1. Well I love the way we communicate
Your eyes focus on my funny lip shape
Genre: Lilith Fair-ish (though I don’t think she’s actually played the Lilith Fair—she’s just of that type)
Another line, this one from the chorus: But what if I’m a mermaid in these jeans of yours
2. I hear your voice, it's like an angel sighing
I have no choice, I hear your voice
“Like a Prayer” by Madonna ~
3. Now laughing friends deride tears I cannot hide
“Smoke Gets in Your Eyes.” My version comes from a Musical Theatre Classics accompaniment CD, which means that the singer would be…me.
4. She looked at me funny, with compassion in her eyes
“Treasures in Heaven” by Burlap to Cashmere ~
5. Far beyond where the horizon lies,
And the land sinks into mellow blueness,
Oh, please! Take me with you.
Genre: Musical theatre
First line: Where are you going? Where are you going? Can you take me with you?
New hint: A couple of people have posted lyrics from Jesus Christ Superstar. This is from the other 70s musical about Jesus.
6. With the dawn of redeeming grace
“Silent Night.” My version is sung by The Voices of Liberty and several high school choirs, one of which included, at the time, yours truly.
I doubt anyone will get this, but what the heck:
7. On a hillside grew a lovely rose,
A friend amid the wild
Genre: Art music
Next line: The sun and rain did bless the rose,
And [insert song title here].
8. December’s tragic drive when time is poetry
“Seven” by Sunny Day Real Estate ~
9. I hang my head and I advertise
A soul for sale or rent
Genre: Classic rock
Next lines: I have no heart, I’m cold inside
I have no feelings left
[breaks into chorus, which basically repeats the title over and over again]
10. The words that he spoke made the people assume
There wasn't too much left in the upper room
“Jesus Freak” by DC Talk ~
11. I know you have a little life in you yet
I know you have a lot of strength left
Genre: Lilith Fair-ish
Next lines: I should be crying but I just can’t let it show
I should be hoping but I can’t stop thinking
Of all the things I should’ve said that I never said,
All the things I should’ve done that I never did,
All the things I should’ve given, but I didn’t
I will be pretty surprised if anyone gets this next one. It’s off an imported single, so it’s kind of obscure. It’s a live performance, and it sometimes gets played on Acoustic Café, which is where I first heard it, and what prompted me to go hunt down the single.
12. I’ve gotta hand it to you, you’ve got one heart ten times divided
Did you cut yourself in pieces to get them all inside you?
Genre: Lilith Fair-ish
Next lines: Dream about, or can’t you see?
She’s only shining bright ‘cause she’s so out of reach
You dream about the seven seas
I’m staying home each night, makin’ love to [insert song title here]
New hint: This artist also had a popular song out around the same time, which says:
With the light in our eyes it's hard to see
Holding on and on 'til we believe
With the light in our eyes it's hard to see
I'm not touched but I'm aching to be
If someone can just give me the name of the artist, I'll be happy.
13. I’ll bring you more than a song,
For a song in itself is not what you have required
“Heart of Worship” by Matt Redman ~
14. I said, “Somebody’s got to take care of him.”
I quit school, and that’s what I did
“Fast Car” by Tracy Chapman ~
15. I love him, but everyday I’m learning
All my life, I’ve only been pretending
“On My Own” from Les Miserables ~
16. Yabba-dabba-lujah
“Cartoons” by Chris Rice ~
17. Down on the boulevard children are sold
To pave the way for your streets of gold
Genre: I believe this would be classified as Industrial
Another hint: It’s from a movie soundtrack that was very popular among my cohort in the mid-90s
New hint: Here are the first few lines, which I believe is what can be heard in the movie this song is in:
I am city
I am the park
I am glow in the motherf***ing dark
I am shocked and I seethe
I don't want to believe no more
18. Water, water everywhere, and I complain about my thirst
The perscription’s in my hand, while my pain I curse
“Too Tender” by Caedmon’s Call ~
19. Lord, I’m walking, and I’m not taking anything with me
And I’m on this road, and the voices are calling, but I’m not listening
Genre: This little ditty is by the only Christian Goth band I know of
Elsewhere in the song: When everything’s left unsaid
“Let the dead [insert song title here],” little brother
“Get up and take your bed.”
Even when your last tear is shed,
“Follow me.”
This is obscure, so I understand if no one is familiar with this band or their music, but anyone who is reasonably familiar with the Bible might guess the song title, as it alludes to a somewhat well-known verse.
20. On a stormy sea of moving emotion
Tossed about I'm like a ship on the ocean
“Carry On Wayward Son” by Kansas ~
Why is it that revealing my musical taste makes me feel sort of…exposed?
hymnia