GUMPTYR: Ten of My Favourite Album Opening Lyrics

I love albums, but it's hard to get into them sometimes. Sometimes it takes time to get into the groove of things, to get the point of it. But sometimes an album opens with a strong line and you know you're in for a glorious time. So I decided I'd list ten of my favourite album opening lines, please note this is not my top 10 album openers, just lines. Though some would be the same if such a list were to exist. Well anyway without further ado...

"A-ho let's go"
Blitzkreig Bop
Ramones,
Ramones

Perfect rev up to a killer call to arms and is almost guaranteed

"Jesus died for somebody's sins... but not mine"
Gloria: In Excelsis
Horses
Patti Smith

 I love horses so perhaps I'm bias but when I hear that opening line all I can think is FUCK YEAH! And greatness follows, this woman is awesome!

"Please allow me to introduce myself"
Sympathy for the Devil
Beggars Banquet
The Rolling Stones

Do I really have to explain this one. Also BB is in my top ten albums :)

"There's something happening here"
For What It's Worth
Buffalo Springfield

Okay so its not that great of an album, though Buffalo Springfield Again is an awesome album. But its such a good song and if not a perfect start to an album than a perfect introduction to the protest movement. I don't care its my list!

"Standing by your window in pain, pistol in your hand, and I beg you dear Molly girl, try and understand your man the best you can"
Across the Great Divide
The Band
The Band

I've always loved this song and the opening verse just makes me have to listen to the whole song and time and time again the whole album. I may have cheated slightly though. Sue me

"Ground control to major tom"
Space Oddity
Space Oddity
David Bowie

Perfect album opener and opener to Bowie's whole career in general

"They call me Dr. John known as the night tripper"
Gris-Gris Gumbo Ya Ya
Gris-Gris
Dr. John, the Night Tripper

Such a good jazzy intro into an awesome album. Very groovy and cool

"So ya, thought ya, might like to, go to the show"
In the Flesh?
The Wall
Pink Floyd

The Wall is a beautiful album that means a lot to me and shaped a lot of my youth and taste in music. I usually put it as my number one album, though The Velvet Underground and Nico is very close. So of course I had to go with In the Flesh?

"Sitin' in the mornin' sun and I'll be sittin till the evenin' comes"
(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay
The Dock of the Bay
Otis Redding

Otis Redding is a beautiful, beautiful man

"Mother, mother, there are far too many of you crying"
What's Going On
What's Going On
Marvin Gaye

Marvin Gaye is also a beautiful, beautiful man

I hope that you enjoyed this and bothered to listen to these great albums and marvel at their opening songs. Or don't! It's a free country!!! FUCK!

Well this has been fun,
Yours truly
James Baxter