I Need Help Finding Powerful Songs!

[ImagesAndWords]

Dream Theater FTW

If you want thought-provoking and intelligent, powerful lyrics combined with moving music, look no further than pretty much the entire discography of Dream Theater.

IMO, Their masterpiece "Images And Words" should be mandatory in any music or philosophy class.

My favourite mini-review on Amazon;

The listener finds himself interactively engaged with the music, craving a deeper understanding of the lyrics, wanting to decipher the difficult musical passages, and trying to imagine himself as a character in the dramatic scenes that are playing out. Yes, the “images and words” brought forth by this music transports the imaginative listener to a “dream theater.” Like the near-perfect details in these songs, the names of the CD and the band were not chosen by accident.

There are too many songs of them to mention here, but get started with:

Surrounded

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kKAkreYSns4"]Metropolis, Part 1[/ame]

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JDGSvbpB9Kg"]Voices[/ame]

 

[lolwut]

Hello friend,
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-NOZU2iPA8"]YouTube - Jesus Is My Friend by Sonseed[/ame]

Chorus:
Jesus is a friend of mine
Jesus is my friend
Jesus is a friend of mine
I have a friend in Jesus
Jesus is a friend of mine
Jesus is my friend
I have a friend in Jesus


He taught me how to live my life as it should be
He taught me how to turn my cheek when people laugh at me
I've had friends before and can tell you that
he is one who'll never leave you flat


He taught me how to pray and how to save my soul
He taught me how to praise my god and still play rock and roll
The music may sound different but the message is the same
Its just an instrument to praise his name


Once I tried to run, I tried to run and hide
But jesus came and found me and he touched me down inside
He is like a mountie. He always gets his man
And he'll zap you anyway he can


Zap!


He loves me when I'm right; He loves me when I'm wrong
He loves me when I waste my time by writing silly songs
He loves me when I'm quiet and I have nothing to say
He loves me when I'm perfect if I ever get that way


Ooh!

Good luck Bro.

 

[InternetAuthor]

Thanks for the idea everyone - it will take some time to go through all of these. Since I'm doing junior high, not college, the lyrics have to tell a discernible story - not just inspire emotion. And, of course, all racial slurs are out. :ugone2far:

I used to listen to tons of rock in the pre-kid days, but every time I try to think of something that tells a story I wind up with implied messages of masturbation, prostitutes, biting the recess lady's breast, or "fuck the man" where the lyrics actually include a "fuck you, I won't do what you tell me!" kind of theme.

Oh, and I am very aware that there are powerful lyrics everywhere. The ones in country and folk are just so much easier to understand for 15-year-olds who are still reading on a third grade level. That's why finding meaningful stories, not just allegory and symbolism in rock can be so tricky.

Thanks again!