Ian MacKaye once wrote the song Straight Edge in the punk band Minor Threat,

and, we can say: Started the Straight Edge lifestyle.

Here are the inspirational lyrics to Straight Edge:

" I'm a person just like you, just I got better things to do, than sit around and fuck my head, or hanging out with the living dead, snort white shit up my nose, passing out at all the shows, I dont even think about speed, thats something I just don't need, because I've got the straight edge

I'm a person just like you, But I've got better things to do, Than sit around and smoke dope, 'Cause I know I can cope, Laugh at the thought of eating ludes, Laugh at the thought of sniffing glue, Always gonna keep in touch, Never want to use a crutch, I've got the straight edge "

1. Don't Smoke
   
2. Don't Drink
   
3. Don't Do Drugs
   
4. No promiscuous sex (although some do not consider this to be part of the straightedge lifestyle)

I am not straightedge for the scene, or my friends,not even for the "kids". I am straightedge only for myself, and I have chosen to be true till death. Although I absolutely love the ideals and beliefs of straightedge, I do not make it intentional to center my whole life around it. This is the path that I have chosen for myself. If someone else chooses a lifestyle of drugs, then so be it, you have that choice.