Prog songs which tell a good story

There are relatively few prog tracks (as opposed to concept albums) which tell a good story from beginning to end. What are some of the best ones?

Don’t be too judgmental about the music, but remember what you were taught at school, a good story has a beginning a middle and an end. (Many tracks can be very descriptive, without actually telling a story.)

A couple of suggestions to start things off."The vision of the lady of the lake" by the Strawbs (From "Dragonfly"). The dramatic tale of a young man’s experiences as he faces various challenges and dangers."One for the vine" by Genesis ("Wind and withering"), a circular tale of a defector who stumbles upon another culture, and how they mistake him for a messiah. "White Mountain", also by Genesis ("Trespass") is anther good one, telling the tale of a wolf who challenges the order of the pack.

2112-Rush

Incubus-Marillion

Grendel - Marillion

Xanadu-rush

Pirates - ELP

Grendel - Marillion

It's a storie based on a book by John Gardner, again based on the storie of Beowulf, but with a little twist, making the "Monster" Grendel to be the Hero, and Hrothgar the evil one.

To Quote Fish: "At the time of joining the band I was asked to provide lyrics for a long track the band had written with bits that had originally been in a song called "The Tower" etc. I was obsessed with a book called "Grendel" by John Gardner and the way that it points out that anything ugly is instantly scorned upon and seen as wrong."

 

Why Suppers Ready, of course

Grendel - Marillion
Supper's Ready - Genesis
One for the Vine - Genesis
Fountain of Salmacis - Genesis
Xanadu - Rush

Rush - Cygnus X-1 (off of A FAREWELL TO KINGS)

Rush - Cygnus X-1 Book II: Hemispheres (off of HEMISPHERES)

The Gong trilogy...

Adventures of Zero the hero.

Ripples by Genesis - a story about the ageing process. (although I can never make up my mind as to whether the 'pool' is symbolic or the events of the story.

I think it is fast becoming obvious that Genesis where the King storytellers of Prog Rock. Which is somewhat ironic as Gabriel would introduce many of the songs with a little story. The only problem was the story seemed to change slightly from gig to gig and by the end of the tour it was practically a differant story!!

The Gates of Delirium - Yes
South Side of The Sky - Yes
Awaken - Yes
Animation - Jon Anderson
Cinema Show - Genesis
Love Supreme - The Flower Kings
Behind The Great Beyond - Glass Hammer
Russia On Ice - Porcupine Tree

Severity Town - Grobschnitt

I like the story in that song. Part of a bigger story I know, but its an awesome song that does good on the storytelling.

Edited by starofsirius