Song lyrics can be powerful things. They can capture the mood and spirit of an era. They can also make powerful socio-political points. Or they can simply be pleasing to the listener by their use of language and playfulness. They can stick in your mind for both deep and trivial reasons. Mishearing them is also a common problem but that is a separate blog post. On this occasion I thought it would be worthwhile exploring the subject of song lyrics of note. Hence I have collated some that I find interesting, wise or just entertaining. These aren’t necessarily my favourite songs of all time, because I like so many. Instead these are some of the ones that sprang to mind when I was preparing this post. I have decided to have the selected lyrics first and the name of the artists afterwards, so that the emphasis is placed upon the words from the song. Although is is more than likely that you’ll be able to identify the songs from the lyrics immediately, or at least for some of them. Time it was and what a time it was, it was A time of innocence, a time of confidences Long ago, it must be, I have a photograph Preserve your memories, they're all that's left you Bookends. Simon & Garfunkel The track Old Friends seamlessly segues in to the reprise of Bookends theme. Both tracks are quite profound in there consideration of old age. However, I find the final line to be quite heart wrenching. Time diminishes us both bodily and mentally Advance age also changes the way society perceives us and treats us. Our autumn years can take everything from us. Especially in light of the possibility of cognitive decline. Bookends Theme (Reprise) Simon And Garfunkel I got you in the camera And I got you in my camera A second of your life Ruined for life You wanna ruin me in your magazine You wanna cover us in margarine [Chorus] And now is the time You got the time To realise To have real eyes I Wanna be Me. Sex Pistols The intelligence of their lyrics was lost among the outrage and bluster of the times, when the Sex Pistols achieved fame or notoriety, depending on your perspective. They were utterly right in their assessment of the UK tabloid press and the lyrics featured still ring true today. Sadly too many readers of such so-called newspapers lack the ability to “have real eyes”. I Wanna Be Me Sex Pistols You could have your choice of men But I could never love again He's the only one for me, Jolene I had to have this talk with you My happiness depends on you And whatever you decide to do, Jolene Jolene. Dolly Parton This song is a masterpiece of economy. There is no villainous or vitriol. Just the singer the admitting that another woman possesses everything she fears she lacks. The vulnerability makes it unusually powerful. I have always found this song fascinating because it is very credible in its depiction of female hierarchy and the associated power dynamic of beauty. I have often pondered why the character singing cleaves to such an unworthy man but the country genre is filled with laments for male wastrels. Jolene Dolly Parton If you like to gamble, I tell you I'm your man You win some, lose some, it's all the same to me The pleasure is to play, it makes no difference what you say I don't share your greed, the only card I need is [Chorus] The Ace of Spades The Ace of Spades Ace of Spades. Motörhead Fans and aficionados often see the lyrics of Ace of Spades to be a metaphor and validation of living a fast, high-risk, and unapologetic life. However, Lemmy told the BBC that people often tried to read deep, clever metaphors into the song, stating bluntly: “which it isn't”. He insisted it was just about playing cards. For me it doesn’t matter either way. The lyrics work perfectly with the song and express a mood, rather than a philosophy. Ace Of Spades Motörhead Deutschland Mein Herz in Flammen Will dich lieben und verdammen Deutschland Dein Atem kalt So jung Und doch so alt Deutschland Deutschland. Rammstein Song lyrics in another language are fascinating. Literal translations often fail to convey the complexities of the original lyrics. Often a deeper understanding of a nations semantic culture is required. However, not knowing the language in question doesn’t have to be an issue. The listener can take pleasure in the cadence, pronunciation and tone of the words that are being sung, irrespective of whether they understand them. Rammstein’s lyrics often paint complex and evocative mental pictures in their native German. However, not being a native speaker, when I hear a new song by them, I often find the sound of the words and lead singer Til Linderman’s inflexion, is what makes them compelling. Deutschland Rammstein I love you much It's not enough You love blow and I love puff And life Is like a pipe And I'm a tiny penny rollin' up the walls inside [Chorus] We only said goodbye with words I died a hundred times You go back to her And I go back to We only said goodbye with words I died a hundred times You go back to her And I go back to black Back to Black. Amy Winehouse This is a brutally concise breakup song. Winehouse’s lyrics rarely hide behind abstraction. The humiliation, desire, self-destructive behaviour and resentment present in the song (which is often drawn from her own experiences) have an almost uncomfortable frankness. All of which makes it so credible and emotionally honest. Back To Black Amy Winehouse Now your dancing child with his Chinese suit He spoke to me, I took his flute No, I wasn't very cute to him, was I? But I did it, because he lied and Because he took you for a ride And because time was on his side and Because I… [Chorus] Want you I want you Yes I want you, so bad I Want You. Bob Dylan Dylan is often thought to be referring to Brian Jones, the guitarist and multi-instrumentalist of The Rolling Stones. The pair shared a complex, volatile relationship that included moments of genuine artistic kinship. They also had periods of friction and public disputes. The lyrics here are suitably condescending and withering. They are all the more powerful when heard delivered in Dylan’s unique vocal style. I Want You Bob Dylan Permalink