Best and Worst prog lyrics - Progressive Rock Music Forum

Criswell wrote:

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.

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!!

Worst, Porcupine Tree Fear of a Blank Planet - "An xbox is a god to me", etc

Psychedelic Paul wrote:

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

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

Logan wrote:

cstack3 wrote:

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!

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.

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.

Edited by I prophesy disaster - September 17 2023 at 19:16

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.

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...

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."

Edited by AFlowerKingCrimson - September 17 2023 at 18:08

Grumpyprogfan wrote:

cstack3 wrote:

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!

Neal Morse sings about his imaginary friend a lot. Similar to fairies and elves to me.

Classic, Richard Dawkins would be proud of you for that one !

Edited by JD - September 17 2023 at 16:13

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Grumpyprogfan wrote:

cstack3 wrote:

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!

Neal Morse sings about his imaginary friend a lot. Similar to fairies and elves to me.

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.

Edited by Hrychu - September 17 2023 at 15:19

“On the day of my creation, I fell in love with education. And overcoming all frustration, a teacher I became.”
— Ernest Vong

cstack3 wrote:

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!

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.

Edited by Logan - September 17 2023 at 11:38

wiz_d_kidd wrote:

this one never gets old LOL