The first one to jump into my mind is 'Runaway Love' by Ludacris and Mary J Blige. Lyrics not so subtle but definitely a clear strong story - babe in the woods needing rescuing etc. 5 and 1/2 million hits on youtube, I see. I got a feeling it's not just the hook and superstars that make it compelling - maybe it's the story too.

The second one to jump into my brain makes me laugh (no censoring myself today) - Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady - "All I want in a room somewhere, far away from the cold night air..." Again, not subtle, but definitely a character making her super-objective extremely clear.

Tracy Chapman's "Fast Car," "Jamie's Got Her Gun" by Aerosmith is a story song. My favorite story song is Kelly Clarkson's "Since You've Been Gone."

LOVE the title of your song, Scott, "How Can I Get Over Her, When She's Still Under Him." Is there a story behind that?!

Before I got saved, and was working on a fisher/processor boat in the Berring Sea (near where Sarah Palin lives with Russia outside my window, don'tcha know) I used to write songs. Back then my favorite groups were Deff Leppard and Poison, so you can image how those dities went...

I'm NOT a big guy on songs that tell a story. RATHER I feel songs work best to compliment your story and add an element of emotional "kick."
I've actually comprised soundtracks for a lot of specs I've written -- just for that purpose of capturing the emotion a given scene. NEVER in attempt to encapsulate the entire movie.

Still, rockin' post. Someone must have had a very special Thanksgiving dinner indeed!

- E.C. Henry from Bonney Lake, WA

Yes Scott - love your song title!!

I can't believe I'm on your blog - I loved K-9 as a kid! Anyway, I find songs very helpful - certain songs I hear always make me imagine scenes from my scripts, and I always think if I ever get the script made I'll put that song over the top in the edit...songs are an inspiration.

Try a song called "Sixteen Down" by the underrated Jayhawks off their underrated album "Sound of Lies." It's creepy yet moving.

Ben Gibbard is, of course, a remarkable talent. Great post Scott!

I'm assuming, Scott, you've heard Death Cab's song "Cath" off their latest CD?

Equally excellent story song!

Joanna, glad you enjoyed K-9. And glad you found the blog.

Jeff, I confess I became rather obsessed with Death Cab. I first heard their song "Passenger Seat" on the local college FM station, then heard the same song on an episode of "Californication." Figured that was a sign, so I checked them out on iTunes. Several dollars later, I had purchased all their songs. I agree, Ben Gibbard is an incredible talent. "Soul Meets Body" is my eight year-old son's favorite song.

Here are the lyrics to "Cath," another great story song.


"Cath..."

Cath, she stands with a well-intentioned man
But she can't relax with his hand on the small of her back
And as the flashbulbs burst
She holds a smile like someone would hold a crying child

And soon everybody will ask what became of you
'Cause your heart was dying fast, and you didn't know what to do

Cath, it seems that you live in someone else's dream
In a hand-me-down wedding dress
Where the things that could have been all repressed
But you said your vows, and you closed the door
On so many men who would have loved you more

And soon everybody will ask what became of you
'Cause your heart was dying fast, and you didn't know what to do

The whispers that it won't last roll up and down the pews
But if their hearts were dying that fast,
They'd have done the same as you
And I'd have done the same as you

My 7 year old daughter walks around the house crooning "I will possess your heart." Kinda' jarring to hear my kid sing what I believe to be is the ULTIMATE STALKER SONG.