Home Who Am I? Photos Song Lyrics Grad School Malahide & Ireland Links Writing/Art

Song Lyrics A Caveat: After compiling this list, I was somewhat disappointed. Music that I find so powerful and compelling looks comparatively bland and lifeless on the page. Much of the emotional and psychological power of a song is derived from its musical components: rhythm, melody, instrumentals, etc., and its lyrics in totality. It's impossible to omit the musical components, or separate a few select lyrics from the ones that precede and follow, without critically debilitating the song. But, hey, I've already spent too much time putting this thing together, so I'm slapping it up here anyway. That being said… Cynical Takes on Life: This city desert makes you feel so cold, It's got so many people but it's got no soul And it's taken you so long To find out you were wrong When you thought it held everything. Baker Street Jerry Rafferty Some people see through the eyes of the old Before they ever get a look at the young. Some people find that's it's easier to hate Than to wait anymore. An Innocent Man Billy Joel My friends from college they're all married now, They have their houses and their lawns. They have their silent noons, Tearful nights, angry dawns. Their children hate them for the things they're not, They hate themselves for what they are. And yet they drink, they laugh, Close the wound, hide the scar. That's the Way I've Always Heard It Should Be Carly Simon Asking only workman's wages I come lookin' for a job, But I get no offers, Just a come-on from the whores on Seventh Avenue. I do declare there were times when I was so lonesome I took some comfort there. The Boxer Simon & Garfunkel If you can't drive with a broken back, At least you can polish the fenders. Movin' Out (Anthony's Song) Billy Joel Relax, said the night man, We are programmed to receive. You can check out any time you like, But you can never leave. Hotel California The Eagles I was the editor of my high school newspaper, named Hotel California in honor of this song. The school was in Florida, not California, but that didn't seem to bother anyone at the time. I know a woman Became a wife These are the very words she uses To describe her life She said a good day Ain't got no pain She said a bad day's when I lie in bed And think of things that might have been. Slip Slidin' Away Paul Simon Beautiful, sad song. People can be so cold. They'll hurt you and desert you, They'll steal your soul if you let them. But don't you let them… You've Got a Friend James Taylor Love/Sex: I don't want clever conversation. I never want to work that hard. I just want someone that I can talk to… Just the Way You Are Billy Joel Isn't this what we're all looking for when we get down to it? It sounds so simple… And I found out a long time ago What a woman can do to your soul. Ah, but she can't take you anywhere You don't already know how to go. Peaceful Easy Feeling The Eagles I ain't ready for the altar, but I do agree there's times When that woman sure can be a friend of mine. Sister Golden Hair America I like the unadorned sincerity of those lines. We all fall in love, But we disregard the danger. Though we share so many secrets, There are some we never tell. Why were you so surprised That you never saw the stranger? Did you ever let your lover See the stranger in yourself? The Stranger  Billy Joel One of my all-time favorite songs. Hike up your skirt a little more, and show the world to me. Crash Dave Matthews Misc.: Hey Nineteen, that's 'Retha Franklin. She don't remember the Queen of Soul. Hey Nineteen Steely Dan One night in Bangkok and the world's your oyster The bars are temples but the pearls ain't free You'll find a god in every golden cloister A little flesh, a little history. One Night in Bangkok Murray Head She is all that I have left, and music is her name. Southern Cross CSN The words of the prophets are written on the subway walls… The Sound of Silence Simon & Garfunkel If you took all the girls I knew When I was single And brought them all together for one night I know they'd never match my sweet imagination And everything looks worse in black and white. Kodachrome Paul Simon Macavity's a mystery cat, he's called the hidden paw For he's a master criminal who can defy the law He's a fiend in feline shape, a monster of depravity. Macavity from the CATS soundtrack Andrew Lloyd Webber My tabby cat is named after the character in this song. Humor (Lyrics that still make me smile even after hearing them a thousand times): I'd like to get some sleep before I travel, But if you got a warrant, I guess you're gonna come in. Truckin' Grateful Dead Cow is giving kerosene, the kid can't read at seventeen, The words he knows are all obscene, but it's alright. It's even worse than it appears, but it's alright. Touch of Grey Grateful Dead How can you improve on a line like, "It's even worse than it appears, but it's alright"? Archetypal Dead. Now you're lying close to me, making love to me. You Sexy Thing Hot Chocolate I always thought lovemaking necessitated a certain degree of physical proximity. Your partner couldn't be across the room or down the hall… I really do appreciate the fact you're sittin' here Your voice sounds so wonderful But yer face don't look too clear Why Don't We Get Drunk and Screw Jimmy Buffett How could I pass over this lovely little gem? This song cracks me up. Who'll be my role model Now that my role model is gone? He ducked back down the alley With some roly-poly little bat-faced girl. You Can Call Me Al Paul Simon You can't beat that last line for descriptive power. Sounds cute, doesn't she? Making love in the afternoon with Cecilia Up in my bedroom. I got up to wash my face When I come back to bed, Someone's taken my place. Cecilia Simon & Garfunkel Hell of a feat on Cecilia's part. Was she hiding Lover #2 in the closet? * You may have noticed a significant number of Paul Simon and Billy Joel songs quoted. I consider those two to be the greatest lyricists of the last thirty years. Tackiest, Most Tasteless Lyrics: You, you could make a dead man come… Start Me Up The Rolling Stones Such a dirty mind, always get it up From the touch of the younger kind. My Sharona The Knack This begs the question: What exactly does he mean by 'the younger kind'? Are we talking legal age here? Kinda surprised that these two got radio play during the (somewhat) more conservative times in which they were released. Most Depressing Lyrics: I'm a loser, baby So why don't you kill me Loser  Beck Why not leave Why not go away Too much hatred, corruption and greed You give your life And invariably they leave you With nothing She's Got Her Ticket Tracy Chapman And, what has to be the world's Corniest Song Lyric: White picket fences in your eyes… Crush Jennifer Paige