Some great poems have been set to music with great success; like W.B. Yates wonderful Song of the Wandering Aengus (sung by Judy Colins). The corollary is that there are lots of song lyrics that can stand alone as poetry. Funny thing though, some lyrics are naked without their accompaniment. In talking with DWill, we noticed that some song lyrics that we thought were just brilliant in the context of the music, were nearly meaningless without the notes to back them up. Anyway, DW suggested adding a thread for song lyrics to the poetry forum. So, for DWill -- here it is!

I love this!! It is my new favorit song.

Love Minus Zero/No Limit
Bob Dylan

My love she speaks like silence,
Without ideals or violence,
She doesn't have to say she's faithful,
Yet she's true, like ice, like fire.
People carry roses,
Make promises by the hours,
My love she laughs like the flowers,
Valentines can't buy her.

We could have a Bob Dylan thread, I'm sure. My own favorite is "Tangled Up in Blue." I wonder what percentage of the category "songs" consists of lovesongs. Much more than half, I'd guess. Here's a favorite lovesong by Tom Petty. I think it's different from most of the rest, and it gets to me.

A Face In The Crowd
Tom Petty/Jeff Lynne

Before all of this ever went down
In another place, another town,
You were just a face in the crowd
Out in the street walking around
A face in the crowd

Out of a dream, out of the sky
Into my heart, into my life

And you were just a face in the crowd
Out in the street, thinking out loud
A face in the crowd

Out of a dream, out of the sky
Into my heart, into my life

And you were just a face in the crowd
Out in the street, thinking out loud
A face in the crowd
A face in the crowd
A face in the crowd

DWill

Maybe this thread coluld be like the DJ doing song dedications? Well, that could be fun, right? So, this one goes out to someone we know, Saffron.
I thought of it solely based on a word in the 4th stanza. See if you know what it is, Saffron. Everyone probably knows this Stephen Sondheim song, "Send in the Clowns." Judy Collins did a nice rendition of this.

Isn't it rich?
Are we a pair?
Me here at last on the ground,
You in mid-air.
Send in the clowns.

Isn't it bliss?
Don't you approve?
One who keeps tearing around,
One who can't move.
Where are the clowns?
Send in the clowns.

Just when I'd stopped opening doors,
Finally knowing the one that I wanted was yours,
Making my entrance again with my usual flair,
Sure of my lines,
No one is there.

Don't you love farce?
My fault I fear.
I thought that you'd want what I want.
Sorry, my dear.
But where are the clowns?
Quick, send in the clowns.
Don't bother, they're here.

Isn't it rich?
Isn't it queer,
Losing my timing this late
In my career?
And where are the clowns?
There ought to be clowns.
Well, maybe next year.

correctamundo!

Thanks for the song. Now I have to spin one back. Hummm, what could it be. When I hear Simon and Garfunkel's The only living boy in new york it makes me think of you -- It's close, but the NYC part is wrong. I'll have to keep thinking.

The only living boy in New York.
I get the news I need on the weather report.
I can gather all the news I need on the weather report.
Hey, I've got nothing to do today but smile.
Da-n-da-da-n-da-da-n-da-da here I am
The only living boy in New York

Saff

I love that old S & G song! I don't think they ever sang that one live.

Will

Got it! This is one of the first songs I remember liking and singing as a kid. To DWill -- Carol King's You've Got a Friend. I like it best sung by James Taylor.

When you're down and troubled
and you need a helping hand
and nothing, whoa nothing is going right.
Close your eyes and think of me
and soon I will be there
to brighten up even your darkest nights.

You just call out my name,
and you know wherever I am
I'll come running, oh yeah baby
to see you again.
Winter, spring, summer, or fall,
all you have to do is call
and I'll be there, yeah, yeah, yeah.
You've got a friend.

If the sky above you
should turn dark and full of clouds
and that old north wind should begin to blow
Keep your head together and call my name out loud
and soon I will be knocking upon your door.

You just call out my name and you know wherever I am
I'll come running to see you again.
Winter, spring, summer or fall
all you got to do is call
and I'll be there, yeah, yeah, yeah.


.....well, that's enough of it.

Saffron,
Singing it as a kid? That one came out in my heyday! But thanks.
DWill