Thursday, January 15, 2009

BTT - Songs of heart & mind

This week it's all about those songs that speak to our soul.

If you’re anything like me, there are songs that you love because of their lyrics; writers you admire because their songs have depth, meaning, or just a sheer playfulness that has nothing to do with the tunes.

So, today’s question?

* What songs … either specific songs, or songs in general by a specific group or writer … have words that you love?
* Why?
* And … do the tunes that go with the fantastic lyrics live up to them?

One word answer: nightswimming.

My favorite singer-songwriters: Bob Dylan (did you read the novel "The Dylanist?" I'm a Dylanist), Joni Mitchell reigns supreme, Patty Griffin, Greg Brown, Paul Simon, U2, Steve Earle, Leonard Cohen, Gillian Welch, The Beatles! with a special soft spot for George Harrison, Elvis Costello, Lucinda Williams, Pete Townsend, Ryan Adams, Sting ... and R.E.M. of course!

[via Deb @ Booking Through Thursday]

14 comments:

NoBS said...

My all time favorite Beatles song is "Here There and Everywhere".

"To lead a better life, I need my love to be here.
Here, making each day of the year,
Changing my life with a wave of her hand.
Nobody can deny that there's something there.
There, running my hands through her hair,
Both of us thinking how good it can be.
Someone is speaking but she doesn't know he's there.
I want her ev'rywhere, and if she's beside me I know I need never care,
But to love her is to meet her ev'rywhere,
Knowing that love is to share,
Each one believing that love never dies,
Watching her eyes and hoping I'm always there.
To be there and ev'rywhere,
Here, there and ev'rywhere."

Eidin said...

Oh, yes! Sweet song...

Here, There & Everywhere for your YouTube pleasure.

Anonymous said...

Dylan is the King. Definitely agree with U2 and R.E.M. too. Happy BTT!

http://www.ddubsreads.com/DDubsReads/Blog/Entries/2009/1/15_Booking_Through_Thursday%3A_Sing!_Sing_a_song....html

Anonymous said...

Haha I'm not sure - I only remembered because I had a Marley shirt on already!

Anonymous said...

I love your taste in music! I was thinking about fields of gold when I wrote my answer. Also bob Dylan and Joni Mitchell both hold very special places in my heart!

Anonymous said...

Great choices. I narrowed mine down to just Elvis Costello then one album then one song. Some questions are fun and easy!
http://nonsuchbook.typepad.com/nonsuch_book/2009/01/booking-through-thursday-sing-sing-a-song.html

Anonymous said...

Oh, such fabulous songwriters! It truly is a gift...

Beth F said...

Excellent, excellent list of songwriters. And thanks for the link to Nanci Griffith. I've seen her in concert about 3 times now. The YouTube clip was especially nice.

Kathy W said...

Yeap excellent choices. I love listening to U2 and Sting.

Chrisbookarama said...

Great list!

claire said...

Great great list! We both love nightswimming.. but I think you love it more, judging from your blog title. :D
Besides U2 and REM, I also love Sting.

Anonymous said...

I'll take U2, Elvis Costello and REM, but I'm afraid you're going to have to keep Dylan.

Anonymous said...

nice answer. thanks for peeking into mine.

pam said...

For some reason, I usually listen to women when given the choice...Patsy Cline, Joni Mitchell, Diana Krall, and lots more that I just can't think of right now!