best songs that tell a story?

Surreal AF

 

The Mamas & The Papas with the story of how the sunshine pop genre of the mid to late 60's evolved from the L.A. folk movement in the early 60's.

 

This song tells the story o’ Celtic striker, Leigh Griffiths, who is presently facing sexting allegations concerning a fifteen year auld lassie…

 

I was just going to post this when I saw the thread. Good shout.

 

How the hell do these guys think they're not going to get caught?

 

I've always really liked this song but even as a kid I always thought it had sinister undertones

 

There seems to be a lot of songs like that. They wouldn't fly these days. Rod Stewart's "Tonight's The Night" has some ultra creepy lyrics. He tried to cover his tracks by saying he wrote that for his first wife.

Some songs just come right out and say the age too. 17, 16, 15. No shame in their game.

 

BREAKING NEWS: Gylfi Sigurdsson breaks his silence. He has released a video on social media telling his side of the story:

 

As earlier discussed in another thread on here, talking with lb for lb about ABBA.

There is no denying the connection of these two songs:

"One Of Us"

From 1981, this is one of the last songs ABBA recorded before they split for 40 years. With Agnetha on lead vocals, the song tells a story of a woman who leaves her man. She feels he's holding her back in life. But after leaving she realizes her love for him and instantly regrets leaving.

 

And one of the first songs ABBA recorded upon reuniting in 2021 was "Don't Shut Me Down."

Again with Agnetha singing lead, the song appears to pick up the story 40 years later when the woman finally gathers enough courage to come back to the man she left four decades ago.

 

"The Night Chicago Died" Paper Lace

 

Two Russian soldiers desert their unit & make their way to London. The song tells their story as they struggle to fit in their new home.

 

I'm a big fan of the early stuff from The Streets, so I'll nominate the entirity of 'A Grand Don't Come For Free'. It's basically the story of a failed love affair played through ten or so songs.

MTF

 

I was listening to Jeremy by Pearl Jam and remembered this thread.

 

Sadly, it was based on a true story.

 

Crazy. Never knew that.

 

Another song based on a true story:

 

Dj Quik's story of how in 1992, brothers from around the whole country all wanted to be like the brothers in L.A.

 

"Lord Grenville" -Al Stewart

Sir Richard Grenville (1542-1591) , Vice Admiral of the British Navy, was involved in two incidents that didn't work out so well for Britain. The song is about the first. In 1586, while traveling to the Americas and back he came upon the island colony of Roanoke being set up by Sir Walter Raleigh. He decided to leave 15 men of his crew behind to help fortify the settlement. The colony was later discovered abandoned and to this day no one knows what actually happened to the inhabitants.

The song is from the point of view of the 15 men he left behind. Men who had families back in England and who were now put it into an uncertain and sad situation.

Al Stewart is known for his historical songs and references. This is one if his best.

 

Roanoke Colony - Wikipedia


Richard Grenville - Wikipedia

 

A sad song based on another true story by The Cure.

One night after a Cure show, Robert Smith happened to see his old friend, Billy MacKenzie (lead singer of The Associates) backstage. But on this particular night, Smith was very busy dealing with interviews, press and promoters. Aside from a nod and a wave, he didn't get to spend any time with his old friend.

It would be the last time he saw MacKenzie. Three weeks later MacKenzie committed suicide. The song is about the regret he felt about that last night as well as how we tend to treat people and put things off over time.

Note: The Smiths song, "William, It Was Really Nothing" is also about Billy MacKenzie. Which inspired MacKenzie's response song to Morrissey, "Steven, You're Really Something."

 

"Cut Here" (2001)

 

Not sure where to put this and it is too flawless to be off the top of the dome b8t damn

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