A
Abernant 1984/85
By The Mekons. A tribute to miners
and the British
Miners' Strike of 1984. "The wind and the rain beat on his fair head
As he stood in the darkness wishing he was dead Only seventeen when he went
down the mine And it's a year that he's been out on the line..."
Abortion Kills Children
By Mark Stenson/Julie Blesser. A Right to
Life or anti-choice song. "...Little baby. Inconvenience, interrupting
other plans. The schedule had no room for you. Abortion kills children..."
Abortion Song
By New Haven
Women's Liberation Rock Band. A Pro-Choice
or abortion rights song.
"...They tell us to get married and have three or four kids Change the
diapers, be a good wife But we will decide how many children to bear We've got
to control our own life Free our sisters, abortion is our right Free our
sisters, abortion is our right..."
Abraham, Martin And John
By Dion. Song pays tribute to
fallen leaders; Abraham Lincoln,
Martin Luther King Jr., John
F. Kennedy, and Robert Kennedy. "...Has anybody here seen my old friend John?
Can you tell me where he's
gone?...Didn't you love the things they stood for? Didn't they try to find
some good in you and me?..."
Absent Friends
By Saxon. Written in remembrance of a loved one who had passed away.
"You went in the morning, we didn't say goodbye...I wish I could see you
for just a day. Tell you we miss you and ask you to stay. To absent friends
this one's for you..."
Aces High
By Iron Maiden. Song (Live version),
begins with audio excerpt of Winston
Churchill. About the air campaign over
Acid Head
By Tourniquet. About the dangers of
substance abuse and the hallucinogenic
drug LSD. "...Water
cleans the system. Acid eats the flesh. Squirm yourself much deeper into the
pit of selfishness. The burn of death is what you crave..."
Across The Lines
By Tracy Chapman. About intolerance, racial violence, and the social and
economic conditions/attitudes that serve to seperate
the races in
Adam's Song
By blink-182-. Song deals with a teenager who is depressed
and starts to have suicidal thoughts. "I never thought I'd die alone. I
laughed the loudest who'd have known?...I'm too depressed to go on. You'll be
sorry when I'm gone...16 just held such better days. Days when I still felt
alive...Give all my things to all my friends...Please tell mom this is not her
fault..."
Addicted To Chaos
By Megadeth. About lead singer Dave Mustaine's drug counselor who finally helped him get sober after
numerous attempts at rehabilitation. Sadly the counselor lost his life to a
cocaine overdose. "...Only yesterday they told me you were gone...Lights
shined on my path. Turned bad days into good...Where's the helping
hand?..."
Adventures In Success
By Will Powers.
From the 1983 concept album "Dancing For Mental Health" performed and
produced by portrait photographer Lynn Goldsmith in
collaboration with Sting, Steve Winwood, Todd Rundgren and other recording
artists. Songs on the album promote a positive mental health message and deal
with the importance of goal setting, self-confidence, self-esteem, self-image,
and not being afraid to strive for your dreams and desires. "...You are an
important person. A rare individual. A Unique creature...You have talents and
abilities no one else has...The power to do anything you can imagine is within
you when you discover your
real self by practicing a few simple
laws of success...It's you make it habit. Make it happen only you..."
Afghan Lullaby
By Peter Hicks
and Geoff Francis. A human rights song
about the plight of women in Islamic nations. "...Your place of birth has
many names. A woman here is born to live in misery and shame...Dreams you'll
surely need child to help you through your life..."
African
By Peter Tosh. Song is about self determination,
preserving cultural identity, promoting Black Nationalism, and
building a sense of community, pride, and unity
among people of African descent. Relates to the the topic Pan-Africanism
and the group OAU . "Don't care where you come from, as long as you're a
black man, you're an African. Don't mind your nationality, you have got the
identity of an African. Don't mind your complexion, there is no rejection,
you're an African..."
After All
By Dar Williams. A person coping
with depression.
"...And it felt like a winter machine That you go through and then You
catch your breath and winter starts again And everyone else is spring bound And
when I chose to live
There was no joy, it's just a line I crossed It wasn't worth the pain my
death would cost So I was not lost or found..."
After Forever
By Black Sabbath. Song deals with issues related to religious beliefs and
questions about the after life. Useful for a class on theology and
religious studies. "...Have you ever thought about your soul, can it be
saved? Or perhaps you think that when you're dead you just stay in your grave.
Is God just a thought within your head or is he part of you? Is Christ just a
name that you read in a book when you were in school?...Well I've seen the
truth, yes I've seen the light and I've changed my ways. And I'll be prepared when
you're lonely and scared at the end of our days..."
The Aftermath
By Iron Maiden. An anti-war song. "...In the mud and rain. What
are we fighting for? Is it worth the pain? Is it worth dying for? Who will
take the blame? Why did they make a war?...Mix in the dirt of
brother's blood..."
After The Dolphin
By Crosby, Stills & Nash. Song is about the first bombing of a civilian
target by an enemy aircraft. 1915 German aircraft dropped a bomb on a pub in
London called the Dolphin. "At the Dolphin the beer flowed like wine...In
the air there's plane headed for the heart of the Dolphin...and in the blink of
an eye they were gone, gone, gone."
After The Goldrush
By Neil Young. Human activity damaging the environment, "Look at
mother nature on the run in the nineteen seventies..." and dreams of
starting over, "...flying mother nature's silver seed to a new home in the
sun."
After The Reign
By Blackfoot. About the displacement and relocation of Native American
peoples in North America. "..to take a man's home, there's no pity, one
man's land for another man's city..."
After The Sinking Of The
Titanic
By Jimmy Tarlton. Song is about the aftermath of the sinking of the luxury
liner the Titanic on April 14-15,
1912. "...It told a sad new story, sixteen hundred had gone to rest.
Captain Smith surely must have been a-drinking. Not knowing that he was doing
wrong. He tried to raise a record and let the Titanic down..."
After The War
By Gary Moore. An anti-war song. "A letter from the draftboard put pain
in all your dreams. You're just another number in military schemes. They
marched you in a uniform, you wore against your will. With lies of hope and
glory, they taught you how to kill..."
After The War
By Warlock. Song is about the environment on a battlefield after a major
battle or war has taken place. "...An endless battlefield. Overcrowded
with death...No singing of a bird, rustle of a tree...War has ended..."
Against All Odds
By Phil Collins. A person has
difficulty "letting go" and moving on from a relationship. "How
can I just let you walk away, just let you leave without a trace...But to wait
for you, is all I can do and that's what I've got to face. Take a good look at
me now, cos I'll still be standing here. And you coming back to me is against
all odds. It's the chance I've gotta take..."
Agent Orange
By Sodom. About agent orange, a
herbicide that was used by the United States government during the Vietnam War.
Many Vietnam vets have developed health complications or have died because of
their exposure to this herbicide. "...Spray down the death. Agent
Orange...Cancer creeps into their innocent souls. Memorials of flesh and
blood...Poisoned 'til the end of their lives. Physical deformity..."
Agent Orange Song
By Country Joe and the Fish. About the health hazards of agent orange, a herbicide used in the
Vietnam War. "...This agent orange from Vietnam, we carry it with us
still. It stays inside for years and years before it starts to kill. You might
get cancer of the liver, you might get cancer of the skin. You can file for
disability but you might not live to win..."
AIDS
By Ani DiFranco. A complex song about many health issues. References made to
risk taking, acquired immune deficiency syndrome, unprotected sex, low self
esteem, and lack of respect for self and body. "...She is looking for the
kisses that she never got at home...And if she ends up with some dirty hot
disease. It's a small price she pays for the need to be pleased...Our heroine
like many others is now dead..."
AIDS is Gold, HIV is
Platinum
By Canibus. About the growing dangers and health threats from AIDS and the HIV Virus."...Yo,
yo, now that millions is dead I'm considered widespread Number one on the top
ten and considered a world wide threat...H-I-V will progress to A-I-D-S And transform your warm blooded bones
to dry flesh By stressing the immune system Promiscuous men and women trying to
avoid getting the micro-organism in them from running up in it raw Ready and
willing, a couple of minutes of a good feeling is what'll kill them Break ya
body down in steps, breath for breath In the hospital wit less then a dozen
T-cells left..."
Ain't No Mountain High
Enough
By Marvin Gaye/Tammi Terrell. About devotion and the power of love over
time, and across the miles. "...No matter where you are, no matter how
far. Just call my name, I'll be there in a hurry...Although we are miles apart,
if you ever need a helping hand, I'll be there on the double as fast as I
can..." Song could also be adapted for a lesson/activity about various
notable geographic features of the earth.
"...There ain't no mountain
high enough, Ain't no valley
low enough, Ain't no river
wide enough. To keep me from getting to you..."
Ain't No Safe Way
By Michael Sweet. Song promotes abstinence, respecting yourself and your
body and waiting to become sexually active. "...Ain't no safe way anymore.
You got people with one, two, three, or four. Abstinence rules, playing is for
fools. The one who abstains is the one who's cool..."
Ain't No Stopping Us Now
By McFadden and Whitehead. About having a positive outlook on life, striving
for your goals and not letting negative people influence your way of thinking.
"...I know you know someone that has a negative vow...Ask them where they
are going, they don't know. But we won't let nothin' hold us back...We're gonna
polish up our act!..."
Alainis Morissette
By Wesley Willis. A tongue-in-cheek song about Canadian musician Alainis
Morissette. "You are a rock star. You are a rock legend to the
max...Alainis Morissette...You are a rocking maniac. You are a singing hyena.
Alainis Morissette..."
The Alamo
By Danny Joe Brown Band. About the Battle of the Alamo which began on
February 23, 1836 in the state of Texas. "One hundred eighty Texans fought
four thousand comin' strong. Fought to save the Alamo, the battle twelve days
long...The last brave man fought to the end, the battle it was lost. Fought to
save the Alamo, their lives was what it cost...Remember the Alamo..."
The Alamo
By Johnny Cash. Song is about The Alamo,
where in April of 1836 a small band of Texans held out against the Mexican army
of General Lopez de Santa Anna. “A hundred and eighty were challenged by Travis
to die by the line that he drew with his sword when the battle was nigh…Hey,
Santa Anna we’re killing your soldiers below…”
Alcohol
By Barenaked Ladies. The song deals with alcohol
abuse and denial, also about people who use alcohol as a crutch and how people drink to escape
the realities of life. "Alcohol, my permanent accessory. Alcohol, a party
time necessity. Alcohol, alternative
to feeling like yourself. O alcohol, I still drink to your health...To walk
the fine line between self control and self abuse...O
alcohol, would you please forgive me? For while I cannot love myself I'll use
something else..."
Alcohol
By The Kinks. A well respected and
successful individual turns to alcohol to deal with life's stresses and ends up
ruining his marriage and life. "Here is a story about a sinner, he used to
be a winner who enjoyed a life of prominence and position. But the pressures at
the office and his socialite engagements...it turned him to the booze...He'll
drink anything as long as all his troubles disappear. But he messed up his life
and he beat up his wife...Oh, demon alcohol, sad memories I cannot recall..."
Alcohol
By Y&T. About the negative effects associated with abusing alcohol.
References made to hangovers, violence, intoxication and driving while intoxicated. "...Bottles
were breakin' and the windows too. All because someone drank too much
brew...Fight and shout and cause a brawl, when you're out drinkin' that
alcohol...Tomorrow mornin' I'll be sick as a dog...The meanest trip is
alcohol..."
Alcohol And Jake Blues
By Tommy "Snake" Johnson. A man laments over his drinking problem
and realizes that death is imminent if he doesn't overcome his addiction.
"Alcohol...Sure, Lord's killing me...If I don't quit drinking it every
morning, sure gonna kill me dead..."
Alcohol And Pills
By Fred Eaglesmith. About various people in the music industry who made it
big but died before their time
due to substance abuse. Singers mentioned include Hank Williams Sr.,
Elvis Presley, Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix and Gram Parsons. "...They pulled
poor old Hank Williams Sr. out of a Cadillac Coupe Deville. He ended up on
alcohol and pills...Elvis Presley, he came up from Jackson. He ended up on
alcohol and pills...Janis Joplin, she was wild and reckless...The story just
goes on and on..."
Alcohol In The Bloodstream
By Ian Tyson. About "unhealthy escapism", using substances in
order to forget your problems. "...Some dead flowers and a bottle of vodka
on the kitchen table. Flowers for the good times and booze for the
bad...Alcohol in the bloodstream, 'bout the best I can do 'til I forget about
you..."
Alcohol Is The Root
By Bif Naked. An anti-alcohol song. "...Alcohol is the root of all
evil...Every bad thing that happened to me would not have occured if alcohol
wasn't involved..."
The Alcohol Talking
By Matthew Sweet. A relationship is threatened as a person tries to deal
with their partner's addiction to alcohol. "Do you realize you're laughing
as you're reaching for the gin. Even though I threaten that I'm never coming
back again...'cause once the alcohol is talking, you're not even here..."
The Alcoholik
By Superjoint Ritual. About substance abuse. "...Blow through the
prime of life. Numb all the senses down...Pitfalls of grief...smashed..."
Alexander The Great
By Iron Maiden. Tribute to legendary ruler, Alexander The Great. "Near
the East in a part of ancient Greece, In an ancient land called Macedonia. Was
born a son to Philip of Macedon, the legend his name was Alexander..."
Alex Chilton
By The Repacements. Song is a tribute to musician Alex Chilton who
played with underground pop band Big Star and 1960's pop band The Box Tops.
"...Children by the million sing for Alex Chilton
when he comes 'rond...I never travel far without a little Big Star..."
Alice's Restaurant
By Arlo Guthrie. Inspired by actual events
taking place in Stockbridge,
Massachusetts. Related topics include; the military draft, Vietnam War,
protest movements, crime and punishment, pollution, Thanksgiving traditions.
"Now it all started two Thanksgivings ago... two years ago, on
Thanksgiving, when my friend and I went up to visit Alice at the restaurant..."
Alimony
By "Weird Al" Yankovic.
Song is a
parody of "Mony Mony" by Tommy James & the Shondells. About
one of the many unpleasurable results of a divorce. "Here she comes now
wants her alimony. Bleedin' me dry...Work at three jobs just to stay in debt
now. Well first she took my nest egg and then she took my nest. I'm in
debt..."
Alive
By P.O.D.. A song of acceptance, hope, and
optimism. "Everyday is a new day. I'm thankful for every breath I take. I
won't take it all for granted. So I learn from my mistakes. It's beyond my
control...Whatever happens in this lifetime..."
Alive
By Van Zant. Song is about making the most of your time here on Earth and
being thankful for what you have. "If I don't see tomorrow, what would be
left to say?...I can feel it rushing through me. It's the miracle of life.
Ain't it good to be alive..."
All Dressed Up (With Nowhere
To Go)
By Reba McEntire. Song is about growing
old alone and being
forgotten by your immediate family. "The sign says "families
welcome" at the Oaks Retirement Home. But mostly, no one comes 'cept on
the weekends. Ruby Wilson lives in 303 where she spends most of her
time...she's all dressed up watching and waiting but no one comes. Some days
sure are lonely days and time can move too slow. When you're all dressed up
with no where to go..."
Allentown
By Billy Joel. Song is about economic decline and downsizing of American
industry. Focuses on closing of steel mills in Allentown, PA., and it's impact on
workers/community, and an end of a way of life. " Well we're living here
in Allentown, and they're closing all
the factories down. Out in Bethlehem they're killing time filling out forms,
standing in line..."
All I Can Do Is Write About
It
By Lynyrd Skynyrd. Song is about environmental awareness and the serenity
and beauty of nature. "...Did you ever see the beauty of the hills of
Carolina? Or the sweetness of the grass of Tennesee? Did you ever stop to think
about the air you're breathin'? I can see the concrete slowly creepin'. Lord
take me before they're gone..."
All In And Down And Out
Blues
By Uncle Dave Macon. Song was written in the 1930's after Wall Street
crashed sending people to the poor house and sparking the Great Depression.
"...Now this is the truth and it certainly exposes that Wall Street's
proposition is not all roses. I put up my money to win some more. I lost it all
and it left me sore..."
All My Friends
By Monty Harper. This song is about living a
healthy lifestyle, striving for goals, the importance of friendship and
remaining drug and alcohol free. "...And I feel proud of all my friends
when I see them working for their dreams...We intend to always stay drug free. It's the only
way to be..."
All Night Train
By Allman Bothers Band. Song is about unhealthy risk taking, living life in
the fast lane and suffering the consequences. “Last night sorta got so insane
as I went ridin’ on the all night train…Puttin’ money in sin. When the morning
comes not a nickel to my name…I woke up late yesterday afternoon, my eyeballs
feeling like two balloons. Things ain’t ever gonna change till you stop riding
that all night train…”
All The Things We've Never
Done
By Martina McBride.
According to the artist, "...This song just says that so many people
put such a stock in all the worldly and material things in a relationship, and what
really matters is the honesty and commitment to each other"(quote
taken from artist's web site) "...You never walked away When I
needed you to stay Or made me feel I'm not the one There've been no broken vows
And there reason we're here now Is all the things we've never done We've never
grown apart You never broke my heart With secrets that you've kept me from
We've never been untrue And I'm still here with you Through all the things
we've never done."
All Those Years Ago
By George Harrison. Tribute
song to John Lennon. "...I’m talking all about how to give They don’t act
with much honesty But you point the way to the truth when you say All you need is
love. Living with good and bad I always look up to you Now we’re left cold and
sad...All those years ago You were the one who imagined it all All those years
ago. Deep in the darkest night I send out a prayer to you Now in the world of
light..."
All Thru History
By Will Powers.
From the 1983 concept album "Dancing For Mental Health" performed and
produced by portrait photographer Lynn Goldsmith in
collaboration with Sting, Steve Winwood, Todd Rundgren and other recording
artists. Songs on the album promote a positive mental health message
and deal with the importance of goal setting, self-confidence, self-esteem,
self-image, and not being afraid to strive for your dreams and desires.
"Since the dawn of recorded time...Certain individuals have emerged from
the crowd. Socrates, King Arthur, Joan of Arc, the Beatles... Reminding us of
how far a human being can go...No one is holding you back but you. There is no
excuse for not getting what you want..."
All You Need Is Love
By The Beatles. A positive song about the
power and importance of love. "There's nothing you can do that can't be
done. Nothing you can sing that can't be sung. Nothing you can say but you can
learn how to play the game...All you need is love. Love is all you
need..."
Almost Cut My Hair
By Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young. A protest song recorded in the late
1960's during the hippie movement when long haired people were viewed as
rebels. "Almost cut my hair. It happened just the other day...but I didn't
and I wonder why. I feel like letting my freak flag fly..."
Alone
By Blues Traveler. This song is about the hurt of
unrequited love and the pain of rejection. This theme of unrequited love is also examined in
the short story "A Sense of Shelter", by John Updike. "I said I
love you. She began to cry. She said she needed a friend. I said I'll try...I'd
loved her always. She didn't know. I tried patience. Let a friendship grow. I
tried to keep her, that's what made her go..A love like hers ain't meant for
guys like me..."
Along Came You(Song For
Emily)
By Gloria Estefan and the Miami Sound Machine. Song was written in honor of
artist's daughter, Emily. "...You were sent to me by angels up above, I'm
certain...Along came you to teach me about love...You're here to show me what
love can be..."
Along The Nile
By Sara Jordan. Tribute to the Nile river. "...Along the Nile The
pyramids, Reminded us of ancestors And what they did. Along the Nile My people
live Because of all The life it gives ..."
Already One
By Neil Young. About shared parenting.
A relationship or marriage has ended but the couple are still joined or bound
by a
common interest, their child. "...I can't forget how love let me
down...Your laughing eyes. Your crazy smile. Every time I look in his face I
can't believe how love lasts a while...But we're already one. Already one. Now
only time can come between us. "Cause we're already one, our little son
won't let us forget..."
Always
By Bon Jovi.
A person has a difficult time accepting or coming to terms with the end of a
relationship. He feels that his love for the other person will last forever.
"...It's been raining since you left me, now I'm drowning in the flood.
You see I've always been a fighter but without you I give up...I'll be there
till the stars don't shine. Till the heavens burst and the words don't rhyme. I
know when I die you'll be on my mind. And I love you, always..."
Always Look On The Bright
Side
By Bruce Cockburn. This
song is
about optimism and the power
of positive thinking. From the Monty
Python film "Life
of Brian" this song stands out in stark contrast to the "heavy,
political stuff" normally associated with the artist. "...If life
seems jolly rotten, there's something you've forgotten And that's to laugh and
smile and dance and sing When you're feeling in the dumps, don't be silly
chumps Just purse your lips and whistle, that's the thing, and...Always look on
the bright side of life Always look on the bright side of life..."
Always On My Mind
By Willie Nelson. About regret,
taking someone's love for granted, and trying to redeem yourself."...And
maybe I didn't treat you quite as good as I should have...And I guess I never
told you I'm so happy that you're mine. Little things I should of said and
done. I just never took the time..."
Always the Cause
By Al Stewart. Song is about the Spanish Civil War and the
people who fought for the "Cause" of democracy.
"Bad news over the great divide comes in from every side. Still hope
won't be denied. There was always the Cause. There was always the
Cause...Setbacks come at every turn. New ways are hard to learn. Tonight I
saw Guernica burn..."
Always Tomorrow
By Gloria Estefan. Song is about optimism, having a positive outlook on life
and believing in yourself and others. "Try to make a difference, try to
love, try to understand. Instead of just giving up, I use the power at my command
...I'll face whatever comes my way, savor each moment of the day. Love as many
people as I can along the way... That's why there's always tomorrow
to start all over again..."
A Man For
All Seasons
By Al Stewart. This song is a tribute to Sir Thomas More
(1478-1535), song deals with the
rule of law, the legitimacy of authority, and staying true to your conscience or principles.
"...Henry Plantagenet still looks for someone to bring good news in his
hour of doubt. While Thomas
More waits in the Tower of
London watching the sands running out. And measures the hours out from here
to oblivion in actions that can't be undone...So what if you reached the age of
reason only to find there was no reprieve? Would you still be a man for all seasons
or would you just disbelieve?..."
Amadou! (Look What They've
Done to You...)
By Courtney. Inspired by actual events. On February 4, 1999 four NYC police
officers fired 41 shots
at unarmed Guinean immigrant Amadou Diallo striking
him 19 times and killing him in the entrance way of his apartment.
"...John Wayne shooters rockin' hard dressed in blue. "Protect &
Serve", but are they serving you? Abner Louima and now Amadou countless
others paid the price for you..."
A.M.A. Song
By Phil Ochs. This 1962 song could
serve as a 21st century anthem for people and organizations that are working to
create Universal Health Care in
the United States . "...We will fight against disease when the money comes
with ease. And when we get together we say hooray for A.M.A....If you can't
afford my bill, don't tell me you're ill...Every day we specialize more and
more. But we really love to stitch the diseases of the rich. We are sure there
is a clinic for the poor...'Cause that's the free enterprise way..."
Amazing
By Aerosmith. Song is about the cycle of drug addiction, hitting "rock
bottom", and then working towards recovery. "...When I lost my grip
and I hit the floor. Yeah, I thought I could leave but couldn't get out the
door. I was so sick and tired of livin' a lie. I was wishing that I would die.
It's amazing. With the blink of an eye you finally see the light...When the
moment arrives you know you'll be alright..."
Amelia Earhart's Last Flight
By The Greenbriar Boys. About Amelia
Earhart, an American aviatrix who was one of the world's most celebrated and
the first to fly alone over the Atlantic Ocean..."A ship out of the ocean,
just a speck against the sky. Amelia Earhart flying that sad day. With her
partner Capt. Noonan on the second of July. Her plane fell in the ocean, far
away..."
Amen
By Jewel. According to the artist...I wrote this indirectly for Kurt
Cobain, but more precisely for the angst he represented. But even more exactly
for the hopelessness so many felt after his death. "...Where's my
golden one? Where's my hope now that my heroes have gone?...Pieces of us die
everyday...Amen..."
America
By The KBC Band. Song is about how the hopes, dreams and ideals of many
American people have not been realized. "...New world, new people. New
dreams for all of the children. Young country...Back in the summer of '85. I
met a young girl, her heart was in flames...War had changed her whole world.
Her daddy died in Vietnam. She lost her husband in Lebanon...And she saw hungry
people in the streets. Young mothers who could not eat...And it all goes on. Yeah,
the dreams go on..."
America
By Neil Diamond. Song is about immigration and how our country is seen as a
melting pot. "...On the boats and on the planes. They're coming to
America...Freedom's light burning warm...Everytime that flag's unfurled. They're
coming to America..."
America, America
By L.D. Steelman. About the displacement of Native Americans as the white
man slowly took everything they had. "America, America...You conquered
what you called a savage people. Drove them to their knees beneath pointed
steeples. You stripped them of their great and noble spirit..."
American Dream
By Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. A politician or public figure, caught in
the act. "...Then they caught you with the girl next door, people's money
piled on the floor, accusations that you try to deny, revelations and rumours
begin to fly..." Also deals with the role of the press in a free society and
issues of privacy. "...Reporters crowd around your house. Going through
your garbage like a pack of hounds..."
The American Dream
By Billy Ray Cyrus. Song was written as an inspiration for our American
people to never stop striving for peace and prosperity. "...Dream on
children, dream on. Don't let anybody tell you the dream is gone. As long as
there's a God Above. Keep praying we never wake up. Keep on dreaming the
American dream..."
American Heroes
By Adam Wyle. A response song to the September 11th tragedy in New York
City. "...What a mistake they have made. Take for granted American people
today. Within the scene you look around. All the love with both hands
out...American heroes..."
American Pi
By Lawrence
Mark Lesser. This parody tours the human history of determining the value of pi. Song is a tribute to the people and
cultures who contributed to our understanding
of pi. “Find, find
the value of pi, starts 3 point 1 4 1 5 9…In the Hebrew Bible we do see the
circle ratio appears as three…The Chinese got it really keen: three-five-five
over one thirteen! More joined the action with arctan series and continued
fractions…”
American Pie
By Don McLean. A tribute to
musician Buddy Holly who died in
a plane crash along with Richie Valens and the Big Bopper, February 3, 1959.
"...I can't remember if I cried When I read about his widowed bride But
something touched me deep inside, The day the music
died." Analysis of this
song reveals numerous historic, political, musical and cultural references
to the changing music scene in the late '60's.
American Skin (41 Shots)
By Bruce Springsteen. Inspired by actual
events, this controversial song includes important political and social
commentary dealing with race and the criminal
justice system in America. "...Lena gets her son ready for school. She
says now on these streets Charles you got to understand the rules. Promise me
if an officer stops you'll always be polite. Never ever run away and promise
mama you'll keep your hands in sight...The secret my friend. You can get killed
just for living in your American
skin..."
American Triangle
By Elton John. Song was written as a tribute to Matthew Shepard the
victim of a brutal and vicious hate crime. "...Don't make no sense. I've
seen a scarecrow wrapped in wire. Left to die on a high ridge fence...It's a
cold wind blowing. Wyoming..."
America's National Game
By Moxy Fruvous. This song is about excessive
corporate sponsorships and the commercialization of baseball. "...There's
the NBC Peacock right fielder He threw the Exxon's runner out in the dirt And
you really can't tell Who's playing for Shell 'Cause they've all got different
logos on their shirts...It's the sport that built this country A great pitch by
any other name and it won't take long to sell you on America's national game
Bank America's national game"
America's Unsung Heroes
By L.D. Steelman. Song is a tribute to Native Americans. References made to
many Native American tribes. "...America's unsung heroes. The Cheyenne, Apache,
Cherokee and Navaho...Wanted to only live in peace. For starvation and
deprivation of their lands to cease..."
America Will Always Stand
By Randy Travis. A song of patriotism. Proceeds from the song will aid the Red Cross. "She stands in the face of
evil and will not lose hope or faith. America, the land of freedom. Still the
home of the brave..."
America Will Survive
By Hank Williams Jr.. A song of patriotism and hope. Written in response to
the 9/11 World Trade Center attacks. "...Our flag is up, the stock markets
are down. But we're all united from the county to the town. America will
survive..."
Am I Losin'
By Lynyrd Skynyrd. About achieving success in life and losing jealous
friends because of it. "...And it's so strange when you get just a little
money. Your so called friends want to act just a little funny. They'll blame
you...He thinks you changed because of a dollar sign..."
Am I The Only Thing You've
Done Wrong
By Lee Ann Womack. A man neglects his wife as he climbs the ladder of
success. “…When I think of all the things you’ve done it always makes me proud.
But tonight I’m feeling empty, I’m always here alone…Am I the only one that
you’ve forgotten on the way? To gain the world and lose our love is too high a
price to pay. In your long line of successes tell me where do I belong…”
Amish Paradise
By "Weird Al" Yankovic.
A parody
song of Coolio's "Gangsta's Paradise". A satire
of Amish culture, with numerous
references to specific beliefs and practices. "...But that's just perfect
for an Amish like me,
Ya know, I shun fancy things like electricity At 4:30 in the mornin' I'm
milkin' cows...If you come to visit, you'll be bored to tears We haven't even
paid the phone bill in 300 years...Hitchin' up the buggy, churnin' lots of
butter
Raise a barn on Monday, soon I'll raise anutter..."
Among The Living
By Anthrax. This song
is said to be inspired by the Stephen
King novel, The
Stand. "Disease! Disease! Spreading the disease. With some help
from Captain Trips, he'll bring the world down to his knees. Power, yes Power!
He'll show them all his power. It pulses through his ice cold blood, a whole
world to devour!..."
Amoreena
By Elton John. From the "Dog Day Afternoon" soundtrack this song
is about yearning and desire. "...Oh if only I could nestle in the cradle
of your cabinMy arms around your shoulders the windows wide and open While the
swallow and the sycamore are playing in the valley Oh I miss you amoreena like
a king bee misses honey Lately I’ve been thinking how much I miss my
ladyAmoreena’s in the cornfield brightening the daybreak..."
Amphetamine Annie
By Canned Heat. About the dangers associated with the use of the stimulant
drug amphetamines. References made to paranoia and the health consequences of
drug use. "...They call her amphetamine Annie...Your mind might think it's
flying baby on those little pills. But you oughta know it's dyin' 'cause speed
kills..."
AM Radio
By Everclear. Song is a flashback to the 1970's with references made to am
radio, eight track tapes and popular culture of that era. "...Just picture
yourself on a beautiful day. With the big bell bottoms and groovy long
hair...You could hear the music on the am radio..."
Amusement Parks U.S.A.
By The Beach Boys. Song is a tribute to many of the fun packed amusement
parks across the United States. "...You'll crash and burn in the bumper
cars at Jersey's steel pier. You'll crack'em up when you stand in front of all
the crazy mirrors...Disneyland and P.O.P. is worth a trip to L.A...Let's take
your car and mess around at the park all day..."
Anagram (for Mongo)
By Rush. A fun tribute to the anagram. The letters of one
word in each line of the song are rearranged to form other words. "There's
a snake coming out of the darkness. Parade from paradise. End the need for
Eden. Chase the dreams of merchandise. There is tic and toc in atomic. Leaders
make a deal...Miracles will have their claimers. More will bow to Rome..."
Ana's Song
By Silverchair. Lead singer Daniel Johns wrote this song
after being diagnosed with anorexia. Only a
small percentage of anorexics are males. "...In my head the flesh seems
thicker...And you're my obsession I love you to the bones...Like an anorexic
life..."
...And Justice For All
By Metallica. Song is about corruption of
government and the justice system. "...Halls of Justice painted green,
money talking..." Relates to ethics in government and abuse of power.
Related topics: campaign
financing, watergate.
Angel Dust
By Sodom. About the dangerous drug angel dust or as it is also called PCP.
References to drug addiction. "...Searching, hoping for the right
connection coz I need it...Angel dust. Need a shot to get me through the
day..."
Angel Flying Too Close to
The Ground
By Willie Nelson. About
sacrifice, and the temporary, sometimes circumstantial nature of love.
"...If you would not have fallen then I would not have found you...And I
patched up your broken wings...And I knew someday that you would fly away...So
leave me if you need to. I'd rather see you up than see you down..."
Angel Of Death
By Slayer. About
Joseph Mengele notorious Nazi physician who
sent thousands to their deaths in the Auschwitz concentration camp during World
War II. Known to have performed pseudo-medical and scientific experiments on many of
the victims. "Auschwitz, the meaning of pain...Slow death, immense decay.
Showers that cleanse you of your life...Human mice, for the Angel of Death...Sadistic
surgeon of demise...Destroying without mercy to benefit the Aryan race..."
Angel Of Death
By Thin Lizzy. Song is about the sixteenth century prophet Nostradamus who was believed to have
predicted many of the great catastrophies (fires, earthquakes, weather
disturbances) that occured in the twentieth century. "Oh, my god, there's
millions of them!...In the sixteenth century there was a French philosopher by
the name of Nostradamus. He prophesized that in the late twentieth century an
angel of death shall waste this land..."
Angel Of Harlem
By U2. This song is a tribute to singer Billie Holiday. "Lady Day got diamond eyes, she sees the
truth behind the lies...So long Angel of Harlem...Blue light on the avenue God
knows they got to you An empty glass, the lady sings
Eyes swollen like a bee sting Blinded you lost your way..."
Angels And Fuselage
By Drive-by Truckers. Artist wrote this song from the point of view of
Lynyrd Skynyrd members and what they may have been thinking right before their
plane crashed. "...These angels I see in the trees are waiting for me. The
engines have stopped now. We all know we are going down...Angels and
fuselage..."
Angels In Waiting
By Tammy
Cochran. Artist wrote this song
for her two brothers, Alan and Shawn, who died from cystic fibrosis. "...They were angels in
waiting. Waiting for wings to fly from this world. Away from their
pain...Sometimes the body is weaker than the soul..."
Annie Jump Cannon
By Lynda Williams.
This song is a tribute
to Annie Jump Cannon
the woman who developed the system for classifying stellar spectra.
"...She was a human computer at the Harvard College Observatory
classifying stellar spectra she was the world's leading expert. She created the
spectral class system we all love and use today!..."
Annie's Anorexia
By The Huntington's. About a "perfect" girl who seems to have
everything going for her in life. In reality she is suffering from the eating disorder anorexia.
"...The star of every young boy's dream. I surely would not have guessed
she starved herself to fit that dress...She never skipped class in her life but
she skipped dinner everytime...Annie's anorexic..."
Annie's Song
By John Denver. Song was written by the artist as a tribute to his wife
Annie. "You fill up my senses like night in a forest...Come let me love
you. Let me give my life to you...Let me always be with with you..."
The Anonymous Alcoholic
By 10CC. A man with a drinking problem tries to remain sober but gives in to
his cravings for alcohol. "...Everybody's having fun, so why be the one
left out in the cold? You said you'd never take another drop. Your craving's
big, your liver's shot...You've got to dry out...But it's martini time..."
Anorexic Beauty
By Pulp. Song is about society's unhealthy obsession with weight and how
many models have developed eating disorders. "...pastel white features,
high cheekbones...brittle fingers...anorexia
beauty, feather weight perfection..."
Another Brick in the Wall,
part 2
By Pink Floyd.
From the critically acclaimed concept album/CD called "The Wall" this song
is about the
importance of autonomy, individuality, and freedom of thought. "We don't
need no education. We don't need no thought control. No dark sarcasm in the
classroom. teachers leave them kids alone...All in all it's just another brick
in the wall..."
Another Day In Paradise
By Phil Collins. Song reveals a
person's disregard for another
who is less fortunate. About the importance of community and social responsibility and
compassion for the homeless. "She calls out to the man on the street,
"Sir, can you
help me?"...He walks on doesn't look back, he pretends he can't hear
her. Starts to whistle as he crosses the street seems embarassed to be
there..."
Another Drinkin' Song
By Mighty Mighty Bosstones. Reference to using alcohol as a remedy for
solving problems. A person in denial. "...Countin on a remedy I've counted
on before. Goin' with a cure that's never failed me. What you call the disease, I call the remedy. What you're
callin' the cause, I call the cure..."
Another Man's Done Gone
By Billy Bragg & Wilco (Woody Guthrie). Looking back and
reflecting on the significance or importance of one's life and work. "...I
don't know, I may go down or up or anywhere. But I feel like this scribbling
might stay...So when you think of me, if and when you do. Just say, well
another man's done gone..."
Another Spill
By Human Greed. About the carelessness of human beings as the number of oil
tanker accidents resulting in spills into our environmental waters
increases. "...Another spill battered environment...Sinking tanker,
encrusted beaches, dying seabirds coated in oil. Another ecosystem you've just
destroyed..."
Antarctica
By Al Stewart. Song is about the
human desire and urge to explore uncharted lands and regions, in particular, Antarctica. "...I felt
the chill of mystery with one foot on your shore, and then and there resolved
to go where no man had before..." Song includes references to actual
explorers, "...Seduced by this ambition I easily forget, the hopeless
quest of Shackleton, the
dreamlike death of Scott..."
The Anthem
By Good Charlotte. An
anti-establishment or teen angst song about about identity, individuality, and
rebellion. "...At my high school It felt more to me Like a jail cell, a
penitentiary My time spent there, it only made me see
That I don't ever wanna be like you I don't wanna do the things you do I'm
never gonna hear the words you say
And I don't ever wanna, I don't ever wanna be...I'm gonna get by And just do
my time Out of step while They all get in line I'm just a minor threat so pay
no mind..."
Anti Establishment Man
By REO Speedwagon. A protest song about the Vietnam War and government
proceedings of that time period. "...I'm the fool, I'm waiting. Twenty
five years of anticipating. I'm tired of your treating all of my children the
same. Everywhere! Spending all that money on a stupid war in Vietnam. When we
need it at home. I'm an anti-establishment man..."
Anti-Homophobe
By Brutal Truth. Song speaks out against homophobia and homophobics in
general. "Ignorant in thought...You don't have the right to force your own
opinion...We believe in freedom. Whatever turns you on..."
Anti-Pollution Rap
By Sonja Dunn. An environmental awareness song. Main theme of the song is
about recycling and taking care of
our planet. "Don't throw your garbage out in the streets. Keep your planet
clean and neat. Put your wrappers in the round bin. Recycle cans that are made
of tin..."
Apache
By Nuclear Valdez. About the longing for youth and the safety and security
associated with childhood. "When I was younger than today. Life was
different in so many ways...And the wind always blew away my fears...Now I'm
always looking back. Why happiness got a little off track. Why simple things
just disappear. And the wind stopped blowing away my fears...Even though I'm
lost inside. Then I'll find my road. I'll find the wind. Find the missing boy
within..."
Apache Tears
By Johnny Cash. About the mistreatment and painful legacy of Native
Americans. "No head stones but these bones bring Mascalero death moans See
the smooth black nuggets by the thousands laying here Petrified but justified
are these Apache tears Dead grass dry roots hunger crying in the night Ghost of
broken hearts and laws are here..."
Apple Of Your Daddy's Eye
By Peter Cetera. Song is about the love and special bond between a father
and his infant daughter. "...And when you turned into two, I was happy
when you said I love you. Held you in my arms so tight. I'd never forget the
best years of my life..."
April 29,1992
By Sublime. About the 1992
Los Angeles Riot that erupted after the announcement of the verdict in the
trial of the officers accused of beating Rodney King. "...I was
participating in some anarchy. First spot we hit was my liquor store, finally
got all that alcohol I can't afford..."
Arachnophobiac
By Michael Schenker
Group. About arachnophobia,
the fear
of spiders. "One lonely spider Creepy crawlin up my wall Two more
inside of my shoe I found his friends in my bed In the night they're crawlin on
my head What am I supposed to do? This is an infestation Changin the sheets
won't do! It needs a fumigation And I don't wanna be there when they come
out!..."
Argon Mill
By Si Kahn. Song is about the closing
of a mill and the effect on people's lives. "...And the only tune I hear
Is the sound of the wind As it blows through the town Weave and spin,
weave and spin..."
Army Dreamers
By Kate Bush. An anti-war song about a grieving mother and her son's loss of
innocence. "...Mourning in the aerodome... Four men in uniform carry home
my little soldier...Never made it into his twenties. What a waste...Army
dreamers..."
Arthur's Theme (Best That
You Could Do)
By Christopher Cross. This was the theme song from the movie
"Arthur" starring Dudley Moore and Liza Minnelli. "...Arthur, he
does as he pleases. All his life he's mastered choices. Deep in his heart, he's
just, he's just a boy. Living his life one day at a time..."
Artificial World
By J.P. Taylor. According to the artist...A song about how we create
images of the natural things we love, but don't seem to realize that we are
destroying them at a terrifying pace. "...It used to be a special
place to walk among the trees and listen to the falling of the leaves. But
that's no more, its all gone now..."
As Cool As I Am
By Dar Williams. About self
esteem and breaking free of unhealthy relationships. "...You tried to make
me doubt, to make me guess, tried to make me feel like a little less, Oh, I
liked you when your soul was bared, I thought you knew how to be scared, And
now it's amazing what you did to make me stay, But truth is just like time, it
catches up and it just keeps going. And so I'm leaving..."
At My Job
By The Dead Kennedys. About job dissatisfaction and feeling or receiving
little recognition for your efforts from your superiors. "...I'm working
at my job...More boring by the day. But they pay me. All that time spent at
school...Glad you gave us your best years..."
At The Hop
By Danny and the Juniors. About "sock
hops", popular high school dances held during the 1950's.
"...Well you can rock it, you can roll it. You can stop it and you can
stroll it at the hop. When the record starts spinnin'...At the hop..."
Atlantic City
By Bruce Springsteen. About
people struggling to get by and hoping for redemption and a second chance in
life. Song also deals with the rejuvenation of Atlantic City , N.J. and the
individual or the personal
impact as well as the socioeconomic effects of gambling which was legalized
in 1976 in Atlantic City.
"...Now I been lookin' for a job but it's hard to find. Down here it's
just winners and losers and don't get caught on the wrong side of that
line...Well I guess everything dies baby that's a fact. But maybe everything
that dies someday comes back..."
Atomic Power
By Uncle Tupelo. Song is about the potential destruction caused by the use
of nuclear weapons. “Do you fear this man’s invention that they call atomic
power?…When a terrible explosion may rain down upon our land leaving horrid
destruction…”
Atticus
By Doug Hoekstra.
Based on a true story. A social
responsibility song about the importance of compassion, empathy,
love, and kindness. "...It didn't take much
for her to show this man some dignity. I had to ask myself if I'd danced so
gracefully. On the clouds around a corner somewhere in the night. Where angels
fly and grown men cry, it's such a pretty sight. A piece of human kindness, unrequited love.
A beautiful white pigeon, a charcoal-colored dove. On the corner..."
Attila
By Iced Earth. From the album The Glorious Burden this
song pays tribute to Attila the Hun.
"He’s ruled them for 20 years And ravaged as their king Conquest burns in
his eyes And ice shoots through his veins Their leader’s new ambition lies
Farther to the west The empire that he seeks...Path of fire and plunder Cities
burn and crumble Attila’s fate beckons He will come to conquer..."
Attitude Dancing
By Carly Simon. About rediscovering oneself, reclaiming a positive attitude
and improving your self-esteem and self. "There's a new kind of dancing
that's gonna be the rage. You just leave yourself behind...Cop a different pose...SHine
a different attitude from underneath your skin..."
At War With Science
By Brutal Truth. Song raises concerns about the scientific practice of
"test tube" babies. "...Before...We had natural child
births...From test tube to womb, a new life beginning. Sterile injected but
doomed to be freak. Experiment with life, genetic confusion..."
At Your Side
By The Corrs. Song relates to social health. About the importance of good
friendships and forming bonds with other people. "When the daylight's gone
and you're on your own. And you need a friend just to be around. I will comfort
you, I will take your hand. And I'll pull you through, I will
understand..."
The Auction
By Tanya Tucker. Song is about a farmer who loses his livelihood due to high
operation costs and poor crop prices. "Dear Mr. Johnson, we're sorry to
inform you. You're request for a second loan has been refused. And the board of
directors in the city have instructed us to take the farm from you...The
fallin' price of wheat's not our concern..."
Authority Song
By John Mellencamp. About nonconformists, rebellion, and the
age old adolescent struggle for
autonomy, freedom and independence. "...They think they're so cute when
they got you in that condition...I
fight authority, authority always wins. I fight authority, authority always
wins..."
Awakened Tears
By Mandy Brakel. Inspired by actual events, song is
dedicated to a friend who died from Cystic
Fibrosis in 1997. The artist is also living with this disease. "Last
night I had a dream that you were here with me. We were singing and laughing as
if life was fine. Suddenly I felt a tear streaming down my face. I turned
around to say goodbye but it was just too late..."
A-Whalin'
By Roy Zimmerman. A protest song
raising awareness about whaling.
"...We'll wipe out the whales in a couple short years. And then we'll
start killing Greenpeace volunteers...When the whales have been wiped out from
both hemispheres then we can spend our retirement years harpooning and skinning
Greenpeace volunteers..."
B (top)
Baba O' Riley
By The Who. Song was originally
conceived as part of the Lifehouse
Project. A teenage angst song, lyrics address a variety of adolescent
issues including; acceptance, freedom, identity, independence, and rebellion.
"...I don't need to fight to prove I'm right. I don't need to be
forgiven...The exodus is here. The happy ones are near. Let's get together
before we get much older...It's only teenage wasteland..."
Babies In The Mill
By Dorsey
Baby Elian
By Manic Street
Preachers. This song is
about the Cuban boy Elian Gonzalaz who was at the center of an
international custody dispute between
Back Before Wal-Mart
By James Gordon. About the extinction of small businesses as corporations
slowly kill off specialty stores. "...Well, the hardware store was the
first to go. Those prices just got way too low. Soon the other stores were
closed. And the lights went out on main street. Whatever happened to our little
town? Wal-Mart has run it into the ground..."
Back In The Bottle
By J. Daniel Ahlborn. About using alcohol to deal with your problems.
"...Hey bartender. I'm heading for the lost and found. If I have just one
more round. So sad to see me this way. "Cause I'm back in the
bottle..."
Back Off!
By Monty Harper. This song was written by the
artist for "Project Reach", a program designed to help kids think
about cigarette advertising which was aimed at them. References made to Joe
Camel, a marketing tool used by RJ Reynolds in order to get young kids hooked
on cigarettes. "The other day I'm walking through the grocery. I run into
a camel next to register four. He's wearing a tuxedo and a sneaky pair of
shades...Buy two packs, I'll give you the lighter free. I said back off
camel..."
Back On The Chain Gang
By The Pretenders. Song is a tribute to former band mate James
Honeymoon-Scott who tragically died from a heroin overdose. “…Brings me to my
knees when I see what they’ve done to you. But I’ll die as I stand here today
knowing that deep in my heart. They’ll fail to ruin one day for making us
part…I found a picture of you. Those were the happiest days of my life…”
Back Water Blues
By Bessie Smith. Written in response to the massive floods of 1927 in the
state of
Bad Boy Bill
By Loudon Wainwright III.
The song is a a not so flattering tribute to President Bill Clinton. "At
first Bill was too cool to be true. Like JFK but like Elvis too. Wearing those
shades playing saxophone. With secrets to hide, sins to atone for..."
A Bad Cliche
By Cosy
Bad Connection
By Cheryl Wheeler. A married couple stays together even though they are both
unhappy. "She sits and stares into space. He's wearing the same old face.
She hates him half the time and swears he doesn't mind. No kind word, no fond
embrace..."
Bad Day
By REM. According to lead singer Michael Stipe this song is an indictment
of 24 hour news media. "A Public service announcement followed me home
the other day I paid it nevermind. Go away. Shits so thick you could stir it
with a stick- free Teflon whitewashed presidency We're sick of being jerked
around Wear that on your sleeve..."
Bad Habit
By Offspring. About "Road
Rage" and the problem of aggressive driving.
"...But when I'm in my car don't give me no crap. Cause the slightest
thing and I just might snap. When I go driving I stay in my lane, but getting
cut off makes me insane... Well they say the roads a dangerous place. If you
flip me off I'm
the danger you'll face..."
By Bruce Springsteen. Song is
about feeling trapped or stuck in a situation, waiting for something better to
come along, and wanting more out of life. "...Talk about a dream, try to
make it real. You wake up in the night, with a fear so real. Spend your life
waiting, for a moment that just don't come. Well, don't waste your time
waiting..."
By
Bad Liquor Blues
By Scrapper Blackwell. About the dangers
of alcohol. "...Make you lose your money. Make you lose your best
friend...Wake up in the morning feeling bad...Better stop that drinking before
it goes to your head. Wake up some morning, find yourself dead..."
Bad Liver And A Broken Heart
By Tom Waits. About using alcohol to help solve your problems. The liver is
the primary organ in the body that breaks down alcohol. "Well, I got a bad
liver and a broken heart. Yes, I drunk me a river since you tore me apart.
And I have a drinking problem 'cept when I can't drink..."
Bad Luck
By Harold Melvin & The
Bluenotes. About despair and struggling through disappointment and
difficult times. "Look down-hearted and confused Because lately you've
been startin' to lose Losin'out on everything you might try to do Bad luck's
there, it's got a hold on you...Don’t seem to give a whiz about it and all your
trapped in time The more I think about it, I think you're 'bout to lose your
mind Some people call it jinxed, some say it ain't my day, huh But if you wanna
know the truth about it and tell you what's pullin'you way down Bad luck That's
what you got, that's what you got..."
Bad Magick
By Godsmack. About addiction and the dangers
of drug use. "Does it feel so bad when you're taking a drag and when
you're looking at the world with dying eyes? ...When you get so high that
you're wanting to die but everything around you is turning green…"
Bad Whiskey Blues
By Merline Johnson. About alcoholism.
"...I drink so much whiskey I stagger home in my sleep...The way I keep on
worryin', I stay drunk all the time...If I can't get no whiskey give me some
gin or good wine..."
Bagheera
By Blues Traveler. Inspired by Rudyard
Kipling's Jungle Book, song is about loss of innocence, maturing, and
gaining new insights or understandings. "...The time has come now for your
awareness to change forever and there's a choice for you to make...The only
thing you must do is what you feel in your heart is true..."
Bag Lady
By Erykah Badu. About the struggles of homeless people who carry all of
their worldly possessions around with them. "Bag lady you gon' hurt your
back. Draggin' all them bags like that...When they see you comin', they gon'
take off runnin'..."
Bag Lady
By Todd Rundgren. Song is about the problem of homeless people and individuals who
live on the streets. "...Fifty cents rent goes pretty far when you live in
a subway car...Crawling up the basement drain. Misfits and black sheep...No one
cares about sad old ladies with bags full of tatters..."
By Gerry Rafferty. A person searches for happiness and fails to realize that
true contentment must come from within and not from external sources. As the
saying goes "the grass is always greener..." "...It has taken
you so long to find out you were wrong when you thought it held
everything...Another year and then you'd be happy. Just one more year and then
you'd be happy. But your cryin', you're cryin' now..."
The Ballad Of Alfred Packer
By Phil Ochs. Song is about guide Alfred Packer who in 1874 was
lost with some companions in a blizzard. He later was convicted of killing and
eating his companions in order to survive. "In the state of
The Ballad Of American Steel
By Tom Johnson. A tribute to the American steel worker. Song also looks at
the economic futility of the American steel industry as foreign companies have
taken over a large bulk of steel manufacturing. "...American steel
companies are the best in the land. Making this world a better place, doing the
best we can...Stand up president and give us back the dignity we once had. You
see the imports now taking us for a ride to our graves..."
The Ballad Of Belle Starr
By Bobby Barnett. This song is about one of the most notorious female
outlaws in the
The Ballad Of Billy The Kid
By Billy Joel. A tribute to the legendary outlaw Billy
the Kid. "...Well he robbed his way from
Ballad Of the Buttheads
By Anthony Clark.
An anti-smoking and
anti-littering song.
“…Every night I see them when I'm driving down the road Little tobacco
fireflies-flickering orange glow But I know they're not a product of Mother
Nature's grace Just those inconsiderate smokers trashing up the place…Pick your
butt up off the road, Mr. Butthead Start carrying your load, Mrs. Butthead Stop
treating the highway like it's one great big ashtray…”
The Ballad Of Charles Whitman
By Kinky Friedman. This
song was
inspired by an actual event which took place at the
The Ballad Of the Cuban
Invasion
By Phil Ochs. A protest song about the Cuban
Missile Crisis, a major confrontation that happened in 1960 between the
The Ballad Of Danny Bailey
(1909-34)
By Elton John. A tribute to fallen gangsters, with specific reference to John
Dillinger and Danny Bailey. "...Now it's all over Danny Bailey and the
harvest is in. Dillinger's dead, I guess the cops won again...And he found
faith in danger, a lifestyle he lived by, a running gun youngster in a sad
restless age."
The Ballad Of the Green
Berets
By Sgt. Barry Sadler. A tribute to the U.S. Army special forces of the same
name. "Fighting soldiers from the sky. Fearless men who jump and
die...Trained to live off nature's land. Trained in combat, hand and
hand...Courage peaks from the Green
Berets..."
The Ballad Of Harry Bridges
By Pete Seeger. A friend to organized labor, Harry Bridges was
the first president of the ILWU. "...Harry Bridges is his
name. An honest union
leader who bosses tried to frame...And all around the waterfront they threw
their picketline. They called it "Bloody Thursday"...Four hundred
wounded and two were left to die..."
The Ballad Of Ira Hayes
By Johnny Cash. Song
is about Ira
Hayes who was one of the five men who raised “Old Glory” on Iwo Jima, Mount
Suribachi on Feb. 23, 1945. “…And when the fight was over and when old glory
raised. Among the men who held it high was Indian Ira Hayes…Ira returned a hero
celebrated through the land. He was wined and speeched and honored, everybody
shook his hand…”
The Ballad Of Jed Clampett
By Flatt and Scruggs. This was the theme song from the 1960's television
sitcom "The
The Ballad Of Joe Homeless
By Ray Korona. This song is about a man who
becomes too sick to work, "cut loose" by his employer he ends up homeless and living on the streets.
The "system" failed to care for him.
"Joe always worked hard...But he got sick for awhile, lost his pay. So
they dumped him on the street...He keeps searching for a time and
place..."
The Ballad Of John And Yoko
By The Beatles. A sarcastic look at the press and tabloid journalism.
References to John Lennon and Yoko Ono's "sit-in" for peace.
"...Drove from
The Ballad Of John Henry
Faulk
By Phil Ochs. About humorist and author John
Henry Faulk whose radio career ended in 1957 because he was labeled a
communist for his union involvement and as a result blacklisted. "...On
the TV and the radio John Henry Faulk was known. He talked to many thousands
with a mind that was his own. But he could not close his eyes when the lists
were passed around. So he tried to move the union to tear the blacklist
down..."
The Ballad Of Johnny Gammage
By Robert E. Frederking. About the questionable death of black man Johnny
Gammage who was killed by five white policemen in a routine traffic stop near
The Ballad Of Lenny And
George
By The Incredible Simon Stokes and the Black Whip Thrill Band. Song is about
the main characters of John Steinbeck’s novel “Of Mice And Men”. “…Can
we get some rabbits, cuz I’ll feed’em George. Why, I’ll watch over those
rabbits day and night…Oh, take off your hat Lennie and just look across the way
and soon it’ll be alright…”
The Ballad Of
By Phil Ochs. Song
is about author James Meredith who was the first African-American student at
the University of Mississippi, a pivotal moment in the civil rights
movement which sparked riots on the
The Ballad Of Penny Evans
By Steve Goodman. About the pain and suffering a young married mother
experiences as a result of losing her husband in the Vietnam War. "Oh, my
name is Penny Evans and my age is 21. A young widow in the war that's being
fought in
The Ballad Of Spring Hill
(Springhill Mining Disaster)
By Peggy Seeger. Inspired by actual
events. About the 1958 Springhill
Mine Disaster in
The Ballad Of Standing Deer
By L.D. Steelman. Song was written as atribute to Robert H. Wilson a.k.a.
"Standing Deer", a native American activist who has been in maximum
security prison for over twenty years. "...Standing Deer and Leonard
Peltier. Prisoners in the iron house of greed. Vowed to fast, if it meant death
at last to honor their ancestor's creed...You know "Uncle Sam" had a
plan to silence a brave warrior's yell..."
The Ballad Of Steven (No
Nukes) Willard
ByClan Dyken. According to
the artist, this is a true story song based on a friend and activist who
went back country to stop a nuclear weapons test and gave his life for the
cause. "...he said his name was steven willard
and he’d come to take a stand to seek the truth and look it in the eyes fast
and pray for the land...no nukes, trying to do what is right no nukes, come to dedicate his life no nukes,
saw him praying on the line..."
Ballad of a Thin Man
By Bob Dylan. Subject to a variety of
interpretations, the meaning of this song has been extensively discussed.
By one account, this song was based on an actual incident involving Bob Dylan
and a reporter. "You walk into the room with your pencil in your hand. You
see somebody naked and you say, who is that man? You try so hard but you don't
understand. Just what you'll say when you get home..."
The Ballad Of the Thresher
By The
The Ballad Of William Worthy
By Phil Ochs. This song
is about journalist and civil rights activist William Worthy. In
1961 he made four trips to
The Ballad Of
By Gordon Lightfoot. About actual events
that occured on November 13, 1965 when the S.S. Yarmouth Castle passenger
vessel caught fire and killed over 180 passengers. "...Now the men are
served and the cards are dealt. And the drinks are passed around. Deep within
the fire starts a-burnin'...It leaps into the hallways and climbs and twists
and grows..."
Ball Of Confusion(That's What
The World Is Today)
By The Temptations. A social commentary about many of the world's problems.
"...Evolution, revolution, gun control...Fear in the air, tension
everywhere, unemployment rising fast...Kids growing up too soon, politicians
say more taxes will solve everything...So round and round we go. Where the
world is headed, nobody knows..."
The Band Played Waltzing
Matilda
By Eric Bogle. Song is about the Gallipoli Campaign
in 1915. Anzac Day is
celebrated in
Bangla Desh
By George Harrison. Song was written to bring attention to the refugee
children of Bangla Desh in the early 1970's. Artist also staged two benefit
concerts to support the cause. "...Bangla Desh, Bangla Desh. Where so many
people are dying. And it sure looks like a mess. I've never seen such distress.
Now won't you lend your hand, try to understand. Relieve the people of Bagla
Desh..."
Bank Of Bad Habits
By Jimmy Buffett. Song is about how
overindulgence and unhealthy vices will eventually catch up with you and
negatively affect you. "...Bank of bad habits. The price of vice foretold.
One by one they'll do you in. They're bound to take their toll. The wrong thing
seems to be the right thing until you lose control..."
Barely Breathing
By Duncan Sheik. A man realizes that he is in an unhealthy relationship and
must break free. His decision is further complicated though by his partner who
is giving him mixed signals. "...You really had me going, wishing on a
star...I believed in your confusion, you were so completely torn. Well it must
have been that yesterday was the day that I was born...There's not much to
examine, there's nothing left to hide. I say good-bye. 'Cause I am barely
breathing, and I can't find the air. I don't know who I'm kidding imagining you
care. And I could stand here waiting, a fool for another day. But I don't
suppose it's worth the price, worth the price that I would pay...but I'm
thinking it over anyway...I rise above or sink below. With everytime you come
and go..."
The Barry Williams Show
By Peter Gabriel. According to the artist, It's a little fable about reality TV, where that's going
and what it does to people. I know for myself you want to watch it, but it's a
little like junk food — you have an appetite for it, but it doesn't make you feel
very good at the end of it. “…what
a show, dysfunctional excess is all it took for my success the
greater pain that they endure the more you know the show will score. It's show time…The best tv you've ever seen
where people say the things that they really mean…”
Bartender's Blues
By James Taylor. A snapshot or view of life from the other side of the bar.
"I'm just a bartender. I don't like my work. I don't mind the money at
all. I see lots of sad faces and lots of bad cases of folks with their backs to
the wall...I'm thinking about where I'd rather be, yeah. But I sunk all my
bridges. I burned all my boats. I'm stranded at the edge of the sea..."
Bastille Day
By Rush. Song is about the French Revolution,
storming of the Bastille on July 14, 1789. "There's no bread, let them eat
cake. There's no end to what they'll take...But they're marching to Bastille
Day, la guillotine will claim her bloody prize. Free the dungeons of the
innocent. The king will kneel, and let his kingdom rise..."
The Baseball Song
By Tim Flannery. About the sad state of
Bat Out Of Hell
By Jim Steinman / Meat Loaf. About love, rage,
obsession, and evil intentions. Said to be inspired by or about Alfred
Hitchcock's classic film "Psycho".
"The sirens are screaming and the fires are howling way down in the valley
tonight. There's a man in the shadows with a gun in his eye and a blade shining
oh so bright. There's evil in the air and there's thunder in the sky and a
killer's on the bloodshot streets..."
Traditional. Song is about Lieutenant
William Calley who faced court-martialand
was charged with murder for his role in the notorious My Lai Massacre
during the Vietnam War. "My name is William Calley, I'm a soldier of this
land. I've tried to do my duty and to gain the upper hand. But they've made me
out a villian. They have stamped me with a brand. As we go marching on..."
The
By Led Zepellin. One theory says this song is based upon the events
surrounding the
The
By Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. Song is about the Battle of New Orleans
(January, 1815) a decisive victory for the Americans in the