Narrative songs

[RobertaTheGreat]

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 😄

Billy Don't be a Hero
Where do you go to my Lovely? (A total classic)

I don't think it's ever been in the pop charts but one of my favourite ballads is The Famous Flower of Serving Men by Martin Carthy.

Now that's what I call long!

Diane by Cam - it's the answer to Dolly Parton's Jolene (from the perspective of the other woman)

Not really a song but this is one of my ds' favourites

Nice Guy Eddie by Sleeper
It's Too Late by Carol King
The Ballad of Tom Jones by Cerys Matthews and Space

and of course

Wuthering Heights by Kate Bush

So many brilliant songs. Today has been a great trip down memory lane and also an introduction to many wonderful songs I didn't know. I've never spent so long listening to music! Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to post 😊

The Queen and the Soldier ( Suzanne Vega)

Paddy McGintys Goat is a favourite with my in-laws!

Church bells by Carrie Underwood
Don't like Mondays by the boomtown rats

Other ones that go down well with my dc are the Flanders and Swan ones.

This one hasn't aged well, but was quite funny seeing the point when one of dc suddenly realised what it was actually about. The others haven't yet!! and my favourite

And some Gilbert and Sullivan's

and I have to add, because the lyrics are so lovely: "When in that House M.P.'s divide, If they’ve a brain and cerebellum, too, They’ve got to leave that brain outside, And vote just as their leaders tell 'em to. But then the prospect of a lot Of dull M. P.’s in close proximity, All thinking for themselves, is what No man can face with equanimity."

And another Suzanne Vega - the wonderful Tom's Diner.

Ed Sheeran, Supermarket Flowers.

Alone Again, Naturally - Gilbert O'Sullivan. Don't be fooled by the jaunty tune, the lyrics are devastating. Gilbert what were you thinking!

Pretty much every Pulp song ever has a tale to tell.

I love this song so much - bloody amazing live version too

I don’t think this has been mentioned g.co/kgs/rA6DV3 There are lots of versions but I love this one best

Also yes yes to the pp who said Anchorage by Michelle Shocked. I thought only I knew that song!

In the woods somewhere by Hozier.

It's not a single but it's a great narrative song.

Jackie and Wilson also hozier

Run for the hills by iron maiden

Jack and diane by John mellencamp

Walk on the wild side - lou Reed

Scarborough fair

Another Man by Barbara Mason is a soul song about a women who suspects her boyfriend is wearing her clothes and seeing a guy on the side.

Poopoo la la by Roy Ayers and love story soul song about breaking up and making up.

Stagger Lee by Nick Cave. Quite a bracing story, that one.

A treat for your ears! Such good storytelling and it builds gradually then WOW. It's basically an eargasm.

A lot of Suzanne Vega songs Luka, Calypso. Tracy chapman behind the wall. Tori and has a few winter is my favourite

Kate Nash, Foundation

10cc were great for these. Before Under Your Thumb there were loads: I'm Mandy Fly Me, Clockwork Creep, The Dean and I, and a completely over the top three-parter on their Original Soundtrack album called Une Nuit a Paris

Ode to billie joe by Bobby gentry

Ode to Billie Joe - Bobbi Gentry. I think probably the one of the greatest narrative songs ever

Eleanor Rigby - The Beatles

One for my baby (and one more for the road) - Frank Sinatra (others have covered the song but his live versions are the best)

Dr Feelgood (love is a serious business - Aretha Franklin. It’s such a sexy song

Teenage Dirtbag
It's What I Go To School For (Busted)