When I was a kid in the late 60’s and early 70’s, there was a myriad of songs called Story Songs. These usually had to do with a hero or heroine, a long journey always sung in rhyme, and a surprise ending. These weren’t songs you could just slow dance to, or simply sing along with. You had to LISTEN to them. Something was happening and you didn’t dare miss one word or the ending might not make sense.

And for me, it was always about the ending. What would happen? What was the big surprise? Who was going to shoot who? There was a lot of shooting in the 70’s.

I’ve posted some of my favorites. Some are the actual artist performing the song, and some are just the song itself with a small homemade video. All of them brought back the exact same memories I had as a kid though. I hear these songs and I can remember exactly where I was and what I was doing when I first heard them. And make sure you have some time, because you can’t skip around on these things. If you’ve never heard some of these, listen all the way through. You won’t be disappointed. I promise.




Run, Joey Run




When I first heard this song it scared me to death. I’m not sure what it was, but I had the 45 of it, and as I would stack it ontop of the rest of my Story Songs, I had to sit very, very still. The only calming element was Julie’s voice.

“Daddy please don’t, it wasn’t his fault…”

…still makes me shiver.




One Tin Soldier



I used to quote this to everyone in High School.

“Peace on earth was all it said.”

Slowly, methodically, as if I had written it beneath the stone myself. It meant everything to me. It was my mantra when I was 15 and stayed my mantra for years afterward.

And can I just say…Billy Jack was Hero. Still is.




The Night The Lights Went Out In Georgia



Another twist of an ending, and probably the Daddy of all twists. When I first heard this I remember screaming at my record player:

“No! Little sister, no!”





Dark Lady



What’s with all the women in the 70’s shooting guys in the head?

I loved this story too, even though the best thing was really the claps in the middle of the chorus. I could never listen to it without clapping. And tossing my hair.




Wildfire



I’ve always been terrified of horses. I love them, but they scare me. When I heard this song as a teenager, I knew there was one horse…just one….that I could count on. Even if I died in a chilling frost, Wildfire would bust down his stall and search endlessly for my soul.




Angie Baby



First off, this is Helen Reddy actually singing this song live in concert. It’s incredible.

And secondly, what HAPPENED to the boy?? Can someone please tell me? Is he under the bed? Is he in the radio? Did she make him up? I mean, she IS insane and all. But then, if she made him up, how could the papers have thought he died??

Please. I’m begging you. Since the 70’s I’ve been in the dark….




Cat’s In The Cradle



Another great live performance here. I miss Harry Chapin. What a terrific writer and a wonderful poet. This song makes me ache. It makes something in me go very, very dry. It mesmerizes me and turns my heart upside down. A brilliant song with a heart breaking ending.




I've Never Been To Me

Hey Lady, you Lady.....Okay. I know what you're thinking. But I don't care. Every time I hear this song, I well up. I refuse to be judged.




Bad, Bad, Leroy Brown



Although this is really on the edge of being a Story Song, it does have a through line and something awful does indeed happen to Leroy. When I heard this I was living in California and the fact that Leroy lived on the South Side of Chicago made the song a little scary for me.

Plus, this was the first time I ever heard anyone sing the word “damn” before. It was my first taste at using foul language and it somehow made me feel naughty.