The lines
- "It's coming on Christmas, they're cutting down trees." — Joni Mitchell, "River": the instant world, the Christmas that isn't.
- "There's a town in north Ontario." — Neil Young, "Helpless": the geography as invocation.
- "The legend lives on from the Chippewa on down." — Gordon Lightfoot, "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald": the epic launch, the documentary grip.
- "They call me the working man." — Rush, "Working Man": the blue-collar anthem announces itself.
- "I heard there was a secret chord." — Leonard Cohen, "Hallelujah": the myth begins.
- "I want you to know, that I'm happy for you." — Alanis Morissette, "You Oughta Know": the civility before the storm.
- "Sundown, you better take care." — Gordon Lightfoot, "Sundown": the warning as seduction.
- "Four strong winds that blow lonely." — Ian & Sylvia, "Four Strong Winds": the prairie wind in one breath.
The opener's craft
The craft: the specific over the generic, the image over the statement, the handshake that grips. The opening line earns the second — the second earns the third. The songs begin well. The listeners stay.
Frequently asked questions
What’s the best opening line in a Canadian song?
“There’s a town in north Ontario” and “I heard there was a secret chord” lead the canon.
What makes a great opening line?
Specificity over generality, image over statement — the handshake that grips.
Where can I find more?
The features — the full songs behind the first lines.