DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Everything Else... Greatest Opening Songs to an Album

While going through mini-camps, so:

- "Babylon Sisters" (Gaucho/Steely Dan)

- "21st Century Schizoid Man" (In the Court of the Crimson King/ King Crimson)

- "Birds of Fire" (Birds of Fire/ Mahavishnu Orchestra)

- "Time has Told Me" (Five Leaves Left/ Nick Drake)

- "Does Anybody Really Know What Time it Is?" (CTA/ CTA 1 w/ intro)

There was a Duke Ellington one, but I can't remember the name or album.

Zakk Wylde definitely sets the tone on Stronger Than Death... Letting you know you're in for 50 minutes of face melting guitar... All For You.

Disclaimer: Don't go directly to 2:35, it might melt your face off.

Deep Purple, Machine Head. Highway Star.
Black Sabbath, Master of Reality. Sweet Leaf

I remember getting these albums as a young teen and being blown away by these opening songs.....cheap headphones plugged into a cheap record player and all.

Highway Star is a great opener.

Rock and Roll, on Led Zeppelin’s fourth album.

Break on Through, on the debut from The Doors. Appropriate.

He is a very good musician, not strictly just a guitar player. Good call fate. 👍

Baba O’Reilly. Who’s Next.

Back in Black, Back in Black AC/DC after the death of Bon Scott.

There was one other opening track that blew me away as a young teen: Queen, Sheer Heart Attack - Brighton Rock. I also saw them live on that tour, and it was one of the best concerts I've been to.....and I've been to a lot.

I read this the second time and forgot it was their debut... That's how you start with a bang!


Good call.

The bass line thumps as the pressure mounts -- introducing one of the hardest hitting tracks, on one of the hardest hitting albums, ever. Defined political awareness to a large swath of youth who had none; and did it with haymakers from the opening bell. Damn son.

There are some good ones mentioned here. Off the top of my head from the posts - Back in Black and Break on Through.

Another great opener (imo) is from Joe Walsh's first solo album "Barnstorm". A mellower sort of start: "Here We Go" -

Worth being mentioned again: "21st Century Schizoid Man" (King Crimson) from their first album. Crawled up through my spine the first time I heard it -

No doubt I am a country fan, and a big fan of Johnny Cash. This song just grabbed me by the balls, and still does. As powerful opening to an album ever, IMHO.

Maybe it was because he was near death, or released after his death, I don't know, but it still grabs me.

That album came out not long after my dad passed away and that song has a very special meaning to me. I had actually never heard the Nine Inch Nails version of the song. Great addition to the thread IMO.

A lot of people may not know this artist by name. But they would probably be much more familiar with the band he is most associated with, The Marshall Tucker Band. Okay, maybe more so for us older people. But after leaving MTB he released this self titled solo album in 1992 and then shortly afterwords died in his sleep. I was a huge fan of his and bought the CD as soon as it was released. The opening track of the CD gave an insight into his energy and talent.

Probably the Best B-Sides starters.

Springsteen - Born to Run
John Cougar - I need a Lover... Love the intro...

Wrong song I think, but none the less a great song. To your dad.

Great album.








I went to the House of Cash' Maybe 1980. It was across from the Opryland Hotel. Went there during some free time at a conference I attended.

Don't forget the A side with "Hells Bells" to start.

Yes 'Roundabout' from Fragile
Steely Dan: 'Black Cow' (Aja)
Miles Davis: 'Blue in Green' Kind of Blue
Weather Report 'Birdland' from Heavy Weather
Pink Floyd: 'Breathe' (DSOM)

There is a theme to the choices I've offered: they all serve as overtures for the rest of the album they lead. They set the stage, tone and stylistic aesthetic for the entire project. The first tune is absolutely key to the success of a concept album. These 5 are prime examples of how that works. I have others, but this is enough for now ( I don't need to get started down this rabbit hole...)

Besides, I come to DT to get away from the 'organized noise' stuff I do for a paycheck.

I enjoy these threads much more as a lurker than an active participant.

Wanna feel old?




(Don't want to hijack, and I also don't think this warrants a new thread).

Damn there's a lot of good albums on that list! The opening track to a few of them.....

Thinking more about this, you're probably right about "Black Cow". Gaucho is not one of Steely Dan's best albums. "Babylon Sisters" is one of my favorite songs from them (along with "Third World Man" at the end of the album). But the album (Gaucho) gets uneven after that imo. "Black Cow" sets the tone as an opening song for a much better, consistent album - Aja.

Pretty sure Dancing Days was the B-side, but it definitely kicked off the second half with style. Back then, we were either flipping a record or a cassette tape anyway, so I'd say it counts!

Metallica “Enter Sandman”

Guns n Roses “Welcome to the Jungle”

Both are excellent opening tracks, Metallica Black album came out right before I went to basic training, loved going to the commissary, cause it always seemed like Enter Sandman was playing everytime on MTV

Somewhere in a box I have this on vinyl. The record should be pristine - not sure what condition the cover will be in when I retrieve it.

For me other honorable mentions:

Motorhead: Ace of Spades - Ace of Spades
The Police: Reggatta de Blanc - Message in a Bottle
The Black Keys - El Camino - Lonley Boy

And then probably pick any album and opening song by Zeplin or the Doors, love them all.

Not sure if this was an "Opening Song" or not.......

........but it's best heard as loud as allowable where you dwell...

Humble Pie.....Live at the Fillmore

I Don't Need No Doctor

We, uh, we go home on Monday, but it's really been a gas this time. It's really been a gas.

Humble Pie and The James Gang was my first concert. Man what a show!