Best Opening Lyrics: No. 17
--Prince's '1999'
Sung in unison by backup ladies Wendy and Lisa, this trippy line foretold all of the Purple One's eccentricities.
Listen to the line!
Posted by Spinner Staff
Filed under: The Hit List
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Reader Comments(1 of 3)
Willowat 8-06-2007
I wouldn't be a bit surprised if Prince WAS dreaming when he wrote this song. I swear this guy is so freaking talented, that he could write a good song in his sleep!
ldysnowhawk1at 8-03-2008
PRINCE!! THIS LITTLE PACKAGE OF DYNAMITE COULD BLOW ME UP ANYTIME!!
Tamikaat 8-06-2007
I agree with you Willow. I am a huge Prince fan and he is very talented!
Shawnat 8-07-2007
'In France a skinny man died of a big disease with a little name...' Prince, Sign O' the Times.
If that's not a gr8 1st line, I don't know what is.
Adoreat 8-07-2007
im glad im not the only 1 who appreciates gr8ness..("if God 1 day struck me blind, ur beauty ill still c...") Adore
Mark Rat 8-07-2007
I think that you could take the first line of almost any Prince song and put it on this list. Shawn, I'm right with u on your choice.
Bobbyat 8-07-2007
Prince is awesome. Prince IS NOT GAY! Prince simply uses cock as a dietary supplement.
Jaysonat 8-07-2007
Love this song. Prince is nothing short of musical brilliance. I wish I had been alive when this came out. Haha
nicknmemphisat 8-07-2007
I love prince and own every album that he ever put out but I don't think I could choose this song or it's first line for a representation of his greatness. Like you guys have already said many other lines to choose from. I like the song but I don't think it is as poignant or emotional as many of his others.
The Truthat 8-07-2007
Prince is one of, if not the, most overrated song writer still working.
bamackat 8-08-2007
Prince is the most talented songwriter, musician and composer of our time, but how could that win out over "dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to get through this thing called life." Woooo i just got chills.
KLat 8-08-2007
For the record, it's not Wendy and Lisa who sing co-lead on 1999, but Lisa and J.J. (Jill Jones). Wendy sings back-up on Free (and does sing back-up with Lisa on Irresistible Bitch), but wasn't in the band officially until Purple Rain. Speaking of which, although not spoken by Prince, the opening to Computer Blue (Wendy and Lisa, duh) made me take the needle off the record for a second listen.
djnozzat 6-22-2009
I thought I was the only one who caught that!
eyeEatBlogsforBreakfastat 8-12-2007
"dearly beloved..."
Janetat 8-12-2007
"I guess I knew, when you parked your car sideways, that it wouldn't last..." LITTLE RED CORVETTE....my favorite Prince song!
KKrayzeeat 8-14-2007
If I had to pick the best opening line for Prince it would be "I knew a girl named Nikki. I guess you could say she was a sex fiend." - Darling Nikki
Nicolisat 8-18-2007
I love this song, Great opening line, I agree Prince is very talented. Too bad I was just a kid when he was big in the 80's
madukezat 8-21-2007
I love Prince every song he created has a good opening.
TMelendezat 8-27-2007
Huh.. weird... I always thought that the opening bridge to this song were the best opening lyrics ever...In every aspect of the words and how they relate to the song....
"Dont worry, I wont hurt you, I only want you to have some fun"
Cindyat 9-02-2007
Prince HAS written a song in his sleep. Well, at least overnight. He had prepared more than 100 songs for the movie "Purple Rain". The directors asked for another that would be more fitting for part of the story line. By the next day, he had "When Doves Cry" ready. Prince is, and always has been, nothing short of a musical genius. Very few other artists can claim "produced, arranged, composed and performed by..." on their albums. And, not many artists can cross the decades and not become obsolete. Oh, and just for the record, Sinead O'Connor may have recorded "Nothing Compares 2 U", but I'll give you one guess who wrote it.