Well, at least make you remember being a teenager
“I never thought it would happen
With me and a girl from Clapham”
“Don’t start that talking
I could talk all night”
“Giant steps are what you take”
“I’ve got a cousin called Kevin”
“You were working as a waitress in a cocktail bar”
.sjb
The first song that made me listen & think there is life beyond jazz, big-band & baroque, all of which I was actively playing in, was Buddy Holly’s ‘Peggy Sue’. Played over what was probably the best sound system in town (not that we realised it) in a cinema intermission between supporting film & main, a subliminal start followed by a lightbulb moment.
Records & guitars followed … I’m back to teenager again every time I hear it.
Hard to define whether specifically opening lines or a full verse, or often the intro before the words start - but these do it for me with instant recognition:
“ My, my, my, my
Don’t you worry 'bout what’s on your mind (oh my)
I’m in no hurry I can take my time (oh my)…”
“Nights in white satin, never reaching the end,
Letters I’ve written, never meaning to send”
“ I can’t get no satisfaction…”
“If you’re going to San Francisco
Be sure to wear some flowers in your hair”
“ You talk like Marlene Dietrich
And you dance like Zizi Jeanmaire”
“ We skipped the light fandango
Turned cartwheels 'cross the floor
I was feeling kinda seasick
The crowd called out for more”
Didn’t know what time it was
The lights were low oh oh
I leaned back on my radio oh oh.
You’ve done it all
You’ve broken every code.
Good thread @Sloop_John_B, some opening lines really do conjure up the feeling of our youth - so many of the above are evocative of particular times and places when those songs got hardwired into my brain, but the below are for sure ones that are special to my formative teenage years.
“Harmful elements in the air, cymbals crashing everywhere…”
“Chewing out a rhythm on my bubble gum
The sun is out and I want some
It’s not hard, not far to reach, we can hitch a ride to Rockaway Beach”
“Wanna tell you a story
‘Bout a woman I know
When it comes to lovin’
Oh she steals the show”
“Only way to feel the noise is when its good and loud…”
“Ain’t a hope in Hell Nothing’s gonna bring us down
The way we fly five miles off the ground Because
We shoot to kill And you know we always will
It’s a bomber It’s a bomber”
There’s a crack up in the ceiling
And the kitchen sink is leaking
Out of work and got no money
A Sunday joint of bread and honey
What are we living for?
Two-roomed apartment on the second floor
No money coming in
The rent collector’s knocking, trying to get in
We are strictly second class
We don’t understand
Dylan’s Hurricane
edit: And Edison Lighthouse’s Love Grows 
Great stuff John, I suspect we are very similar age, I’d have 4 of yours, as well as the Bomber and Whole Lotta Rosie from other posts.
Also:
Now they’re planning the crime of the century
Well, what will it be?
Read all about their schemes and adventuring
Yes, it’s well worth a fee
Get your motor runnin’
Head out on the highway
Lookin’ for adventure
And whatever comes our way
If I leave here tomorrow
Would you still remember me?
For I must be traveling on, now
Cause there’s too many places I’ve got to see
I’m not good at recalling lyrics but notable music from my teens would include a lot of classical, because when let out on Sundays we would go to a friend’s house in the village to listen to music. When music was permitted in my school house, Bowie, Moody Blues and Procol Harum come to mind.
And how could I forget:
Once I had a love and it was a gas
Soon turned out her heart of glass
Seemed like the real thing, only to find much o’ mistrust
Love’s gone behind
60 next year then Huw?!
There’s Carl over there with his funny old hair and he’s never sad at all
And when I grow up I want to run as fast as my friend Paul
There’s the prettiest girl in the whole wide world and her name is Melody Mend
And here comes ma with brother Tom who’s probably my best friend
People ask me when will you grow up to be a man
But all the girls I loved at school are already pushing prams.
I don’t want to change the world
I’m not looking for a New England
I’m just looking for another girl
… and many other songs from the Bard of Barking. Saw him live again last month, 33 years after the first time. Still makes me grin
Sadly I was a late developer!
A few years out, that mile stone was passed a couple of years ago.
Blondie - Denis
You were let out on Sundays? You were lucky!
Wake up Maggie I think I’ve got something to say to you
A long long time ago and I can still remember how the music used to make me smile
I met her in a club down in old Soho
Well I don’t know why I came here tonight
And many many more…
On a dark desert highway
Cool wind in my hair