The best opening lines all introduce the theme or concept of the song in a memorable and catchy way, and set the stage for the rest of the song to unfold. Ultimately, the key to writing successful opening lines is to find a way to grab the listener’s attention and set the tone for the rest of the song in a way that is authentic and compelling.
We’ve curated a few examples of hit song opening lines, in no particular order, to inspire your songwriting efforts. Let’s get started!
Levitating by Dua Lipa – opening line:
“If you wanna run away with me, I know a galaxy
And I can take you for a ride“
Why is this a great opening line?
This opening line is great because it immediately captures the listener’s attention and sets the tone for the rest of the song. The use of imagery and the idea of running away and exploring the galaxy together creates a sense of adventure and excitement, drawing the listener in and setting the stage for the rest of the song. The line also introduces the theme of escapism and the idea of leaving behind the mundane and ordinary in favor of something more thrilling and unexpected. Overall, the opening line sets the stage for a song that is both fun and adventurous, inviting the listener to come along for the ride.
I’m Good (Blue) by Bebe Rexha and David Guetta – opening line:
“I’m good, yeah, I’m feelin’ alright
Baby, I’ma have the best fuckin’ night of my life”
Why is this a great opening line?
This opening line is great because it establishes the theme of the song and sets the tone for the rest of the track. The use of confident and self-assured language, with phrases like “I’m good” and “I’m feelin’ alright,” immediately conveys a sense of independence and self-assurance. The use of profanity, while perhaps controversial, also adds to the overall rebellious and carefree attitude of the song. Additionally, the line establishes the idea that the speaker is going to have a great time and is looking forward to the rest of the night, which creates a sense of excitement and anticipation for the listener. Overall, the opening line effectively captures the energy and attitude of the song, drawing the listener in and setting the stage for a fun and carefree listening experience.
Are You With Me by Lost Frequencies – opening line:
“I wanna dance by water ‘neath the Mexican sky
Drink some Margaritas by a string of blue lights”
Why is this a great opening line?
This opening line is great because it immediately sets the scene and establishes a specific location and atmosphere for the song. The use of vivid imagery, with phrases like “dance by water” and “Margaritas by a string of blue lights,” paints a clear and engaging picture for the listener. The specific mention of Mexico also adds to the exotic and carefree vibe of the song, creating a sense of adventure and escape. Additionally, the line introduces the theme of celebration and enjoyment, with the mention of dancing and drinking, which sets the tone for the rest of the song. Overall, the opening line effectively sets the stage for a song that is fun, relaxed, and full of adventure, inviting the listener to join in and enjoy the experience.
Anti-Hero by Taylor Swift – opening line:
“I have this thing where I get older but just never wiser
Midnights become my afternoons”
Why is this a great opening line?
This opening line is great because it establishes the theme of the song and introduces the narrator’s perspective in a unique and engaging way. The use of the phrase “I have this thing” immediately draws the listener in, as it sets up an intriguing and mysterious premise for the song. The line also introduces the theme of aging and the idea that the narrator is getting older but not necessarily wiser, which adds depth and complexity to the song. The mention of “midnights becoming afternoons” also adds to the theme of time and aging, as well as establishing a sense of disillusionment and frustration with the passage of time. Overall, the opening line effectively sets the stage for a song that is introspective and explores the complexities of growing older, inviting the listener to consider their own experiences and perspectives on the topic.
THE LONELIEST by Måneskin – opening line:
“You’ll be the saddest part of me
A part of me that will never be mine”
Why is this a great opening line?
This opening line is great because it immediately establishes a sense of heartbreak and loss, setting the tone for the rest of the song. The use of imagery, with the phrase “saddest part of me,” effectively conveys the depth of emotion and pain felt by the narrator. The line also introduces the theme of unrequited love and the idea that the object of the narrator’s affection will never truly be theirs, adding to the sense of longing and sadness. Additionally, the use of the phrase “part of me” suggests that the narrator is deeply affected by this person and that their absence or unavailability is a significant source of pain and frustration. Overall, the opening line effectively establishes the theme and emotion of the song, inviting the listener to join in and experience the narrator’s pain and longing.
About Damn Time by Lizzo – opening line:
“It’s bad bitch o’clock, yeah, it’s thick-thirty
I’ve been through a lot but I’m still flirty (okay)”
Why is this a great opening line?
This opening line is great because it immediately establishes the tone and theme of the song as confident and self-assured. The use of slang and colloquial language, with phrases like “bad bitch” and “thick-thirty,” conveys a sense of attitude and swagger. The line also introduces the theme of perseverance and resilience, with the mention of “been through a lot” and the narrator’s ability to still be “flirty,” which adds depth and complexity to the song. Additionally, the use of humor and the self-deprecating phrase “okay” adds to the overall lighthearted and fun tone of the song. Overall, the opening line effectively captures the energy and attitude of the song, inviting the listener to join in and embrace their own confidence and resilience.
Fireflies by Owl City – opening line:
“You would not believe your eyes
If ten million fireflies
Lit up the world as I fell asleep”
Why is this a great opening line?
This opening line is great because it immediately establishes a sense of wonder and whimsy, setting the stage for the rest of the song. The use of imagery, with the mention of fireflies and the idea of them lighting up the world, creates a vivid and engaging picture for the listener. The line also introduces the theme of imagination and the idea that the narrator is lost in their own dream world, which adds to the overall ethereal and fantastical vibe of the song. Additionally, the use of the phrase “if ten million fireflies” suggests a sense of scale and grandeur, adding to the sense of wonder and magic. Overall, the opening line effectively captures the atmosphere and theme of the song, inviting the listener to join in and experience the narrator’s imaginative and dreamy world.
Diamonds by The Boxer Rebellion – opening line:
“Pretty little thing did you feel something
Did you always want me to be something”
Why is this a great opening line?
This opening line is great because it immediately establishes a sense of intimacy and emotional depth, setting the stage for the rest of the song. The use of the phrase “pretty little thing” suggests a sense of tenderness and affection, while the question “did you feel something” invites the listener to consider their own emotions and experiences. The line also introduces the theme of longing and the idea that the narrator desires to be something more to the other person, adding to the sense of emotional complexity and depth. Additionally, the use of the phrase “always want me to be something” suggests a sense of vulnerability and the desire to be seen and understood, which adds to the overall emotional resonance of the song. Overall, the opening line effectively captures the intimacy and emotion of the song, inviting the listener to consider their own feelings and experiences.
Heat Waves by Glass Animals – opening line:
“Road shimmer wigglin’ the vision
Heat, heat waves, I’m swimmin’ in a mirror”
Why is this a great opening line?
This opening line is great because it immediately establishes a sense of atmosphere and sensory detail, setting the stage for the rest of the song. The use of imagery, with the mention of “road shimmer” and “heat waves,” effectively conveys the visual and physical sensations of the moment. The line also introduces the theme of disorientation and the idea that the narrator is feeling overwhelmed and disoriented, with the phrase “swimmin’ in a mirror.” This adds to the overall feeling of unease and discomfort, which sets the tone for the rest of the song. Additionally, the use of the phrase “wigglin’ the vision” suggests a sense of instability and the idea that the narrator’s perception of reality is distorted, which adds to the sense of disorientation and confusion.
Titi Me Pregunto by Bad Bunny – opening line:
“Ey, Tití me preguntó
Si tengo muchas novia’
Muchas novia’
Hoy tengo a una, mañana otra”
Why is this a great opening line?
This opening line is great because it immediately establishes the theme of the song and introduces the narrator’s perspective in a unique and engaging way. The use of the phrase “Ey, Tití me preguntó” immediately draws the listener in and sets up an intriguing premise for the song. The line also introduces the theme of relationships and the idea that the narrator has multiple partners, which adds depth and complexity to the song. Additionally, the repetition of the phrase “muchas novia'” conveys a sense of casualness and nonchalance, which adds to the overall playful and lighthearted tone of the song. Overall, the opening line effectively captures the theme and tone of the song, inviting the listener to join in and explore the narrator’s perspective on relationships.
As It Was by Harry Styles – opening line:
“Holdin’ me back
Gravity’s holdin’ me back
I want you to hold out the palm of your hand
Why don’t we leave it at that?”
Why is this a great opening line?
This opening line is great because it immediately establishes the theme of the song and introduces the narrator’s perspective in a unique and engaging way. The use of the phrase “Holdin’ me back” establishes the theme of struggle and the idea that the narrator is feeling held back or constrained in some way. The mention of “gravity’s holdin’ me back” adds to the sense of weight and pressure, as well as introducing the idea of the forces of nature as a metaphor for the narrator’s struggles. The line also introduces the theme of desire and the idea that the narrator wants the other person to reach out and offer support or comfort, which adds depth and complexity to the song. Overall, the opening line effectively captures the theme and emotion of the song, inviting the listener to join in and experience the narrator’s struggles and desires.
Chasing Cars by Snow Patrol – opening line:
“We’ll do it all
Everything
On our own”
Why is this a great opening line?
This opening line is great because it immediately establishes the theme of the song and introduces the narrator’s perspective in a unique and engaging way. The use of the phrase “we’ll do it all” conveys a sense of determination and resilience, while the mention of “everything” adds to the sense of ambition and scope. The line also introduces the theme of independence and the idea that the narrator is willing to go it alone and do things on their own, which adds depth and complexity to the song. Additionally, the repetition of the word “our” suggests a sense of unity and collaboration, which adds to the overall uplifting and hopeful tone of the song. Overall, the opening line effectively captures the theme and emotion of the song, inviting the listener to join in and experience the narrator’s determination and resilience.
The Scientist by Coldplay – opening line:
“Come up to meet you, tell you I’m sorry
You don’t know how lovely you are
I had to find you, tell you I need you
Tell you I set you apart”
Why is this a great opening line?
This opening line is great because it immediately establishes the theme of the song and introduces the narrator’s perspective in a unique and engaging way. The use of the phrase “come up to meet you” conveys a sense of movement and action, while the phrase “tell you I’m sorry” adds to the sense of remorse and regret. The line also introduces the theme of love and the idea that the narrator is drawn to the other person and sees them as special and unique, which adds depth and complexity to the song. Additionally, the use of the phrase “tell you I need you” suggests a sense of vulnerability and the desire for connection, which adds to the overall emotional resonance of the song. Overall, the opening line effectively captures the theme and emotion of the song, inviting the listener to join in and experience the narrator’s love and regret.
The Best Opening Line for a song yet to be written… 🎙
“As the sun sets on this endless horizon
I can’t help but wonder what’s in store
For all the dreamers, the believers, the wanderers
Who chase their hearts and never look back”
