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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.



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!


Check out the playlist on Spotify:



Which intro is your favorite?

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