Songs where singers talk to themselves
October 2, 2017 12:49 PM Subscribe
I have a real fondness for songs where the singer calls themselves by name while speaking as someone else. I only know of two songs where this happens, though. Can you point me to others in any genre?
The two songs I know of are Boy Problems by Carly Rae Jepsen ("Carly, you gotta let it go!" she said to me on the phone) and This Is What Makes Us Girls by Lana Del Rey (She starts to cry, mascara runnin' down her little Bambi eyes, "Lana, how I hate those guys!"). I am sure I've heard others, but they aren't coming to mind for me, and I'd like to make a playlist of songs where this happens. Do you know of any others?
Note: I'm specifically thinking of songs where the singer is recounting a conversation and speaking as the other person towards themselves, not just songs where singers use their own names (i.e., It's Britney, bitch is not going to make the cut).
Thank you!
The two songs I know of are Boy Problems by Carly Rae Jepsen ("Carly, you gotta let it go!" she said to me on the phone) and This Is What Makes Us Girls by Lana Del Rey (She starts to cry, mascara runnin' down her little Bambi eyes, "Lana, how I hate those guys!"). I am sure I've heard others, but they aren't coming to mind for me, and I'd like to make a playlist of songs where this happens. Do you know of any others?
Note: I'm specifically thinking of songs where the singer is recounting a conversation and speaking as the other person towards themselves, not just songs where singers use their own names (i.e., It's Britney, bitch is not going to make the cut).
Thank you!
Best answer: In Johnny Cash's awesome as hell version of God's Gonna Cut You Down, he quotes the "man from Galilee": "he said, 'John, go do my will'"!
posted by capricorn at 12:54 PM on October 2, 2017
posted by capricorn at 12:54 PM on October 2, 2017
Did you check this previous ask?
That thread also references SingerNameDrop on Tvtropes.
posted by JoeZydeco at 12:54 PM on October 2, 2017
That thread also references SingerNameDrop on Tvtropes.
posted by JoeZydeco at 12:54 PM on October 2, 2017
k.d.lang, The Mind of Love ("Where is your head Kathryn")
posted by BibiRose at 12:54 PM on October 2, 2017 [7 favorites]
posted by BibiRose at 12:54 PM on October 2, 2017 [7 favorites]
Best answer: Paul Simon - Run Your Body Down
Harry Nilsson - Early In The Morning
posted by blue t-shirt at 12:54 PM on October 2, 2017 [2 favorites]
Harry Nilsson - Early In The Morning
posted by blue t-shirt at 12:54 PM on October 2, 2017 [2 favorites]
Best answer: Billy Joel, Piano Man: He says "Bill, I believe this is killing me"
posted by Metroid Baby at 12:55 PM on October 2, 2017 [5 favorites]
posted by Metroid Baby at 12:55 PM on October 2, 2017 [5 favorites]
Best answer: Does “Family Tradition” by Hank Williams Jr. count?
They get on me and want to know Hank why do you drink? Why do you roll smoke?posted by Huffy Puffy at 12:58 PM on October 2, 2017 [3 favorites]
Why must you live out the songs that you wrote?
Over and over everybody makes my predictions
So if I get stoned, I'm just carrying on an old family tradition
Best answer: Boom Bang by Rob Giles.
"No prob Rob, you just had to ask."
While speaking as god.
posted by sweetjane at 12:59 PM on October 2, 2017
"No prob Rob, you just had to ask."
While speaking as god.
posted by sweetjane at 12:59 PM on October 2, 2017
Best answer: Tom Waits, I Can't Wait to Get Off Work: Tom, do this and Tom, do that, and Tom... don't do that...
posted by Iris Gambol at 1:01 PM on October 2, 2017 [5 favorites]
posted by Iris Gambol at 1:01 PM on October 2, 2017 [5 favorites]
Best answer: Ani DiFranco, Talk to Me Now: he said Ani, you've gotten tough, 'cause my tone was curt
posted by rdnnyc at 1:11 PM on October 2, 2017 [4 favorites]
posted by rdnnyc at 1:11 PM on October 2, 2017 [4 favorites]
If by any genre you mean world music too, I got GHAZALS from Urdu for you. In a Ghazal the last line; called the maqtaa always references the name the poet has given himself called takhallis. :)
posted by indianbadger1 at 1:11 PM on October 2, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by indianbadger1 at 1:11 PM on October 2, 2017 [1 favorite]
David Allen Coe, "You Never Even Called Me By My Name":
"Well, I've heard my name
A few times in your phone book (hello, hello)
And I've seen it on signs where I've played
But the only time I know
I'll hear "David Allan Coe"
Is when Jesus has his final judgment day"
posted by MonkeyToes at 1:12 PM on October 2, 2017 [2 favorites]
"Well, I've heard my name
A few times in your phone book (hello, hello)
And I've seen it on signs where I've played
But the only time I know
I'll hear "David Allan Coe"
Is when Jesus has his final judgment day"
posted by MonkeyToes at 1:12 PM on October 2, 2017 [2 favorites]
My Brightest Diamond's (Shara Worden's) "Be Brave."
posted by ferret branca at 1:17 PM on October 2, 2017
posted by ferret branca at 1:17 PM on October 2, 2017
Best answer: Alabama Shakes, "Hold On".
There must be someone up above saying
Come on Brittany,
You got to come on up,
You got to hold on.
posted by arha at 1:22 PM on October 2, 2017 [6 favorites]
There must be someone up above saying
Come on Brittany,
You got to come on up,
You got to hold on.
posted by arha at 1:22 PM on October 2, 2017 [6 favorites]
Best answer: ABC the Look of Love!
And though my friends just might ask me
They say, "Martin, maybe one day you'll find true love"
I say, "Maybe there must be a solution
To the one thing, the one thing we can't find"
posted by fingersandtoes at 1:24 PM on October 2, 2017 [6 favorites]
And though my friends just might ask me
They say, "Martin, maybe one day you'll find true love"
I say, "Maybe there must be a solution
To the one thing, the one thing we can't find"
posted by fingersandtoes at 1:24 PM on October 2, 2017 [6 favorites]
Best answer: Although she's quoting someone talking about her, maybe Miley Cyrus's "See You Again":
The last time I freaked out
I just kept looking down
I st-st-stuttered when you asked me what I'm thinking about
Felt like I couldn't breathe
You asked what's wrong with me
My best friend Lesley said, "Oh, she's just being Miley."
posted by dismas at 1:25 PM on October 2, 2017 [3 favorites]
The last time I freaked out
I just kept looking down
I st-st-stuttered when you asked me what I'm thinking about
Felt like I couldn't breathe
You asked what's wrong with me
My best friend Lesley said, "Oh, she's just being Miley."
posted by dismas at 1:25 PM on October 2, 2017 [3 favorites]
Best answer: The Sugarplastic, “Odium”, written and sung by Ben Eshbach:
“Tell me, Ben, why won’t you be my friend?”
posted by D.C. at 1:28 PM on October 2, 2017
“Tell me, Ben, why won’t you be my friend?”
posted by D.C. at 1:28 PM on October 2, 2017
Best answer: Alabama 3, Hypo Full of Love "But D. Wayne Love, he walked into my life. He said "Larry. I got a twelve step plan for you Brother." And tonight for you people we gonna share his message with you."
posted by runincircles at 1:34 PM on October 2, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by runincircles at 1:34 PM on October 2, 2017 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Peppermint, in C.L.A.T..
"Peppermint, why you so nice? Cause I can be.
Peppermint, how you always right? Cause I am, b.
Peppermint, how you stay looking so nice, getting dollars in your titties almost every single night?"
posted by yellowcandy at 1:38 PM on October 2, 2017 [3 favorites]
"Peppermint, why you so nice? Cause I can be.
Peppermint, how you always right? Cause I am, b.
Peppermint, how you stay looking so nice, getting dollars in your titties almost every single night?"
posted by yellowcandy at 1:38 PM on October 2, 2017 [3 favorites]
Best answer: Tyler the Creator's debut album Goblin features him flitting back and forth between several personas, often in the form of arguments and conversations between combinations of these. Here's the first track on YT. The parts where "the therapist" yells at Tyler are particularly in this vein.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 1:42 PM on October 2, 2017
posted by DirtyOldTown at 1:42 PM on October 2, 2017
Best answer: 'She says 'Jonathan, what'cha thinking?' and I tell her everything.'
posted by Too-Ticky at 1:43 PM on October 2, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by Too-Ticky at 1:43 PM on October 2, 2017 [1 favorite]
"'But really really I don't give a f.u.c.k
Forget Barbie, fuck Nicki, sh-she's fake
She on a diet but my pockets eatin cheesecake'
And I'll say 'Bride of chuckie is child's play
Just killed another career, it's a mild day'"
Nicki Minaj on Kanye west "Monster"
posted by bleep at 1:46 PM on October 2, 2017 [1 favorite]
Forget Barbie, fuck Nicki, sh-she's fake
She on a diet but my pockets eatin cheesecake'
And I'll say 'Bride of chuckie is child's play
Just killed another career, it's a mild day'"
Nicki Minaj on Kanye west "Monster"
posted by bleep at 1:46 PM on October 2, 2017 [1 favorite]
Best answer: David Bowie, "Teenage Wildlife":
You'll take me aside and say, "David, what shall I do? They wait for me in the hallway"
I say, "Don't ask me, I don't know any hallways"
posted by honey wheat at 1:47 PM on October 2, 2017
You'll take me aside and say, "David, what shall I do? They wait for me in the hallway"
I say, "Don't ask me, I don't know any hallways"
posted by honey wheat at 1:47 PM on October 2, 2017
Best answer: Two places in Harry Chapin's Taxi:
And she said, "How are you Harry?"
I said, "How are you Sue?
and
And she handed me twenty dollars
For a two fifty fare, she said
"Harry, keep the change"
posted by Serene Empress Dork at 1:52 PM on October 2, 2017 [4 favorites]
And she said, "How are you Harry?"
I said, "How are you Sue?
and
And she handed me twenty dollars
For a two fifty fare, she said
"Harry, keep the change"
posted by Serene Empress Dork at 1:52 PM on October 2, 2017 [4 favorites]
Best answer: Had a talk with my old man
Said, "Help me understand"
He said, "Turn sixty-eight - you'll renegotiate"
"Don't stop this train
Don't for a minute change the place you're in
And don't think I couldn't ever understand
I tried my hand
John, honestly, we'll never stop this train"
Stop This Train - John Mayer
posted by yawper at 2:04 PM on October 2, 2017
Said, "Help me understand"
He said, "Turn sixty-eight - you'll renegotiate"
"Don't stop this train
Don't for a minute change the place you're in
And don't think I couldn't ever understand
I tried my hand
John, honestly, we'll never stop this train"
Stop This Train - John Mayer
posted by yawper at 2:04 PM on October 2, 2017
Lou Reed - Beginning of a Great Adventure
It might be fun to have a kid that I could kick around
create in my own image like a god
I'd raise my own pallbearers to carry me to my grave
and keep me company when I'm a wizened toothless clod
Some gibbering old fool sitting all alone drooling on his shirt
some senile old fart playing in the dirt
It might be fun to have a kid I could pass something on to
something better than rage, pain, anger and hurt
I hope it's true what my wife said to me
I hope it's true what my wife said to me
I hope it's true what my wife said to me
She says, "Lou, it's the beginning of a great adventure"
"Lou, Lou, Lou, beginning of a great adventure"
She says, "babe, how you call your lover boy"
"Sylvia, what do you call your lover man"
posted by Kafkaesque at 2:05 PM on October 2, 2017
It might be fun to have a kid that I could kick around
create in my own image like a god
I'd raise my own pallbearers to carry me to my grave
and keep me company when I'm a wizened toothless clod
Some gibbering old fool sitting all alone drooling on his shirt
some senile old fart playing in the dirt
It might be fun to have a kid I could pass something on to
something better than rage, pain, anger and hurt
I hope it's true what my wife said to me
I hope it's true what my wife said to me
I hope it's true what my wife said to me
She says, "Lou, it's the beginning of a great adventure"
"Lou, Lou, Lou, beginning of a great adventure"
She says, "babe, how you call your lover boy"
"Sylvia, what do you call your lover man"
posted by Kafkaesque at 2:05 PM on October 2, 2017
My Life Is Good, by Randy Newman.
Teacher, let me tell you a little story
Just this morning my wife and I went to this sort of a hotel in the hills
That's right: The Bel-Air Hotel
Where a very good friend of ours happens to be staying
And the name of this young man is Mr. Bruce Springsteen
[...]
And you know what he said to me?
I'll tell you what he said to me
He said, "Rand, I'm tired. How would you like to be the Boss for awhile?"
Well, yeah
The Windows of the World, by American Music Club [Mark Eitzel].
I said to Kid, "We build these beautiful tombs
And then the dead trap us all inside"
He said, "Mark, if you're so goddamn smart
Tell me why tourists always wanna get so high?"
We Let The Stars Go, by Prefab Sprout [Paddy McAloon] (this one is in the chorus even)
She sings,
'Paddy Joe, say Paddy Joe,
Don't you remember me?'
'Long ago one gorgeous night,
We let the stars go.'
Ouija Board, Ouija Board, by [Steven] Morrissey (if it counts)
The table is rumbling
The glass is moving
"No, I was NOT pushing that time"
It spells: S.T.E.V.E.N
posted by rollick at 2:09 PM on October 2, 2017 [3 favorites]
Teacher, let me tell you a little story
Just this morning my wife and I went to this sort of a hotel in the hills
That's right: The Bel-Air Hotel
Where a very good friend of ours happens to be staying
And the name of this young man is Mr. Bruce Springsteen
[...]
And you know what he said to me?
I'll tell you what he said to me
He said, "Rand, I'm tired. How would you like to be the Boss for awhile?"
Well, yeah
The Windows of the World, by American Music Club [Mark Eitzel].
I said to Kid, "We build these beautiful tombs
And then the dead trap us all inside"
He said, "Mark, if you're so goddamn smart
Tell me why tourists always wanna get so high?"
We Let The Stars Go, by Prefab Sprout [Paddy McAloon] (this one is in the chorus even)
She sings,
'Paddy Joe, say Paddy Joe,
Don't you remember me?'
'Long ago one gorgeous night,
We let the stars go.'
Ouija Board, Ouija Board, by [Steven] Morrissey (if it counts)
The table is rumbling
The glass is moving
"No, I was NOT pushing that time"
It spells: S.T.E.V.E.N
posted by rollick at 2:09 PM on October 2, 2017 [3 favorites]
Bo Diddley's Ooh Baby
You know my woman told me, she said
"Bo Diddley, I love you, but I'm leavin'"
I said, "What?"
She said, "I love you but I'm leavin' you"
And I said, "Baby?"
And she kept sayin', "Whoa baby, I love you"
posted by ceejaytee at 2:34 PM on October 2, 2017 [1 favorite]
You know my woman told me, she said
"Bo Diddley, I love you, but I'm leavin'"
I said, "What?"
She said, "I love you but I'm leavin' you"
And I said, "Baby?"
And she kept sayin', "Whoa baby, I love you"
posted by ceejaytee at 2:34 PM on October 2, 2017 [1 favorite]
Hey Loretta, by Loretta Lynn
And when you realize I'm gone, I'm a gonna hear you roar
And you'll say:
"Hey Loretta, I love you more than my Irish Setter
"Hey Loretta, don't leave me alone
"Hey Loretta, I swear I'm a gonna treat you better
"Buy you brand new overalls if you'll only come back home"
Hold Me, by the Cardigans [Nina Persson]
Don't let me win
Just hold me
And you say "Nina Nina Nina-na...."
Now how can I let you go?
The Devil Came-A Calling, by Prefab Sprout
He showed me a house
It was as big as a star
He said to me "Patrick
"What do you think so far?"
Random Rules, by the Silver Jews
I asked a painter why the roads are colored black
He said, "Steve, it's because people leave and no highway will bring them back"
posted by rollick at 2:45 PM on October 2, 2017
And when you realize I'm gone, I'm a gonna hear you roar
And you'll say:
"Hey Loretta, I love you more than my Irish Setter
"Hey Loretta, don't leave me alone
"Hey Loretta, I swear I'm a gonna treat you better
"Buy you brand new overalls if you'll only come back home"
Hold Me, by the Cardigans [Nina Persson]
Don't let me win
Just hold me
And you say "Nina Nina Nina-na...."
Now how can I let you go?
The Devil Came-A Calling, by Prefab Sprout
He showed me a house
It was as big as a star
He said to me "Patrick
"What do you think so far?"
Random Rules, by the Silver Jews
I asked a painter why the roads are colored black
He said, "Steve, it's because people leave and no highway will bring them back"
posted by rollick at 2:45 PM on October 2, 2017
Anchorage, by Michelle Shocked:
"Hey Shell, you know it's kind of funny
Texas always seemed so big..." (most of the song, really)
Dream by Dream, by The Chills
"Well - they persuaded me
I had to leave the band
The reasons given I didn't understand
They said "Now Martin - if you really cared"
I felt I had to - I'm feeling really scared
They killed my best dream dead" (although even though the song was written and sung by Martin Phillips, it's likely he was writing from the point of view of Martin Kean, the band's bass-player. But on paper it fits).
posted by Pink Frost at 3:08 PM on October 2, 2017 [5 favorites]
"Hey Shell, you know it's kind of funny
Texas always seemed so big..." (most of the song, really)
Dream by Dream, by The Chills
"Well - they persuaded me
I had to leave the band
The reasons given I didn't understand
They said "Now Martin - if you really cared"
I felt I had to - I'm feeling really scared
They killed my best dream dead" (although even though the song was written and sung by Martin Phillips, it's likely he was writing from the point of view of Martin Kean, the band's bass-player. But on paper it fits).
posted by Pink Frost at 3:08 PM on October 2, 2017 [5 favorites]
Jonathan Richman does this a bit. "I Was Dancing in a Lesbian Bar" leaps to mind ("Johnathan: for dancing, come with us") but it looks like it's sometimes in concert (like here on, IIRC, the Conan O'Brien show) but not on the studio version. "You're Crazy For Taking the Bus" has it too ("but Johnathan, you're crazy for taking the bus").
There are probably more songs in his repertoire which do this, but if so I can't think of them at the moment (I thought "The Neighbors" did but the part addressing him is sung by a woman).
posted by johnofjack at 3:18 PM on October 2, 2017 [2 favorites]
There are probably more songs in his repertoire which do this, but if so I can't think of them at the moment (I thought "The Neighbors" did but the part addressing him is sung by a woman).
posted by johnofjack at 3:18 PM on October 2, 2017 [2 favorites]
Another Eminem/Slim:
The Real Slim Shady
"But Slim what if you win wouldn't it be weird?"
posted by Sassyfras at 4:22 PM on October 2, 2017 [2 favorites]
The Real Slim Shady
"But Slim what if you win wouldn't it be weird?"
posted by Sassyfras at 4:22 PM on October 2, 2017 [2 favorites]
The Dresden Dolls (lead singer Amanda fuckin' Palmer), Delilah. "In this same bar where you slammed down your hand and said, "Amanda, I'm in love.""
posted by merriment at 5:03 PM on October 2, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by merriment at 5:03 PM on October 2, 2017 [1 favorite]
Dan Bern - Talkin' Alien Abduction Blues
Then these two little guys about 4 feet tall
Jumped off that space age Greyhound bus
They grabbed me by the arms and said
"Start walking, Dan. You're coming with us"
Abduction
They didn't actually speak, but I understood 'em
Telepathy
posted by john hadron collider at 6:05 PM on October 2, 2017 [1 favorite]
Then these two little guys about 4 feet tall
Jumped off that space age Greyhound bus
They grabbed me by the arms and said
"Start walking, Dan. You're coming with us"
Abduction
They didn't actually speak, but I understood 'em
Telepathy
posted by john hadron collider at 6:05 PM on October 2, 2017 [1 favorite]
People say "you look like MC Hammer on crack, Humpty!"
- Digital Underground, the Humpty Dance
posted by fingersandtoes at 6:36 PM on October 2, 2017
- Digital Underground, the Humpty Dance
posted by fingersandtoes at 6:36 PM on October 2, 2017
"You've been stuck in a lift
We've been trying to reach you, Thom"
posted by btfreek at 6:54 PM on October 2, 2017
We've been trying to reach you, Thom"
posted by btfreek at 6:54 PM on October 2, 2017
"Strange" by R.E.M.
"Michael's nervous and the lights are bright."
posted by 4ster at 7:32 PM on October 2, 2017 [2 favorites]
"Michael's nervous and the lights are bright."
posted by 4ster at 7:32 PM on October 2, 2017 [2 favorites]
Rilo Kiley - Jenny, You're Barely Alive ("I can hear you say, 'Jenny, you're barely alive'")
Regina Spektor - Pavlov's Daughter ("I hear them say my name, 'Regin-ah, regin-ah, regin-a-ah")
posted by eponym at 7:42 PM on October 2, 2017
Regina Spektor - Pavlov's Daughter ("I hear them say my name, 'Regin-ah, regin-ah, regin-a-ah")
posted by eponym at 7:42 PM on October 2, 2017
Throughout the New Pornographers' We End Up Together, AC Newman addresses himself in the second-person as "Little Brother."
posted by armeowda at 7:45 PM on October 2, 2017
posted by armeowda at 7:45 PM on October 2, 2017
"Psycho" by Jack Kittel is a ...special case... of this, I think. shiver
posted by rongorongo at 11:18 PM on October 2, 2017
posted by rongorongo at 11:18 PM on October 2, 2017
"Family Tradition" by Hank Williams, Jr.
"They get on me and want to know
Hank, why do you drink? Hank, why do you roll smoke?
Why must you live out the songs that you wrote?
Over and over everybody makes my predictions
So if I get stoned, I'm just carrying on an old family tradition."
posted by 4ster at 7:26 AM on October 3, 2017
"They get on me and want to know
Hank, why do you drink? Hank, why do you roll smoke?
Why must you live out the songs that you wrote?
Over and over everybody makes my predictions
So if I get stoned, I'm just carrying on an old family tradition."
posted by 4ster at 7:26 AM on October 3, 2017
In "New Orleans is Sinking," Tragically Hip frontman Gord Downie sings: "Sometimes I feel so good I gotta scream,/She said, 'Gordie, baby, I know exactly what you mean.'"
posted by ricochet biscuit at 7:50 AM on October 3, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by ricochet biscuit at 7:50 AM on October 3, 2017 [1 favorite]
ricochet: I came to post that, it's even better, its the singer quoting someone else talking to the singer!
posted by Cosine at 10:04 AM on October 3, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by Cosine at 10:04 AM on October 3, 2017 [1 favorite]
There's probably a lot of Bob Dylan but the one I always remember is from I Shall Be Free:
The telephone rang, it would not stop, it was President Kennedy calling me up.
He said, "my friend Bob, what do we need to make the country grow?"
I said, "my friend John, Brigitte Bardot." Etc
posted by pepper bird at 11:49 AM on October 3, 2017
The telephone rang, it would not stop, it was President Kennedy calling me up.
He said, "my friend Bob, what do we need to make the country grow?"
I said, "my friend John, Brigitte Bardot." Etc
posted by pepper bird at 11:49 AM on October 3, 2017
Robyn Hitchcock's My Wife and My Dead Wife (the album version doesn't seem to be available on YouTube)
"She wanders off to the bed, shaking her head
'Robyn,' she says,
'You know I don't take sugar!'"
posted by jeudi at 11:50 AM on October 3, 2017
"She wanders off to the bed, shaking her head
'Robyn,' she says,
'You know I don't take sugar!'"
posted by jeudi at 11:50 AM on October 3, 2017
"and I said 'Oh my God, what's your name? My name's Lyle'"
Hard to top Lyle Lovett
posted by Cosine at 11:56 AM on October 3, 2017 [2 favorites]
Hard to top Lyle Lovett
posted by Cosine at 11:56 AM on October 3, 2017 [2 favorites]
Jay-Z first track on 4:44 is ALLL this: Kill Jay-Z
posted by Dressed to Kill at 1:14 PM on October 3, 2017
posted by Dressed to Kill at 1:14 PM on October 3, 2017
“I went to Dooky Chase
To get me something to eat
The waitress looked at me and said
‘Ray, you sure look beat.’
Now it’s early in the morning
And I ain’t got nothing but the blues.”
- Ray Charles, “Early in the Morning”
posted by MonkeyToes at 2:34 PM on October 3, 2017
To get me something to eat
The waitress looked at me and said
‘Ray, you sure look beat.’
Now it’s early in the morning
And I ain’t got nothing but the blues.”
- Ray Charles, “Early in the Morning”
posted by MonkeyToes at 2:34 PM on October 3, 2017
Leonard Cohen, "Going Home."
(Although he isn't really recounting a conversation, it's just that all the verses are from the perspective of God talking about Leonard.):
I love to speak with Leonard
He's a sportsman and a shepherd
He's a lazy bastard
Living in a suit
posted by aka burlap at 3:25 PM on October 3, 2017
(Although he isn't really recounting a conversation, it's just that all the verses are from the perspective of God talking about Leonard.):
I love to speak with Leonard
He's a sportsman and a shepherd
He's a lazy bastard
Living in a suit
posted by aka burlap at 3:25 PM on October 3, 2017
My namesake, Jesse Winchester, in his "hit" Yankee Lady
An autumn walk on a country road
And a million flaming trees
I was feeling uneasy
Cause there was winter in the breeze
And she said, "Oh Jesse, look over there,
The birds are southward bound
Oh Jesse, I'm so afraid
To lose the love that we've found."
posted by Jesse the K at 3:28 PM on October 3, 2017
An autumn walk on a country road
And a million flaming trees
I was feeling uneasy
Cause there was winter in the breeze
And she said, "Oh Jesse, look over there,
The birds are southward bound
Oh Jesse, I'm so afraid
To lose the love that we've found."
posted by Jesse the K at 3:28 PM on October 3, 2017
Ooh! Also "Gangster of Love" by Johnny "Guitar" Watson:
Sheriff say "Is you "Guitar" Watson?"
In a very deep voice
And I say "yes sir brother sheriff, and that's your wife on the back of my horse"
posted by aka burlap at 3:28 PM on October 3, 2017
Sheriff say "Is you "Guitar" Watson?"
In a very deep voice
And I say "yes sir brother sheriff, and that's your wife on the back of my horse"
posted by aka burlap at 3:28 PM on October 3, 2017
Ooh yeah Jonathan Richman does this a ton. What immediately popped into my head was the chorused "What might that be, Jonathan?" in the intro to "Government Center."
posted by potrzebie at 9:12 PM on October 3, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by potrzebie at 9:12 PM on October 3, 2017 [1 favorite]
Lloyd Cole: Speedboat:
Though there is absolutely no truth to be discoveredposted by rongorongo at 11:49 PM on October 3, 2017
Albeit truth then is nothing to be found
We academics are not easily discouraged
Lloyd you know wits they come three to the pound
Janet Jackson - Someone To Call My Lover:
Friends say I'm crazy cause
Easily I fall in love
You gotta do it different J
This time
posted by SisterHavana at 5:02 AM on October 4, 2017
Friends say I'm crazy cause
Easily I fall in love
You gotta do it different J
This time
posted by SisterHavana at 5:02 AM on October 4, 2017
Response by poster: You guys are AMAZING! Beyond my wildest dreams, wow! Thank you for giving me SO many of these songs to enjoy!
posted by srrh at 4:54 PM on October 4, 2017
posted by srrh at 4:54 PM on October 4, 2017
Iggy Pop - China Girl :
posted by Devoidoid at 9:20 AM on October 5, 2017
And when I get excitedIggy was born James Osterberg. Bowie changed the lyric to "baby."
My little China Girl says
"Oh Jimmy, just you shut your mouth..."
posted by Devoidoid at 9:20 AM on October 5, 2017
Annie Clark performs as St Vincent. The song "Happy Birthday, Johnny" on her new album is partly a conversation between her and Johnny that ends with the stanza:
"What happened to blood, our family?
Annie, how could you do this to me?
Of course, I blame me
When you get free, Johnny
I hope you find peace"
posted by muddgirl at 7:52 PM on October 21, 2017
"What happened to blood, our family?
Annie, how could you do this to me?
Of course, I blame me
When you get free, Johnny
I hope you find peace"
posted by muddgirl at 7:52 PM on October 21, 2017
Jimmy Buffett has a couple.
"Gypsies in the Palace" from the Last Mango in Paris album. The song's narrator is someone taking care of Buffett' s house while the musician tours, so the first and third verses are the caretaker talking with Buffett, calling him "boss".
"Pascagoula Run" from Off to See the Lizard. Buffett sings of an over night trip as a kid, traveling with a wild uncle who explains a few things to him.
posted by Mutant Lobsters from Riverhead at 9:24 PM on November 11, 2017
"Gypsies in the Palace" from the Last Mango in Paris album. The song's narrator is someone taking care of Buffett' s house while the musician tours, so the first and third verses are the caretaker talking with Buffett, calling him "boss".
"Pascagoula Run" from Off to See the Lizard. Buffett sings of an over night trip as a kid, traveling with a wild uncle who explains a few things to him.
posted by Mutant Lobsters from Riverhead at 9:24 PM on November 11, 2017
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He called my name, and my heart stood still / When he said, "John, go do my will"
posted by haruspicina at 12:53 PM on October 2, 2017 [2 favorites]