It can be argued that melody is the most memorable aspect of a song. And, I would agree. However, often simply hearing a certain combination of words brings to mind a familiar song. Song couplets help make songs memorable and frequently highlight the pinnacle of a story, provide a thought-provoking turn of phrase, or even take a sharp turn as a surprise. Well-written couplets which flow organically from the lyrics delight the listener and the lyricist.

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But there’s nothing that gives me more thrill than when I’m writing and a couplet works. I find the right rhyme, or it’s just perfect. There’s nothing that exciting.

–– Rosanne Cash (b. 1955) American singer-songwriter and author

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What is a couplet in a song? The simple answer is two lines of verse, usually in the same meter and joined by rhyme, that form a unit. A couplet can also be a pair of consecutive lines that create a complete thought or idea. And, while most couplets rhyme, not all do.

Through the years, many song couplets have stuck out to me, making them impossible to forget. The following couplets are ones I find particularly interesting, provocative, quirky, or unusually clever, thus, memorable.

Some of My Favorite Song Couplets

The lyrics of “Hotel California” are sets of couplets which tell a story. The following two lines are the culmination of the narrative and provide a thought-provoking shock to the listener. Anytime this song is on the radio, I must listen all the way to the end. These lines bring a surprise even though I have heard the song hundreds of times!

You can check out any time you like
But you can never leave

“Hotel California” – The Eagles / written by Don Felder, Don Henley, and Glenn Frey (1977)

Sometimes a couplet with its peculiar combination of words captures an ineffable feeling.

Where the days are longer
And the nights are stronger than moonshine

“Ventura Highway” – America / written by Dewey Bunnell (1972)

Often, as I go about my day, seemingly random lyrics pop into my head. I wonder when “Drift Away” sings in my brain, if it isn’t my psyche telling me to relax and slow down . . . listen to some music.

Oh, give me the beat boys and free my soul
I wanna get lost in your rock and roll and drift away

“Drift Away” – Dobie Gray / written by Mentor Williams (1970)

He sang as if he knew me in all my dark despair
And then he looked right through me as if I wasn’t there

“Killing Me Softly with His Song” – Roberta Flack / written by Lori Lieberman, Charles Fox, and Norman Gimbel (1971)

I’m frightened by the devil
But I’m drawn to those ones that ain’t

“Case of You” – K.D. Lang / written by Joni Mitchell (1970)

I don’t know where we went wrong
But the feeling’s gone and I just can’t get it back

“If You Could Read My Mind” – Gordon Lightfoot / written by Gordon Lightfoot (1970)

But Oz never did give nothing to the Tin Man
That he didn’t already have

“Tin Man” – America / written by Dewey Bunnel (1974)

The weekend at the college didn’t turn out like you planned
The things that pass for knowledge I can’t understand

“Reelin’ in the Years” – Steeley Dan / written by Donald Fagen and Walter Becker (1972)

But there never seems to be enough time
To do the things you want to do once you find them

“Time in a Bottle” – Jim Croce / written by Jim Croce (1970)

Like a bird on the wire
Like a drunk in a midnight choir

“Bird on the Wire” – Leonard Cohen / written by Leonard Cohen (1968)

Old Mister Webster could never define
What’s being said between your heart and mine

“When You Say Nothing at All” – Alison Krauss / written by Paul Overstreet and Don Schlitz (1988)

Cool cat lookin’ for a kitty
Gonna look in every corner of the city

“Summer in the City” – The Lovin’ Spoonful / written by John Benson Sebastian, Mark Douglas Sebastian, and Steve Boone (1966)

Lean on me when you’re not strong
And I’ll be your friend I’ll help you carry on

“Lean on Me” – Bill Withers / written by Bill Withers (1973)

Papa was a rolling stone
Wherever he laid his hat was his home

“Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone” – The Temptations / written by Barrett Strong and Norman Whitfield (1972)

Well, I know that you’re in love with him
‘Cause I saw you dancin’ in the gym

“American Pie” – Don McLean / written by Don McLean (1971)

McLean’s cryptic masterpiece is filled with other thought-provoking couplets. Such as:

And while Lenin read a book of Marx
The Quartet practiced in the park

The Two Greatest Musical Couplets Ever Written 

It is not surprising that Lennon/McCartney and Jimmy Webb wrote two of the greatest song couplets. (In my opinion.)

It does not take a lot of words to be clever or brilliant. These two lines are the entire song––which make this couplet even more poignant.

And in the end the love you take
Is equal to the love you make

“The End” – The Beatles / written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney (1969)

The following lines from “Wichita Lineman” may be the most enigmatic couplet ever written. The meaning is not easily understood on first hearing these lines. Dylan Jones, in an article written for Faber & Faber, calls these lines “one of the most exquisite couplets in the history of song.”

And I need you more than want you
And I want you for all time

“Wichita Lineman” – Glen Campbell / written by Jimmy Webb (1968)

And . . . These are Maybe Not the Greatest Couplets

I certainly do not want to make fun of any songwriter––it is very difficult to write great songs. 
However, sometimes it is obvious that striving for always using rhymes can create odd, if not comical, results.

I know I was a crazy fool for treating you the way I did. 
But something took hold of me and I acted like a dustbin lid. 

“The Other Me” – Paul McCartney / written by Paul McCartney (1983)

You can reach me by a caravan
cross the desert like an Arab man

“Get Here (If You Can)” – Oleta Adams / written by Brenda Russell (1988)

You walked into the party like you were walking onto a yacht
Your hat strategically dipped below one eye, your scarf it was apricot

“You’re So Vain” – Carly Simon / written by Carly Simon (1972)

It’s no use, he sees her, he starts to shake and cough
Just like the old man in that book by Nabokov

“Don’t Stand Close to Me” – The Police / written by Sting (1980)

You have many contacts
Among the lumberjacks

“Ballad of a Thin Man” – Bob Dylan / written by Bob Dylan and Bob Johnston (1965)

We spent the night in ’Frisco
At every kind of disco

“Blame It On the Boogie” – The Jacksons / written by Mick Jackson (1978)

I wish that I could fly into the sky
So very high just like a dragon fly

“Getaway” – Lenny Kravitz / written by Lenny Kravitz (1998)

I don’t like cities but I like New York
other places make me feel like a dork

“I Love New York” – Madonna / written by Madonna and Stuart Price (2005)

Prize for the Most Humorous Couplet?

Never been a fake and I’m never phony
I got more flavour than a packet of macaroni

“Bug Powder Dust” – Bomb the Bass / written by Justin Warfield and Tim Simenon (1994)

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What couplets do you like that are witty, brilliant, awkward, or funny? List them in the comments. 

And, if you want to read more . . . here are honorable mentions.

With two cats in the yard
Life used to be so hard

“Our House” – Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young / written by Graham Nash (1970)

I’ll be there till the stars don’t shine,
Till the heavens burst, and the words don’t rhyme

“Always” – Bon Jovi / written by Jon Bon Jovi (1994)

And the cat’s in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the man in the moon

“Cat’s in the Cradle” – Harry Chapin / written by Harry Chapin (1974)

I’m never gonna dance again
Guilty feet have got no rhythm

“Careless Whisper” – George Michael / written by George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley (1984)

Follow her down to a bridge by a fountain
Where rocking horse people eat marshmallow pies

“Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds” – The Beatles / written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney (1967)

Sometimes the snow comes down in June
Sometimes the sun goes ‘round the moon

“Save the Best for Last” – Vanessa Williams / written by Jon Lind, Wendy Waldman, and Phil Galdston (1992)