Lyrics are everything to me, of course so is melody. But when beautiful melodies get intertwined with beautiful, soulful lyrics, listening to those songs turns into a meditative experience. As a song-writer, great lyrics are what I admire most.
Here are some very beautiful lyrics, the list will be an unending adventure. but these are the ones that marked me.
- Thank You by Led Zeppelin
One of the greatest rock bands to have ever existed. They have countless lyrics that I could list but I love the opening lines to this song.
"If the sun refused to shine I would still be loving you When mountains crumble to the sea there will still be you and me."- Led Zeppelin
- Famous Blue Raincoat by Leonard Cohen
Leonard Cohen is one of the best song-writers and poets to have ever lived, He deeply inspired me to write better songs. He explored everything in his writing, love, loneliness, politics, religion…. This song is an epistolary form of song where he used amphibrachs as well.
"Yes and thanks, for the trouble you took from her eyes I though it was there for good, so I never tried." - Leonard Cohen
- Ces Petits Riens by Serge Gainsbourg
This is a French song by a very celebrated musician and composer Serge Gainsbourg. For those interested in international music, European music or the 60s music. He is where you should begin. He experimented with several genres and was a prominent composer in the 60s Yé-yé pop music scene.
"Mieux vaut ne penser à rien Que ne pas penser du tout Rien c'est déjà, rien c'est déjà beaucoup On se souvient du rien et puisqu'on oublie tout Rien c'est bien mieux, rien c'est bien mieux que tout"- Serge Gainsbourg Translation: Better to think of nothing than to think nothing at all nothing is already a lot We remember nothing and then forget everything Nothing is better, much better than everything.
- 1983….(A Merman Should I Turn To Be) by Jimi Hendrix
This is my favourite Jimi Hendrix song. Him at his best, incredible soulful electric guitar giving you the vibes of a cool aquatic experience. This song is also about wanting to get away from madness, violence of an uncertain world/war. Going back to the sea to be reborn. It will never stop being relevant.
"Hurrah I awake from yesterday Alive but the war is here to stay So my love catherina and me Decide to take our last walk Through the noise to the sea Not to die but to be re-born Away from a life so battered and torn." -Jimi Hendrix
- Mr. Tambourine Man by Bob Dylan
Can’t talk about lyrics without talking about Bob Dylan…..
"Though I know that evenin’s empire has returned into sand Vanished from my hand Left me blindly here to stand but still not sleeping My weariness amazes me, I’m branded on my feet I have no one to meet And the ancient empty street’s too dead for dreaming."- Bob Dylan
- Your Song by Elton John/ Bernard J. Taupin
One of the greatest song writing duos of course there are many other songs of theirs to be included. But this is a good old fashioned sweet romantic ode to love.
"If I was a sculptor, but then again, no Or a man who makes potions in a travelin' show Oh, I know it's not much, but it's the best I can do My gift is my song and this one's for you..." - Bernie Taupin/ Elton John
- Mer by Françoise Hardy
Françoise Hardy is my favourite singer. An important figure of the , 60s Yé-yé pop scene in France. This song is from 1971, from her best album La Question. Its very dark and soft, sweet and haunting, melancholic but a relaxing song on the album.
"Et la vague danse et joue, puis se brise Et la mer, tout à coup, devient grise Mon amour est si lourd à porter Je voudrais doucement me coucher..."-Françoise Hardy Translation The wave dances and plays then breaks And the sea suddenly becomes gray My love is too heavy to bear I'd like to fall asleep slowly..
There are obviously many more but I will leave you with this. 🙂
Thanks for sharing such beautiful lyrics.
I’m glad you liked these. 😊