Best rock lyric ever?

[FilterFunk]

I have to admit that I've broken the "one lyric" rule in this thread. I just find that most lyrics lose much of their meaning and power when taken out of context.

For instance:
I was born by the river in a little tent
And just like the river, I've been runnin' ever since

One line without the other just doesn't work. I'm not trying to change the rule; I just think this would be a really short thread if everyone stuck to one line. It might help to start a "Best lyric ever?" thread that's not restricted to a single genre, thereby opening up the possibilities.

Just my humble opinion, of course.

 

[austinroybass]

The epic of Gilgamesh
And a pretty little black A-line dress
I give to you
The spinal cord of JFK
Wrapped in Marilyn Monroes negligee
I give to you

-Nick Cave, Palaces of Montezuma, Griderman

 

[Son of Wobble]

The epic of Gilgamesh
And a pretty little black A-line dress
I give to you
The spinal cord of JFK
Wrapped in Marilyn Monroes negligee
I give to you

-Nick Cave, Palaces of Montezuma, Griderman

Nick has written some of the greatest couplets in rock, for sure

 

[Joey Walton]

"All the world's indeed a stage
and we are merely players.
Performers and portrayers.
Each another's audience
Outside the gilded cage."

 

[Joey Walton]

All the world's indeed a stage
And we are merely players
Performers and portrayers
Each another's audience
Outside the gilded cage

- Limelight by RUSH

Dang it, you rascal you . I had just wrote that too and posted it then saw you had posted it my brother! .
You have wonderful taste my friend, indeed.

 

[SactoBass]

Dang it, you rascal you . I had just wrote that too and posted it then saw you had posted it my brother! .
You have wonderful taste my friend, indeed.

Good minds think alike!

 

[Quinn Roberts]

Talk, talk, it's only talk
Debates, discussions
These are words with a D this time
Dialog, duologue, diatribe
Dissention, declamation
Double talk, double talk

 

[SparkyLB]

Indirectly stole this from an unrelated (and unrelated) thread entitled, "My Wife."

Gonna buy a fast car
Put on my lead boots and take a long, long drive.

 

[Dark Red Moon]

"strange how laughter looks like crying with no sound, raindrops taste like tears without the pain" Queensryche

 

[Kenneth E.]

I'm a Maaaan I can make love to a woman in five minutes time....Muddy Waters

 

[Funky Ghost]

Rock and roll to the beat of the funk fuzz
Wipe your feet really good on the rhythm rug
If you feel the urge to freak, do the jitterbug
Come and spread your arms if you really need a hug

- Tribe Called Quest

 

[MikeM60]

I wish I didn’t know now what I didn’t know then
Bob Seeger

First line I thought of. Nice Choice.

 

[MaplePrecision]

Feel it now and don't resist
This time the anger's better than the kiss

 

[Tom Bomb]

Bone Machine


Who Are You

Well they're lining up

To mad dog your tilta whirl

3 shots for a dollar

Win a real live doll


(All the lies that you tell
I believed them so well. Take them back,
Take them back to your red house
For that fearful leap into the dark
O well I did my time
In the jail of your arms
Now Ophelia wants to know
Where she should turn
Tell me... What did you do,
What did you do the last time?
Why don't you do that
Well go on ahead and take this the wrong way
Time's not your friend
Do you cry, do you pray
Do you wish them away
Are you still leaving nothing
But bones in the way?
Did you bury the carnival
With the lions and all
Excuse me while I sharpen my nails
And just who are you,
Who are you this time?)

​

 

[Son of Wobble]

Bone Machine


Who Are You

Well they're lining up

To mad dog your tilta whirl

3 shots for a dollar

Win a real live doll


(All the lies that you tell
I believed them so well. Take them back,
Take them back to your red house
For that fearful leap into the dark
O well I did my time
In the jail of your arms
Now Ophelia wants to know
Where she should turn
Tell me... What did you do,
What did you do the last time?
Why don't you do that
Well go on ahead and take this the wrong way
Time's not your friend
Do you cry, do you pray
Do you wish them away
Are you still leaving nothing
But bones in the way?
Did you bury the carnival
With the lions and all
Excuse me while I sharpen my nails
And just who are you,
Who are you this time?)

​

A pal and I have been sardonically quoting back and forth to one another for decades now the lyric "Time's not your friend."

 

[Son of Wobble]

I'm a Maaaan I can make love to a woman in five minutes time....Muddy Waters

Unfortunately, that's not the kind of man any woman is going to have much use for these days!

 

[Tom Bomb]

Time's not your friend.​

 

[Quinn Roberts]

Mah-Na Mah-Na.

 

[Madjon1973]

I like smoke n lightning......!

 

[Son of Wobble]

More mustard, pickle and relish


("I Need More" -- Iggy Pop)