What are your favorite songs about

[Lorenzo]

What are your favorite songs about? What do you think the creators of the song meant it to be and how do you interpret the song? How does music affect your interpretation of a song?

One obvious one that I often wondered about as a kid was Stairway to Heaven. I think it's a song about people who think they can makeup their own version of a stairway only to have the earth that outlives us laugh at us for overthinking because in reality there is no stairway.

My favorite Led Zeppelin song, if I had to pick one, is Rain Song. And it's because of the music. The songs lyrics highlight ups and downs in life and how they balance things. But for the entire song the music remains exceptionally beautiful which makes me think that we have to still be thankful for the dark moments that we have that can bring us back to the enjoyable times.

There are a lot of songs about flying. One that I like the most is Pink Floyd's Learning to Fly. I think Gilmour is narrating about a pilot flying a plane, but compares it to the band's journey after Roger Watters.

 

[Chaplin]

Janie’s got a Gun is about child abuse and was my favorite song for a long time during my younger years.

 

[Lorenzo]

Janie’s got a Gun is about child abuse and was my favorite song for a long time during my younger years.

that is one of their best songs. that was the first year I started watching MTV. The video was iconic for me. also scary though, I was only 6. I don't know her name, but the lady in the music video is also one of the main characters in George Strait's "Pure Country"

Man I gotta give props to Joe Perry for his guitar solo tone in that one, and for mimicking the ambulance. I think red rider does the same thing on lunatic fringe.

 

[Brian in Mesa]

that is one of their best songs. that was the first year I started watching MTV. The video was iconic for me. also scary though, I was only 6. I don't know her name, but the lady in the music video is also one of the main characters in George Strait's "Pure Country"

Lesley Ann Warren.

Also, the music video was directed by David Fincher.

Some of Steven Tyler's original lyrics were too graphic and had to be toned down but he sometimes would sing the original words to the song when live in concert.

 

[cardncubfan]

Golden Country by REO Speedwagon is as relevant today as it was in the 70's.

 

[Lorenzo]

my uncle passed away about 6 months ago. He was a huge Ozzy fan. Not exactly sure of the song meaning, but every time I listen to the song "time after to time" I think about him.

 

[ajcardfan]

Most of my favorite songs are about death and mental illness. IDK, I like the dark stuff, ironically it always lifts me up and makes me feel stronger. "In my Time of Dying" (Zeppelin), "Megalomania" (Sabbath), "Beyond the Realms of Death" (Priest) and "Down in a Hole" (Alice in Chains).

I also like songs that are pissed off about war and how we trash the planet.

 

[Lorenzo]

Most of my favorite songs are about death and mental illness. IDK, I like the dark stuff, ironically it always lifts me up and makes me feel stronger. "In my Time of Dying" (Zeppelin), "Megalomania" (Sabbath), "Beyond the Realms of Death" (Priest) and "Down in a Hole" (Alice in Chains).

I also like songs that are pissed off about war and how we trash the planet.

In my time of dying is one of Led Zeppelin's most underrated songs. especially live. it was probably their best number from the 2007 concert IMO. I thought that one and No Quarter. I could add a few to that list for songs that are dark, but also songs that I find help me get through tough times. Day I tried to Live by Soundgarden, breaking the habit by Linking Park, wrong Side of heaven by five finger death punch, fine again by seether, three days grace never too late.

 

[Adrian]

I like crybaby songs…like babyfaces-“when can I see you again” for example

 

[QuebecCard]

Both Sides Now - Joni Mitchell.

 

[Chaplin]

Jeremy by Pearl Jam is about a school shooting. Brilliant song and video actually. I think MTV banned the video back in the day.

 

[oaken1]

I have a variety of "Favorite " songs.
Not really on a particular topic. But because they fit or create a specific mood.
"Faith"... George Michael
"Lights" ....Journey
"Enter the Sandman"...Metallica
"Alcohaulin Ass"..... Hell Yeah
"Father Figure" ... George Michael
"Hells Bells" ...AC/DC
"Don't take the girl"... Tim McGraw
"As good as I once was"... Toby Keith

Any one of these songs I have been known to play on repeat for two hours at a time.
But I only dance in my underwear while cleaning the house to "Faith"
You should try it sometime

 

[Bada0Bing]

Most of my favorite songs are about death and mental illness. IDK, I like the dark stuff, ironically it always lifts me up and makes me feel stronger. "In my Time of Dying" (Zeppelin), "Megalomania" (Sabbath), "Beyond the Realms of Death" (Priest) and "Down in a Hole" (Alice in Chains).

I also like songs that are pissed off about war and how we trash the planet.

I can relate. Hurt, both Cash and NIN, is a fantastic song.

Cat's in the Cradle is another one that really makes me stop and think about how I spend my time.

Mostly I listen for the sound, but there are a few songs out there, like the 2 above, where my mind focuses on each lyric.

 

[Bada0Bing]

I have a variety of "Favorite " songs.
Not really on a particular topic. But because they fit or create a specific mood.
"Faith"... George Michael
"Lights" ....Journey
"Enter the Sandman"...Metallica
"Alcohaulin Ass"..... Hell Yeah
"Father Figure" ... George Michael
"Hells Bells" ...AC/DC
"Don't take the girl"... Tim McGraw
"As good as I once was"... Toby Keith

Any one of these songs I have been known to play on repeat for two hours at a time.
But I only dance in my underwear while cleaning the house to "Faith"
You should try it sometime

I have to be careful about that. There have been times when I've listened to songs on repeat too long. It helps me focus like nobody's business, but there have been times I barely slept because the song keeps playing in my head all night.

 

[Lorenzo]

I can relate. Hurt, both Cash and NIN, is a fantastic song.

Cat's in the Cradle is another one that really makes me stop and think about how I spend my time.

Mostly I listen for the sound, but there are a few songs out there, like the 2 above, where my mind focuses on each lyric.

Cash also covered Depeche Mode's Personal Jesus, which was pretty good. not as good as hurt, but still very impressive. I think Depeche Mode wrote the song about Elvis.

 

[Lorenzo]

I have a variety of "Favorite " songs.
Not really on a particular topic. But because they fit or create a specific mood.
"Faith"... George Michael
"Lights" ....Journey
"Enter the Sandman"...Metallica
"Alcohaulin Ass"..... Hell Yeah
"Father Figure" ... George Michael
"Hells Bells" ...AC/DC
"Don't take the girl"... Tim McGraw
"As good as I once was"... Toby Keith

Any one of these songs I have been known to play on repeat for two hours at a time.
But I only dance in my underwear while cleaning the house to "Faith"
You should try it sometime

those are all great songs. don't take the girl is one of my all time favorite country songs and easily my favorite Tim McGraw one. it can be a tear jerker. Lights is also my favorite Journey song.

 

[Lorenzo]

Both Sides Now - Joni Mitchell.

I like Little Green. I think she plays in an open G tuning, with the guitar capo-tailored to her voice. it's incredible that a fair amount of time passed by before people realized the song was about her daughter that she gave up for adoption. she is one of my favorite guitar players because of her ability to tune it to the way she wanted to sing.

 

[Lorenzo]

Led Zeppelin's going to California was written about Joni Mitchell. Jimmy Page and Robert Plant were inspired by her. My favorite version of the song is from the BBC sessions where it's Page on guitar and Jones on mandolin. You can tell that Plant is also still working out the lyrics because they are different than the studio version, that I'm not sure was completed yet. It's crazy to me that a Zeppelin song can be so good without John Bonham.

 

[oaken1]

I can relate. Hurt, both Cash and NIN, is a fantastic song.

Cat's in the Cradle is another one that really makes me stop and think about how I spend my time.

Mostly I listen for the sound, but there are a few songs out there, like the 2 above, where my mind focuses on each lyric.

Cats made me understand the cycle of life at a very early age. Also made me aware that when I had sons the cycle needed to be broken.
Absolutely fantastic song though. Great story...
Another Great story from that time period, ...and another favorite.

The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald.
Epic no matter which decade you hear it in.

 

[Bada0Bing]

Cats made me understand the cycle of life at a very early age. Also made me aware that when I had sons the cycle needed to be broken.
Absolutely fantastic song though. Great story...
Another Great story from that time period, ...and another favorite.

The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald.
Epic no matter which decade you hear it in.

Yup, exactly. Never knew my father, so knowing what that was like, I was determined to spend as much time with my kids as possible. My youngest just graduated high school...28 years of having kids in the house...now it's time to enjoy some ME time! It was definitely worth the sacrifices.

 

[QuebecCard]

I like Little Green. I think she plays in an open G tuning, with the guitar capo-tailored to her voice. it's incredible that a fair amount of time passed by before people realized the song was about her daughter that she gave up for adoption. she is one of my favorite guitar players because of her ability to tune it to the way she wanted to sing.

On YouTube, there are Joni's early renditions, as well as much older in life with a full orchestra.

Worth a listen.

 

[QuebecCard]

Cats made me understand the cycle of life at a very early age. Also made me aware that when I had sons the cycle needed to be broken.
Absolutely fantastic song though. Great story...
Another Great story from that time period, ...and another favorite.

The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald.
Epic no matter which decade you hear it in.

Yes, but I think Lightfoot's Canadian Railroad Trilogy is even better.

I'd like to add 'Vincent' by Don McLean to the list of exceptional songs.

 

[HerefortheCards]

My favorite band is Bad Religion, (just got to see them again for like the 20th time on Saturday) and my favorite song of their’s is American Jesus.

It’s not subtle at all and basically describes supply side Jesus worshippers to a T.

 

[Cardinal Bob]

Maybe not my favorite song, but one that really stands out to me..."Somewhere Down The Line" by Marshall Crenshaw from his 1991 album "Life's Too Short". He apparently wrote it after his wife had a miscarriage, and when you listen to his lyrics it really hits you how heavy the song is. He doesn't play it live anymore, likely because of the painful memories..but man, it really hits you once you know what he's writing about.

Here they are...with all due respect to MC

Somewhere down the line
It's gonna be more than fine
These days won't even cross our minds
Somewhere down the line

The months go one by one
Simplest thing under the sun
I know some time will be our time
Somewhere down the line

I said it with all my heart
As though I had a guarantee
Mainly because I thought
That that's what she wanted from me
Though I don't really know
That it isn't all in vain
I looked into her dark eyes
And said these words again

Somewhere down the line
You get yours and I get mine
We can't give up I know we'll find that it's
Somewhere down the line

We won't be looking back
As we move on down the track
We'll leave our broken dreams behind
Somewhere down the line

Then she said, though we try with all of our ability
We can't always rule our fate or determine our destiny
Right away I understood what was going through her mind
We're sitting here wondering what's waiting for us down the line

These blues will fade away
And I believe it's safe to say (that)
I'll still be yours, you'll still be mine
Somewhere down the line

 

[cardncubfan]

Tupac - Black Jesus