Music at its most powerful

[mackshere]

I totally love any genre of music that expresses deep emotion. Songs with heartfelt, provocative lyrics laced with sincere personal feelings of rage, sorrow, or guilt.
It seems that most current rap/pop songs use catchy beats with nursery rhyme lyrics to brag about themselves or be humorous.
Country musicians often hire songwriters to compile sets of idealistic love songs or quixotic ramblings.
Not my style. I think rock music, especially alternative & metal, is the best at conveying powerful feelings that can really propel the human spirit.
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If it looks good, you'll see it
If it sounds good, you'll hear it
But if it's real...
You'll feel it

Kid Rock
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Here's my list of 10 songs that really have an effect on me every time I hear them.

10. Black Chick/White Guy--Kid Rock
I figured since I quoted him, I'd start with one of his tunes that I find extremely moving. The title is pretty lame, but the lyrics are no joke. He sings about a tumultous relationship and past regrets that still haunt him. Love, pregnancy, drugs, abortion, deceit, mental breakdowns, suicidal thoughts...it's pretty heavy stuff.
"Some people might laugh at this shit...
Fuck 'em, they don't know the half of it."

9. Outside--Staind
Really this song hits home with the melancholy tone, deliberate pacing, and empty delivery along with the lyrics. Lead singer Aaron Lewis definitely has some issues. Outside dwells on feelings of inadequacies and just not fitting in. There is a live version of this song paired with Fred Durst, where Fred jokes and plays on the crowd's responses. Like our friend t would say--colossal douchebaggery!
"I'm on the outside, I'm looking in.
I can see through you, see your true colors."

8. H--Tool
It took Maynard a couple of albums before he started writing personal songs. Before that he was "ranting and pointing his finger at everything but his heart", according to the singer himself. The CD Aenima is chock full of intimate thoughts from him, and this might be his most personal. He tries to tear down walls and build bridges between himself and his son.
"My blood before me begs me...open up my heart again."

7. Masters of War--Bob Dylan
Many political songs have a tendency to come off as a bit of posturing, just singers going through the motions and not really having the gall to make their rebellious claims too convincing. Not the case here. This one freezes me in my tracks, totally captivated and inspired by every word.
"You that hide behind walls, you that hide behind desks...
I want you to know I can see through your masks."

6. Last Resort--Papa Roach
This song does move with a certain kind of energy that seems a tad misplaced for the content. It deals with a son being lost in hopelessnesss after the unexpected death of his mother. Something you would hope no young man would have to go through.
"It all started when I lost my mother. No love for myself, and no love from another."

5. You Outta Know--Alanis Morisette
I don't usually identify or empathize with female singers very well, but recognizing the fierce outrage and overwhelming, psychotic grief that resonates from this song is a cinch. You just can't fake this kind of raw emotion that is embedded in the lyrics.
"It was a slap in the face
how quickly I was replaced
and are you thinking of me when you fuck her?"

4. World So Cold--Mudvayne
Another one that chokes me up. Just as the title suggests, it refers to how the entire world seems so apathetic.
"Why does everyone feel like my enemy?
Don't want any part of depression or darkness
I've had enough. Sick and tired...."

3. Daddy--Korn
This completely disheartening tune opens up with an eerie sort of chant--"Mother, please forgive me. I just had to get out all my pain and suffering."
Jonathan then goes on an incessant rampage of screaming torment derived from his abused childhood. It ends up with uncontrollable wailing and sobbing that doesn't seem contrived in the least. The singer refuses to play or listen to the song, even to this day.
"I'll be your daddy.
I never touched you there!
Mommy said she didn't care."

2. Cemetary Gates--Pantera
Another powerful epic metal song about loss. The slow, soft buildup is masterfully contrasted by the impudent screams. So fucking forceful and moving.
"You left me...incomplete. All alone as the memory still remains."

1. Father of Mine--Everclear
I get a little irritated if I hear tweens sing along with this song with big smiles on their faces. They just don't get it. It's about a boy desperately needing a father's guidance, growing up lost and insecure.
I cannot listen to this song without getting teary-eyed, yes like a little bitch.

*Last I had to include several songs off one of my personal favorite CD's. It is an extremely sorrowful collection of tunes. The most revealing outpouring of personal demons that you are likely to hear EVER.
The group is Mad Season, led by the now deceased Layne Staley. Their lone album is called ABOVE. Here's some songs--
Wake Up--about dependecy, hopelessness
River of Deceit--lies, shame, escape
Lifeless Dead--love, betrayal
That Summer--memories, lost ties, regret
Every song on here is so ultimately dark. It's one man's last futile attempt at salvaging the wreckage of his life.
"Wake up young man, you need to wake up...
slow suicide's no way to go."


I'd love to hear about other songs that have had an effect on my fellow dwellers. Enthrall me with your acumen. LONG LIVE ROCK 'N ROLL!!!!!!!!!!!!

[trashcanman]

Nice topic. Very nice. That "Daddy" song upset me so much I didn't listen to the tape again for months. That album is no joke. In time it became one of my favorite metal albums, but it really disturbed me the first time I heard it.

"Whatever" by Husker Du absolutely killed me when I heard it.

"He lives in his imagination, with those friends of his very own He Doesn't get along with the outside world, he'd rather be alone
Sometimes, when it's late at night, he starts to wonder why
The plans he made can never happen, so all he does is cry.
His parents, they can't understand why their son, he turned out wrong
He runs away from all the pain and forgets them when he's gone
He'd rather be all by himself because his plans, they seem the best.
He finally gets the nerve one day and now life becomes a test.
Mom and Dad, I'm sorry Mom and Dad, don't worry
I'm not the son you wanted, but what could you expect?
I've made my world of happiness to combat your neglect."

I couldn't explain my life better if I tried.

Max Cavalera has written a ton of songs about the unsolved murder of his young stepson and his undying rage just amazes me. Here's some "Pain" for you.

"Speak up - you know what is up
Code of silence?! Who set you up?!
Some shit so wrong in this world
All fucked up now you're gone
Speak up - you know what went on
How could you let it go?
It's murder you covered up
Stained blood on your soul
It's your day...
Down on my knees
Hands stretched to heaven above
Christ this pain is hard to live with
Don't fill my heart with love
Engulf my heart with vengeance
You need to see our pain
Don't fill this heart with love
The truth needs to be told!!!"


Have you heard the older Kid Rock song "Abortion", Mackshere? Damn. Peep this regret.

"So can I come to see you sometime
Cause I been missin you
I've never heard you cry I've never seen you whine
I'm feeling oh so young
But still I must die to get to you
And if I do I wonder how just you will see me
And implicate the things I've done
I'm diein in the shadows of this man I've never seen
I'll see you soon
Now where's my gun"


And speaking of suicide, Cheap trick wrote this song "Oh, Candy" about a friend who killed themself that's pretty deep.

"Oh Candy, why did you do it
You didn't stick a needle in your vein
You just got so damned depressed
We all liked you except yourself
Oh, candy worked so hard
At doin what he thought was right
It really really doesn't mean a thing"

[mackshere]

Thanks trashcanman. Korn used to be so freakin awesome. Do you know how they came up with their name? Some gay sex got a little messy, and some kernels of undigested corn were involved. Sorry for that image.

I need to grab me some Husker Du. Any albums you'd recommend?

I just thought about this--some of my favorite artists/poets: Cobain, Zombie, Cornell, Vedder, De la Rocha--didn't make my list.

There was a fucked up Eminem song that almost made my list. Off his second CD I think, the last track (can't remember the name)
"So long, bitch you did me so wrong
I don't wanna go on living in this world without you".
Shady is actually pretty fucked up, imagine that.

You remember the song Hey Man, Nice Shot by Filter? What was the name of that politician the song refers to? I was hoping to youtube that shot.

Oh, I picked up a badass CD yesterday--Obituary's Greatest Hits. I'm usually not a huge fan of deathmetal because I can't understand the lyrics. But this group is sweet.

Later man...

[The Curmudgeon]

No self promotion intended but damn, threads like these are the reason I love this place. Good call, Mackshere - and hey, you even put it in the right section this time!

The trouble with emotional lyrics is that sometimes certain bands think that self-pity and screaming = deep and meaningful angst. Not slating the entire "emo" genre or anything, but sometimes you feel like telling these whiny dorks to shut the hell up.

Not that bands like Husker Du, Korn or any of the above fall into that category, of course, (although later Korn albums have seen Jonathon Davis approach "punchable" status), but I never thought I'd see Kid Rock in a thread like this. His appeal has never really extended into the UK, apart from American Badass (probably because it was The Undertaker's theme song for about a year), making indie kids mad everywhere by wiping his ass on Radiohead toilet paper and, most shockingly, a number ONE single this year with All Summer Long. Have I missed something with this guy?

[trashcanman]

That "All Summer Long" song is a fucking joke. Hate it. I've enjoyed my share of Kid Rock, but I wouldn't call his music must-hear or anything.

Buy the album "Zen Arcade" as soon as you can, Mackshere. That one makes my top 5 albums ever list easy. Always meant to check out Obituary, but never have. I try not to get too far into death metal either. After a while it all sounds alike and I don't stand for much of that. Zombie isn't really winning any emotionally powerful songwriting contests so I wouldn't worry too much about omitting him. Well, it's almost 7:30 AM. Time for bed. How screwed up is my schedule?

[mackshere]

Big thanks to you C. I got booted off a bitch-ass "censorship-free site", twice in fact, so I appreciate what you've done here.
You can usually tell when artists are faking it. Other times they simply exploit their dark past for shock value and a quick payday. But when singers write to express, cope, or overcome certain issues is when music is truly special.
It is hard to recapture certain feelings that coincide with particular incidents in life, unless they are written "in the moment". It's even harder to sustain those emotions, which is what Davis tries to do. Yeah, he sounds punchable nowadays. Same with Kid Rock & Eminem. The temptation for anyone to sellout would loom so large, but I think in the long run bands would regret it. Even Metallica. Or maybe not.

It does seem like the vast majority of people are pretty damn shallow. That's part of the reason rap music has taken over the industry. I'm often forced to listen to it on the radio at work, and the lyrics are about as deep as cat piss.

[The Curmudgeon]

Not wanting to stray off topic or anything but - what did you get banned for, Mack?

[mackshere]

They didn't like my tastes in film at all. Several of my reviews were deleted or edited.
Then I wrote a review for the movie Irreversible, which has a very graphic rape scene. I mentioned the violent scene in my review, and consequently received a b.s. message from one of the moderators. I was basically warned to be careful of my choice of film topics because some readers might be offended. Plus I shouldn't condone, or make light of, the raping of women?!?!? No shit.
Well this irritated me pretty immensely. Later I was joking in a diferrent thread with trashy and some other friends that they shouldn't advocate raping little newborn babies to death by a horny sasquatch, or something like that. This pissed off the dude somethin' fierce, and he pulled the plug on me immediately.
Later I came back under a different name and got kicked off again for another "offensive" review. I used the words boobs, which I'll admit might have been inappropriate. But I expected a warning first, but they didn't fuck around that time. I"m pretty sure they knew it was me, and were quick to give me the boot again. Fuckers.

[trashcanman]

I was just discussing that with a dude who reviewed the exact same film AND "Kissed" which is another necrophilia flick, which you got tagged for as well. Nobody has bothered him. You must have as crummy an online aura as I do in real life.

[Ben]

Until reading this, I was the only person I knew of who had ABOVE, Mackshere. I actually just listened to it while attempting to fall asleep 2 nights ago. "Wake Up" used to make my chest ache.

"Daddy" is definitely one of the more depressing tracks off of ISSUES, but the whole thing is just a downer. "Beg For Me" gets me every time. ISSUES is my favorite Korn title for sure.

Another song that really hits me is "Believer" by Ozzy, but even moreso the cover by Bach and Dimebag. I don't know what it is about that song (maybe that both guitarists who recorded studio versions of it are dead...), but it makes me feel bleak.

I've got a ton more (if you think "Last Resort" is bad, Mackshere, try the hidden track at the end of INFEST), but I think as a band, no one pulls of the melancholy tune like Alice in Chains. When I first heard the unreleased track "Died" on their boxed set I nearly cried. DIRT as an album basically made me want to die. And who can forget "Nutshell" after hearing it for the first time?

[The Curmudgeon]

I think you're maybe thinking of "Dirty", Ben, the last track from the (agreed, awesome) "Issues" album. "Daddy" is the last song on the first album.

[mackshere]

Korn does have another song entitled "Daddy Why", which is easy to confuse with "Daddy" off their debut album.

AIC is indeed dark. That group was my 1st concert experience. Layne was so drugged up he could barely stand or sing & they had to cancel the show after 3 songs.
There was a time that Dirt never left my boombox, or ghettoblaster as it was referred to. I still listen to Facelift pretty regularly, along with a sweet AIC import.

Oh, I forgot about that track on INFEST. Great call!

[Ben]

Damn. There's too many Korn albums to keep track of. I was actually referring to the song "Hey Daddy" on Issues, which, in my sleepy state late last night, is what I thought everyone else was talking about.

I remember seeing part of a Korn documentary once where Jon Davis was recording vocals and put so much emotion and effort into it that he was weeping by the end.