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Story songs?

 
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gazmando



Joined: 15 Apr 2007
Posts: 560
Location: Huntingdon

PostPosted: Thu Jun 14, 2007 5:28 pm    Post subject: Story songs? Reply with quote

Hello,
I really love story style songs (I don't know if they have a proper category),like Brothers In Arms(Dire Straits), Big River(Jimmy Nail), Sailing to Philidelphia(Knopfler and Taylor) etc.
Can anyone recommend any songs in that style.
Thanks Gaz.
PS I also really like Matchstalk Men (I can't remember if thats the title offhand) which everyone seems to sneer at, but I think it's great.
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Lord Evan Elpuss



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PostPosted: Thu Jun 14, 2007 8:25 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

There's a couple of Harry Chapin tracks that are fairly regularly heard on Radio 2, which are 'WOLD' (the one about the radio DJ) and 'Cats In The Cradle', also a less heard, more rock oriented version of the latter by the band 'Ugly Kid Joe'. Most Simon & Garfunkel tracks are stories. Hope there's some food for thought there.
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Helen May



Joined: 10 Dec 2006
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PostPosted: Thu Jun 14, 2007 8:28 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I like City OF New Orleans by Arlo Guthrie.

JW used to play it a fair bit.

H
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AndyAndy2
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PostPosted: Thu Jun 14, 2007 8:54 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Tweeter and the Monkeyman by the Traveling Wilburys. I love a song that tells a story too, makes the dong journey so much better rather than loads of 'yeah yeah!'.

Try also..Lenningrad by Billy Joel. Billy is a master at this type of storytelling - You're my home and Laura.
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gazmando



Joined: 15 Apr 2007
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PostPosted: Thu Jun 14, 2007 11:03 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks all,
I have got all those mentioned,apart from Arlo(presume it's the same song as Willie Nelson.)
Also someone mentioned on another thread "Rex Von Lowenstein" by Mark Germino(I think),which I like but haven't got.
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Lord Evan Elpuss



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PostPosted: Fri Jun 15, 2007 6:43 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

gazmando wrote:

Also someone mentioned on another thread "Rex Von Lowenstein" by Mark Germino(I think),which I like but haven't got.

'Rex Bob Lowenstein' was indeed by Mark Germino and was on an album called Caught In The Act Of Being Ourselves. Do you have Tom Petty's album The Last DJ? Plenty of story songs in a similar vein to 'Rex Bob Lowenstein' on there. Another you might enjoy is 'The Ballad Of Kate Morgan' by Eve Selis on her album Nothing But The truth.
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iwarburton



Joined: 08 Dec 2006
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PostPosted: Fri Jun 15, 2007 7:41 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Ode to Billie Joe by Bobbie Gentry. I still stop what I'm doing and listen to it if it comes on.

I too like Matchstalk Men. It was good to hear it on Pick of the Pops the last time they did 1978.

Ian.
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Behind Geddon's Wall



Joined: 11 Dec 2006
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Location: Kingston Upon Hull/ The Cloud Factory

PostPosted: Fri Jun 15, 2007 9:01 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Ian, Check out Chris De Burgh's Album "Spanish Train and other stories".There's the one about the spaceman, The stripper, The boy at Passchendale, and many others. IMHO his best album before he sold out to do 3 minute pop songs.

I also would Recommend all of Harry Chapin's stuff especially if you can get a 'live' recording, his rapport with and audience is brilliant.
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RockitRon



Joined: 07 Dec 2006
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PostPosted: Fri Jun 15, 2007 9:04 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

There must be thousands.

Gordon Lightfoot's Wreck Of The Edmund Fitzgerald springs immediately to mind.
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Fog on the Tyne



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PostPosted: Fri Jun 15, 2007 5:01 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Lots and lots by the aforementioned Harry Chapin, Taxi (and it's 8 year later follow-up) Sequel, Mr Tanner,Corey's Coming and The Rock are all great. There's also the very dark Sniper based on a university campus mass shooting, and the wonderful 30,000 pounds of Bananas (I recommend the live version). Smile
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gazmando



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PostPosted: Fri Jun 15, 2007 8:22 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks again everyone,
I've got my little book out and I'm writing them all down.
Regarding the Chris De Burgh "Boy at Passchendal" song, was that the one he sang at the Albert Hall on Rememberance Day?(I think) If so I thought it was a superb song.
Thanks Gaz.
PS I wish you lot were in charge of music policy at Radio 2, then I could learn about more great records while I'm working (a bit like the old days really)
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Behind Geddon's Wall



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PostPosted: Sat Jun 16, 2007 8:01 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Gaz,
Our brains, such as they are, are there for picking.
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Geddon

You simply mustn't blame yourself -- the days were perfect
And so were exactly what I was born to spoil
For I am the Rider to the World's End
Bound across the cinder causeway
From the furnace to the quarry
Through the fields of oil
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Barkingbiker



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PostPosted: Sat Jun 16, 2007 10:24 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Soldier by Harvey Andrews, banned by auntie, even on BFBS, in the early 70's. Song tells the poignant tale of a soldier making the ultimate sacrifice for those that hate him, the words always have the effect of making me see how precious life is, also the futility of religious hate and segregation. Wondreful backing by Ralph McTell. It's on an album called Writer Of Songs which every one of the 12 tracks tell a storey, some sad some just celebrating life like "Gift Of A Brand New Day". Also on backing is Rick Wakeman. Published on Cube records by Intercord No. INT 126.304 in 1972.
Also agree with RocketRon's choice of the brilliant Gordon Lightfoot track he recommends, also try Early Morning Rain, Poor Little Alison or IF You Could Read My Mind.

BB Twisted Evil
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SantaFefan



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PostPosted: Sun Jun 17, 2007 7:45 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Right said Fred ( Cup of Tea ) Bernard Cribbins. Laughing Laughing Laughing

Old Shep by Elvis. Crying or Very sad
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Briant



Joined: 02 Jun 2007
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Location: Liverpool England UK

PostPosted: Sun Jun 17, 2007 1:23 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

'Canadian Railroad Trilogy' by Gordon Lightfoot
'Mother Country' by John Stewart
'Rodger Young' by Jim Reeves
'Lily, Rosemary and the Jack of Hearts' by Bob Dylan
'El Paso' by Mary Robbins
'The real Buddy Holly Story' by Sonny Curtis
'Harper Valley PTA' by Jeannie C Riley
and lots more 'Country' songs.
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Lord Evan Elpuss



Joined: 10 Dec 2006
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PostPosted: Sun Jun 17, 2007 5:22 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

SantaFefan wrote:
Right said Fred ( Cup of Tea ) Bernard Cribbins. Laughing Laughing Laughing


Lets not forget 'Hole In The Ground!!
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SantaFefan



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PostPosted: Sun Jun 17, 2007 6:07 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I looked up the lyrics to Right Said Fred this morning and I still laugh at them.
Laughing classic song.
Of course we all think it's a piano Charlie and Fred are trying to move but they don't actually mention a piano do they?
How about these story songs from my childhood..

Mad Passionate Love, Laughing Policeman, Tubby the Tuba, You need Feet, Ugly Duckling, and of course, Runaway Train.. Very Happy
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Lord Evan Elpuss



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PostPosted: Sun Jun 17, 2007 7:20 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Memories of 1970s weekends with 'Stewpot' on Junior Choice for me!
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Behind Geddon's Wall



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PostPosted: Wed Jun 20, 2007 12:11 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

'Little does she know' by the Kursaal Flyers

The story of a man who sees his girl sharing a dryer with another man.

"When she finished her Laundry, she was all in a quandry
and made for the street like a hare
Her escape was so urgent, she forgot her detergent,
and dropped all her clean underwear."
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Geddon

You simply mustn't blame yourself -- the days were perfect
And so were exactly what I was born to spoil
For I am the Rider to the World's End
Bound across the cinder causeway
From the furnace to the quarry
Through the fields of oil
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Cherskiy



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PostPosted: Wed Jun 20, 2007 5:38 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

A few off the top of my head:

Telegraph Road - Dire Straits (all 14 minutes of it)
Meeting Across The River - Bruce Springsteen
The Forgotten Arm CD - Aimee Mann (a complete story, each song a chapter)
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Lord Evan Elpuss



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PostPosted: Wed Jun 20, 2007 8:00 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Don't think anyone's yet mentioned 'Ode To Billie Joe' by Bobbie Gentry

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childprufe



Joined: 22 Dec 2006
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PostPosted: Thu Jun 21, 2007 2:36 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Have to agree on "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald", and would add Marianne Faithfull's "The Eyes of Lucy Jordan". Kris Kristofferson's "Me and Bobby McGee" and Chris de Burgh's "Borderline".
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Behind Geddon's Wall



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PostPosted: Thu Jun 21, 2007 7:44 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

How about stories in Music?

'Autobahn' by Kraftwerk all 23 minutes - the ultimate driving tune?
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Geddon

You simply mustn't blame yourself -- the days were perfect
And so were exactly what I was born to spoil
For I am the Rider to the World's End
Bound across the cinder causeway
From the furnace to the quarry
Through the fields of oil
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iwarburton



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PostPosted: Thu Jun 21, 2007 11:56 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Don't think anyone's yet mentioned 'Ode To Billie Joe' by Bobbie Gentry
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I did, on an early post. One of my favourites.

Ian.
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Lord Evan Elpuss



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PostPosted: Sat Jul 07, 2007 11:08 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Lord Evan Elpuss wrote:
gazmando wrote:

Also someone mentioned on another thread "Rex Von Lowenstein" by Mark Germino(I think),which I like but haven't got.

'Rex Bob Lowenstein' was indeed by Mark Germino and was on an album called Caught In The Act Of Being Ourselves. Do you have Tom Petty's album The Last DJ? Plenty of story songs in a similar vein to 'Rex Bob Lowenstein' on there. Another you might enjoy is 'The Ballad Of Kate Morgan' by Eve Selis on her album Nothing But The truth.


Further to my message and just in case anyone does want to hear this rarely heard track. Bob Harris' playlist page shows that he should be playing 'Rex Bob Lowenstein' by Mark Germino on his show tonight. As it's the last track and his show finishes at 2:00am Sunday, I suspect it'll be a 'listen again' unless you're a night worker or insomniac!
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