Greatest Opening Lines on Debut Albums

The Top Ten
1 "You are now about to witness the strength of street knowledge" Straight Outta Compton, 'Straight Outta Compton', (N.W.A.) - Dr. Dre
2 "This is dedicated to the n*ggas that was down from day one", The Chronic (Intro), 'The Chronic' (Dr. Dre)
3 "I ain't no joke, I used to let the mic smoke", I Ain't No Joke, 'Paid in Full',(Eric B. and Rakim) - Rakim
4 "I looked out this morning and the sun was gone", More than a Feeling, 'Boston', (Boston)

To be honest I am not a fan of several of these lines but this one is great.

5 "Don't you think that it's boring how people talk", Tennis Court, 'Pure Heroin' (Lord)

I did not expect this would be on the list but thanks for including it.

6 "Hey Mr. Tambourine Man, Play a Song for Me", Mr. Tambourine Man, the Byrds (Mr. Tambourine Man)

This is the song that proved that you could blend folk and rock music together without being tacky.

7 "Hard like an erection", Young Black Male, '2Pacalypse Now', (2Pac)

Haha, 2Pac... sounds like poetry...

8 "Why does it feel like night today?", Papercuts, 'Hybrid Theory', (Linkin Park)
9 "Well I'm a-runnin' down the road try'n to loosen my load" Take It Easy, 'Eagles', (Eagles)
10 "What is this that stands before me?", Black Sabbath, 'Black Sabbath', (Black Sabbath)
The Contenders
11 "Jesus died for somebody's sins, but not mine.", Gloria, 'Horses' (Patti Smith)

I'm shocked this wasn't on here already.

12 "I was told a million times of all the troubles in my way", Keep Yourself Alive, 'Queen', (Queen)
13 "I feel the top of the roof come off, kill everybody there.", Bloodhail, 'Deathconsciousness' (Have a Nice Life)

This is a bit different from the tohers since it is actually the second track from the debut - the first song is fully instrumental. But Bloodhail is for sure a chilling second song :
"I feel the top of the roof come off, kill everybody there
And I'm watching all the stars burn out, trying to pretend that I care"
The nihilistic apathy of these lines set the mood perfectly.

14 "Walking Through the City, Looking Oh So Pretty", Prowler, 'iron Maiden' (Iron Maiden)
15 "I Live My Life in the City, but There's No Easy Way Out", Rock N' Roll Star, Oasis (Definitely Maybe)

They made it clear from the very beginning that they had big intentions.

16 "Hey, Ho, Let's Go!", Blitzkrieg Bop, Ramones (Ramones)

The perfect way of getting the listener's attention. What a great way to begin your career.

17 "Well It's One for the Money, Two for the Show...", Blue Suede Shoes, Elvis Presley (Elvis Presley)

The album starts off with a bang. That's part of the reason why I enjoy it more than most of the others.

18 "in the Days of My Youth, I Was Told What It Means to Be a Man", Good Times Bad Times, Led Zeppelin (Led Zeppelin)

Love them or hate them, you gotta admit that they kicked off their career with a bang. This song rocks.

19 "You Know the Day Destroys the Night, Night Divides the Day", Break on Through (To the Other Side), the Doors (The Doors)

Many 60s bands had lackluster debuts and needed to do some polishing to make better songs. The Doors got it right the first time.

20 "What if Christmas didn't come this year?", To Defy The Laws of Tradition, 'Frizzle Fry' (Primus)
21 "Welcome to the jungle, we've got fun and games", Welcome to the Jungle, 'Appetite for Destruction' (Guns'n Roses)
22 "I live my life like there's no tomorrow", Runnin With the Devil, 'Van Halen' (Van Halen)
23 "Cat's foot, Iron claw, Neurosurgeons scream for more, At paranoia's poison door, 21st century schizoid man!", 21st Century Schizoid Man, 'In the Court of the Crimson King' (King Crimson)

This band opened with a bang.

24 "Well She Was Just Seventeen, and You Know What I Mean...", I Saw Her Standing There, 'please Please Me' (The Beatles)
25 "Aaaaarre... Youuu... Ready?!", Blind, 'korn' (Korn)

Such a cool vocal delivery before the riff.

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