# 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:** 14
**Author:** ![RetroVertigo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b38774/32.png) [@RetroVertigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RetroVertigo)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2022, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-single-lines-in-rock-lyrics/975262/261 "2022-12-14T02:22:38Z")
Television - Marquee Moon **Life in the hive puckered up my night A kiss of death, the embrace of life Ooh, there I stand neath the Marquee Moon Just waiting** ---
**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 14, 2022, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-single-lines-in-rock-lyrics/975262/262 "2022-12-14T02:23:00Z")
> [@Dr\_Paprika](#): > > Just a stranger on the bus ,trying to make his way home. That is such a great line! I’m a Joan Osborne fan bemused that her best known song is totally atypical of the whole rest of her oeuvre. At heart she’s all about the R&B, not pop at all. ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2022, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-single-lines-in-rock-lyrics/975262/263 "2022-12-14T03:11:29Z")
I dreamed I saw Ray Charles last night and he could see just fine ---
**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 14, 2022, 5:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-single-lines-in-rock-lyrics/975262/264 "2022-12-14T05:12:45Z")
Then Ray took his glasses off And I could look inside his head Flashing like a thunderstorm I saw a shining spider web That’s my favorite song in the world! ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2022, 11:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-single-lines-in-rock-lyrics/975262/265 "2022-12-14T11:19:48Z")
If dreams were lightning And thunder were desire This old house would’ve burned down A long time ago ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2022, 1:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-single-lines-in-rock-lyrics/975262/266 "2022-12-14T13:00:23Z")
Have we had any from **The Outfield** yet? _Josie’s on a vacation far away, come around and talk it over_ From **Your Love** And from a different song, _I only live for today, but I’m one day behind_ From **All the Love in the World** ---
**Author:** ![Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slow_moving_vehicle/32/291_2.png) [@Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slow_Moving_Vehicle)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2022, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-single-lines-in-rock-lyrics/975262/267 "2022-12-14T13:22:23Z")
> [@Johanna](#): > > Then Ray took his glasses off > And I could look inside his head > Flashing like a thunderstorm > I saw a shining spider web > > That’s my favorite song in the world! > [@Johanna](#): > > Then Ray took his glasses off > And I could look inside his head > Flashing like a thunderstorm > I saw a shining spider web > > That’s my favorite song in the world I have worn out multiple copies of _Relish_. Fantastic album. Another great line: _Eve took the fruit, Eve bit the fruit Juice ran down her chin Babies will put things in their mouths She never heard of sin_ I’ve been on a Fiona Apple kick recently, and came across this searing lines about living with an abuser: _You fondled my trigger Then you blame my gun_ ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2022, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-single-lines-in-rock-lyrics/975262/268 "2022-12-15T04:11:58Z")
Take another shot of courage, wonder why the right words never come A band is blowing Dixie double-four time, you feel alright when you hear that music ring I walked out this morning and I wrote down this song, I just can’t remember who to send it to Orangutans are skeptical of changes in their cages, and the Zookeeper is very fond of rum She said it’s really not my habit to intrude, furthermore I hope my meaning won’t be lost or misconstrued ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2022, 5:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-single-lines-in-rock-lyrics/975262/269 "2022-12-15T05:34:37Z")
But she wants to be sure, ‘cause you know sometimes words have two meanings And you wanna grow up to be just like them: Smugglers, scramblers, burglars, gamblers Pickpockets, peddlers and even panhandlers I’ve been stretching my mouth to let those big words come right out How I would push my fingers through your mouth to make those muscles move that made your voice so smooth and sweet You know that I have from the start, so build me up, Buttercup Wherever he laid his hat, was his home Don’t criticize what you can’t understand, your sons and your daughters are beyond your command Never badder than bad 'cause the brother is madder than mad at the fact that’s corrupt like a senator It’s a monumental big screen kiss, it’s so deep it’s meaningless I may be mad, I may be blind, I may be viciously unkind, but I can still read what you’re thinking Then they send me away to teach me how to be sensible, logical, oh responsible, practical Work very hard, but I’m lazy, I’ve got a lot of songs but they’re all in my head / I’ll get a guitar and a lover who pays me When he knew for certain only dying men could see him he said all men would be sailors then My thoughts are many miles away, they lie with you when you’re asleep, and kiss you when you start your day I drank forty cups of coffee just waiting for you to get home And you won’t make me jealous if I hear that they sweetened your night, we weren’t lovers like that and besides, it would still be alright ---
**Author:** ![Kropotkin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kropotkin/32/18045_2.png) [@Kropotkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kropotkin)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2022, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-single-lines-in-rock-lyrics/975262/270 "2022-12-15T15:06:06Z")
Ninjaed by more than a year! ---
**Author:** ![Kropotkin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kropotkin/32/18045_2.png) [@Kropotkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kropotkin)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2022, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-single-lines-in-rock-lyrics/975262/271 "2022-12-15T15:06:52Z")
“I ain’t no fortunate son” ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2022, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-single-lines-in-rock-lyrics/975262/272 "2022-12-15T15:23:35Z")
I walk through her hills 'cause she knows who I am, she sees my good deeds and she kisses me windy I’ve just seen a face I can’t forget the time or place And it’s hard to hold a candle In the cold November rain And Superman unrolls a suit before he lifts But I’m not the kind of person that it fits Hush my darling, don’t fear my darling, the lion sleeps tonight Moon lights up the night, I light up when you call my name ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2022, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-single-lines-in-rock-lyrics/975262/273 "2022-12-15T15:39:41Z")
> [@Dr\_Paprika](#): > > Hush my darling, don’t fear my darling, the lion sleeps tonight Hush my darling, be still my darling, the lion’s on the phone ---
**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:** [December 15, 2022, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-single-lines-in-rock-lyrics/975262/274 "2022-12-15T16:02:54Z")
_I’m singing this borrowed tune, I took from the Rolling Stones_ _Alone in this empty room, too wasted to write my own_ Neil Young, “Borrowed Tune” He actually borrowed the tune from “Lady Jane” for a great song of world-weariness. ---
**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 15, 2022, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-single-lines-in-rock-lyrics/975262/275 "2022-12-15T17:28:14Z")
Well, I tried to make it Sunday, but I got so damn depressed/ That I set my sights on Monday and I got myself undressed … ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2022, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-single-lines-in-rock-lyrics/975262/276 "2022-12-15T19:21:55Z")
Land of the silver birch home of the beaver Place where the wild moose wanders at will ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2022, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-single-lines-in-rock-lyrics/975262/277 "2022-12-15T19:23:50Z")
Then came the churches, then came the schools, then came the lawyers, then came the rules, then came the trains and the trucks with their loads Sippin’ on gin and juice (laid back), with my mind on my money and my money on my mind) You can’t start a fire without a spark When the drinks finally hit her, she said, "I’m no quitter” but I finally quit living on dreams I’m not big on social graces, think I’ll slip on down to the oasis And I loved you when our love was blessed, and I love you now there’s nothing left but sorrow and a sense of overtime He will speak these words of wisdom like a sage, a man of vision though he knows he’s really nothing but the brief elaboration of a tune Everybody talkin’ to their pockets, everybody wants a box of chocolates and a long stem rose ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2022, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-single-lines-in-rock-lyrics/975262/278 "2022-12-15T19:44:01Z")
Well, the mouse ate the crumb then the cat ate the crust, now they’ve fallen in love and they’re talking in tongues and she gave you tea and oranges that came all the way from China ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2022, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-single-lines-in-rock-lyrics/975262/279 "2022-12-15T20:02:50Z")
Do you smile to tempt a lover, Mona Lisa, or is this your way to hide a broken heart? ---
**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:** [December 15, 2022, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-single-lines-in-rock-lyrics/975262/280 "2022-12-15T20:35:27Z")
> [@Dr\_Paprika](#): > > Do you smile to tempt a lover, Mona Lisa, or is this your way to hide a broken heart? _And Mona Lisa must’ve had the highway blues, you can tell by the way she smiles._ My second or third quote from “Visions Of Johanna” in this thread. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-single-lines-in-rock-lyrics/975262.md?page=13) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-single-lines-in-rock-lyrics/975262.md?page=15)