Readers' Best Opening Lyrics: No. 12
- Posted by Spinner Readers
- Comments (25)
--Erik B and Rakim's 'Paid in Full'
Listen to the line!
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Reader Comments(1 of 2)
Details, Detailsat 3-14-2008
For those that don't know, rappers weren't always blinged out, dropping names of expensive champagne, and designers.
Once upon a time, rappers were poor. This song was written at a time where a rapper just wanted to be able to keep the lights on, and maybe treat himself to a half-decent meal. He used the skills that he had, and then was quite happy to get his little bit of money.
I'll always love this song, because I was a teen when rap was young, and I've seen the evolution. I don't always like what it's become, but I'll always love where it started.
Wolfng3at 6-29-2008
Actually, this is one of the more poetic cRap lyrics I've read. "Nothing in my hand but sweat" can have such a deeper meaning.
rocketdream34at 8-12-2008
this really is classic, it shouldn't be ahead of petty and the eagles, but it's in my top 50 for sure
sabres3017at 9-09-2008
this is a crap list. bob seger better than cobain? kiss my ass
merydith92at 9-09-2008
This is better then Nirvana or The Smiths??? Kill me now!!!
Alexat 8-27-2007
Cool song
bolyat 8-27-2007
I've had a ton of problems understanding what pin head ranked this opening lyrics, but this one tops them all for idiocy.
First of all, it's poorly written, and secondly, and worst of all, it's a terrible rhyme! I mean, is that the BEST you can do?
deesjointat 6-10-2009
hey genius, how much rap do you listen to? couldn't be much, because for any real hip hop head, that's one of the most quoted lines in rap. i'm sick of you critics criticizing what you obviously know nothing about. it's easy to say you hate it, but you don't even know what it is you're hating...it's like someone who listens to nothing but classical criticizing rock...if you don't know, learn--if you don't want to learn, shut your ignorant ass mouth............i believe Bob Dylan--a rock artist-- said ''don't criticize what you can't understand''. i live for small minded dipshits like you...
Danat 8-27-2007
The definition of hip-hop; a drum solo accompanied by bad poetry.
kimat 8-27-2007
You'd have to be a crack-head to even consider that these people might have ANYTHING to contribute to the life of intelligent people. Were you overcome with the imagery, talent or the future of this STUPID appointment of 'The Best Opening Lyrics'? There's just not enough vulgarities in the mother-tongue to describe the dumbing-down that had to happen in order for these people to even be on the WAITING list for the possibility to be in the same BUILDING as the people who are ON the list for the best opening line of a song. As a 19 year career musician, I am HIGHLY offended each time morons reach the entertainment limelight.
Kevinat 8-27-2007
umm ok as usual on these lists there's some bizarre entry. This must be a favorite song of whoever wrote this list
Marcusat 8-27-2007
It amazes me when I see rational people say irrational, asinine things. Have any of you who criticized the lyrics ever bother to try to understand them or why they are on the list or are you to wrapped in your musical elite world to even give a damn. I could criticize / stereotype every song on the list or every genre; e.g., typical rock song, heavy guitar followed by loud, inaudible, nonsensical lyrics. What purpose does that serve? Doing such only shows one's ignorance and a lack of tolerance for the wide range of good music in various genre which appeals to real music fans.
amazingglass4uat 8-27-2007
Ahh yes, This one always causes me to ponder. What the???
Susanat 8-27-2007
RAP IS CRAP! It sure isn't music.
Direcat 8-27-2007
Ignoring all the HATERS that left comments...
Eric B. and Rakim were pioneers. Keep this on the list!
And for the record, Hip-Hop is more than just music, do some research, boy.
Charlesat 8-27-2007
I guess "Jeremiah was a bull frog" makes since. Some people are so narrow mined and afraid of anything or anybody how is different. I guess if Shakesphere had wrote it, then they would say it is a masterpiece. Who cares what you think! Rap has been the number one genre since the day it was created. "How You Sell Soul to a Soulless People Who Sold Their Soul" -Public Enemy
Melodyat 8-28-2007
After listening to the entire song, it's easy to see that the opening lyrics are good. They set the tone for what follows (like the other songs on the list, hello!). If you only consider the 1st line apart from the rest of the song, then every song on this list is stupid...including "Hotel California".
The song is about a person who doesn't have any money but wants to buy things. So, he comes up with several ideas of how to get paid for doing legitimate work. He even mentions that he'd like to buy some fish to eat but he can't because, "without the money it's still a wish". The song was written in a clever manner and it addresses a basic problem that we have all faced at some point in life regardless of background...not having any money or not having enough.
chillinat 8-28-2007
Those of you complaining should've been more vocal when the best lyrics were decided upon. After all, this list is the "Readers' Best Opening Lyrics".
The opening lines elicit the picture of a young man with empty pockets dreaming of making a better living for himself. Certainly no worse than some other entries on here.
These lines are iconic in hip-hop culture and are perfect for this list. They represent the genesis period of hip-hop before sameness became profitable.
theoat 8-29-2007
Brilliant rhyme from one of America's best Urban/Rhythmic groups. The point of the contest is how the first line is memorable and sets the tone of the musical entry. If you don't know or get the song it's alright, you don't have to hate. If you are older and don't understand it, that's fine too. However, the comments that are overly negative say more about the people writing them than the song itself.
Kyeat 8-28-2007
Well damn ya'll!! I thought i just had to yell at pixie but it seems as though the rest of you need some extracurricular musical education as well...and THANK YOU Chillin (#11) and Marcus (#6) for those fine words of COMMON SENSE...jeez u all really thought that all the best opening lines would be from Classic rock and BLuegrass songs? Is it so offensive to see a genre so overlooked in the music world as it is (condoned by many of these so-called music "elite" to not even be called music because it doesnt fit their text-book definiton...not that anyone commenting on this site is music elite, by the way) Give Hip-Hop some credit for talkin about the real life struggles of the life in the inner cities, a voice of the young people who cry for a vetter tomorrow, who didint asked to be dropped in a world of sex drugs and guns they had to find out about before they turned 8. Just think about what the lines actually mean before u go slandering my precious culture...cuz Acid Rock and Glam Rock arent the brightest crayons in the box either...