Sometimes, the whole of a song’s quality and memorability can come down to a single line of lyrics. These four iconic rock songs boast some of the most memorable lines in contemporary rock music, and we think they’re worth exploring. Let’s take a look!
Videos by American Songwriter
1. “Crawling Back To You” by Tom Petty
“I’m so tired of being tired / Sure as night will follow day / Most things I worry ’bout / Never happen anyway.”
Tom Petty doesn’t get enough credit for being as poetic, albeit dry, as he was. Countless songs from the singer/songwriter boast sharp one-liners, but we’re particularly fond of this bit from the 1994 song “Crawling Back To You”.
The whole of the song is about people who struggle to break their habits, from sore love affairs to drug addiction. In a way, this line is comforting. It’s easy to stress over what bad could happen, but you might just be wasting your time fearing things that will never happen.
2. “The End” by The Beatles
“And in the end / The love you take / Is equal to the love you make”
Iconic lines from famous rock songs often make up the bulk of the song’s lyricism. “The End” from Abbey Road only features a handful of spoken words, but the above-mentioned line is particularly arresting.
Paul McCartney delivers this legendary line, and there’s a comforting truth to it. In a way, it’s just a reimagining of “All You Need Is Love”.
3. “Thunder Road” by Bruce Springsteen
“So Mary, climb in / It’s a town full of losers / I’m pulling out of here to win.”
Bruce Springsteen’s early-career work was all about being a working-class guy who wanted to make something of himself. That’s certainly relatable. This line from “Thunder Road”, likewise, is very much relatable.
Throughout the song, Springsteen’s narrator is struggling to get out of his small town. When he meets up with Mary, though, suddenly a bright future seems possible. Even when you’re surrounded by hopeless people, you’re more than capable of achieving your dreams with the odds against you.
4. “Beautiful Boy” by John Lennon
“Before you cross the street / Take my hand / Life is what happens to you / While you’re busy making other plans.”
“Beautiful Boy” is one of the most memorable rock songs from John Lennon’s solo career, and it also boasts a few iconic lines that are soothing to the heart.
In the song, Lennon gives his son Sean some sage life advice: It’s easy to get caught up in all the things you think you should be doing. But if you’re too focused on what-ifs and plans, you might miss the moments that make life worth living.
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