Great Songs that Tell a Story

Hello, I am Mrs.NonSpecific,

I am compiling a list of great songs that tell a story. They must have a beginning, a middle and an end. No musicals please. To give you an idea 'Boy Named Sue' by Johnny Cash,'Ode to Billie Joe' by Bobby Gentry. 'The Gambler'-Kenny Rogers.

Suggestions please.

'Operator' (That's Not the Way It Feels) - Jim Croce, 1972

how about almost everything by tom waits or nick cave?

there are so many it would be hard to pick, but here are tow to get you started:

These are some of my favorites

Yes. that is the kind of thing I am thinking of! Only a man that looked like that could have had a music career in the 70s. But Bizzarely, it made me think of 'Up the Junction' by Squeeze. Hmmm... I have no idea why.



a reply to: notmyrealname

I enjoy the story songs too! One that immediately comes to mind is "One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer". Lord, she was lovey-dovey ;-)

Bob Dylan the Hurricane. About a heavy weight boxer framed for a murder.

a reply to: nonspecific

Normally, I am more of a rocker, but this is one of the best Country love story/ballads ever - don't know what made me think of it today, but have a hankie ready -

Kathy Mattea - Where've You Been:

Here is another one by the Beatles

*clank clank*

These are awesome choices!

reply to: Darkblade71

This one has always been my Favorite:

Eminem - Stan

No one said The Bohemian Rhapsody...one of my favorite songs.

I love Jimmy Buffett most of his songs tell stories.



Nice to listen to with a glass of wine.

You were right. A hankie was needed, I had to stop it. Who sings it so I can look for her on Spotify?

a reply to: Missmissie173

a reply to: nonspecific

I love all those old style folk songs

Tir Nir Nog - Tir Nir Nog


The Pentangle - Cruel Sister


Mr Fox - Mr Fox

A Beatlkes track I have never heard. A very welcome disocvery. a reply to: Darkblade71

You've painted up your lips
And rolled and curled your tinted hair
Ruby are you contemplating
Going out somewhere
The shadow on the wall
Tells me the sun is going down
Oh Ruby
Don't take your love to town

It wasn't me
That started that crazy Asian war
But I was proud to go
And do my patriotic chore
And yes, it's true that
I'm not the man I used to be
Oh, Ruby I still need some company
It's hard to love a man
Whose legs are bent and paralyzed
That my wants and needs of a woman of your age
Ruby, I realized
Oh Ruby
Don't take your love to town

She's leaving now cause
I just heard the slamming of the door
The way I know I've heard it
Some 100 times before
And if I could move I'd get my gun
And put her in the ground
Oh Ruby
Don't take your love to town
Oh Ruby for God's sake turn around




Joey, baby,
Don't get crazy
Detours, fences
I get defensive

I know you've heard it all before
So I don't say it anymore
I just stand by and let you
Fight your secret war

And though I used to wonder why
I used to cry till I was dry
Still sometimes I get a strange pain inside
Oh Joey if you're hurting so am I

Joey, honey,
I've got the money
All is forgiven. Listen, listen

But if I seem to be confused
I didn't mean to be with you.
And when you said I scared you
Well, I guess you scared me too
But we got lucky once before
And I don't want to close the door
And if you're somewhere out there
Passed out on the floor...

Oh...
Joey, I'm not angry anymore

And if I seem to be confused
I didn't mean to be with you.
And when you said I scared you
Well I guess you scared me too...

But if it's love you're looking for
Then I can give a little more
And if you're somewhere drunk and
Passed out on the floor...

Oh...
Joey, I'm not angry anymore
Angry anymore, angry anymore

How thick do I feel now? that that song never even entered my mind. :S

a reply to: wwe9112

a reply to: nonspecific

Any specific genre? Here's a couple that I really like--hopefully you do, too:





And to follow that with a remake of that song



There's just a couple for ya...some I don't think that anyone else on here would ever post.