For some of us, music has played an important role in our lives. Since I was just a young kid, I have been mesmerized by the sounds, beats and words of music. My tastes are diverse but I prefer what today would be called alternative. I have lived through classic rock, punk, new wave, 80’s and grunge. I have rarely been disappointed by the next genre to appear.
But for all out fun, ska is my favorite music. I defy you to sit still during a ska song. And where else do you get that sweet combination of trombone, sax and guitar? I am an amateur bass player and to me, the ska is all about the bass and the beat.
I am no expert. I am not a critic. I have no cause to defend here. I am just a casual observer. I am someone who appreciates and values great lyrics.
So I post here my favorite one liners from many of my favorite songs.
I hope you enjoy what you find at lyricalwisdom and more importantly I hope you add something to it.
Lyrical Wisdom 
In honor of your blog, I posted some pro-life? anti-kill? lyrics on my blog that pretty much sum up how I am feeling today. I wouldn’t know which line to sum it up with, but I’m particularly fond of these lines:
“Was it the the ‘Thou’ part that threw you?
Thou means you.
Was it the ‘Shalt not’ part that confused you?
Shalt not means don’t.
Don’t kill, don’t kill, don’t kill…”
Anyway, it’s a rockin’ song that I first heard on a sampler that came with an Ani DiFranco album. I don’t write songs myself (yet?) but I’ve used song lyrics my whole life, when journaling, sort of the way Stephen King starts a new chapter with a line or two.
Thanks for a great site and a new distraction.
Nips, Lips, Hips, ‘N Fingertips
Thanks for the input. I enjoyed checking out Nips, Lips, Hips, ‘N Fingertips. I wonder if it is an Ani DiFranco song?
John Fogerty – Rock n Roll Girls from Centerfield Album
my mantra for getting thru rough times in life –
now raising a bipolar child with fetal alchol spectrum disorder, general anxietydisorder
affects of lead poisoning, ADHA………….
“Sometimes I think life is like a rodeo,
the trick is to ride and make it to the bell.
John Fogerty
The lyric I chose comes from the track ‘Wide Open Space’ by British rock band ‘Mansun’ in the late 90’s.
It’s one of those tracks that you kind of forget about and then it’s played on some late night music channels or midnight radio show.
It’s the following line in the song which sometimes haunts me when perhaps when thinks are little uncontrollable and I spend time asking myself questions – trying to make sense of chaos.
“I’m in a wide open space, it’s freezing.
You’ll never get to heaven with a smile on your face from me.”
🙂
Nobody Home by Pink Floyd.
“I got elastic bands keepin my shoes on.
Got those swollen hand blues.
Got thirteen channels of shit on the T.V. to choose from.
I’ve got electric light.
And I’ve got second sight.
And amazing powers of observation.
And that is how I know
When I try to get through
On the telephone to you
There’ll be nobody home.”
Powerful Observation, no?
Haley,
Great suggestion. One of my favorite songs and definitely replete with lyrical wisdom.
Check it out.
How about Blue October – Into The Ocean for a depressing lyrical thought? It still reflects how we can sometimes feel when we are low…
how do you have a lyric website and not have ANYTHING from Elliott Smith?this makes you guys look super bad.EVERYONE should listen to Elliott Smith
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This is an awesome page. I love the collection of wonderful lyrics on here, but I was surprised to find someone who loves The Killers but not U2. For me, those two bands go hand in hand. May I suggest Where the Streets Have No Name, from The Joshua Tree?
I want to run
I want to hide
I want to tear down the walls
That hold me inside
I want to reach out
And touch the flame
Where the streets have no name
I want to feel, sunlight on my face
See that dust cloud disappear without a trace
I want to take shelter from the poison rain
Where the streets have no name
Where the streets have no name
Where the streets have no name
Were still building
Then burning down love, burning down love
And when I go there
I go there with you…
(its all I can do)
The cities a flood
And our love turns to rust
Were beaten and blown by the wind
Trampled into dust
Ill show you a place
High on ta desert plain
Where the streets have no name
Where the streets have no name
Where the streets have no name
Still building
Then burning down love
Burning down love
And when I go there
I go there with you
(its all I can do)
Thanks solidset. I could not agree more your suggestion. I do love the Killers and I doubt I could say enough about U2. A quick look on this site will reveal such. Check https://lyricalwisdom.wordpress.com/category/u2/ to see 10 lyrics from U2 (no band has more on LW) and if I had the time I would add 30 or so more including your suggestion of The Streets Have No Name.
Just in case you want to know more about my interest in U2 – http://www.leadernotes.com/2005/11/the.html
I just found your blog through random surfing, and I noticed that, while you said you like ska, you don’t have any lyrics from Streetlight Manifesto! That band is one of the most lyrically aesthetic ska bands out there, and (in terms of the music by itself) one of the best bands of any genre. Sorry if I’m pushing my love here, but they really are a must-hear.
this is wonderful
I’ve always been a lyrics person, and i’m glad to see im not alone!!
the best deep lyrics song I have ever heard is
I’ll Be the Anchor that Keeps Your Feet on the Ground and You Be the Wings that Keep My Heart in the Clouds by the Mayday Parade
Long title, but a good song, and amazing lyrics
here’s the chorus
“And I’m here by the ocean
Just waiting for proof that there’s sunsets
And silhouette dreams
And my sandcastles fall like the
ashes of cigarettes as
Every wave drags me to sea
I could stand here for hours
Just to ask God the question
“Is everyone here make believe?”
With a tear in his voice he says
“Son, that’s the question.”
Does this deafening silence mean
Nothing to no one but me?”
Amazing, right? lol ^_^
I’ve always been partial to a snippet of lyric from Pearl Jam’s “Black.” It speaks of an unattainable love, and was very meaningful at a point in my life.
I know someday you’ll have a beautiful life
I know you’ll be a star
In somebody else’s sky
Why, why, can’t it be mine?
Favorite lyric – tense changed
You have the time, you have the power
You’ve yet to have your finest hour