Song lyrics that hit you right in the bread basket

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I'm talking song lyrics that make you laugh, make you cry, or make you ask that age-old question: what the bleep?

My all-time favorite lyric comes from my all-time favorite song, "Year of the Cat" by Al Stewart:

She comes out of the sun in a silk dress running
Like a watercolor in the rain

Poetry of the highest order that.

The songs Alice Cooper performed in the '70s often had a humorous middle-class edge to them that I've always found pretty irresistible. This is from "Escape," the final track on his classic album Welcome to my Nightmare.

Don't get me wrong
Don't get me right

Now as far as what-the-bleep lyrics go, this is what T-Rex has to say about a lady who stole his heart in "Hot Love."

She ain't no witch
And I love the way she twitch

I'll toss in an extra category here for really bad lyrics that song writers came up with purely to have something, anything, that rhymed. I can think of no better (or worse) example of this than the following verse from Bobby Goldsboro's "Honey."

She wrecked the car and she was sad
And so afraid that I'd be mad
But what the heck
Though I pretended hard to be
Guess you could say she saw through me
And hugged my neck
#off topic forum
  • I'll add a bit that I remember from a favorite song, 'Give me one more shot' by Alabama. It's about someone down and out, and living in his car. I was living in my van when I first heard it, but I still enjoy it and will probably download a digital version. Beautiful song and recommended for anyone else.

    Give me one more shot. I'll give it all I've got.
    Let me open my eyes to a new sunrise I pray.

    (different section)

    I could complain about taxes or the weather we're having today
    go on and on about things that are wrong from New York to LA
    • [1] reply
    • Visions Of Johanna (1966-05-16 Sheffield) - YouTube
      Ain't it just like the night to play tricks when you're tryin' to be so quiet?
      We sit here stranded, though we're all doin' our best to deny it
      And Louise holds a handful of rain, temptin' you to defy it
      Lights flicker from the opposite loft
      In this room the heat pipes just cough
      The country music station plays soft
      But there's nothing, really nothing to turn off
      Just Louise and her lover so entwined
      And these visions of Johanna that conquer my mind

      In the empty lot where the ladies play blindman's bluff with the key chain
      And the all-night girls they whisper of escapades out on the "D" train
      We can hear the night watchman click his flashlight
      Ask himself if it's him or them that's really insane
      Louise, she's all right, she's just near
      She's delicate and seems like the mirror
      But she just makes it all too concise and too clear
      That Johanna's not here
      The ghost of 'lectricity howls in the bones of her face
      Where these visions of Johanna have now taken my place

      Now, little boy lost, he takes himself so seriously
      He brags of his misery, he likes to live dangerously
      And when bringing her name up
      He speaks of a farewell kiss to me
      He's sure got a lotta gall to be so useless and all
      Muttering small talk at the wall while I'm in the hall
      How can I explain?
      Oh, it's so hard to get on
      And these visions of Johanna, they kept me up past the dawn

      Inside the museums, Infinity goes up on trial
      Voices echo this is what salvation must be like after a while
      But Mona Lisa musta had the highway blues
      You can tell by the way she smiles
      See the primitive wallflower freeze
      When the jelly-faced women all sneeze
      Hear the one with the mustache say, "Jeeze
      I can't find my knees"
      Oh, jewels and binoculars hang from the head of the mule
      But these visions of Johanna, they make it all seem so cruel

      The peddler now speaks to the countess who's pretending to care for him
      Sayin', "Name me someone that's not a parasite and I'll go out and say a prayer for him"
      But like Louise always says
      "Ya can't look at much, can ya man?"
      As she, herself, prepares for him
      And Madonna, she still has not showed
      We see this empty cage now corrode
      Where her cape of the stage once had flowed
      The fiddler, he now steps to the road
      He writes ev'rything's been returned which was owed
      On the back of the fish truck that loads
      While my conscience explodes
      The harmonicas play the skeleton keys and the rain
      And these visions of Johanna are now all that remain
      • [1] reply
  • Those gut punches have to be exceptional, and for me, it's usually just a line or two, or maybe a verse here and there that hit me hardest.

    Having said that, this song has a lot of meaning for me all the way through...

    John Hiatt - Have a Little Faith in Me - YouTube

    Have A Little Faith In Me

    When the road gets dark
    And you can no longer see
    Just let my love throw a spark
    And have a little faith in me

    And when the tears you cry
    Are all you can believe
    Just give these loving arms a try
    And have a little faith in me

    [chorus]

    When your secret heart
    Cannot speak so easily
    Come here darlin'
    From a whisper start
    To have a little faith in me

    And when your back's against the wall
    Just turn around and you will see
    I will catch, i will catch your fall baby
    Just have a little faith in me

    Well, I've been loving you for such a long time girl
    Expecting nothing in return
    Just for you to have a little faith in me
    You see time, time is our friend
    'Cause for us there is no end
    And all you gotta do is have a little faith in me
    I said I will hold you up, i will hold you up
    Your love gives me strength enough
    So have a little faith in me
    • [ 2 ] Thanks
  • Being a daddy of a little girl, this song "Butterfly Kisses" By Bob Carlisle gets me every time!

    Bob Carlisle - Butterfly Kisses (Country Version) - YouTube


    BOB CARLISLE

    Butterfly Kisses Lyrics

    There's two things I know for sure:
    She was sent here from heaven and she's daddy's little girl.
    As I drop to my knees by her bed at night
    She talks to Jesus and I close my eyes
    and I thank god for all of the joy in my life
    Oh, but most of all

    For butterfly kisses after bedtime prayer;
    sticking little white flowers all up in her hair;
    "Walk beside the pony, Daddy, it's my first ride."
    "I know the cake looks funny, Daddy, but I sure tried."
    Oh, with all that I've done wrong, I must have done something right
    To deserve a hug every morning And butterfly kisses at night.

    Sweet 16 today
    She's looking like her mama a little more everyday
    One part woman, the other part girl.
    To perfume and make-up from ribbons and curls
    Trying her wings out in a great big world.
    But I remember...

    Butterfly kisses after bedtime prayer;
    sticking little white flowers all up in her hair.
    "You know how much I love you, Daddy,
    But if you don't mind I'm only gonna kiss you on the cheek this time."
    Oh with all that I've done wrong I must have done something right
    to deserve her love every morning and butterfly kisses at night.

    All the precious time
    Like the wind, the years go by.
    Precious butterfly.
    Spread your wings and fly.

    She'll change her name today.
    She'll make a promise and I'll give her away.
    Standing in the bride-room just staring at her.
    She asked me what I'm thinking and I said
    "I'm not sure-I just feel like I'm losing my baby girl."
    She leaned over

    Gave me butterfly kisses with her mama there,
    Sticking little white flowers all up in her hair
    "Walk me down the aisle, Daddy-it's just about time."
    "Does my wedding gown look pretty, Daddy? Daddy, don't cry"
    Oh, with all that I've done wrong I must have done something right.
    To deserve her love every morning and butterfly kisses

    I couldn't ask God for more, man this is what love is.
    I know I gotta let her go, but I'll always remember
    Every hug in the morning and butterfly kisses...


    Songwriter(s): Randy Keith Thomas, Robert Mason Carlisle
    Copyright: Polygram Int. Publishing Inc., Designer Music
    • [2] replies
    • There are so many songs that move me that I couldn't begin to list them all. Not all because of the lyrics. For example listening to Toad by Ginger Baker will knock me right over. His whole solo is based on multi drum rudiments and he's one of the best at it. Tommy Aldridge's foot work on Up has the same effect.

      In your Eyes by Peter Gabriel has a deeply personal meaning for me and always brings on the water works. Keep Yourself Alive by Queen has lifted me out of many a dark hole.

      I guess because I'm a drummer I'm more likely to be moved by a percussion instrument then by lyrics.
      I mean I consider this song to have moving lyrics
      The Dope Smoking Song - YouTube
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    • I feel the trembling tingle of a sleepless night
      Creep through my fingers and the moon is bright
      Beams of blue come flickering through my window pane
      Like gypsy moths that dance around a candle flame

      And I wonder if you know
      That I never understood
      That although you said you'd go
      Until you did I never thought you would

      Moonlight used to bathe the contours of your face
      While chestnut hair fell all around the pillow case
      And the fragrance of your flowers rest beneath my head
      A sympathy bouquet left with the love that's dead

      And I wonder if you know
      That I never understood
      That although you said you'd go
      Until you did I never thought you would

      Never thought the words you said were true
      Never thought you said just what you meant
      Never knew how much I needed you
      Never thought you'd leave, until you went

      Morning comes and morning goes with no regret
      And evening brings the memories I can't forget
      Empty rooms that echo as I climb the stairs
      And empty clothes that drape and fall on empty chairs

      And I wonder if you know
      That I never understood
      That although you said you'd go
      Until you did I never thought you would

      Empty Chair with Lyrics - Don McLean - YouTube
      Unfortunately, I think there will be another "empty chair" all too soon.

      Joe Mobley
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  • This is "She" (performed) by the Monkees, one of the most honest songs ever written about a broken romance and the wildly conflicting feelings it leaves behind.

    She, she told me that she loved me,
    And like a fool I believed her from the start.
    She, she said she'd never hurt me,
    But then she turned around and broke my heart

    Why am I standing here,
    Missing her and wishing she were here.
    She only did me wrong;
    I'm better off alone.

    She, she devoured all my sweet love,
    Took all I had and then she fed me dirt.
    She, she laughed while I was cryin'.
    It was such a joke to see the way it hurt.

    Why am I standing here,
    Missing her and wishing she were here.
    She only did me wrong;
    I'm better off alone.

    And now I know just why she
    Keeps me hangin' 'round.
    She needs someone to walk on,
    So her feet don't touch the ground.
    But I love her,
    I need her,
    I want her.
    Yea! Yea! Yea! Yea! Yea! Yea! She!

    Why am I standing here,
    Missing her and wishing she were here.
    She only did me wrong now;
    I'm better off alone.

    Why am I missing her?
    I should be kissing her.
    • [1] reply
    • Just love this verse from "Skyfall," the best Bond song since "Live and Let Die."


      Skyfall is where we start
      A thousand miles and poles apart
      Where worlds collide and days are dark
      You may have my number, you can take my name
      But you'll never have my heart
  • yummy yummy yummy - ohio express

    Ohio Express - Yummy Yummy Yummy (stereo) - YouTube
    sure dont write songs like they used to
  • The Sound of Silence (Original Version from 1964) - YouTube
    Hello darkness, my old friend
    I've come to talk with you again
    Because a vision softly creeping
    Left its seeds while I was sleeping
    And the vision that was planted in my brain
    Still remains
    Within the sound of silence

    In restless dreams I walked alone
    Narrow streets of cobblestone
    'Neath the halo of a street lamp
    I turned my collar to the cold and damp
    When my eyes were stabbed by the flash of a neon light
    That split the night
    And touched the sound of silence

    And in the naked light I saw
    Ten thousand people, maybe more
    People talking without speaking
    People hearing without listening
    People writing songs that voices never share
    And no one dared
    Disturb the sound of silence

    "Fools", said I, "You do not know
    Silence like a cancer grows
    Hear my words that I might teach you
    Take my arms that I might reach you"
    But my words, like silent raindrops fell
    And echoed
    In the wells of silence

    And the people bowed and prayed
    To the neon god they made
    And the sign flashed out its warning
    In the words that it was forming
    And the sign said, "The words of the prophets are written on the subway walls
    And tenement halls"
    And whispered in the sounds of silence
    • [ 1 ] Thanks
    • [1] reply
    • Mac Davis - 1970 - Whoever Finds This, I Love You
      On a quiet street in the city,
      a little old man walked along;
      Shufflin' through the autumn afternoon.
      And the autumn leaves reminded him
      another summer's come and gone
      He had a long, lonely night ahead
      waitin' for June.

      Then among the leaves near the orphan's home
      a piece of paper caught his eye,
      and he stooped to pick it up with trembling hands.
      As he read the childish writing
      the old man began to cry,
      'cause the words burned inside of him
      like a brand:

      "Whoever finds this I love you.
      Whoever finds this I need you.
      I ain't even got no one to talk to,
      so whoever finds this I love you"

      The old man's eyes searched the orphan's home,
      and came to rest upon a child
      with her nose pressed up against the window pane.
      And the old man knew he'd found a friend at last,
      so he waved at her and smiled.
      And they both knew they'd spend the winter laughing at the rain.

      spoken:
      And they did spend the winter laughing at the rain, talkin' thru the fence
      and exchanging little gifts they'd made for each other.
      The old man would carve toys for the little girl, and she would draw pictures
      for him of beautiful ladies surrounded by green trees and sunshine; and they
      laughed a lot.

      But then on the first day of June the little girl ran to the fence to show the
      old man a picture she had drawn, but he wasn't there.
      And somehow the little girl knew he wasn't coming back. So she went back
      to her little room, took a crayola, a piece of paper, and wrote:

      "Whoever finds this I love you.
      Whoever finds this I need you.
      I ain't even got no one to talk to,
      so whoever finds this I love you"
  • [DELETED]
  • Banned
    Well, this never hit me in the "bread basket" because there are no lyrics. It's all whistling, so an opportunity maybe to dream up your own lyrics whilst your having a shower. Much better. And don't even ask who Kaiser Bill was.

    Whistling Jack Smith - I Was Kaiser Bill's Batman - YouTube
  • Like Thom said, there's some songs that the melody does me in...........but when we're talking Lyrics -

    Megadeth - Countdown to Extinction

    Megadeth - Countdown To Extinction - YouTube
    There's a part during the song that they cut to a tape of a scientist speaking - it's at 2.58 and it's chilling. It's the last paragraph of the lyrics.

    Endangered species, caged in fright
    Shot in cold blood, no chance to fight
    The stage in set, now pay the price
    An ego boost don't think twice
    Technology, the battle's unfair
    You pull the hammer without a care
    Squeeze the trigger that makes you Man
    Pseudo-safari, the hunt is canned ...
    The hunt is canned

    All are gone, all but one
    No contest, nowhere to run
    No more left, only one
    This is it, this is the Countdown to Extinction

    Tell the truth, you wouldn't dare
    The skin and thophy, oh so rare
    Silence speaks louder than words
    Ignore the guilt, and take your turn
    Liars anagram is "lairs"
    Man you were never even there
    Killed a few feet from the cages
    Point blank, you're so courageous ...
    So courageous

    [Chorus]

    One hour from now
    Another species of life form
    Will disappear off the face of the planet
    Forever ... and the rate is accelerating
    • [ 1 ] Thanks
  • Bet very few of you have heard this one. Couldn't find the lyrics.

    St John Green - Help Me Close The Door - YouTube
    • [1] reply
  • Dennis -- that reminds me a bit of firesign theatre. Is this an older "band" by any chance?
    • [1] reply
    • Yeah, it's a 60's garage band. The whole album is ... different.
      • [ 1 ] Thanks
      • [1] reply
  • Terra,

    The excuse is that hubby is not good enough.
    The reason is that hubby took Daddy's girl away.

    Dan

    PS - I recently found a bracelet and turned it in to the business it was in front of.
    The next night, the couple came to thank me. They were both in tears because
    the husband had bought it to replace the one from her Daddy that she had lost.


    ------------------------------------------------

    This one is the most recent to get me
    (goose bumps every time I watch the video of a live performance):





    All Too Well

    I walked through the door with you
    The air was cold, but something 'bout it felt like home somehow
    And I left my scarf there at your sister's house
    And you still got it in your drawer even now

    Oh your sweet disposition and my wide eyed gaze
    We're singing in the car getting lost upstate
    Autumn leaves falling down like pieces into place
    And I can picture it after all these days
    And I know it's long gone, and that magic's not here no more
    And I might be okay, but i'm not fine at all

    Cause here we are again on that little town street
    You almost ran the red cause you were looking over at me
    Wind in my hair I was there I remember it all too well

    Photo album on my counter
    Your cheeks were turning red
    You used to be a little kid with glasses in a twin size bed
    And your mother's telling stories 'bout you on the t-ball team
    You tell me about your past thinking your future was me

    And I know it's long gone, and there was nothing else I could do
    And I forget about you long enough to forget why I needed you

    Cause here we are again in the middle of the night
    We're dancing round the kitchen in the refrigerator light
    Down the stairs I was there I remember it all too well

    And maybe we got lost in translation
    Maybe I asked for too much
    But maybe this thing was a masterpiece
    Till you tore it all up
    Running scared, I was there I remember it all too well

    And you call me up again just to break me like a promise
    So casually cruel in the name of being honest
    I'm a crumpled up piece of paper lying here
    Cause I remember it all all all
    too well

    Time won't fly it's like I'm paralyzed by it
    I'd like to be my old self again
    But i'm still trying to find it
    After plain shirt days and nights when you made me your own
    Now you mail back my things and I walk home alone
    But you keep my old scarf from that very first week
    Cause it reminds you of innocence and it smells like me
    You can't get rid of it,
    cause you remember it all too well

    Cause here we are again and I loved you so
    Back before you lost the one real thing you've ever known
    It was rare, I was there, I remember it all too well

    Wind in my hair you were there you remember it all
    Down the stairs you were there you remember it all
    It was rare, I was there I remember it all too well



    Songwriters
    ROSE, LIZ / SWIFT, TAYLOR

    Published by
    Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc


    Read more: Taylor Swift - All Too Well Lyrics | MetroLyrics
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