These Are The Best Opening Song Lyrics Ever Written That Hooked Listeners Instantly
Certain songs have opening lyrics that are so iconic that they can be immediately identified. These lyrics are often so memorable that people find themselves singing along. It is quite an accomplishment for a songwriter to create such unforgettable opening lines, especially considering that the chorus is typically the most popular part of a song. In this collection, we reminisce about some of the greatest opening lyrics ever written.
'Feeling Good' - Nina Simone
“Birds flying high you know how I feel. Sun in the sky you know how I feel…”
The soothing imagery of "sun in the sky" encourages a feeling of peace and wonder, and is a great way to give the opening of a song an emotionally charged start.
'The Sound of Silence' - Simon & Garfunkel
"Hello darkness, my old friend. I've come to talk with you again."
These lyrics serve as a reminder that darkness can be a source of comfort and healing in difficult times, allowing us to develop a stronger understanding of ourselves.
'Blitzkrieg Bop' - Ramones
"Hey ho, let's go! Hey ho, let's go! Hey ho, let's go! Hey ho, let's go!"
It's an upbeat, catchy phrase that not only captures people's attention but is also instantly memorable.
'The House of the Rising Sun' - The Animals
"There is a house in New Orleans..."
The iconic words instantly generate imagery of a beautiful, yet mysterious past, giving the perfect foundation for a captivating and unique story that can only be told through music.
'Don't Stop Believin' - Journey
"Just a small town girl. Livin' in a lonely world. She took the midnight train goin' anywhere. Just a city boy. Born and raised in South Detroit. He took the midnight train goin' anywhere."
The opening lyrics of "Don't Stop Believin'" by Journey set the perfect mood for a powerful and heartwarming anthem.
'My Way' - Frank Sinatra
"And now, the end is here, And so I face the final curtain."
These lyrics bring a sense of poignancy to the listener, providing a great starting point for a musical journey.
'California Dreaming' - The Mamas & the Papas
“All the leaves are brown, And the sky is gray.”
With so few words, these lines create a powerful sense of atmosphere that will instantly capture the listener's imagination.
'Stayin' Alive' - Bee Gees
"Well, you can tell by the way I use my walk, I'm a woman's man, no time to talk."
With its memorable lyric and easy to remember repetitive melody, these opening lyrics make a great way to start off any song with a catchy hook.
'Summer of '69' - Bryan Adams
"I got my first real six-string. Bought it at the five-and-dime. Played it till my fingers bled...Was the summer of '69."
The timelessness of the image in "the summer of '69" instantly transports listeners to a specific moment in time, creating a jump-off point for the rest of the song.
'I Will Survive' - Gloria Gaynor
"At first I was afraid, I was petrified. Kept thinking I could never live without you by my side. But then I spent so many nights thinking how you did me wrong. And I grew strong. And I learned how to get along."
The lines "kept thinking I could never live without you by my side" showcase the inner strength of the narrator and their determination to move on.
'People Are Strange' - The Doors
"People are strange when you're a stranger. Faces look ugly when you're alone."
The raw sentiments of the lyrics give the song an immediate emotional impact that sets it apart from other songs.
'Heart of Glass' - Blondie
"Once I had a love and it was a gas. Soon turned out had a heart of glass."
These iconic lyrics reflect an all-too-common tale of a passionate but fragile relationship, one that serves as reminder why it's important to be gentle with our hearts.
'Wonderwall' - Oasis
"Today is gonna be the day that they're gonna throw it back to you."
The memorable phrase perfectly captures the emotion of the moment and conveys the feeling of anticipation and excitement that comes with a new day.
'Jolene' - Dolly Parton
"Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene...I'm begging of you please don't take my man. Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene...Please don't take him just because you can."
The repetition of "Jolene" in the chorus draws the listener in and helps the song to stay stuck in their head.
'Don't Stop Me Now' - Queen
"Tonight, I’m gonna have myself a real good time. I feel alive. And the world, I'll turn it inside out, yeah. I'm floating around in ecstasy..."
With positive, energetic phrases like "I'm gonna have myself a real good time," and "I'm floating around in ecstasy," these lyrics give off an unmistakable aura of joy that is sure to capture the attention of any listener.
'You Shook Me All Night Long' - AC/DC
"She was a fast machine, she kept her motor clean. She was the best damn woman that I ever seen."
The phrasing of these lyrics is rhythmic and memorable, making them easy to remember and sing along to.
'The Joker' - Steve Miller Band
"Some people call me the space cowboy... Yeah... Some call me the gangster of love. Some people call me Maurice, 'Cause I speak of the pompatus of love."
The unexpected introduction of the obscure term, "pompatus of love" creates a unique and mysterious atmosphere.
'Let it Be' - The Beatles
"When I find myself in times of trouble, Mother Mary comes to me...Speaking words of wisdom, let it be."
The soothing melody of these words creates a mood of peace and reflection. These lyrics provide an emotional and spiritual journey, helping you to connect with a higher power.
'Sweet Child o' Mine' - Guns N' Roses
"She's got a smile that it seems to me, reminds me of childhood memories...Where everything was as fresh as the bright blue sky."
The metaphor of the smile being compared to childhood memories paints a vivid picture for the listener.
'Basket Case' - Green Day
"Do you have the time to listen to me whine."
This opening lyric also sets the tone and mood for the song with its raw, honest tone, making it the perfect starting point for a memorable song. The heartfelt lyrics immediately make a connection with the listener by reaching out for mutual understanding.
'Bullet with Butterfly Wings' - The Smashing Pumpkins
"The world is a vampire."
"The world is a vampire" offers a stark and engaging opening to any song, painting a vivid picture of a bleak dystopian landscape for listeners. Its dark imagery invites listeners into an enthralling musical journey that speaks to the stark realities of life and the emotive human experience.
'Gangsta's Paradise' - Coolio'
"As I walk through the valley of the shadow of death. I take a look at my life, and realize there's nothin' left. 'Cause I've been blastin' and laughin' so long. That even my momma thinks that my mind is gone."
The dark and intense imagery of the song's opening lines entices listeners and draws them in, as it tells the story of someone walking through a figurative valley of despair. The lyrical content examines the harsh realities of life, providing an emotionally gripping backdrop to the entire song.
''Don't You Want Me' - The Human League
"You were working as a waitress in a cocktail bar."
With its classic imagery, this line from a song provides a vivid picture of a moment, instantly dragging the listener into a story and conjuring vivid mental images generated from few words.
'Wicked Game' - Chris Isaak
"The world was on fire and no one could save me but you..."
These powerful opening lyrics give the song an intensity and immediacy that speaks to the depths of human experience and relationships.
'Space Oddity' - David Bowie
"Ground Control to Major Tom. Ground Control to Major Tom."
The iconic line inspires a grandiose journey and serves as a timeless reminder to stay curious and inspired by the possibilities of the unknown.
''Hotel California' - Eagles
"On a dark desert highway, cool wind in my hair. Warm smell of colitas, rising up through the air."
The vivid description of smells and sights paint a picture that is both comforting and exciting, setting the mood for the entire song.
'Immigrant Song' - Led Zeppelin'
"We come from the land of the ice and snow, From the midnight sun, where the hot springs flow."
The lines "from the midnight sun, where the hot springs flow" paint a vivid picture of a unique and beautiful landscape, leaving listeners both enchanted and inspired.
'Subterranean Homesick Blues' - Bob Dylan
"Johnny’s in the basement, Mixing up the medicine. I’m on the pavement, Thinking about the government."
These lyrics capture a perfectly chaotic yet layered sound that grabs the listener's attention and leaves them wanting more.
'Sympathy for the Devil' - The Rolling Stones
"Please allow me to introduce myself, I'm a man of wealth and taste. I've been around for a long, long year, stole many a man's soul and faith."
The haunting lines immediately draw the listener in, providing a perfect entrée into this timeless classic.
''Bring the Noise' - Public Enemy
"Bass! How low can you go? Death row, what a brother knows."
The power of bass and a masterful play on words make the lyrics to this song an attention grabbing opener. The depth of expression and vivid imagery instantly convey the feeling and intent of the song.
'Joy to the World' - Three Dog Night
"Jeremiah was a bullfrog."
The lyric "Jeremiah was a bullfrog" instantly captures the listener's attention and lends musical depth to the song. The line is simple and direct, giving the listener a clear idea of what the song will be about while also sounding catchy and fun.
'Thunder Road' - Bruce Springsteen
"The screen door slams, Mary's dress waves. Like a vision she dances across the porch as the radio plays."
These lyrics immediately draw you in with vivid imagery, creating an atmosphere and setting the stage for the rest of the song. The rhythm of the words is perfectly suited to be the start of a song, easily capturing the listener's attention and setting the tone of the story.
'Blue Suede Shoes' - Elvis Presley
"Well, it's one for the money two for the show, three to get ready now go, cat, go"
The wordplay in the lyric is clever and catchy enough to get stuck in your head and get you singing along with the song after just one listen.
