Have you ever been mid-conversation when a song comes on that immediately shifts your focus? Suddenly, you are struggling between paying attention to the ensuing conversation while internally, you’re singing along. Every millennial has been in this position, and these are the rock songs with opening lines that every millennial recognizes immediately.
“bullet with butterfly wings” by the smashing pumpkins
“The world is a vampire.” The Smashing Pumpkins frontman Billy Corgan opens this track with this iconic isolated vocal. It’s sure to stop you in your tracks, waiting for the punch of the instruments to kick in. Following this, it’s physically impossible not to sing along on the next line, “set to drain.” Billy Corgan has every millennial in a chokehold with this ridiculously catchy song intro.
“Buddy holly” by weezer
Long before “Buddy Holly” became a meme, it was a millennial anthem. The way that the song drops straight into the first verse is addicting. It comes off as a nerd standing up for himself, instantly grabbing any nerdy millennial’s attention. I say “nerd” in a very good way, as Weezer are nerd-rock icons that gave many four-eyed kids a rock band to identify with. “What’s with these homies dissin’ my girl? Why do they gotta front? What did we ever do to these guys / That made them so violent?”
“no rain” by blind Melon
Blind Melon delivered a pleasant hit in the mid-90s, paired with a visually unique music video. It’s hard to hear this song without picturing the girl dancing in her bee outfit. For fans of Saturday Night Live, you can picture Chris Farley in the bee costume if you want. He put on the outfit to introduce Blind Melon on SNL in 1994. The opening lines irresistibly turn into a sing-along: “All I can say is that my life is pretty plain / I like watching the puddles gather rain.”
“santa monica” by everclear
Not only are the opening lines of this track recognizable, but the entire song becomes a sing-along. It all starts with “I am still living with your ghost / Lonely and dreaming of the west coast. I don’t wanna be your downtime. I don’t wanna be your stupid game.” Before you know it, you’re singing about living beside the ocean and watching the world die. Everclear pinned one of the catchiest rock songs of all time with “Santa Monica”. It’s a three-minute anthem that serves as a major distraction for any millennial.
Photo by Jim Steinfeldt/Michael Ochs Archives/GettyImages
The post 4 Rock Songs With Opening Lines That Every Millennial Recognizes Immediately appeared first on VICE.
