Powerful Lyrics – 90’s Onward

In my opinion lyrics add the most substance to a song’s worth as art.. Unfortunately, most songs that have come out recently (well, for a while now) are just plain terrible. This of course is a subjective opinion, and if you don’t like it… well then you better not put a ring on it.

As a writer I am fascinated by words and stories, and songs often transcend mere storytelling by being textured with so many levels of passion. These levels include songwriting, melodies, harmonies, performance and the likes. I’ve put together a little list of 10 songs written since the 90’s (I don’t want to fight with Queen, Dylan or Lennon loyalists) that I think contain some of the best lyrics, and have shared my personal favourite lines as well. Give them a read and a listen, and feel free add to the list in the comments. There is obviously so much that I have missed.

 

I Sing I Swim – Seabear

I miss you, even when you’re around

I’m a black cloud,

Sending lightning to the ground.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6pWTVwoecog

 

Dress Up in You – Belle and Sebastian

If I could have a second skin

I’d probably dress up in you.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FeZpmL-7t1k

 

Talk Tonight – Oasis

All your dreams are made

Of strawberry lemonade

And you make sure I eat today

You take me, walking

To where you played when you were young.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UO50RIPMKVM

 

Another Universe – Arno Carstens

From the galaxy of blues

To a universe we choose

No more crying and just maybe

Somebody to hold.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9mIgEk0FEgk

 

Wolves in the Garden – The Deadly Syndrome

I know I could have saved us

But we’d have never known this day

If this is where we had to go

Well then I’m glad we went this way.

 

All that’s left to see is

What kind of flowers we’ll become

I’m sure we’ll be the kind that

Bring children out into the sun

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hySgokS4-E

 

Modern Jesus – Portugal. The Man

You don’t need sympathy

They got a pill for everything

 

And when the wave approaches

Take our ashes to the ocean

Who cares if hell awaits?

We’re having drinks at heaven’s gate.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q8e1sSNsf44

 

Paranoid Android – Radiohead

When I am king, you will be first against the wall

With your opinion which is of no consequence at all.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sPLEbAVjiLA

 

Skinny Love – Bon Iver

And I told you to be patient,

And I told you to be fine,

And I told you to be balanced,

And I told you to be kind,

And now all your love is wasted,

Then who the hell was I?

‘Cause now I’m breaking at the britches,

And at the end of all your lines.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ssdgFoHLwnk

 

New Slang – The Shins

New slang when you notice the stripes, the dirt in your fries.

Hope it’s right when you die, old and bony.

Dawn breaks like a bull through the hall,

never should’ve called.

But my head’s to the wall and I’m lonely.

 

I’m looking in on the good life I might be doomed never to find.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pffMwC__qDs

 

The Whole Damn Song – Gold Day, Sparklehorse

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gPebVnhR_D0