Still more in the continuing series...
The Highwayman by Loreena McKennitt: this is a poem by Alfred Noyes, set to music. I love this song for it's extremely strong imagery. I can picture very distinctly every scene in my head. Descriptions such as: "He'd a French cocked-hat on his forehead, a bunch of lace at his chin, A coat of the claret velvet, and breeches of brown doe-skin;" truly great! Of course the bit that gets me every time (for real this song makes me cry) is the ending, the landlord's daughter kills herself in order to warn her beloved, but to no avail. Upon hearing her death, the highwayman charges forward without hesitation, and is shot down. Awesome tragic love story!
Cairo by Amazulu: I absolutely love Amazulu, but it's virtually next to impossible to find any of their stuff over here in the USA! Boo Hoo! What few songs I have are all on really random compilations (a few I bought only for the reason that Amazulu was on them). I first saw this band through the television show "The Young Ones" and just loved them for thier fun upbeat tempos infused with calypso melodies and whatnot.
The Ferryman's Daughter by Donovan: it's another one of those kind of folky throwback songs that sound like they're either medieval or at least been passed on for a few generations. It's credited as being written by Donovan, so I'm assuming he just made it up on his own and it just sounds older than it actually is (Donovan is kind of cool in that way). Amusingly it's what Terri and I would call a "bodice-ripper" or "flimsy-maiden" story, you know the kind where the rough and tumble gypsy-type male comes through town and has a roll in the hay with the local inswoman type of deal.
It's Oh So Quiet by Bjork: strangely I didn't much like Bjork at first, and the older I get the more I think she's brilliant (in that kind of completely insane sort of way). I like how she uses a lot of different styles, is extremely artistic, and doesn't give a good god-damn (apparently) what anyone thinks of her. Regarding this particular song; I like the juxtaposition between the soft playful music and the loud in your face jazz, as well as the lyrics which match. I think the allure of the song is evidenced in the words, but this is a pretty good summation (IMHO) of the ups and downs of falling in love. You're just sort of minding your own business until BAM!
Great Hosannah by Kula Shaker: this is one of three Kula Shaker entries (only because finetunes only lets you have three or else I would have done more damn it. In general I highly recommend the entire album "Peasants, Pigs & Astronauts"). Kula Shaker is my current favorite band at the moment (even though they've only recently gotten back together). great Hosannah is essentially my current Mantra. It's all about despite bad things happening hope is always just around the bend. I might actually spend an entire separate post on this one, come to think of it... tune in later
Crucified by Army of Lovers: another entry into the "betrayal" category. I take "savior" to mean "lover" so draw your own conclusions I guess. Sorry, I'm spent and my eye is falling out now (damn allergies LOL!).