Song lyrics - Poetry or crap

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MidasKnight
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Song lyrics - Poetry or crap

Post by MidasKnight »

I love lyrics for some reason and I really don't care for written poetry. I thought I'd start this thread to post some lyrics (that you guys would NEVER come across because you don't listen to my tunes) and have you guys comment on them. I used to do this with my mother when I was in high school.

Ok, here goes:



As human beings, we're a complex thing
Sometimes so beautiful, other times so vain
We've built an empire, the blood is on our hands
Genocide and the chains that bind
The consequence ahead

Oh, you ought to know
Oh, you ought to know

Wrote about in history as if it's all O.K.
A race of people murdered another one enslaved
Now our world crumbles, it's happening within
Open your eyes and realize
The world we're living in

Oh, you ought to know
Oh, you ought to know

If we could focus on important things
Live and let live true freedom, not everyone's the same
No more war for your god, no more war for your race
It's our world, it's what we make it
Make it a better place

Oh, you ought to know
Oh, you ought to know

We can change the world that we're living in
Live and let live true freedom
Let the reign begin


Iced Earth
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Trebor1503
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Post by Trebor1503 »

Crap :hot: :hot: :hot: :hot: :hot: :hot:
:clap: :smash: :slap:
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Post by Aunflin »

:clap: :thumb: :clap:

Very good. I like it. But since your a metalhead, I'm trying to figure out how it would sound in that context.

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Post by MidasKnight »

Although that band is usually fast and heavy, that particular song is fairly calm.
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Post by Trebor1503 »

Song lyrics are poems for the masses... traditionally anything made for the masses is dumbed down, so song lyrics are, on average, dumbed down.

Now if you want to talk specifics then yes, there are some pearls amonst the swine. But I doubt "Hit me Baby one more time" will ever be read on NPR by James Earl Jones.
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Post by MidasKnight »

well, in terms of lyrics alone, pop songs are usually (maybe always?) total crap.

Lyrically, today's metal is akin to the folk songs of the 60's (Bob Dylan-esque). Before you jump out of your skin, lemme 'splain.

I am talking about the bands that play metal because they are passionate about playing metal. I am not talking about the Poisons and Warrants of the world that only played 'metal' because that is what was in at the time. They had no commitment to the art and hence had no lasting mark. If they came out today, they'd be rapping or playing some form of alternative music.

I am referring to the bands that played what they wanted regardless of popularity...wrote what they wanted regardless of the payoff (or lack thereof)...stuck to their artistic guns despite criticism...didn't sell out despite their petty brethren getting paid outrageously for an inferior (albeit more palatable for commercialism) product.

All that being said, I am simply referring to talent and not like or dislike. I hope the rest of you would agree there's a difference. I depise Randy Moss but I think he's incredibly talented. I don't like Bob Dylan but I respect his artistic abilities.

Got it?

Anyway, largely because of all the 80's posers, metal got a bad name. Sure, many people don't like someone to scream into the mic or bang on drums so loudly, but again, we are talking musical style preferences and not talent. I would hope that I can bring some of you some artistry that you would not otherwise be privvy to. I will never be upset if I put out my favorite song that means so much to me and everyone else thinks it is stupid. I recognize that most people don't like metal and/or are simply closed-mindedly against it.

I'm not trying to convert anyone. Just gain a little respect for my preferred musical genre.

I've actually gotten my mother to take an interest in some of my bands' lyrics. She won't listen to them, but she enjoys some of the lyrics.

Ok, enough rambling, I feel like I accidently took too Concertas today, but I'm sure I didn't.

8)

Lastly, I want to post some things I think are good, clever, thought provoking or just cool. You can certainly agree or disagree and I certain invite both. Just remember that I don't necessarily think everything I post is talented. The song I posted above has a nice message I think. I don't think it is clever or fresh. In fact, the subject is rather trite. I just picked it first to keep from pushing others away with a harsh song first.

By the way, that band, Iced Earth, is from Indiana.

:twisted:
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Post by MidasKnight »

'nother song.

Watching the sand fall, listening for the knock
upon my door,
and waiting... for Promised Land.

Standing neck deep in life,
my ring of brass lay rusting on the floor.
Is this all?
Because it's not what I expected.

Somewhere along the way
friends I once held close fled the fast lane.
I didn't notice, I just had to make it.
Head down, nose in the grindstone;
the kiss of life placed on my brow
kept sliddin' to the ground
and now it's buried six feet under.

Preaching from the floor again
the same old sad song,
"Bartender... bring another drink for their favorite son."

Where did it all go wrong?
What's the use in even holding on?
Here's to love, hate... and promises.

Almost called it today.
Turned to face "The Void"
numb with the suffering
and the question,
"Why am I...?"
So many times I've tried and failed to
gather my courage, reach again for that nail.
Life's been like
dragging feet through sand,
and never finding... Promised Land.

Preaching from the floor again
the same old sad song,
"Bartender... bring another drink for their favorite song."
Where did it all go wrong?
I feel like I'm dying.
Here's to love, to hate,
to promises and Promised Land lies.
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Post by Aunflin »

Looks like poetry to me.

What group is it?

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Post by MidasKnight »

Queensryche.
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Post by KiltanneN »

I have to say MK - I kind of like the lyrics in this one - somewhat dark - but then how much of life isn't dark? And also - if we never had any dark threads how dull & boring would the tapestry of our lives be?

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Post by MidasKnight »

Yes, I've been where this song describes. Not with fame, but with success.

"I almost called it today."

Been there, done that.

:|
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Post by MidasKnight »

Ok, here's another...

Handful Of Rain
Written by Jon Oliva, Paul O'Neill


The night is growing dark
From somewhere deep within
It shelters like an ark
And always takes you in


And the mind goes numb
'Till it's feeling no pain
And the soul cries out
For a handful of rain


Wash your women
In your whiskey
When your future's
In the past
And you're staring
Up at heaven
From the bottom
Of a glass
And you need some insulation
From the years you've
Had and lost
And you feel the perspiration
As you're adding up the cost


And the night rolls on
Like a slow moving train
And the soul cries out


There's a land
Beyond the living
There's a land
Beyond the dead
If it's true that
God's forgiving
Of the lives that we have led
In the distance
There's a thunder
And the air is thick and warm
And the patrons
Watch with wonder
The approaching of the storm


And the night rolls on
Like a slow moving train
And the soul cries out
For a handful of rain

All right


There's an old man in the corner
And he's smoking all the time
And the smoke is drifting
Upward and it's
Twisting in my
Twisting in my
Mind
In my mind

The whiskey's getting deeper
And I use it like a moat
There's a blues man in the distance and he's
Lost inside his
Lost inside his note
His note
His note


The night is growing dark
From somewhere deep within
It shelters like an ark
That always takes you in

And the night rolls on
Like a slow moving train
And the soul cries out
For a handful of rain
In the 60’s, people took acid to make the world weird. Now the world is weird and people take Prozac to make it normal.
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Post by Kagnok »

Lyric that sums up the commoditizing of the mordern world:

"Give us our daily bread in individual slices"
--Elvis Costello
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Post by MidasKnight »

Here's another:

Skid Row - The Threat

I´ve been convicted
With and without reason
Tarred and feathered like a piper on a killing spree
And felt the anger
Of generations
And been the target of the cheap shots of authority

So you think you cut me down to size?
Well there´s something you should realize
It´s gonna take more than a break in the law
To make me smile pretty for the wrecking ball

Won´t beg, won´t bleed
The end of sacrifice is a threat to society
Hard line, you´ll see
Once you´ve made a mark, you´ve made a threat to society


I wasn´t put here
To be treated
Like some disease you hoped would go away if left alone
Yeah, you can sweep me
Under the carpet
But I´ll still infect your need to use me as a stepping stone
In the 60’s, people took acid to make the world weird. Now the world is weird and people take Prozac to make it normal.
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Post by Kahrey »

i really like those lyrics MK!
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Post by MidasKnight »

hehe, metal owns.
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Post by Kahrey »

i usually listen to alternative, rock, hard rock and occasionally pop. i have listened to some metal, and ive liked it :thumb:
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Post by MidasKnight »

You avatar looks metal (or punk).
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Post by Kahrey »

MidasKnight wrote:You avatar looks metal (or punk).
i made it.
"Life is trial and error. Those who succeed are those who survive their failures and keep trying." - LE Modesitt, Jr.
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Post by Kahrey »

Thought I might post a few.....

Fear Factory
Invisible Wounds (Dark Bodies)

dark bodies floating in darkness
no sign of light ever given
imprisoned in a world without a memory
unconscious, or am i conscious?
cut from the heart i am part of
sometimes i feel as though i'm frozen in heaven

and i saw my own face in the dark and lonliness
and i saw my own face like a spark frozen in heaven

in dreams i see myself flying
closer to the sun, and i'm climbing
tried to touch the sun
but the brightness burned my eyes
unconscious, or am i conscious?
fell from the sky like a star
sometimes i feel as though i'm frozen in heaven

and i saw my own face in the dark and lonliness
and i saw my own face like a spark

dark
my life was so dark...
my mind was so dark...
everything was dark

unconscious, or am i conscious?
fell from the sky like a star
sometimes i feel as though i'm frozen in heaven

and i saw my own face in the dark and lonliness
and i saw my own face like a spark frozen in heaven
dark bodies floating in darkness...
Fear Factory
Self Bias Resistor

Hey you! Wake up!
Open your swollen eyes
Erosion invades you mind
A cancer that grows over time

Hey you! Rise up!
Rise to fight, eliminate
Burn your fuse to detonate
The human machines of hate

[Chorus:]
All these years they've tried to break you
To your knees
Anger scours right through your veins

Now it's time to put an end
To all the lies
Now it's time to take control
Of your life

Wake up! Rise up!
Open minds will dominate
Burn your fuse to detonate
The human machines of hate

[Repeat chorus]

Hypocrisy
You can't believe
Machines of hate
A disease that infiltrates

Persist for resisance
Resist their insolence
You are a dissident
Burn away conformity [X2]

[Repeat chorus]

They have tried to break you
They have tried to break you [X2]
Iced Earth
Slave To The Dark

[music\lyrics - Schaffer]

A twisted state of mind, torn between two worlds
One of which the new me hates and the one that's coming true
The power is unleashed, they perish at my gaze
But am I really in control or am I just a slave

I called upon this god to deliver unto me
To grant what I desire he brought me to my knees
He turned his back on me and filled me with his lies
Ask and I received damnation was the price

I signed my name in blood, didn't read the fine prints
Now I'm just a puppet god for the devils own descent
Bound and shackled here forever damned a slave
Fallen bloody tears can't wash the pain away

[Chorus]
All at once it's clear to me
Damnation and destiny
A slave to darkness shall I be
Damnation and destiny

And so I must repent or will I be destroyed
Will the one that lives in me release me from this lie
And will the wrath of god have mercy on my soul
Or humilate me, desecrate me, like his only son

[Repeat Chorus]
"Life is trial and error. Those who succeed are those who survive their failures and keep trying." - LE Modesitt, Jr.
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Post by Ghost »

Here are a couple, not Metal but Country

Tougher Than Nails by Joe Diffie

Little boy walks in with a bloody nose,
Got beat up on his way home from school, aga-in,
His dad caught him running out the back,
Tears in his eyes and a baseball bat, oo revenge,

Said son I won't stop ya, but before you go,
Let me tell you a little story bout the toughest man I know,

You hit him and he just turns the other cheek,
Don't think for a minute he was weak,
Cause in the end he showed them,
He was any-thing but frail,
They hammered him to a cross,
But he was tougher than nails,

Well he droped that bat like it weighed a ton,
Father put his arms around his son and said, just let it go
Believe me I've been in your shoes,
Had to ask myself what would Jesus do, here's what I know,

Whenever I'm in doubt, I look up what he said,
It's all there in the good book, in black and white and red,

Hit him and he just turns the other cheek,
Don't think for a minute he was weak,
Cause in the end he showed them,
He was any-thing but frail,
They hammered him to a cross,
But he was tougher than nails,
ALMOST HOME by Craig Morgan

He had plastic bags wrapped 'round his shoes
He was covered with the evening news
Had a pair of old wool socks on his hands
The bank sign was flashing 5 below
It was freezing rain and spitting snow
He was curled up behind some garbage cans
I was afraid that he was dead
I gave him a gentle shake
When he opened up his eyes
I said "man, are you ok"

He said
"I just climbed out of a cotton wood tree
I was running from some honey bees
Drip drying in the summer breeze
After jumping into Calico Creek
I was walking down some old dirt road
Past a field of hay that had just been mowed
Man, I wish you'd just left me alone
Cause, I was almost home"

He said," I's just coming round the barn
Bout the time you grabbed my arm
When I heard mama call - son hurry up
I was close enough for my old nose
To smell fresh copper on the stove
And I saw daddy loading up the truck
Cane poles on the tailgate
Bobbers blowing in the wind
Since July of '55
That's as close as I've been

"I just climbed out of a cotton wood tree
I was running from some honey bees
Drip drying in the summer breeze
After jumping into Calico Creek
I was walking down some old dirt road
Past a field of hay that had just been mowed
Man, I wish you'd just left me alone
Cause, I was almost home"

I said, "Old man you're gonna freeze to death
Let me drive you to the mission"
He said, "boy, if you'd left me alone
Right now, I'd be fishin'"
:metal: :butter:
If ye love wealth better than liberty, the tranquility of servitude than the animating contest of freedom, go from us in peace. We ask not your counsels or arms. Crouch down and lick the hands which feed you. May your chains sit lightly upon you,
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Post by Ghost »

Here is another is it Patriotic Prose or Country Crap:

Song: American Soldier
Written By: Toby Keith, Chuck Cannon

I'm just trying to be a father, raise a daughter and a son
Be a lover to their mother, everything to every one
Up and at 'em bright and early, all business in my suit
I'm dressed up for success from my head down to my boots

I don't do it for the money, there's bills that I can't pay
I don't do it for the glory, I just do it anyway
Providing for our future's, my responsibility
I'm real good under pressure, being all that I can be

I can't call in sick on Monday when the weekend's been to strong
I just work straight through the holidays, sometimes all night long
You can bet that I stand ready when the wolf growls at the door
Hey I'm solid, Hey I'm steady, hey I'm true down to the core

And I will always do my duty, no matter what the price
I've counted up the cost, I know the sacrifice
Oh and I don't wanna die for you, but if dyin's asked of me
I'll bear that cross with honor, 'cause freedom don't come free

I'm an American Soldier, an American
Beside my brothers and my sisters, I will gladly make a stand
When liberty's in jeopardy, I will always do what's right
I'm out here on the front lines, sleep in peace tonight
American Soldier, I'm an American
What do you think?
If ye love wealth better than liberty, the tranquility of servitude than the animating contest of freedom, go from us in peace. We ask not your counsels or arms. Crouch down and lick the hands which feed you. May your chains sit lightly upon you,
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Post by Kahrey »

Those are good.

The first 2 you posted I'm quite sure I have heard. Though I don't listen to country, I am sometimes put in those most unfortunate situations where I have no choice.

I'm not downing your music though! I like some country, just not very much....

But those lyrics are good.

:thumb:
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Post by laurie »

Lit. major adds 2 cents worth:

In ancient days almost all poetry was set to music. The Psalms of David were all sung, not recited. I bet even The Iliad had a musical setting at some point ( and Homer probably wrote some crap lyrics too)

When The Byrds did 'Turn, Turn, Turn' (lyrics from OT Book of Ecclesiastes), they were updating ancient traditions.
"It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife." -- Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice

"So where the hell is he?" -- Laurie
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Post by felonius »

An oldie but goodie:
There's a little black spot on the sun today
That's my soul up there
It's the same old thing as yesterday
That's my soul up there
There's a black hat caught in a high tree top
That's my soul up there
There's a flag pole rag and the wind won't stop
That's my soul up there

I have stood here before in the pouring rain
With the world turning circles running 'round my brain
I guess I'm always hoping that you'll end this reign
But it's my destiny to be the king of pain

There's a fossil that's trapped in a high cliff wall
There's a dead salmon frozen in a waterfall
There's a blue whale beached by a springtide's ebb
There's a butterfly trapped in a spider's web

There's a king on a throne with his eyes torn out
There's a blind man looking for a shadow of doubt
There's a rich man sleeping on a golden bed
There's a skeleton choking on a crust of bread

There's a red fox torn by a huntsman's pack
There's a black winged gull with a broken back
There's a little black spot on the sun today
It's the same old thing as yesterday

I have stood here before in the pouring rain
With the world turning circles running 'round my brain
I guess I always thought you could end this reign
But it's my destiny to be the king of pain......

I'll always be king of pain..............
The Police
Colourless green ideas sleep furiously
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