Today’s Question of the Day from WordPress asks:
What’s a song lyric that has stuck with you forever?
Being a lyricist myself, this question immediately grabbed my attention.
For as long as I can remember—going all the way back to the first poem I wrote at eight years old—I’ve always loved the power of words and clever wordplay. You all know how much I love music, but when a songwriter can arrange words in such a creative and meaningful way that they give the listener an EARgasm, they’ve accomplished something truly special.
As for today’s question… there’s absolutely no way I can narrow it down to just one lyric.
Besides, I don’t think a single lyric from a single song would make for a very interesting post. And let’s be honest—you all know by now that I’m not exactly known for keeping things short.
Let’s turn this into a good old-fashioned listicle. Shall we?
So in no particular order, here are:
10 Song Lines That Have Stuck With Me for Years
I’ll begin with the song title and artist, then the line. Along the way, I’ll share a little bit about why each one resonates with me and/or the meaning I’ve taken from it. I would attach YouTube links to each song, but the resulting thumbnails would make this page ridiculously long.
You’re grown. Do some of the work yourself. Look it up…
1. Love 2 the 9s — Prince
Baby, take a real good look at my face
‘Cause honey, it just might be the last time
Maybe you should have played an ace
Instead, you played a Queen
You’re better off cheatin’
Than tryin’ to read my mind.
Why It Resonates:
Because it’s Prince, ’nuff said. But seriously, dude has always been a master lyricist and can give a complete lesson in one verse. I first heard this at a listening party back in Tallahassee, Florida, 1992. They opened the store at midnight for album sales and when he hit this line the whole store went nuts.
2. On My Own — Patti Labelle (featuring Michael McDonald)
So many promises never should be spoken
Now I know what loving you cost
Now we’re up to talking divorce
And we weren’t even married…
Why It Resonates:
Those last two lines hit me hard! Talk about a feeling of finality in a relationship.
3. Mad About You — Sting
(It) Would make a prison of my life, if you became another’s wife.
Why It Resonates:
Dude! I have nothing to add to this. This one speaks for itself. That is love at the highest. And if you ask me, morbid fear!
4. Love’s Still Alright — Chanté Moore
Just when you learn the rules, you learn the rules have changed.
Why It Resonates:
First of all, it’s my baby. But anyone who’s been following my blog long enough knows that story. Second, this is life. We’ve all been there in some way, shape, or form. It’s such a simply well-constructed line, but extremely powerful.
5. Never In Your Sun — Stevie Wonder
Never in your sun, never in your sun
I will only come, in your pouring rain, to ease the pain.
Why It Resonates:
Like Prince and Sting, Stevie is another genius lyricist. Whenever I hear these lyrics, I can’t help but think of what’s often called the Florence Nightingale effect: developing romantic feelings for a caregiver or someone who nurses you back to health. I’m sure it can be interpreted in many ways, and most, not to that extreme, but you get the idea. Someone is there for you to help you through, but it ain’t that kinda party. I’m not looking for love. I’m your friend and I’m here to help.
6. I Don’t Do Duets — Patti Labelle (featuring Gladys Knight)
He said, “I love you baby, you’re the best I ever knew
But I’m not ready for anyone like you
This is as far as it goes and as close as it gets”
He said, “You sure sing pretty but I don’t do duets”
Why It Resonates:
Whoever got these two legends together must have sold their soul! This doesn’t happen every day. Anyway, this song is a lyrical masterpiece. I love the metaphor, comparing song lyrics to a man unwilling to commit to a relationship.
7. September — Earth, Wind & Fire
Golden dreams were shiny days
Why It Resonates:
You all know this is my all-time favorite song by my all-time favorite group. And you all know the classic line, “Never was a cloudy day.” But if you listen all the way through, they replace the final time with my favorite line, “Golden dreams were shiny days…”
God, I love that song.
8. This Bed — Alicia Keys
These king-size sheets
Need more than just a queen
In between ’em
Why It Resonates:
You’ve got to hear her sing this tune, with that 80-ish bop feel to it to appreciate this line. It’s clever, it’s cute, it’s catchy.
9. I’d Rather Be Alone — Karyn White
It might feel good on a lonely night
But laying in your arms today, ain’t right
I’d rather lose you than lose my mind
And be unhappy
Why It Resonates:
To finish the chorus, she says, “I’d rather be alone, than be unhappy.” Hey, break-ups are gut-wrenching, but staying in a relationship that is killing you?
Take the hit. Move on.
Ain’t nobody worth your sanity or your joy.
10. Same Script, Different Cast — Deborah Cox (featuring Whitney Houston)
This is a retake of my life
I was his star for many nights
Now, the roles have changed
And you’re the leading lady in his life
Lights, camera, now you’re on
Just remember you’ve been warned
Enjoy it now, ’cause it won’t last
Same script, different cast
Why It Resonates:
While Deborah Cox isn’t as universally known as the late Whitney Houston, one of the things that works in her favor is how similar their voices can sound. So much so that the My Bodyguard musical featured Deborah Cox (in Whitney’s movie role). Trust me, I was there and you couldn’t tell the difference! But about this song. Like #6, this entire song is so well designed, using a metaphor between a woman scorned, warning her former lover’s new woman about him to, you guessed it, a musical or play.
You honestly have to listen to the entire song to appreciate the strategic wordplay. I especially love when Deborah is to counsel a closed-minded Whitney who is singing over her with “La-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-lah! I’m not listeninnng, La-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-lah!” Brilliant. Hilarious.
And that’s it! I would love to add a few honorable mentions, but years ago, when I first thought of this, I had some others that I couldn’t remember, prior to this QotD being posted. So you know what that means — there’ll more than likely be a Part 2 to this coming to a blog near you.
Hope you liked it. If you’ve got some clever or impactful lyrics, feel free to share them in the Comments section below. And be sure to subscribe at the bottom for email notifications of future posts from Kenny’s Camera, Cooking & Crazy Confessions at ZootsBlogSpot!
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