Best opening song of an album ever?

[Bennyboy]

Singing Winds, Crying Beast: Santana Abraxas

[Richardo]

1. "Precious" on The Pretenders debut album

I knew I'd like that band from the first cut.




And I did, for a while.

[Mike03]

54. That was the second one that came to my mind

The first was "Smells Like Teen Spirit". Also "The Ties that Bind" from Springsteen's THE RIVER.

[Mad_Dem_X]

2. "Breathe" from The Dark Side of the Moon

Pink Floyd - how it starts with the heartbeat and then just builds and builds until it crashes into the song.

[skygazer]

36. Hard not to agree with that

What I love is that the whole album works like that. :hi:

[KurtNYC]

3. "Runnin' with the Devil" - Van Halen, Van Halen

[malta blue]

4. I'm gonna have to agree with you Bennyboy....

I have to go dig out the CD now....

:hi:

[Bennyboy]

6. Now that's something that doesn't happen every day.....

Another: Brown Sugar, Sticky Fingers..

[abq e streeter]

7. Not Thunder Road?

More after work, my fellow Bruce fan...but yeah, Brown Sugar's a great one...Had the incredible experience of doing a whole set in a bar in about 1994 singing blues and Stones songs, including Can't You Hear Me Knockin' ( probably Brown Sugar too, but memory of the evening is just a teensy bit hazy) with Bobby Keys playing sax.

[Bennyboy]

10. Gotta give you a chance to pipe in too E St....

[malta blue]

8. another good one.....

gonna fish that one out too.

:hi:

[Burma Jones]

5. Miles Davis - Kind of Blue - "So What"

I also think "American Idiot" is a fit opener for the Album of the same name

[Capn Sunshine]

58. Yeah...awesome tune

That was literally the FIRST CD I ever bought. I remember it well, because my wife had never heard the album before.

[gmoney]

9. "Pulling Mussels from A Shell" by Squeeze

From ArgyBargy... I remember back in college radio VINYL days, that was cut one, side one, and the lead in was SO scratched up and static-y from being queued up countless times. (Put the needle on the record, spin it until the music starts, then back up about 1 revolution so the song didn't "rev" up to speed.)

Not sure if it's the best ever, but I enjoyed the trip down memory lane...

[IndianaJones]

11. Song Remains the Same. nt.

[guitar man]

12. Sailing Shoes

on the Sneakin' Sally Through The Alley album by Robert Palmer

Sailing Shoes, Julia and Sneakin Sally really blend into one long song more or less, some of the coolest stuff ever recorded. :thumbsup:

Of course, having members of Little Feat and The Meters on an album pretty much guarantees it's going to kick ass :bounce:

[kwassa]

13. "Purple Haze" by Jimi Hendrix

on his first album "Are You Experienced?"

I heard it and knew that the world of rock had entirely changed right then.

When this album was released, it sold strictly on word-of-mouth, because there were no radio stations playing anything like this in my area.

[BurtWorm]

14. "And She Was" on Little Creatures by Talking Heads.

The rest of the album sucks.

(I don't know if it's the best opening song ever, but it lept to mind.)

[BurtWorm]

16. Another really good candidate: "Taxman" on Revolver.

[Mad_Dem_X]

18. Oooh, yes, I forgot about "Taxman"

Excellent opening song!

[HughBeaumont]

15. Um, that would be "Sweet Leaf" on Master of Reality.

One of the best riffs of all time.

[meegbear]

25. I thought you liked the coughing ...

Best. Cough. Ever.

[Mz Pip]

17. Sargeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band

n/t

[tekisui]

34. Second that.

[DS1]

19. Hell Awaits: Decade of Aggression: Live - Slayer

Awesome

[DS1]

20. Mouth For War: Vulgar Display of Power - Pantera

[Tommy_Carcetti]

21. "Where the Streets Have No Name" by U2 in The Joshua Tree

And that great opening instrumental to it.

[ceile]

22. "Texture" from Ferment, Cathrine Wheel

[BOSSHOG]

23. "What I'd Say" Rare Earth Album One World

A cover of a Ray Charles Classic

[Tuesday Afternoon]

24. What else would you expect me to say? This one of course:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=a3ttLvGf3Io

[otohara]

26. Back In The USSR

Beatles White Album

[Mr. Blonde]

27. Tangled Up In Blue

Blood on the Track - Dylan

But this thread makes me think of High Fidelity.


Barry: Oh, that's not obvious enough Rob. How about the Beatles? Or fucking... fucking Beethoven? Side one, Track one of the Fifth Symphony... How can someone with no interest in music own a record store?

[2008]

38. Jokerman

Infidels - Dylan

standing on the water, casting your bread
while the eyes of the idol with the iron head
are glowing

distant ships sailing into the mist
you were born with a snake in both of your fists
while a hurricane was blowing

freedom just around the corner for you
but with truth so far off, what good will it do

[Tafiti]

61. God what a great movie.

Probably in my all-time top 5. ;)

Barry: Very nice Rob. A sly declaration of new classic status slipped into a list of old safe ones. Very pussy.

[SoxFan]

28. I Will Follow

"I Will Follow", off of U2's debut album, Boy

[Dukkha]

29. "Ride My See-Saw" from In Search of The Lost Chord

if "Departure" is included with it

[Throd]

30. "Kill the Poor" by the Dead Kennedys

[fudge stripe cookays]

31. "Damned If I Do"- Alan Parsons, on Eve.

On edit, that's actually the second side, but it was the only side I listened to growing up, so....

[Westegg]

32. "Good Times, Bad Times" on Zep I

[electprogdems]

33. ballroom blitz by sweet, clearly that would be it

;-)

[Initech]

35. Tool - "The Grudge" on Lateralus

[Steven_S]

75. oh hell yea...

:thumbsup:

[datasuspect]

37. "the width of a circle" david bowie, from the man who sold the world

[hellbound-liberal]

39. No question...Highway Star from Made in Japan...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-VGKlc6N_Ss

[Tommy_Carcetti]

40. I'd add "Cherub Rock" off of the Pumpkin's Siamese Dream

But that's just because Siamese Dream is hands down the best rock album ever. Every song is perfect on it.

[hellbound-liberal]

41. This little anti-war tune from Flogging Molly kicks off their most recent album..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=crSbfBtm3eE

"Screaming At The Wailing Wall"

So God how come every wrong's been done?
With deals no Christ should allow
Once the communist now the terrorist
With blood as thick as yours
Now a caravan of clouds
Warns us all of winter showers
Then rattle comes the rain
With each bullet screams your name

So how come this gatherin' storm
Pours little on the truth?
Where the smokin' gun's a familiar
song let loose
With the bombed out cars
Come the falling stars
From a heaven we'll never know
And the nameless names
On the misspelled graves grow tall
We're still screamin' at the Wailing Wall

I'll liberate your peoples' fate
Spoke the Burnin' Bush
But the song of beasts
Grow with oil soaked teeth
Their dollor is mighty and true
Now the eagle soares the sky
Over refugee and child
And to all there is no end
Another day in perfect Hell

So how come this gatherin' storm
Pours little on the truth?
Where the smokin' gun's a familiar
song let loose

All Hail

Now a caravan of clouds
Warns us of deadly showers
Then a rattle comes the rain
With each bullet screams your name

So how come this gatherin' storm
Pours little on the truth?
Where the smokin' gun's a familiar
song let loose
With the bombed out cars
Come the falling stars
From a heaven we'll never know
And the nameless names
On the misspelled graves grow tall
We're still screamin' at the Wailing Wall

Oh I'll liberate your peoples' fate
As we scream at the wailing wall

[Cabcere]

44. Excellent choice.

:headbang: A friend introduced me to Flogging Molly freshman year of college (we're seniors now), and it was love at first listen, lol. :D Good stuff.

[hellbound-liberal]

51. I learned about them about 5 years ago and bought Swagger

I then listened to it a few times and then put it away. I found it again at the beginning of the summer and haven't been able to get it out of my CD player since. I think Dave King is one of the best songwriters working today and I thank God for my Irish mother who helped me to appreciate Celtic music. The first song from Swagger, Salty Dog is also a great opening song!Check it out!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=abcN_x1EzSc

[Cabcere]

53. My parents bought me Swagger for Christmas last year

(or maybe my birthday this year - they're close together), and I love it. :) :thumbsup: For me, it's one of those albums that is difficult to listen to all the way through - because the first few songs are so awesome that you want to listen to them over and over again! :headbang:

[hellbound-liberal]

60. I agree. I didn't even want to listen to their most recent album,

because I liked Swagger so much. But I'm sure glad I did! Within a Mile From Home has some really good stuff on it too. I like what King said about their music:"If it didn't have mandolin, accordion, fiddle and whistle, it would be punk-rock, and if it didn't have guitar, bass and drums, it would be traditional Irish music. Flogging Molly has both." I had some difficulty with the loudness at first but now, I see how unique Flogging Molly is and it's why I can't stop listening. Wish they were coming to the Richomnd area sometime soon!

[Cabcere]

64. I agree - Within a Mile of Home is a great album.

I just love their sound - not exactly what I was used to, but it's definitely some good stuff. :) My friend who introduced me to them got to see them in concert, and he said they were incredible live. I'm totally jealous, lol. :hi: If they do come to Richmond, I'd love to see them - I live about 2 hours away, but right now money's kind of an issue with me (broke college kid here). :shrug: Ah well. I have my CDs, right? :P

[Seashell Eyes]

42. "Head like a hole"

From Pretty Hate Machine by Nine Inch Nails.

[2008]

43. "Christmas Day" from Lohan Holiday

kidding ... but check out some of these hilarious reviews at Amazon

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/customer-reviews/B000ICLSQ0/ref=cm_cr_dp_synop/104-7727358-9082309?ie=UTF8&n=5174&s=music&customer-reviews.start=1#R9IAXC0MG9XF2

Holiday? As in a holiday from drinking? Is this Lindsay's kid? I think I saw this girl in some club in Vegas drinking Grey Goose straight outta a bottle.

-------
This is destined to become a cult classic of awfulness, and you'll pay 4x as much on E-bay if you wait. Santa is puking over his sleigh.

-------
This is the perfect gift for that special someone that you absolutely hate.

-------
You want proof of evil in the modern world? Listen to the track "Lohan Holiday."

-------
Okay now Lindsay lohan isnt the most impressive singer but she can sing and her songs are pretty good. So I have no Idea why instead of having her record an xmas album they allowed this child to enter a recording studio and try to record a cd. Besides being lyrically challenged (let me take you on a lohan holiday, a winter wonderland oh so far away)...

[taterguy]

45. Don't Worry Baby from Los Lobos How Will the Wolf Survive

[Tikki]

46. "Let The Good Times Roll"....The Cars..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tL6SAS2tFus

I'm not sure what this video montage has to do with the song....super great song, though.



Tikki

[peacefreak]

47. I Want to Hold Your Hand

on Meet the Beatles. Those first few bars changed my life. Then, Suite Judy Blue Eyes....CSN.

[regnaD kciN]

66. Strictly speaking...

...that shouldn't count, because that was only the U.S. album that Capitol cobbled together from the tracks sent over by Parlophone from their first and second albums plus some singles. The British release of the equivalent of that album (With The Beatles) begins with "It Won't Be Long," and "I Want To Hold Your Hand" was not released on any British Beatles album until a greatest hits collection released for Christmas 1966.

OTOH, you could claim that the first track ("I Saw Her Standing There") on their first British album (Please Please Me) might qualify.

[2008]

69. It still counts because...

...with a subjective question like this (best opening song of an album ever), the answer has everything to do with the listener's experience. Peacefreak said, "Those first few bars changed my life."

If Parlophone had released the original LPs in the U.S., or if Peacefreak had traveled overseas to get one of the originals, her experience might have been different. But an album is whatever release is sold legally on the open market, on whatever format (CD, cassette, 8-track, LP).

For example, my introduction to the Beatles was hearing "Love Me Do" as the opening track on the so-called Red Album, a greatest hits compilation on the Apple label. Even after collecting the original U.K. albums once they were released on CD, I still had to get the "Red Album" and the "Blue Album" on CD, because from my personal experience, those songs needed to be played in the same order as I'd first experienced them on those two double-length cassettes.

[peacefreak]

74. XXXOOOXXX

Thanks for coming to my defense. Now you know why I can never listen to the CD version of Rubber Soul. Just ain't the same American version I grew up with.

[2008]

77. You could make your own copy, by combining Rubber Soul and the Help! soundtrack

The original U.S. release:
Side one
1. I've Just Seen a Face
2. Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)
3. You Won't See Me
4. Think for Yourself
5. The Word
6. Michelle
Side two
1. It's Only Love
2. Girl
3. I'm Looking Through You
4. In My Life
5. Wait
6. Run for Your Life

The Rubber Soul CD:
1. Drive My Car
2. Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)
3. You Won't See Me
4. Nowhere Man
5. Think For Yourself
6. The Word
7. Michelle
8. What Goes On
9. Girl
10. I'm Looking Through You
11. In My Life
12. Wait
13. If I Needed Someone
14. Run For Your Life

The Help! soundtrack CD:
1. Help!
2. The Night Before
3. You've Got To Hide Your Love Away
4. I Need You
5. Another Girl
6. You're Going To Lose That Girl
7. Ticket To Ride
8. Act Naturally
9. It's Only Love
10. You Like Me Too Much
11. Tell Me What You See
12. I've Just Seen A Face
13. Yesterday
14. Dizzy Miss Lizzie

[Pale Blue Dot]

48. Crowded House's "I Feel Possessed" from Temple of Low Men

It's a subtle, haunting introduction to a classic and underrated album from the '80s.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JlRobLl4pGA

[mitchum]

49. "Gimmie Shelter" from Let It Bleed

[Capn Sunshine]

52. agreed! Close 2nd- "Brown Sugar ", Sticky Fingers

[Initech]

59. YES! Excellent choice.

One of my favorite songs of all time, easily.

[Sweet Freedom]

76. My choice as well.

In fact, came here to post this, but you beat me to it. :hi:

[carly denise pt deux]

50. Black Dog-Led Zepplin 4

Which was also my first '45....I went from buying the Beach Boys Pet Sounds LP to buying Led Zep-my parents seemed concern LOL
Carly

[dembotoz]

55. bonzo dog doda band

best of the bonzos
The intro and the outro

[Mike03]

56. "Smells Like Teen Spirit"

was the first song that came to mind, and second was a tie between "Precious" off the first Pretenders album and "The Ties That Bind" off Springsteen's The River.

[fizzgig]

57. "combination of the two"

big brother and the holding company, 'cheap thrills'

got that cd for christmas a few years ago...that song knocked me into orbit

[skinnyjeans]

62. "Happy Together" The Jam

[mark414]

63. probably "Ace of Spades"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XESEt5A12Zo

or, on edit, The Boss' 'Born To Run'

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8rGFfO5fUvE

[bbernardini]

65. "Blackest Eyes", from Porcupine Tree's "In Absentia"

Sweet wounded Jesus, what an amazing way to begin an album.

[regnaD kciN]

67. "Red Rain"...

...from Peter Gabriel's So. An absolutely devastating and overwhelming song.

[flying rabbit]

68. Hell's Bells

off of AC/DC's greatest album.

[TheBaldyMan]

70. Kill the Poor - DKs - Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables

[ghostsofgiants]

71. Bad Brains - "I Against I"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjITD9LnwRY

[Lindsey]

72. "Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band"....

The album (and the song along with "She Leaving Home" and "A Day in the Life") created a love for music in me that changed me forever. The Beatles are SOOOOOO underrated!:silly:

[Richard Steele]

73. Just because no one has mentioned it yet: The ORIGINAL mix of "Legs" on ZZ Top's "ELIMINATOR", 1983.

After "Sharp Dressed Man" hit the bigtime on the MTV
(yes, children- MTV used to show music videos!)
they remixed "Legs", and most of the three million copies
of "Eliminator" were sold with the remixed version.

It wasn't a major re-mix; they mostly just tweaked a few levels,
compressed the heck out of it to fit the speaker(s) on the average
'83 television set, and (as long as they were there anyway) turned
the first three seconds of their most awesome intro song EVER into UTTER SHIT.