The Best Rock Intros of All Time!
In no particular order, here are 33 of my favorite intros to rock songs!
1. Layla - Derek & the Dominos
Check out "The Songs that Shaped Me - with Abigail Devoe" where we discuss the iconic tune:
2. Mama Told Me (Not to Come) - Three Dog Night
You just know something is about to happen when you hear that first note.
Check out my piece on the music of "Boogie Nights": https://www.thehotchildinthecity.com/post/boogie-nights-so-much-more-than-porn
3. Born on the Bayou - Creedence Clearwater Revival
Similar to 'Mama Told Me' you know something crazy is about to happen when that first note hits.
4. Money for Nothing - Dire Straits
The hardest guitar sound for a song about refrigerators and microwave ovens.
5. Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band - The Beatles
Honorable Mentions: 'Come Together' and 'Helter Skelter'. That guitar is so hard that even Jimi Hendrix covered this one! Speaking of...
6. Purple Haze - Jimi Hendrix
Honorable Mentions: 'Hey Joe' and 'Voodoo Child'. It's so hard to pick just one Hendrix intro but there's something about 'Purple Haze' that collectively is just so recognizable and objectively so damn good.
Check out my piece on the "Are You Experienced" album: https://www.thehotchildinthecity.com/post/are-you-experienced-is-the-perfect-debut-album
7. Seven Nation Army - The White Stripes
8. Jumpin' Jack Flash - The Rolling Stones
Honorable Mentions: 'Gimme Shelter' and '(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction'
9. Sweet Child O' Mine - Guns N' Roses
10. Smoke on the Water - Deep Purple
Honorable Mention: 'Hush'
11. Long Cool Womam (In a Black Dress) - The Hollies
This song always makes me want to strut.
12. Back In Black - AC/DC
Honorable Mentions: 'Highway to Hell', 'T.N.T' and 'Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap'. You can't go wrong with any AC/DC intro!
13. Immigrant Song - Led Zeppelin
Honorable Mention: 'Whole Lotta Love'. Check out my piece on "Led Zeppelin III": https://www.thehotchildinthecity.com/post/led-zeppelin-iii-anniversary
14. Barracuda - Heart
15. Light My Fire - The Doors
Ray Manzarek's piano gets me everytime!
16. Crazy Train - Ozzy Osbourne
17. Don't Bring Me Down - Electric Light Orchestra
18. Edge of Seventeen - Stevie Nicks
This iconic intro has been sampled by counteless artists, including Destiny's Child on 'Bootylicious'.
19. I Hate Myself for Loving You - Joan Jett
Honorable Mention: 'I Love Rock N Roll'.
20. Under Pressure - Queen and David Bowie
Honorable Mentions: 'Another One Bites the Dust' and 'We Will Rock You'.
21. Rebel Rebel - David Bowie
22. Should I Stay or Should I Go - The Clash
23. Are You Going to Go My Way - Lenny Kravitz
24. Baba O'Riley - The Who
Honorable Mentions: 'Won't Get Fooled Again' and 'Pinball Wizard'.
25. Don't Stop Believing - Journey
26. Learn to Fly - Foo Fighters
27. Life in the Fast Lane - Eagles
Honorable Mention: 'Hotel California'.
Check out my piece on the album where I do a deep dive into the song's construction: https://www.thehotchildinthecity.com/post/hotel-california
28. Bang a Gong (Get It On) - T. Rex
29. Smells Like Teen Spirit - Nirvana
30. Desire - U2
31. Hit Me With Your Best Shot - Pat Benetar
32. Johnny B Goode - Chuck Berry
33. Bad to the Bone - George Thorogood & The Destroyers
I had to!
Comments