For me Amazing and incredible need to transcend more mundane concerns than love, lust and such. To reach for the mystical, spiritual and philosophical natures. To speak truths eloqu3ently. A powerful song can inspire but it should also hold a kernel of wisdom. Many of Rush's lyrics speak quite eloquently of human nature. The Trees being one of my favorites.
Red Barchetta isn't just a Sci-Fi future world it's a warning about what society was becoming.
But Red Barchetta is also about human nature and the spirit of youth.
Stairway to heaven by Led Zep. How can you top this masterpiece.
It is poetical, spiritual, mystical and written in such a way it has deep meaning to almost all who take time to listen to the lyrics closely.
Vet of the psychic wars by BOC
http://www.guntheranderson.com/v/data/veterano.htm
Who hasn't felt weary from the trials of life. Who doesn't at times feel besieged, set upon and hunted by adversity? The specifics of the lyrics can mean anything and apply to almost any cause, idea or time in life.
Dio was a master lyricist complete with lyrics that told not just a story but that interlinked with other lyrics over his career to build an entire mythology.
One of the more exotic of Dio's works.
http://www.metrolyrics.com/the-sign-of-the-southern-cross-lyrics-black-sabbath.html
One of the best stand alone sets of lyrics DIo ever wrote
http://www.metrolyrics.com/heaven-and-hell-lyrics-black-sabbath.html
Simon and Garfunkel has some awesome lyrics. My favorite was Sound of silence but you could not have a list of awesome rics withotu at least one Simon and Garfunkel song.
Roger Waters was another master lyricist. Wish you were here and Time I think were to of his best efforts but there were a dozen which should make any top 25 list of best lyrics ever.
Cats in the cradle by Harry Chapin.
Seasons in the sun - Terry Jacks is probably the best known version. I think his lyrical changes improve the song.
Sober by Tool - While the lyrics have a strong Anti-Christian bent the rest of the song does an excellent job of giving voice to the angst of all who wrestle with religion and the fairness/unfairness as well as one's own contributory actions.
Mad world - Tears for fears origional though I highly recomend the Andrews version off the soundtrack off the Darko soundtrack.
Live - Lightning crashes
Queensryche - Silent lucidity
Court of the crimson king - King Crimson
Sign of the gypsy queen - April Wine
Long suffering - Dragons Oasis/Draciron penned by Derek Tift (Not just blowing my band's own horn, you got to check those lyrics out.)
Knocking on Heavens door - Bob Dylan wrote it and is probably the only one to murder the song when actually performed.
Yesterday - Beatles
Tears of the dragon - Bruce Dickerson
Last days of May - BOC (Really sad tune)
In the air tonight - Phil Collins
Ashes the rain and I - Joe Walsh
I don't like mondays - Boomtown rats
White Rabbit - Jefferson Airplane - Captures an era like no other song
Ian Anderson was a great lyricist, hard to beat Auqualung but my favorite is actually Broadsword.
Simple man - Lynard Skynard
Forclosure of a dream - Megadeath
Golden Country - REO speedwagon
Hunger strike - Temple of the dog
Indian sunset - Elton John
Dust in the wind - Kansas
Invisible sun - Police