Your Best First lines

[mojobone]

The killer woke before dawn, he put his boots on...

[DavePerolman]

I like this one by Dirks Bentley - It's his new single, but it spoke to me the first time I heard it: Direct and simple, but the delivery (listen to it if you haven't before - Dirks Bentley, "Am I the Only One")

"Well it was Friday in the p.m. And just like every weekend I was ready to throw down"

Thanks!
Dave

PS: I'm interested in co-writing some music in this genre if anybody's interested....pm me

[gtrmann]

Some of my worst, corniest first lines......LOL


I knew you was white trash when they repossessed your trailer.

Trucks, Beer and Cigarettes, they just call my name.

Got me a mullet wig for Christmas.....

I want to smell like a man, don't want none of that sissy stuff........

[boparker]

"There's a fire starting in my heart,
Reaching a fever pitch and it's bringing me out the dark"

[AndrewCavanagh]

Wonderful exercise.

I've been studying and collecting
opening lines for many years...


Got a wife and kids in Baltimore Jack
I went out for a ride and I never went back

(Bruce Springsteen Hungry Heart)


I used to rule the world. Seas would rise when I
said the word. Now in the morning I sleep alone.
Sweep the streets I used to own.

(Viva La Vida Coldplay)


Victor was born, in the spring of 44 and never
saw his father any more

(Leningrad Billy Joel)


The preacher man says it's the end of times and
the Mississpi river it's a going dry

(A Country Boy Can Survive Hank Williams Jnr)


I'm still alive but I'm barely breathing
Praying to a God I don't believe in

(Breakeven The Script)



I can hear the neighbours they're arguing again
And there hasn't been peace on our street
since I don't know when

(But For The Grace Of God Keith Urban)


The declaration of independence
I think think I could tell you the first sentence
but then I'm lost

(Cleaning My Gun Rodney Atkins)


I pulled into the shopping centre and saw a
little boy wrapped around the legs of his mother
Like ice cream melting they embraced
Years of bad decisions running down her face

(Grown Men Don't Cry Tim McGraw)



I got a friend in New York City
Never even heard of Conway Twitty
Don't know nothing bout grits and greens
Never been south of Queens

(Hillbilly Bone Blake Shelton and Trace Adkins)



Every day I drive to work across Flint River Bridge
A hundred yards from the spot where me and grandpa fished

(If Heaven Wasn't So Far Away Justin Moore)


You packed in the morning and I
stared out the window and I
struggled for something to say

(Just When I Needed You Most Randy Vanwarmer)



Remember when the days were long
And rolled beneath a deep blue sky
Didn't have a care in the world
With mommy and daddy standing by

(End Of The Innocence Don Henley)


I found God on the corner of First and Armistad

(You Found Me The Fray)


I saw a werewolf with a Chinese menu in his hand

(Werewolves Of London Warren Zevon)


See the stone set in your eyes
See the thorn twist in your side...

(With Or Without You U2)


Man its a hot one like seven inches from the midday sun
I hear you whisper and the words melt everyone

(Smooth)


Put on my blue seude shoes and I boarded the plane
Touched down in the Delta Blues in the middle of the pouring rain

(Walking In Memphis Mark Cohn)


Living on sponge cake, watching the sun bake
all those tourists covered with oil

(Margaritaville Jimmy Buffet)


Once upon a time you dressed so fine
Threw the bums a dime in your prime didn't you

(Like A Rolling Stone Bob Dylan)



You talk like Marlene Dietrich
And you dance like Zizi Jeanmaire
Your clothes are all made by Balmain
And there’s diamonds and pearls in your hair

(Where Do You Go To My Lovely Peter Sarstedt)


A love-struck Romeo sings the streets a serenade
Laying everybody low with a love song that he made.

(Romeo and Juliet Dire Straits)

[DonaldM]

My own personal choice of best first line:

"How many roads must a man walk down
Before you can call him a man?"
Bob Dylan

[mojobone]

Forty-two.

[charlie2]

I'm a music/melody/harmony man and I tend not to focus on lyrics too much.

When I do; I always liked pete sinfield.

He worked with king crimson and others.

Here's a example of his work that I been into lately.


Moonchild

Call her moonchild
Dancing in the shallows of a river
Lovely moonchild
Dreaming in the shadow
Of the willow.

Talking to the trees of the
Cobweb strange
Sleeping on the steps of a fountain
Waving silver wands to the
Night-birds song
Waiting for the sun on the mountain.

She’s a moonchild
Gathering the flowers in a garden.
Lovely moonchild
Drifting on the echoes of the hours.

Sailing on the wind
In a milk white gown
Dropping circle stones on a sun dial
Playing hide and seek
With the ghosts of dawn
Waiting for a smile from a sun child.

[DaNolman]

Speaking of music/melody/harmony, I can't believe nobody mentioned:

Domo Arigato Mr. Roboto
~ Styx ! ! !


OR something a little more sophisticated


Shall I compare thee to a summer's day
Thou art more lovely and more temperate
~ Shakespeare (seriously, it sings well)

[manunited23]

Here are mine,

It’s all a myth
Imaginary path
Your words are crisp
They never last

Prepared for the war
Announced as a King
The army is rising
I’m back on the scene

Sympathy is trashed
Abused by the gouls
No sense of direction
Thrown into a bush

These are from different songs I've written