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Narrative songs

258 replies

RobertaTheGreat · 12/10/2020 07:44

They played 'The Devil Went Down to Georgia' by the Charlie Daniels band on the radio the other day, which obviously got me furiously playing my air fiddle, and also got me thinking about other narrative songs, and how songs that tell a story don't seem to be such a thing anymore. They were quite popular back in the day but I can't think of many modern ones. So what are your favourites/least favourites? That's chart songs, not songs from musicals.

Another one I thought of, that became an ear worm yesterday, is the Pina Colada song - which provides a lesson for us all 😄

OP posts:
wowfudge · 17/10/2020 23:22

24 hours from Tulsa - Gene Pitney
Gypsies, tramps and thieves - Cher
Patches - Clarence Carter

Pelleas · 17/10/2020 23:34

Car 67 by Driver 67.

woodhill · 18/10/2020 12:22

Simon and Garfunkel particularly

the Boxer, Scarborough Fair and Sound of Silence

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LegArmpits · 18/10/2020 12:32

No one's mentioned anything by Ben Folds! All of his songs tell a story.

Other one that springs to mind is Walk Away Renee by Billy Bragg.

"She cut her hair and I stopped loving her."
Gives me goosebumps every time. ❤️

35andThriving · 20/10/2020 09:24

Success' Ladder by Sandi Thom

woodhill · 24/10/2020 13:17

Devil went down to Georgia- on radio 2 now

RoseCaterpillar · 24/10/2020 18:55

I can't believe no one has mentioned American Pie by Don McLean or Hurricane by Bob Dylan. Both are epic songs!

timtam23 · 24/10/2020 19:32

This one's very much a novelty song but it's definitely narrative -
Captain Beaky by Keith Michell (anyone else remember the graffiti "Hissing Sid is innocent!")

woodhill · 24/10/2020 20:15

Oh yes Timtam

AFlockOfKnots · 24/10/2020 21:08

Monday: Late again, today, he'd be in trouble though
He'd say he was sorry, he'd have to hurry out the bus

Tuesday: Horace was so sad, he'd never had a girl that he
could care for, and if he was late once more, he'd be out

[Chorus:]
Don't be afraid, just knock on the door
Well he just stood there mumblin' and fumblin'
Then a voice from above said
"Horace Wimp, this is your life
Go out and find yourself a wife
Make a stand and be a man
And you will have a great life plan"

Wednesday: Horace met a girl, she was small
And she was very pretty, he thought he was in love, he was afraid

Thursday: Asks her for a date, the cafe down the street
tomorrow evening, his head was reeling
When she said "Yes O.K."

[Repeat Chorus]

Friday: Horace, this is it, he asks the girl if maybe
They could marry, when she says "gladly"
Horace cries

Sunday: Everybody's at the church, when Horace rushes in
And says "Now here come my wife
For the rest of my life"
And she did

Don't be afraid, just knock on the door
Well he just stood there mumblin' and fumblin'
Then a voice from above said
"Horace Wimp, this is your wife
Go out and find yourself a life
Make a stand and be a man
And you will have a great life plan"

Horace, Horace, Horace, Horace, Horace, Horace,

AFlockOfKnots · 24/10/2020 21:14

10cc - Dreadlock Holiday

I was walkin' down the street
Concentratin' on truckin' right
I heard a dark voice beside of me
And I looked round in a state of fright
I saw four faces one mad
A brother from the gutter
They looked me up and down a bit
And turned to each other

I say
I don't like cricket oh no
I love it
I don't like cricket oh no
I love it
Don't you walk thru my words
You got to show some respect
Don't you walk thru my words
'Cause you ain't heard me out yet

Well he looked down at my silver chain
He said I'll give you one dollar
I said you've got to be jokin' man
It was a present from me Mother
He said I like it I want it
I'll take it off your hands
And you'll be sorry you crossed me
You'd better understand that you're alone
A long way from home

And I say
I don't like reggae no no
I love it
I don't like reggae oh no
I love it
Don't you cramp me style
Don't you queer on me pitch
Don't you walk thru my words
'Cause you ain't heard me out yet

I hurried back to the swimming pool
Sinkin' pina coladas
I heard a dark voice beside me say
Would you like something harder
She said I've got it you want it
My harvest is the best
And if you try it you'll like it
And wallow in a Dreadlock Holiday

And I say
Don't like Jamaica oh no
I love her
Don't like Jamaica oh no
I love her oh yea
Don't you walk thru her words
You got to show some respect
Don't you walk thru her words
'Cause you ain't heard her out yet

I don't like cricket
I love it (Dreadlock Holiday)
I don't like reggae
I love it (Dreadlock Holiday)
Don't like Jamaica
I love her (Dreadlock Holiday)

I hurried back to the swimming pool

PercyKirke · 24/10/2020 21:31

Ode to Billy-Joe by Bobby Gentry.

meikyo · 24/10/2020 21:46

Wooden Boat - Take That - a sad narrative song

Sennedd · 25/10/2020 17:41

Harper Valley PTA - Dolly Parton

MrsMariaReynolds · 25/10/2020 22:33

Jolene, Dolly Pardon
Piano Man, Billy Joel
Eleanor Rigby, The Beatles Graceland, Paul Simon
Trapped in The Closet by R Kelly-- an absolute shit of a man but an amazing song cycle... 😙

HelloViroids · 26/10/2020 03:31

Craig David - Fill Me In?

I love the older narrative songs but so many are so sad!

HelloViroids · 26/10/2020 03:36

Just thought of Right Side of Wrong by Bon Jovi - maybe also Livin on a Prayer.

Also Elton John - Crocodile Rock, Emperor’s New Clothes...probably more of his!

HelloViroids · 26/10/2020 03:44

Ooh, and Don’t Stand So Close To Me - Sting.

redeyetonowheregood · 26/10/2020 04:56

Lying eyes by the eagles

redeyetonowheregood · 26/10/2020 04:57

Bobby Jean, Bruce Springsteen

HelloViroids · 26/10/2020 05:14

Brown Eyed Girl

and All Summer Long by Kid Rock

nevergoingoutagain · 26/10/2020 05:24

The who pictures of lily and pinball wizard.

Tribute by tenacious d 🤣

nevergoingoutagain · 26/10/2020 05:27

Pulp common people and disco 2000

nevergoingoutagain · 26/10/2020 05:28

Josephine by terrorvision

Gingernaut · 26/10/2020 05:38

C. W. McCall did a few.

Convoy and Classified are two.