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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.
- 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.
- 18 and Life by Skid Row. This iconic song tells the story of a young man who is sentenced to 18 years in prison for accidentally killing his best friend.
- 7 Years by Lukas Graham. 7 Years is a song by Lukas Graham, released in 2015. It tells the story of growing up, going through life’s trials and tribulations, and ultimately finding peace with who you have become.
- A Boy Named Sue by Johnny Cash. This iconic song tells the story of a young boy who was given an unusual name by his father. The story follows Sue’s journey as he embarks on a quest to find his father and confront him about why he gave him such an odd name.
- A Day In the Life by The Beatles. This classic 1967 tune is the sound of a day in the life. The song’s lyrics capture the hustle and bustle of everyday life, with references to news headlines, people rushing about their business, and all sorts of other mundane activities that make up a typical day.
- Bob Dylan, “Hurricane” Desire (1976) Bob Dylan’s 1976 piece “Hurricane,” featured in “Desire,” narrates the saga of Rubin “Hurricane” Carter, a boxer, and John Artis, falsely accused and convicted for a triple homicide in Patterson, New Jersey, in 1966.
- The Kinks, “Come Dancing” State of Confusion (1983) The Kinks’ 1983 song “Come Dancing,” from the album “State of Confusion,” was inspired by a personal tragedy.
- Elton John, “Ticking” Caribou (1974) Elton John’s 1974 song “Ticking,” from “Caribou,” addresses the then-uncommon theme of mass shootings through the narrative of a young man’s mental breakdown leading to a tragic incident in a New York City bar.
- Harry Chapin, “Cat’s in the Cradle” Verities & Balderdash (1974) Harry Chapin’s 1974 song “Cat’s in the Cradle,” from “Verities & Balderdash,” spans a lifetime, illustrating the regret of a father who missed his son’s childhood, only to realize later that their roles have reversed.
Mar 24, 2022 · Whether you're listening to the level of someone's first love, tragedy, growing up, betrayal, or sheer determination in life, the mark of a good storytelling song is instant relatability. Including songs from all genres can expand your tastes and give you something new to try when you're looking for something more profound than a beat.
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Oct 16, 2024 · These songs that tell a story are a sure way to enjoy a good story in just a few minutes - no reading required!
