The Good Lyrics Thread

[leadshoes]

From John Phillips after his time in the Mamas and the Papas, some mysterious words that hint at nature's impending revenge for all the destruction caused by mankind.

The Last of the Unnatural Acts
---------------------------
All of the stars look down on your earth
Everyone can see everything that you do
And all of the heavens have watched you since birth
And you had your chance to watch them, too

All of the trees and all of the flowers
And the birds that fly high in your wind
Beg the Heavenly Power
To intervene before you reach the end

All of the rain that falls on your earth
Cannot cleanse away what's been done
And all of the winds can't blow away the curse
That nature has required that will come.

These are the unnatural facts
This is the last of the unnatural acts.

[leadshoes]

Another song about impending doom of some sort or other

When It All Comes Down by Miaow
-----------------------------------
You gave me more than I hoped for
Your right to take it all away
The trouper you are, you always leave them wanting more
But it won't always be that way

Happy I died happy, I died happy, I died happy
Look who's coming on down
(You've got everything and your bird can sing
One day it will fly away)

Happy I died happy, I died happy, I died happy
Look who's coming on down
(You've got everything and your bird can sing
One day it will fly away)

Here's a boy with time on his side
Here's the girl too stupid to hide
(Away from all...)
All the mistakes I have seen you make before
Just tell me, who'll be your friend when it all comes down

Your big screen self is half of what you could be
I'm still brushing stardust from my body, gee
Oh gee, oh boy look at you now,
Johnny, what's left of you is meant for me
When it all comes down, you'll see

Happy I died happy, I died happy, I died happy
Look who's coming on down
(You've got everything and your bird can sing
One day it will fly away)

Happy I died happy, I died happy, I died happy
Look who's coming on down
(You've got everything and your bird can sing
One day it will fly away)

Here's a boy with time on his side
Here's the girl too stupid to hide
(Away from all...)
All the mistakes I have seen you make before
Just tell me, who'll be your friend when it all comes down.

It's gonna fall hard

Harder than you think
Sooner than you think
You'll see it's gonna come down

Harder than you think
Sooner than you think
You'll see it's gonna come down

[leadshoes]

I always knew ODB wasn't talking shit when he'd get all paranoid, and I finally know exactly what he meant all these years later... RIP Dirt McGirt

Brooklyn Zoo
--------------------------
I'm the one-man army, Ason
I never been tooken out, I keep MC's looking out
I drop science like Cosby dropping babies
Enough to make a nigga go crazy
In the G building, taking all types of medicines
Your ass thought you were better than
Ason, I keep planets in orbit
While I be coming with deeper and more shit
Enough to make you break and shake your ass
As I create rhymes good as a Tastycake makes
This style, I'm mastered in
Niggas catching headaches, what? What? You need Aspirin?
This type of pain, you couldn't even kill with Midol
Fuck around, get sprayed with Lysol
In your face like a can of mace, baby
Is it burning? Well, fuck it, now you're learning
How I don't even like your motherfucking profile
Give me my fucking shit blaow
Not seen and heard, no-one knows
You forget niggas be quiet as kept
Now you know nothing
Before you knew a whole fucking lot
Your ass don't wanna get shot
A lot of MC's came to my showdown
And watched me put your fucking ass low down
As you can go, below zero
Without a doubt I never been tooken out
By a nigga, who couldn't figure
Yo by a nigga, who couldn't figure
Yo by a nigga, who couldn't figure (Brooklyn Zoo)
How to pull a fucking gun trigger
I said "Get the fuck outta here!"
Nigga wanna get too close, to the utmost
But I got stacks that'll attack any wack host
Introducing - yo fuck that nigga's name
My Hip Hop drops on your head like rain
And when it rains it pours, cause my rhymes hardcore
That's why I give you more of the raw
Talent that I got will riz-ock the spot
MC's I'll be burning, burning hot
Whoa-hoa-hoa! Let me like slow up with the flow
If I move too quick, oh, you just won't know
I'm homicidal when you enter the target
Nigga get up, act like a pig trying to hog shit
So I take yo ass out quick
The mics, I've had it my nigga, you can suck my dick
If you wanna step to my motherfucking rep
Blown to death
You got shot cause you knock knock knock
"Who's there?" Another motherfucking hard rock
Slacking on your macking cause raw's what you lack
You wanna react? Bring it on back

Shame on you, when you step through to
The Ol' Dirty Bastard, Brooklyn Zoo!

[leadshoes]

These Pretenders lyrics are just some of many I've noticed that seem to cryptically talk about a mythic time like some kind of collective past life when things were so much better, that "place in the past we've been cast out of."

Back On The Chain Gang
----------------------
I found a picture of you
Oh oh oh oh oh oh
It would hijack my world at night
To a place in the past
We've been cast out of
Oh oh oh oh oh oh
Now we're back in the fight
We're back on the train, yeah
Oh oh
Back on the chain gang

A circumstance beyond our control,
Oh oh oh oh oh oh
The phone, the TV and the news of the world
Got in the house like a pigeon from hell,
Oh oh oh oh oh oh
Threw sand in our eyes and descended like flies
Put us back on the train, yeah
Oh oh
Back on the chain gang

The powers that be
That force us to live like we do
Bring me to my knees
When I see what they've done to you
But I'll die as I stand here today
Knowing that deep in my heart
They'll fall to ruin one day
For making us part...

I found a picture of you
Oh oh oh oh oh oh
Those were the happiest days of my life
Like a break in the battle was your part
Oh oh oh oh oh oh
In the wretched life of a lonely heart
Now we're back on the train, yeah
Oh oh
Back on the chain gang

[leadshoes]

Mystic's verse from Lyfe 'N' Tyme by the Bruthas Unda Madness

It's Mystic on the mic representin' the west
Plus representin' the craft, womanhood at its best
Yo simply
20 years young, with the gifted tongue
Leave niggas supremely sprung when my shit gets swung
One in a million ways to die
When caught up in the rapture of an unequivocal sister
My nature is of capture
Laughter, as the mask cascades
Down my
Lyrical blade, I don't need to be saved
Can't trade, life is rough enough to cuff a sister in chains
So I be
Keyed on the regular just to keep me sane
It's straining me
Staining me
Brothers be like "Damn you so cold"
They never fail to feel the pain in me
Dangerously
Close to the edge
Lawd have mercy
What a tangled web
Still my niggas say that it will be fine
Just let your light shine
Let your light shine
Divine across the nation
Matter of fact, fuck that, I got worldly expectations
So don't bother business up my mental with stress
Signin' off with finesse
The rude gal from the west

[leadshoes]

The verse about her being a disgrace for trying to take her father's place made me wonder if this could be about some historical person, and it finally hit me that it sounded like it was probably about Beatriz Allende, daughter of assassinated Chilean president Salvador Allende. Her name even starts with Beat. And I couldn't for the life of me figure out the third to last line for the longest time, until I suddenly realized it's exactly what it sounds like, she's got him dressing her meat. lol. I guess that means he's been marinating her BBQ or something.

Beat Girl by the Wishing Stones
--------
I've heard it said with a smile
She's not happy unless she's running wild
I've heard it said with a grin
She's never happy just sitting in

Beat girl
You've got me beat, girl
Swept off my feet, girl
You've got me, sweet girl

And I've heard it said with a sigh
She's not the same since her daddy died
And I've been told it's a disgrace
The way she tries to take her daddy's place

Beat girl
You've got me beat, girl
Swept off my feet, girl
You've got me, sweet girl

Beat girl
You've got me beat, girl
Swept off my feet, girl
You've got me, sweet girl

See her standing waiting for the bus
She won't be happy 'til she's free from us
See her standing waiting for the bus
She won't be happy 'til she's free from us

Beat girl
You've got me beat, girl
Swept off my feet, girl
Running down the street, girl
Dressing your meat, girl
Feeling complete, girl
You make my heart miss a beat, girl.

[leadshoes]

I read that this was written in tribute to Eliza's late aunt Lal Waterson. It's sweet while still strange in a good way. Lal would be proud.

Mohair by Eliza Carthy
---------
Green fields and brown wools and clothes my garden inlet
Out there back on the hill is where I like to go
Now I'm told 
There's wolves with teeth behind the brown
And sticks and stones to bring me down

When you were around I never came to tea and
Oh now that you're not I don't know how to go
Past your house
Where there's things still there upon the wall
But there's not the sight of you at all

If you were here we could go dancing
The lot of us at the back of the bus
Red dresses on down to the river for fun

If you were a bird would you sit outside our window
And watch out at night and keep us safe and warm
We miss you so
Oh reviens reviens ma chernie
How could you leave so easily

If you were a bird you could go flying
And look below
Wave at the folks we know
You forget these things when you're crying in church

So if you were here I'd take you dancing
The lot of us at the back of the bus
Red dresses on down to the river for fun

[leadshoes]

An ominous one with apocalyptic overtones: "Roads and noise of glass and steel, and people snared within the wheel."

Farewell by the Yardbirds

Looking at the world around
For the very first time.
Never seen it all before,
Hope it's not all mine.

On Monday morning all alone,
I woke within my house of stone.
I ventured forth unto the day,
These things I saw upon my way.

Trees and flowers were wrapped around
With people's castoffs on the ground.
Roads and noise of glass and steel,
And people snared within the wheel.

Tuesday looked into the sky
Where birds in peace were left to fly.
Thunder rolled and lightning flashed,
I watched the world as people dashed.

Friday sadness began to creep
Upon me like the deepest sleep.
It seemed that only I could see
Just what my world would finally be.

On Sunday back inside my room,
I draw the blinds, 'tis afternoon.
I let my mind find its own ways,
Farewell to future days.

[leadshoes]

Another ominous one.

Nottamun Town by Fairport Convention
-------------------------------
In Nottamun Town not a soul would look up,
Not a soul would look up, not a soul would look down,
Not a soul would look up, not a soul would look down,
To show me the way to fair Nottamun Town.

Met the King and the Queen, and a company more
Come a-walking behind and a-riding before
Come a stark naked drummer a-beating the drum
With his hands on his bosom, come marching along.

Sat down on a hard, hot cold frozen stone,
Ten thousand stood 'round me, yet I was alone
Took my hat in my hands for to keep my head warm,
Ten thousand got drowneded that never was born.

In Nottamun Town not a soul would look up,
Not a soul would look up, not a soul would look down,
Not a soul would look up, not a soul would look down,
To show me the way to fair Nottamun Town.

[leadshoes]

And a strange string of warnings and advice from Nick Drake:

Things Behind the Sun
-------------------
Please beware of them that stare
They'll only smile to see you while
Your time away
And once you've seen what they have been
To win the earth just won't seem worth
Your night or your day
Who'll hear what I say.
Look around you find the ground
Is not so far from where you are
But not too wise
For down below they never grow
They're always tired and charms are hired
From out of their eyes
Never surprise.

Take your time and you'll be fine
And say a prayer for people there
Who live on the floor
And if you see what's meant to be
Don't name the day or try to say
It happened before.

Don't be shy you learn to fly
And see the sun when day is done
If only you see
Just what you are beneath a star
That came to stay one rainy day
In autumn for free
Yes, be what you'll be.
Please beware of them that stare
They'll only smile to see you while
Your time away
And once you've seen what they have been
To win the earth just won't seem worth
Your night or your day
Who'll hear what I say.

Open up the broken cup
Let goodly sin and sunshine in
Yes that's today.
And open wide the hymns you hide
You find renown while people frown
At things that you say
But say what you'll say
About the farmers and the fun
And the things behind the sun
And the people around your head
Who say everything's been said
And the movement in your brain
Sends you out into the rain.

[leadshoes]

Soon.

Glad It's All Over by Captain Sensible
------------------------
Submarines in the harbour
incognito
Submarines of your dreams
not mine
The red red sky
must take the prize
For giving to the people
who never never go to war

We're glad it's all over
We're glad it's all over
We're glad it's all over

Hidden tunnels
Secret items
Guarded fences
Planet Earth
Testing ground
Right now
The blue blue moon
Knows that soon
We'll be searching for the people
Who never never went to war

We're glad it's all over
We're glad it's all over

The red red sky
must take the prize
The red red sky
is giving to the people
who never never go to war

We're glad it's all over
We're glad it's all over
We're glad it's all over

...is giving to the people
who never never go to war

We're glad it's all over
We're glad it's all over
We're glad it's all over
We're glad it's all over
We're glad it's all over
We're glad it's all over

[leadshoes]

I've always loved the lyrics to this, the way it builds up from one line and verse to the next, the cryptically titled:
Skankin' Queens (a Thousand Times) by the Bodines

You throw the stone into the sea
I watch the ripples coming back to me, coming back, coming back
But I don't look so I don't see
I don't care what your friends believe, what your friends believe
They don't believe in me

I tried a thousand times,
A thousand times to change your mind
A thousand times to change your mind
It seemed right at the time

I hold out hope but that's just me
Trifling with my heart you see
And in return my heart
Is trifling with me

I hold out hope but where's the need
You've really got your claws in deep
You know I'll crawl back
I will never leave

I've said goodbye a thousand times
And everytime you changed my mind
A thousand times you changed my mind

I've tried time after time
To pack my things and say goodbye
I see the mocking in your eyes
And something clicks and I see why
I try time after time
Then something clicks and I see why

Then something clicks and I see why
You're worth your weight in anything
Worth your weight in anything
And everything is on your side
I tried a thousand times
A thousand times to change your mind
A thousand times to change your mind
It seemed right at the time...

[leadshoes]

As always, the Pop Group telling it like it is:

There Are No Spectators
---------------------
There are no spectators
You participate whether you like it or not
There are no spectators
You are responsible whether you like it or not

There is no neutral
There is no neutral

No one is innocent
and no one will be forgiven
and no one will be forgiven

Escapism is not freedom
Escapism is not freedom

Voyeurs of the armageddon

To wash your hands of the conflict
between the powerful and the powerless
means you are taking sides with the oppressor
watch out for the magicians

[JFK speech]
Some men see things as they are and say why?
I dream things that never were and say why not?

We are all accessories to murder
There is guilt and there is action

Bring the war into peoples' homes
Bring the war into peoples' homes
Bring the war into peoples' homes

Jihaaaaaad

Only you can prevent the armageddon
Only you can be your own liberator
Only you

[leadshoes]

The Incredible String Band dispensing mystical prophetic fun as only they can:

Waltz of the New Moon
-------------------------
I hear that the emperor of China used to wear iron shoes with ease
We are the tablecloth and also the table also the fable of the dancing leaves

The new moon is rising, the axe of the thunder is broken
As never was not since the flood nor yet since the world began
The new moon is shining, the angels are washing their windows
Above the years whose jumble sale goes spinning on below
Ask the snail beneath the stone, ask the stone beneath the wall
Are there any stars at all
Like an eagle in the sky tell me if air is strong

In the floating pan pipe victories of the golden harvest
Safe in the care of the dear moon

The new moon is rising, the eyelid of God is approaching
The humane train, the skating raining travelling voice of certainty
The new moon is shining, the harmonious hand is now holding Lord Krishna's ring
The eagle's wing, the voice of mother, everything
Ask the snail beneath the stone, ask the stone beneath the wall
Are there any stars at all
Like an eagle in the sky tell me if air is strong

In the floating palaces of the spinning castle
May the fire king's daughter bring water to you.

[leadshoes]

More sweetly strange and strangely prophetic fun of a different kind, two favorites from Big Flame:

Sink
----------
S'epidemic irrev-e-lation
The last thing I wanted in all Creation
I couldn't hold onto that smile I made you
The edges were too ragged and the seams were showing through
Just to keep my hand in, I thought I'd write a note
Just to keep my hand in

But you're barrels of fun
You're my elixir ten times over
I'd sail the ocean, I'd swim the sea
But I'd rather be legless than be brought down to my knees

Just to keep my hand in, I thought I'd write a note
Just to keep my hand in, I'll confess,
It's on you I dote.

There will be times when your wits desert you 
There will be times when you feel all aglow
There may be times coming up in that last round
There will be things we all ought to know
There will be!

Just to keep my hand in, I thought I'd write a note
Just to keep my hand in.

Oh Lord above us, forgive our wicked ways
I never sinned like this, well, not until today
But the winter caught up, so I threw the summer out
I loved the way you dress but not your drunken list and pout

Just to keep my hand in, I thought I'd write a note
Just to keep my hand in, I'll confess
It's on you I dote.

Sometimes
---------------
There is a life beside the fire, she burns as if there were no death
Whereas her soul out on bail it moans as she takes her final breath
Still around 'til the sun comes down, M.T. Jarre in
"A Bit of a Good Time," effervescing ever after:
"Toiled and toiled until sunk into sublime."

Out on the mountain, down in the town there is a bright and shining air
Circling cars with their windows in love, steaming up like a heady affair
In through the door, behind the curtain
This is the moon shining
Down through the sewer and onto the floor
Where the happy and free are whining and dining
Whining and dining!

Sometimes there are bridges falling down
Sometimes they drown in the winter seas
Sometimes the earth is really flat
I could die from the truth, I swear

Sometimes it gets hot in here
Sometimes the heat is unbearable
Sometimes it's bloody freezing
I could die from the cold, I swear

I could die from the truth, I swear
Syl could die from the...
I could die from the cold, I swear
Syl could die from the truth, she swears