Best songs (lyrically)

[initially_yours]

I'm in the Creative Writing program at my university and am taking a Lyrics course this term.  For our first assignment, we have to bring in a recording of a song by our favourite songwriter, and since I've been a fan of Vanessa's for such a long time, I thought I would pick a song by her. 

I was thinking of "Half a Week Before the Winter" because of the allegorical fight between vampires and unicorns, but I also love the story in "White Houses", and it's a song I could listen to forever and never be sick of.

What do you think is her best song, lyrically, and why?

[HearMyBells]

I really like Fair Weather Friend.

The way she was able to fit the entire story into the song and make it lyrical and beautiful was amazing. I also think her inspiration for the song with the magical thinking idea was really creative. It's also kinda hard to nail down what exactly the song is about and lends itself to multiple layers of analysis. I just think the whole song is perfect, I thought that since she first performed it : )

[sarab]

I don't know if I just didn't see this before, or didn't have an answer... but let's see... I'm going to give you one from each album

BNN - Rinse
Harmonium - Private Radio
H&T - More Than this **(probably a good one to do!)
ROTR - Tall Tales for Spring ... OR In the End

I think each one has a good theme, easy enough to understand without being too metaphorical.  I realize it's probably too late so..what did you go with??

[Martin.]

There's so many to choose from. "Half A Week Before the Winter" sticks out at the minute - I love the imagery she uses in that song.

[initially_yours]

I don't know if I just didn't see this before, or didn't have an answer... but let's see... I'm going to give you one from each album

BNN - Rinse
Harmonium - Private Radio
H&T - More Than this **(probably a good one to do!)
ROTR - Tall Tales for Spring ... OR In the End

I think each one has a good theme, easy enough to understand without being too metaphorical.  I realize it's probably too late so..what did you go with??

Thanks for your all your thoughtful responses (as I reply many months later).  I eventually decided to keep it simple and chose "White Houses".  There are too many, well-written good songs to choose from!