There was a recent survey on the most influential quotes from the motion picture industry. Some obvious winners include “Make my day,” “Show me the money!” and “Do you feel lucky today, punk?”
So it got me thinking . . . what are some unforgettable lines in rock music? Lines that may have little to do with either the song title or the chorus, yet combine words & images in such a way that they stick with you.
Here are my top five:
5. I live in an apartment on the 99th floor of my block from the Rolling Stones’ “Get Off Of My Cloud.” This isn’t even one of my favorite Stones songs, but the enigmatic bravado of that opening line lets you know something unusual is getting ready to happen.
4. I hope Neil Young will remember Southern Man don’t need him around anyhow, from Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Sweet Home Alabama.” Rock ‘n Roll smackdown! I don’t normally take sides in “Southern vs. Northern,” but it was nice to see Neil Young get his.
3. Out on the road today I saw a dead head sticker on a Cadillac, from Don Henley’s “The Boys Of Summer.” OK, it my favorite song of all time, so I’m a bit biased. But what image better captures the truth that 60s idealism led to 80s (and 90s and 00s) narcissism?
2. I believe in the kingdom come, when all the colors will bleed into one, from U2’s “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For.” So do I.
1. Well I got this guitar and I learned how to make it talk, from Bruce Springsteen’s “Thunder Road.” “Thunder Road” is not even one of my top Springsteen tunes, but this line describes discovery, wonder, and influence inherent in making music. And best of all, when you listen to him play guitar, he really does make it talk.