A witty saying proves nothing

[BrassDragon]

Some of the Rush lyrics have been posted twice now in this thread. Seems like Rush has quite a following here.

My challenge from earlier still stands:

Anybody recognize what my avatar is from? If you do, I'll give you a digital smile...

[Quin]

Rush in Rio advertisements I believe.

I'm terribly sorry about the reposts, I suppose I should have looked through the thread more closely. I'm not surprised about the following that is here though. Their lyrics reflect objectivist beliefs and anyone who knows much about music can recognize the huge ability that the band has.

[BrassDragon]

Hey, I don't mind seeing the lyrics twice

[Tenure]

Ok, I found an old song in iTunes library, which is just superb. It's set to a swing beat too which just really emphasis the life of it. I believe it is by Sammy Davis Junior, and I mean, just look at that cat:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/comm...vis_Jr_1989.jpg

Anyway, the actual song, "I've gotta be me":

Whether I'm right or whether I'm wrong

Whether I find a place in this world or never belong

I gotta be me, I've gotta be me

What else can I be but what I am

I want to live, not merely survive

And I won't give up this dream

Of life that keeps me alive

I gotta be me, I gotta be me

The dream that I see makes me what I am

That far-away prize, a world of success

Is waiting for me if I heed the call

I won't settle down, won't settle for less

As long as there's a chance that I can have it all

I'll go it alone, that's how it must be

I can't be right for somebody else

If I'm not right for me

I gotta be free, I've gotta be free

Daring to try, to do it or die

I've gotta be me

I'll go it alone, that's how it must be

I can't be right for somebody else

If I'm not right for me

I gotta be free, I just gotta be free

Daring to try, to do it or die

I gotta be me

Edited August 3, 2007 by Tenure

[kufa]

I love these ones:

Fate

Up against your will

Through the thick and thin

He will wait until

You give yourself to him

and these, I don't care what anybody says, ROCK!!!

Don't let no small frustration

Ever bring you down...

No, no, no, no!

Just take a situation

And turn it all around!

With a new attitude, everything can change

Make it how ya want it to be

Staying mad, why do that... give yourself a break

Laugh about it and you'll see!

Chorus #1:

Life's what you make it,

So lets make it rock

make it rock

Life's what you make it

So Come on, come on.... come on

EVERYBODY NOW!

aye aye aye oh aye aye, aaaaaye

Why be sad, broken hearted

There's so much to do...

yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah!

Life is hard or it's a party

The choice is up to you

With a new attitude, everything can change

Make it how ya want it to be

Staying sad, why do that, give yourself a break

I know you wanna party with me...

Chorus #2:

Life's what you make it

So Let's make it rock

Life's what you make it so come on, come on, come on

Everybody now

[Life's What You Make It lyrics on http://www.metrolyrics.com]

Let's celebrate it, join in everyone

You Decide

Cause life's...what you make it!

BRIDGE:

Things are lookin' up

Any time you want

All ya gotta do is realize that

It's under your control

So let the good times Rock and Roll!

OW!

come on everybody

(Guitar Break)

Do do do do it now!

Aaaaaaah ow!

Alright!

lets get this party started

Yeah yeah yeah

now thats a party

yeah yeah.

Chorus #2

Life's what you make it

So Let's make it rock

(Lets make it rock!)

Life's what you make it

So come on, come on, come on

EVERYBODY NOW!

Lets celebrate it

Join in everyone

You decide cause life's... what you make it

Life is what you make it!

[Groovenstein]

Our guitarist--also the primary songwriter--writes some cool lyrics. In "Walk the World in Chains" he identifies the evil of an oppressor. The chorus and bridge:

That's why you want to see me

walk the world in chains

That's why you want to hear me beg you

for a bullet to my brain

Maybe you hate me

or just feel bigger near my pain

And you'd give your dying breath to see me

walk the world in chains

You'd turn cities to dust

You'd have engines sit and rust

But I won't stand and watch

That's why you want to see me . . .

The theme of "I'll Find You" is someone who's not quite ready for a relationship with a particular person, and he's telling the person that when he's ready he will seek them out. The lyrics are not as obvious about the theme, however it's filled with very interesting phrases. The first verse especially creates a great sense of mystery. Here are the first verse, chorus, and second verse:

My driver will pick you up

You'll have to put a blindfold on

I don't like people knowing where I live

You can feel the turning in your body

and count the seconds in your head

but you'll never find your way back here

I'll find you in the Dublin fog outside the chapterhouse

I'll find you in that hidden room you think nobody knows about

Where reptiles fill the streets

Where you tremble in your sleep

and from fractals to monochrome

I'll find you

The gates may open slow

They haven't swung that way for years

But inside you'll find the grounds are well maintained

There is no secret password to unlock some secret door

You can walk the gardens and roam the hallways

but there is simply nothing more

I'll find you . . .

Finally, I must give tremendous props to John Mayer's work on his "Room for Squares" album. That album is chock full of great lyrics. "Your Body is a Wonderland" is among his best work. Here's the second verse:

Something about the way your hair falls in your face

I love the shape you take when crawling towards the pillowcase

You tell me where to go and though I might leave to find it

I'll never let your head hit the bed without my hand behind it

[TheEgoist]

Anti-heros - Dignity

Dignity is a matter of self-respect, gotta be what you are not what others expect

His spirit was strong, he had no shame, for the political slime that was to blame

They beat him no matter what he said, Couldn't destroy what was in his head

He was the object of hate and anger, What didn't destroy him made him stronger

Summertime for the kids on the street, they're laughing, learning and running from the police

They won't accept mediocrity, They won't let others control their destiny

Wherever it is you go from here, Your fault if you are controlled by fear

You're lucky as hell to live so free, So stand and fight for your dignity

[Styles2112]

Some of the Rush lyrics have been posted twice now in this thread. Seems like Rush has quite a following here.

My challenge from earlier still stands:

I didn't see the challenge until today. It's either from The Rush in Rio CD/DVD (which is what I think it is) or from one of the Snakes and Arrows liner notes (to which the Dragon makes another appearance. I think more the former, though.

[Gabo]

Two by Talking Heads. First, their anti-environmentalism anthem:

Talking Heads- (Nothing but) Flowers

Here we stand

Like an Adam and an Eve

Waterfalls

The Garden of Eden

Two fools in love

So beautiful and strong

The birds in the trees

Are smiling upon them

From the age of the dinosaurs

Cars have run on gasoline

Where, where have they gone?

Now, it's nothing but flowers

There was a factory

Now there are mountains and rivers

you got it, you got it

We caught a rattlesnake

Now we got something for dinner

we got it, we got it

There was a shopping mall

Now it's all covered with flowers

you've got it, you've got it

If this is paradise

I wish I had a lawnmower

you've got it, you've got it

Years ago

I was an angry young man

I'd pretend

That I was a billboard

Standing tall

By the side of the road

I fell in love

With a beautiful highway

This used to be real estate

Now it's only fields and trees

Where, where is the town

Now, it's nothing but flowers

The highways and cars

Were sacrificed for agriculture

I thought that we'd start over

But I guess I was wrong

Once there were parking lots

Now it's a peaceful oasis

you got it, you got it

This was a Pizza Hut

Now it's all covered with daisies

you got it, you got it

I miss the honky tonks,

Dairy Queens, and 7-Elevens

you got it, you got it

And as things fell apart

Nobody paid much attention

you got it, you got it

I dream of cherry pies,

Candy bars, and chocolate chip cookies

you got it, you got it

We used to microwave

Now we just eat nuts and berries

you got it, you got it

This was a discount store,

Now it's turned into a cornfield

you got it, you got it

Don't leave me stranded here

I can't get used to this lifestyle

And then, "No Compassion":

Talking Heads- No Compassion

In a world

where people have problems

In this world

where decisions are a way of life

Other people's problems they overwhelm my mind

They say compassion is a virtue, but I don't have the time

So many people...have their problems

I'm not interested...in their problems

I guess I've...experienced some problems

But now I've...made some decisions

Takes a lot of time to push away the nonsense

Take my compassion...Push it as far as it goes

My interest level's dropping, my interest level is dropping

I've heard all I want to, I don't want to hear any more

What are you, in love with your problems?

I think you take it...a little too far

It's...not so cool to have so many problems

But don't expect me to explain your indecisions

Go...talk to your analyst, isn't that what they're paid for

You walk, you talk...You still function like you used to

It's not a question...Of your personality or style

Be a little more selfish, it might do you some good

[Gabo]

Finally, a love song per excellence:

Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds- Into my Arms

I don't believe in an interventionist God

But I know, darling, that you do

But if I did I would kneel down and ask Him

Not to intervene when it came to you

Not to touch a hair on your head

To leave you as you are

And if He felt He had to direct you

Then direct you into my arms

And I don't believe in the existence of angels

But looking at you I wonder if that's true

But if I did I would summon them together

And ask them to watch over you

To each burn a candle for you

To make bright and clear your path

And to walk, like Christ, in grace and love

And guide you into my arms

[BrassDragon]

I didn't see the challenge until today. It's either from The Rush in Rio CD/DVD (which is what I think it is) or from one of the Snakes and Arrows liner notes (to which the Dragon makes another appearance. I think more the former, though.

Correct, it's from the Rush in Rio DVD (actually, I got it from YouTube). I'm pretty sure somebody already guessed this in the chat (possibly K-Mac). Anyway, way to go!

[intellectualammo]

This has been my favorite song for a while now. I am very picky with who sings this too, my favorite interpretation of Les Miserables, "On My Own" is by Frances Ruffelle:

And now I'm all alone again

Nowhere to turn, no one to go to.

Without a home, without a friend

without a face to say hello to

But now the night is near

And I can make-believe he's here

Sometimes I walk alone at night

When everybody else is sleeping

I think of him and then I'm happy

With the company I'm keeping

The city goes to bed

And I can live inside my head

On my own

Pretending he's beside me

All alone

I walk with him 'til morning

Without him, I feel his arms around me

And when I lose my way, I close my eyes and he has found me

In the rain

The pavement shines like silver

All the lights are misty in the river

In the darkness, the trees are full of starlight

And all I see is him and me forever and forever

And I know it's only in my mind

That I'm talking to myself and not to him

And although I know that he is blind

Still I say there's a way for us

I love him

But when the night is over

He is gone

The river's just a river

Without him, the world around me changes

The trees are bare and everywhere the streets are full of strangers

I love him

But every day I'm lonely

All my life I've only been pretending

Without me, his world will go on turning

The world is full of happiness that I have never known

I love him

I love him

I love him...

But only on my own...

side note: I have never read any of Hugo's works, nor have I ever seen Les Miserables, nor have I listenend to any other track off of Les Miserables.

Edited October 28, 2007 by intellectualammo

[BrassDragon]

intellectualammo... I really like that song... but some of the others from the soundtrack are even better! Buy it and check out "One Day More" and the finale.

[Thales]

intellectualammo... I really like that song... but some of the others from the soundtrack are even better! Buy it and check out "One Day More" and the finale.

I love the duet, or more like a duel, between Javert and Valjean "I'm a greater man by far"... etc. . That was a great song. But, for pure musical enjoyability, "Empty Chairs and Empty Tables" was my favorite.

Hey, here it is. This guy has a fantastic voice:

Empty Chairs and Empty Tables

[intellectualammo]

intellectualammo... I really like that song... but some of the others from the soundtrack are even better! Buy it and check out "One Day More" and the finale.

Better ones than that? Oh, my I must look further into it! Thanks! Though I won't go near the Lea Salonga one, I want the 1987 one. Do any of you have an interpretation that you particularly enjoy?

Edited October 28, 2007 by intellectualammo

[BrassDragon]

The "Empty Chairs and Empty Tables" you linked to is wonderful musically, Thales, but I find it to be too sad for my liking...

I found versions of the songs I mentioned on YouTube, but they're not nearly as well done as on the recordings I have on my computer.

intellectualammo, definitely read the book when you get a chance!

Edited October 28, 2007 by BrassDragon

[Tenure]

Suprisingly, these rather 'Shrugged' style lyrics come from Linkin Park:

Are you lost, In your lies?

Do you tell yourself, I don't realize?

Your crusade's a disguise

Replace freedom with fear,

You trade money for lives.

I'm aware of what you've done.

No, no more sorrow.

I've paid for your mistakes.

Your time is borrowed.

Your time has come to be replaced

I see pain, I see need.

I see liars and thieves,

Abuse power with greed.

I had hope, I believed.

But I'm beginning to think that I've been deceived.

You will pay for what you've done.

Edited October 28, 2007 by Tenure

[TheEgoist]

Have Heart - Armed With a Mind

Its the absent minded fool who's afraid to think,

to extend an open hand,

to dare to earn a thing.

its the gift inside our heads not to take for granted..

because an unexamined life is a seed unplanted.

as the animals, they cant reason

but as humans we can.

so are you just a wild animal or a rational man?

our bodies bring us nowhere, might does NOT make right.

theres a gift inside your head

[TheEgoist]

Korpiklaani - Hide Your Riches

If you have the lasting happiness

And the peace in your heart

Then you have to hide your riches

From the hungry hunters,

Away from the filthy animals,

Out of snakes' reach

[LiberTodd]

Atheist - No Truth (this is a great one )

I am my own self-ruler

I need not any ministry

I see our music scares you

Can't you see that...

There's no truth in modern religion, a god we do not praise

There's no truth in heaven or hell or what lies between

There's no truth in a man-made bible, so who are they to say?

There's no truth, we are our own god and that's the only way

People live their lives

By something never seen

Dreaming all their lives

Of a place they've never been

Why can't you see live a lie?

Humor yourself until you die

We're atheist as you can see

We control all our eyes can see

Edited May 4, 2008 by LiberTodd

[Adjutor]

I like this verse from Nine Inch Nails - Right Where it Belongs:

What if all the world's inside of your head

Just creations of your own?

Your devils and your gods

All the living and the dead

And you're really all alone?

You can live in this illusion

You can choose to believe

You keep looking but you can't find the woods

While you're hiding in the trees

[Dr. Radiaki]

If I may post soley as a Cubs fan(with no reflection on my other values), from the immortal Pink Floyd:

I cant explain, you would not understand.

This is not how I am.

I have become comfortably numb.

[adrock3215]

Here's one from a hip-hop artist to get you guys stirred up. Song is called 'No Regrets' by Aesop Rock...

Lucy was 7 and wore a head of blue barettes

City born, into this world with no knowledge and no regrets

Had a piece of yellow chalk with which she'd draw upon the street

The many faces of the various locals that she would meet

There was joshua, age 10

Bully of the block

Who always took her milk money at the morning bus stop

There was Mrs. Crabtree, and her poodle

She always gave a wave and holler on her weekly trip down to the bingo parlor

And she drew

Men, women, kids, sunsets, clouds

And she drew

Skyscrapers, fruit stands, cities, towns

Always said hello to passers-by

They'd ask her why she passed her time

Attachin lines to concrete

But she would only smile

Now all the other children living in or near her building

Ran around like tyrants, soaking up the open fire hydrants

They would say

'Hey little Lucy, wanna come jump double dutch?'

Lucy would pause, look, grin and say

'I'm busy, thank you much'

Well, well, one year passed

And believe it or not

She covered every last inch of the entire sidewalk,

And she stopped

'Lucy, after all this, you're just giving in today?'

She said:

'I'm not giving in, I'm finished,' and walked away

Now Lucy was 37, an introverted someone

Basement apartment in the same building she grew up in

She traded in her blue barettes for long locks held up with a clip

Traded in her yellow chalk for charcoal sticks

And she drew

Little bobby who would come to sweep the porch

And she drew

The mailman, delivered everyday at 4

Lucy had very little contact with the folks outside her cubicle day

But she found it suitable, and she liked it that way

She had a man now: Rico, similar, hermit

They would only see each other once or twice a week on purpose

They appreciated space and Rico was an artist too

So they'd connect on saturdays to share the pictures that they drew

Now every month or so, she'd get a knock upon the front door

Just one of the neighbors,

Actin nice, although she was a strange girl, really

Say, 'Lucy, wanna join me for some lunch??'

Lucy would smile and say 'I'm busy, thank you much'

And they would make a weird face the second the door shut

And run and tell their friends how truly crazy Lucy was

And lucy knew what people thought but didn't care

Cuz while they spread their rumors through the street

She'd paint another masterpiece

Lucy was 87, upon her death bed

At the senior home, where she had previously checked in

Traded in the locks and clips for a head rest

Traded in the charcoal sticks for arthritis, it had to happen

And she drew no more, just sat and watched the dawn

Had a television in the room that she'd never turned on

Lucy pinned up a life worth's of pictures on the wall

And sat and smiled, looked each one over, just to laugh at it all

No Rico, he had passed, 'bout 5 years back

So the visiting hours pulled in a big flock o' nothin

She'd never spoken once throughout the spanning of her life

Until the day she leaned forward, grinned and pulled the nurse aside

And she said:

'Look, I've never had a dream in my life

Because a dream is what you wanna do, but still haven't pursued

I knew what I wanted and did it till it was done

So I've been the dream that I wanted to be since day one!'

Well!

The nurse jumped back,

She'd never heard Lucy even talk,

'Specially words like that

She walked over to the door, and pulled it closed behind

Then Lucy blew a kiss to each one of her pictures

And she died.

[gears/motion]

I'm rather surprised to find Bad Religion fans on this forum. The music and anti-authoritarian lyrics are pretty good but they can get a bit socialistic at times.

One of my all time favourite band would be Ween recently produced this

"i can build an aeroplane

that travels over land

i can take your DNA

and replicate a man

i can do so many things

with my OWN BARE HANDS"

It was awesome live. Everyone throwing their palms open in the air in a celebration of self reliance.

Edited May 8, 2008 by gears/motion

[TheEgoist]

I grew up on Bad Religion and I've learned to ignore the Socialism.