Some songs have a strong opening, to set the scene, to cut right to the chase (important in a short format like a song).
I like Richard Thompon's opening to "Jennie"
Trouble becomes you
It cuts you down to my size
But for directness Loudon Wainwright often takes the cake. I was reminded, in one of my bits of reading this morning, of the opening lines of the song "Your Mother and I" which he wrote to one of his kids after his second marriage fell apart
Your Mother and I are living apart
I know that seems stupid, but we weren't very smart
Wainwright gets out there, doesn't pull punches.
So what songs do you think have a strong or otherwise just downright clever, neat, poignant or what have you opening?
Just a couple of lines not a whole verse. Two, three lines max otherwise it's not an example of getting straight to the point.
