Songs that start out with words..
 

I have an idea in my head, probably will never amount to anything, but for it, I would need to know some songs that start out with words, not music. One example, in case you don't know what I'm talking about, is "the blower's daughter" by Damien Rice. I would also like songs that are more soft, not hard rock or rap.

Thanks for any help, I realize these things are probably not on the tip of your tongue.

I don't know the song you refer to, but are you looking for spoken word introductions or sung introductions? Also, spoken or sung in rhythm, or not?

You Took the Words Right Out Of My Mouth
Meatloaf, Bat Out Of Hell, 1977


Classic

Hmm good question, one I had not addressed myself even. I think I'd prefer sung ones, the rhythym doesnt matter.

Oops. I'm not going to know much in the soft rock genre. Hope my questions help to guide someone else, though.

I think "funkadafi" by front 242 - starts our with a speech introducing momar kadahfi (sp?) but that sure as hell ain't soft rock - very industrial

U2 - "MLK" from the Unforgettable Fire album.

Sleep
Sleep tonight
And may your dreams
Be realized

If the thunder cloud
Passes rain
So let it rain
Rain down on me
Mmm...mmm...mmm...
So let it be
Mmm...mmm...mmm...
So let it be

Sleep
Sleep tonight
And may your dreams
Be realized

If the thundercloud
Passes rain
So let it rain
Let it rain
Rain on me

American Pie by Don McLean.

Bright Eyes' At the Bottom of Everything begins with an awesome introductory story that compliments the song very well.

Not sure if that's what you're looking for, but it's worth a listen anyway.

So what's your idea?

Going the Distance by Cake has a few lines before the music starts.

"A Lap Dance Is So Much Better When the Stripper is Crying" by the Bloodhound Gang.

I was lonelier than Kunta Kinte at a Merle Haggard concert
That night I strolled on into Uncle Limpy's Hump Palace lookin' for love.
It had been a while.
In fact, three hundred and sixty-five had come and went
since that midnight run haulin' hog to Shakey Town on I-10.
I had picked up this hitchhiker that was sweatin' gallons
through a pair of Daisy Duke cut-offs and one of those Fruit Of The Loom tank-tops.
Well, that night I lost myself to ruby red lips,
milky white skin and baby blue eyes.
Name was Russell.


I suppose it's more of a country song than a soft rock song.

The only one I can think of (which is in no way soft rock), is Iron Maiden's number of the beast - it has a spoken intro done by vincent price.

the very beginning of Operation Mindcrime from Queensryche.

"I remember now... I remember how it started..."

nevermind.

Pink Floyd - A New Machine - Part 1

I think this might be something like what you're looking for by your description...

Any Godspeed You! Black Emperor song.

KCRW's compilation album "Rare On Air" has Leonard Cohen reading one of his poems in the beginning of Tori Amos' "Silent All These Years." Certainly not hard or rap.