by Robin Ragland

Created on: May 31, 2008

The crown for Queen of bizarre lyrics would have to go to Tori Amos. She is a talented, versatile singer, songwriter, and pianist who strives to always push the envelope just a little bit farther than anyone else dares to.

Her lyrics are as open to interpretation as any poetry, and often, as hard to take a meaning from. I've seen her live and the lyrics seem to make so much more sense with her impassioned performing than they do on paper. When you hear her sing you think you know what she is saying, then you read the lyrics.

There are so many examples of truly bizarre lyrics in her discography that it is hard to pick out a favorite. I have to say that, for an entire song of bizarre lyrics and not just a few lines, Carbon would be my winner.

carbon made found her at the
end of a chain "time to race"
she said "race the downhill"
behind crystalline irises
loons can drive
where the world bleeds white
just keep your eyes on her
keep
don't look away
keep your eyes on her horizon
bear claw free fall
a gunner's view black and blue
shred in ribbons of lithium
blow by blow
her mind cut in sheets
layers deep now unraveling
just keep your eyes on her.
get me Neil on the line
no I can't hold
have him read "snow glass apples"
where nothing is what it seems
"little sis you must crack this"
he says to me
"you must go in again carbon
made only wants to be unmade"
blade to ice it's
double diamond time
and keep your eyes on her
on her eyes on her horizon

This is only one of many examples of bizarre lyrics in the Tori Amos collection. Another great bizarre song would be "Cornflake Girl";

Never was a cornflake girl
Thought that was a good solution
Hangin with the raisin girls
Shes gone to the other side
Givin us a yo heave ho
Things are getting kind of gross
And I go at sleepy time
This is not really happening
You bet your life it is

Peel out the watchword just peel out the watchword

She knows whats going on
Seems we got a cheaper feel now
All the sweeteaze are gone
Gone to the other side
With my encyclopedia
They musta paid her a nice price
Shes puttin on her string bean love
This is not really happening
You bet your life it is

Rabbit whered you put the keys girl
And the man with the golden gun
Thinks he knows so much
Thinks he knows so much
Rabbit whered you put the keys girl

The list goes on but you should read, or better yet, listen for yourself. It is more unusual to find lyrics by Tori Amos that aren't bizarre. She doesn't seem to feel the need to conform to anything except her own inner muse. For the lovers of the bizarre, she is a goldmine.

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