Most of the time, it’s the chorus that makes a classic rock song so legendary. On other occasions, though, fans know after listening to the very first line of a song that it’s going to be a banger. That was the case for the following four rock opening lines. And the whole of each song has gone on to be world-famous, legendary tunes from music history. Let’s jog your memory and dive into a few memorable opening lines!
“Bohemian Rhapsody” by Queen
“Is this the real life? / Is this just fantasy? / Caught in a landslide / No escape from reality.”
Videos by American Songwriter
“Bohemian Rhapsody” by Queen is one of the most legendary songs of all time. Many fans still know each and every word to this rock opera anthem. And even minor fans of Queen can recall those opening lines, plus a few of the more memorable lyrics scattered throughout the song.
“God Only Knows” by The Beach Boys
“I may not always love you / But long as there are stars above you / You never need to doubt it / I’ll make you so sure about it.”
The harmonies on this Beach Boys classic are unlike any other, and the meat of the song is where those harmonies are found. Still, those opening lines are so beautiful and memorable. In a way, they trick the listener into thinking the song is a breakup tune, when in reality, it’s one of the most beautiful love songs ever written. Brian Wilson was a genius.
“Another Brick In The Wall Part II” by Pink Floyd
“We don’t need no education / We don’t need no thought control / No dark sarcasm in the classroom / Teacher, leave them kids alone.”
I have to say, those first two lines are clever. They’re a double negative of sorts. Still, the whole of these opening lines manages to be both foreboding and a stiff middle finger to the establishment. Excellent writing, I have to say.
“Piano Man” by Billy Joel
“It’s nine o’clock on a Saturday / The regular crowd shuffles in / There’s an old man sittin’ next to me / Makin’ love to his tonic and gin.”
These are probably some of the most famous soft rock opening lines ever. Billy Joel manages to paint a gorgeous picture of the scene at hand, which is not easy to do in lyrical format. It makes sense that “Piano Man” would go on to be his most famous song.
Photo by Pete Still/Redferns
More The List
-
Posed portrait of Bill Withers, 1972. (Photo by Gilles Petard/Redferns) -
American rock group The Cyrkle (American drummer Marty Fried, American singer and guitarist Don Dannemann, American singer and guitarist Tom Dawes (1944-2007), and American keyboard player Michael Losekamp), pose with Dawes having an unspecified Okeh Records seven-inch record over his mouth, location unspecified, circa 1965. (Photo by Don Paulsen/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images) -
Canadian musician Neil Young of Crosby, Stills, Nash And Young performs on stage at Wembley Stadium, London on September 14th 1974. (Photo by Michael Putland/Getty Images) -
American singer-songwriter Janis Joplin (1943-1970) performing live at the Generation Club in the Greenwich Village neighbourhood of New York City, New York, April 1968. Upon its closure, the Generation was bought by Jimi Hendrix and converted into Electric Lady Studios. (Photo by Tucker Ranson/Archive Photos/Hulton Archive/Getty Images) -
ZZ Top Portrait Session, Dallas Texas, 1983(Photo by Aaron Rapoport/Corbis via Getty Images) -
CIRCA 1961: Singer Brian Wilson of the rock and roll band "The Beach Boys" poses for a portrait in circa 1961. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images) -
Black Sabbath 1973 Ozzy Osbourne (Photo by Chris Walter/WireImage)
