Memorable Musical Lines

If I ever opened a secondhand store I always thought I would call it “A Bustle in the Hedgerow”.

That lyric is arguably one of the most famous lines in music. It has been linked to several different meanings and backmasking rumors but I like to take the meaning at face value. The May-queen is doing some spring cleaning and threw her bustle out the window.

While curiosity is now urging me to examine the possibilities for why she is throwing the booty shaper into the weeds, that is not what has brought me here today.

I’m curious to know what you think are some of the most iconic lines from music. I have a few I would like to share.

“Mama, just killed a man…”

In the context of this blog, it makes sense that this lyric from the great Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen would make the list. However, imagine you are slightly distracted when you read an unexpected text from your son with that same line.

Yes, it happened.

Yes, I held my breath for a second.

“I’d like to tell her that I love her but the point is probably moot.”

Do you recognize this one?

I didn’t think too much about it until I heard Martha Quinn on the Big Eighties Sirius channel say it was probably one of the best lyrics ever written. I don’t know if I would go quite that far, but it is interesting. (From Jesse’s Girl-Rick Springfield)

“I may not be able to express the depth of the love I feel for you”

From Diana Ross’s extended version of Ain’t no Mountain High Enough. These lines are iconic but maybe more so to me than the general listening public. The summer before I started high school, I fell in love with a boy. His family went away soon after on an extended summer vacation. I lamented every day listening over and over to this song at my friend Donna’s house. When school started and they still hadn’t returned, I wrote the song lyrics out on the chalkboard every morning. I know I drove Ms. Ferry crazy. “I wish they would come back so Sallie can chill out,” she said. (or whatever the 70’s equivalent of chill out was). They came back shortly after labor day, but the boy promptly broke up with me.

It worked out when we reunited in love 20 years later and married 10 years after that. “remember If you should fall short of your desires, Remember life holds for you one guarantee, You'll always have me.

“Blue flowers echo from a cherry cloud”

From the Brothers Johnson’s Strawberry Letter #23. Who could not be in awe of such a randomly fascinating lyric? The rest of the song is just as random but the blue flower line has always stood out to me.

“he can't be a man 'cause he doesn't smoke, the same cigarettes as me”

When I asked my husband for an iconic line from a song this from (I can’t get no)Satisfaction by The Rolling Stones was his reply.

“lucky that my breasts are small and humble

So you don't confuse them with mountains”

From Whenever, Wherever by Shakira is what my daughter said was an odd lyric that stood out to her. I wonder what would happen if he did confuse them with mountains. What would have happened?

“Shoes on, get up in the morn'

Cup of milk, let's rock and roll”

My son (the one who texted me about killing a man) recently told me this line from BTS’s Dynamite had to be the most iconic song lyric EVER. I’m pretty sure he was messing with me.

Iconic for everyone or just you,

What do you think are some great song lines?