Fish had his moments.. good and very bad   Although when he wrote straight songs, like Kaleigh (whatever you may think of it) the lyrics were very touching.

I love Ian Andersons lyrics, Thick as a brick' especially..

As much as I love Rush, I think NP is a little to clever for his own good. He has a scientific mind, not an emotional one, and the latter is needed, IMHO, to write good songs lyrically. Good stories in the songs, but not always expressed very well.

Peter Gabriel is a genius of the written word. No wonder the direcor William Friedkin wanted his to work on a film script with him. The lyrics to 'Dancing with the moonlit knight' are inspired. Not to mention prety much all of the 'Lamb lies down on Broadway'.

Fish's lyrics for Marillion on the 1st 3 albums are almost faultless (Kayleigh being the exception) - and incredibly deep; the lyrics to "Fugazi" require the application of a thesaurus and a grammar-school education just to grasp the basics!

Jon Anderson, who didn't actually write everything, but all Yes Lyrics I know are greatly implemented rythmically. And the meanings of it all escape even the greatest lyricist, that's what makes it more powerful.

Certif1ed wrote: Fish's lyrics for Marillion on the 1st 3 albums are almost faultless (Kayleigh being the exception) - and incredibly deep; the lyrics to "Fugazi" require the application of a thesaurus and a grammar-school education just to grasp the basics!

I would agree that the lyrics on 'Script..' and 'Misplaced childhood' are very good, but I think he fell into cliches on Fugazi, at times. There were some lines which to me seemed very contrived. It seemed he was striving to be wierd and less concerned with telling a story or putting across an emotion in an accessable way.

The lines in Fugazi 'Extinguishing the fires in a private hell. Provoking the heartache to renew the license, of a bleeding heart poet a in fragile capsule, propping up the crust of a glitter conscience'

I'm sorry, it's all down to taste I guess but thats too much for me. The very fact that you may need a Thesaurus to analise the lyrics is not altogether a good thing in my view. The music was, however great most of the time.

On the other hand lyrcis to 'Incubus' and 'Punch & Judy' were excellent, as was the lyrics to 'Garden Party' among others. He was very capable,but in my view inconsistent.

Oh yes, and from 'Jigsaw':

'..bleeding from the surgeries of initial confrontation. Holding the word 'scalples' on tembling lips'

Thats twaddle.. Sorry

Where is PETER HAMMILL??????

Anyway, I voted on Peter Gabriel. I enjoy so much the delirious romantic drive of Fish and Peart's intellectual/emotional concerns about society, the self, love and life... but I think that Gabriel's lyrics (both solo and in Genesis - and I know he didn't write the lyrics to Firth, Watcher, Angels, etc.) articulate romanticism and intellectualism very well, sometimew through many words, sometimes with only a few ellusive ones.

But HAMMILL is, IMHO, the best lyricist ever... prog or not!! He should have been listed here, please, you've got to give me that.

By the way, Ian Anderson is a very clever lyricist, too. And by the way, too, IMHO, 'Incubus' contains the best Fish lyrics ever!!! reading them only is a pleasure to me, let alone hearing him sing them with the beautiful instrumental back-up displayed by his bandmates - solid rhythm duo, beautiful passages on synth and lead guitar, cleverly segued sections, a stunning waltz-like interlude, a bombastic climax. One of the most brilliant songs in 80s prog, IMHO.

Someone mentioned that Peart had a scientific mind, and his writing reflects that. However, that is the one thing that I happen to enjoy about Rush! I feel I have a lot in common with NP, as his lyrics speak so profoundly to me. Call me a nerd, but I have the same passion for science fiction that he does.

And yes, where is Peter Hammill!?!

Guess what I'm gonna say??

Greg Lake's lyrics have evidently always touched me to.. and his alone.. not that I don't love the ones he co-authored with Pete Sinfield...

He had a romanticism in prog that was sorely lacking, but he also had a way of describing a picture that you sort of had to read between his lines to understand.. and I got really good at reading inbetween his lines... One of my favorite of his will always be "Mass"...

The preacher said a prayer.
Save ev'ry single hair on his head.
He's dead.

The minister of hate had just arrived to late be spared.
Who cared?
The weaver in the web that he made!

The pilgrim wandered in,
Commiting ev'ry sin that he could
So good...

The cardinal of grief was set in his belief he'd be saved
From the grave
The weaver in the web that he made!

The high priest took a blade
To bless the ones that prayed,
And all obeyed.

The messenger of fear is slowly growing, nearer to the time,
A sign.
The weaver in the web that he made!

A bishops rings a bell,
A cloak of darkness fell across the ground
Without a sound!

The silent choir sing and in their silence,
Bring jaded sound, harmonic ground.
The weaver in the web that he made!

Glass-Prison wrote: Someone mentioned that Peart had a scientific mind, and his writing reflects that. However, that is the one thing that I happen to enjoy about Rush! I feel I have a lot in common with NP, as his lyrics speak so profoundly to me. Call me a nerd, but I have the same passion for science fiction that he does. And yes, where is Peter Hammill!?!

That was me, about NP. I've been a life long Rush fan. They have been an inspiration to me on many levels. I'm not saying NP writes bad lyrcis, but I can understand why some people regard them as unemotional, but I think Geddy Lee brings the words to life. NP is an intelligent lyricist, but although they are my favourite band, musically, I have prefered lyricists, namely Peter Gabriel.

And yes, where is PETER HAMMILL. Lord knows how he slipped through the net!! One of my favourite lyrics is 'Still Life'. Grim, darkly comic, beautifully written, and all embracing the horror of immortality.

The oft-overlooked, but masterful Peter Hammill - I guess Fish wouldn't have lost on the Swings and Roundabouts without him!

Those lyrics needs to be taken in context, preceeded by;

"Vodka intimate, an affair with isolation in a Black Heath cell,"

'Extinguishing the fires in a private hell; provoking the heartache to renew the license of a bleeding heart poet in a fragile capsule propping up the crust of a glitter conscience'

and followed by

"Wrapped in the christening shawl of a hangover, baptized in tears from the real."

Genius! One of the few bits of Fugazi that needs no translation - but one hell of a twisted mind to relate to, I guess... Gives me so many goose bumps I can't even begin to reword it - it seems so unnecessary to dismantle such seamless prose! (although I punctuated - or de-punctuated it to bring out some of the meaning a bit better).

Now the second verse shines even more light - once you've pentrated the double stanzas...

I like it, anyway

If a lyricist can bring out the goosebumps in anyone he/she has excelled in their job.  I always thought of Fish as having been inspired by Peter Gabriel more than anyone else. I guess P.Hammill is so overlooked that I failed to noticed the rather obvious PH simularity in the opening of 'Script for a Jesters tear' That IS one of Marillions most touching lyrics, IMO.

'I never did write that love song. The words just never seemed to flow. Now sad in reflection, I gaze through perfection,and examine the shadows on the othe side of morning I examine the shadows on the other side of morning promised wedding hour awake'

PROMISED WEDDING HOUR AWAKE!!!

Right, I'm off home to listen to that now. I take back everything I said about Fish!!

I think most people who hear Gabriel's influence on Fish hear similarities in vocal tone rather than lyrics - Fish's lyrics owe more to Hammill, IMO. 

"...examine the shadows on the other side of morning, examine the shadows on the other side of mourning  Promised wedding now a wake" (as in funeral, but it's supposed to sound like awake to blur the two ideas).

I'm always misquoting lyrics, but these mean something to me!

Hmm, no mention by anyone of either Sinfield or Palmer-James...lyricists so talented that they were band members without even playing an instrument...(IMHO Hammill's lyrics always reminded me of a weepy teenage girl writing poems in her diary. Glad to see he was passed over...)

Roger Waters and Derek Dick. But had to split my vote due the first impact Roger had on me with "The Dark Side of the Moon", my first prog recording ever!

I voted Peter Gabriel.

Just like some other people here I'm missing Peter Hammill. And what about Mr. Sinfield... Maybe his lyrical work on 'Islands' wasn't all that impressive but 'Epitaph'? 'Schizoid Man'?

On the other hand...Neil Peart...ahh...choices, choices...

Not really prog, but fave of mine has always been Roy Harper. Very often inspired and inspiring, and only sometimes dated or corny.

James Lee wrote: Hmm, no mention by anyone of either Sinfield or Palmer-James...lyricists so talented that they were band members without even playing an instrument...(IMHO Hammill's lyrics always reminded me of a weepy teenage girl writing poems in her diary. Glad to see he was passed over...)

I mentioned Pete above with Greg... James.. since they did do quite a lot of writing together.  Actually I understand they are working together again... which would be a great thing if they ever get recorded...

Useful_Idiot wrote: ...how has Greg Lake gotten two votes?

Well when you're perfect.. its hard not to have somebody voting for you....

"One of my favourite lyrics is 'Still Life'. Grim, darkly comic, beautifully written, and all embracing the horror of immortality."
I hear you. my friend Blacksword, that's IMHO one of his finest lyrics, and that's very much, since 90 % of his lyrics are pure mastery (the other 10 % being 'only' great). This reflection on the horror of immortality is an eulogy on the acceptance of death as a factor that may help life to make sense and have a purpose.

That's kind of optimism hidden under a guise of apparent gloomy pessimism. 'Still Life' is actually a very optimistic album.

I admit I also forgot another great Peter, Sinfield of course. But back to Hammill - I think that he was Fish's major influence not only as a lyricist, but also as a vocalist. Fish tosses his words, a bit far from the usually delicate theatralism of Gabriel's. Fish's vocal tone is similar to that of Gabriel's (that's nature, not plagiarism), but his singing style is closer to that of Hammill's. Even Hmmill had to erase Fish's input for 'The Fall of the House of Usher' since he sounded too similar to his own input (they played different characters in this concept album).

Closer to Gabriel was Peter Nicholls in IQ's early days, but his tone was closer to that of Psychodelic Furs and Talking Heads lead singers.

I'll stop digressing. Regards.

Where is Peter Hammill and Ian Anderson??????????????????????

Ulf

My vote goes to Gabriel, who else did more complex and inteligent lyrics about almost everything?

History: Can Utility and the Coastlinres

Religion: Supper's Ready

Violence and Love: Musical Box

Mithology: Fountain of Salmacis

Politics: The Knife

Gangs fights: Battle for the Eping Forest

Novelists works: White Mountain (Based in Jack London's White Fang)

Social Issues mixed with Sci Fi: Get 'Em Out By Firiday

Botanics: The Return of the Giant Hogweed

Humour: Harold the Barrel

And of course The Lamb that covers all those issues and Sci Fi.

Almost all his songs are stories that the listener can follow and keep the interest, I believe nobody ever did something similar.

Iván

Cesar Inca : great observations there!

JamesLee : You didn't really think you'd get away with that, did you?

Certif1ed wrote: I think most people who hear Gabriel's influence on Fish hear similarities in vocal tone rather than lyrics - Fish's lyrics owe more to Hammill, IMO.  "...examine the shadows on the other side of morning, examine the shadows on the other side of mourning  Promised wedding now a wake" (as in funeral, but it's supposed to sound like awake to blur the two ideas). I'm always misquoting lyrics, but these mean something to me!

 Should not have relied on my memory!! The correct words give it a significantly different meaning.

I did realise this when I played it last night

My vote goes to Peter Gabriel and Zappa of course.Anyone heard lyrics on Dinah-moe-humm and I'm the slime.Also I had to say that Roger Waters lyrics on The wall is really a masterpiece.

zappa123 wrote: My vote goes to Peter Gabriel and Zappa of course.Anyone heard lyrics on Dinah-moe-humm and I'm the slime.Also I had to say that Roger Waters lyrics on The wall is really a masterpiece.

Roger Waters  I found Frank Zappa's lyrics amusing more than anything else, but to be honest I'm no expert on Zappa. I love his guitar playing. I would be surprised if there were many guitarists more skilled and versatile then he was.

Fish writes like an angst ridden sixth form drama student. To me, his lyrics scream out "Oh, I'm so tortured and gifted and misunderstood, I should be starving in a garret somewhere in Paris."

Anderson, J., writes with a total disregard for established rules of syntax, grammar and logic (love it though! I'd rather listen to nonsense than clumsy "I'm so sensitive, pity my poor tortured soul" crap.

Waters, once descibed his own lyrics on DSOTM in much the same way as I have described Fish's lyrics above, but did himself an injustice.  The words to "Time" are about as poignant as you can get, but only after those Ten Years Have Got Behind You! My God, does it all start to make sense?!!

Certif1ed wrote: emdiar wrote: Fish writes like an angst ridden sixth form drama student. Most angst-ridden sixth form students just write self-evident humourless junk with little or no reference to real life or themes outside of their angst. At least Fish had the intelligence to inject a large amount of irony and understanding of the human psyche under emotional stress before exaggerating it into angst! "Here I am once more in the playground of the broken hearts, I'm losing on the swings, I'm losing on the roundabouts..." "The game is over...".  Yes, there is angst, but the multitude of images that spring forth from these lyrics shows a very mature form - and "Fugazi" is pratically pure prose, so the "sixth-form" reference sounds a bit flippant to me. There's certainly drama in these lyrics, I'll warrant you that! For non-angsty Fish lyrics, check out "Garden Party", "Forgotten Sons", "Assassing", "Jigsaw", "Heart of Lothian" (for starters!). I'm not trying to force opinions here, just attempting to highlight the incredible depths and inventiveness of Fish's lyrics to stem this kind of light dismissal.

I accept your point re depths and inventiveness Cert.,  personal taste also plays a role. Fish's lyrics are literate and literary in nature, clever and laden with irony, word-play, and poetic devices, I can't and won't deny that. Perhaps I was a little unfair to dismiss him so out of hand. I seem to have a problem with Fish...I just can't feel the same way about him as you do.....

No, really, it's me, not you, I guess I'm just not ready to commit just yet.....You should meet other..... No, wait, that's the wrong speech

Fragile wrote: Up untl James Lee's ludicrous comments on Peter Hammil I had been enjoying the very accurate and pertinent posts regarding Fish and Co.As to Fish a wonderful talent.As for alluding to the great man Hammill as a girly lyricist it's the most ridiculous thing I have heard! ' Citadel reverberates to a thousand voices now dumb oh what have we become - now the immortals are here' Opening lines from 'Still Life' a truly magnificent album with truly wonderful lyrics 'and the organ monkey screams'

You're right- I have no wish to seem at all misogynistic, so I retract any feminine component. He actually sounds more like a frustrated teenaged romantic, perhaps influenced a bit by the Lord Dunsany/ William Morris style, and I fully admit there is a definite development through various 'voices' and temporary experiments from "H to He" (I never heard the previous VDGG albums) to "Incoherence", where he pretty much admits his lifelong struggle with expression. His particular take on dramatic angst-ridden poeticism places him very much in the Gabriel- Fish spectrum, and I have to admit that I only like Gabriel's lyrics about half the time (and Fish's even less, but still more than Hammill). When Gabriel was good, he was just about the best writer in prog (why else would Friedkin have tried to lured him away?), but he could also be very clumsy at times, and had an uneven track record making his results match his intentions ("Lamb" is admittedly unfinished).

Sinfield (sorry I missed your mention threefates) came from a similar place, with less angst and more esoteric literature and historic themes, but (in King Crimson, especially, but also when singing his own lyrics) Lake tended to moderate this potential for pomposity by keeping his delivery much drier, downplaying the drama and self-expression. Palmer-James was much more playfully emotive and yearning (the incomparable "Starless", "The NIght Watch"), and occasionally Waters-caustic ("Great Deciever", "Easy Money"). I love Jon Anderson, but for most of the 'classic' Yes albums he can hardly be called a lyricist- his cosmic poetry was often beyond literal intelligibility (is that really a word?), relying on word combinations and sounds for expression- a succesful but unusual approach for prog.

There you go, a more typically long-winded James Lee answer than my first post

In support of the Hammill contingent - and really just to confirm his talent rather than be confrontational - this doesn't look very girly or particularly angsty to me...

A bit rough in places, compared to the seamlessness of Fish (who gets a mention...), but beautifully constructed and with a good punch at the end (any excuse to disseminate great lyrics!);

Ophelia : Peter Hammill

"This one's authentic, son of a gun,
a soundtrack from China in the universal tongue....
The world is our oyster to plunder at will
though the palats is jaded by all but the thrill
of fish out of water, life in the raw...
Without understanding of what life's worth fighting for.
Out of universal language some stuff never translates -
the reports come in clusters but for words it's too late...
Six o'clock entertainment, tears of anguish and rage...
in the zoos of the media the spirit of moment is caged.
There's only one language the whole world comprehends,
there's only one message as the darkness descends...
do you still have a question or do you retract?
There's a whole world of difference between the observer and the act.
They're playing world music in Tiananmen Square.
They're playing world music in Tiananmen Square.
The whistle of bullets in the air."

That's 'Our Oyster' from 'Out of Water', right?

There's also angst, under a guise of irony and cold objectivness, in 'A Motorbike in Africa', and more direct in 'The Future Now', 'Energy Vampires' (The Future Now), 'Mr. X', 'Faculty X' (pH7), some sections of 'Flight' (A Black Box), and even many sections of his concept-album 'The Fall of the House of Usher'.

James Lee made some good points in his second post, which I have to admit though I don't agree with his overall appreciation on Hammill's lyrical abilities. Yet, Hammill can be dexcribed as mostly a romantic, not only on romantic relationship issues, but also regarding his points of view about humanity, society, science, beauty, the self, etc. 

Regards.

In support of Pete Sinfield...

One of the reasons I love the lyrics of Pete Sinfield is that he put secret messages in his words.  Unlike Roger Waters who put secret messages in the songs by recording things backwords.. or playing them lightly over the song recording.. Pete would actually write them into the lyrics.  They were sort of like puzzles that you had to figure out.

Still

Still I wonder how it is to be a stream,
From a dark well constant flowing,
Winding seawards over ancient mossy wheels
Yet feel no need of knowing?
Still I wonder how it is to be a tree,
Circled servant to the seasons,
Only drink on sky and rake the winter wind
And need no seal of reasons?

Still I wonder why I wonder why I'm here
All my words just the shaft of my flail
As I race o'er this beautiful sphere
Like a dog who his chasing his . . .
Tailors and tinkers, princes and Incas,
Sailors and sinkers, before me and like me . . .

Still I wonder how it is to be a bird,
Singing each dawns sweet effusions;
Flying far away when all the world has stirred
Yet seek no vain conclusions . . . . . .

Still I wonder if I passed some time ago
As a bird, or a stream, or a tree?
To mount up high you first must sink down low
Like the changeable tides of the
Caesars and Pharoahs, prophets and heroes,
Poets and hobos, before me and after me all the
Painters and dancers, mountainside chancers,
Merchants and gamblers, bankers and ramblers,
Winners and losers, angels and boozers,
Beatles and Bolans, raindrops and oceans,
Kings, pawns and deacons, fainthearts and beacons,
Caesars and Pharoahs . . . . . .

Why hasn`t mariah got any votes?

has she actually written any of her songs? that would bump up my esteem for her...upgrade it from nil to nada

threefates wrote: In support of Pete Sinfield... One of the reasons I love the lyrics of Pete Sinfield is that he put secret messages in his words.  Unlike Roger Waters who put secret messages in the songs by recording things backwords.. or playing them lightly over the song recording.. Pete would actually write them into the lyrics.  They were sort of like puzzles that you had to figure out.

About the Roger Waters messages, Please! Tell me more! what album, what song, what the messages said...

from Brain Damage on DSOTM... at the end turn it up loud and you hear:

"I can't think of anything to say except...
I think it's marvelous! HaHaHa!" 

This is a hidden message in the song "Empty Spaces" from "The Wall" but the record has to be played backward. In it, Roger Waters says: "Congratulations, You have just discovered the secret message. Please send your answer to old pink, care of the funny farm, Chalfont...(interruption) Roger, Carolyn's on the phone! (Roger) Okay!".

On Amused to Death, Roger Waters says: "Julia, (pause) however, (pause) in the light and visions of Stanley, (pause) we've changed our minds. (pause) We have decided to include a backward message, (pause) Stanley, (pause) for you, (pause) and for all the other book partners".

Just a few that I know of...

Well, I know there's a message at the end of DSOTM, but I thought it said:

"There really is no dark side of the moon. In fact it's all dark!"

Peter Gabriel puts images in my head like no other writer.Amazing lyricist.The last verse of 'Solsbury Hill' is mind bogglingly good! (and the Genesis stuff isn't bad either!)

Roger Waters  I found Frank Zappa's lyrics amusing more than anything else, but to be honest I'm no expert on Zappa. I love his guitar playing. I would be surprised if there were many guitarists more skilled and versatile then he was.

damn right...

Actually I also loved David Cousins as a lyricist.  I think my favorite by him tho, is probably his most underrated song:  Grace Darling

You have been my lighthouse
In every storm
You have given shelter
You have kept me safe and warm
And in my darkest nights
You have shone your brightest lights
You are my saving grace
Darling I love you.

You have been the pilot
Who guides me home
You have been the my rock
As on the seven seas I roam
And when I was becalmed
You were the strength in my arms
You are my saving grace
Darling I love you.

And when I found my back
Was torn and broken on the reef
You sailed your tiny boat
Across the dark seas of my disbelief.

You have been the anchor
And I the chain
Straining as we hold ourselves
Together in the rain
I have found you ever there
My constant keeper's daughter fair
You are my saving grace
Darling I love you.

I also loved his "Hanging in the Gallery"

Is it the painter or the picture
Hanging in the gallery?
Admired by countless thousands
Who attempt to read the secrets
Of his vision of his very soul.
Is it the painter or the picture
Hanging in the gallery?
Or is it but a still life
Of his own interpretation
Of the way that God had made us
In the image of His eye?

Is it the sculptor or the sculpture
Hanging in the gallery?
Touched by fleeting strangers
Who desire to feel the strength of hands
That realised a form of life.
Is it the sculptor or the sculpture
Hanging in the gallery?
Or is it but the tenderness
With which his hands were guided
To discard the unessentials
And reveal the perfect truth?

Is it the actor or the drama
Playing to the gallery?
Heard in every corner
Of the theatre of cruelty
That masks the humour in his speech.
Is it the actor or the drama
Playing to the gallery?
Or is it but the character
Of any single member of the audience
That forms the plot
Of each and every play?

Is it the singer or his likeness
Hanging in the gallery?
Tongue black, still and swollen,
His eyes staring from their sockets,
He is silent now, will sing no more.
Is it the singer or his likeness
Hanging in the gallery?
Or is it but his conscience,
Insecurity, and loneliness,
When destiny becomes at last
The cause of his demise?

Vibrationbaby wrote: James Lee wrote: has she actually written any of her songs? that would bump up my esteem for her...upgrade it from nil to nada She writes and produces all her songs but get`s help withe music. I know it`s pretty embarassing to actually know this.

"As your body grows bigger Your mind will flower It's great
to learn 'Cause knowledge is power!"

Actually I also loved David Cousins as a lyricist.  I think my favorite by him tho, is probably his most underrated song:  Grace Darling

You have been my lighthouse
In every storm
You have given shelter
You have kept me safe and warm
And in my darkest nights
You have shone your brightest lights
You are my saving grace
Darling I love you.

You have been the pilot
Who guides me home
You have been the my rock
As on the seven seas I roam
And when I was becalmed
You were the strength in my arms
You are my saving grace
Darling I love you.

And when I found my back
Was torn and broken on the reef
You sailed your tiny boat
Across the dark seas of my disbelief.

You have been the anchor
And I the chain
Straining as we hold ourselves
Together in the rain
I have found you ever there
My constant keeper's daughter fair
You are my saving grace
Darling I love you.

Are you Alan partridge by any chance?

gdub411 wrote: I voted for Fish but this list is very limited. I agree with others and ask: WHERE IS PETER HAMMILL!!!

he's currently touring in Spain

Reed Lover wrote: [QUOTE=threefates] Actually I also loved David Cousins as a lyricist.  I think my favorite by him tho, is probably his most underrated song:  Grace Darling You have been my lighthouse In every storm You have given shelter You have kept me safe and warm And in my darkest nights You have shone your brightest lights You are my saving grace Darling I love you. You have been the pilot Who guides me home You have been the my rock As on the seven seas I roam And when I was becalmed You were the strength in my arms You are my saving grace Darling I love you. And when I found my back Was torn and broken on the reef You sailed your tiny boat Across the dark seas of my disbelief. You have been the anchor And I the chain Straining as we hold ourselves Together in the rain I have found you ever there My constant keeper's daughter fair You are my saving grace Darling I love you. Are you Alan partridge by any chance?

Not the last time I looked... I think my boobs are much bigger than his..

threefates wrote: Not the last time I looked... I think my boobs are much bigger than his..

If I asked you for evidence, would you hold it against me...?

Everybody keeps forgetting to list Petrucci  in best lyricist polls. Isnt this beautiful enough?:

'Love, just don't stare'
He used to say to me
every Sunday morning
The spider in the window
The angel in the pool
The old man takes the poison
Now the widow makes the rules

'So speak, I'm right here'
She used to say to me
not a word, not a word
Judas on the ceiling
the Devil in my bed
I guess Easter's never coming
So I'll just wait inside my head

Like a scream but sort of silent
living off my nightmares

Voices repeating me
'Feeling threatened?
We reflect your hopes and fears.'
Voices discussing me
'Others steal your thoughts
they're not confined
within your mind.'

Thought disorder
Dream control
Now they read my mind on the radio
But where was the Garden of Eden?

I feel elated
I feel depressed
Sex is death, Death is sex
Says it right here on my Crucifix

Like a scream but sort of silent
living off my nightmares

Voices protecting me
'Good behavior
brings the Savior
to his knees.'
Voices rejecting me
'Others steal your thoughts
they're not confined
to your own mind.'

I'm kneeling on the floor
staring at the wall
like the spider in the window
I wish that I could speak
Is there fantasy in refuge?
God in politicians?
Should I turn on my religion?
These demons in my head tell me to

I'm lying here in bed
Swear my skin is inside out
Just another Sunday morning

Seen my diary on the newsstand
Seems we've lost the truth to quicksand
It's a shame no one is praying
'Cause these voices in my head
keep saying...

'Love, just don't stare.'
'Reveal the Word when you're
supposed to'
Withdrawn and introverted
Infectiously perverted
'Being laughed at and confused
keeps us pleasantly amused
enough to stay.'

Maybe I'm just Cassandra fleeting
Twentieth century Icon bleeding
Willing to risk Salvation
to escape from isolation

I'm witness to redemption
heard you speak but never listened
Can you rid me of my secrets?
Deliver us from Darkness?

Voices repeating me
'Feeling threatened?
We reflect your hopes and fears.'
Voices discussing me
Don't expect your own Messiah
This neverworld which you desire
is only in your mind.

How about Peter Blegvad of Slap Happy? (And of various solo albums, although those mostly have little to do with prog).

I am a HUGE marillian fan and I also sing karaoke so I am always on the look for the correct lyrics to the songs that I really like == Script for a Jester's Tear being one of them.  PROMISED WEDDING NOW A WAKE (as in the bride to be suddenly died).  That is the story behind that song.  A wake being the celebration of one's life after they die.

I have to say that Fish wrote some of the most provocitive lyrics I have ever heard, but I also have other favorate prog bands such as Camel, Kayak, Renaisannce, (early) Genesis (my favorate), and Glass Hammer. 

                 __  Incubus>>

'iNCUBUS' IS MY ALL-TIME FAVE MARILLION SONG... AND IT HAS MY ALL-TIME FAVE FISH-PENNED LYRICS, TOO!!

Fish and Neil Peart !

BaldFriede wrote:

[quote] How about Peter Blegvad of Slap Happy? (And of various solo albums, although those mostly have little to do with prog). [/qoute]

He's one of my favourite [prog] rock poets. I'm listening to "Sort of" right now.

BaldFriede wrote:

[quote]

House with no Door

....

[/qoute]

 Peter Hammill is outstanding!

incubus411 wrote: I am a HUGE marillian fan and I also sing karaoke so I am always on the look for the correct lyrics to the songs that I really like == Script for a Jester's Tear being one of them.  PROMISED WEDDING NOW A WAKE (as in the bride to be suddenly died).  That is the story behind that song.  A wake being the celebration of one's life after they die.

I'm fairly certain that the wake refers to the death of the relationship (So here I am once more in the playground of the broken hearts), and the promised wedding is the starry-eyed protaganist's vision of where it was heading and should have been heading.

There is admission of having made some critical mistakes in a similarly funereal vein "...to bleed the lyric for this song, to write the rites to write my wrongs"

But the line that convinces me that this is about the death of the relationship, not a person, is "So I'll hold my peace forever when you wear your bridal gown..."

This is a fantastic line, with at least 2 clear meanings;

1) I will stop bugging you when I see you married - to me or someone else.

2) When you get married (to someone else), I will have had it with women - just me and my right hand from then on...

Fish's lyrics are the absolute best = a true poet of the 20th century - forget Andrew Motion!

None of the above.

I enjoy lyrics that don't have to meet the standards of boorish rhyming and the like, therefore Tool's vocalist, Maynard James Keenan, is one of my favorites. He not only focuses on the body and mind, but his personal lyrical pieces are innovative, as well.

BaldJean wrote: Also "So I'll hold my peace forever when you wear your bridal gown..." is a direct reference to Peter Hammill's "Lost and Found" from "Over". "and I'll hold my peace forever but I'll hold my passion more... I'll be holding the door".

That's true - Fish was far more inspired by Peter Hammill than Gabriel, contrary to popular opinion - the whole "losing on the swings, losing on the roundabouts" theme also refers to Hammill's lyrics (I forget which album/song).

Voted for Fish, his lyrics are pure poetry.

I also miss Peter Hammill an Ian Anderson. There are indeed many great lyricists in prog. But who the hell is Dave Brock?

Who is Dave Brock???

Are you serious?????

*psst - try Hawkwind...

Sorry if this seems like a crazy question but Mariah Carey.......why? why why why?

"the crawlers cover the floor..."

Well,mostly my top 3 is not there

in no order: Pete Sinfield, Pete Hammill and Ian Anderson...

It's close between Roger Waters and Peter Gabriel, but I went with Roger Waters. Ian Anderson is a damn good lyricist too. Especially on "Thick as a Brick." Palmer-James and Pete Sinfield from King Crimson were also excellent. Songs like "Book of Saturday" have some of the most beautiful lyrics ever.

As much as I like Yes and ELP, it has to be said that Jon Anderson and Greg Lake's lyrics are bloody awful.

"A seasoned witch could call you from the depths of your disgrace, and rearrange your liver to the solid mental grace."

Um... ok Jon. Whatever you say.

Whacko.

Fish of course.....Doh

Sheltering her ego on the edge of a floodlit arc
She'll contemplate seduction, she'll calculate the catch
When she moved, her presence speared me
When she spoke, her words ensnared me
Watch the lizard, watch the lizard,
Watch the lizard with the crimson veil

She crucified my heart in the depth of a satin grave
As I lay in sweating monologue I sensed the lovelight fade
Within the spiral of the cigarette
You betrayed your bedside etiquette
I saw the lizard, I saw the lizard
I touched the lizard with the crimson veil

I've seen a different doorway shut a million times before
The smiling she chameleon, the smiling vinyl whores

They know what they want, they sing your name
And glide between the sheets
I never say no, in chemical glow we'll let our bodies meet
So was it just a f**k, was it just a f**k, just another f**k I said
Loving just for laughs, carnal autograph, lying on a lizard's bed
So was it just a f**k, was it just a f**k, just another f**k I bled
Degraded and alone, raped and still forlorn
Betrayed on a lizard's bed
We chameleon, we chameleon, we chameleon

I voted for Neil Peart but I have to say Fish is tied with him.

Fish is a great "fiction" lyricist, Peart is a great "non-fiction" lyricist.  Depends on what you are in the mood to hear.

I would Say its between Fish and Anderson , my vote goes to Anderson , even though he strays into lovey dovey mushy stuff he has written some of the finest lyrics ever that blow your mind particulary in early period of Yes with classics like CTTE and Gates Of Delirium for example. Yet Fish is almost , if not, equally as good as Anderon and Gabriel ... its hard to choose with such fine lyrics composed that will make their mark in prog music history and in my life .

if i could vote for both Anderson and Fish i would cause they are so wonderful!

Hero with a Wing

I see myself a hero
while one wings falls away
and the dial approaches zero
in a spiralling display.
My past life flashes feverishly,
and lives I did not lead,
like the time I was a hero
of a weird, outlandish breed.

One arm of flesh and muscle
and one of feathered scale
I was hero with a wing
that was of no avail.
I could only fly in circles
like a corkscrew in the sky,
my one wing flapping frantically
while birds just glided by.

I launched myself from mountains
and from the highest trees
although I could get nowhere
and just landed on my knees.
But still I was a hero,
with one wing more than most.
Almost half an Angel;
a whirling holy ghost.

My father was an eagle
with two wings wide as sails
my mother was the west wind witch
with grasping finger nails.
She lured him from his aery
with her twittering device.
She kept him in a golden cage
and fed him field mice.

This is from the album "Captain Lockheed and the Starfighters" and are in my opinion the last delirious thoughts of a starfighter pilot, of whose plane "one wing" just "falls away".

-------------


BaldJean and I; I am the one in blue.

John Anderson, even though none of his lyrics make any sense.