4 of the Best Opening Lines in Country Songs

The opening lines of a song are the listener’s first tasters of a song. The songwriter has an opportunity to hit the ground running, pulling in the listener with a powerful verse. Find four of country’s best opening lines, below.

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4 of the Best Opening Lines in Country Songs

1. “Friends in Low Places” (Garth Brooks)

A lot of country music is about leveling the playing field, relaxing into your roots. Garth Brooks’ “Friends In Low Places” is the epitome of that message. The opening line for this country classic sees Brooks set the scene for what kind of song this will be. Brooks is fine with flexing his country-ism, no matter the location.

Blame it all on my roots, I showed up in boots
And ruined your black tie affair
The last one to know, the last one to show
I was the last one you thought you’d see there

Few opening lines in country music are as famous as the couplet at the beginning of “Folsom Prison Blues.” It perfectly sets the tone for this outlaw tale–full of mystery and equally as haunting. The titular train is the prisoner’s reminder of the outside world while he’s stuck inside the walls of Folsom Prison.

I hear the train a-comin’, it’s rolling ’round the bend
And I ain’t seen the sunshine since I don’t know when
I’m stuck in Folsom prison, and time keeps draggin’ on
But that train keeps a-rollin’ on down to San Antone

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3. “9 to 5” (Dolly Parton)

“9 to 5” has one of the more memorable opening verses. Even those outside the country sphere will know Tumble out of bed and I stumble to the kitchen / Pour myself a cup of ambition. It’s a testament to the enduring nature of this Dolly Parton hit.

Tumble out of bed and I stumble to the kitchen
Pour myself a cup of ambition
And yawn and stretch and try to come to life
Jump in the shower and the blood starts pumpin’
Out on the street, the traffic starts jumpin’
With folks like me on the job from nine to five

4. “He Stopped Loving Her Today” (George Jones)

George Jones’ “He Stopped Loving Her Today” is generally considered one of the best country songs of all time. This somber story about love and heartbreak has entranced generations of listeners. The opening line sets the scene for the story that unfolds in the rest of the lyrics.

He said, “I’ll love you till I die”
She told him, “You’ll forget in time”
As the years went slowly by
She still preyed upon his mind

[RELATED: Remember When: Alan Jackson Defended George Jones Without a Word, Leaving Jones and His Wife in Tears]

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