Friday 24th July 2015 by Alexandra Pollard | Photos by WENN

14 of the most powerful opening lines in music

There's nothing like a killer opening line to grab your attention'

Wilco - 'Via Chicago'

Amy Winehouse - 'Back To Black

Patti Smith - 'Gloria'

St. Vincent - 'Birth In Reverse'

The Smiths - 'Bigmouth Strikes Again'

Warren Zevon - 'Werewolves Of London'

Joni Mitchell - 'Case Of You'

Fleetwood Mac - 'Gold Dust Woman'

Arthur Russell - 'A Little Lost'

Joan Jett and the Blackhearts - 'Bad Reputation

Simon & Garfunkel - 'The Sound Of Silence'

Kendrick Lamar - 'King Kunta'

Laura Marling - 'Crawled Out Of The Sea'

Tags: Kendrick Lamar, Patti Smith, The Smiths, St Vincent Photo: WENN.COM

Oh what an ordinary day. Take out the garbage, masturbate.

That got your attention didn't it? A great opening line can do that. The above comes courtesy of St. Vincent, demonstrating, with 'Birth In Reverse', the sheer joy of an opening lyric that makes you double take.

It's not easy to write something that is at once concise, poetic and impactful - but there are some artists who've got the skill well and truly mastered. Morrissey is one of them. Amy Winehouse is another.

Here's 14 of the greatest opening lines in music.