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Great openings...

Bryan Burnett | 18:04 UK time, Tuesday, 10 November 2009

katebush.jpgThere's been no work done this afternoon as producer Richard and I have been playing along with the greatest pop quiz ever - otherwise known as tonight's theme.

The best known opening lines isÌýthe themeÌýand I've ben asking folk to send them in without mentioning the artist or the title. The fun comes in trying to identify the song. I can't help singing along toÌýtry and make it easier which is great fun for me but not so enjoyable for the other people who work in this open plan building. Here's 20 of the best to get you started and hundreds more to come when we go on air. Some of the most recognisable opening lines of all time are here, so see how many you can spot.

  • It's a God-awful small affair to the girl with the mousy hair
  • She came from Greece she had a thirst for knowledge
  • There she stood in the street, smiling from her head to her feet
  • Pretty women out walkin' with gorillas down my street
  • She's got a smile that it seems to me
  • On a dark desert highway, cool wind in my hair
  • I saw the light on the night that I passed by her window
  • My heart was broken
  • I'm in the phone booth, it's the one across the hall
  • Out on the wiley, windy moors
  • It's a little bit funny
  • Well I woke up Sunday morning with no way to hold my head that didn't hurt
  • Take a look at my girlfriend
  • Call out the instigators
  • You talk like Marlene Dietrich
  • You stir my natural emotions
  • I love you from the bottom of my pencil case
  • There's a man I meet, walks up our street
  • It was the third of September
  • I was twenty-one years when I wrote this song

Thanks to everyone who's contributed so far, especially Dykerlad whose great list can be found elsewhere on the blog. Answers to these ones will be posted tomorrow.


Comments

  • Comment number 1.

    "We busted out of class, had to get away from those fools, we learnt more from a three minute record baby, than we ever did from school" - No Surrender, by Morrissey ;)

    "Once upon a time you dressed so fine, you threw the bums a dime" - Dylan

  • Comment number 2.

    oops, sorry for putting titles in.

  • Comment number 3.


    Howdi Bryan & team

    Hope the bonce is better - thanks for playing my suggestion tonight - and now for something completely different....


    WEDNESDAY - ARMISTICE DAY:

    Now, I know 'Get It On' is a happy lighthearted entertainment show which amuses it's listeners with their own selections and these are, by and large 'popular', but ...

    This is Modern, Beautiful and Appropriate -

    'BENEDICTUS' from THE ARMED MAN: A MASS FOR PEACE by KARL JENKINS.

    Karl Jenkins (ex Soft Machine) was asked to write this for the Millenium, and to mark the end of a century of hideous wars,ironically, by the Royal Armoury who commissioned the work.

    It went on to become an absolute smash hit in the classical charts - so - it is popular, and there is singing on it - arguably, it is a 'pop song' - though not something you'd routinely expect to hear on 'Get It On' - however,today is that poignant moment, Armistice Day, which should be reflective.

    Unusual, perhaps, but playing this would show recognition of what our soldiers have been put though and continue to go through now.

    Speaking as someone who doesn't care for classical, let alone choral music - I promise you, everyone, but especially those reflecting on our military and their sacrifice,today, will be moved by the simplicity and beauty of the piece - and it's sense of meditative reflective peace.

    I heard Benedictus one evening years ago by accidently tuning to Radio 3, and was so moved I had to phone up to find out what it was.

    As I say, this is simply beautiful but at 7.36 is a bit long, perhaps, for a request show - however, there is a natural break and silent pause in the track at 2:37, which would leave a little short of 5 minites of unbelievable beauty to reflect upon the concept of 'peace'.

    I feel certain your listeners, even those, like me, who traditionally don't like this kind of thing, will be gratified to hear it, whether they have a military connection or not.

    regardez vous

    Henri

    PS those not familiar with this can check it out on Spotify: Other suggestions are Cat Stevens 'Peace Train' and of course, 'Blackmail' by 10CC.



  • Comment number 4.

    Is this the caption competition?

    "She's got a little hole in her frock, a hole in her shoe, a hole in her sock where her toe peeks through"

  • Comment number 5.


    Still, still, still, Go!

  • Comment number 6.

    No eye injury will stop me lifting Miss Valiraki

  • Comment number 7.


    She's got a right cheek! Drop her on 3! 1,2,

  • Comment number 8.

    Lassie with no arms lifted by long-armed freak

    :-)

    DC

  • Comment number 9.

    Does her bum look big in this?

  • Comment number 10.

    OMG, Kate Bush has a Richard on her left thigh!

  • Comment number 11.

    them heavy people hit me in a soft spot

Ìý

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