# BEST opening line of song lyrics **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [October 18, 2017, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-opening-line-of-song-lyrics/799174 "2017-10-18T00:49:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 12
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2026, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-opening-line-of-song-lyrics/799174/221 "2026-08-02T03:38:40Z")
**Bumping an older thread** She never mentions the word “addiction” In certain company She Talks To Angels I ain’t slept in seven days, haven’t ate in three Methamphetamine has got a damn good hold of me Dust in a Baggie/Billy Strings ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2026, 11:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-opening-line-of-song-lyrics/799174/222 "2026-08-02T11:34:50Z")
_They say that these are not the best of times_ _But they’re the only times I’ve ever known_ ---
**Author:** ![ZonexandScout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zonexandscout/32/544_2.png) [@ZonexandScout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZonexandScout)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2026, 12:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-opening-line-of-song-lyrics/799174/223 "2026-08-02T12:22:19Z")
“Oh, I used to be disgusted And now I try to be amused” _(The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes_ - Elvis Costello ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2026, 12:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-opening-line-of-song-lyrics/799174/224 "2026-08-02T12:47:44Z")
I was born by the river In a little tent Oh, and just like the river, I’ve been runnin’ Ever since. It’s been a long A long time comin’, but I know A change gon’ come Oh, yes, yes it will A Change Is Gonna Come - Sam Cooke ---
**Author:** ![Icerigger](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/icerigger/32/432_2.png) [@Icerigger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Icerigger)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2026, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-opening-line-of-song-lyrics/799174/225 "2026-08-02T19:35:45Z")
**In May of 1941 the war had just begun, The Germans had the biggest ships that had the biggest guns.** ---
**Author:** ![Peanuthead](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peanuthead/32/360_2.png) [@Peanuthead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peanuthead)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2026, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-opening-line-of-song-lyrics/799174/226 "2026-08-02T20:06:21Z")
I spent all my money in a Mexican whorehouse, across the street from a catholic church. ``` Tom Waits - **Mr. Seigal** ``` ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2026, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-opening-line-of-song-lyrics/799174/227 "2026-08-02T23:34:41Z")
I took a train across a solitary desert, and drew a landscape with a sunset sky, but all the ink was type, and the type was the first lines of the songs that I was listening to: . I hear mariachi static on the radio, and the tubes they glow in the dark… (Zevon) In the time of my confession, in the hour of my deepest need, When the pool of tears beneath my feet floods every newborn seed … (Dylan) Step out the front door like a ghost into the fog where no one notices the contrast of white on white… (Duritz) I walked in my greatcoat, down through the days of the leaves. No, before after, yes, after before… (Van) All through the night you telephoned; I saw the light blinking red Beside the cradle … But do people living in Toledo Know that their name hasn’t travelled very well? And does anybody in Ohio Dream of that Spanish citadel? … (Costello/Bacharach) ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2026, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-opening-line-of-song-lyrics/799174/228 "2026-08-03T02:55:45Z")
_When I was back there in seminary school_ _There was a person there who put forth the proposition_ _That you can petition the Lord with prayer_ _Petition the Lord with prayer_ _Petition the Lord with prayer_ _ **YOU CAN NOT PETITION THE LORD WITH PRAYER!!!** _ The Soft Parade / The Doors ---
**Author:** ![Guest-starring\_Id](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guest-starring_id/32/21736_2.png) [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2026, 4:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-opening-line-of-song-lyrics/799174/229 "2026-08-03T04:52:24Z")
Just serving up three quick Beatles openers… “Now somewhere in the Black Mountain Hills of Dakota there lived a young boy named Rocky Raccoo-ooon-a.” “When I get to the bottom, I go back to the top of the slide…” “I am he, as you are he, as we are he, and we are all together.” ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2026, 4:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-opening-line-of-song-lyrics/799174/230 "2026-08-03T04:57:29Z")
“I read the news today, oh boy” “Pretty women out walking with gorillas down my street” “Hello darkness, my old friend” “Hey Joe, where you going with that gun in your hand?” “Calling Mister Oswald with the swastika tattoo” ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2026, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-opening-line-of-song-lyrics/799174/231 "2026-08-03T17:04:35Z")
In the time of chimpanzees I was a monkey Butane in my veins and I’m out to cut the junkie. Loser/Beck > [@digs](#): > > I hear mariachi static on the radio, > and the tubes they glow in the dark I love that song. I posted [Dwight Yoakum’s cover here.](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wow-thats-a-great-cover-of-that-song/851596/1165) ---
**Author:** ![GargoyleWB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gargoylewb/32/199_2.png) [@GargoyleWB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GargoyleWB)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2026, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-opening-line-of-song-lyrics/799174/232 "2026-08-07T20:59:18Z")
David Bowie is a contender for career opening lyricist… It’s a god-awful small affair to the girl with the mousy hair Time takes a cigarette, puts it in your mouth Ground Control to Major Tom, take your protein pills and put your helmet on They pulled in just behind the bridge, he lays her down, he frowns Wake up you sleepy head, put on some clothes shake up your bed ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2026, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-opening-line-of-song-lyrics/799174/233 "2026-08-07T21:06:02Z")
You get a shiver in the dark, it’s raining in the park, but meantime South of the river, you stop n’ you hold everything A band is blowing Dixie double-four time You feel all right when you hear that music ring Sultans of Swing - Dire Straits ---
**Author:** ![markn\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@markn\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markn_1)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2026, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-opening-line-of-song-lyrics/799174/234 "2026-08-09T20:30:55Z")
In another time’s forgotten space Your eyes looked from your mother’s face. _Franklin’s Tower_ Grateful Dead ---
**Author:** ![Guest-starring\_Id](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guest-starring_id/32/21736_2.png) [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2026, 5:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-opening-line-of-song-lyrics/799174/235 "2026-08-10T05:21:56Z")
couple King Crimsons “I do remember one thing.” - _Indiscipline_ “Blood rack, barbed wire, politician’s funeral pyre.” - _Twenty First Century Schizoid Man_ “Health Food f\*\*\*\*t, with a bartered bride.” - _The Great Deceiver_ “Lady Supermarket with an apple in her basket.” - _Cat Food_ ---
**Author:** ![Frodo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/frodo/32/302_2.png) [@Frodo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frodo)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2026, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-opening-line-of-song-lyrics/799174/236 "2026-08-10T16:12:53Z")
“_ **There’s a madman in the corner of your eye** _” Iron Maiden, Chains of Misery. ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2026, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-opening-line-of-song-lyrics/799174/237 "2026-08-10T16:21:29Z")
_Woke up in my clothes again this morning -_ Shadows in the Rain -The Police _Lost my shape .Trying to act casual -_ Crosseyed and Painless - Talking Heads ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2026, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-opening-line-of-song-lyrics/799174/238 "2026-08-10T16:28:42Z")
Old friends. . .old friends Sat on a park bench like bookends. A newspaper blown through the grass Falls on the round toes On the high shoes Of the old friends. Old Friends - Simon & Garfunkel ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2026, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-opening-line-of-song-lyrics/799174/239 "2026-08-10T16:37:05Z")
Woke up this morning, put on my slippers, walked in the kitchen, and died ---
**Author:** ![Guest-starring\_Id](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guest-starring_id/32/21736_2.png) [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2026, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-opening-line-of-song-lyrics/799174/240 "2026-08-12T01:53:41Z")
(hey I like this kick, here) _Woke up this morning, with a wine glass in my hand._ _Whose wine?_ _What wine?_ _Where the hell did I dine?_ - Pete Frampton [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-opening-line-of-song-lyrics/799174.md?page=11) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-opening-line-of-song-lyrics/799174.md?page=13)