And while I have provide a wide range of powerful, uplifting and transformative experiences -- that is, intense experiences -- in the free Intense Experiences newsletter, few intense experiences are as immediately uplifting and transformative as listening to music.
Whether you are 9, 29, 49, 69 or 89 years old, hearing a favorite song can instantly drive you from stress, loneliness, anger, or sadness to a better place. It can rekindle feelings of first love, deep love, wild abandon, inner-peace, and hope and joy. It can connect you to others who share your love of the music and its mood, or it can transport you beyond all beings, time and space.
As author Victor Hugo said, "Music expresses that which cannot be put into words and cannot remain silent."
And Victor leads me to another point: you really cannot separate the lyrics being sung in a song any more than you can separate the beat of the drum or the rhythm of the guitar. They're all parts that make up the whole.
Nonetheless, some lyrics are so beautifully written that, much like Ella Fitzgerald singing or Neil Peart playing drums or Charlie Parker blowing saxophone on a tune, they greatly enhance the song.
With all that in mind, I am wondering: what song do YOU think has the most beautiful lyrics you've ever heard? Or if you never commit to absolutes either, what song has AMONG the most beautiful lyrics you've ever heard?(Follow the brief instructions at the bottom of this page to submit yours.)
Below are five songs that have amongst the most beautiful lyrics I have ever heard. With some of these songs I did not necessarily even love the music itself, but the lyrics enhanced the songs for me. I provide the lyrics and the YouTube video so you can also hear them in full.
At the bottom of the page after these five songs, please follow the very brief instructions to submit your choice for a song with absolutely beautiful lyrics. These will be published in an upcoming edition of the free Intense Experiences newsletter!
The Dance by Garth Brooks
Touching lyrics that most people can relate to, as it reiterates poet Alfred Lord Tennyson’s immortal line, “'Tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all.”
Looking back on the memory of The dance we shared 'neath the stars alone, For a moment all the world was right. How could I have known that you'd ever say goodbye?
And now I'm glad I didn't know The way it all would end, the way it all would go. Our lives are better left to chance, I could have missed the pain But I'd have had to miss the dance.
Holding you I held everything. For a moment wasn't I a king. But if I'd only known how the king would fall, Hey who's to say, you know I might have changed it all.
And now I'm glad I didn't know The way it all would end, the way it all would go. Our lives are better left to chance, I could have missed the pain But I'd have had to miss the dance.
Yes my life is better left to chance, I could have missed the pain but I'd have had to miss the dance.
I Believe by Joe Satriani
Simple, powerful and inspiring lyrics to one of my all-time favorite songs.
Ive been out walking for hours. Ive got something on my mind. How did we get here? Where are we going? And why is life so hard?
I read the stories, see the photographs. World's in a crazy space. I’ve got to hold on to my dreams; Theres just no other place. Theres just no other place.
Chorus: I believe We can change anything. I believe We can rise above this. I believe Theres a reason for everything. I believe In my dream.
Ive seen the shadows of the living. Seen them turn and walk away. And I keep searching for the right words To send these thoughts away.
There’s a picture I like to look at, A picture of a beautiful face. And I see something in her eyes, Sends me to a better place. Sends me to a better place.
Chorus: I believe We can change anything.
Danny's Song by Loggins & Messina
An inevitable tears-of-joy song for any couple who have a new baby boy ... and they're flat broke. When my son, now eighteen, was born, that definitely defined my situation, and so this song holds deep meaning to me.
People smile and tell me I'm the lucky one, And we've only just begun. Think I'm gonna have a son. He will be like she and me, as free as a dove, Conceived in love. Sun is gonna shine above.
And even though we ain't got money, I'm so in love with you, honey, And everything will bring a chain of love. And in the morning, when I rise, You bring a tear of joy to my eyes And tell me everything is gonna be alright.
Seems as though, a month ago, I was Beta-Chi, Never got high. Oh, I was a sorry guy. And now, I smile and face the girl that shares my name. Now I'm through with the game. This boy will never be the same.
And even though we ain't got money, I'm so in love with you, honey, And everything will bring a chain of love. And in the morning, when I rise, You bring a tear of joy to my eyes And tell me everything is gonna be alright.
Pisces, Virgo rising is a very good sign, Strong and kind, And the little boy is mine. Now I see a family where the once was none. Now we've just begun. Yeah, we're gonna fly to the sun.
And even though we ain't got money, I'm so in love with you, honey, And everything will bring a chain of love. And in the morning, when I rise, You bring a tear of joy to my eyes And tell me everything is gonna be alright.
Love the girl who holds the world in a paper cup. Drink it up. Love her and she'll bring you luck. And if you find she helps your mind, better take her home. Don't you live alone. Try to earn what lovers own.
And even though we ain't got money, I'm so in love with you, honey, And everything will bring a chain of love. And in the morning, when I rise, You bring a tear of joy to my eyes And tell me everything is gonna be alright.
I Hope You Dance by Lee Ann Womack
Thee lyrics of this beautiful song have been printed on everything from tee-shirts to plaques for living room walls, and for good reason, as you'll read.
I hope you never lose your sense of wonder, You get your fill to eat but always keep that hunger, May you never take one single breath for granted, God forbid love ever leave you empty handed, I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean, Whenever one door closes, I hope one more opens, Promise me that you'll give faith a fighting chance, And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance.
I hope you dance....I hope you dance.
I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance, Never settle for the path of least resistance Livin' might mean takin' chances, but they're worth takin', Lovin' might be a mistake but it's worth makin', Don't let some hell bent heart leave you bitter, When you come close to sellin' out reconsider, Give the heavens above more than just a passing glance, And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance.
I hope you dance....I hope you dance. I hope you dance....I hope you dance. (Time is a wheel in constant motion always rolling us along, Tell me who wants to look back on their years and wonder where those years have gone.)
I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean, Whenever one door closes I hope one more opens, Promise me that you'll give faith a fighting chance, And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance.
Dance....I hope you dance. I hope you dance....I hope you dance. I hope you dance....I hope you dance. (Time is a wheel in constant motion always rolling us along Tell me who wants to look back on their years and wonder where those years have gone)
The Rose by Amanda McBroom (and popularized by Bette Midler)
If I had to pick a song with THE most beautiful lyrics -- and I am glad I don't -- this may be it.
Some say love, it is a river That drowns the tender reed Some say love, it is a razor That leaves your soul to bleed
Some say love, it is a hunger An endless aching need I say love, it is a flower And you, its only seed
It's the heart, afraid of breaking That never learns to dance It's the dream, afraid of waking That never takes the chance
It's the one who won't be taken Who cannot seem to give And the soul, afraid of dying That never learns to live
When the night has been too lonely And the road has been too long And you think that love is only for the lucky and the strong
Just remember in the winter Far beneath the bitter snow Lies the seed That with the sun's love, in the spring Becomes the rose
Please Submit Your Most Beautiful Song Lyrics Now
What one song do you believe has absolutely beautiful (uplifting, deeply meaningful, inspiring, etc.) song lyrics?
- IF POSSIBLE, please provide a link to the song lyrics (it is easy to Google; include the song title plus the word "lyrics," such as "The Rose lyrics").
- You can also include a line or two on why the lyrics move you.