# 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:** 9
**Author:** ![WirelessW](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/4491bb/32.png) [@WirelessW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WirelessW)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2017, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-opening-line-of-song-lyrics/799174/161 "2017-11-29T18:42:53Z")
_I pulled back my hand and I showed him the door_ - House of Orange, by Stan Rogers. Some others in this thread have spoken about lines that instantly set a scene and a mood. For me, that’s the line. ---
**Author:** ![Dendarii\_Dame](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/bbce88/32.png) [@Dendarii\_Dame](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dendarii_Dame)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2017, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-opening-line-of-song-lyrics/799174/162 "2017-11-29T19:15:55Z")
“I cut my bangs with some rusty kitchen scissors.” This Ain’t My Mama’s Broken Heart - Miranda Lambert Now, that’s a country song opening. ---
**Author:** ![Wolf333](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolf333/32/3460_2.png) [@Wolf333](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wolf333)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2017, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-opening-line-of-song-lyrics/799174/163 "2017-11-30T00:45:32Z")
_Once upon a time, not long ago When people wore pajamas and lived life slow_ ---
**Author:** ![SigMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@SigMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SigMan)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2017, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-opening-line-of-song-lyrics/799174/164 "2017-11-30T01:08:23Z")
“Canadian mounted baby, a police force that works Red and black, that’s their color scheme” “My heart is black, and my lips are cold Cities on flame with rock and roll” “Raise your can of beer on high And seal your fate forever” “Deep in the heart of Germany Lucy clutched her breast in fear” “I have this feeling that my luck is none too good This sword here at my side don’t act the way it should” “You see me now a veteran of a thousand psychic wars I’ve been living on the edge so long” \_\_Blue Oyster Cult ---
**Author:** ![saucywench](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/85e7bf/32.png) [@saucywench](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saucywench)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2017, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-opening-line-of-song-lyrics/799174/165 "2017-11-30T02:36:10Z")
One toke over the line sweet Jesus One toke over the line Sittin’ downtown in a railway station One toke over the line ---
**Author:** ![notfrommensa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/f14d63/32.png) [@notfrommensa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/notfrommensa)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2017, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-opening-line-of-song-lyrics/799174/166 "2017-11-30T03:08:15Z")
Well, it was all that I could do to keep from cryin’ Sometimes it seemed so useless to remain But you don’t have to call me darlin’, darlin’ You never even called me by my name -David Allan Coe ---
**Author:** ![saucywench](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/85e7bf/32.png) [@saucywench](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saucywench)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2017, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-opening-line-of-song-lyrics/799174/167 "2017-11-30T03:21:34Z")
Busted flat in Baton Rouge, waiting for a train I was feeling near as faded as my jeans ---
**Author:** ![Toxgoddess](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f08c70/32.png) [@Toxgoddess](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Toxgoddess)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2017, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-opening-line-of-song-lyrics/799174/168 "2017-12-01T19:03:27Z")
Jeremiah was a bullfrog… - Three Dog Night, Joy to the World. Belted out at top volume, of course. Always tempted to break into this in church when “Joy to the World” is sung. ---
**Author:** ![Rhiannon8404](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rhiannon8404/32/17929_2.png) [@Rhiannon8404](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhiannon8404)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2017, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-opening-line-of-song-lyrics/799174/169 "2017-12-01T19:40:12Z")
Hey Joe, where you goin’ with that gun of yours? ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2017, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-opening-line-of-song-lyrics/799174/170 "2017-12-02T00:30:25Z")
Bobby said he’d pull out/Bobby stayed in ---
**Author:** ![Jamesaz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ecd19e/32.png) [@Jamesaz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jamesaz)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2017, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-opening-line-of-song-lyrics/799174/171 "2017-12-02T03:38:55Z")
You’re probably wondering why I’m here. And so am I, so am I…Zappa Less metaphysical: You shake my nerves and you rattle my brains, Too much love drives a man insane…Killer ---
**Author:** ![Cub\_Mistress](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ea666f/32.png) [@Cub\_Mistress](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cub_Mistress)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2017, 4:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-opening-line-of-song-lyrics/799174/172 "2017-12-02T04:34:43Z")
I don’t give a damn 'bout my reputation You’re living in the past it’s a new generation “Bad Reputation” most notably by Joan Jett A long time ago came a man on a track Walking thirty miles with a sack on his back “Telegraph Road” Dire Straits She struts into the room Well I don’t know her But with a magnifying glance I just sorta look her over “Be My Lover” Alice Cooper ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2017, 9:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-opening-line-of-song-lyrics/799174/173 "2017-12-02T09:37:20Z")
> [@Shoeless](#): > > “The Empty Bottle was half empty” > Old 97s, Barrier Reef > > “I am an American aquarium drinker > I assassin down the avenue” > Wilco, I Am Trying To Break Your Heart Love any shoutout to Wilco! “One day, you’re gonna have to face a deep, dark truthful mirror…and it’s gonna tell you things that I still love you too much to say” - Elvis Costello, “Deep Dark Truthful Mirror” ---
**Author:** ![Penfeather](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/penfeather/32/384_2.png) [@Penfeather](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Penfeather)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2017, 11:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-opening-line-of-song-lyrics/799174/174 "2017-12-02T11:14:31Z")
I wormed my way to the heart of the crowd I was shocked to find what was allowed. Magazine, “Shot By Both Sides” As the day stops dead, at the place where we’re lost I will drug you and fuck you, on the permafrost Magazine, “Permafrost” It’s always raining over the border There’s been a plane crash out there In the wheatfields they’re picking up the pieces We could go and look and stare Magazine, “Feed The Enemy” Time flies Time crawls Like an insect Up and down these walls Magazine, “The Light Pours Out Of Me” Actually, pretty much anything Howard Devoto wrote for Magazine. ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2017, 11:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-opening-line-of-song-lyrics/799174/175 "2017-12-02T11:18:02Z")
Steve walks warily down the street with the brim pulled way down low ---
**Author:** ![DummyGladHands](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/49beb7/32.png) [@DummyGladHands](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DummyGladHands)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2017, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-opening-line-of-song-lyrics/799174/176 "2017-12-02T16:38:07Z")
I’ma quit reading this now. A gazillion earworms ---
**Author:** ![janis\_and\_c0](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/janis_and_c0/32/21_2.png) [@janis\_and\_c0](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/janis_and_c0)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2017, 5:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-opening-line-of-song-lyrics/799174/177 "2017-12-03T05:22:24Z")
More Paul Simon: The Mississippi Delta was shining like a National guitar… Graceland ---
**Author:** ![Lorne\_Armstrong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/87869e/32.png) [@Lorne\_Armstrong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lorne_Armstrong)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2017, 6:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-opening-line-of-song-lyrics/799174/178 "2017-12-03T06:12:24Z")
“Health-food faggot with a bartered bride…” - The Great Deceiver by King Crimson “It’s one o’clock and time for lunch. Bum-de-dum-de-dum…” I Know What I Like (In Your Wardrobe) by Genesis ---
**Author:** ![Penfeather](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/penfeather/32/384_2.png) [@Penfeather](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Penfeather)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2017, 6:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-opening-line-of-song-lyrics/799174/179 "2017-12-03T06:25:13Z")
He’s got himself a homemade special You know his glass is full of sand And it feels just like a jaybird The way it fits into his hand Tom Waits, “Walking Spanish” ---
**Author:** ![saucywench](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/85e7bf/32.png) [@saucywench](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saucywench)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2017, 7:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-opening-line-of-song-lyrics/799174/180 "2017-12-05T07:29:55Z")
With a purposeful grimace and a terrible sound He pulls the spitting high-tension wires down Helpless people on subway trains Scream, bug-eyed, as he looks in on them [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-opening-line-of-song-lyrics/799174.md?page=8) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-opening-line-of-song-lyrics/799174.md?page=10)