# Best single lines in rock lyrics **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** music\ **Created:** [November 20, 2022, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-single-lines-in-rock-lyrics/975262 "2022-11-20T16:21:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 10
**Author:** ![Treppenwitz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treppenwitz/32/3445_2.png) [@Treppenwitz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Treppenwitz)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2022, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-single-lines-in-rock-lyrics/975262/181 "2022-11-23T21:09:26Z")
> [@Akaj](#): > > And of course Mr. Berry: > _Roll over Beethoven and tell Tchaikovsky the news_ And we could equally well go with: _Last time I saw Marie she’s waving me good-bye_ _With hurry home drops on her cheek that trickled from her eye_ j ---
**Author:** ![Akaj](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/akaj/32/145_2.png) [@Akaj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Akaj)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2022, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-single-lines-in-rock-lyrics/975262/182 "2022-11-23T21:11:56Z")
If Berry had been white, Elvis would be a footnote. ---
**Author:** ![Treppenwitz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treppenwitz/32/3445_2.png) [@Treppenwitz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Treppenwitz)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2022, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-single-lines-in-rock-lyrics/975262/183 "2022-11-23T21:16:37Z")
_Hurry home drops_ was coined by Chuck, so far as I can tell. But I was surprised to find that _Botheration_ is also credited to him. My mother used _Botheration_ all the time. I’m guessing she didn’t know who coined it. /aside j ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Burden](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/958977/32.png) [@Jack\_Burden](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Burden)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2022, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-single-lines-in-rock-lyrics/975262/184 "2022-11-23T21:19:58Z")
> [@Galactus](#): > > > [@peccavi](#): > > > > _But every junkie’s like a settin’ sun_ > > The Needle and the Damage Done > > A beautifully tragic song. > > I’ve seen the needle and the damage done. > > In a similar vein. > > Needlework the way, never you betray > Life of death becoming clearer > > Metallica “I’ll be in my basement room with a needle and a spoon With another girl to take my pain away” - The Stones - Dead Flowers ---
**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 23, 2022, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-single-lines-in-rock-lyrics/975262/185 "2022-11-23T21:44:54Z")
“Dancing at the disco, bumper to bumper, wait a minute… where’s me jumper” - Sultans of Ping FC ---
**Author:** ![mbh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a6a055/32.png) [@mbh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mbh)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2022, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-single-lines-in-rock-lyrics/975262/186 "2022-11-23T22:54:11Z")
A couple more drug-related ones: “I never thought you’d be a junkie because heroin is so passe.” The Dandy Warhols, “Not If You Were the Last Junkie On Earth” “He found a dragon that bites a hole in his arm at night where all the money goes” Aldo Nova, “Monkey On Your Back” ---
**Author:** ![teelabrown](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/teelabrown/32/8412_2.png) [@teelabrown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teelabrown)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2022, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-single-lines-in-rock-lyrics/975262/187 "2022-11-23T23:21:04Z")
The entirety of the lyrics of Simon & Garfunkel’s **The Boxer** were golden, but I like this one especially: _I have squandered my resistance_ _for a pocket full of mumbles such are promises_ And from Crosby Stills Nash & Young’s **Woodstock** , the chorus: _We are stardust, we are golden_ _We are billion year old carbon_ _And we got to get ourselves back to the garden_ And from the same guys, this delicious bit from **Suite Judy Blue Eyes** : _Chestnut brown canary_ _Ruby throated sparrow_ _Sing a song, don’t be long_ _Thrill me to the marrow_ ---
**Author:** ![EinsteinsHund](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/einsteinshund/32/8400_2.png) [@EinsteinsHund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EinsteinsHund)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2022, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-single-lines-in-rock-lyrics/975262/188 "2022-11-23T23:25:46Z")
> [@teelabrown](#): > > And from Crosby Stills Nash & Young’s **Woodstock** , the chorus: > > _We are stardust, we are golden_ > _We are billion year old carbon_ > _And we got to get ourselves back to the garden_ The CSN&Y version is great, but we have to give credit to Joni Mitchell for the lyrics (and the tune). ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2022, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-single-lines-in-rock-lyrics/975262/189 "2022-11-23T23:34:07Z")
A line so great Jimmy Destri used it in _two_ different Blondie songs: _Like a millionaire walking on imported air_ ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Burden](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/958977/32.png) [@Jack\_Burden](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Burden)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2022, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-single-lines-in-rock-lyrics/975262/190 "2022-11-24T01:38:38Z")
> [@mbh](#): > > He found a dragon that bites a hole in his arm at night where all the money goes” > Aldo Nova, “Monkey On Your Back” Pre-dated by John Prine’s 1971 (non-rock) classic _Sam Stone_: “There’s a hole in daddy’s arm where all the money goes” ---
**Author:** ![Isamu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/7c8e57/32.png) [@Isamu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isamu)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2022, 1:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-single-lines-in-rock-lyrics/975262/191 "2022-11-25T13:04:01Z")
“I’ve looked at life from both sides now” Joni Mitchell, Both Sides Now ---
**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:** [November 26, 2022, 4:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-single-lines-in-rock-lyrics/975262/192 "2022-11-26T04:56:04Z")
Just bought Joni’s ‘Hejira’ LP, that starts with a beautiful breakup song: _ **No regrets, Coyote.** _ _ **We just come from such different sets of circumstance.** _ _I’m up all night in the studio,_ _And you’re up early on your ranch._ _You’ll be brushin’ out a brood mare’s tail_ _While the sun is ascending_ _And I’ll just be getting home with my reel to reel,_ _There’s no comprehending…_ ---
**Author:** ![Steven\_Maven](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steven_maven/32/3272_2.png) [@Steven\_Maven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steven_Maven)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2022, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-single-lines-in-rock-lyrics/975262/193 "2022-11-26T16:46:07Z")
> [@Isamu](#): > > “I’ve looked at life from both sides now” > > Joni Mitchell, Both Sides Now There are many great lines in that song, but this is **my** favorite. So many things I would have done, but **clouds** got in my way. ---
**Author:** ![P-man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/p-man/32/3606_2.png) [@P-man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/P-man)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2022, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-single-lines-in-rock-lyrics/975262/194 "2022-11-26T19:25:51Z")
The Band, “We Can Talk About It”: “Did you ever milk a cow? I had a chance one time but I was all dressed up for Sunday.” ---
**Author:** ![Steven\_Maven](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steven_maven/32/3272_2.png) [@Steven\_Maven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steven_Maven)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2022, 4:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-single-lines-in-rock-lyrics/975262/195 "2022-11-27T04:33:10Z")
> [@MikeF](#): > > To be fair, Zevon warns Jim that his lungs may be ripped out if he doesn’t keep his distance. So, its not a “violence against women” song at all. That’s really a stretch, IMHO. Some people might think that the line “Little old lady got mutilated late last night” counts as “violence against against women.” … or not. BTW, “Jim” doesn’t refer to a man named James. It is 1950s slang for a non-specific person, like today we would say, “dude.” ---
**Author:** ![Sylvanz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/fbc32d/32.png) [@Sylvanz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sylvanz)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2022, 6:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-single-lines-in-rock-lyrics/975262/196 "2022-11-27T06:58:16Z")
Throw down your gun, you might shoot yourself Or is that what you’re trying to do? Put up a fight you believe to be right And someday the sun will shine through You’ve always got something to hide Something you just can’t tell And the only time that you’re satisfied Is with your feet in the wishing well Wishing Well - Free When my fist clenches, crack it open Before I use it and lose my cool When I smile, tell me some bad news Before I laugh and act like a fool … And if I swallow anything evil Put your finger down my throat And if I shiver, please give me a blanket Keep me warm, let me wear your coat When my fist Behind Blue Eyes - The Who There are sooo many bands/artists and so many songs. I’m overwhelmed trying to pick. Oh, here’s one: It’s all come back too clearly Yes, I loved you dearly And if you’re offering me diamonds and rust I’ve already paid Joan Baez - Diamonds and Rust ---
**Author:** ![Didi44](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e47c2d/32.png) [@Didi44](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Didi44)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2022, 8:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-single-lines-in-rock-lyrics/975262/197 "2022-11-27T08:53:53Z")
_One of these days I’m going to cut you into little pieces!_ **One Of These Days** - Pink Floyd ---
**Author:** ![Johanna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johanna/32/8318_2.png) [@Johanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johanna)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2022, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-single-lines-in-rock-lyrics/975262/198 "2022-11-27T16:14:05Z")
From Dillinger’s song “Cocaine Running Around My Brain” (even though I don’t like cocaine and don’t want to implicitly endorse it), I think **A knife. A fork. A bottle and a cork. That’s the way we spell New York** belongs in the _Oxford Anthology of English Verse_. ---
**Author:** ![Jaycat.again](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jaycat.again/32/11525_2.png) [@Jaycat.again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jaycat.again)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2022, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-single-lines-in-rock-lyrics/975262/199 "2022-11-27T17:21:14Z")
> [@Johanna](#): > > A knife. A fork. A bottle and a cork. That’s the way we spell New York “No no Jim, you have made a mistake!” ---
**Author:** ![Akaj](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/akaj/32/145_2.png) [@Akaj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Akaj)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2022, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-single-lines-in-rock-lyrics/975262/200 "2022-11-29T23:57:38Z")
> [@Steven\_Maven](#): > > > [@MikeF](#): > > > > To be fair, Zevon warns Jim that his lungs may be ripped out if he doesn’t keep his distance. So, its not a “violence against women” song at all. That’s really a stretch, IMHO. > > Some people might think that the line “Little old lady got mutilated late last night” counts as “violence against against women.” … or not. > > BTW, “Jim” doesn’t refer to a man named James. It is 1950s slang for a non-specific person, like today we would say, “dude.” Zevon has a lot of fun with this one on his live _Stand in the Fire_ album (recorded in LA). Some sample lines: “I saw a werewolf drinking a Perrier at Trader Vic’s” “I saw Jackson Browne walking down the avenue, You know his heart is perfect” “And he’s looking for James Taylor!” [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-single-lines-in-rock-lyrics/975262.md?page=9) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-single-lines-in-rock-lyrics/975262.md?page=11)