Lyrically Perfect Songs

[mugatu668]

One that comes to mind for me is "I gave you power" by Nas. First few times I listened to this song, I thought it was really tight. Then I noticed a few cool phrases in it. Then I finally just got it. Now I think it's one of the greatest songs ever written and I could listen to it over and over again. It's great to read the lyrics while you're listening to it, too. The way he tells his story with the rhyming scheme is just perfect. It's very hard to understand unless you really think about it because of how he will cut off sentences to make the rhyming scheme work.
What are some other lyrically great songs?

[Thug Bubbles]

More of an OOT thread, but George Thoroughgood - One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer is lyrically perfect for a bar setting. It has a great talky style, is funny, and is a great drinking song that keeps the energy and mood high.

For just pure perfection, though, both Yesterday by The Beatles and In Your Eyes by Peter Gabriel are it. Simple, but beautiful. Nothing screams perfection than concise poignancy.

[Dominic]

i think we just did this thread within a month or so...

[bigmonkey]

Donovan- Universal Soldier (although he didn't actually write it), has some great lyrics. This song usually gives me shivers listening to it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IrPB8TPgs9U

[Kimbell175113]

[ QUOTE ]
i think we just did this thread within a month or so...

[/ QUOTE ]
Yes, indeed. Here ya go, OP:

http://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/sh...umber=12076678

[mugatu668]

Whoops, sorry! I suck at making these threads.

[Blarg]

[ QUOTE ]
More of an OOT thread, but George Thoroughgood - One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer is lyrically perfect for a bar setting. It has a great talky style, is funny, and is a great drinking song that keeps the energy and mood high.

For just pure perfection, though, both Yesterday by The Beatles and In Your Eyes by Peter Gabriel are it. Simple, but beautiful. Nothing screams perfection than concise poignancy.

[/ QUOTE ]

Good ones. From the same people, I'd also submit Long and Winding Road from the Beatles and Big Time and Don't Give Up from Gabriel.
From The Talking Heads, Once in a Lifetime and the hilarious Animals, as well as Naive Melody
From Joe Raposo, there's It's Not Easy Being Green. Especially great when sung by Ray Charles.
From Harry Chapin, Taxi, and Cats in the Cradle.
From Jim Croce, Time in a Bottle, and I've Got a Name
From Paul Simon, too many to mention
From Nat King Cole, I've always liked Mona Lisa, though it's very simple

[hanimal]

Naive Melody ftw. Greatest song ever (and I'm talking about the live version on Stop Making Sense).

here

[Oski]

I've been a big Genesis fan ever since the release of their 1980 album, Duke. Before that I really didn't understand any of their work. It was too artsy, too intellectual. It was on Duke where Phil Collins' presence became more apparent.

I think "Invisible Touch" is the group's undisputed
masterpiece. It's an epic meditation on intangibility, at the same time it deepens and enriches the meaning of the preceding three albums. Listen to the brilliant ensemble playing of Banks, Collins and Rutherford. You can practically hear every nuance of every instrument.

In terms of lyrical craftsmanship and sheer
songwriting, this album hits a new peak of professionalism.
Take the lyrics to "Land of Confusion." In this
song, Phil Collins addresses the problem of abusive political authority.

"In Too Deep" is the most moving pop song of the 1980s about monogamy and commitment. The song is extremely uplifting. Their lyrics are as positive and affirmative as anything I've heard in rock.

Phill Collins' solo efforts seem to be more commercial and
therefore more satisfying in a narrower way, especially
songs like "In the Air Tonight" and "Against
All Odds."

But I also think that Phill Collins works better
within the confines of the group than as a solo artist-and
I stress the word artist.

[maltaille]

Can we get your thoughts on Huey Lewis and the News too?