Top 10 Best Opening Song Lyrics

Written by Matt Wende.

Kicking off our list is this ‘80s classic about a relationship gone sour. The story is told, or rather sung, through the point of view of a man who has found a woman down on her luck, worked to help her become successful, and now feels betrayed or ignored. While the title is a desperate attempt to remind the subject of the good ol’ times, the opening lines are a reminder of where she used to be before meeting the songs narrator, and serve as a veiled warning of where she could be again.

In one of the best rap songs ever created, Biggie recalls his early life on the street before making it successful. In recounting these struggles, listeners are rewarded a view of a man who has triumphed in the face of his challenges. The opening lines of this iconic rap track are a look back at where Smalls was when success seemed hopelessly far away, and what follows is rhyme after rhyme of hip hop history.

Appropriately titled, “Basket Case” paints a picture in very fine strokes of a man who seems to be losing his mind, and is very aware of it happening. The eponymous character describes in cheerful melancholy watching his own sanity slip through his fingers. The opening lines express the very hopelessness of his situation, and alongside the addictive melody calls to attention the comically desperate situation.

It doesn’t get much better than rock stars recounting their exploits of picking up gorgeous and exotic women. Print out these lyrics and put them in a leather book, and suddenly you’ve got the one-night-stand bible. Lead singer Brian Johnson screams lyrics about some of the finest females he’s come across over a killer riff. The first lines have us leaning forward, eyebrows raised, lips smirking, and waiting for a story we wouldn’t want our mothers to hear.

Remember the good ol’ days when songs were well written, straightforward, and people just said what they meant. “Hello, I Love You” is a look through the perspective of a man who is as frank with women as he can possibly be. In announcing his love for this mysterious woman, listeners are in awe of his commitment and frankness, but are met with a sense of irony when the second part of the lyric reveals that he doesn’t actually know her. It’s this intrigue that stokes the fire for the rest of the classic rock song.

On one of the most successful albums of all time, it isn’t a surprise that “Billie Jean” has some of the most iconic opening song lyrics ever. Billie Jean opens strong, with one of the best pop baselines ever created, but then the opening lyrics hook us even more. Describing a beautiful yet dangerous siren, Jackson’s soulful vocals are what make these first lines memorable. This one has us grooving as soon as we press play.

When progressive rock groups take on Orwellian themes with an anti-establishment perspective, you know you’re in for something good. While the first few notes do little to inspire epicness, it’s the monolithic vocals that grab us and have us hooked. Fitting perfectly in the bands cinematic rock opera, The Wall, the opening lyrics are more like the declarative statement of a manifesto than the words of a song.

It’s very rare that we find a song we’re actually happy to have stuck in our heads, but come on, who doesn’t love the Bee Gees? In this decade defining single, the infectious vocals characterize a man who’s been “kicked around” and is now out to get some on his own. The opening lyrics describe him as a confident man on the prowl. Men want to be him, and women… well, you get the idea.

Okay, you got us. There’s no way we were gonna have a list of incredible lyrics without mentioning the Beatles. Although they were consistent in delivering powerful lyrics across their career, it was the opening lines of “Yesterday” that made our list. The title pretty much sums it up: we all make mistakes, and the average lifetime has more than a handful of regrets. The opening lyrics of this song set up the journey for this discovery, and remind us of the sentimental wish that we could go back to happier times. Before we reveal our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. “The Sound of Silence” Simon & Garfunkel (1965) “Don’t Stop Believing” Journey (1981) “Lose Yourself” Eminem (2002) “Anarchy in the UK” The Sex Pistols (1976) “Good Friends and a Bottle of Pills” Pantera (1994) “Black Dog” Led Zeppelin (1971)

No other song plays quite like a dream the way this iconic ‘70s rock ballad does. Amidst all the highs and lows, this operatic ballad tracks somewhere between the most distant fantasies and the deepest sentiments. The lyrical prologue opens against a silent backdrop, and is the perfect appetizer for the feast that our ears and minds are about to receive. Is it real life or a fantasy… we don’t know, but we have listened to this song countless times to try and find out. Did you agree with our list? What opening lyrics did you think should have made it? For more top 10s about your favorite lyrics from your favorite songs, subscribe to watchmojo.com.