10 Songs That End On Cliffhangers
Cutting Before We Were Ready To Stop.
Many serious songwriters pride themselves on being able to write a good story. Whether it comes from personal experience or just writing fiction, these artists have been able to make these characters feel real by just reciting their story over music. Then again, a happily ever after scenario is probably not in the cards in every song.
Most of the time, these songs tend to come to a screeching halt right at the moment listeners are chomping at the bit for the ending. Instead of tying up loose ends and bringing the protagonist's story to a close, these songs either stop on a dime or just fade into nothing, leaving the listener wanting to know more about what truly happened.
Some may think it's a cheap form of writing, but these instances are very captivating from a lyrical point of view. Oftentimes, these stories are still going on if the song is about a real person, with those people continuing to live their lives. When coming up with a character, a sudden stop is great arranging so your character's fate can mean something different to each individual listener. Even if these songs didn't wrap up smoothly, they sure left us all hanging on the singer's every word.
10. Rocky Raccoon - The Beatles
"Rocky Raccoon" is a rather interesting case study on the Beatles' White Album. Though the album is dominated by more mellow acoustic cuts, this Paul McCartney composition is one of the few instances where the band delves into a more country and western style.
As the scene is set, we hear of the titular Rocky's sorrows, as his girlfriend has ditched him for another man. Determined to win back her love, Rocky tracks the pair down to a saloon right on the edge of town. After checking into a nearby hotel, he grabs a gun and challenges his rival to a shootout in the middle of the bar.
Once the mayhem ensues, Rocky is somewhat ill-equipped for this showdown and ends up collapsing to the floor with a gunshot wound. With a drunken doctor on hand, Rocky is determined to fight once more and then...nothing. Aside from a few "Get Up Rocky" chants, we're never told what becomes of Rocky. Does he win his love back in the end? Does he demand a rematch from his romantic adversary? The cowboy chords just plod along until the finish, leading many fans to wonder if Rocky is still out there fighting for his old flame.