the best one I could find with the Norah Jones version of this song.

The Nearness of You

Yes, it’s an old fashioned, sentimental and romantic song but I think this modern, stripped down and simplistic interpretation, with her “breathy” vocals and simple piano, makes it more sensual and sexy in what is implied but never really stated.

But this song is personally bittersweet for me as it reminds me of a place and time when I thought I had finally found the love of my life. It didn’t work out in the end but I remember, when in the early blush of love, after one truly beautiful and magical evening spent with this man, driving home and listening to this song in the CD player in my car.

(Sigh!)

Oh, to have that feeling about someone again…

That’s what makes it one of those “goosebump” songs for me.

Good music with good lyrics; no matter the genre, style or subject matter, can and should be deeply felt and touch something deep in our souls and be a personally moving experience; whatever that may be defined for and by the listener. If a song or lyric doesn’t do that, then it’s just “noise”.

Yes, that is a very good, sultry version. I knew the song when I heard it. I checked my record collection and have it by many different artists. Listened to a few of them, Nancy Wilson did one of the best versions of the ones I have.

I have Norah Jones first cd but haven’t listened to it in some time. I have to drive into town to run errands, that would be a good time to pop it in and listen to it again.

One of my favorite female singers is Roberta Flack. I never get tired of listening to her. Great songs,great voice, and sexy too! At least it is to me.

It is amazing what a song can do for your memories. I hear a song on the radio from years ago and it will take me back to a place I had long forgotten about. Sometimes happy, sometimes sad. Most music just gets my toes to tapping, but some songs are definite movers of the soul.

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.