Take It From The Top: Rebels

Back in February I wrote a blog called "Take a Ride Down the Tunnel of Love."  In it I talked about what I thought was one of the best ever opening lines to a song.

"Fat man sitting on a little stool, 

takes the money from my hand 

as his eyes take a walk all over you"

Perfect imagery. The song of course is Springsteen's "Tunnel of Love."

Today I have another memorable opening line. While it doesn't compare on any level with Bruce's beautifully crafted song, every time I hear it, I smile and say to myself  "that is such a great opening line." Overall, it's an interesting song, has several layers to the lyrics, and whether you are from the South or a Yankee girl, it's an excellent sing-along.

"Honey don't walk out, I'm too drunk to follow"

Fabulous. Simple, but it gets the message across loud and clear...in only nine words.

From the Southern Accents album, the song is "Rebels" by Tom Petty.

"Honey don't walk out, I'm too drunk to follow

You know you won't feel this way tomorrow

Well, maybe a little rough around the edges

Or inside a little hollow,

I get faced with some things, sometimes

That are so hard to swallow, hey!

Chorus

I was born a rebel, down in Dixie

On a Sunday mornin'

Yeah with one foot in the grave

And one foot on the pedal, I was born a rebel

She picked me up in the mornin', and she paid all my tickets

Then she screamed in the car

Left me out in the thicket

Well I never woulda dreamed

That her heart was so wicked

Yeah but I keep comin' back

'Cause it's so hard to kick it, hey, hey, hey

(Repeat Chorus)

Even before my father's father

They called us all rebels

While they burned our cornfields

And left our cities leveled

I can still feel the eyes of those blue-bellied devils

Yeah, when I'm walking round at night

Through the concrete and the metal, hey, hey, hey"

One foot in the grave and one foot on the pedal...well that line's not bad either.

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