# 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:** 12
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2022, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-single-lines-in-rock-lyrics/975262/221 "2022-12-04T23:54:50Z")
**Fat Charlie the Archangel sloped into the room** Paul Simon, “Crazy Love, Vol. II” It’s a weird lyric, but it’s evocative as hell for me, and I’ve long wanted to put a character in a D&D game known as “Fat Charlie the Archangel” ---
**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:** [December 5, 2022, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-single-lines-in-rock-lyrics/975262/222 "2022-12-05T00:34:56Z")
“And he was too old to rock n roll, but he was too young to die” Jethro Tull ---
**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:** [December 5, 2022, 7:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-single-lines-in-rock-lyrics/975262/223 "2022-12-05T07:53:35Z")
> [@Guest-starring\_Id](#): > > Huh. TIL. I can’t seem to recall any films from that period, or any other media (for someone who wasn’t around back then) bandying “Jim” about. In _The Brother From Another Planet_ (1984): “Ask me for my green card?! My people was in the Revolution, Jim! How long you been here?” I thought the old-fashioned name for a man of unknown name was “Clyde.” ---
**Author:** ![ZonexandScout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zonexandscout/32/544_2.png) [@ZonexandScout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZonexandScout)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2022, 12:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-single-lines-in-rock-lyrics/975262/224 "2022-12-05T12:56:59Z")
From Richard Thompson’s “Why Must I Plead”… “You’ve been licking his stamps and taking his dictation.” (NB: This is from a live performance, A slightly different line is used in the studio recording.) ---
**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:** [December 5, 2022, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-single-lines-in-rock-lyrics/975262/225 "2022-12-05T13:40:02Z")
Personally, I prefer the worst in you, to bad you have a better half… ---
**Author:** ![alovem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b38774/32.png) [@alovem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alovem)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2022, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-single-lines-in-rock-lyrics/975262/226 "2022-12-05T16:48:56Z")
I’m surprised there’s been no mention of Steely Dan. Some of their single lines sound good **and** evoke strong imagery, like frames from an intriguing film. _I crawl like a viper through these suburban streets_ _Make love to these women, languid and bittersweet_ ---
**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:** [December 6, 2022, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-single-lines-in-rock-lyrics/975262/227 "2022-12-06T20:07:42Z")
> [@GargoyleWB](#): > > “And he was too old to rock n roll, but he was too young to die” > Jethro Tull I prefer the variation in the final chorus: “You’re never too old to rock n roll, if you’re too young to die.” ---
**Author:** ![Ssounder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d07c76/32.png) [@Ssounder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ssounder)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2022, 5:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-single-lines-in-rock-lyrics/975262/228 "2022-12-09T05:18:30Z")
Although I’m not a fan of Charley Daniels politics, I think the song “The Devil went down to Georgia” (Southern Rock) is worthy of mention in this thread. Technically, a _single line_ is delivered in one breadth: _ **The Devil Went Down to Georgia, he was lookin’ for a soul to steal. He was in a bind 'cause was way behind and willing to make a deal".** _ It seems to me to be (IMO) loosely referencing Robert Johnson’s _Crossroads_ written in 1936. It’s about dealing with the Devil at the crossroads. And weather you would trade your soul to be a master of your craft. Eric Clapton covered Crossroads. And they made a movie (Crossroads) starring Ralph Macchio about dueling with the devils demon on guitar where if you lose “The Devil will get your Soul”. A rock-n-roll fable that has been around for decades. ---
**Author:** ![Capn\_Carl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/838e76/32.png) [@Capn\_Carl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capn_Carl)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2022, 6:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-single-lines-in-rock-lyrics/975262/229 "2022-12-09T06:59:47Z")
I recall a line by Paul Westerberg, either solo or with The Replacements: “I’m your Bad Idea, whose time has come.” I can’t remember the song. ---
**Author:** ![purplehorseshoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/purplehorseshoe/32/2996_2.png) [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2022, 8:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-single-lines-in-rock-lyrics/975262/230 "2022-12-09T08:40:10Z")
Ah, hell, since we’ve strayed outta “rock” anyway, this Tom Waits from “Watch Her Disappear” gave me goosebumps the first time I heard it: “… a wooden cherry scent is faintly breathing the air …” ---
**Author:** ![its\_the\_daddy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/bb73d2/32.png) [@its\_the\_daddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/its_the_daddy)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2022, 10:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-single-lines-in-rock-lyrics/975262/231 "2022-12-09T10:00:30Z")
“When you’re lost in the rain in Juarez and it’s Easter-time too…” ---
**Author:** ![Paul\_was\_in\_Saudi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/b77776/32.png) [@Paul\_was\_in\_Saudi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_was_in_Saudi)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2022, 10:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-single-lines-in-rock-lyrics/975262/232 "2022-12-09T10:25:25Z")
_Something in the way she moves_ _Attracts me like no other lover_ _Something in the way she woos me_ –Harrison ---
**Author:** ![EnolaStraight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/41988e/32.png) [@EnolaStraight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EnolaStraight)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2022, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-single-lines-in-rock-lyrics/975262/233 "2022-12-09T15:46:44Z")
For a pocket full of mumbles such are promises…all lies and jests, Still a man hears what he wants to hear and disregards the rest. The Boxer, Simon and Garfunkel ---
**Author:** ![JoePockets](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/8dc957/32.png) [@JoePockets](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JoePockets)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2022, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-single-lines-in-rock-lyrics/975262/234 "2022-12-09T16:22:54Z")
That has never been truer than it is today! ---
**Author:** ![JoePockets](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/8dc957/32.png) [@JoePockets](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JoePockets)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2022, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-single-lines-in-rock-lyrics/975262/235 "2022-12-09T16:25:19Z")
You know the world must be flat, because when people leave town they never come back. Hal Ketchum ---
**Author:** ![Peanuthead](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peanuthead/32/360_2.png) [@Peanuthead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peanuthead)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2022, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-single-lines-in-rock-lyrics/975262/236 "2022-12-10T01:19:03Z")
Heaven help the boy who won’t reach twenty-one. Heaven help the man who gave that boy a gun. Stevie Wonder ---
**Author:** ![Mars\_Horizon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mars_horizon/32/2804_2.png) [@Mars\_Horizon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mars_Horizon)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2022, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-single-lines-in-rock-lyrics/975262/237 "2022-12-10T03:05:59Z")
Best, I’m not sure. But Neil Pearl’s line from Freewill is up there. If you choose not to decide you still have made a choice. ---
**Author:** ![Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/son_of_a_rich/32/5439_2.png) [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2022, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-single-lines-in-rock-lyrics/975262/238 "2022-12-10T03:53:37Z")
Dazzling, dancing Half enchanted In my Merlin sleep ---
**Author:** ![SDWC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a698b9/32.png) [@SDWC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SDWC)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2022, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-single-lines-in-rock-lyrics/975262/239 "2022-12-10T04:12:24Z")
A couple from You’re So Vain - Carly Simon. Although only one is technically one line: “You had one eye in the mirror, as you watched yourself gavotte.” “Well you’re where you should be all the time And when you’re not, you’re with some underworld spy Or the wife of a close friend” ---
**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:** [December 11, 2022, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-single-lines-in-rock-lyrics/975262/240 "2022-12-11T02:13:57Z")
“She was a winner that became a doggie’s dinner” -_Marie Provost_ by Nick Lowe [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-single-lines-in-rock-lyrics/975262.md?page=11) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-single-lines-in-rock-lyrics/975262.md?page=13)