The 40 Greatest Opening Lines In Music History

By Jordan Runtagh

February 7, 2014 / 8:30 AM

[listicle order="none"]

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Prince_Crazy

Beck

8-Rocket-D

nirvana-in-utero

smokey_1

85354782_10

black-album

janis-joplin-me-and-bobby-mcgee-cbs-4

the-smiths-heaven-knows-im-miserable-now-1984

1308242211906789

2402r

lola_thekinks-single-cover-1970

the-bee-gees-stayin-alive-rso-3

bob-dylan-blonde_on_blonde

74709391_10

109366497_10

114788104

115015826-2

Amy-Winehouse-Back-to-Black

bo-diddley-who-do-you-love-cd

Eminem

bruce-springsteen-tunnel-of-love

God-Only-Knows

74301980_10

rubber_soul

1022233203

There-goes

the-who-my-generation-festival

Kinky

jimi-hendrix_hey-joe-red_f

welcome_1

tumblr_m8af60tbeu1ro7d5ao1_1280

the_righteous_brothers

23725-queen-bohemian-rhapsody

led-zeppelini

NineInchNailsHurt

L.L

sex-pistols-anarchy-in-the-uk-viirgin

45-You're-Breaking-My-Heart-MEX-front

As we discussed earlier this week, first impressions are crucial...even in music! Like a well-written story, a good song always has a killer line to hook you in, set the mood, and get your imagination going. Some are funny, others are sad, some are mysterious, and then there are those that are straight up sexy. Whatever the case, a fantastic opening lyric is sometimes all you need to make a track unforgettable.

From classic tunes by the Beatles, the Rolling Stones and Bob Dylan, to modern dance-electronica like LCD Soundsystem and rap champs Jay Z and Eminem, music makers know to never underestimate the power of a great opener. Those lines seduce our ears and keep us around for more! So now it's time to forget the music and just listen to the WORDS, man! Head up to the gallery above to see forty of our all-time favorite opening lines in music history. Enjoy!

[Photo: Getty Images/Elektra]