Poetic Lyrics, Studio 602’s Top 10 of All Time [Video]

Poetic Lyrics

Poetic lyrics really add to the song quality and add depth. A great poetic lyric has the ability to make the listener think deeply about the world they live in, staying in their mind throughout their day, or even a lifetime. From The Beatles to Bob Dylan, memorable lyrics can absolutely make the difference between a song being timeless or a one hit wonder.

As a poet and musician, I’m someone who really listens carefully to the lyrics of songs, and I long for lyrics that are both introspective and melodic.

These songs are just a few of my favorites.

1. The Beatles, “Eleanor Rigby”

All the lonely people. Where do they all come from?
-The Beatles

This song’s rich musical texture, with the strings, and beautiful melody, make it hard to get this song out of your head. The Beatles ask an important question in this song. Surely everyone has felt loneliness in their lives, and this song does a great job of showing us how common it is to feel lonely in our world.

The Beatles-Eleanor Rigby [VIDEO]

2. Bob Marley, “Three Little Birds”

Don’t worry, about a thing, cause every little thing’s gonna be all right.
-Bob Marley

My favorite thing about this song is its positive message. The imagery of birds and what they represent, freedom, makes for a song that puts you at ease, makes you feel like a bird full of song.

Bob Marley-Three Little Birds [VIDEO]

3. Bob Dylan, “Hard Rain’s Gonna Fall”

I’ve been 10,000 miles in the mouth of a graveyard.
-Bob Dylan

Dylan has an innate ability for writing poetic lyrics, I’d have to say his discography is more than enough proof that poetic lyrics can make you legendary. This song in particular carries so much sadness and longing, that when you listen to Dylan’s soulful plea, you feel it more than you hear it.

http://youtu.be/-ZsweuaqAf8

Bob Dylan-Hard Rain’s Gonna Fall [VIDEO]

4. Pete Seeger, “Where Have All the Flowers gone?”

Where have all the soldiers gone? Gone to graveyards, everyone.
-Pete Seeger

This song’s simple song structure is deceptive, because the song’s lyrical content is full of depth and complexity. It asks profound questions about duty, why we make the choices we do in life, and whether we can ever learn from the mistakes of our pasts. Classic Pete Seeger.

In related news, I’d also like to offer my condolences to Mr. Seeger and his family. His wife, Toshi Seeger, passed away Tuesday at the age of 91.

Pete Seeger-Where Have All the Flowers Gone? [VIDEO]

5. Morrissey, “Everyday is Like Sunday”

Come Armageddon, come Armageddon, come.
-Morrissey

Morrissey is one of my favorite artists when it comes to poetic lyrics. His literate lyrics and darkly complex writing style would make Rimbaud proud. In fact, if Morrissey was born at an early time, he probably would have been one of the Romantic Poets.

Morrisey-Everyday is Like Sunday [VIDEO]

6. Leadbelly, “Where Did you Sleep Last Night?”

In the pines, in the pines,

where the sun don’t ever shine,

I would shiver the whole night through.
-Leadbelly

Some of you may have encountered this song while listening to Nirvana in the 90’s, but this song’s history goes way back to our friend Leadbelly’s soulful song of love and betrayal. The influence Leadbelly has had on contemporary music is unquestionable, and more people should listen to him, today. I’ve found his songs to be nothing short of the work of a genius, inspiring countless musicians over the years.

Leadbelly-Where did you Sleep Last Night? [VIDEO]

7. John Prine, “Sam Stone”

Sweet songs never last too long on broken radios.
-John Prine

This song still carries a message relevant in today’s oft confusing world of war and conflict. This video gives a lot of insight into how this song was written. Many soldiers returning from the Vietnam War never returned, and those who did come home left part of themselves over there.

John Prine-Sam Stone [VIDEO]

8. Johnny Cash, “Folsom Prison Blues”

I’m stuck in Folsom prison, and time keeps draggin’ on

But that train keeps a rollin’ on down to San Antone…
-Johhny Cash

This song really gets to the heart of what it’s like to be trapped, a song of captivity that expresses a burning desire for freedom. What better subject could there be for exploring this theme than singing about inmates? Cash is one of my favorites, an extremely intelligent man, who’d lived a hard life, and shared his pain in an unmistakable voice all his own.

Johnny Cash-Folsom Prison Blues [VIDEO]

9. Woody Guthrie, “Pastures of Plenty”

I worked in your orchards of peaches and prunes
I slept on the ground in the light of the moon
On the edge of the city you’ll see us and then
We come with the dust and we go with the wind
-Woody Guthrie

This song speaks about the tumultuous nature of the Dust Bowl era, capturing its sadness and desperation. Woody Guthrie was one of the greatest songwriters of all time, and this classic makes you think of what it must’ve been like for those weary migrants in a dark time in our nation’s history.

Woody Guthrie-Pastures of Plenty [VIDEO]

10. Sam Cooke, “Nothing Can Change This Love”

If I go a million miles away, I’d write a letter each and every day.
-Sam Cooke

Sam Cooke has an incredible gift for writing love songs, but this one in particular makes me smile everytime. It’s hyperbolic opening line makes for an emotional opening that carries this song of unmovable love. It would make Shakespeare proud.

Sam Cooke-Nothing Can Change This Love [VIDEO]

Music is something all of us enjoy, but what makes a song memorable differs from person to person. What are some of your favorites? Let us know what we missed. As always thanks for reading.