Quote: Tim Walker @ July 21 2009, 9:19 PM BSTBetween Marx and Marzipan in the dictionary there was Mary
Between the Deep Blue Sea and the Devil that was me
Great pick Tim - that's one of my favourite opening couplets. There are quite a few great Billy Bragg story songs - I like his version of Walk Away Renee.
And with a great BB segue, how about She's Leaving Home by the Beatles as a great story song?
Some good suggestions so far. I'll add (i think - been scan-reading most threads to try and catch up!) these, which spring most immediately to mind.
Famous Blue Raincoat - Leonard Cohen
Down in the Tube Station at Midnight - The Jam (if only for the line, 'they've took the keys, she'll think it's me.')
The Saturday Boy - Billy Bragg
This popped up on my ipod the other day. It's the 'Country Death Song' by the Violent Femmes. I remember loving it when I was a teenager but I was also into Joy Division, so I guess it's quite light hearted in comparison. Enjoy!
I had me a wife, I had me some daughters.
I tried so hard, I never knew still waters.
Nothing to eat and nothing to drink.
Nothing for a man to do but sit around and think.
Well, Im a thinkin and thinkin, till theres nothin I aint thunk.
Breathing in the stink, till finally I stunk.
It was at that time, I swear I lost my mind.
I started making plans to kill my own kind.
Come little daughter, I said to the youngest one,
Put your coat on, well have some fun.
Well go out to mountains, the one to explore.
Her face then lit up, I was standing by the door.
Come little daughter, I will carry the lanterns.
Well go out tonight, well go to the caverns.
Well go out tonight, well go to the caves.
Kiss your mother goodnight and remember that God saves.
A led her to a hole, a deep black well.
I said make a wish, make sure and not tell and
Close youre eyes dear, and count to seven.
You know your papa loves you, good children go to heaven.
I gave her a push, I gave her a shove.
I pushed with all my might, I pushed with all my love.
I through my child into a bottomless pit.
She was screaming as she fell, but I never heard her hit.
Gather round boys to this tale that I tell.
You wanna know how to take a short trip to hell?
Its guaranteed to get your own place in hell.
Just take your lovely daughter and push her in the well.
Take your lovely daughter and throw her in the well.
Don't speak to me of lovers, with a broken heart.
You wanna know what can really tear you apart?
Im going out to the barn, will I never stop in pain?
Im going out to the barn, to hang myself in shame.
I discussed stories within songs with my office manager today, so I wonder if he is here. Hi if you are, though it's very unlikely. 
Quote: Gavin @ August 12 2009, 1:29 PM BSTGorillaz - Fire Coming Out Of The Monkey's Head
YES! 
Jimi Hendrix - Wait Until Tomorrow from Axis Bold as Love.
Well, Im standing here, freezing, inside your golden garden
Uh got my ladder, leaned up against your wall
Tonights the night we planned to run away together
Come on Dolly Mae, there's no time to stall
But now youre telling me...
I think we better wait till tomorrow
Hey, yeah, hey
(I think we better wait till tomorrow)
Girl, what you talkin bout ?
(I think we better wait till tomorrow)
Yeah, yeah, yeah
Got to make sure its right, so until tomorrow, goodnight.
Oh, what a drag.
Oh, Dolly Mae, how can you hang me up this way ?
Oh, on the phone you said you wanted to run off with me today
Now Im standing here like some turned down serenading fool
Hearing strange words stutter from the mixed mind of you
And you keep tellin me that ah...
I think we better wait till tomorrow
What are you talkin bout ?
(I think we better wait till tomorrow)
No, can't wait that long
(I think we better wait till tomorrow)
Oh, no
Got to make sure its right, until tomorrow, goodnight, oh.
Lets see if I can talk to this girl a little bit here...
Ow ! dolly mae, girl, you must be insane
So unsure of yourself leaning from your unsure window pane
Do I see a silhouette of somebody pointing something from a tree ?
Click bang, what a hang, your daddy just shot poor me
And I hear you say, as I fade away...
We don't have to wait till tomorrow
Hey !
We don't have to wait till tomorrow
What you say ?
(we don't have to wait till tomorrow)
It must have been right, so forever, goodnight, listen at cha.
(we don't have to wait till tomorrow)
Ah ! do I have to wait ? don't have to wait
(we don't have to wait till tomorrow)
Its a drag on my part
(we don't have to wait till tomorrow) don't have to wait, uh, hmm ! ah, no !
(we don't have to wait till tomorrow)
Dont have to wait, don't have to wait, yeah !
(we don't have to wait till tomorrow)
Dont have to wait, don't have to wait
(we don't have to wait till tomorrow)
Oh, oh
I won't be around tomorrow, yeah !
(we don't have to wait till tomorrow)
Dont have to wait
(we don't have to wait till tomorrow)
Goodbye, bye bye !
(we don't have to wait till tomorrow)
Oh, what a mix up
Oh, you gotta be crazy, hey, ow!
Dont have to wait till tomorrow.