Games Without Frontiers - Peter Gabriel

Although not his most popular song, this is one that always seems to get stuck in my head and has an interesting little rhythm to it, but especially several unique vocal parts to it. The whistling part is an odd feature to this song but fits in so well. This song is a critique of war and how childish it is. The first line in the song which is commonly misheard is actually Jeux sans Frontiers, where the name of the song came from and was the name of a game show that pitted nationalities against each other. There are a lot of clear references to war in this song especially that of Adolf ( referring to Hitler) Britt ( referring to Great Britain), and Enrico Fermi, who's contribution to nuclear weaponry enabled the States to bomb Japan. An interesting little song but certainly one of my favorites that Gabriel has to offer.

Limousine - Brand New

One of my favorite songs by one of my favorite bands, this is a very powerful and touching song. Written about 7 year old Katie Flynn, she had been a flower girl earlier in the day and while driving home from the wedding in a limousine, it was struck by a drunk driver, killing Katie. The song has several parts to it, from different perspectives. The first is from Katie's mother, discussing the wedding and how she is to lay the petals and then goes into describing how the driver who is to kill her is starting to drink, and ending very sadly with her saying that she has one more night to be her mother. The middle is from the driver and the guilt he feels for killing her and how he feels he can never be forgiven. Finally the last part is supposedly from Katies point of view, and the counting to 7 represents her age at the time. This is a pretty fantastic song, with quite a deep meaning and is still by far the best song I've ever seen performed live.

The Mariners Revenge Song - The Decemberists

One of the few songs I pick up off of my brother, I think this song is just fantastic. I love a song that is able to paint a picture and this song is a story and a half. It even sounds like a shanty so the fact it's about a song at sea is perfect. I wasn't particularly a fan of the singers voice when I first heard it, but I now think it's just what the song needs. It is a song about a boy whose mother falls for a 'rake and rastabout' who eventually leaves her with his gambling debts so that her house is repossessed and then she dies. This causes the son to vow to get revenge which he eventually does in the belly of a whale. The music is just great, and I especially love the simpleness but driving force of the percussion, that of a timpani and tambourine. I have posted a video of them playing the song which I suggest watching a little of first just to get an idea of how they look and play but then watch the full video below. It is a high school group acting out the song, and it will help follow along with what is happening in the tale. Also, pay close attention to the mother's part, it is one of the funniest and most gruesome parts I have ever heard in a song.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=CaNV7eCU2R0