# 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:** 9
**Author:** ![lobotomyboy63](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobotomyboy63/32/2900_2.png) [@lobotomyboy63](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lobotomyboy63)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2022, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-opening-lines-in-a-song/958866/161 "2022-02-15T03:31:25Z")
> [@tfhickman](#): > > Joe Jackson- - Is She Really Going Out With Him? > “Pretty women out walking with gorillas down my street > From my window I’m staring while my coffee grows cold-” Indeed! That was my first Joe Jackson album, and I have a bunch. Great stuff! ---
**Author:** ![Dadtheinhaler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e480ec/32.png) [@Dadtheinhaler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dadtheinhaler)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2022, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-opening-lines-in-a-song/958866/162 "2022-02-15T03:32:37Z")
I lit a thin green candle To make you jealous of me But the room just filled up with mosquitoes They heard that my body was free Leonard Cohen **One of us Cannot Be Wrong** ---
**Author:** ![Tabco](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tabco/32/7644_2.png) [@Tabco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tabco)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2022, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-opening-lines-in-a-song/958866/163 "2022-02-15T04:11:51Z")
Packed and all eyes turned in, no one to see on the quay No one waving for me, just the shoreline receding Ticket in my hand, I’m thinking “wish I didn’t hand it in” 'Cause who said sailing is fine? Leaving behind all the faces That I might replace if I tried on that long ride Looking deep inside but I don’t want to look so deep inside yet Okkerville River, “Lost Coastlines” ---
**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:** [February 15, 2022, 5:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-opening-lines-in-a-song/958866/164 "2022-02-15T05:05:06Z")
> [@jaycat](#): > > Graham Parker… . The Mona Lisa’s sister doesn’t smile, She tried to pose but only for a while. Leonardo sent her home, since then she has lived alone with a few belongings and a copy… …of a painting of herself unhappy. She is going to burn it when she’s ready… _Get Started, Start A Fire…_ . I’ve only had that stuck as a “GoTo sing-to-myself” song for 33 1/3 years. Also because the tune is catchy, too… I like the last verse, as well: Joan of Arc was burning at the stake, somebody had made a big mistake: She had lit a cigarette, in an airport where you get all your fingers taken off for smoking. Meanwhile up the road a factory’s choking… The ones who killed her work there, I’m not joking! . [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/HUb_1rFWZag/maxresdefault.jpg "Graham Parker - Get Started, Start a Fire") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUb_1rFWZag) ---
**Author:** ![WOOKINPANUBv.2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wookinpanubv.2/32/3260_2.png) [@WOOKINPANUBv.2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUBv.2)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2022, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-opening-lines-in-a-song/958866/165 "2022-02-15T14:22:38Z")
“Oh mother, I can feel the soil falling over my head . . .” _I know it’s Over_ - The Smiths ---
**Author:** ![jaycat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jaycat/32/3015_2.png) [@jaycat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jaycat)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2022, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-opening-lines-in-a-song/958866/166 "2022-02-15T17:53:16Z")
> [@WOOKINPANUBv.2](#): > > The Smiths They also had something to say about Joan of Arc. ---
**Author:** ![WOOKINPANUBv.2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wookinpanubv.2/32/3260_2.png) [@WOOKINPANUBv.2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUBv.2)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2022, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-opening-lines-in-a-song/958866/167 "2022-02-15T17:54:51Z")
> [@jaycat](#): > > They also had something to say about Joan of Arc. “As the flames rose to her Roman nose and her Walkman started to melt.” ---
**Author:** ![The\_wind\_of\_my\_soul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecc23a/32.png) [@The\_wind\_of\_my\_soul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_wind_of_my_soul)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2022, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-opening-lines-in-a-song/958866/168 "2022-02-15T19:00:48Z")
> [@Jas09](#): > > _Stepped out the front door_ > _like a ghost into a fog_ > _where no one notices the contrast_ > _of white on white_ > > _In between the moon and you_ > _the angels get a better view_ > _of the crumbling difference_ > _between wrong and right._ > > Counting Crows, Round Here That’s what I came in here to post! But since it’s already been posted, I’ll go with Hands by Jewel: If I could tell the world just one thing It would be that we’re all ok And not to worry because worry is wasteful And useless in times like these ---
**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:** [February 15, 2022, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-opening-lines-in-a-song/958866/169 "2022-02-15T23:29:39Z")
_Now somewhere in the Black Mountain Hills of Dakota there lived a young boy named Rocky Raccoooo, oo-na._ _If I fell in love with you_ _Would you promise to be true_ _And help me_ _Understand_ _'Cause I’ve been in love before_ _And I found that love was more_ _Than just_ _Holding hands_ (aaaaaawwwwww) 😇 - Beatles _I have this feeling that my luck is none too good_ _This sword here at my side don’t act the way it should_ _Keeps calling me its master, but I feel like its slave_ _Hauling me faster and faster to an early, early grave_ _And it howls, it howls like HELL!_ (especially how it [fits with the music](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7krC6SY5b1A)) - Blue Oyster Cult yelled: _There’s a time to fuck, and a time to crave, but the Shah sleeps in Lee Harvey’s graaaaaaave!_ - Butthole Surfers Most flinchingly brutal (may have griped about this before): _Hello, yeah, it’s been a while_ _Not much, how 'bout you?_ - England Dan and John Ford Coley ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Winston\_OBoogie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.winston_oboogie/32/2945_2.png) [@Dr.Winston\_OBoogie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Winston_OBoogie)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2022, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-opening-lines-in-a-song/958866/170 "2022-02-16T00:10:02Z")
Says Red Molly, to James, “Well that’s a fine motorbike. A girl could feel special on any such like.” Says James, to Red Molly, “My hat’s off to you. It’s a Vincent Black Lightning, 1952. And I’ve seen you on the corners and cafes, it seems. Red hair and black leather, my favorite color scheme.” And he pulled her on behind, And down to Boxhill, they’d ride. 1952 Vincent Black Lightning, Richard Thompson ---
**Author:** ![saucywench](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/85e7bf/32.png) [@saucywench](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saucywench)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2022, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-opening-lines-in-a-song/958866/171 "2022-02-18T17:24:49Z")
I’m a fleabit peanut monkey All my friends are junkies That’s not reaally true I’m a cold Italian pizza I could use a lemon squeeze-a You could do? _ **Monkey Man** _ - The Rolling Stones [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/yZJaCqrxCT4/maxresdefault.jpg "Monkey Man (Remastered 2019)") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZJaCqrxCT4) ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2022, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-opening-lines-in-a-song/958866/172 "2022-02-18T19:15:46Z")
_Original Luke was a careless man_ _Heart as hard as the Grand Coulee Dam_ _With silos tall over great north gorge_ _A shadow in each hand_ _A shadow 'cross the land_ [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/RIM00zdg0bw/hqdefault.jpg "The Minus 5 - "Original Luke"") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RIM00zdg0bw) ---
**Author:** ![saucywench](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/85e7bf/32.png) [@saucywench](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saucywench)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2022, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-opening-lines-in-a-song/958866/173 "2022-02-18T19:32:24Z")
Bob Seger’s _ **Get Out Of Denver** _ I still remember it was autumn and the moon was shining Our 60 Cadillac was roaring through Nebraska whining Doing 120 man the fields was bending over Heading out for the mountains knowing we was traveling further All the fires were blazing and the spinning wheels were turning turning Had my girl beside me, brother, brother, she was burning burning [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/9WWHdBuOC6Q/hqdefault.jpg "Bob Seger - "Get Out Of Denver"") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9WWHdBuOC6Q) If you don’t like this song… Get out of Denver cause you look just like a commie And you might just be a member Better get out of Denver Better go! ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2022, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-opening-lines-in-a-song/958866/174 "2022-02-18T20:30:27Z")
“_I got a letter from the government the other day_ _I opened and read it_ _It said they were suckers_” **Black Steel In The Hour Of Chaos** , Public Enemy ---
**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:** [February 18, 2022, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-opening-lines-in-a-song/958866/175 "2022-02-18T20:41:37Z")
“In the time of chimpanzees, I was a monkey Butane in my veins, and I’m out to cut the junkie” Beck - Loser ---
**Author:** ![saucywench](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/85e7bf/32.png) [@saucywench](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saucywench)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2022, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-opening-lines-in-a-song/958866/176 "2022-02-19T03:46:52Z")
I love that Beck song! ---
**Author:** ![saucywench](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/85e7bf/32.png) [@saucywench](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saucywench)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2022, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-opening-lines-in-a-song/958866/177 "2022-02-19T03:48:43Z")
Spent the last year Rocky Mountain way Couldn’t get much higher _ **Rocky Mountain Way** _ - Joe Walsh ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2022, 5:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-opening-lines-in-a-song/958866/178 "2022-02-19T05:10:01Z")
_Saw you standing in the hallway_ _Red plastic cup and one of them big long cigarettes_ ---
**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:** [February 19, 2022, 5:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-opening-lines-in-a-song/958866/179 "2022-02-19T05:33:32Z")
> [@Guest-starring\_Id](#): > > yelled: > _There’s a time to fuck, and a time to crave, but the Shah sleeps in Lee Harvey’s graaaaaaave!_ > > - Butthole Surfers Oh yeah. Like I said, they’re a wellspring of good opening lines. That’s a compete classic. Our neighbors to the north, The Flaming Lips, have no shortage of them either. > [@](#): > > You have to be joking > They wouldn’t do what you said > Oh > My > Vision > It’s burned in. – You Have to be Joking (Autopsy of the Devil’s Brain) It makes me cry. ---
**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:** [February 19, 2022, 5:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-opening-lines-in-a-song/958866/180 "2022-02-19T05:49:40Z")
> [@lobotomyboy63](#): > > > [@Gatopescado](#): > > > > > [@Spiff](#): > > > > > > Wipeout. > > > > Tequila > > [Hey!](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t-hB1TzoG7M) [I’m Cramped](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HYjIJAI67pQ) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-opening-lines-in-a-song/958866.md?page=8) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-opening-lines-in-a-song/958866.md?page=10)