What’s the greatest lyrical line in music?

[TheMadIrishman]

I saw a comment on a Sabbath video about “the best lyrical line” ever written and it got me thinking. To me, Pink Floyd’s Echeos has one of the greatest lyrical lines ever written. Let me know your opinion on the best lyrical line written.

Pink Floyd’s Echoes:

Overhead the albatross hangs motionless upon the air
And deep beneath the rolling waves in labyrinths of coral caves
The echo of a distant tide comes willowing across the sand
And everything is green and submarine

[SteveAJones]

Limelight

Rush

I can't pretend a stranger
Is a long-awaited friend

[MightyLedZeppelin]

Speaking of Echoes I've always loved:

And no one sings me lullabies
And no one makes me close my eyes
So I throw the windows wide
And call to you across the sky

[EaglesOfOneNest]

11 hours ago, TheMadIrishman said:

I saw a comment on a Sabbath video about “the best lyrical line” ever written and it got me thinking. To me, Pink Floyd’s Echeos has one of the greatest lyrical lines ever written. Let me know your opinion on the best lyrical line written.

Pink Floyd’s Echoes:

Overhead the albatross hangs motionless upon the air
And deep beneath the rolling waves in labyrinths of coral caves
The echo of a distant tide comes willowing across the sand
And everything is green and submarine

That's a great one! 

I think great lyrics can be divided into two camps; a) ones that are lyrically beautiful; poetry set to music, and b) ones that touch the listener in a deep and meaningful way. 

While I do listen to other bands besides Led Zeppelin, my favorite is "We are eagles of one nest, the nest is in our soul" (that would fall into category b)

Also love the line from Greta van Fleet "Edge of Darkness" - 

All my brothers we stand
For the peace of the land
Is there meaning?
I've got love in my heart
For an army apart I am bleeding

Also category b

 

[TheStairwayRemainsTheSame]

18 minutes ago, EaglesOfOneNest said:

That's a great one! 

I think great lyrics can be divided into two camps; a) ones that are lyrically beautiful; poetry set to music, and b) ones that touch the listener in a deep and meaningful way. 

While I do listen to other bands besides Led Zeppelin, my favorite is "We are eagles of one nest, the nest is in our soul" (that would fall into category b)

Also love the line from Greta van Fleet "Edge of Darkness" - 

All my brothers we stand
For the peace of the land
Is there meaning?
I've got love in my heart
For an army apart I am bleeding

Also category b

 

Are you 12?

[John M]

There is another thread on this. 

I posted a number of replies in that thread.  There are so many great lines.  At this point I would have to say my favorite lyrics are Celebration Day.  It starts out so strong and just keeps going.  

Her face is cracked from smiling 
All the fears that she's been hiding 
And it seems that pretty soon, everybody's gonna know

And her voice is sore from shouting 
Cheering winners who are losing 
And she wonders if their days are few and soon they'll have to go

 

She hears them talk of new ways 
To protect the home she lives in 
Then she wonders what it's all about when they break down the door.

Her name is brown or white or black 
You know her very well, 
You hear her cries of mercy as the winners toll the bell.

 

Oh, there is a train that leaves the station 
Heading for your destination 
But the price you pay to nowhere has increased a dollar more
Yes, it has! 
And if you walk you're gonna get there 
although it takes a little longer 
And when you see it in the distance you will wring your hands and moan

Hots on for Nowhere is also outstanding.  That is another song where the critics panned the chorus (as with Celebration Day) without bothering to consider the verses.

[Bozoso73]

I always loved Chris Cornell's line from Holy Water off of BadMotorFinger

Dam the water if it's life you wanna drink. . 

 

Too bad he didnt heed those words. .