# Best opening lines in a song **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** music\ **Created:** [February 3, 2022, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-opening-lines-in-a-song/958866 "2022-02-03T18:45:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 13
**Author:** ![Askance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/askance/32/8281_2.png) [@Askance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Askance)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2022, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-opening-lines-in-a-song/958866/241 "2022-05-31T01:02:16Z")
_Astronomy_ - **Blue Oyster Cult** The clock strikes twelve and moondrops burst Out at you from their hiding place Like acid and oil on a madman’s face His reason tends to fly away Like lesser birds on the four winds Like silver scrapes in May Now, the sands become a crust And most of you have gone away ---
**Author:** ![saucywench](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/85e7bf/32.png) [@saucywench](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saucywench)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2022, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-opening-lines-in-a-song/958866/242 "2022-05-31T14:58:23Z")
Every line is a good one… Well, we’re big rock singers We got golden fingers And we’re loved everywhere we go We sing about beauty and we sing about truth At ten thousand dollars a show [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/-Ux3-a9RE1Q/hqdefault.jpg?sqp=-oaymwEmCOADEOgC8quKqQMa8AEB-AH-BIAC4AOKAgwIABABGGUgXihPMA8=&rs=AOn4CLCB6lAm_Bd7BwSFmHLeoR6Iy4us5w "Cover Of The Rolling Stone-Dr.Hook") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Ux3-a9RE1Q) And they still didn’t get their picture on the cover. ---
**Author:** ![scabpicker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scabpicker/32/8268_2.png) [@scabpicker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scabpicker)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2022, 4:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-opening-lines-in-a-song/958866/243 "2022-06-03T04:14:08Z")
It’s really hard to separate what is the beginning/middle/end of this song. So, I’ll just quote this: > [@](#): > > When I was done dying, my conscience regained > So I began my struggle, a nothingness strained > Out a flash made of time, my new form blasted out > And it startled me so and I burst out a shout > At which my legs ran frantic like birds from a nest > And I ran until drained, leaving no choice but rest > So I fell asleep softly at the edge of a cave > But I should have gone in deeper but I’m not so brave Dan Deacon - When I Was Done Dying (which also has a pretty amazing animated video (and some live versions are even better)) [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/TuJqUvBj4rE/hqdefault.jpg "DDWIWDD (Dan Deacon “When I Was Done Dying”) | Off The Air | Adult Swim") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TuJqUvBj4rE) ---
**Author:** ![The\_Stainless\_Steel\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_stainless_steel_rat/32/5727_2.png) [@The\_Stainless\_Steel\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Stainless_Steel_Rat)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2022, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-opening-lines-in-a-song/958866/244 "2022-06-22T02:05:48Z")
Got several: \*_Well, I beat the drum and hold the phone_ _The sun came out today_ _We’re born again, there’s new grass on the field_ _A-roundin’ third, I’m headed for home_ _It’s a brown-eyed handsome man_ _Anyone can understand the way I feel_ _Oh, put me in coach, I’m ready to play today_ _Put me in coach, I’m ready to play today_ _Look at me, I can be centerfield_\* **Centerfield by John Forgarty** _There she was just a-walkin’ down the street, singin’_ _‘Do wah diddy diddy dum diddy do’_ _Snappin’ her fingers and shufflin’ her feet, singin’_ _‘Do wah diddy diddy dum diddy do’_ _She looked good (Looked good)_ _She looked fine (Looked fine)_ _She looked good, she looked fine_ _And I nearly lost my mind_ **Do Wah Diddy Diddy by Manfred Mann** _Revvin’ up your engine_ _Listen to her howlin’ roar_ _Metal under tension_ _Beggin’ you to touch and go_ _Highway to the Danger Zone_ _Ride into the Danger Zone_ **Danger Zone by Kenny Loggins** _Ground Control to Major Tom_ _Ground Control to Major Tom_ _Take your protein pills and put your helmet on_ _Ground Control to Major Tom_ _Commencing countdown engines on_ _Check ignition and may God’s love be with you_ **Major Tom, David Bowie** _Yeah, here comes Amos_ _Now Amos Moses was a Cajun_ _He lived by himself in the swamp_ _He hunted alligator for a living_ _He’d just knock them in the head with a stump_ _The Louisiana law gonna get you, Amos_ _It ain’t legal hunting alligator down in the swamp, boy_ **Amos Moses by Jerry Reed** ---
**Author:** ![ekedolphin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ekedolphin/32/10003_2.png) [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2022, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-opening-lines-in-a-song/958866/245 "2022-06-22T02:20:42Z")
“The Boxer” by Simon & Garfunkel: > I am just a poor boy, though my story’s seldom told; > I have squandered my resistance for a pocket full of mumbles, such are promises > All lies and jest, still a man hears what he wants to hear, and disregards the rest ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2022, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-opening-lines-in-a-song/958866/246 "2022-06-22T02:45:31Z")
> [@The\_Stainless\_Steel\_Rat](#): > > Danger Zone Lana! LANA!! **LANA!!!** ---
**Author:** ![Askance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/askance/32/8281_2.png) [@Askance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Askance)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2022, 3:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-opening-lines-in-a-song/958866/247 "2022-06-22T03:55:51Z")
_Running Man_ **Al Stewart** Before the phone hits the receiver You’re halfway to the door. The voice said get out while you can There’s just 10 minutes, nothing more. Time for only the essentials, Better gather them and run. False name inside tha passport, The gold bars and the gun. ---
**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:** [June 22, 2022, 11:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-opening-lines-in-a-song/958866/248 "2022-06-22T11:28:29Z")
Elvis Costello was mentioned upthread, but I’d like to mention his _Deep Dark Truthful Mirror_: “One day you’re gonna have to face a deep, dark, truthful mirror, and it’s going to tell you things that I still love you too much to say” ---
**Author:** ![Turek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/turek/32/18782_2.png) [@Turek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Turek)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2022, 11:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-opening-lines-in-a-song/958866/249 "2022-06-22T11:45:04Z")
Speaking of Al Stewart, I’ve always liked _Year of the Cat_: _On a morning from a Bogart movie_ _In a country where they turn back time_ _You go strolling through the crowd like Peter Lorre_ _Contemplating a crime_ _She comes out of the sun in a silk dress running_ _Like a watercolor in the rain_ _Don’t bother asking for explanations_ _She’ll just tell you that she came_ _In the year of the cat_ ---
**Author:** ![Askance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/askance/32/8281_2.png) [@Askance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Askance)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2022, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-opening-lines-in-a-song/958866/250 "2022-06-23T00:16:39Z")
_Veteran of the Psychic Wars_ **Blue Oyster Cult** You see me now, a veteran Of a thousand psychic wars I’ve been living on the edge so long Where the winds of limbo roar And I’m young enough to look at And far too old to see All the scars are on the inside I’m not sure if there’s anything left of me Don’t let these shakes go on It’s time we had a break from it It’s time we had some leave We’ve been living in the flames We’ve been eating up our brains Oh, please, don’t let these shakes go on ---
**Author:** ![Askance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/askance/32/8281_2.png) [@Askance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Askance)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2022, 3:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-opening-lines-in-a-song/958866/251 "2022-07-12T03:49:14Z")
_I’m the Slime_ **Frank Zappa** I am gross and perverted, I’m obsessed 'n deranged I have existed for years But very little had changed I am the tool of the Government, And industry too For I am destined to rule And regulate you I may be vile and pernicious But you can’t look away I make you think I’m delicious With the stuff that I say I am the best you can get, Have you guessed me yet? I am the slime oozin’ out From your TV set! ---
**Author:** ![Ignatz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/3be4f8/32.png) [@Ignatz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ignatz)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2022, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-opening-lines-in-a-song/958866/252 "2022-07-16T00:53:47Z")
Look at me I’m as helpless as a kitten up a tree And I feel like I’m clinging to a cloud I can’t understand I get misty, just holding your hand (Errol Garner’s _Misty_ as sung by Johnny Mathis) ---
**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:** [July 19, 2022, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-opening-lines-in-a-song/958866/253 "2022-07-19T13:57:44Z")
I personally have always liked the opening line of _Strong Enough_ by Sheryl Crow: “God, I feel like hell tonight” ---
**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:** [July 20, 2022, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-opening-lines-in-a-song/958866/254 "2022-07-20T19:25:18Z")
Police - Synchronicity 2. Amazing lyrics throughout with a great mystery opener… Another suburban family morning Grandmother screaming at the wall We have to shout above the din of our rice crispies We can’t hear anything at all ---
**Author:** ![saucywench](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/85e7bf/32.png) [@saucywench](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saucywench)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2022, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-opening-lines-in-a-song/958866/255 "2022-07-20T20:15:45Z")
Well, my daddy left home when I was three And he didn’t leave much to ma and me Just this ol’ guitar and an empty bottle of booze _A Boy Named Sue_ - Johnny Cash ---
**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:** [July 20, 2022, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-opening-lines-in-a-song/958866/256 "2022-07-20T22:17:18Z")
I used to think this song was too pop-y. I heard it again today and realized it’s actually pretty good songwriting (and not nearly so cheery as I assumed it was). I give you the first lines of Snowbird: _Beneath this snowy mantle cold and clean The unborn grass lies waiting For its coat to turn to green_ The guy who wrote this song must have just gone through a rough patch. ---
**Author:** ![Wallaby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/dc4da7/32.png) [@Wallaby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wallaby)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2022, 10:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-opening-lines-in-a-song/958866/257 "2022-07-21T10:37:40Z")
"There was a friend of mine on murder And the judge’s gavel fell’ AC/DC _Jailbreak_ ---
**Author:** ![CoolHandCox](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/coolhandcox/32/16233_2.png) [@CoolHandCox](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CoolHandCox)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2022, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-opening-lines-in-a-song/958866/258 "2022-07-21T18:30:08Z")
First line to a song written to his young daughter. Singer had a checkered past. I appreciate the unabashed honesty: _Everything you heard about me is true_ Little Margarita by Bloodkin. ---
**Author:** ![saucywench](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/85e7bf/32.png) [@saucywench](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saucywench)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2022, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-opening-lines-in-a-song/958866/259 "2022-08-18T22:40:26Z")
Margarita, ah Margarita, ah It was in Pittsburgh late one night I lost my hat, got into a fight I rolled and tumbled till I saw the light Went to the big apple, took a bite ---
**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:** [August 19, 2022, 11:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-opening-lines-in-a-song/958866/260 "2022-08-19T11:52:41Z")
“I feel like a quote out of context” - Ben Folds Five, _Best Imitation of Myself_ [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-opening-lines-in-a-song/958866.md?page=12) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-opening-lines-in-a-song/958866.md?page=14)