Three Rock Songs About Brothers
Oh, brother.
The rules for this one is popular (significant radio play) songs of the Sixties or Seventies about brothers, meaning actual siblings. (Not “bruthas” or “bros”.)
He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother — performed by The Hollies
I always took this to be a song about literal siblings, but I suppose they could be using “brother” in the more generic way. It’s also a stretch to call this “rock”.
… The road is long
With many a winding turn
That leads us to who knows where, who knows where
But I’m strong
Strong enough to carry him
He ain’t heavy, he’s my brother
… So on we go
His welfare is of my concern
No burden is he to bear
We’ll get there
… For I know
He would not encumber me
He ain’t heavy, he’s my brother
… If I’m laden at all
I’m laden with sadness
That everyone’s heart
Isn’t filled with the gladness
Of love for one another
… It’s a long, long road
From which there is no return
While we’re on the way to there
Why not share?
… And the load
Doesn’t weigh me down at all
He ain’t heavy, he’s my brother
… He’s my brother
He ain’t heavy, he’s my brother
He ain’t heavy, he’s my brother
Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: Bob Russell / Bobby Scott
He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother lyrics © Music Sales Corporation
Daniel — Elton John / Bernie Taupin
These are definitely biological brothers.
Daniel is traveling tonight on a plane
I can see the red tail lights heading for Spain
And I can see Daniel waving goodbye
Oh it looks like Daniel, must be the clouds in my eyes
They say Spain is pretty though I’ve never been
And Daniel says it’s the best place that he’s ever seen
He should know, he’s been there enough
Oh I miss Daniel, oh I miss him so much, oh
Daniel my brother you are older than me
Do you still feel the pain of the scars that won’t heal?
Your eyes have died but you see more than I
Daniel you’re a star in the face of the sky
Oh Daniel my brother you are older than me
Do you still feel the pain of the scars that won’t heal?
Your eyes have died but you see more than I
Daniel you’re a star in the face of the sky
Daniel is traveling tonight on a plane
And I can see the red tail lights heading for Spain
And I can see Daniel waving goodbye
Oh it looks like Daniel, it must be the clouds in my eyes
Oh God it looks like Daniel, must be the clouds in my eyes
Source: Musixmatch
Songwriters: Elton John / Bernie Taupin
Daniel lyrics © Dick James Music Ltd.
Cousin Kevin — The Who
Damn! Not even AI could come up with a third song about brothers. So here’s one about cousins. From the rock opera Tommy, poor deaf dumb and blind Tommy had a very bad cousin. (He also had a very wicked Uncle Ernie who liked to Fiddle About.)
We’re on our own, cousin
All alone, cousin
Let’s think of a game to play
Now the grown-ups have all gone away
You won’t be much fun
Being blind, deaf and dumb
But I’ve no-one to play with today
Do you know how to play hide-and-seek?
To find me it would take you a week
But tied to that chair
You won’t go anywhere
There’s a lot I can do with a freak
How would you feel if I
Turned on the bath
Ducked your head under
And started to laugh?
What would you do if I shut you outside
To stand in the rain
And catch cold so you died?
I’m the school bully!
The classroom cheat
The nastiest play friend
You ever could meet
I’ll stick pins in your fingers
And tread on your feet
We’re on our own, cousin
All alone, cousin
Let’s think of a game to play
Now the grown-ups have all gone away
You won’t be much fun
Being blind, deaf and dumb
But I’ve no-one to play with today
Do you know how to play hide-and-seek?
To find me it would take you a week
But tied to that chair
You won’t go anywhere
There’s a lot I can do with a freak
Maybe a cigarette burn on your arm
Would change your expression
To one of alarm
I’ll drag you around by a lock of your hair
Or give you a push
At the top of the stairs
I’m the school bully!
The classroom cheat
The nasty play friend
You ever could meet
I’ll put glass in your dinner
And spikes in your seat
Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: John Entwistle
Cousin Kevin lyrics © Gowmonk, Inc
