Songs Lyrics and YT- Youtube Music Videos

Ike Turner - Rocket 88

Ike Turner - Rocket 88 Lyrics and Youtube Music Videos

Album: Chicago Blues, Volume 2
Released: 1951

Rocket 88 Lyrics

Rocket 88 Song Chart

In 1991, after a great deal of debate, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame recognized this as the first rock and roll song ever recorded. Turner was in jail at the time for cocaine possession, so his daughter accepted the award.

The song is about a car. The Oldsmobile "Rocket 88" came out in 1949 and was the fastest car on the road at the time. A small car with a big, overhead valve V8 engine, it was one of the first muscle cars and dominated NASCAR races in the '50s. The car was advertised as having a V-8 "Rocket" engine, with the slogan, "Make a Date with a Rocket 88."

This song was produced by Sam Phillips, who formed Sun Records in 1952. Phillips later became famous for recording Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins and Jerry Lee Lewis.

Jackie Brenston, who was a member of Ike Turner's Rhythm Kings, sang lead. The single was credited to "Jackie Brenston and His Delta Cats" because Phillips wanted to release a different record credited to Turner.

This was a #1 R&B hit. There were no rock charts at the time.

This song came about when Turner and his band were playing black clubs in the American South and B.B. King set up a recording session for them in Memphis with Sam Phillips. They wrote most of "Rocket 88" on the way to the session. On the drive to the session, the band's amplifier fell out of the car and broke the woofer. Turner shoved paper in it at the studio to cover the problem, which ended up providing a more distinct sound. The sounds that came from the damaged amp resulted in this being cited as one of the first songs to feature guitar distortion.

Brenston was credited with writing this song, although he admitted he stole the idea from a 1947 song called "Cadillac Boogie."

General Motors gave Brenston a Rocket 88 to thank him for the publicity this generated for the car.

Ike Turner played piano on this song. It was a huge influence on Little Richard, who used the piano intro on his 1958 hit, "Good Golly Miss Molly."

Brenston did not handle success well. He quickly spent the money he made from this song, became an alcoholic, went broke, and died in 1979.

In an interview with Rolling Stone magazine (issue 93) in 1971, Ike Turner recalled how despite this being a local hit, he made little from it: "Some dude at the record company beat me, and I only got $40 for writing, producing, and recording it. And the lead singer (Jackie Brenston) took the band from me and went on his own."

There were other songs recorded before this that could be considered rock and roll, but this was unique in that it appealed to a white audience.

Turner recorded a new version of this in 2000.

Warren Zevon - The French Inhaler

Warren Zevon - The French Inhaler Lyrics and Youtube Music Videos

Album: Warren Zevon
Released: 1976

The French Inhaler Lyrics

How're you going to make your way in the world
When you weren't cut out for working
When your fingers are slender and frail
How're you going to get around
In this sleazy bedroom town
If you don't put yourself up for sale

Where will you go with your scarves and your miracles
Who's gonna know who you are
Drugs and wine and flattering light
You must try it again till you get it right
Maybe you'll end up with someone different every night

All these people with no home to go home to
They'd all like to spend the night with you
Maybe I would, too

But tell me
How're you going to make your way in the world, woman
When you weren't cut out for working
And you just can't concentrate
And you always show up late

You said you were an actress
Yes, I believe you are
I thought you'd be a star
So I drank up all the money,
Yes, I drank up all the money,
With these phonies in this Hollywood bar,
These friends of mine in this Hollywood bar

Loneliness and frustration
We both came down with an acute case
And when the lights came up at two
I caught a glimpse of you
And your face looked like something
Death brought with him in his suitcase

Your pretty face
It looked so wasted
Another pretty face
Devastated
The French Inhaler
He stamped and mailed her
"So long, Norman"
She said, "So long, Norman"

Writer/s: ZEVON, WARREN
Publisher: Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

The French Inhaler Song Chart

The caustic lyrics were inspired by Zevon's breakup with his long-term girlfriend and mother of his son Jordan. Marilyn Livingston. Jordan Zevon told The Guardian in 2013 that despite his mom being aware that she was the target of the song, she still found it irresistible. "Despite the subject matter, my mom would play that song to me after a couple of glasses of wine and laugh and say: 'Isn't that brilliant?'" he recalled. "She knew he was a genius."

The soaring harmony vocals were provided by Don Henley and Glenn Frey of The Eagles.

The Rolling Stones - Heart Of Stone

The Rolling Stones - Heart Of Stone Lyrics and Youtube Music Videos

Album: The Rolling Stones Now!
Released: 1965

Heart Of Stone Lyrics

There's been so many girls that I've known
I've made so many cry, and still I wonder why
Here comes a little girl, I see her walking down the street
She's all by herself, I try to knock her off her feet

'Cause you'll never break, never break, never break, never break
This Heart Of Stone, oh no, no, this heart of stone

What's different about her I don't really know
No matter how I try, I just can't make her cry

'Cause you'll never break, never break, never break, never break
This heart of stone, oh no, no, this heart of stone

Don't keep on looking that same old way
If you try acting sad, you'll only make me glad
Better listen little girl, if you going walking down the street
I ain't got no love, I ain't the kind to meet

'Cause you'll never break, never break, never break, never break
This heart of stone, oh no, no, you'll never break this heart of stone darling

No no this heart of stone
You'll never break it darling
You won't break this heart of stone oh no no no
You better go, you better go home
'Cause you'll, you'll never break this heart of stone
You better, you better drive on home

Writer/s: RICHARDS, KEITH / JAGGER, MICK
Publisher: Abkco Music, Inc.
Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Heart Of Stone Song Chart

This was released in the US as a single in 1964 when many radio stations refused to play "Little Red Rooster," which contained lyrics that were too suggestive for many listeners. "Rooster" was #1 in England, but did not chart in the US.

The original version is in mono. A stereo version was released in 1966 on their Big Hits (High Tide and Green Grass) compilation.

The Stones recorded this at RCA studios in Los Angeles. It became just the second American hit (after "Tell Me (You're Coming Back)") for the group that was written by their band members. Per their custom the song is credited to Mick Jagger/Keith Richards.

Jack Nitzsche played piano and tambourine on this track. Nitzsche was an important behind-the-scenes player, producer and arranger for The Rolling Stones and many other rock artists. He worked with Phil Spector as an arranger, helping create the famous Wall of Sound on '60s recordings by The Ronettes, The Crystals and The Righteous Brothers. (thanks, Bertrand - Paris, France)

Basement Jaxx - Bingo Bango

Basement Jaxx - Bingo Bango Lyrics and Youtube Music Videos

Album: Remedy
Released: 1999

Bingo Bango Lyrics

Bingo, Bingo, B-B-Bingo, Bango.

Bingo, Bingo, B-B-Bingo, Bango.

Bingo, Bingo, B-B-Bingo, Bango.

Bingo, Bingo, B-B-Bingo, Bango.

Writer/s: BUXTON, FELIX MAJOR / IBATA HERRERA, JOSE LUIS / IBATA, ROLANDO / RATCLIFFE, SIMON
Publisher: Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Bingo Bango Song Chart

This was the last single released from the first Basement Jaxx album, which was a wildly successful debut for the British act. "Bingo Bango" followed "Red Alert" and "Rendez-Vu" as #1 hits on the US dance chart; all three songs also had impressive showings on the UK pop chart.

This song began life as a Latin house track. The "Bingo Bango" hook was added later - it was inspired by a dance song called "Go Bang" released in 1982 by Dinosaur L.

Basement Jaxx take an unusual approach to lead vocalists. They have used superstars like Dizzee Rascal on their songs, but are just as likely to use an amateur. This song features Cassie Watson, who was a friend of the group. In our interview with Felix Buxton, he explained: "She was working at the local car hop place. We went and got her at lunchtime just to record her and said, 'Could you go, 'bing a bing a bing, bang, bango." Make some noises, congo, bongos. And it ended up being 'Bingo Bango.''

Michael Jackson - Off The Wall

Michael Jackson - Off The Wall Youtube Music Videos and Lyrics

Album: Off The Wall
Released: 1979

Off The Wall Lyrics

When the world is on your shoulder
Gotta straighten up your act and boogie down
If you can't hang with the feelin'
Then there ain't no room for you this part of town
'Cause we're the party people night and day
Livin' crazy that's the only way

[Chorus]
So tonight gotta leave that nine to five upon the shelf
And just enjoy yourself
Groove, let the madness in the music get to you
Life ain't so bad at all
If you live it Off The Wall
Life ain't so bad at all (live life off the wall)
Live your life off the wall (live it off the wall)

You can shout out all you want to
'Cause there ain't no sin in folks all getting loud
If you take the chance and do it
There there ain't no one who's gonna put you down
'Cause we're the party people night and day
Livin' crazy that's the only way

[Chorus]

Do what you want to do
There ain't no rules it's up to you (ain't no rules it's all up to you)
It's time to come alive
And party on right through the night (all right)

Gotta hide your inhibitions
Gotta let that fool loose deep inside your soul
Want to see an exhibition
Better do it now before you get too old
'Cause we're the party people night and day
Livin' crazy that's the only way

[Chorus]

So tonight gotta leave that nine to five upon the shelf
And just enjoy yourself
Come on and groove (yeah) and let the madness in the music get to you
Life ain't so bad at all
If you live it off the wall

So tonight gotta leave that nine to five upon the shelf
And just enjoy yourself
Come on and groove (yeah) and let the madness in the music get to you
Life ain't so bad at all
If you live it off the wall

Writer/s: TEMPERTON, RODNEY LYNN
Publisher: Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Off The Wall Song Chart

This was written by Rod Temperton, who was with the band Heatwave and wrote many dance classics. With the success of this, Jackson's producer, Quincy Jones, had Temperton write more songs for Jackson. He also wrote "Rock With You" and "Thriller" for the future King of Pop.

The Off The Wall album sold over 10 million copies and make Michael Jackson the first solo artist with four US Top 10 hits from the same album. In addition to the title track, "Rock With You" (#1), "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" (#1), and "She's Out Of My Life" (#10) also made the Top 10.

Jackson's appearance started to change shortly after the album was released, as he started his run of plastic surgery. By the time Off The Wall was reissued in 2001, Jackson looked nothing like his former self, and the cover used just the image of his feet. Here's a before and after look at Jackson against the wall .

Can you even count the honors this album received? Rolling Stone's "500 greatest albums of all time," #68. NARM's "definitive 200 albums of all time," #80. Inducted into the Grammy hall of fame, 2008. Won 3 American Music Awards, one Billboard Music Award, and as mentioned, one Grammy. Rave reviews sang its praises, then and now. Multi-platinum seller in Australia, Mexico, New Zealand, and the US.

In the lyrics, "9 to 5" represents the canonical office work hours. Already a popular expression in the '70s and '80s, it was often used in songs to delineate the workday slog from the fun and excitement the evening offered (see: "Lady Marmalade"). The working-class comedy film 9 to 5, released in 1980, made it even more popular. These days, flexible schedules and overtime have made the hours far less typical.

MJ trivia time: Can you name all of Michael Jackson's siblings? They are (in birth order) Rebbie, Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, La Toya, Marlon, Randy, and Janet - Janet being the only one junior to Michael. Here's a mnemonic for those names: "Red jam tastes just like my raspberry jelly jam." OK, that's silly, but you'd remember it now, right?

Avicii - The Nights

Avicii - The Nights Lyrics and Youtube Music Videos

Album: The Days / Nights EP
Released: 2014

The Nights Lyrics

Hey, once upon a younger year
When all our shadows disappeared
The animals inside came out to play
Hey, when face to face with all our fears
Learned our lessons through the tears
Made memories we knew would never fade

One day my father—he told me,
"Son, don't let it slip away"
He took me in his arms, I heard him say,

"When you get older
Your wild life will live for younger days
Think of me if ever you're afraid."

He said, "One day you'll leave this world behind
So live a life you will remember."
My father told me when I was just a child
These are The Nights that never die
My father told me

When thunder clouds start pouring down
Light a fire they can't put out
Carve your name into those shinning stars
He said, "Go venture far beyond the shores.
Don't forsake this life of yours.
I'll guide you home no matter where you are."

One day my father—he told me,
"Son, don't let it slip away."
When I was just a kid I heard him say,

"When you get older
Your wild life will live for younger days
Think of me if ever you're afraid."

He said, "One day you'll leave this world behind
So live a life you will remember."
My father told me when I was just a child
These are the nights that never die
My father told me

These are the nights that never die
My father told me

Writer/s: FELDMANN, JOHN / POURNOURI, ASH / BERGLING, TIM / SUECOF, JORDAN / FURLONG, NICHOLAS / BENJAMIN, GABRIEL
Publisher: Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, REACH MUSIC PUBLISHING, RED BULL MEDIA HOUSE NA, INC.
Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

The Nights Song Chart

This folk-dance number features uncredited vocals by Nicholas "RAS" Furlong. The American songwriter and producer's first commercial success was in 2010, when he co-wrote Big Time Rush's "Count On You." He came to the attention of well-known songwriter, producer, and OneRepublic frontman Ryan Tedder, who signed him to a publishing deal that year. Since then, Furlong has worked with such artists as Colbie Caillat ("All of You"), Jordin Sparks ("I Am Woman") and 5 Seconds of Summer ("Everything I Didn't Say").

This ode to living life began as a Furlong song written as an ode to his father, whom he told Yahoo had always encouraged him to pursue his creative dream and 'live a life I will remember." Furlong sent the original demo, titled "My Father Told Me", to Ash Pournouri, Avicii's manager, who recognized it had that same sense of euphoria which characterizes so much of the Swedish DJ's music. "It made absolute sense to work on it with RAS," Pournouri said, "to make it more 'us' and that's what I did. Then I presented it to Tim (Avicii) and sat with him to finish the production and music."

The video was produced, directed by, and stars "professional life liver" Rory Kramer (Dream Maker). The clip takes the track's message to heart by containing an action-packed recollection of Kramer's own life. Avicii said: "The video for 'The Nights' is awesome…it is EXACTLY what I feel when I play the song live and it is the perfect representation of the lyrics. It is so much fun."

The song was used to soundtrack SportsCenter's "Images of 2014" segment on ESPN, which recapped 2014's best moments in sports.

Michael Jackson - Rock With You

Michael Jackson - Rock With You Lyrics and Youtube Music Videos

Album: Off The Wall
Released: 1979

Rock With You Lyrics

Girl, close your eyes
Let that rhythm get into you
Don't try to fight it
There ain't nothing that you can do
Relax your mind
Lay back and groove with mine
You gotta feel that heat
And we can ride the boogie
Share that beat of love

I want to Rock With You (all night)
Dance you into day (sunlight)
I want to rock with you (all night)
Rock the night away

Out on the floor
There ain't nobody there but us
Girl when you dance
There's a magic that must be love
Just take it slow
Cause we got so far to go
You gotta feel that heat
And we can ride the boogie
Share that beat of love

I want to rock with you (all night)
Dance you into day (sunlight)
I want to rock with you (all night)
Rock the night away

And when the groove is dead and gone (yeah)
You know that love survives
So we can rock forever, on

I want to rock with you
I want to groove with you

I want to rock (all night) with you girl (sunlight)
Rock with you, rock with you girl (yeah) (all night)
Dance the night away

I want to rock with you (yeah) (all night)
Rock you into day (sunlight)
I want to rock with you (all night)
Rock the night away

Feel the heat feel the heat
Rock you into day (sunlight)
I want to rock-rock the night away.

Writer/s: JACKSON, MICHAEL
Publisher: Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Rock With You Song Chart

This was written by Rod Temperton, formerly a member of Disco group Heatwave. Jackson's producer, Quincy Jones, convinced Temperton to write some songs for Jackson.

This was the first song Rod Temperton wrote for Jackson. He would write many others for him, including "Off The Wall" and "Thriller."

The original title was "I Want To Eat You Up," but it was quickly changed to fit Jackson's image.

This was Michael Jackson's third #1 on the Billboard Hot 100; the first two were "Ben," and "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough."

This song was part of the soundtrack for the video game Michael Jackson: The Experience. That was the 2010 game which hearkened back to his Moonwalker phase (you can see it right on the cover art), and hence to the 1989 arcade game Michael Jackson's Moonwalker. And hoo-boy, we just gave every old-skool MJ fan a nostalgia flush!

Especially when you watch the video, it dawns on you that this was a Disco song... in 1979, when Disco was supposed to be sleeping with the fishes (it wouldn't be right to say 'deader than disco'). In fact, it even has some Soul overtones. Jackson was well-suited for the dance beats of Disco, and was able to work in the genre when it was well past its prime.

You'll also find the video in the collections Video Greatest Hits - HIStory, Number Ones and Michael Jackson's Vision.

Bruce Gowers directed the music video, which was shot the same day as the clip for "She's Out of My Life." Gowers, who also directed Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody," remembered working with a tight budget to create the smoky promo, with Jackson glimmering in a sequined suit. He told Rolling Stone: "In those days they were done for peanuts. Absolute peanuts. I think about all we could afford was the laser. This one was probably about $3,000. If you look at it, there's nothing there but a laser and Michael Jackson. When we did this, this was the start of his solo career. He was very, very timid, very quiet, very unassuming. Really nice, he's an absolute professional, even in those days.

It was filmed on a little stage in LA called the 800 Stage, a little stage that we got cheap because we were shooting quite a lot of music videos. There was minimal editing as well, because obviously in those days editing costs money. It was about $350 per machine per hour. If you were using two playbacks and one record, that was a lot of money Everything was rented, trust me: the cameras, the stage, the Duvetyne drop, the smoke."

Chris Brown & Tyga - Ayo

Chris Brown & Tyga - Ayo Lyrics and Youtube Music Videos

Album: Fan of a Fan: The Album
Released: 2015

Ayo Lyrics

Ayo Song Chart

This song released as the lead single from Chris Brown and Tyga's collaborative album Fan of a Fan 2 finds Breezy declaring the pair are "poppin' like ayo." The word 'ayo,' meaning 'hey yo,' is used when attempting to get an individual's attention. In this instance they are addressing multiple girls.

The beat was supplied by producer Nic Nac, whom Brown previously worked with on "Loyal." (Tyga also featured on some versions of that tune).

Fan of a Fan: The Album is the follow-up to Chris Brown and Tyga's 2010 mixtape of the same name, which spawned the hit singles "Deuces" and "No Bulls--t."

The Impressions - People Get Ready

The Impressions - People Get Ready Lyrics and Youtube Music Videos

Album: People Get Ready
Released: 1965

People Get Ready Lyrics

People Get Ready, there's a train a comin'
You don't need no baggage, you just get on board
All you need is faith, to hear the diesels hummin'
Don't need no ticket, you just thank the Lord

So people get ready, for the train to Jordan
Picking up passengers coast to coast
Faith is the key, open the doors and board 'em
There's hope for all, among those loved the most

There ain't no room for the hopeless sinner
Whom would hurt all mankind, just to save his own, believe me now
Have pity on those whose chances grow thinner
For there is no hiding place, against the kingdom's throne

So people get ready there's a train a comin'
You don't need no baggage, you just get on board
All you need is faith, to hear the diesels hummin'
Don't need no ticket, you just thank the Lord

Writer/s: MAYFIELD, CURTIS L /
Publisher: Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

People Get Ready Song Chart

Impressions lead singer Curtis Mayfield wrote this song. Mayfield got his start performing with the Northern Jubilee Gospel Singers, competing with other gospel acts in the Chicago area. Grounded in church music, he wrote many songs in that style, including "People Get Ready."

The song embodies a deep sense of spirituality and community, but with enough popular appeal to make it a hit.

Mayfield based the song's lyric on various sermons he heard in church. He wrote the music first, and the gospel feel dictated the words.

This song resonated with African Americans during the civil rights struggles of the '60s. The song speaks for the downtrodden, and Mayfield made it clear that transcended race. "It doesn't matter what color or faith you have," he told Goldmine in 1997. "I'm pleased the lyrics can be of value to anybody."

Bob Marley was huge fan of The Impressions, and especially of this song (he could hear it in Jamaica on Miami radio stations). In 1965, he incorporated the verse lyrics of "People Get Ready" into "One Love," a song he recorded with his group The Wailers. This version didn't credit Curtis Mayfield, since copyright law was kind of loose in Jamaica.

In 1977, Marley released a new version of the song for his album Exodus (credited to Bob Marley & The Wailers). This time, the song was titled "One Love/People Get Ready," with the songwriters listed as Bob Marley and Curtis Mayfield.

Aretha Franklin, Maria Muldaur, The Walker Brothers and Eva Cassidy are among the artists to cover this song. In 1985, Jeff Beck and Rod Stewart did a version that made #48 in the US.

After Curtis Mayfield was paralyzed in 1990 (a light rig fell on him, crushing three vertebrae), royalties from this song - especially the Rod Stewart version - helped keep him financially sound, which he credited for helping him fend off depression and remain active as a songwriter and singer despite his condition. Mayfield released the acclaimed album New World Order two years before his death in 1999.

Vanilla Fudge recorded this in 1967. They had a hit the year before with their version of "You Keep Me Hangin' On," and covered many songs in a slowed-down, emotional style. Says Fudge drummer Carmine Appice: "When we do People Get Ready, we usually get a standing ovation. In the middle '60s, we were into Beatles stuff - Revolver and all that - and we were also into the R&B stuff: The Temptations, The Impressions, The Supremes. The Impressions were a favorite of mine, and I believe of Tim Bogert and Mark Stein as well. We came about the song and said, 'This would be a great song. It sounds like a Gospel song, let's make it sound like a churchy, Gospel-type song.' We came up with a very symphonic kind of intro, as we've done with many songs, but most of the song was done just with an organ and a vocal, and I actually sang that. With the background harmonies singing, 'Thank the lord,' it made it sound very Gospely. At the end, it built into a big, powerful last verse and chorus, and then it went out with Gospel vocals. That was a great arrangement for us, and today it still goes over great." (Thanks to Carmine for speaking with us about this song. His website is carmineappice.net.)

From a biblical standpoint, the lyrics encourage believers to hang onto their faith in times of strife because the "train to Jordan" is on its way to deliver them to a peaceful afterlife. The song, however, has a universal appeal beyond its religious underpinnings as it promises triumph in fighting the good fight, and the assurance of punishment for those who have done us harm.

Jordan is an Arab kingdom in the Middle East bordered by Saudi Arabia to the south and east, Iraq to the northeast, Syria to the north, and Israel and Palestine to the west. Referenced in the Bible as part of the Kingdom of Ammon, it's often considered one of the only places of refuge for Christians during the end times. Daniel 11:41 speaks of the antichrist's inability to overcome the country: "He will also invade the Beautiful Land. Many countries will fall, but Edom, Moab and the leaders of Ammon will be delivered from his hand." It's also a significant place in the Gospels as the Jordan River was the site of Jesus' (and many others') baptism.

The Decemberists - 12/17/12

The Decemberists - 12/17/12 Lyrics and Youtube Music Videos

Album: What a Terrible World, What a Beautiful World
Released: 2015

12/17/12 Lyrics

What a gift, what a gift you can give me
Here with my heart so whole,
While others may be grieving
Think of their grieving

And oh my boy
Don't you know you are dear to me
You are a breath of life
And a light upon the water
A light upon the water

And, oh my love
If you only knew how I long for you
How I waste my days wishing you would come around
Just to have you around

And what a dear
What a sweet little baby
This cannonball in the bosom of your belly
It's just a kick in your belly

And oh my god,
What a world you have made here
What a terrible world, what a beautiful world
What a world you have made here
What a world you have made here
What a world you have made here
What a world you have made here

Writer/s: COLIN MELOY
Publisher: BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

12/17/12 Song Chart

This song was written by Decemberists frontman Colin Meloy after watching President Obama's speech in the wake of the December 14, 2012 Newtown school shootings. He explained to The Sun: "There is an incredible feeling of helplessness when you see things like this, but we feel an intimate desire to do something."

"It happened that day when Obama did a press conference and he read out the names of the kids. It was a powerful moment and the song was in some way my attempt to do something."

Meloy contrasts the horrific incident and his own domestic bliss. "I was probably more affected by it than if I had no children," he said. "My kid (Hank) was that age at the time. He was in first grade, so you see your own kid in those kids and it's terrifying."

The album title comes from the end of this song as Meloy reflects upon President Obama's speech: "What a terrible world, what a beautiful world, what a world you make here."

Michael Jackson - Thriller

Michael Jackson - Thriller Lyrics and Youtube Music Videos

Album: Thriller
Released: 1983

Thriller Lyrics

It's close to midnight and something evil's lurking
In the dark
Under the moonlight you see a sight that almost stops
Your heart
You try to scream, but terror takes the sound before
You make it
You start to freeze as horror looks you right between
The eyes
You're paralyzed

'Cause this is Thriller, thriller night
And no one's gonna save you from the beast about to
Strike
You know it's thriller, thriller night
You're fighting for your life inside a killer
Thriller tonight

You hear the door slam and realize there's nowhere
Left to run
You feel the cold hand and wonder if you'll ever see
The sun
You close your eyes and hope that this is just
Imagination
But all the while you hear the creature creepin' up
Behind
You're out of time

'Cause this is thriller, thriller night
There ain't no second chance against the thing with
Forty eyes
You know it's thriller, thriller night
You're fighting for your life inside a killer
Thriller tonight

Night creatures call
And the dead start to walk in their masquerade
There's no escapin' the jaws of the alien this time
(They're open wide)
This is the end of your life

They're out to get you; there's demons closing in on
Every side
They will possess you unless you change the number on
Your dial
Now is the time for you and I to cuddle close
Together
All through the night I'll save you from the terrors on
The screen
I'll make you see

That it's a thriller, thriller night
'Cause I can thrill you more than any ghost
Would ever dare try
Girl, this is thriller, thriller night
So let me hold you tight and share a killer, diller
Chiller
Thriller here tonight

That it's a thriller, thriller night
'Cause I can thrill you more than any ghost
Would ever dare try
Girl, this is thriller, thriller night
So let me hold you tight and share a killer, diller

Darkness falls across the land
The midnight hour is close at hand
Creatures crawl in search of blood
To terrorize y'awl's neighborhood
And whosoever shall be found
Without the soul for getting down
Must stand and face the hounds of hell
And rot inside a corpse's shell

The foulest stench is in the air
The funk of forty thousand years
And grizzly ghouls from every tomb
Are closing in to seal your doom
And though you fight to stay alive
Your body starts to shiver
For no mere mortal can resist
The evil of the thriller

Writer/s: TEMPERTON, RODNEY LYNN
Publisher: Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Thriller Song Chart

This is a rare pop song with a horror theme. Halloween novelty songs like "The Monster Mash" had been around for a while, but this was the first hit song with year-round appeal containing lyrics about creatures of the night who terrify their victim. At the time, Michael Jackson was one of the least frightening people on Earth, so the video had to sell it. John Landis, who worked on the 1981 movie An American Werewolf In London, was brought in to direct. Landis had Jackson turn into a Werewolf in the video.

Vincent Price, an actor known for his work on horror films, did the narration at the end of the song, including the evil laugh. Price's rap includes the line "Must stand and face the hounds of hell." This was inspired by the most popular Sherlock Holmes novel to date, The Hound of the Baskervilles by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, in which Sir Henry Baskerville's family is supposedly cursed by a bloodthirsty, demonic hound. Price's personal friends, Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee (who appeared in several horror films with him), starred in a loose 1959 film adaptation of it. It was the first Sherlock Holmes film shot in color.

Price recorded the central spoken section in this sing on his second take, after it had been written by Rod Temperton in the taxi on the way to the studio for the recording session. (thanks, Brett - Edmonton, Canada)

The music video is considered the most famous music video of all time, at least by the Library of Congress, which added it to its National Film Registry in 2009, the first music video in their registry.

The video was a cultural milestone, introducing elaborate choreography, costumes and dialogue into the format. It also introduced the concept of the long-form music video, where a mini-movie was made for a song, then edited down for the short version. The long version of "Thriller" runs nearly 14 minutes, but had remarkable longevity, easily racking up over 100 million views when it showed up on YouTube. MTV usually ran the short version, which ran a little under five minutes but still contained about a minute of non-song content in a storyline that omits most of the movie the couple is watching at the beginning.

With its famous graveyard dance, the video started the trend of group dance scenes in pop videos, forcing even non-dancers like Pat Benatar to front a group of dancers in their clips.

The video owes a debt to Alice Cooper, who in 1975 created a movie based on the stage show for his Welcome To My Nightmare tour. Cooper's production was based on an entire album, but it also used a horror theme and was narrated by Vincent Price.

Rod Temperton wrote this song. Once a member of disco group Heatwave, he also wrote Jackson's "Off The Wall" and "Rock With You."

Most homes had VCRs in 1983 and sales of videos were big business. Along with the Jane Fonda workout tapes, you could buy a VHS or beta copy of Michael Jackson's Thriller, which included the full video and also "The Making of Michael Jackson's Thriller," a behind the scenes documentary. This tape became the best selling music video at the time, and was later certified by Guinness World Records as the top selling music video of all time, moving nine million units. Part of its appeal was the price, a mere $24.95 at a time when movies on tape cost much more.

The video distribution deal was through a company called Vestron, who approached John Landis about selling the film directly to consumers, which turned out to be very profitable. The timing helped, as the video was released a few weeks before Christmas.

The video won for Best Performance Video, Best Choreography, and Viewers Choice at the first MTV Video Music Awards in 1984. The show was hosted by Dan Aykroyd and Bette Midler.

Thriller is by far the best selling album in the world. In the United States, it was overtaken by The Eagles Their Greatest Hits 1971-1975, but reclaimed the title after Jackson's death.

This was the last of seven US Top 10 hits from the Thriller album. The first single from the album, "The Girl Is Mine," reached its peak chart position of #2 on January 8, 1983. The song "Thriller" was released over a year later, on January 23, 1984, peaking at #4 on March 3. This lifespan of chart singles from one album was unprecedented, but so was the video for "Thriller." The clip was so effective that after six singles and a year of release, it boosted yet another track from the album into the Top 10. It also brought the album back to #1 on December 24, 1983 - it lost the top spot on September 17 to Synchronicity by The Police. Thriller held the peak position until April 21, 1984, over a year after it first went to #1 on February 26, 1983.

Jackson, who was a Jehova's Witness at the time, insisted on a disclaimer at the beginning of the video reading: "Due to my strong personal convictions, I wish to stress that this film in no way endorses a belief in the occult." He asked for the disclaimer after taking criticism from Witness leaders who objected to the zombies and other creatures that violated their beliefs.

The whole Jackson clan was raised as Jehova's Witnesses, but unlike Scientology, celebrities do not get excessive special treatment, and followers were asked not to idolize Jackson, as adulation should be given only to God. After further conflict, Jackson cut ties with the Jehova's Witnesses in 1987.

The video cost about $500,000 to make, and Jackson's record company had intention of paying for it, since the album was on the downswing and they had already financed videos for two of its songs. According to John Landis, Jackson really wanted to turn into a monster, so he offered to pay for the clip himself. Landis took on the project because he saw it as a way to revive the short film genre, which he loved.

Jackson didn't have to pay for the video out of pocket because they made deals with Showtime and MTV to cover the costs. Showtime got to air a one-hour special with the "making of" documentary and the 14-minute film before it was broadcast anywhere else. When MTV heard about this, their executive Bob Pittman decided that losing a Michael Jackson video to Showtime was unacceptable, and paid $250,000 for the exclusive broadcast rights once Showtime's window ended. MTV was founded on the principle of not paying for videos, so Pittman got around this by paying for the documentary, even though the money was really used to pay for the film.

Because of a disagreement over royalties, Vincent Price's rap was not included in the 7" single version of the recording.

Vincent Price, while a guest on the Johnny Carson's Tonight Show, laughingly stated that when he did the narration for "Thriller" (at the request of Michael Jackson who was a big fan of Price) he had a choice between taking a percentage of the album sales or $20,000. Price was well along in his career, so he took the $20,000. He was good-natured about it when Carson told him he could have made millions off of the royalties due to the vast number of copies sold even at that time. Price laughed heartily and said: "How well I know!" (thanks, Jonnie - St. Louis, MO)

Before the 14-minute short film of Thriller aired on Showtime or MTV, it was screened at the Metro Crest Theater in Los Angeles. This screening took place on November 14, 1983, in was a gathering of stars, including Diana Ross and Eddie Murphy.

In 2008 Thriller 25, a special 25th anniversary edition of Thriller, was released. The re-recorded album debuted at #2 on the Top Comprehensive Albums chart, where catalog titles mix with current best-sellers. This made it the highest-charting catalog album in the history of the Top Comprehensive Albums survey. Despite selling 166,000 copies in its debut week, it was not eligible for the main album chart as Billboard considered it to be a catalog or oldies album, and Billboard publishes a special chart just for catalog albums.

The version of the song in the video is different from the one on the album, which you need to account for if you're planning to stage a Thriller Dance. On the album, the song begins with a series of spooky sound effects that don't lend themselves to dancing.

Editing the song for the video was a challenge, since producer Quincy Jones wouldn't release the master tapes. In the book I Want My MTV, John Landis explains how they got around this restriction. "The song was five minutes long, and I needed it to be 12 minutes for the video," he said. "So Michael and I went to the recording studio at three in the morning. We walked past the guard - 'Hi, Michael.' 'Hi' - put the tracks in a big suitcase and walked out with them. Then we drove across Hollywood, duped them, and put them back."

Originally this song was going to be called "Starlight Love" and on some demos its titled "Starlight Sun."

In the UK this has become something of a chart perennial, regularly charting each year in time for Halloween.

Rod Temperton recalled that when he wrote this song he envisaged "this talking section at the end and didn't know really what we were going to do with it. But one thing I 'd thought about was to have a famous voice in the horror genre to do the vocal. Quincy (Jones, producer)'s wife knew Vincent Price, so Quincy said to me, 'How about if we got Vincent Price?'" (Source Q magazine August 2009).

The Decemberists - Make You Better

The Decemberists - Make You Better Lyrics and Youtube Music Videos

Album: What a Terrible World, What a Beautiful World
Released: 2014

Make You Better Lyrics

I want you, thin fingers
I wanted you, thin fingernails
And when you bend backwards
I wanted you, I needed you
Oh-oh, to make me better

I'll love you in springtime
I lost you when summer came
And when you pulled backwards
I wanted you, I needed to
Oh-oh, to make me better
Oh-oh, to make me better

But we're not so starry-eyed anymore
Like the perfect paramour you were in your letters
And won't it all just come around to make you
Let it all unbreak you to the day you met her
But it'd Make You Better
It'd make you better

I sung you, your twinges
I suffered you, your tattletales
And when you broke sideways
I wanted you, I needed you
Oh-oh, to make me better
Oh-oh, to make me better

But we're not so starry-eyed anymore
Like the perfect paramour you were in your letters
And won't it all just come around and make you
Let it all unbreak you to the day that you met her
And it'd make you better
Did it make you better?
Make you better

And all I wanted was a sliver to call mine
And all I wanted was a shimmer in your shine
To make me bright

'Cause we're not so starry-eyed anymore
Like the perfect paramour you were in your letters
Won't it all just come around and make you
Let it all unbreak you to the days you met her
But it'd make you better
It'd make you better

Writer/s: COLIN MELOY
Publisher: BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Make You Better Song Chart

This rousing ballad finds frontman Colin Meloy crooning about romantic loss. The song was released as the first single from What a Terrible World, What a Beautiful World on November 3, 2014.

The Bill Fishman-directed comic video stars The Parks and Recreation's Nick Offerman. It finds the band visiting a '70s-era German talk show called The Old Blue Rock Palace Show hosted by Offerman. Melroy explained to The Sun: "There is a whole world of German and British music television on YouTube. It's so amazing, funny and so ripe with its own little narrative. It was perfect inspiration for the video and specifically based on (70's BBC show) The Old Grey Whistle Test."

The Decemberists achieved their first ever #1 on a Billboard chart when this topped Adult Alternative Songs.