What is a song that sing a story?

The two best story songs ever written are "Big Bad John" by Jimmy Dean and "El Paso" by Marty Robbins. Both were huge country hits back around 1960 and both became huge pop hits as well. Great songs stand the test of time and these two certainly have.

What makes "Big Bad John" so special is how spare the song is. The lyrics are descriptive and lean, and the music itself is composed of just two instruments, a drum and the sound of a hammer driving a metal spike.

And "El Paso?" What can I say? Generally considered the best story song ever written.

My uncle literally wore out two vinyl copies of the song, he liked it so much.

I guarantee these songs are going to blow your socks off.

Incidentally, You missed another great story song by George Thorogood. "Bad to the Bone."

I keep on having to edit this because I keep thinking of more great songs. Try "The Battle of New Orleans" by Johnny Horton and one of the funniest songs ever, "Hot Rod Lincoln" by Commander Cody.

Another edit, "Sunday Morning Coming Down," written by Kris Kristoffersen and sung by Johnny Cash. How's this for a lyric filled with pain and regret? "Well I woke up Sunday morning with no way to hold my head that didn't hurt,

and the beer I had for breakfast wasn't bad so I had one more for dessert."

A great song about a wasted life.

Ray mentioned "Cats in the Cradle" by Harry Chapin. An earlier Chapin song, "Taxi," the one that made him a star was just as good.

Cats In The Cradle-Harry Chapin

Anymore by Emmy Rossum

Just a Dream by Carrie Underwood

Perhaps a ballad