LYRICS! DROP EM HERE!

[OPBASSMAN1994]

It occurs to me that it is common practice for the bassists of bands (myself included), often write several of the bands songs...

Steve Harris-Iron Maiden "Run to the Hills" and others that I might not even be aware of...

Sting-the Police Pretty much every song they ever had...

Chris Squire-Yes Several songs, or parts of songs, including the celebrated "Starship Trooper".

Geddy Lee-Rush "Best I can, Working Man, and pretty much all of Rush's initial album in partnership with Alex Lifeson".

Countless others as well.

So, if you trust your fellow TB'rs, and want to let us read your stuff, post your lyrics! I'll post a few of my own in time. Constructive criticism is expected and appreciated (at least on my part. If my lyrics suck, I want to know. If they pwn, I want to know that too.)

[OPBASSMAN1994]

Some of mine (they are Christian based, so if you are not Christian, please don't bash. That's not cool):


ONLY HUMAN

When my body aches, and I can't go the second mile.
When my rage boils over, just a little while.
When both sides of my face are black and blue,
I'm only human.
what more can I do?

When I've waited in vain for a neon-bright sign,
When I can't let things be, even one more time,
When I'm desperate and bleeding my watery faith,
I'm only human.
What more can I take?

When I'm losing my courage to the safety of fear,
When I can't see it, but it feels so near,
When I'm begging and broken, and can't see you,
I'm only human.
Will you see me through?

When I'm tangled in darkness, and can't get off the ride,
When I'm drowning in tears at the cost of my pride,
When I look to the skyline, a dove flutters down.
I guess you're more than human,
and I guess you're still around.

I'm only human, weak at the knees,
I'm only human, fallen to the breeze,
but you're more than human,
with unlimited grace,
you're more than human,
so I'll finish the race.

I'm only human, caught in a maze,
I'm only human, surrounded by haze,
but you're more than human,
and you hold my hand.
You're more than human.
I understand.

[SMILEYSIXX]

Originally Posted by OPBASSMAN1994

Some of mine (they are Christian based, so if you are not Christian, please don't bash. That's not cool):


ONLY HUMAN

When my body aches, and I can't go the second mile.
When my rage boils over, just a little while.
When both sides of my face are black and blue,
I'm only human.
what more can I do?

When I've waited in vain for a neon-bright sign,
When I can't let things be, even one more time,
When I'm desperate and bleeding my watery faith,
I'm only human.
What more can I take?

When I'm losing my courage to the safety of fear,
When I can't see it, but it feels so near,
When I'm begging and broken, and can't see you,
I'm only human.
Will you see me through?

When I'm tangled in darkness, and can't get off the ride,
When I'm drowning in tears at the cost of my pride,
When I look to the skyline, a dove flutters down.
I guess you're more than human,
and I guess you're still around.

I'm only human, weak at the knees,
I'm only human, fallen to the breeze,
but you're more than human,
with unlimited grace,
you're more than human,
so I'll finish the race.

I'm only human, caught in a maze,
I'm only human, surrounded by haze,
but you're more than human,
and you hold my hand.
You're more than human.
I understand.

I like this... the way that sense of hopelessness really kinda turns around, yet the lyrics stay humbled to this outside force. I'm usually very finicky with my rhymes, so this may not be something you want to do, but I would change a few of the rhymes like "grace/race" and "ride/pride", but again, that's more left to personal taste. Also, I would consider adding a refrain between every two stanzas to kinda break up the storyline of the song, but all in all, it's really good... and that's a lot coming from someone on the other end of the religion spectrum as you

Here's one that I'm still working on a refrain for...

Setting fire to the skies
With destruction in my wake
My twisted evil and little lies
Will burn me at the stake
Northing will save you from us
The demon children you have spawned
We will ravage, we will crush until it all is gone

We rise from ashes to make a name
The name we call ourselves
We traveled across the universe
To bring you to our hell
Flee from us as you see the spark
That lights your life aflame
And everyone that resists
Is meant to die in vain

Fire swallows and devours
Burn this tiny world of ours
From tiny spark
To raging blaze
We'll burn the whole damn world away
Inhale the smoke
Breathe in the fumes
And watch the inferno consume

Not exactly in everyone's taste, but I figured I could throw it out there.

[EdHunter]

Harris writes almsot all of Maiden's lyrics...

Here's a couple of mine:

ONLY THE DEAD
When all is said and all is done,
When the battle’s lost and the battle’s won.
When the rivers run red with blood,
When the ground below has churned to mud,
Look into their eyes and what do you see?
Bloody repeats of our history.
How can we know what were fighting for,
If only the dead have seen the end of war.
When you’ve seen the burning cities,
Faced the widowed wives,
Redrawn the maps
And mourned the lost lives.

Will you see the truth,
Will you feel the pain,
Will you learn the lesson,
Or will they die again?

As life is thrown aside,
Under the wheels of war,
Did you stop to think,
Just what we’re fighting for?

(Chorus)
An expendable youth on the edge of darkness in a time for no more lies,
Only the dead have seen the end of war, if we could only look through their eyes.

Gone… a nation’s youth
Gone… an age of truth
Gone… global innocence
Gone… common sense

Lost… the lives
Lost… the minds
Lost… the dreams
Lost… the hope

When you’ve signed the final papers,
Silenced the roaring guns,
Conquered another nation,
And built the deathly suns .

Will you see the light,
Will you see the way,
Will you see the true cost,
Of what we had to pay?

Millions have died,
Crushed by gears of war,
Now do we know,
Just what we were fighting for?

(Chorus x2)

Now all is dead, and all is gone,
Nothing is left under the Sun.
And now the seas flow red with blood,
And cities have sunk into the mud.
Look through lifeless eyes and what do you see?
A new chapter for our history?
Because only the dead have seen the end of war

TABLOID PRINCESS
Celluloid eyes steal your soul,
Sweet success makes you whole,
Face the fears of mass market,
Black and white print blanket.

You can never hide and never run,
Nowhere is home under the sun,
Waiting lenses for your fall,
Hidden ears for your call.

A cry, for help.
A plea, for mercy.
A shot, in the dark.
A life, beyond repair,
But, you’re not there…

Living your life in the camera eye,
Helpless, alone, waiting to die.
Calling for blood to wet their tongues,
How could this happen to one so young?

(chorus)
You’re a tabloid princess,
Nothing you can do,
You’re a tabloid princess,
We’ve got our eye on you.
You’re a sad, sad story,
You cannot chose,
You’re a falling star,
Playing to lose.

Wasting your time in the limelight,
Living our dreams out every night.
Ever fearing the loss of fame,
A pawn, trapped in our game.

(chorus, instrumental section, etc.)

OVERLORD
Gonna hit the beach at 6AM
Gonna do what I know is right
Gonna feel the blood and sand
Gonna give ‘em a hell of a fight

Gonna run down the ramp to the beach
Gonna look death right in the eyes
Gonna take the fight to Hitler
Gonna un-do all his lies

But what lies over the horizon I do not know
Whether I’ll come back I cannot say
Into the cold arms of Death I’ll go
Or live to fight another day

Just wish I’d said goodbye
Wish I’d made my peace
This might just be my day to die,
And feel the dark release

As the hour draws near
I’m filled with new fear
The being of all that I hold dear
Depends on what is done here

Climbing into the boat
To cross Hitler’s moat
Feel the fear in the air
As we begin the nightmare

As we near the beach
The fear reaches new heights
And in the eyes of each
Unbroken, staring sights

The boat stops
The ramp drops
To the beach I run

My gun fires
My legs tire
But still on I run

I tried to hide
But was hit in the side
The blood begins to run



As I gaze into the sky
I know I’m to die
And I wonder why
Yet still, in the sand I lie

I know I won’t be going back
And the sky fades to black
I make my peace,
And feel the dark release

I hit the beach at 6AM
I did what I knew was right
But now I feel the blood and sand
As I walk into the light

[OPBASSMAN1994]

Nice, man. I like it. The Tabloid princess is especially pretty sweet. Great concept, all too true, reminds me of what the limelight's done to people like britney spears, lindsay lohan, and others. Get that song out there, so I can cover it!

[EdHunter]

Originally Posted by OPBASSMAN1994

Nice, man. I like it. The Tabloid princess is especially pretty sweet. Great concept, all too true, reminds me of what the limelight's done to people like britney spears, lindsay lohan, and others. Get that song out there, so I can cover it!

May take a while. I was planning on it sounding a bit like The Cult's "Edie" (which kinda inspired the lyrics thematically, as well). But the rest of my band would rather put the lyrics to something sounding a bit more like Soilwork...

[OPBASSMAN1994]

Originally Posted by SMILEYSIXX

I like this... the way that sense of hopelessness really kinda turns around, yet the lyrics stay humbled to this outside force. I'm usually very finicky with my rhymes, so this may not be something you want to do, but I would change a few of the rhymes like "grace/race" and "ride/pride", but again, that's more left to personal taste. Also, I would consider adding a refrain between every two stanzas to kinda break up the storyline of the song, but all in all, it's really good... and that's a lot coming from someone on the other end of the religion spectrum as you

Here's one that I'm still working on a refrain for...

Setting fire to the skies
With destruction in my wake
My twisted evil and little lies
Will burn me at the stake
Northing will save you from us
The demon children you have spawned
We will ravage, we will crush until it all is gone

We rise from ashes to make a name
The name we call ourselves
We traveled across the universe
To bring you to our hell
Flee from us as you see the spark
That lights your life aflame
And everyone that resists
Is meant to die in vain

Fire swallows and devours
Burn this tiny world of ours
From tiny spark
To raging blaze
We'll burn the whole damn world away
Inhale the smoke
Breathe in the fumes
And watch the inferno consume

Not exactly in everyone's taste, but I figured I could throw it out there.

It's a little dark for my own tastes, but I do like it. Just guessing, politicians, a lost generation that has gone out of control, an alien invasion perhaps?

The flow is very nice, and it puts out a lot of imagery.

Oh, and btw, I repeat the "I'm only human, etc." once after every verse except the last one. That kind of serves as the refrain. and after verses 1 and 2, it goes into an instrumental break for a few measures. Same after 3 and 4, and the bridge is sung to the verse riff. Musically, the whole song features a kind of yes-ish bassline [I've really been digging into Chris Squire's playing, and I'm liking it alot. (I learned "Roundabout" yesterday.)], while the guitar is going bryan adams on the song with that kind of delayed eight note delivery that sounds like "Summer of 69". I have to say I'm enjoying the oddball coupling of those two kinds of playing into one song. I think it'll be one of our best.

[OPBASSMAN1994]

OVERLORD
Gonna hit the beach at 6AM
Gonna do what I know is right
Gonna feel the blood and sand
Gonna give ‘em a hell of a fight

Gonna run down the ramp to the beach
Gonna look death right in the eyes
Gonna take the fight to Hitler
Gonna un-do all his lies

But what lies over the horizon I do not know
Whether I’ll come back I cannot say
Into the cold arms of Death I’ll go
Or live to fight another day

Just wish I’d said goodbye
Wish I’d made my peace
This might just be my day to die,
And feel the dark release

As the hour draws near
I’m filled with new fear
The being of all that I hold dear
Depends on what is done here

Climbing into the boat
To cross Hitler’s moat
Feel the fear in the air
As we begin the nightmare

As we near the beach
The fear reaches new heights
And in the eyes of each
Unbroken, staring sights

The boat stops
The ramp drops
To the beach I run

My gun fires
My legs tire
But still on I run

I tried to hide
But was hit in the side
The blood begins to run



As I gaze into the sky
I know I’m to die
And I wonder why
Yet still, in the sand I lie

I know I won’t be going back
And the sky fades to black
I make my peace,
And feel the dark release

I hit the beach at 6AM
I did what I knew was right
But now I feel the blood and sand
As I walk into the light[/quote]

I missed that one somehow! i like that one even more! Loved the ending, dude.

[EdHunter]

Thanks, that one and Only the Dead I wrote for a school project. I put together an album (no music though) and wrote 5 songs, 2 poems and put in a cover which detailed the course of WW2.

[OPBASSMAN1994]

Originally Posted by EdHunter

Thanks, that one and Only the Dead I wrote for a school project. I put together an album (no music though) and wrote 5 songs, 2 poems and put in a cover which detailed the course of WW2.

Can you say "concept album"? Sounds like awesomeness to me, man. I'll be posting some new ones here pretty soon, I've just got to find them.

[OPBASSMAN1994]

WHAT LOVE'S MADE:

The mountain shakes in the night.
The stone moves by effortless might.
Out of the hill, there shines a light.
The stars could never shine quite as bright.

(Chorus):
Death could not contain.
The King couldn't be held down.
The power is too great.
Look at what love has made.
Look what love has made.

The victim's blood vanishes.
The rugged wood holds no trace.
The crossbeams fall over now,
as Satan's in disbelief, shock on his face.


Verse-chorus-verse-chorus-solo-chorus-chorus




One of my band's early ones. I still like it, and the music of it is still awesome to play. People tend to love it live. I get a few mini bass solos



NOTHING TO FEAR:

Sounds of swords clashing, war cries from both sides.
The battle for my heart, soul, and mind rages on every day.
A desperate attempt to calm the voices in my head.
I pick up the letter you left.

(Chorus)
Silent reassurance.
I know you are here.
Watching over and guiding me.
I've got nothing to fear.

A whisper in my ear, the serpent tongue sneaks out,
ready to decieve me, and make me drown.
the voice is so convincing, but I remember what you said.
It's all written in red.


Verse-chorus-verse-chorus-solo

"Our jam song. This lasts about 4 and a half minutes recorded, up to 7 live =)

[EdHunter]

Nice stuff.

Heres some more...

ETERNITY IN THE LABERYNTH
Black gates, a nightmare mouth,
Dark void, a velvet shroud.

Spiral stairs, the endless pit,
Falling stars, the beacon lit.


Chorus
Enter the maze,
Into the Labyrinth,
Parting of the waves,
Lead to the Labyrinth.

Losing the way,
Here in the Labyrinth,
Trapped here to stay,
Eternity in the Labyrinth.


Pathways to take, decisions to make,
The doorway looms laaaaaaarge.
Silence will fall, the night shall call,
Out of the black skyyyyyyyyyy.
Mind is aflame, who is to blame,
For this chaaaallleeeenge.
Enter the gate, accepting the fate,
Of the maaaaaaster.

Ground starts to shake, soul starts to break,
In the blaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaackness.
Held in thrall, what will befall,
The wandereeeeeer.
Else the shame, to lose the game,
Set by the maaaaster.
Is it too late, or is it the bait,
Set in this traaaaaaaap.


Bones now ache, a nightmare; awake,
As the beast stiiiirs.
Skin will crawl, body to fall,
At the sight of the monsteeeeer.
Legs are lame, hands are tame,
Fear takes ooooveeeeeerr.
Forever to wait, a sorry state,
As time moves oooooooooooonnn.

and from my definetly a concept album:

THE FINEST HOUR
Siren... Hear the piercing scream
Guns… Sound of rolling steel
Waken… From a midday dream
Running… Across a mown grass field

Climb… Into the cockpit
Start… The roaring engine
Fear… Although you won’t admit
Speeding… Across the ground ‘til you’re flying

(Chorus)
To save the world
Find the power
To turn the tide
In the darkest hour
Kill ‘em all
Fight the power
Let this be your finest hour

Dive… Down to attack
Rip… Through the enemy formation
Messerschmitt… There’s one on your back
Turning… Tracer flashing by

Heinkel… Looms large in your sights
Fire… Off a short burst of lead
Flames… As the bomber ignites
Falling… Like Icarus to the ground

(Chorus x2)

[OPBASSMAN1994]

Nice. I like the last one especially. Is that about a kid's imagination and how we all used to pretend to be a big hero? It sounds like it from the "Mown grass field" part. I like that whole thing. Very well written.

[EdHunter]

Originally Posted by OPBASSMAN1994

Nice. I like the last one especially. Is that about a kid's imagination and how we all used to pretend to be a big hero? It sounds like it from the "Mown grass field" part. I like that whole thing. Very well written.

It's about the Battle of Britain from a pilot's point of view. I never thought it could be percieved like that. I guess it just shows how much music can mean to different people.

[Essen]

Omission:

pray tonight, time goes by
awaiting progression
no revelation, no reply
monologue in session

echoing, in a backslide
years slipping by
in the varmt of a bedside
sustaining through

standing above the crowd
it can't be messiah
I know what I'll find
my souls as black as the charm in her eyes

sudden revelation
put your hands upon the source
speaking of souls eviction
oh, landlord, we trust you so

[OPBASSMAN1994]

Well I guess I was kinda wrong. Oh well.

The line

Waken… From a midday dream
Running… Across a mown grass field

got me thinking about that.
We all have daydreams about being a soldier, or a hero or an alien fighting jet pilot when we're kids. We don't see a pasture, we see mars with a bunch of butt ugly aliens attacking the colony. We don't see a slide, we see an escape hatch from a burning space ship, and we're holding a helpless Princess Leah in our arms as we jet from Darth Vader's star destroyer that we just blew up.

So yeah. That's my two cents.

[EdHunter]

Originally Posted by OPBASSMAN1994

Well I guess I was kinda wrong. Oh well.

The line

Waken… From a midday dream
Running… Across a mown grass field

got me thinking about that.
We all have daydreams about being a soldier, or a hero or an alien fighting jet pilot when we're kids. We don't see a pasture, we see mars with a bunch of butt ugly aliens attacking the colony. We don't see a slide, we see an escape hatch from a burning space ship, and we're holding a helpless Princess Leah in our arms as we jet from Darth Vader's star destroyer that we just blew up.

So yeah. That's my two cents.

I thank you mean Leia....

But yeah, I'm glad that you can see it those lines as mroe than "waking up and running across the airfield".

[OPBASSMAN1994]

I forgot to give half credit for "Nothing to Fear" to my guitarist. We wrote that one and the one below together.

ANOTHER DAY ON THE BATTLEFIELD:

Another day on the battlefield, armed and ready to be revealed,
the enemy knows every step we take.
Another day to carry on, war's been raging on and on.
Though never will it end, no treaty we will make.

Another day in the blazing sun, I know I'm not the only one;
Mothers, children, families ripped apart.
Another day in the desert sand, for a New York ground reduced to wasteland.
Waiting on my call, be strong my heart.

(Chorus)
From the start of time,
Shifting paradigm,
three worlds intertwined,
our bleeding ears and eyes,
another day to fight.

Another day to shoot it well, as our prayers blast the gates of Hell.
Demons running, screaming, cursing too.
And every praise to stab the beast, one day closer to the victory feast;
We strike for and serve the master true.

[Stingray89]

Yall have some good stuff on here man. I would post some of my songs, but I don't openly show anyone my stuff. I don't know why I'm just very selective about who I show it too.

[OPBASSMAN1994]

Something I recently wrote:

YOU AND ME

Impossible,
to lead a nation, with its compass pointing south.
So difficult,
to break a chain we've turned into a roundabout.
How it's hard,
to free a slave to warped and twisted reason.
How it's hard,
to love your country as it's committing treason.
To its history.
Right in front of me.

(Chorus)
Round and round and round it goes.
Where it stops, no one knows.
Further from what we're meant to be,
further from those who set us free,
further from He who set us free.
Further dragging you and me.

Resolvable,
the things we've done to end courageous ways.
Removable,
the things we've done that from our Father separates.
But how they scream
to let it fly, "you're merely wasting breath."
Just as they screamed
"Crucify!" and led the Lord to death.

(Bridge)
And three days passed, until it came,
that things would never be the same.
So, too, can we change our ways,
and finally see the light of day?
Or will we stay trapped in this play,
living in a dark charade?