It's an old question but what's the best opening line to a song, and why?

Question

I've always loved "Punctured bicycle on a hillside desolate" because Morrissey is the master of painting pictures of bleak British life. But my current favourite is
"Who are these people? They are too stupid to be your real parents,
I've met some bone-idles in my time, but they really take the biscuit" by The Young Knives.

Yes Harry, I can see why my question is confusing you, because you have no brain.

Nice one, Noezzelle! I've had to put 'Gimme The Heat' on now, possibly my favourite dEUS track.

Answer 1

"You drive too fast
Will you please shut up
I call the police
If you don't stop"

dEUS
I always sing along with it in the second voice. I love it. Especially when I'm driving too fast.

Answer 2

A couple by Cradle Of Filth spring to mind.
The first is 'The Promise Of Fever'-

In the beginning
Rimmed with wind and storm
A great black wrath of infinite math
Spat snarling into form

It sets the scene superbly along with the crushing guitar riff.

The second is from the song 'Mannequin'

Led to other worlds
By the girls She curled within
I took their skins to see Her
Be my mannequin

I love it because, well, it references skinning...
Oh and there is a claymation Edgar Allen Poe in the video.

The third is from the song 'The Smoke Of Her Burning'

Earth and sea cower from my screams
As I climb into the skies
Atop sins towered heaven high for me
From where I see no reason why
I should not smite with vengeance
And hurl thieves down from paradise
For storms before were as nothing more
Than a breeze next to this night

It doesn't get much darker than taking vengeance on heaven.

I bought 'Beneath The Remains' by Sepultura yesterday so I have to mention this.
The opening lines of the first track (incidentally the title track) are-

In the middle of a war that was not started by me
Deep depression of the nuclear remains
I've never thought of, I've never thought about

The song starts with a Metallica style clean intro (much like 'One' or 'Sanitarium') and then just turns into the archetypal pummelling Sepultura riff.

Answer 3

FIrst thing that comes to mind is "The Mississipi Delta was shining like a national guitar". Because it sets the scene with a really original image, that's apporpriate coming from a musician.

Answer 4

My favourites, for better or worse, in sickness and in health, unless I go deaf:

SHEER 'WHATCHOO TALKIN' BOUT WILLIS'-ISMS (So bad, they're good):

'I am he, as you are he, as you are me...and we are all together.'

('I Am The Walrus' by The Beatles.)

Um, nice one, John, but you've got competition:

'Every day I see a new cloud coming
So I sat in the attic, a piano up my nose.'

('Monkberry Moon Delight' by Paul McCartney. The song title is even more painful than stuffing a Steinway up the conk, no?)



LEAST LIKELY TO MAKE YOUR AUNT EDITH SAY 'WHACK A COPY OF THAT INTO MY ITUNES LIBRARY, SONNY':

'I've got syphilitic hetro friends in every part of town'

('Snakedriver' by The Jesus & Mary Chain)



SUBTLE BUT BEAUTIFUL AWARD:

'Candy says
I've come to hate my body
and all that it requires
in this world'

('Candy Says' by the Velvet Underground)

Answer 5

I'm back in the saddle again. Used by Gene Audry and AeroSmith. Love both songs.

Answer 6

So, so you think you can tell Heaven from Hell,
blue skies from pain.
Can you tell a green field from a cold steel rail?
A smile from a veil?
Do you think you can tell?

Wish You Were Here - Pink Floyd

Answer 7

My all time favourite and i dont know why is...... I THINK IM GONNA BE SAD I THINK ITS TODAY THE GIRL THATS DRIVING ME MAD IS GOIN AWAY. By the Beatles (Ticket To Ride). It doesnt make sense but it does if you know what i mean.

Answer 8

One summers evening drunk to hell .
A pair of brown eyes by the Pogues
Shane MacGowan always tells it how it is !

Answer 9

on a dark desert island. by the eagles just a song wierd and spooky

Answer 10

"Right now! Right now it's time to ... Get up and dance mother
F U C K E R S!": The KLF, 'What Time is Love?'