I have a weakness for songs with stories in them. (I'd use the word ballad, but I'm not sure the encompasses everything.) Some of my favorites are about vengeance. Examples: The Decemberists' long pursuit of vengeance in "The Mariner's Revenge Song", Gillian Welch's short, instant vengeance in "Caleb Meyer".

Now I have a new one to add to the list. A mysterious, full throttled rocker from TWRP and The Protomen: "Phantom Racer". I particularly enjoy the chorus.

https://twrp.bandcamp.com/track/phantom-racer-feat-the-protomen

@cstanhope I love that decemberist song too. You like know this one already from stan rogers?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barrett%27s_Privateers

@gemlog @cstanhope I love story songs too, although I started listening for lyrics less and less once I got into playing instruments and listening to a broader range of styles. You both probably know Johnny Cash's 'A Boy Named Sue', but you may not have heard 'Buenas Tardes Amigos' by Ween:
https://www.invidio.us/watch?v=uv-gT9lNa1g