Author Topic: What is the best opening lyric?  (Read 2843 times)

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Offline Harmony

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What is the best opening lyric?
« on: October 25, 2021, 05:07:18 PM »
We've all been there.  A song begins to play and the first few lines immediately grab your attention.  Or maybe over time you've grown to appreciate how those opening few lines set the hook for the brilliance of the song that follows.  Either way, name them here.  And if you want to drop a few reasons why they appealed to you, let's have it.

"I once had a girl or should I say she once had me?"

"When I think back on all the crap I learned in high school.  It's a wonder I can think at all."

"Slow down you crazy child.  You're so ambitious for a juvenile but then if you're so smart, tell me why are you still so afraid?"

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Offline Architeuthis

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Re: What is the best opening lyric?
« Reply #1 on: October 25, 2021, 05:50:05 PM »


"I once had a girl or should I say she once had me?"


That reminds me of a cool opening Rush lyric on a song from the Vapor Trails album.

"Did I have the dream or did the dream have me?"
You can do a lot in a lifetime if you don't burn out too fast, you can make the most of the distance, first you need endurance first you've got to last....... NP

Online jingle.boy

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Re: What is the best opening lyric?
« Reply #2 on: October 26, 2021, 10:58:59 AM »
We've all been there.  A song begins to play and the first few lines immediately grab your attention.  Or maybe over time you've grown to appreciate how those opening few lines set the hook for the brilliance of the song that follows.  Either way, name them here.  And if you want to drop a few reasons why they appealed to you, let's have it.

"I once had a girl or should I say she once had me?"

"When I think back on all the crap I learned in high school.  It's a wonder I can think at all."

"Slow down you crazy child.  You're so ambitious for a juvenile but then if you're so smart, tell me why are you still so afraid?"

So why did these appeal to you?

As for me ... "Hey hey mama, said the way you move, gonna make you sweat, gonna make you groove"

I'll just quote myself ...

Zeppelin IV (and more specifically Black Dog).  It was '86, and my older brother had just bought a new stereo with a CD player (those were brand new at the time).  He pops in Black Dog, and I'm like wtf with the little wah wah wah wah opening.  Then Bobby Plant chimes in and I'm like  :omg:.  Changed my musical tastes forever.  Up to that point, I was a wussy little teenager listening to Madonna, Wham, and all that poppy crap.  Zeppelin is still, and always will be, my favorite band.  Have the four symbols on my left shoulder which makes it so forever.
That's a word salad - and take it from me, I know word salad
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Offline Harmony

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Re: What is the best opening lyric?
« Reply #3 on: October 26, 2021, 11:53:43 AM »
We've all been there.  A song begins to play and the first few lines immediately grab your attention.  Or maybe over time you've grown to appreciate how those opening few lines set the hook for the brilliance of the song that follows.  Either way, name them here.  And if you want to drop a few reasons why they appealed to you, let's have it.

"I once had a girl or should I say she once had me?"

"When I think back on all the crap I learned in high school.  It's a wonder I can think at all."

"Slow down you crazy child.  You're so ambitious for a juvenile but then if you're so smart, tell me why are you still so afraid?"

So why did these appeal to you?

3 of my top 10 lyricists of all time.

NW - I think this was the first time in a song I heard the narrative switch from the guy being in charge of the relationship to the girl.

Kodachrome - I probably could sub in almost any Paul Simon song here.  His ability to paint pictures with his words just astonishes me sometimes.  I'm certain nostalgia plays a role in this choice.

Vienna - is just a beauty of a song.  I love the nod to youth and the notion of going off half-cocked after some idea (like running off to Vienna) and being reminded by someone older that it is ok to relax and enjoy life without feeling the urgency to cram it all in before you are 25.
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Offline Stadler

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Re: What is the best opening lyric?
« Reply #4 on: October 26, 2021, 12:17:16 PM »

"Slow down you crazy child.  You're so ambitious for a juvenile but then if you're so smart, tell me why are you still so afraid?"


AWESOME call. One of my favorite songs of all time.

Offline HOF

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Re: What is the best opening lyric?
« Reply #5 on: October 26, 2021, 07:32:03 PM »
“Saw you walking on your velvet lawn. Is it lonely on the moon? You took a dive and swallowed all you could. Did you drink too much too soon?

Online TAC

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Re: What is the best opening lyric?
« Reply #6 on: October 26, 2021, 07:33:13 PM »
I don't recognize a single lyric in this thread.
would have thought the same thing but seeing the OP was TAC i immediately thought Maiden or DT related
Winger Theater Forums........or WTF.  ;D
TAC got a higher score than me in the electronic round? Honestly, can I just drop out now? :lol

Offline wolfking

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Re: What is the best opening lyric?
« Reply #7 on: October 26, 2021, 07:40:01 PM »
"I got pictures of naked ladies, lying on their beds".
Everyone else, except Wolfking is wrong.

Online TAC

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Re: What is the best opening lyric?
« Reply #8 on: October 26, 2021, 07:42:28 PM »
"I got pictures of naked ladies, lying on their beds".

Oh I know that one! :lol :lol

I have the picture disc 45!
would have thought the same thing but seeing the OP was TAC i immediately thought Maiden or DT related
Winger Theater Forums........or WTF.  ;D
TAC got a higher score than me in the electronic round? Honestly, can I just drop out now? :lol

Offline wolfking

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Re: What is the best opening lyric?
« Reply #9 on: October 26, 2021, 07:44:16 PM »
"I got pictures of naked ladies, lying on their beds".

Oh I know that one! :lol :lol

I have the picture disc 45!

Fuck yeah!   :metal
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Offline KevShmev

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Re: What is the best opening lyric?
« Reply #10 on: October 26, 2021, 07:49:12 PM »
I would probably have to give this more thought, but a few that come to mind by who I consider notable lyricists:

"And the meek shall inherit the earth..." - Neal Peart (from Rush's 2112)

"Ticking away the moments that make up a dull day." - Roger Waters (from Pink Floyd's Time)

"Fatefully, I tried to pick my battles 'til the battle picked me." -Taylor Swift (from Taylor Swift's Long Story Short)

"I can't believe the news today. Oh, I can't close my eyes and make it go away." -Bono (from U2's Sunday Bloody Sunday)

"And it came to me then that every plan is a tiny prayer to father time." -Ben Gibbard (from Death Cab for Cutie's What Sarah Said)


Online TAC

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Re: What is the best opening lyric?
« Reply #11 on: October 26, 2021, 07:59:30 PM »
Kev, thank you for crediting the songs.
would have thought the same thing but seeing the OP was TAC i immediately thought Maiden or DT related
Winger Theater Forums........or WTF.  ;D
TAC got a higher score than me in the electronic round? Honestly, can I just drop out now? :lol

Offline KevShmev

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Re: What is the best opening lyric?
« Reply #12 on: October 26, 2021, 08:01:56 PM »
I am not sure why others are not, but I guess they figure it is easier to make us all run to google to search for the song than spend an extra 21 seconds in typing it out. :lol :lol

Online TAC

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Re: What is the best opening lyric?
« Reply #13 on: October 26, 2021, 08:02:34 PM »
Guess what...I ain't running to google.


DTF is my google!
would have thought the same thing but seeing the OP was TAC i immediately thought Maiden or DT related
Winger Theater Forums........or WTF.  ;D
TAC got a higher score than me in the electronic round? Honestly, can I just drop out now? :lol

Offline lonestar

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Re: What is the best opening lyric?
« Reply #14 on: October 26, 2021, 08:07:35 PM »
Ok...

"I was flicking through the channels on the tv, on a Sunday in Milwaukee in the rain, trying to piece together conversation, trying to find out where to lay the blame"

"Is it wrong to talk to myself when there's nobody else, I'm just checking out that I've not gone under the water, thrown to the beach like a seal ready for slaughter"

Both from Marillion, Clutching at Straws


Offline Lonk

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Re: What is the best opening lyric?
« Reply #15 on: October 26, 2021, 08:07:44 PM »
"Ticking away the moments that make up a dull day." - Roger Waters (from Pink Floyd's Time)

Good one! There are a few Pink Floyd songs that would qualify for me for Time is #1 for sure. Followed by "Keep Talking" because of the Hawkin's part:

"For millions of years mankind lived just like the animals
Then something happened which unleashed the power of our imagination
We learned to talk"
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Offline HOF

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Re: What is the best opening lyric?
« Reply #16 on: October 26, 2021, 08:08:39 PM »
I am not sure why others are not, but I guess they figure it is easier to make us all run to google to search for the song than spend an extra 21 seconds in typing it out. :lol :lol

I was just following form!

Offline wolfking

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Re: What is the best opening lyric?
« Reply #17 on: October 26, 2021, 08:18:10 PM »
I don't recognize a single lyric in this thread.

I don't either above this post.
Everyone else, except Wolfking is wrong.

Offline HOF

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Re: What is the best opening lyric?
« Reply #18 on: October 26, 2021, 08:20:47 PM »
“Saw you walking on your velvet lawn. Is it lonely on the moon? You took a dive and swallowed all you could. Did you drink too much too soon?

Marillion - Gazpacho.

Some of you people are missing out.

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Re: What is the best opening lyric?
« Reply #19 on: October 26, 2021, 08:35:10 PM »
Not really, no. :lol


Actually, I love Script For A Jester's tear. That album is cool.
would have thought the same thing but seeing the OP was TAC i immediately thought Maiden or DT related
Winger Theater Forums........or WTF.  ;D
TAC got a higher score than me in the electronic round? Honestly, can I just drop out now? :lol

Offline wolfking

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Re: What is the best opening lyric?
« Reply #20 on: October 26, 2021, 08:36:22 PM »
I've only heard a few Marilion songs.  Never listened to a full album.  What I heard did nothing for me.
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Offline HOF

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Re: What is the best opening lyric?
« Reply #21 on: October 26, 2021, 08:42:45 PM »
Not really, no. :lol


Actually, I love Script For A Jester's tear. That album is cool.

My least favorite Marillion album!

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Re: What is the best opening lyric?
« Reply #22 on: October 26, 2021, 08:43:58 PM »
Not really, no. :lol


Actually, I love Script For A Jester's tear. That album is cool.

My least favorite Marillion album!

Of course! :rollin
would have thought the same thing but seeing the OP was TAC i immediately thought Maiden or DT related
Winger Theater Forums........or WTF.  ;D
TAC got a higher score than me in the electronic round? Honestly, can I just drop out now? :lol

Offline HOF

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Re: What is the best opening lyric?
« Reply #23 on: October 26, 2021, 09:35:27 PM »
I've only heard a few Marilion songs.  Never listened to a full album.  What I heard did nothing for me.

Should at least give the Afraid of Sunlight album a try IMO.

Offline wolfking

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Re: What is the best opening lyric?
« Reply #24 on: October 26, 2021, 09:37:20 PM »
I've only heard a few Marilion songs.  Never listened to a full album.  What I heard did nothing for me.

Should at least give the Afraid of Sunlight album a try IMO.

Noted.
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Offline ThatOneGuy2112

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Re: What is the best opening lyric?
« Reply #25 on: October 26, 2021, 11:14:10 PM »
.
« Last Edit: February 27, 2023, 12:45:08 PM by ThatOneGuy2112 »

Offline The Realm

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Re: What is the best opening lyric?
« Reply #26 on: October 27, 2021, 12:01:05 AM »
Ten P.M., I feel the rain coming down
My face feels the wet, my mind the storm
Flashing lights as people race to find shelter from the pour
Moving silent, through the streets, they're mine, they're mine

Offline Stadler

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Re: What is the best opening lyric?
« Reply #27 on: October 27, 2021, 06:14:54 AM »
"I got pictures of naked ladies, lying on their beds".

The next line is better, though (I say slightly sarcastically).  :) :)

Offline The Curious Orange

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Re: What is the best opening lyric?
« Reply #28 on: October 27, 2021, 06:49:56 AM »
"Sing me a song, you're a singer, do me a wrong, you're a bringer of evil..."

"I got my first real six string, bought it at the five-and-dime..."

"She's a good girl, loves her mama, loves Jesus, and America too..."

"I know there's nothing to say, Someone has taken my place..."
"And if love remains, though everything is lost,
We will pay the price, but we will not count the cost..."

Offline HOF

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Re: What is the best opening lyric?
« Reply #29 on: October 27, 2021, 07:13:01 AM »
This one is really good:

“Step out the front door like a ghost into a fog where no one notices the contrast of white on white.”

Another great one:

“Begin the day with a friendly voice, a companion unobtrusive. Plays that song that’s so elusive and the magic music makes your morning mood.”
« Last Edit: October 27, 2021, 07:51:33 AM by HOF »

Offline Kotowboy

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Re: What is the best opening lyric?
« Reply #30 on: October 27, 2021, 07:47:38 AM »
" I don't feel as If I know ya - you take up all my time. The days are long and the nights will blow you away. Cause the sun don't shine. "

" I declare I don't care no more. I'm burning up and out and growing bored. "

" My Girlfriend says that I need help. My Boyfriend says i'd be better off dead. "


Offline IDontNotDoThings

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Re: What is the best opening lyric?
« Reply #31 on: October 27, 2021, 05:43:02 PM »
"I live in the flat next door & I can hear you fuck your girlfriend through the wall" -Steven Wilson, People Who Eat Darkness
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Offline DTA

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Re: What is the best opening lyric?
« Reply #32 on: October 27, 2021, 06:09:03 PM »
“Saw you walking on your velvet lawn. Is it lonely on the moon? You took a dive and swallowed all you could. Did you drink too much too soon?

In addition to this awesome lyric, Pete and Steve sound glorious behind it.


"And it came to me then that every plan is a tiny prayer to father time." -Ben Gibbard (from Death Cab for Cutie's What Sarah Said)


Ooof...that song is heartbreaking.

I might go with "Sometimes I think this cycle never ends, we slide from top to bottom and we turn and climb again. And it seems by the time that I have figured what it's worth, the squeaking of our skin against the steel has gotten worse" from Expo '86.

Offline jammindude

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Re: What is the best opening lyric?
« Reply #33 on: October 27, 2021, 06:13:51 PM »
This one is really good:

“Step out the front door like a ghost into a fog where no one notices the contrast of white on white.”

I love Round Here and that entire first album.

Adam Duritz from the Counting Crows is an AMAZING lyricist. Mrs. Potters Lullaby (from their 3rd album This Desert Life) in particular is just non stop beauty. The melody is only 2 chords, but the incredible word pictures are captivating.

As good as Neil Peart’s lyrics were, I can’t think of any opening lines that were particularly earth shattering. He often took a minute to set up his point. Though the aforementioned TSOR opening line is quite good.

I’m not sure if it counts as a “lyric” per se, but one of the greatest intros to any album I can think of is, “I’ve been mad for f***ing years. Absolutely years.”
"Better the pride that resides in a citizen of the world.
Than the pride that divides when a colorful rag is unfurled." - Neil Peart

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Offline KevShmev

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Re: What is the best opening lyric?
« Reply #34 on: October 27, 2021, 06:15:00 PM »


I might go with "Sometimes I think this cycle never ends, we slide from top to bottom and we turn and climb again. And it seems by the time that I have figured what it's worth, the squeaking of our skin against the steel has gotten worse" from Expo '86.

Ben Gibbard has so many good ones, I could fill up a thread with just his awesome lyrics.  :tup :tup