# Best opening lines (song edition) **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [November 8, 2010, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-opening-lines-song-edition/559930 "2010-11-08T17:29:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Suburban\_Plankton](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suburban_plankton/32/219_2.png) [@Suburban\_Plankton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Suburban_Plankton)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2010, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-opening-lines-song-edition/559930/41 "2010-11-08T23:08:51Z")
I saw a werewolf with a Chinese menu in his hand walkin’ through the streets of Soho in the rain. -Warren Zevon ---
**Author:** ![kevja](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/aeb1de/32.png) [@kevja](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kevja)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2010, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-opening-lines-song-edition/559930/42 "2010-11-09T00:28:18Z")
Imagine there’s no Heaven. She was a very kinky girl. I knew by the way you parked your car sideways it wouldn’t last. It was one of those nights when you turn out the lights and everything comes into view. What’s with these homies dissin’ my girl. ---
**Author:** ![kevja](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/aeb1de/32.png) [@kevja](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kevja)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2010, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-opening-lines-song-edition/559930/43 "2010-11-09T00:51:48Z")
> [@kevja](#): > > Imagine there’s no Heaven. > > She was a very kinky girl. > > I knew by the way you parked your car sideways it wouldn’t last. > > It was one of those nights when you turn out the lights and everything comes into view. > > What’s with these homies dissin’ my girl. I think I guessed at everyoe of the above lines. But it’s just I rermember the line. Then I just heard Little red Corvette. “I guess I shoulda known by the way you parked your car sideways it wouldn’t last” –She aint go no money, her clothes are kind of funny. ---
**Author:** ![Noel\_Prosequi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b19c9b/32.png) [@Noel\_Prosequi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Noel_Prosequi)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2010, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-opening-lines-song-edition/559930/44 "2010-11-09T01:11:22Z")
(If you leave out the intro, which is a bit wordy…) A tinkling piano in the next apartment, Those stumbling words that told you what my heart meant, A fairgrounds painted swings, These foolish things remind me of you. The whole song is full of killer images. “The sigh of midnight trains in empty stations, silk stockings thrown aside, dance invitations…” ---
**Author:** ![Palmer\_Eldritch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ecae2f/32.png) [@Palmer\_Eldritch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Palmer_Eldritch)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2010, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-opening-lines-song-edition/559930/45 "2010-11-09T01:32:44Z")
“Teenage angst has paid off well But now I’m bored and old.” - Nirvana “How young are you? How old am I? Let’s count the rings Around my eyes” - Replacements “I’ll be grazing by your window Please come pat me on the head” - Dinosaur Jr “I was saying let me outta here before I was even born It’s such a gamble when you get a face It’s fascinating to observe what the mirror does But when I dine it’s for the wall that I set a place” - Richard Hell “Every cheap hood strikes a bargain with the world And ends up making payments on a sofa or a girl” - The Clash “There’s blood in my mouth 'Cuz I’ve been biting my tongue all week” - Rilo Kiley “We were married in the mirrored hall when I was sixteen You spoke the word ‘I love girls in white leather jackets’ That was good enough for love That was good enough for me” - Neko Case “I’ve been waiting for a guide to come and take me by the hand” - Joy Division “Our band could be your life” - Minutemen “God said to Abraham, ‘Kill me a son’ Abe said, ‘Man, you must puttin’ me on’ God said ‘No’ Abe said ‘What?’ God said ‘You can do what you want, Abe But the next time you see me comin’ you better run’” - Bob Dylan (Every song on _Highway 61 Revisited_ could fit though) “God is a concept by which we measure our pain” - John Lennon “Awopbopaloobopalopbamboom!” - Little Richard “LLLLLAAAAAAAAAAAWWWWWWWWWDDDDDDDDD!!!” - Stooges ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Q](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/898d66/32.png) [@Johnny\_Q](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Q)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2010, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-opening-lines-song-edition/559930/46 "2010-11-09T01:34:57Z")
Please allow me to introduce myself I’m a man of wealth and taste ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2010, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-opening-lines-song-edition/559930/47 "2010-11-09T01:40:52Z")
> [@Steophan](#): > > Livin’ on the road my friend, was gonna make you free and clean, > > Now you wear your skin like iron and your breath’s as hard as kerosene. Thank you for posting this. Nice girls not one with a defect, cellophane shrink-wrapped, so correct. Red dogs under illegal legs. She looks so good that he gets down and begs. mmm ---
**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:** [November 9, 2010, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-opening-lines-song-edition/559930/48 "2010-11-09T01:43:57Z")
You say you want a revolution? Well, you know we all want to change the world. ---
**Author:** ![phungi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/phungi/32/395_2.png) [@phungi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/phungi)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2010, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-opening-lines-song-edition/559930/49 "2010-11-09T01:54:52Z")
why don’t we do it in the road… ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2010, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-opening-lines-song-edition/559930/50 "2010-11-09T02:05:06Z")
From [the second best rock and roll song of all time (and my personal theme song)](The pleasure is to play, it makes no difference what you say I don’t share your greed, the only card I need is The Ace Of Spades) _If you like to gamble, I tell you I’m your man You win some, lose some, it’s all the same to me_ ---
**Author:** ![ZenBeam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/3ab097/32.png) [@ZenBeam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZenBeam)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2010, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-opening-lines-song-edition/559930/51 "2010-11-09T02:30:42Z")
I’ve always like the opening lines of _Modern Love_, by David Bowie: _I catch the paperboy but things don’t really change…_ I like _Thunder Road_’s already mentioned opening lines, too. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2010, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-opening-lines-song-edition/559930/52 "2010-11-09T02:46:47Z")
Standing on the corner, suitcase in my hand Jack is in his corset, Jane is her vest And me, I’m in a rock’n’roll band _-Lou Reed, Sweet Jane_ Harry was a rich young man who would become a priest He dug up his dear father who was recently deceased _-Lou Reed, Hangin’ 'round_ If I could be anything in the world that flew I would be a bat and come swooping after you _Lou Reed, Andy’s Chest_ I’m waiting for my man, 26 Dollars in my hand Up to Lexington 125 Feel sick and dirty, more dead than alive _Lou Reed, I’m Waiting For the Man_ mmm ---
**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:** [November 9, 2010, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-opening-lines-song-edition/559930/53 "2010-11-09T03:25:58Z")
_Hey mister tambourine man, play a song for me. I’m not sleepy and there is no place I’m going to._ _Now, somewhere in the Black Hills of South Dakota there lived a young boy named Rocky Raccoon_ ---
**Author:** ![BrassyPhrase](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ea666f/32.png) [@BrassyPhrase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrassyPhrase)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2010, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-opening-lines-song-edition/559930/54 "2010-11-09T03:39:03Z")
If I had a boat, I’d go out on the ocean And if I had a pony, I’d ride him on my boat We could all together, go out on the ocean, Just me upon my pony on my boat ---
**Author:** ![Cuckoorex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ad7895/32.png) [@Cuckoorex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cuckoorex)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2010, 4:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-opening-lines-song-edition/559930/55 "2010-11-09T04:47:39Z")
Melodic stanzas symphonizing their way through your weary head…" - “Travel” by The Gathering My friend, she’s gone away, and left us here to stay, and I understand; I do. When you were here you didn’t fit us; when you passed over, it hit us; you were the one who knew the only hidden truth…" - “Yalin” by Agua de Annique ---
**Author:** ![Sunshine\_and\_Smiles](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a5b964/32.png) [@Sunshine\_and\_Smiles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunshine_and_Smiles)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2010, 5:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-opening-lines-song-edition/559930/56 "2010-11-09T05:00:20Z")
In 1984, I was hospitalized for approaching perfection. ~ Random Rules by The Silver Jews. Does he kiss your eyelids in the morning when you start to raise your head? ~ The Calendar Hung Itself by Bright Eyes. The only girl I’ve ever loved was born with roses in her eyes, but then they buried her alive one evening 1945. ~ Holland 1945 by Neutral Milk Hotel. Red is my favorite color - red like your mother’s eyes, after a while of crying about how you don’t love her. ~ Red by Okkervil River. I got a million of 'em. ---
**Author:** ![outlierrn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/outlierrn/32/3005_2.png) [@outlierrn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/outlierrn)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2010, 5:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-opening-lines-song-edition/559930/57 "2010-11-09T05:10:02Z")
I was the 3rd of June, another sleepy, dusty, Delta day. I seen the bright lights of Memphis, and the Commodor Hotel, and underneath a street lamp, I met a southern belle. When I think back on all the crap I learned in high school, it’s a wonder I can think at all. Well I was rolling down the road in some cold blue steel, I had a bluesman in the back and a beautician at the wheel. ---
**Author:** ![Pandoranoid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce73a5/32.png) [@Pandoranoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pandoranoid)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2010, 5:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-opening-lines-song-edition/559930/58 "2010-11-09T05:18:10Z")
there are maybe ten or twelve things i could teach you after that, well i think you’re on your own that wasn’t their opening line that was the tenth or the twelfth make of that what you will—A.C. Newman, ‘There Are Maybe Ten or Twleve’ Look, I’m standing naked before you/don’t you want more than my sex?–Tori Amos, ‘Leather’ It’s a motherfucker/being here without you–the Eels, ‘It’s a Motherfucker’ I’m spinning out/I can’t control my car—Veruca Salt, ‘Get It Back’ My head is a’ spinnin’ round/my heart’s in my shoes/I went and set the Thames on fire/Now I gotta come back down—Tom Waits, ‘Anywhere I Lay My Head’ God reached his hand down from the sky/He flooded the land, when he set it afire/He said, "Fear me again, know I’m your father/Remember that no one can breathe underwater/So bend your knees and bow your heads/Save your babies, here’s your future–the Thermals, ‘Here’s Your Future’ ---
**Author:** ![BlankSlate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blankslate/32/80_2.png) [@BlankSlate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlankSlate)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2010, 6:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-opening-lines-song-edition/559930/59 "2010-11-09T06:35:57Z")
> [@Southern\_Yankee](#): > > The screen door slams > Mary’s dress sways > Like a vision she dances across the porch > As the radio plays > Roy orbison singing for the lonely > Hey that’s me and I want you only > > _-Thunder Road_ I’ve always heard it as _Mary’s dress waves_, but “sways” sounds cool too. Another Springsteen, from Tunnel of Love: _Fat man sitting on a little stool Takes the money from my hand while his eyes take a walk all over you_ ---
**Author:** ![Aspidistra](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspidistra/32/3894_2.png) [@Aspidistra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspidistra)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2010, 8:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-opening-lines-song-edition/559930/60 "2010-11-09T08:01:24Z")
_I watched him as the dregs went down I saw his pulse rate going down I saw him in convulsive throes And I said - “I’ll have one of those!”_ **TISM** - I’m on the drug that killed River Phoenix [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-opening-lines-song-edition/559930.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-opening-lines-song-edition/559930.md?page=4)