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- Allison Rapp
- Bob Dylan, "Hurricane" From: Desire (1976) "Here comes the story of the Hurricane," Bob Dylan sings near the top of this 1976 track co-written with Jacques Levy.
- The Kinks, "Come Dancing" From: State of Confusion(1983) The inspiration behind the Kinks' "Come Dancing" is as tragic as it is personal. In 1957, Ray and Dave Davies' older sister Rene died of a heart attack she suffered while out dancing at the Lyceum Ballroom in London.
- Elton John, "Ticking" From: Caribou (1974) In 1974, when Elton John released "Ticking," mass shootings weren't exactly as mainstream as they've since become, but that was the premise of the fictional song.
- Harry Chapin, "Cat's in the Cradle" From: Verities & Balderdash (1974) Harry Chapin's "Cat's in the Cradle" is a short story in the sense that it fits into a song, but it actually spans an entire lifetime.
- So Long, Marianne
- Jolene
- These Boots Are Made For Walking
- You’Re So Vain
- Horror Business
- Someone Like You
- I Don’T Like Mondays
- All of Me
- Go Your Own Way
- Wrecking Ball
Leonard Cohen’s song “So Long, Marianne” referred to his long-time lover Marianne Christine Stang Ihlen, who shared a passionate romance with Cohen on the Greek island of Hydra in the 1960s. Starting as an affair, she left her husband for Leonard, who opted for fame and left her and her child behind to pursue “an education in the world.” He regrett...
Jolene tells a tale of a woman begging her husband’s potential mistress not to take her man. Dolly claims that the song was inspired by a redheaded bank clerk who flirted with Dolly’s husband when they were first married. She later claimed the description of Jolene’s auburn hair and emerald eyes was based on a fan who once went on stage to ask for ...
This song is about a scorned woman’s fury at her two-timing spouse, who she plans to leave. Funnily enough, the song was written by a man, Lee Hazlewood, who was planning to sing himself about a cheating woman! Nancy convinced him it would be a better song for a girl and less ominously abusive sounding.
Carol King’s iconic song tells of a younger woman being seduced by a rich, jet-setting womanizer who he then jilted. King finally confessed that the song was about her affair with Warren Beatty long after the world had already suspected that since the 70s. She did make a caveat: it was only Beatty in the second verse.
This song is a rather dark referenceto the unsolved murder of Nancy Spungen – who was alleged to have been murdered by Sid Vicious (of the Sex Pistols) at their apartment in Chelsea Hotel New York. Spungen died from a single deep stab wound to her abdomen; the song is rumored to be written from the perspective of Vicious, warning Spungen “not to go...
This track was played so much when it hit the charts that you could barely escape it. The song recounts the awful experience of the heartbreak of seeing someone you love move on with their lives while for you, “it isn’t over.” Adele later opened up about her ex Alex Sturrock, which many believe was the inspiration for the song (though Adele has nev...
This famous tune tells the tale of a young girl who experiences a breakdown and goes to school to teach the children “how to die” because she wants to “shoot the whole day down.” The song was inspired by the actual events of the Cleveland Elementary shooting.
This swoon-worthy love song has become a wedding day staple, as it recounts the love of a man for his lady love. The song was written for his beautiful wife Chrissy Teigen, who said she knew the song was about her in the first line when John refers to her “smart mouth.”
Lindsey Buckingham – the lead guitarist for Fleetwood Mac – wrote this track about his breakup with Stevie Nicks, which devastated him. Stevie recounts that Lindsey telling the world that “packing up, shacking up was all [she] wanted to do” used to make her furious when they performed the track.
Miley took the charts by storm with this particular track. The song recounts the fallout of a passionate relationship, with violent metaphors of a wrecking ball to represent the action of love. Cyrus wrote the song up with Chris Helmsworth, who she later reunited with, married, and then divorced.
Jul 5, 2024 · Uncover the deeper meanings of 40 unforgettable songs. From rock anthems to soulful ballads, discover the lyrics that move us and the lessons we can …
- Jeff Buckley – “Hallelujah” I’m starting with an absolute all-time classic. Originally written and recorded by Leonard Cohen in 1984, “Hallelujah” was covered by many artists, but Jeff Buckley’s version stands out.
- Coldplay – “Viva La Vida” Released in 2008, “Viva La Vida” is one of the best Coldplay songs. And if you pay attention to its lyrics, you’ll see it’s also one of the greatest songs that tell a story.
- Amy Winehouse – “Valerie” “Well sometimes I go out by myself. And I look across the water. And I think of all the things, what you’re doing. And in my head I paint a picture.”
- Taylor Swift – “Love Song” Taylor Swift is known for telling stories about her past relationships. “Love Song” is her oldie but goldie, featuring the most popular love story of all time: Romeo and Juliet.
Mar 24, 2022 · Top Songs That Tell a Story, Final Thoughts. Songs with powerful stories are transcendental, timeless from generation to generation, able to capture the imagination of every listener.
Jan 25, 2023 · Eleanor Rigby by The Beatles. Released in 1966, Eleanor Rigby by The Beatles is one of the most iconic songs that tells a story. The song starts with an introduction to Eleanor, who “lives in a dream.”. It then goes on to tell the story of her lonely life and how she has no family or friends.
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Oct 16, 2024 · There’s a unique type of song that many of us don’t think about that often – songs that tell stories. Often, these are called ballads and sung slowly and sweetly or explored in a sonorous speak-singing method like Bob Dylan and many others. Whatever genres you love best, here are the best songs that tell a story that will let you enjoy a ...
