Best opening lines (song edition)

Mean Mr. Mustard beat me to “Cooksferry Queen”

“Let It Blow” by Richard Thompson
He was a species on the verge of extinction
She was an Air New Zealand hostess
They were mystically joined, like Rawicz and Landauer
Like Pinky and Perky, like Porgy and Bess

“My Tormentor” by Robbie Fulks
The rise of the curtain
The quickening of the dark
The moon sweeps through the alley
Looking for its mark

“Never Could” by Robbie Fulks
You’ve been hurt by love
And now you hate the world
Night yields to dawn
Now your dreams are all gone

“She Must Think I Like Poetry” by Robbie Fulks
For every emotion, she’s got one she’s hiding
She moves closer, as though to reveal her mind
And she dances, like it’ll rain inside me
Does she feel that strong?
Do I look so blind?

“I’ve Got To Tell Myself The Truth” by Robbie Fulks
I’ve taken her as she appears
Silent, steadfast and strong
But she’s been faithless for years
And where have I been?
What planet was I on?

There’s a lady who’s sure
All that glitters is gold
And she’s buying the stairway to heaven

  • Do you really need an attribution?

Moving on the floor now babe you’re a bird of paradise
Cherry ice cream smile I suppose it’s very nice

  • Rio by Duran Duran

I like the Airplane’s laid-back “meandering.” Quite a lot actually, and I don’t think their songs “go nowhere.” (Okay, some of their stuff - “Pretty As You Feel” for example go nowhere.) Just because they don’t hammer home melodramatic hooks in a standard three-chord pattern doesn’t mean they aren’t going anywhere.

It’s no SEEEECRET
How strong my love is for you.
It’s no SEEEECRET
When I tell you what I’m gonna do,
'Cuz I love you, yes I love you.
“One pill makes you larger,
One pill makes you small.
And the ones that mother gives you
Don’t do anything at all.”

“When you open your mouth, what comes out?
What’s the first line? What’s the f irst word?
When you open your mouth, and “love” comes out,
Then you know you just sang the clear line.”

From our friend Ian Anderson:
Sitting on a park bench eyeing little girls with bad intent

And from Richard Thompson:
Let me ride on the wall of death one more time

How many great opening lines does Richard Thompson have (and closing lines for that matter)?

It was 3 in the morning when she took me apart
she wrecked my furniture she wrecked my heart

For the sake of MaryI kicked the reds
Junked the juice, I drink coffee instead
Straightened my teeth, bent my back
Cut my friends dead from the old rat-pack
For Mary

And from Thompson’s new album:
Don’t go walking down Chapel street-Down Chapel street they’ll jump you; cut your throat as soon as give you the eye

and I love that the new album starts with this line:
I love kittens and little babies
Can’t you see that’s the guy I am

Romeo was restless, he was ready to kill.
He jumped out the window cause he couldn’t sit still.
Juliet was waiting with a safety net.
He said "Don’t bury me cause I’m not dead yet

Mystery Dance - Elvis Costello
When Sunday morning dandruff turns out to be confetti
And the cost of living in sin would make a poor man out of Paul Getty

Fish ‘N’ Chip Paper - Elvis Costello
She throws back her hair and she shows you her mouth
The breath that I waste trying to ruin your life
Beauty’s on a budget but you take it on the chin
'Cause you have to do your duty taking orders from the kingpin

Chemistry Class - Elvis Costello
Sheep to the slaughter oh I thought this must be love
All your sons and daughters in a strangle hold with a kid glove
She’s got eyes like saucers oh you think she’s a dish
She is the blue chip that belongs to the big fish

Big Sister’s Clothes - Elvis Costello
mmm

“You’re breaking my heart; you’re tearing it apart so fuck you.”

  • Nilsson

In that vein -
I see you driving 'round town
With the girl I love and I’m like,
Fuck you!
Oo, oo, ooo

  • Cee-Lo Green, Fuck You

Mother, Mother ocean, I have heard your call.
Wanted to sail upon your waters since I was three feet tall.
A Pirate Looks at 40

It’s Christmas Eve Babe, in the drunk tank

Pogues, fairytale of New York.

Baby tell me where’d you ever learn
To fight without sayin’ a word-

It matters to me Faith Hill

But, from my song writing friend JM Kearns

We needed 50 more bucks or we could have had the abortion

from his classic
It’s nicer Living in a Car, where it don’t rain.