Story songs

Posted: Feb. 9, 2009

Story songs. I love them. What is your favorite story song? Remember “The Gambler” by Kenny Rogers? It was written by Durham native Don Schlitz. Can you name two other famous songs composed by Schlitz?

I heard a fascinating story song over the weekend and had a chance to ask the author all about it. Let me set the scene. It's the Celtic Adventure Weekend at the Grove Park Inn in Asheville. My band played there and I served as emcee for the two day event. But the headliner band was Gaelic Storm, a high energy and highly popular band with a large and loyal fan base. You may remember Gaelic Storm from the movie Titanic.

Gaelic Storm singer, songwriter and accordionist Patrick Murphy penned a tune called “The Night I Punched Russell Crowe.” Murphy managed an Irish bar in California before joining the band. He says he encountered the Australian actor late one night when Crowe lit a cigarette in the bar. Since smoking was in violation of California law Murphy informed Crowe he would have to snuff out the cigarette or leave. Murphy claims Crowe became confrontational and invited Murphy “to give me your best shot.” Feeling threatened by the strapping actor and “three burly bodyguards,” the wiry and witty Irishman landed a punch on Crowe’s nose drawing blood. He then made a wise decision as Crowe looked on in disbelief. “I ran as fast and as far as I could. True story!”

Murphy has not seen Russell Crowe since except in the movies. Murphy calls Crowe a brilliant actor but highly egotistical and arrogant. So far, no reaction from the Aussie actor to the song but a publicist insists the bar incident never happened.

What is your favorite story song? Can you top the Russell Crowe song?

Share:

27 Comments

Welcome to GOLO, where WRAL.com visitors can comment on stories and create profile pages, blogs and photo galleries.

You must be a registered WRAL.com user to use these tools. Click here to register or log in.

View Comments

page 1 \| 2
<prev	next>

sort order: oldest first | newest first

My favorite story song - "Another Auld Lang Syne" by Dan Fogelberg. Reminds me of an old love, my first love and seemed for years we would run into each other somewhere in town right around Christmas. Never seemed to see him much any other time, but every time I saw him at Christmas, that song would pop into my head. Have had people watching me when the song was playing and they say you can see the song is special and sad to me by the look on my face and in my eyes...

fishnett5977
February 9, 2009 11:59 a.m.

Report abuse

I still like the oldie Marty Robbins "El Paso"

On a more recent note, and along the lines of your Russell Crowe example. The pilot of the forgetable fall 2008 show The Ex List had the title character attempting to rekindle an old romance with a musician boyfriend, who as a flashback reveals, she broke up with on his birthday. He's back in town, as a moderately successful club musician, so she decides to go check him out. He sees her, exchanges furtive glances with her, and jumps into his big hit, a hard rocking number "She left me on my BIRTHDAY!..."

Although that was a memorable scene, the show had few other such memorable moments.

thefensk
GOLO member since July 11, 2007
February 9, 2009 12:16 p.m.

Report abuse

Johnny Cash has the best story songs. "Boy Named Sue", "Ballad of John Henry" and many many others. I think Sue was a Silversteen song, however. NC Native Charlie Daniels has two more of my favorites, "Uneasy Rider" and its sequel, "Uneasy Rider 2"

MrGup2
February 9, 2009 12:52 p.m.

Report abuse

Harry Chapin was a master of the story song. I think Cats in the Cradle is my favorite. Taxi is another good one. And anyone from Pennsylvania (like I am) can appreciate "30,000 Pounds of Bananas"!

Kathleen
February 9, 2009 12:53 p.m.

Report abuse

"Big Bad John" by Jimmy Dean is a great story song, as well as "Coward of the County" by Kenny Rogers.

Beach Music Forever
February 9, 2009 1:12 p.m.

Report abuse

Yes - "Turn of the Century"

westoflyra
February 9, 2009 1:25 p.m.

Report abuse

Fishnett, you and I agree on so many things. I like her song pick. I'd like to add "Ode to Billy Joe." I have always been intrigued by that song. Also, I've gone blank on the singer, but the song..."operator, oh won't you help me place this call.." I love the line towards the end where it says, something about the operator being most kind, then..."you can keep the dime." That is sooo clever to me!!