Best and Worst prog lyrics
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Topic: Best and Worst prog lyrics
Posted By: Frets N Worries
Subject: Best and Worst prog lyrics
Date Posted: September 16 2023 at 13:08
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Give me any number of lyricists, then state your favorite and least favorite lyrics by them. Simple premise I think.. something like this: (this is an example and does not reflect my opinion) Peter Hamill Best: 'If I've become a man of the world somehow, that's not necessarily to say I'm a worldly man' Worst: 'The Maelstrom of my memory is a vampire and it feeds on me, now staggering madly over the brink I fall' ------------- The Wheel of Time Turns, and Ages come and pass. What was, what will be, and what is, may yet fall under the shadow. Let the Dragon ride again on the winds of time... |
Replies:
Posted By: omphaloskepsis
Date Posted: September 16 2023 at 13:16
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ELP Best- "Hallowed Be Thy Name" There may be an om in moment But there's very few folk in focus Not the first, not the last, not the least You needn't be well to be wealthy But you've got to be whole to be holy Fetch the rope, fetch the clock, fetch the priest Oh this planet of ours is a mess I bet Heaven's the same Look the madman said, "Son, As a friend, tell me what's in a name" Hallowed be thy name. I give you the state of statesmen And the key to what motivates them On the left, on the right, on the nail Still I don't see a man in a mansion That an accurate pen won't puncture Go to town, go to hell, go to jail And there's bars and saloons Where the jukebox plays blues in the night Till the madman says "Son, Time to go we could both use some light" And thy will be done We live in an age of cages The tale of an ape escaping In the search for some truth he can use But many a drunk got drunker And mostly a thinker, thunker Set the place, set the time, set the fuse, The optimist laughed and the pessimist cried in his wine And the madman said "Son, Take a word they'll all wake given time" Let thy kingdom come The madman and I got drunker Till both thought the other tank you And we laughed all the way to the stars The optimist asked for a taste of the pessimist's wine And the madman said "Son, How do you feel?" I said "Me? I feel fine Lead me into temptation Into temptation I said into temptation I need my allocation of recreation I want a revelation in degradation No hesitation, give me variation, give me inspiration" worst Love Beach Now that the coast is clear
I'm moving out of here It's time to disappear - with you,. To where the skies are blue I want you by my side Don't look so mystified You know I said I'd Always take you to love beach Out of reach of the eagles eyes tonight We can make it to love beach Where pirate moons, throw silver spoons Across the waves to you Back when it all began I was your highway man Now I've got a different plan For you And me beside the deep blue sea The way it's meant to be Oh you'll believe me When you see the ocean roll up And the sun turn a mighty red You can walk love beach forever Till it lives inside your head .. I said I want you by my side I'll keep you satisfied My love won't hide |
Posted By: I prophesy disaster
Date Posted: September 16 2023 at 13:32
I feel like I'm being invoked. ------------- No, I know how to behave in the restaurant now, I don't tear at the meat with my hands. If I've become a man of the world somehow, that's not necessarily to say I'm a worldly man. |
Frets N Worries wrote:Posted By: Frets N Worries
Date Posted: September 16 2023 at 13:33
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^I do love that line, and you're how I found it ------------- The Wheel of Time Turns, and Ages come and pass. What was, what will be, and what is, may yet fall under the shadow. Let the Dragon ride again on the winds of time... |
Posted By: I prophesy disaster
Date Posted: September 16 2023 at 13:47
 I'm not sure what my favourite Peter Hammill / VdGG lyric is. There are so many great ones to choose from. The one you quote is from a song that speaks to me personally, especially when I was younger. Plus it has an awesome ending. ------------- No, I know how to behave in the restaurant now, I don't tear at the meat with my hands. If I've become a man of the world somehow, that's not necessarily to say I'm a worldly man. |
Posted By: Grumpyprogfan
Date Posted: September 16 2023 at 14:04
Here is my corrected my initial post. I need to pay more attention.  Rush Subdivisions - great lyrics "Growing up, it all seems so one-sided Opinions all provided The future pre-decided Detached and subdivided In the mass-production zone Nowhere is the dreamer Or the misfit so alone" I Think I'm Going Bald - not so great lyrics "I looked in the mirror today My eyes just didn't seem so bright I've lost a few more hairs I think I'm going bald" |
Posted By: richardh
Date Posted: September 16 2023 at 18:01
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ELP Best The Endless Enigma Pt1 From The Beginning The Sheriff (their only humourous track that ever worked) Trilogy Pirates Memoirs Of An Officer and a Gentleman Pt1 The Sage ELP Worst A Taste Of My Love Daddy Still You Turn Me On Jeremy Bender Tiger In A Spotlight Benny The Bouncer Lucky Man (might be controversial but its always struck me as a bit silly lyric wise ''He had white horses and ladies by the score'' Lake was no budding Bob Dillon for sure although I do love his work on Trilogy. After that Pete Sinfield got involved and Lake often didn't write the lyrics) |
Posted By: cstack3
Date Posted: September 16 2023 at 18:27
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Worst? My own, hands down.
From my non-hit, "Romanian Fluids".... The Black Sea washes the broken shore And the barrier shapes all around.... I cast my eyes on a blackened moon That the shoreline police haven't found.... The air is so cold in the presence of these Uncountable fluids I see..... Their story relayed is retold in the waves And the burden is now placed on me..... (backstory - I visited Romania in 1979, when it was Communist and under the rule of Nicolae Ceaușescu.) The country was overrun with intimidating military police, carrying AK-47s. It was a very interesting trip. I did hear "Awaken" on Romania radio!
------------- I am not a Robot, I'm a FREE MAN!! |
Posted By: Frets N Worries
Date Posted: September 16 2023 at 20:29
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^Lyrics aren't that bad, better than something I'd write ------------- The Wheel of Time Turns, and Ages come and pass. What was, what will be, and what is, may yet fall under the shadow. Let the Dragon ride again on the winds of time... |
Posted By: JD
Date Posted: September 16 2023 at 21:09
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I'll start with these... ELP Best Cold and misty morning, I heard a warning borne in the air About an age of power where no one had an hour to spare, Where the seeds have withered, silent children shivered, in the cold Now their faces captured in the lenses of the jackals for gold. Beautifully poetic ELP Worst Go down gently With your face to the east The sun may be rising But we haven't finished the feast I'm gonna love you Like nobody ever loved you Climb on my rocket And we'll fly  Ok, we get it Greg, you're getting laid. ------------- Thank you for supporting independently produced music |
Posted By: Cristi
Date Posted: September 17 2023 at 00:17
oh yeah, horrid, I hope the "taste of my love" does have the meaning many think it has.
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Posted By: cstack3
Date Posted: September 17 2023 at 00:47
Thanks! I'd LOVE to put stuff online, but it is all on cassette tapes, and I have to have them digitized etc. I play bass with Squire's technique, play Fripp-like fuzz tone guitar leads, and have a whiny, nasal Eno-esque voice! It has made for hilarious music with my friends over the years! Watch this space.... ------------- I am not a Robot, I'm a FREE MAN!! |
Posted By: Hrychu
Date Posted: September 17 2023 at 02:42
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Oasis Best:
Worst:
------------- 
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Posted By: Frets N Worries
Date Posted: September 17 2023 at 06:09
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^Nothing Oasis did is worse than 'slowly walking down the hall, faster than a cannonball, where were you while we were getting high?" ------------- The Wheel of Time Turns, and Ages come and pass. What was, what will be, and what is, may yet fall under the shadow. Let the Dragon ride again on the winds of time... |
Posted By: wiz_d_kidd
Date Posted: September 17 2023 at 10:56
------------- "Instrumental music is an expression that words can never capture." -- Peter Baumann |
Posted By: Cristi
Date Posted: September 17 2023 at 10:56
 this one never gets old
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Posted By: cstack3
Date Posted: September 17 2023 at 11:23
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Why do so many prog-critics complain about lyrics regarding "Fairies," "Elves" etc.?? I'm hard-pressed to think of any prog music with those lyrics! ------------- I am not a Robot, I'm a FREE MAN!! |
Posted By: Logan
Date Posted: September 17 2023 at 11:36
Because nothing screams Prog as much as Blind Guardian.   Prog, and I think Prog fans, have often been very associated with the fantasy genre generally by people. So you have things like Uriah Heep's Demons and Wizards, Hawkwind music, numerous references to Lord of The Rings (Camel with Nimrodel..., Rush with Rivendell...). I heard someone once ask something like, "As you like Prog, does that men you are also into Dungeons & Dragons?" I think it's broad fantasy stereotype associated with Prog, and with kinds of heavy rock and power metal.... And I think the cape and costumes add to that fantasy image. ------------- "Questions are a burden to others; answers a prison for oneself" (The Prisoner, 1967). |
Posted By: Grumpyprogfan
Date Posted: September 17 2023 at 12:51
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Posted By: Hrychu
Date Posted: September 17 2023 at 15:18
Comparing Neal Morse's friend to fairies and elves is like comparing homepathy to magic. :) Anyway, if you want some real prog fantasty shіt there's always Three Magicians Suite Part 1 by Banzai. -------------
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Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: September 17 2023 at 16:12
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The best and the worst lyrics all in one song.... ELP - Still You Turn Me On Every day a little sadder A little madder Someone get me a ladder
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Posted By: JD
Date Posted: September 17 2023 at 16:13
Classic, Richard Dawkins would be proud of you for that one !------------- Thank you for supporting independently produced music |
Posted By: cstack3
Date Posted: September 17 2023 at 17:43
Yeah, that one always struck me as pretty damn bad!! He could have used "puff adder" (One of the most widespread venomous snakes, puff adders are native to Africa and parts of the Saudi Arabian peninsula), "bladder," "fatter" (certainly applied to Greg Lake) and so forth. Those all would have been better than "ladder." ------------- I am not a Robot, I'm a FREE MAN!! |
Posted By: AFlowerKingCrimson
Date Posted: September 17 2023 at 18:05
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Rush (both from the song territories with the last one from the Manhatten project): Best: "A whole wide world an endless universe yet we keep looking through the eye glass in reverse. Don't feed the people but we feed the machines. Can't really say what international means. Worst (and from the same song): "Better people better food better beer." Also from same album: "All the brightest boys to play with the biggest toys."
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Posted By: AFlowerKingCrimson
Date Posted: September 17 2023 at 18:07
| The ELP ladder thing has some other deeper significance. I don't remember the details but if you google it it might pop up. |
Posted By: Frets N Worries
Date Posted: September 17 2023 at 18:15
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Pink Floyd: Worst: I though I though of everything Best: just the entirety of 'Time' ------------- The Wheel of Time Turns, and Ages come and pass. What was, what will be, and what is, may yet fall under the shadow. Let the Dragon ride again on the winds of time... |
Posted By: mathman0806
Date Posted: September 17 2023 at 18:42
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I often don't pay much attention to lyrics, but the good lyrics quoted for Rush do stand out. I like the lyrics from Between the Wheels: You know how that rabbit feels Going under your speeding wheels Bright images flashing by Like windshields towards a fly Frozen in the fatal climb But the wheels of time Just pass you by Wheels can take you around Wheels can cut you down And I have a hard time with the lyrics in Dog Years: In the dog days People look to Sirius Dogs cry for the moon But those connections are mysterious It seems to me While it's true that every dog will have his day When all the bones are buried There is barely time to go outside and play Dog years, it's the season of the itch Dog years, with every scratch it reappears Dog years, for every sad son of a bitch Dog years, with his tail between his ears |
Posted By: I prophesy disaster
Date Posted: September 17 2023 at 19:12
Even Van der Graaf Generator had "Necromancer". Actually, I find the association of prog with fantasy somewhat off-putting, though I'm ok with science fiction in prog. ------------- No, I know how to behave in the restaurant now, I don't tear at the meat with my hands. If I've become a man of the world somehow, that's not necessarily to say I'm a worldly man. |
Posted By: cstack3
Date Posted: September 17 2023 at 19:29
There is quite a bit in prog-related - Queen's "Fairy Feller's Master Stroke," Uriah Heep's "Wizard" etc. However, the lyrics of Yes, King Crimson and Genesis, although fanciful, do not go down the rabbit hole of fantasy in the form of Dungeons & Dragons etc. Beats the hell out of me how that started!! ------------- I am not a Robot, I'm a FREE MAN!! |
Posted By: Hugh Manatee
Date Posted: September 17 2023 at 21:30
Yeah, the backstory to those lyrics is better than the lyric itself, and it wasn't so bad as to prevent them naming a whole tour after them. Personally I cringe when I hear: "How did he lose Six Million Jews." As for "Lucky Man", Lake wrote those lyrics when he was 12 and it was nothing more than a filler to begin with. It was only the magnificent first take moog solo at the end that lifts it above mediocre (and if I'm not mistaken, it is probably ELPs best known/ most popular song). Yes, Lakes lyrics have always been somewhat soft around the edges, however the debut does feature Lakes best lyrics (IMHO) with both "Take a Pebble" and "Knife Edge". ------------- I should have been a pair of ragged claws Scuttling across the floors of uncertain seas |
Posted By: I prophesy disaster
Date Posted: September 17 2023 at 21:55
I'm a little curious as to specifically why... that whole track is very anti-religious.
In Australia (at least), ELP's version of "Fanfare for the Common Man" became synonymous with sporting events for decades following the Montreal Olympics in 1976. On television, I sometimes hear parts of "Karn Evil 9" played in shows set in the '70s. ------------- No, I know how to behave in the restaurant now, I don't tear at the meat with my hands. If I've become a man of the world somehow, that's not necessarily to say I'm a worldly man. |
Posted By: Deadwing
Date Posted: September 18 2023 at 02:22
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Worst, Porcupine Tree Fear of a Blank Planet - "An xbox is a god to me", etc |
Posted By: Criswell
Date Posted: September 18 2023 at 07:35
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IMO, any lyrics Dave Cousins (Strawbs) writes are a cut
above most anything else out there. There are so many awful Prog Rock lyrics that I don’t know
where to start. |
Posted By: cstack3
Date Posted: September 18 2023 at 12:50
I agree completely! I also enjoy Jon Anderson's gibberish, songs like "To Be Over" have moved me greatly. ------------- I am not a Robot, I'm a FREE MAN!! |
Posted By: altered_beast
Date Posted: September 18 2023 at 18:20
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Being a tiger means your mate when overfed will defecate in places least expected. Jethro Tull-Tiger Tune Not sure whether to say it’s best or worst. To each his own I guess. Nothing like some warped potty humor from Jethro Tull. |
Posted By: cstack3
Date Posted: September 18 2023 at 21:11
“Somebody get me a ladder” refers to hitting rock bottom and wanting help to climb out. ------------- I am not a Robot, I'm a FREE MAN!! |
Posted By: richardh
Date Posted: September 18 2023 at 21:18
| - not a terrible lyric, its more the ''even though your flesh has crystallized'' bit I don't like personally and in general its just very heavy handed. For me most of Lake's best lyrics are on Trilogy including the excellent From The Beginning especially showed that he could write a great lyric as well as the pseudo hymn The Endless Enigma. I also enjoy the romanticism of Trilogy a lot. However as good as they tracks were on the album, ELP though struggled to get these songs across live and so I think a more theatric approach beckoned. Context is important here. |
Posted By: Hugh Manatee
Date Posted: September 18 2023 at 22:43
Sure, I'm an Aussie to, but I wonder how many people even knew who "Fanfare..." was by, let alone listen to the whole track from beginning to end. ...and "Lucky Man" was featured on "The Simpsons". For me, those lines from (Hymn) just seem to trivialize what it's trying to address. A simplistic take on an extremely complex situation. Why not attack this god for the total 60 million people estimated to have died during that particular conflict?
------------- I should have been a pair of ragged claws Scuttling across the floors of uncertain seas |
Posted By: Hugh Manatee
Date Posted: September 18 2023 at 22:56
That ladder line refers to just how crazy the whole ELP stage experience had become. It references Emersons continued escalation in showman ship, specifically when Emerson had his keyboard rig lifted off the stage, at one point failing and leaving Emerson stranded in mid air, a situation which facilitated Emerson calling out for the aforementioned piece of climbing equipment. The song itself is Lake addressing his audience, saying that no matter the madness, it was all worth it for the crowd reaction. ------------- I should have been a pair of ragged claws Scuttling across the floors of uncertain seas |
Posted By: Cristi
Date Posted: September 18 2023 at 23:33
^ I thought they could not find a better rhyme for "sadder". 
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Posted By: richardh
Date Posted: September 19 2023 at 06:12
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such a cynic when there are so many great options what about? ''Curse my inadequate bladder'' or ''Damn, nearly stood on an adder'' or even '' yadda, yadda, yadda!'' (ok not enough syllables in that last one but why spoil a good 'joke'
) |
Posted By: Spacegod87
Date Posted: September 19 2023 at 06:23
I reckon a lot of prog SOUNDS nerdy to people who aren't into prog. I remember my younger brother walking into the room while I was playing 'Karn Evil 9' and his exact words were: "What the hell is this nerd sh*t?" lol. And what do people associate nerds with? High fantasy, D&D, etc. ------------- Levitating downwards, atomic feedback scream. |
Posted By: cstack3
Date Posted: September 19 2023 at 12:35
Good point, mate! I guess that, upon casual listening, early KC (ITCOTCK for example) went close to the fantasy realm.... The rusted chains of prison moons Are shattered by the sun, I walk a road, horizons change The tournament's begun.... etc. etc. Plus the artwork, especially "Lizard" (drawing more from medieval England than Tolkien). It still featured a few "worms" aka dragons etc. ------------- I am not a Robot, I'm a FREE MAN!! |
Posted By: Frets N Worries
Date Posted: September 19 2023 at 12:36
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I'm surprised no one has mentioned 'Time Table' it's pretty fantasy ------------- The Wheel of Time Turns, and Ages come and pass. What was, what will be, and what is, may yet fall under the shadow. Let the Dragon ride again on the winds of time... |
Posted By: cstack3
Date Posted: September 19 2023 at 15:10
Actually, I view it as more of a lens through history! Gabriel is pining about the days of King Arthur & knights of the round table. "Time Table" does not seem to be the most popular Genesis song on this website, but I think it is sublime! A carved oak table, Tells a tale Of times when kings and queens sipped wine from goblets gold, And the brave would lead their ladies from out of the room to arbors cool. A time of valor, and legends born A time when honor meant much more to a man than life And the days knew only strife to tell right from wrong Through lance and sword. Why, why can we never be sure till we die Or have killed for an answer, Why, why do we suffer each race to believe That no race has been grander It seems because through time and space Though names may change each face retains the mask it wore. A dusty table Musty smells Tarnished silver lies discarded upon the floor Only feeble light descends through a film of grey That scars the panes. Gone the carving, And those who left their mark, Gone the kings and queens now only the rats hold sway And the weak must die according to nature's law As old as they. Why, why can we never be sure till we die Or have killed for an answer, Why, why do we suffer each race to believe That no race has been grander It seems because through time and space Though names may change each face retains the mask it wore. ------------- I am not a Robot, I'm a FREE MAN!! |
Posted By: Frets N Worries
Date Posted: September 19 2023 at 15:17
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Here's a REALLY hot take, I like it more than Watcher of the Skies. (as of now, but that'll probably change) An underrated gem for sure! On an unrelated note, Cstack joined prog archives the same day my brother was born! Day, Month, and Year!!
------------- The Wheel of Time Turns, and Ages come and pass. What was, what will be, and what is, may yet fall under the shadow. Let the Dragon ride again on the winds of time... |
Posted By: cstack3
Date Posted: September 19 2023 at 18:25
An auspicious event for sure!  ------------- I am not a Robot, I'm a FREE MAN!! |
Posted By: Frets N Worries
Date Posted: September 19 2023 at 19:58
Indeed! ------------- The Wheel of Time Turns, and Ages come and pass. What was, what will be, and what is, may yet fall under the shadow. Let the Dragon ride again on the winds of time... |
Posted By: Frets N Worries
Date Posted: September 19 2023 at 20:08
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Here, I'll do my own (Atmos) Picking a worst one was hard, they're all not great... (Taken from Part 8 of 'The Stardust Medley') VIII. BACK Please come back Why did you go Don’t fade into black We hope you enjoyed the show Of radiation seeping into his soul There’s no way he could’ve survived Please come back Come Back Come Back Come Back… That needs a re-write... well, making a debut is a learning experience. Taken from "Hole in the Wall" The end does not come quickly As we are drifting here alone The officer with open casket The frozen child with no home None of em are great, check the album's comments on YouTube for all the lyrics. everyone can pick out a least favorite then ------------- The Wheel of Time Turns, and Ages come and pass. What was, what will be, and what is, may yet fall under the shadow. Let the Dragon ride again on the winds of time... |
Posted By: moshkito
Date Posted: September 19 2023 at 23:51
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Hi, The sad side for me, as a writer, is that there is no such thing as "good" or "bad" and every day I look at this thread, I get sadder yet some more. Thousands of years of literature and stuff has a lot of different ways to saying things, but we think some is good and the rest is bad ... and in the end, that is an illusion ... since a bad actor and singer can make one lyric sound right and better than it might be. Some folks think that Prufrock is nuts and an ideal in poetry ... others think Shakespeare is ... and in the end, that is not the point ... the expression that it brought out is ... and there is no better or worse, but I get really sad seeing this commercially minded thing consistently putting down material that has a right to be there ... regardless of what we think! ------------- Music is not just for listening ... it is for LIVING ... you got to feel it to know what's it about! Not being told! www.pedrosena.com |
Posted By: cstack3
Date Posted: September 20 2023 at 11:56
Thanks for bringing up literature! I've always considered Jon Anderson of Yes to be an English poet in the mold of the famous "Romantic" movement (Shelley, Keats, Byron etc.). Sure, some (much) of his stuff is a confusing hash, but when he is on, he is sublime! Not far behind Anderson is Peter Gabriel. The sign of good lyrics is that they stand on their own as poetry, without the music. Prog is fortunate to have many excellent poets contributing. Peter Sinfield, Richard Palmer James and others were visionaries. I'd add Ian Anderson to the mix. Thoughts? ------------- I am not a Robot, I'm a FREE MAN!! |
Posted By: Frets N Worries
Date Posted: September 20 2023 at 11:59
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^ Hamill? Waters? ------------- The Wheel of Time Turns, and Ages come and pass. What was, what will be, and what is, may yet fall under the shadow. Let the Dragon ride again on the winds of time... |
Posted By: moshkito
Date Posted: September 20 2023 at 18:23
Hi, I wonder if he knows of Roy Harper? ... heck, even Bob Dylan! Robin Williamson! Heck, Jim M even has books of poetry available. One of our old favorites in the 60's started their material with a poem ... and we thought it was cool, too!
------------- Music is not just for listening ... it is for LIVING ... you got to feel it to know what's it about! Not being told! www.pedrosena.com |
Posted By: Frets N Worries
Date Posted: September 20 2023 at 18:25
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^ ALL those are great, I'm a huge Dylan fan myself, but these are prog lyricists only sadly. ------------- The Wheel of Time Turns, and Ages come and pass. What was, what will be, and what is, may yet fall under the shadow. Let the Dragon ride again on the winds of time... |
Posted By: Heart of the Matter
Date Posted: September 20 2023 at 21:22
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Drink up dreamers, you're running dry (love this) C'mon, c'mon, c'mon, c'mon, c'mon, c'mon Lady kiss that frog (hate this) 
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Posted By: richardh
Date Posted: September 21 2023 at 02:54
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I like a lot of Al Stewart's lyrics. He was on the fringe of prog perhaps but he researched a lot of historical stuff. I love Roads To Moscow especially They crossed over the border, the hour before dawn Moving in lines through the day Most of our planes were destroyed on the ground where they lay Waiting for orders we held in the wood Word from the front never came By evening the sound of the gunfire was miles away Ah, softly we move through the shadows, slip away through the trees Crossing their lines in the mists in the fields on our hands and on our knees And all that I ever was able to see The fire in the air glowing red, silhouetting the smoke on the breeze All summer they drove us back through the Ukraine Smolensk and Viasma soon fell By autumn we stood with our backs to the town of Orel Closer and closer to Moscow they come Riding the wind like a bell General Guderian stands at the crest of the hill Winter brought with her the rains, oceans of mud filled the roads Gluing the tracks of their tanks to the ground while the sky filled with snow And all that I ever was able to see The fire in the air glowing red silhouetting the snow on the breeze In the footsteps of Napoleon the shadow figures stagger through the winter Falling back before the gates of Moscow, standing in the wings like an avenger And far away behind their lines the partisans are stirring in the forest Coming unexpectedly upon their outposts, growing like a promise You'll never know, you'll never know which way to turn, which way to look you'll never see us As we're stealing through the blackness of the night You'll never know, you'll never hear us And the evening sings in a voice of amber, the dawn is surely coming The morning roads leads to Stalingrad, and the sky is softly humming Two broken Tigers on fire in the night Flicker their souls to the wind We wait in the lines for the final approach to begin It's been almost four years that I've carried a gun At home it will almost be spring The flames of the Tigers are lighting the road to Berlin Ah, quickly we move through the ruins that bow to the ground The old men and children they send out to face us, they can't slow us down And all that I ever was able to see the eyes of the city are opening Now it's the end of the dream I'm coming home, I'm coming home, now you can taste it in the wind, the war is over And I listen to the clicking of the train-wheels as we roll across the border And now they ask me of the time that I was caught behind their lines and taken prisoner "They only held me for a day, a lucky break, " I say they turn and listen closer I'll never know, I'll never know why I was taken from the line and all the others To board a special train and journey deep into the heart of holy Russia And it's cold and damp in the transit camp, and the air is still and sullen And the pale sun of October whispers the snow will soon be coming And I wonder when I'll be home again and the morning answers "Never" And the evening sighs, and the steely Russian skies go on forever |
Posted By: moshkito
Date Posted: September 21 2023 at 06:01
Hi, I'm not sure that this person knows what the joke is about ... let me tell you in a comedic sort of way, since it would be inappropriate to say it here. It's about the "peche a la frog" or the "frog a la peche" ... and if you don't know what it means ... sorry ... the joke is not new and wasn't then! ------------- Music is not just for listening ... it is for LIVING ... you got to feel it to know what's it about! Not being told! www.pedrosena.com |
Posted By: Heart of the Matter
Date Posted: September 21 2023 at 07:04
| ^ Really? What do you smoke? Kiss that frog, and you will get your prince..., C'mon! |
Posted By: richardh
Date Posted: September 21 2023 at 07:10
Stunning photo. Sinead is gorgeous beyond reproach and PG almost looks like a proud dad with his progeny. Thanks!
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Posted By: axeman
Date Posted: September 21 2023 at 13:43
Ah. Somebody who gets it. ------------- -John |
Posted By: David_D
Date Posted: September 21 2023 at 16:39
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Emerson, Lake & Palmer - "The Only Way (Hymn)" (excerpt) "People has stirred moved by the word. Kneel at the shrine, deceived by the wine.How was the earth conceived? Infinite space. Is there such a place? You must believe in the human race. Can you believe, God makes you breathe. Why did he lose six million Jews. Touched by the wings, fears angel brings Sad winter storm, grey autumn dawn Who looks on life itself, who lights your way? Only you can say. How can you just obey? ........... Don't be afraid: man is man made." That's great lyrics and not only anti-religious but first and foremost telling that "man is man made" - even I can see a problem or two from a religious point of view.
------------- quality over quantity, and all kind of PopcoRn almost beyond |
Posted By: I prophesy disaster
Date Posted: September 22 2023 at 13:20
I think mentioning the 6 million Jews was quite appropriate for the song because, according to the Bible, Jews were God's chosen people, and yet... I don't think those lines from the song trivialises the loss of 6 million Jews because those lines actually provides impact to what the song is about. Everybody dies, and wars have been killing people for millennia, but the Holocaust was an occurrence like nothing else in history. ------------- No, I know how to behave in the restaurant now, I don't tear at the meat with my hands. If I've become a man of the world somehow, that's not necessarily to say I'm a worldly man. |
Posted By: David_D
Date Posted: September 22 2023 at 15:17
exactly! ------------- quality over quantity, and all kind of PopcoRn almost beyond |
Posted By: David_D
Date Posted: September 22 2023 at 15:30
I won't say the lyrics attack "God" regarding Holocaust, as they see the Holocaust as pure human matter - "God" is very probably non-existing here, and at least non-acting in human matters.
------------- quality over quantity, and all kind of PopcoRn almost beyond |
Posted By: octopus-4
Date Posted: September 24 2023 at 23:32
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Lot of mentions to EL&P but I still haven't seen any Jon Anderson quoted. From "Sound Out The Galleon - Olias Of Sunhillow" Do ga riytan sha too raytan Gan matta sha pa Mutto mutto mutto Radan atto raddan atto Stou to mutto sha go teka Sha go teka Dei But this from "Sound And Color - Toltec" is a reference to Castaneda's books Sound can acknowledge and reveal The very nature of the body line Color coexists as a meter to the soul ------------- I stand with Roger Waters, I stand with Joan Baez, I stand with Victor Jara, I stand with Woody Guthrie. Music is revolution |
Posted By: cstack3
Date Posted: September 25 2023 at 01:58
Oh come on!! That is high poetry!! I filmed "Flight of the Moorglade" at a Jon Anderson "Voice of Yes" concert, it is my favorite song from "Olias!" ------------- I am not a Robot, I'm a FREE MAN!! |
Posted By: Frets N Worries
Date Posted: December 29 2023 at 21:40
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Childlike Faith in Childhood's End ------------- The Wheel of Time Turns, and Ages come and pass. What was, what will be, and what is, may yet fall under the shadow. Let the Dragon ride again on the winds of time... |
Posted By: Dellinger
Date Posted: December 31 2023 at 01:22
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I don't think that anything can get any worse than this. Oh I need the bathroom Oh I need the bathroom Oh keep on fighting Oh I need the bathroom And oh it's keeping on Oh keep on fighting Oh I need a bathroom We're 'bout keeping on Oh keep on fighting And you keep me on Then call again to Alaro Maybe things will change, things tomorrow And call again - keeping on Oh I need a bathroom Oh I need a bathroom Oh keep on fighting Oh And yet it seems tomorrow maybe change things I don't know if you're right Oh keep on rocking Oh keep on fighting Oh |
Posted By: Magog2112
Date Posted: December 31 2023 at 02:07
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Steve Hogarth Best lyric: "I want to be someone who someone would want to be" (Neverland) Worst lyric: "I had no idea what martyrdom meant until my older brother... my older brother... I'm sorry. I can't continue" (Gaza)
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Posted By: David_D
Date Posted: December 31 2023 at 04:24
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Some of the lyrics, I'm most fond of, are by Peter Hammill and Ian Anderson, like "Killer", "House with no Door", "Aqualung" and "Cross-eyed Mary". ------------- quality over quantity, and all kind of PopcoRn almost beyond |
Posted By: Floydoid
Date Posted: December 31 2023 at 06:05
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Maybe not the worst lyrics ever by a prog artist, but for Pink Floyd 'A New Machine' has got to be an all time low (for me). I have always been here I have always looked out from behind these eyes It feels like more than a lifetime Feels like more than a lifetime Sometimes I get tired of the waiting Sometimes I get tired of being in here Is this the way that it's always been? Could it ever have been different? Do you ever get tired of the waiting? Do you ever get tired of being in there? Don't worry, nobody lives forever Nobody lives forever I will always be here I will always look out from behind these eyes It's only a lifetime It's only a lifetime It's only a lifetime ------------- Is it any wonder that the monkey's confused? |
Posted By: Jaketejas
Date Posted: December 31 2023 at 19:47
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Interesting Yesterday a morning came, a smile upon your face Caesar's palace, morning glory, silly human race, On a sailing ship to nowhere, leaving any place, If the summer change to winter, yours is no disgrace Not the greatest And we can fly from here And we can fly from here And we can drink some beer And we can have a Happy New Year … |
Posted By: Hrychu
Date Posted: December 11 2024 at 14:11
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A Slow Descent into Reality by Evership features amazing heart wrenching lyrics. I had arrived in life, no one would disagree I lived the dream Behold the wonders, born from deep inside of me And so it seemed Come and recognize The poster child for Human Enterprise But to my world came the winds of consequence A compromise Of friends that riches make had vanished at a glance Before my eyes As history has told Kingdoms rise as easily as they fold So I climbed my tower high And I screamed into the sky And with nothing left, I thought of letting go Just letting go... [...] I used to seek for life in my ambition But this had left me in a dark condition And now I see The creature can't transcend The nature of the man The Truth is found where all my strivings end So I laid my banner down And I knelt low to the ground For I knew that it was time for letting go Just letting go -------------
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Posted By: Frets N Worries
Date Posted: January 01 2025 at 19:28
Been a hot minute since I've heard the album, I was going to check it out again, but now... ------------- The Wheel of Time Turns, and Ages come and pass. What was, what will be, and what is, may yet fall under the shadow. Let the Dragon ride again on the winds of time... |
Posted By: kirk782
Date Posted: January 20 2025 at 01:36
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I'll put in a Peter Hamill lyric as well
It's from Man-Erg and defines in one go the duality or multiplicity of man. |
Posted By: Hrychu
Date Posted: April 09 2025 at 15:17
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Sail away, the ship of my life Take me to the edge of the world There I'll find my gold There I'll find my dream And someday I will return When the world has changed From Shangri-La by Druid. Penned by Dane. Not the most creative lyrics, but this is imo a really effective chorus. It has an "epic" quality to it. -------------
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Posted By: kirk782
Date Posted: April 10 2025 at 09:13
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"So cast your eyes to America And see how a poor negro dies So cast your eyes into the sky And see how a white negro flies" While I am sure the songwriter had noble intentions, but 'Out of Focus' weren't doing themselves any justice when writing those last two lines, especially considering that the final line is also the name of the song.
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Posted By: moshkito
Date Posted: April 15 2025 at 14:34
Hi, At the time, they weren't the only ones making incendiary comments about many things. You'll want to watch the film PERFORMANCE, or simply pick up the soundtrack album, and listen to THE LAST POETS ... it was a time for the "Black Power" thing in America, and it's lyrics and moments were not exactly clean or clear with Lysol, just the way we like them! That things were not any better in Europe is not a surprise, but making this comment some 50+ years later, is very scary ... what happened yesterday is not the same as today, although I don't understand how we can be critical of these lyrics, and ignore RAP these days, when its own lyrics are ... way more lively and scary than the ones we heard 50 years ago, though I am not sure I would want to discuss those differences. Even within "krautrock" there was a lot of political commentary, and not all communes and groupings were exactly free of politics and sticking strictly to keeping the women as subjects for the men ... and not many of those men gave a damn about the emancipation of women, and their advances in Westernized societies, though there still is the same issue in other parts of the world, where women are not "free". The only thing that scares me, is us putting our heads in the sand and ignore history, and realize that many times, these are not exactly independent comments, not brought out by something else ... and the artistic challenges and changes in the 20th century were all very strong and stood out for many things ... you really think those lyrics are any better/worse than Picasso's Guernica? You can't see the child looking out the window and seeing broken up bodies in the street? ... ok ... I get it ... we're all blind and refuse to accept so many artists have tried to show us ... but we will think that the sugary crap is some kind of a better lyric ... ------------- Music is not just for listening ... it is for LIVING ... you got to feel it to know what's it about! Not being told! www.pedrosena.com |
Posted By: The Dark Elf
Date Posted: April 15 2025 at 19:18
They are bad lyrics. Even in context, they are bad lyrics. This has nothing to do with all the prattle you just spewed. And if you want context, there are far better black composers who wrote far better black songs about the black experience in America, than some sloppily turgid German prog band. Offhand, I'd say Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Curtis Mayfield, War, and Gil Scott Heron among others. All contextually and historically of the era, all far more profound. So, to be clear, what the previous poster was saying is that the lyrics are embarrassingly bad. He was not commenting on the social unrest. The song itself is pretty horrible all the way around: the singing in particular is really bad, almost a caricature. ------------- ...a vigorous circular motion hitherto unknown to the people of this area, but destined to take the place of the mud shark in your mythology... |
Posted By: uduwudu
Date Posted: April 16 2025 at 01:10
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Best lyrics in prog rock? Probably something from Pink Floyd. Anything from Animals. Echoes, Dark Side. I'll settle for Wish You Were Here. But the worst lyric goes to one of the best bands in all respects, Jethro Tull. The Curse. Young Gladys was a silky maiden At thirteen, she was going strong, yeah. Oh, Gladys. Nicely filled out, fully laden, But down below there was something wrong, yeah. Oh, Gladys. Nobody told her about the secrets That ladies have to hide Mom had no words to describe the things That happened inside. Need someone to help me, I feel that there's a curse on me, oh. Went down into the local disco, For what used to be the one night, yeah, Oh Gladys. Felt a searching hand to frisk her, Along the legs of the water line, yeah, Oh Gladys. Now Gladys knew she was in no condition In no mood to play I cracked a knee in her soft spot, nothing Had got in her way. I want no one to touch me, I feel there's a curse on me, oh. Directed down to the local drugstore Got fixed up, now she's doing fine, yeah Oh Gladys Equipped with various kinds of apparatus You know the feminine hygiene kind, yeah Oh Gladys Must have been a man to do these things Who won her fall from grace That day he programmed me (That lady programmed me?) You should have seen the smile on his face He said 'You'll need someone to help you When you feel like cursing me', oh. |
Posted By: Rick1
Date Posted: April 16 2025 at 02:56
| Rush's 'Xanadu' came on Planet Rock the other day. My wife, who is unfamiliar with the vastly over-rated Canadian trio, thought the lyrics were generated by AI! How we laughed... |