Ten Favorite Story Songs
(I began thinking about story songs after listening to this episode of the Literary Disco podcast (and this one). Here, in alphabetical order, are ten songs that offer complete (if very short) narratives, possess a pleasing sensitivity to shape and phrasing, and seem to be vessels for invented characters rather than for the singers themselves.)
Angel in Manhattan by Ellis Paul
The Babysitter’s Here by Dar Williams
Birches by Bill Morrissey
Cold Missouri Waters by James Keelaghan
Double Takes by Christine Fellows
The Dream Before by Laurie Anderson
Fishing by Richard Shindell
In Germany Before the War by Randy Newman
My Name Joe by David Massengill
Norman by Rod MacDonald
— December 14, 2020