No, not me.
Sometimes life gives you a clear choice between two alternatives. So, too, does rock and roll. There are many examples of rock lyrics in which the narrator is faced with clear-cut decision. Probably the best known (probably because he goes on and on about it) takes place between Meat Loaf (that’s Mr. Loaf to the New York Times) and Ellen Foley in the backseat of Meat’s car: “So what’s it gonna be, boy, yes or no?” We all know how that turns out.
Checking into this further it seems like it is more common for the narrator to just present the choices and leave it to the listener to determine the outcome. Here’s an interesting dilemma posed by Brandon Flowers:
“Are we human or are we dancer?”
I would have to go with human. Have you ever seen those chained up dancing bears in the Russian circus?
Or even the funky robots in the Beastie Boys videos?
Non-human dancers are just creepy. Stick with human and you can still dance if you feel motivated to do so.
So, what are some more examples of the either/or choice in rock. And what decision would you make given the facts as presented?
should i stay or should i go?
you should have stayed, Mick, maybe there would have been another decent album.
Your a real risk taker, Kilroy. Had you left there would be trouble but since you stayed it will be double.
Paul Revere and the Raiders asked, “Him or Me (What’s It Gonna Be)?”
My answer: Me.
Enjoy the video. Damn, they are silly but they have a good baker’s dozen of killer tunes, anyway.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJh3ga54hVc
Elvis Costello asked “Honey, Are You Straight or Are You Blind?” Honey replied, “Straight outta the Pogues!”
Love or Confusion? Probably both, but mostly confusion.
25 or 6 to four
Eh, it’s six of one/half dozen of the other to me.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7yVBMUXr4xo
Dear Arthur, Given the choice to remain in a less-than-satisfactory relationship or be by yourself, I would choose alone.
Tom Petty says All Or Nothin’. I wanted it all, but I had no place to put it, so all I got was nothin’. But as Luke would say, sometimes nothin’s a mighty cool hand.
U2 Asks “With or Without You”?
Without!
Q: Is You Is or Is You Ain’t My Baby?
A: For Louis Jordan, swingin’ hep cat and King of the Jump Blues, I mo’ def-nitly is.
Do You Want New Wave Or Do You Want The Truth?
I am a cesspool for all the sht to run down in
I can’t handle the truth! But I secretly want it.
Blondie cries out “One Way Or Another”
When you come to a fork in the road, take it!
The Cocteau Twins sing about “Heaven or Las Vegas.” No brainer there…
25 or 6 to 4?
I’ll take 26.