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one of my favorite song lyrics ever has always been from the song "i'd really love to see you tonight" by england dan and john ford coley. there's a line where the singer says "there's a warm wind blowing the stars around / and i'd really love to see you tonight" and i always loved the image and vibe of a warm wind blowing the stars around. i was really sad when i found out the lyric is actually "there's a warm wind blowing, the stars are out" :/
1d ago
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I really admire how he kept trying new things, routinely switching up his stylistic approach to explore the same set of themes, always sticking to his guns.
Here are some of his lyrics that have been on my mind lately:
✥ From 'Pleasures of the Harbor'
For love was but a smile
Teasing all the while
Now dancing down the drain
✥ From 'The Party'
The wallflower is waiting, she hides behind composure
She'd love to dance and prays that no one asks her
Then she steals a glance at lovers while her fingers tease her hair
And she marvels at the confidence of those who hide their fears
Then her eyes are closed as she rides away with a foreign legionnaire
And my shoulders had to shrug
As I crawl beneath the rug
And re-tune my piano
✥ From 'When I'm Gone'
And I won't breathe the bracing air when I'm gone
And I can't even worry 'bout my cares when I'm gone
Won't be asked to do my share when I'm gone
So I guess I'll have to do it while I'm here
✥ From 'There But For Fortune'
Show me a prison, show me a jail
Show me a prisoner whose face has gone pale
And I'll show you a young man with so many reasons why
And there but for fortune, may go you or I
Also 'Jim Dean of Indiana' is great example of how lyrics are animated by melody, phrasing and pacing. None of the lyrics of 'Jim Dean' particularly stand out when written down, but when heard the emotional build-up is so intense and heart-breaking. Every quiet blunt little line builds on the one that came before, culminating in the final gut-punch:
"That is where I placed a flower
For Jim Dean of Indiana"
It's the only time anything in the song is said in first person, let alone implies that the story has anything other than a distant omniscient point of view. It's just so sad!!
Anyways, give him a listen and lmk if you have any insight into the lyrical pit of despair that is 'When In Rome' lol
(Phil could get extremely pessimistic, would often write from the worst person in any scenario's perspective to really make you look at it straight in the face [eg: 'Outside Of A Small Circle Of Friends'*] and really loved writing about sailors. It can be a lot sometimes!)
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* "Maybe we should raise our voices, ask somebody why
But demonstrations are a drag, besides, we're much too high"
is another great line lol, get organized or get WRECKED
Jan 31, 2025
“Colors changing hue
Morning fields of amber grain
Weathered faces lined in pain
Are soothed beneath the artist's loving hand”
……
“Starry, starry night
Portraits hung in empty halls
Frameless heads on nameless walls
With eyes that watch the world and can't forget
Like the strangers that you've met
The ragged men in ragged clothes
The silver thorn of bloody rose
Lie crushed and broken on the virgin snow
Now, I think I know what you tried to say to me
How you suffered for your sanity
How you tried to set them free
They would not listen, they're not listening still
Perhaps they never will”
May 31, 2024
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‘Happiness Is A Warm Gun’
One of my favorite songs, and alot of Beatles’ fans least favorite song. The lyrics are so beautifully written and the song sounds ghostly when high. Written supposedly about a girl and sex, though moreso known for the song being about heroin on the DL. Another song with the same meanings is ’Golden Brown’ by The Stranglers, my absolute favorite song ever, written about a girl and heroin. Some of the most beautiful songs are written about heroin- or on heroin. im getting off track. I just want to ramble about this Beatles track. Im in love with this song, everything about it. The lyrics are so well written and the chorus breakdown fits so well, “I need a fix, im going down”, the lower harmonies and grittier instrumental. I’ve been there before, feel it in my bones, explains needing “a fix” perfectly musically.
“The man in the crowd with his multicolored mirrors on his hobnail boots, lying with his eyes while his hands are busy working overtime” You can envision it, you can envision them writing this song, you can feel the song. I try not to recommend classic rock or the beatles as it’s been told and recommended thousands and thousands of times but i think this is a unique one- something different. Give it a listen if you haven’t!
Mar 10, 2025
Top Recs from @dracula
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i will never get over polyvore shutting down. i used it obsessively and had hundreds of outfits made on it and mine were ARTFUL not like the stuff people say they saw on wattpad with like skinny jeans and converse and shit like mine were gorgeous. and then they shut down and i wasn't able to back up any of my stuff so i lost it all. HEARTBREAKINGGGGG
1d ago
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the man the myth the legend. the literal only person i watch on youtube. his vibes are pure and good and his quest is noble.
Jun 2, 2025
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there's a little stray kitty cat that i've been seeing around my house so i put some food out for it and the next day it was gone. today i saw the cat as i got home so i got more food and went outside and the cat was across the street. i shook the food in the bag and it heard it and turned around. i put the food out and went back inside and as soon as i was inside the cat came running over for the food. it was hungry! i tried to come outside for a pet but the cat started to run away so i stayed inside so it could eat in peace. i hope someday i can pet it
1d ago