Powerful and Meaningful Songs

[Moby]

What are the most powerful and meaningful songs you have come across? Songs that have a strong story behind them and really put you in an emotional state.

I would say The Show Must Go On by Queen would be one of such. The state in which Freddie was when he recorded that, with the song echoing his situation and feelings at that point. A really touching song.

 

[kps88]

I heard that song at a strip club and it has forever ruined it for me.

 

[Twigg]

Good thread. It's a tricky one though, there are far too many to choose from.

Cheesy as this one is, it's bloody great.




Just personal taste, don't forget. Eminem might be a bit of a controversial one but I can't get enough of that song.

 

[ha_rooney]

 

[Keenst]

Townes was a real tortured genius. If you read about his life you'll see just how personal and honest songs are.

 

[Joemo]

I like Aeroplanes by Local Natives. I don't find it particularly sad really, but it's a good song about the lead singer's inability to meet his grandfather.

 

[Bebe]

 

[sullydnl]

Strange Fruit by Billie Holliday is definitely both powerful and meaningful.

 

[Skywarden]

Tough one. Lately I've been absolutely stunned by this beauty:

Virgin Black - Kyrie

It's just so beautifully crafted with inter-plays between the tenor and the mezzo-soprano. Lyrically it's a bit thin but grievingly beautiful.

Spoiler

The hour of parting is at hand
Sorrow ever awaits on joy
And has rendered me to (pieces)
Drink me deep
O death devour
Cover me with darkness
And paint me like death
I drown in remembrance
Sorrow ever awaits on joy
And has rendered me to (pieces)
Requiem, Kyrie, requiem
I drown in remembrance
Sorrow ever awaits on joy
And has rendered me to (pieces)
Requiem, Kyrie, requiem.

 

[Wittmann45]

Nutshell and Would? by Alice in Chains

Indifference by Pearl Jam - just the melody of that song sucks you in

Blue Christmas - Elvis. Was played at my uncle's funeral, was really close to him, he died way too young, and in December. Elvis was his favorite and that was his favorite Christmas song. So its emotion of a personal level, not an artistic one, but still

The Rain Song - Led Zeppelin. Don't know the message but the melody is just enthralling. Plus its probably one of the few real original creations by the band, so that's a positive as well

Landslide - again, cheesy, but both the Stevie Nicks version and the Smashing Pumpkins versions are good

Smashing Pumpkins have a few good ones too. Not the biggest fan of the band, but 1979 and Tonight are both moving. Was amazed to learn that "Today" is about a suicide attempt; it changed my whole perception of the song.

Nuvole Bianche - Ludovico Einaudi

Also a song called "Tomorrow" by Salif Keita. It was used in "Ali" for the final fight. Really powerful scene. Amazing song. Lots of songs I guess are emotional to me because of their attachment to particular movies. Like "Raglan Road" from In Bruges. That scene is quite sad, plus when I actually got around to listening to the lyrics, it became personal, as I'm sure it would be for anyone.

 

[Keenst]

Like "Raglan Road" from In Bruges. That scene is quite sad, plus when I actually got around to listening to the lyrics, it became personal, as I'm sure it would be for anyone.

Was going to post this. What a song.

Spoiler: Lyrics

On Raglan Road of an autumn day I saw her first and knew
That her dark hair would weave a snare that I might one day rue;
I saw the danger, and I passed along the enchanted way,
And I said, let grief be a fallen leaf at the dawning of the day.

On Grafton Street in November we tripped lightly along the ledge
Of the deep ravine where can be seen the worth of passion's pledge,
The Queen of Hearts still making tarts and I not making hay -
Oh I loved too much and by such by such is happiness thrown away.

I gave her gifts of the mind, I gave her the secret sign
That's knownTo the artists who have known the true gods of sound and stone
And word and tint without stint for I gave her poems to say.
With her own name there and her own dark hair like clouds over fields of May

On a quiet street where old ghosts meet I see her walking now
Away from me so hurriedly my reason must allow
That I had loved not as I should a creature made of clay -
When the angel woos the play he'd lose his wings at the dawning of the day.

 

[The Don]

 

[sammymc]

Was going to post this. What a song.

Spoiler: Lyrics

On Raglan Road of an autumn day I saw her first and knew
That her dark hair would weave a snare that I might one day rue;
I saw the danger, and I passed along the enchanted way,
And I said, let grief be a fallen leaf at the dawning of the day.

On Grafton Street in November we tripped lightly along the ledge
Of the deep ravine where can be seen the worth of passion's pledge,
The Queen of Hearts still making tarts and I not making hay -
Oh I loved too much and by such by such is happiness thrown away.

I gave her gifts of the mind, I gave her the secret sign
That's knownTo the artists who have known the true gods of sound and stone
And word and tint without stint for I gave her poems to say.
With her own name there and her own dark hair like clouds over fields of May

On a quiet street where old ghosts meet I see her walking now
Away from me so hurriedly my reason must allow
That I had loved not as I should a creature made of clay -
When the angel woos the play he'd lose his wings at the dawning of the day.

 

[sammymc]

written by Phil Coulter about his son who had been born with Downs.

 

[Dante]