I was thinking about starting a thread about your favorite lyrics. It could be an entire song or just a line or 2, but lyrics that everytime you hear them you crank up your radio or scream it at the top of your lungs.

Mean Mr. Mustard - The Beatles

"Mean Mister Mustard sleeps in the park
Shaves in the dark trying to save paper
Sleeps in a hole in the road
Saving up to buy some clothes
Keeps a ten-bob note up his nose
Such a mean old man
Such a mean old man

His sister Pam works in a shop
She never stops, she's a go-getter
Takes him out to look at the queen
Only place that he's ever been
Always shouts out something obscene
Such a dirty old man
Dirty old man"

One of my favorite lyrics comes from Otis Redding's "The Dock of the Bay":

Sittin' here resting my bones
And this loneliness won't leave me alone.

My all time fav song: Freebird by Lynyrd Skynyrd

If I leave here tomorrow
Would you still remember me?
For I must be travelling on, now,
cause theres too many places Ive got to see.

No for lyrical genius it has to be:

"Maybe you're Sicilian with a tan, but you hate lasagne and the pizza man".

Cocaine Blues - Johnny Cash

Early one mornin' while makin' the rounds
I took a shot of cocaine and I shot my woman down
I went right home and I went to bed
I stuck that lovin' .44 beneath my head

Got up next mornin' and I grabbed that gun
Took a shot of cocaine and away I run
Made a good run but I ran too slow
They overtook me down in Juarez, Mexico

Late in the hot joints takin' the pills
In walked the sheriff from Jericho Hill
He said Willy Lee your name is not Jack Brown
You're the dirty heck that shot your woman down

Said yes, oh yes my name is Willy Lee
If you've got the warrant just a-read it to me
Shot her down because she made me sore
I thought I was her daddy but she had five more

When I was arrested I was dressed in black
They put me on a train and they took me back
Had no friend for to go my bail
They slapped my dried up carcass in that county jail

Early next mornin' bout a half past nine
I spied the sheriff coming down the line
Ah, and he coughed as he cleared his throat
He said come on you dirty heck into that district court

Into the courtroom my trial began
Where I was handled by twelve honest men
Just before the jury started out
I saw the little judge commence to look about

In about five minutes in walked the man
Holding the verdict in his right hand
The verdict read murder in the first degree
I hollered Lawdy Lawdy, have a mercy on me

The judge he smiled as he picked up his pen
99 years in the Folsom pen
99 years underneath that ground
I can't forget the day I shot that bad bitch down

Come on you've gotta listen unto me
Lay off that whiskey and let that cocaine be

I have many fav song lyrics,but the one that sticks out the most is:

Oasis-Cigarettes and Alcohal

Is it worth the agrevation to find yourself a job,when theres nothing worth working for

Man i love that from "Walk the lIne" what album is that on apart from the soundtrack do you know

The "At Folsom Prison" album

Cheers

Anything written by Morrissey.

there's one line from Nirvana's "Serve The Servants" that always gives me chills:

"teenage angst has paid off well/ now I'm bored and old"

oh and there's another spiritual line from a legendary Ramones' song: "now I wanna sniff some glue/ now I wanna have something to do" :p

Far too many to list, but here are some I've been obsessed with lately or for a long time.

You Know You're Right - Nirvana
I'm so warm and calm inside
I no longer have to hide
There's talk about someone else
Steaming soup against her mouth
Nothing really bothers her
She just wants to love herself

Time - Pink Floyd
Tired of lying in the sunshine
Staying home to watch the rain
And you are young and life is long
And there is time to kill today
And then one day you find
Ten years have got behind you
No one told you when to run
You missed the starting gun


Down in a Hole - Alice in Chains
Bury me softly in this womb
I give this part of me for you
Sand rains down and here I sit
Holding rare flowers
In a tomb...in bloom

Down in a hole and I don't know if I can be saved
See my heart I decorate it like a grave
You don't understand who they
Thought I was supposed to be
Look at me now a man
Who won't let himself be

Down in a hole, feelin' so small
Down in a hole, losin' my soul
I'd like to fly,
But my wings have been so denied

Fetus - Pagoda
You were born in my head
Every time I hear my fear
Every tear of my sad eye will drip
Every drop that runs past my lips
For every thought
How good, that your death now benefits me

How could it benefit me
It benefits me
It benefits me
It benefits me

Frogs - Alice in Chains
What does friend mean to you?
A word so wrongfully abused
Are you like me, confused
All included but you
Alone...

Death to Birth - Pagoda
From ripe to rotten, too real to live
Should I lie down or stand up
and walk around again?
My eyes finally wide open up
My eyes finally wide open shut
I finally found the sound
that hears the touch of my tears
Smells a taste of all we waste
could feed the others

Town With No Cheer - Tom Waits
Well it's hotter 'n blazes and all the long faces
there'll be no oasis for a dry local grazier
there'll be no refreshment for a thirsty jackaroo
from Melbourne to Adelaide on the overlander
with newfangled buffet cars and faster locomotives
the train stopped in Serviceton less and less often
There's nothing sadder than a town with no cheer
Voc Rail decided the canteen was no longer necessary there
no spirits, no bilgewater and 80 dry locals
and the high noon sun beats a hundred and four
there's a hummingbird trapped in a closed down shoe store

Desolation Row - Bob Dylan
Now the moon is almost hidden
The stars are beginning to hide
The fortunetelling lady
Has even taken all her things inside
All except for Cain and Abel
And the hunchback of Notre Dame
Everybody is making love
Or else expecting rain
And the Good Samaritan, he's dressing
He's getting ready for the show
He's going to the carnival tonight
On Desolation Row

Just Killing Time - Black Label Society
I sit reflecting
I feel the end has begun
It seems my days now mirror the setting sun
So many places that I have been
This ride that was long seems so short in terms of now and then

For All that has been
And All that is
All that's to be
Lord, I'm just killing time
And time's killing me

Venus in Furs - The Velvet Underground
Shiny, shiny, shiny boots of leather
Whiplash girlchild in the dark
Comes in bells, your servant, don't forsake him
Strike, dear mistress, and cure his heart
Downy sins of streetlight fancies
Chase the costumes she shall wear
Ermine furs adorn the imperious
Severin, Severin awaits you there
I am tired, I am weary
I could sleep for a thousand years
A thousand dreams that would awake me
Different colors made of tears

Bulls on Parade - Rage Against the Machine
Weapons not food, not homes, not shoes
Not need, just feed tha war canibal animal
I walk tha corner to tha rubble that used to be a
Library
Line up to tha mind cemetery
What we dont know keeps tha contracts alive an
Movin
They dont gotta burn tha books they just remove em
While arms warehouses fill as quick as tha cells
Rally round tha family, pockets full of shells
Rally round tha family
With pockets full of shells

And I heard, as it were, the noise of thunder: One of the four beasts saying: "Come and see." And I saw. And behold, a white horse.
There's a man goin' 'round takin' names. An' he decides who to free and who to blame. Everybody won't be treated all the same. There'll be a golden ladder reaching down. When the man comes around.

The hairs on your arm will stand up. At the terror in each sip and in each sup. For you partake of that last offered cup, Or disappear into the potter's ground. When the man comes around.

Hear the trumpets, hear the pipers. One hundred million angels singin'. Multitudes are marching to the big kettle drum. Voices callin', voices cryin'. Some are born an' some are dyin'. It's Alpha's and Omega's Kingdom come.

And the whirlwind is in the thorn tree. The virgins are all trimming their wicks. The whirlwind is in the thorn tree. It's hard for thee to kick against the pricks.

Till Armageddon, no Shalam, no Shalom. Then the father hen will call his chickens home. The wise men will bow down before the throne. And at his feet they'll cast their golden crown. When the man comes around.

Whoever is unjust, let him be unjust still. Whoever is righteous, let him be righteous still. Whoever is filthy, let him be filthy still. Listen to the words long written down, When the man comes around.

Hear the trumpets, hear the pipers. One hundred million angels singin'. Multitudes are marchin' to the big kettle drum. Voices callin', voices cryin'. Some are born an' some are dyin'. It's Alpha's and Omega's Kingdom come.

And the whirlwind is in the thorn tree. The virgins are all trimming their wicks. The whirlwind is in the thorn tree. It's hard for thee to kick against the pricks.

In measured hundredweight and penny pound. When the man comes around.

And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts, And I looked and behold: a pale horse. And his name, that sat on him, was Death. And Hell followed with him.

Ahh, Don Vercetti threw down the gauntlet with "Time". The other great Pink Floyd lyrics I dig.

"Wish You Were Here" (WISH YOU WERE HERE, 1975)

So, so you think you can tell
Heaven from Hell,
Blue skys from pain.
Can you tell a green field
From a cold steel rail?
A smile from a veil?
Do you think you can tell?

And did they get you to trade
Your heros for ghosts?
Hot ashes for trees?
Hot air for a cool breeze?
Cold comfort for change?
And did you exchange
A walk on part in the war
For a lead role in a cage?

How I wish, how I wish you were here.
We're just two lost souls
Swimming in a fish bowl,
Year after year,
Running over the same old ground.
What have we found?
The same old fears.
Wish you were here.

Funny enough, "Wish You Were Here" was never one of my favorites. It's a VERY good song, but its almost never in my self-made set lists for Floyd. However, the lyrics kick ass. Interestingly, before Gilmour put the lyrics to music, Waters originally penned the song as a poem.

Then my other favorite set of Floyd lyrics:

"Comfortably Numb" (THE WALL, 1979)

Hello?
Is there anybody in there?
Just nod if you can hear me.
Is there anyone at home?
Come on, now,
I hear you're feeling down.
Well I can ease your pain
Get you on your feet again.
Relax.
I'll need some information first.
Just the basic facts.
Can you show me where it hurts?

There is no pain you are receding
A distant ship, smoke on the horizon.
You are only coming through in waves.
Your lips move but I can't hear what you're saying.
When I was a child I had a fever
My hands felt just like two balloons.
Now I've got that feeling once again
I can't explain you would not understand
This is not how I am.
I have become comfortably numb.

O.K.
Just a little pinprick.
There'll be no more aaaaaaaaah!
But you may feel a little sick.
Can you stand up?
I do believe it's working, good.
That'll keep you going through the show
Come on it's time to go.

There is no pain you are receding
A distant ship, smoke on the horizon.
You are only coming through in waves.
Your lips move but I can't hear what you're saying.
When I was a child
I caught a fleeting glimpse
Out of the corner of my eye.
I turned to look but it was gone
I cannot put my finger on it now
The child is grown,
The dream is gone.
I have become comfortably numb.

Pink Floyd: DOGS

And when you loose control, youll reap the harvest that youve sown
And as the fear grows, the bad blood slows and turns to stone
And its too late to loose the weight you used to need to throw around
So have a good drown, as you go down alone
Dragged down by the stone.

And

Deaf, dumb, and blind, you just keep on pretending
That everyones expendable and no-one had a real friend
And it seems to you the thing to do would be to isolate the winner
And you believe at heart, everyones a killer.


Grateful Dead: TERRAPIN STATION

Let my inspiration flow in token rhyme, suggesting rhythm,
That will not forsake you, till my tale is told and done.
While the firelights aglow, strange shadows from the flames will grow,
Till things weve never seen will seem familiar.

Shadows of a sailor, forming winds both foul and fair all swarm.
Down in carlisle, he loved a lady many years ago.
Here beside him stands a man, a soldier from the looks of him,
Who came through many fights, but lost at love.

While the story teller speaks, a door within the fire creaks;
Suddenly flies open, and a girl is standing there.
Eyes alight, with glowing hair, all that fancy paints as fair,
She takes her fan and throws it, in the lions den.

Which of you to gain me, tell, will risk uncertain pains of hell?
I will not forgive you if you will not take the chance.
The sailor gave at least a try, the soldier being much too wise,
Strategy was his strength, and not disaster.

The sailor, coming out again, the lady fairly leapt at him.
Thats how it stands today. you decide if he was wise.
The story teller makes no choice. soon you will not hear his voice.
His job is to shed light, and not to master.

Since the end is never told, we pay the teller off in gold,
In hopes he will return, but he cannot be bought or sold.

Be prepared tomorrow for my installment of favs. Just got back from Jimmy Buffett for the third time. Gotta sleep. I will post all new lyrics and not my usual Mr. Tambourine Man(though it is my fav).

The Doc

The ones who love us best,
are the ones we'll lay to rest,
and visit their graves on holidays at best.
The ones who love us least,
are the ones we'll die to please.
If it's any consolation,
I don't begin to understand them

Stone
Stone
Stone
Stone
Stone
Stone
Stone
Stone
Stone
Stone
Stone

"JACKSON"

We got married in a fever, hotter than a pepper sprout,
We've been talkin' 'bout Jackson, ever since the fire went out.
I'm goin' to Jackson, I'm gonna mess around,
Yeah, I'm goin' to Jackson,
Look out Jackson town.

Well, go on down to Jackson; go ahead and wreck your health.
Go play your hand you big-talkin' man, make a big fool of yourself,
Yeah, go to Jackson; go comb your hair!
Honey, I'm gonna snowball Jackson.
See if I care.

When I breeze into that city, people gonna stoop and bow. (Hah!)
All them women gonna make me, teach 'em what they don't know how,
I'm goin' to Jackson, you turn-a loose-a my coat.
'Cos I'm goin' to Jackson.
"Goodbye," that's all she wrote.

But they'll laugh at you in Jackson, and I'll be dancin' on a Pony Keg.
They'll lead you 'round town like a scalded hound,
With your tail tucked between your legs,
Yeah, go to Jackson, you big-talkin' man.
And I'll be waitin' in Jackson, behind my Jaypan Fan,

Well now, we got married in a fever, hotter than a pepper Sprout,
We've been talkin' 'bout Jackson, ever since the fire went.
I'm goin' to Jackson, and that's a fact.
Yeah, we're goin' to Jackson, ain't never comin' back.


"JOHNNY CASH & JUNE CARTER CASH"

I'm trying to expose myself to some more Sinatra, and I came across this song:

That's life (that's life), that's what all the people say
You're ridin' high in April, shot down in May
But I know I'm gonna change that tune
When I'm back on top, back on top in June

I said that's life (that's life), and as funny as it may seem
Some people get their kicks stompin' on a dream
But I don't let it, let it get me down
'cause this fine old world, it keeps spinnin' around

I've been a puppet, a pauper, a pirate, a poet, a pawn and a king
I've been up and down and over and out and I know one thing
Each time I find myself flat on my face
I pick myself up and get back in the race

That's life (that's life), I tell you I can't deny it
I thought of quitting, baby, but my heart just ain't gonna buy it
And if I didn't think it was worth one single try
I'd jump right on a big bird and then I'd fly

I've been a puppet, a pauper, a pirate, a poet, a pawn and a king
I've been up and down and over and out and I know one thing
Each time I find myself layin' flat on my face
I just pick myself up and get back in the race

That's life (that's life), that's life and I can't deny it
Many times I thought of cuttin' out but my heart won't buy it
But if there's nothin' shakin' come this here July
I'm gonna roll myself up in a big ball a-and die

I love the lyrics - true, yet also comical...especially the last two lines in contrast to the rest.

And that song is how I live my life. You wouldn't believe how much I appreciate your posting of it now.

Though unintentional, I'm glad I could be of help, Turi.

I really love the song itself, and the lyrics just make it all the better.

I uploaded it to iTunes from Sinatra Reprise: The Very Good Years, a CD I found in my parents' collection.

My favourite lyrics are from a song called Disband The RUC, which is sang by many different Irish singers. The song is about the RUC, which is now known as the PSNI (although alot of Irish Republicans still refer to them as the RUC,) the oppressive, discriminative, bigot-fuelled "police force" in the Occupied Six Counties in Ireland.

There's a police force in old Ireland,
they're loyal to the crown;
most have stood behind the goat,
with their trousers down.
They victimise Republicans and they hate the Pope in Rome.
It's time to stop their armoured cars, send the bastards home!

Disband the RUC now, they've had their bloody day,
They brutalise and torture, our men in Castlereagh,
They abuse and taunt our women and our children while they play,
Disband these thugs in uniform and send them on their way!

Frank Sinatra - My Way

And now, the end is here
And so I face the final curtain
My friend, I'll say it clear
I'll state my case, of which I'm certain
I've lived a life that's full
I traveled each and ev'ry highway
And more, much more than this, I did it my way

Regrets, I've had a few
But then again, too few to mention
I did what I had to do and saw it through without exemption
I planned each charted course, each careful step along the byway
And more, much more than this, I did it my way

Yes, there were times, I'm sure you knew
When I bit off more than I could chew
But through it all, when there was doubt
I ate it up and spit it out
I faced it all and I stood tall and did it my way

I've loved, I've laughed and cried
I've had my fill, my share of losing
And now, as tears subside, I find it all so amusing
To think I did all that
And may I say, not in a shy way,
"Oh, no, oh, no, not me, I did it my way"

For what is a man, what has he got?
If not himself, then he has naught
To say the things he truly feels and not the words of one who kneels
The record shows I took the blows and did it my way!

Bah, the best cover of "My Way" was by a guy that for all practical purposes, had no talent with the guitar, nor could actually sing. That's right, Sid Vicious' cover from 1979.

Because - The Beatles

"Because the world is round it turns me on
Because the world is round...aaaaaahhhhhh

Because the wind is high it blows my mind
Because the wind is high......aaaaaaaahhhh

Love is all, love is new
Love is all, love is you

Because the sky is blue, it makes me cry
Because the sky is blue.......aaaaaaaahhhh

Aaaaahhhhhhhhhh..."

I Am The Walrus - The Beatles

"Man, you been a naughty boy, you let your face grow long"
"Boy, you been a naughty girl you let your Knickers down"

From 'My Love' by Paul McCartney:

"Only my love holds the other key...to me"

Over 30 years old and still one of the loveliest, cleverest, most touchingly simple lyrics ever written. And it was probably for Linda.

Anyone think he's got a line for Heather?

Apple

I think "The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll" is one of the most amazing poems ever.

There was a period of time (in the early 60's) when Dylan wrote this that were unrivalled in rock history (IMHO). His "With God on Our Side" and "The Ballad of Hollis Brown" (along with "Hattie Caroll") are among my favorites.