Best Opening Lyrics: No. 11
- Posted by Spinner Staff
- Comments (19)
--Elvis Costello's 'Accidents Will Happen'
Even when he's at a loss for words, rock's walking thesaurus can turn a phrase.
Listen to the line!
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Reader Comments(1 of 1)
Jim Akinat 1-30-2008
I love this line because I think of it as the opening of the entire "Armed Forces" album, not just of "Accidents Will Happen" itself. The line implies our narrator is at a loss for words, but it precedes a nonstop barrage of wordplay in some of Elvis's best-ever pop songs. brilliant. "I used to be disgusted..." is a better choice purely as a single song's opening line, though.
Francescaat 8-28-2008
I think the point with choosing this line over the others was that even when EC was at a loss for words, he never really was, so to speak. (They even said as much in the caption.)
prex4at 8-06-2007
While I was more than pleased to see that EC made the list, I think of better choice would've been "I used to be disgusted, now I try to be amused." from Angels Wanna Wear my Red Shoes.
Rogerat 8-07-2007
totally agree prex
Val-womanat 8-07-2007
Uh hello?? It's "I just don't KNOW where to begin"
and I will forgive the missing word... but just this once.....:)
Leslieat 8-07-2007
"Shadows grow so long before my eyes" great visual opening from Peter Frampton. I think this should have been included in the list. That song has also been redone by so many people of different musical styles. Its timeless,beautiful, different.
nmodelskiat 8-07-2007
I agree that they could have picked a better EC lyric, like maybe "Romeo was restless he was ready to kill" from Mystery Dance or
EC fanat 8-07-2007
Much better Elvis Costello opener, from "Girls Talk":
There are some things you can't cover up with lipstick and powder.
I thought I heard you mention my name. Can't you talk any louder?
MasonRat 8-07-2007
Another great EC opener: "He used to be the king of America/Where they pour Coca-Cola just like vintage wine"
From "Brilliant Mistake" in King of America.
Jsecat 8-08-2007
How's about: "Now that your picture's in the paper being rhythmically admired, and you can have anyone that you have ever desired..." from "Welcome To The Working Week?" Especially since it's the first line from the first song on EC's first record ("My Aim Is True").
Ercat 8-10-2007
Old pirates, yes, they rob I;
Sold I to the merchant ships,
the honorable robert nestah marley
Jsecat 8-11-2007
Sorry to be a "Nasty Little Trainspotter," as Declan often calls jis online fans, but the opening to "Brilliant Mistake" is "He thought he was the King of America..." Still a great song w/a great opening, as well.
Yagurat 9-07-2007
Actually, I agree with this choice, although for sentimental reasons... the first time I saw EC in concert, 1988, Universal Studio Ampitheater. He came running on stage with his band (the Imposters, i believe) grabbed the instrument, and downbeat, WHAM: "Oh, I just don't know where to begin..." It was an electric moment, the single greatest I've experienced at 12+ EC concerts I've attended, and I loved most of them. As said, the irony of the most articulate rock musician ever proclaiming his inarticulateness... and saying he doesn't know where to begin, as he begins... he has been more clever, but never better.
Dev Stackat 9-29-2007
"Oh, it's so funny to seein' ya after so long, girl.."
Yeah, EC deserves to be on the list.
sorayaat 10-15-2007
Honorable Bob Marley? Hmmm. Gotta think about that one. Not disagreeing, but very interesting. Now, i've never really found Elvis Costello's music to be that interesting, but i can dig his style and even his music. Beats being critical.
Tonnieat 10-17-2007
I completely agree, Truth... I thought it was just me not understanding where they were coming from, but I understood fine; they're coming from nowhere.
The songs are cool, but like as a great first lyric, I can think of SO many better ones by EC. The comments here list some much more appropriate first lyrics... Who ARE the people who write these things?
lol All through this list I'd hit "Next", see the line, and go, WTF????
Biancaat 1-06-2008
absolutely agree prex.
that's my favorite costello song. so good to see him on here. i just saw him a few months ago and he is 50 times better live.