There’s something about the first line of a song. I know, there’s that “you can’t judge a book by its cover” and anti-jumping to conclusions sentiment, and I get that, but there is something about a first line in a song that cuts against that. By way of example, some masterful first lines:
“He said I’ll love you ‘til I die. She told him you’ll forget in time.” – He Stopped Loving Her Today
“She left a lipstick letter on the mirror, shattered on the bathroom floor.” – When Rita Leaves
“You’ve heard about love givin’ sight to the blind. My baby’s love can cause the sun to shine.” Pride and Joy
And my award winner, currently, for best song first line:
“She put him out, like the burning end of a midnight cigarette. She broke his heart. He spent his whole life tryin’ to forget” – Whiskey Lullaby
I could go on, but I won’t, beyond adding the inspiration of these thoughts from a recently downloaded song:
“They say nothin’ lasts forever, but I’ve got news. Whoever said that never got the blues from you. This cloud I’m under’s looks like its gonna stay. The thunder’s gonna roll forever and a day.” – Forever and a Day
Those lines grab me. They set the tone for the rest of the song, they influence what follows. It occurs to me that each day has a “first line.” I suppose that is in part why I start many days reading, thinking, and then looking at this screen*, hoping to set a memorable first line that influences the rest of my day – hopefully one that is not a “downer” first line like most of the above.
*Note to Ms. Holmes: Yes, keyboard. I lstill ook mostly at the keyboard when I type. Yes Ms. Holmes, I STILL look at the keyboard when I type, and I am proud of that C- in typing class in 1973.
It occurs to me... 