(originally posted to audiography)

Good Lyrics, or rather lyrics I like, need to be stories, something I can listen to and watch something.

I could have gone for dozens of songs, but I've kept it to a theme and thus it's 4 tracks written by Tom Waits, a relative in spirit written by Patty Larkin and a german language Bonus Track.

That the first two tracks are written and originally performed by by Tom Waits I found out later, far later.

Starting by personal chronology, I think I was fourteen or so, when I first heard this song. It was on the radio one early morning while we were travelling through Turkey. My mother was driving, some mountains were on the horizon -- I don't remember which -- and the radio played the Eagles with Ol' 55.

And now the sun's comin' up, I'm ridin' with Lady Luck
Freeway cars and trucks
Stars beginnin' to fade, and I lead the parade
Just a-wishin' I'd stayed a little longer
Oh Lord, let me tell you the feeling gettin' stronger

Listen, read about it, lyrics, buy (Eagles), buy (Tom Waits)

When I was seventeen, I bought this wonderful album "Extensions" by the Manhattan Transfer. One of my favourites was (and is) yet another travelling song, "Foreign Affair", written by, well, Tom Waits.

When travelling abroad in the continental style,
it's my belief one must attempt to be discreet,
and subsequently bear in mind your transient position
allows you a perspective that's unique

Listen, lyrics, buy (Manhattan Transfer), buy (Tom Waits)

The third one is actually sung by Tom Waits this time and is one of those rambling stories he does so well. "In The Neighbourhood", an ode to the small things.

There's a couple Filipino girls gigglin' by the church
And the window is busted and the landlord ain't home
And Butch joined the army, yeah, that's where he's been
And the jackhammer's digging up the sidewalks again

Listen, lyrics, buy

The last one by Tom Waits is sung by Holly Cole who I discovered through her album of Tom Waits covers, "Temptation". "Falling Down".

Go on down see that wrecking ball come swing in on her now
Everyone knew that hotel was a goner
They broke all the windows and took all the door knobs
And they hauled it away in a couple of days

Listen, lyrics, buy (Holly Cole), buy (Tom Waits)

This one is sung again by Holly Cole, it's written by Patty Larkin and it's one of those haunting stories that just stay with you forever. It's called "I Told Him That My Dog Wouldn't Run".

My friend said, was he always like that
I said yeah, but he was never this bad
I remember us playing for nickels and dimes
Out on the corner

Listen, lyrics, buy

The Bonus Track is "Lava" by 1. Futurologischer Kongreß. This was one of my favourite songs the last year in school and then I spent 22 years searching for it until I found it again.

Magma ist weich, nicht fest & hart
Magma ist weich, nicht fest & hart
Glut glüht rot, Asche ist weiß
Glut ist gut, wann kommt der Tag
wo der Boden aufbricht –

Listen, lyrics, buy