The Greatest Opening Lyrics of All Time — Let’s Start With the 80s
Music is personal. It’s as much about you as it is about the song. I came across a list today of the “15 greatest opening lyrics of all time.” Some on that list were great, but most of that list was not — to me at least.
The opening lines set the tone for the song. More importantly, it brings up a feeling — an emotion in you that transports you to a time and space like nothing else can.
In my view, there’s two types of music — “good music” and “not my kind of music”. That’s why I decided to come up with my own list. It’s a compilation of what I grew up with and what I listened to throughout the years. I’ve included music from the 80s, 90s and 00s but not the last 10 years. Music also needs to stand the test of time.
In no particular order, here a few of the greatest opening lyrics that I grew up with — starting with 4 from very different genres but all from the 80s.
Let’s Go Crazy — Prince
“Dearly beloved
We are gathered here today
To get through this thing called life”
If I need to tell you who wrote this or what song it’s from, you probably need to stop reading. Prince was the greatest virtuoso that ever was. In addition, he was a showman, a provocateur and down right badass in every regard. He crossed every line there ever was — funk, R&B, pop — you can’t put him in a box. Flamboyant, androgynous, wife-beater tank or stilettos — again, you tell me where to put him. Across the board vocal range from low pitched, throaty to the funkiest falsetto you’ve ever heard.
“Let’s Go Crazy” is on the first record (yes, vinyl!) I ever bought and the open lines are forever written as my write up in my high school graduation yearbook.
Anyway, back to the lyrics — from an intro sounding like something you’d expect to hear at a funeral to one of the greatest guitar riffs of all time — this song has it all…. starting with those opening lyrics.
True Faith — New Order
“I feel so extraordinary
Something’s got a hold on me
I get this feeling I’m in motion
A certain sense of liberty”
Most people think this song is titled “Morning Sun”. Regardless, “True Faith” by New Order is a song that if you were young enough, you didn’t know what it meant when it came out. You happily sang along and wondered why the name if the song isn’t sang in the song at all. (If you still don’t know what it means, Google it).
This song was part of the second British Invasion of the 80s — half-part new wave, half-part synth-rock — all parts amazing. Whether you call this pop, dance, synth, post-punk or even rock (yes, it was even played on the rock radio stations) you can’t help but stop what you are doing to sing and reminisce whenever you hear it.
As a bonus, the 12" single has a Shep Pettibone remix and if you get a hand on a record, flip it over and listen to “1963” — the B-side track on every “True Faith” release. “1963” wasn’t a chart topper but it puts a peppy beat on a depressing topic full of conspiracy theories. (Hear and watch it here).
Funkytown — Lipps, Inc.
“Gotta make a move to a town that’s right for me
Town to keep me movin’, keep me groovin’ with some energy”
Technically Lipps, Inc.’s Funkytown was released in 1980 but it’s a song firmly tethered to the disco era that was on its way out. Rumour has it that the song is about longing to go to New York City, the centre of the disco universe and the forever Funkytown. And with two pink female humanoids on the cover with green hair and lasers shooting out of their mouth, clearly New York City is a the top contender for where Funkytown is supposed to be.
In addition to the 2 lines above, there are only 4 more lines in the song. And yes, you do know them and sing along. If you grew up in Vancouver like I did, you may remember the A&A Records and Tapes on Seymour and Pender — that’s where my uncle bought this song for my sister. I was 6 years old when it came out and she (and my mom) played it a thousand times a day for months so every beat is engraved in my head forever.
On a side note, the first cover of this song was by Australia’s Pseudo Echo in 1986 and is a completely different genre. (Hear and watch it here). And it’s good. Rare for a cover and rarer for this type of song.
Lovesong — The Cure
“Whenever I’m alone with you
You make me feel like I am home again
Whenever I’m alone with you
You make me feel like I am whole again”
I know what you are thinking — any song by The Cure could be on this list — and I agree. This song, particularly, evokes a particular strong response with the opening lyrics. Being vulnerable and expressing it wasn’t the woke thing to do in the 80s but this song is all about that right from the opening. Reportedly the song’s origin is a wedding present from Robert Smith to his wife.
As much as the song is open, when paired with the video (set in a cave where Robert is displaying The Cure’s iconic moody-glory in full — I’m sure there’s plenty a metaphor in there) it bottles up the 80s perfectly where contrasts easily live side by side without any irony.
There’s plenty of debate on whether The Cure is post-punk, goth, or even emo(!), You know what, it doesn’t matter. I challenge anyone to find better lyrics that are literally the same in every verse save for one word and pull off not just a chart-topper but a deeply introspective song in every regard.
That’s it for my short list now. Let me know what you think or what opening lyrics are the greatest in your world — I’d love to know. For my next post, I’ll likely pick a few from the 90s.
