One of the first epic songs I recall from my youth was “Rime Of The Ancient Mariner” by Iron Maiden. Not in the sense of EPIC, but “epic” as in long poem. It’s rare to see an artist/band actually perform an epic song live, even if they do have one on an album. Probably because the lyrics aren’t repetitive, the song is hard to remember, or the fans just don’t like it. Hence, it seems those epic songs come few and far between.

I would consider the following an epic song. This is probably one of my favorite songs from some of the latest stuff by Green Day. I know I’ve mentioned it before, but hey, it’s my blog. Deal with it. 😉

(A better quality live but non-embeddable version is here. And the official video is here.)

What songs do you consider “epic”? Or how about EPIC?

Album version featuring Tracy Bonham:

All I see it’s not for me.
What I want you have not got.
Tried to use the things you sold me, no matter what the cost.
Tried to go the way you told me, but each time, I got lost.
The stairs didn’t lead me anywhere!

I’m taking the fire escape up to the roof.
Don’t care if it’s not the way you find the truth.
Time to make this climb to rise above.
This room and all of you who say I should do like you would.
Tried to live the life you sold me, no matter what the cost.
Tried to walk the way you told me, but each time I got lost.
The stairs didn’t lead me anywhere!

I’m taking the fire escape up to the roof.
Don’t care if it’s not the way you find the truth.
And when I get up that high, I don’t know what I’ll find.
But I’d rather look at the sky than wonder why I let you take my time.
Time to make this climb to rise above.

I’m taking the fire escape up to the roof.
Don’t care if it’s not the way you find the truth.
And when I get up that high, I don’t know what I’ll find.
But I’d rather look at the sky than wonder why I let you take my time.
Time to make this climb to rise above.
Time to make this climb to rise above.

“Up To The Roof” by the Blue Man Group.

And yes, Tracy Bonham still rocks.

Live concert version, sans Tracy Bonham: