Sunday Song(s): Tunes that Tell a Story

Many of my favorite songs are ones that tell stories -- whether of happiness or grief. While driving around Detroit yesterday, my mom and I brainstormed some of our favorite songs that tell stories. Here's my top ten, in no particular order:

Johnny Cash - A Boy Named Sue

This song tells a moving tale of a young man's quest for revenge on an absent father whose only contribution to his entire life was naming him Sue. Fun fact: The lyrics were actually written by children's author, Shel Silverstein.

The Eagles - Hotel California

This easily may take the cake as one of my fave songs EVER (esp. for driving), but for the purpose of the list, it tells a great, creepy story...Is it about hell? Drugs? Death? I guess it's all in the ears of the listener...

Tim McGraw - Don't Take The Girl

Ok, Ok, this one is damn sappy. But the lyrics, oh the lyrics...so sweet, so real, so country. Beware: Kleenex is absolutely necessary.

David Ball - Riding with Private Malone

Listen to the lyrics carefully. If this song doesn't give you the chills, I don't know what will!

Gordon Lightfoot - The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald

Ain't nothing like the real thing baby...this tune recounts the story of the great ship sinking in Lake Superior in 1975.

Trisha Yearwood - She's In Love With The Boy

Just a simple country tune that proves what's meant to be will always find a way.

Harry Chapin - Cats in the Cradle

This song tells the story of a man who doesn't have time for his kid, the kid grows up and then he doesn't have time for his old man. It serves as a reminder to us all about the importance of making time for loved ones.

Bob Dylan - Hurricane

Hurricane is a 1976 protest song co-written by Bob Dylan about the imprisonment of famed boxer Rubin "Hurricane" Carter. It describes alleged acts of racism and profiling against Carter, which Dylan describes in the song as leading to a false trial and conviction. Very controversial song for its time.

Reba McEntire - Fancy

One of Reba's finest, although it wasn't orginally performed/written by her. The song tells the sad tale of an impoverished mother whose husband has recently abandoned the family. She buys her daughter a red dress and encourages her to "be nice to the gentleman" (implying prostitution) as a way to make money.

Don McLean - American Pie

Classic song. Who knows what the real meaning is, but that's half the fun! Many say it's dedicated to Buddy Holly...but there are many other singer/band references (Beatles, Bob Dylan, Mick Jagger, etc.).

Anyone out there have ideas for songs that tell great stories?