A selection of the best intros of all time

Now I don’t know about you, but I love a good intro to a song, especially a rock song. A strong intro before the vocals kick in can really get the blood pumping, and sets the rest of the song up nicely for the listener.

Below you’ll find a selection of some the best intros from the world of rock music. You might not agree with all of them, you may think some other songs from bands included have more worthy intros. There’s a real mixture of old and new, rock and metal so there should be something in there you recognise and agree with. But one thing is guaranteed, the little rock monster inside you will be stirred, so turn the volume up to 11 and enjoy J

AC/DC- Thunderstruck: Maybe not everyone’s first choice as favourite AC/DC track, but this song is brilliant. Taken from their 1990 album ‘The Razors Edge’ this song shows the Aussie rockers at their best. While songs like ‘Back in Black’ and ‘Highway to Hell’ would be the popular choice, I find ‘Thunderstruck’ just has that extra little something about it. I once heard this song described as “the meat and potato of rock”, and whoever said that is not only wise but spot on.

Ash- Burn Baby Burn: A great song by Northern Irish rockers Ash, ‘Burn Baby Burn’ is arguably their most successful and recognisable song. That’s mostly down to the seriously catchy riff, but I think the intro as a whole is fantastic. It’s structured perfectly where it builds and builds before bursting into life. It was a close call between this and ‘Clones’ from the album ‘Starcrossed’, but in the end I went for this.

Avenged Sevenfold- Beast and the Harlot: One of the biggest hard rock acts to emerge in the last decade or so, Avenged Sevenfold have established themselves as firm festival favourites. Utilizing a more ‘classic metal’ sound on their third album ‘City of Evil’, A7X are far accessible on this album. With the super quick drum intro and that infectious riff, it sets the song up for vocals full of anger and ‘screamo’ delivery. It couldn’t be any different however, as singer M Shadows has a very strong voice. It is just one of those songs that gets the blood pumping from the get go.

Audioslave- Cochise: Formed by the members of Rage Against the Machine with Chris Cornell on vocals, Audioslave were one of the first big super-groups of the early 2000s. By blending 70s hard rock and 90s alternative rock infused with Cornell’s distinctive vocals, it gave Audioslave’s music a distinct identity. Cochise is a perfect example of that, with Tom Morello’s fantastic riff giving the song real presence. With songs like this, they certainly lived up to the tag ‘Supergroup’.

Dead Sara- Weatherman: One of the new bands on the block by this list’s standards, but boy do they introduce themselves. If you’re unfamiliar with the name, Dead Sara are a female fronted rock band from LA, and they are well on the way to becoming superstars. Opening for Muse on their US tour can only have helped their cause. One listen to their hit ‘Weatherman’ should prove any doubters wrong. Siouxsie Medley is a very talented guitarist while singer Emily Armstrong has a controlled, almost husky aggression and impressive range. ‘Weatherman’ starts with a delicious riff that builds and builds before Armstrong’s screaming interruption. The rest is a full bloodied assault that eases of just before the start of the verse. They are a band that are going places, so I suggest you get hold of their album and see what the fuss is about.

Fun Lovin’ Criminals- Scooby Snacks: A surprise entry on this list you may be thinking, but it is here for one very good reason. It’s not often a film quote ‘makes’ a song intro, but whenever I hear this song censored without Honey Bunny’s quote from Pulp Ficton, it doesn’t sound quite right. The dirty bass line works really well to begin with, but then you get the expletive ridden interlude before an even dirtier riff; it just gives the song an extra kick. It gives the song the perfect amount of angst and attitude and it works fantastically.  With it, the song that extra boost of momentum. Certainly one of my favourite tracks from the 90s.

Guns N Roses- You Could Be Mine: Warning, big claim coming up. This song has the best intro of all time. I don’t care what people say, the intro to this song is absolutely perfect. It shows Guns n Roses at the height of their power and why at the time, they were the biggest band on the planet. It starts with Matt Sorum’s thundering drums which are soon joined by Duff’s infectious bass line. Slash and Dizzy then enter the scene with the guitars until it crescendos and crashes into the main riff. It is rock music at its very best. You may argue that ‘Welcome to the Jungle’ or ‘Sweet Child ‘O Mine’ are better, but for pure hard rock, this is on another level. This is the song that got me into GnR, and it is all down the first 65 seconds or so. If only the line “hasta la vista… baby” followed by that explosion used in video were included on the studio version.

Halestorm- Mz Hyde: There is a rumour that rock is dead. Rubbish. Whoever thinks that needs to put this on and turn the volume up. Taken from their second album ‘The Strange Case Of…’ this shows Halestorm at their hard rocking best. Arejay’s pounding drums set the scene before Lzzy’s brief interlude and Joe Hottinger’s explosive riff. They are another band to watch out for as they on their way to becoming huge. Oh and to just clear something up, Halestorm are a hard rock band, not metal. Just a message to the metal heads who have been moaning since they picked up a Grammy for best Hard Rock/Metal song.

Joan Jett- I Love Rock n Roll: This song has one of the most distinctive riffs and intros of all time, so I couldn’t leave it off the list. It is actually a cover, but synonymous with Joan Jett. Arrows performed the song originally, which is where Jett first heard it whilst touring the UK with The Runaways. She later recorded her own version with her band The Blackhearts and the song went on to spend seven weeks at number one of the US Billboard Hot 100. It’s not hard to see why. The riff is seriously catchy and the song overall just has that extra bite that other versions lack. It might not be the longest intro on here, but certainly one that everyone knows within the first couple of seconds.

Kasabian- Club Foot: With one of the most recognisable songs of the last ten years, Kasabian have established themselves as one of the best British bands to emerge since the turn of the millennium. It was this, the third single from their debut album that propelled them to commercial success. It has become a firm fan favourite and has been used in various TV shows and video games. It starts with build-up of anticipation before it kicks into life with a memorable dirty riff. ‘Club Foot’ is a proper rock anthem, and one that is going to be enjoyed at festivals for many years to come.

Oasis- Some Might Say: Forget ‘Don’t Look Back In Anger’, ‘Wonderwall’ and ‘Champagne Supernova’, this song is a great introduction as to what Oasis are all about. This, the first single from their second album ‘(What’s the Story) Morning Glory?’ was the band’s first UK number one. Written by guitarist Noel Gallagher, he described it as the “archetypal Oasis song” and “defines what Oasis is.” The thing that I like about it though, is that it’s a straightforward rock song. It has a fantastically simple riff that hooks you in for the moment the song starts, and from there the song just gets better. For a time, around the mid to late 90s, Oasis were arguably the biggest band in Britain and with anthems like this, it’s not hard to see why.

Ozzy Osbourne- Crazy Train: When Ozzy Osbourne left Black Sabbath, there were some who questioned whether he would make a return to music given his drug problem. However this song, the first single from his debut solo album proved that the old magic was still there. Teaming up with arguably one of the best guitarists of the era, Randy Rhoads, this song has one of the most recognisable riffs of all time. It starts off with Ozzy’s scream of “All aboard!!” then a laugh, with a simple bass line. The guitar then comes in, and it continues to build before it breaks into that irresistible riff. It’s a real rock classic, and one of the best rock songs to come out of the 80s.

Meat Loaf- Bat Out Of Hell: This song is a classic. Actually, not just the song but the whole album. It doesn’t matter what you think of Meat Loaf and his music, you can’t deny that Bat Out Of Hell has one of the best intros of all time. It is a two minute epic that is absolutely fantastic. There are so many different sections to it, and a perfect introduction to one of the best-selling albums of all time. It is a huge song that has stood the test of time, and still sounds as fresh it has ever done.

Metallica- For Whom The Bell Tolls:  I am not a big Metallica fan, but I love this song. The thrash giants start with this two minute extravaganza to the first single from their 1984 album ‘Ride the Lightning’. It is structured brilliantly and utilises a tolling bell, much like ‘Hells Bells’ by AC/DC. It is typical Metallica, with a heavy, dirty riff that offers a good tempo. There are 4 distinct sections to the intro, which could make it sound disjointed. But that couldn’t be further from the truth. They link together perfectly and show what a strong band Metallica are. Songs such as ‘Enter Sandman’ and ‘Master of Puppets’ may be more high profile, but in my opinion, I think this is one of their best songs.

Motley Crue- Kickstart My Heart: Taken from their 1989 album Dr Feelgood, the song was written by Nikki Sixx after his brush with death. It’s a song really does get the adrenalin pumping. Maybe not the best choice of wording, as the song is about Sixx’s drug overdose where he was subsequently declared dead, before being revived by two adrenalin shots to the heart. The song itself is in your face from the start. It begins with Mick Mars’ guitar effect leading into the crunching riff, followed by Tommy Lee’s pounding drums. It really does pack a punch. It also gets the blood surging, and is a great example of Motley Crue doing what they do best; proper hard, sleazy rock.

Muse- Knights of Cydonia: The epic that closes their ‘Black Holes and Revelations’ album, Knights of Cydonia has an intro to die for. The drum beat that has the horse riding vibe in particular gives it an extra edge. ‘Plug in Baby’, ‘Hysteria’ or ‘Starlight’ could easily have made the list, but think it shows just how good this song is that those others have been left off. It starts with a Wild West style sound, with the sound of horses galloping by, followed by an almost tribal chant. This then breaks into a fantastic drum beat that mimics the sound and temp of the horses. You then get a rehearsal almost of the first verse with the lead guitar before it makes way for Bellamy’s hushed tones doing the same, over the top of the continuing galloping beat. A blast from a trumpet then announces its time for the vocals to start. It’s a truly brilliant way to start a truly brilliant song. It’s my personal favourite of theirs, and they will have to go some way to top it. It shows Muse at their very, very best.

Poets and Pornstars- Rock n Roll: I would be surprised if you are familiar with the name Poets and Pornstars; they only lasted one album before disbanding. It’s a shame, because they certainly knew how to rock. If ever a song did what it said on the tin, then this is it. It’s called ‘Rock n Roll’ and rock n roll is exactly what you get.

Queen- Tie Your Mother Down: Ok so this has the end of We will rock you bolted to the front of it, but it still sounds epic. Queen are one of, if not the, best British band ever, and they show their versatility here with a real rock anthem. It is typical Queen, with the distinctive Brian May guitars and Freddie Mercury swagger, it appears on their 1976 album ‘A Day at the Races’. With a fantastic riff and upbeat tempo, it might not be one of the best know Queen songs, which arguably makes it one of their most underrated tracks.

Queens of the Stone Age- No One Knows: This song is one that definitely deserves the title ‘modern classic’. With that instantly recognisable riff, it’s a song that really sticks in the mind. The intro may only last 15 seconds, but it’s one that makes you sit up and take notice. With Dave Grohl on drums, it is the first single from their 2002 album ‘Song for the Deaf’. It was a commercial success, being the most successful single from the album and was nominated for ‘Best Hard Rock Performance’ in the 2003 Grammys.

Rev Theory- Hell Yeah: A name that might not be familiar to some compared to the other bands on the list, but give a listen to this song and you’ll soon understand why it’s included here. If anything, this song should have been released in the late 80s as it would have fitted perfectly into the whole 80s hair metal. There’s enough sleaze in there to make that work. That’s not to say they’re 80s throwbacks, far from it. They are very much a contemporary rock band, with influences that nod their heads to the 80s generation. The intro to this song is perfect. From the rolling drum beat, to the spoken words and laugh to the crunching riff it just blends together perfectly. It also has a wonderful shout out/sing along chorus that really give it extra momentum. Think Black Stone Cherry meets Motley Crue and you are just about there. Best enjoyed turned up to 11.

Slash’s Snakepit- Beggars and Hangers On: Released in 1995, Slash’s Snakepit was formed as a side project that included Matt Sorum and Gilby Clarke from the dying embers of the then Guns n Roses line up. Even though the signature Slash sound is in there, it is a different sound to that found on previous GnR albums. It has a slower tempo, with a catchy swamp like intro with those distinctive Slash licks (that probably doesn’t make sense, but it’s the only way I can think to describe it). The album and subsequent tour was a success, but cut short when the record label pulled financial support for the tour. It’s a shame because Slash left GnR not long after, and even though Snakepit resurfaced with a new lineup, they couldn’t quite match that first album, and it would be a while before Slash’s next project came to fruition.

Slipknot- Psychosocial: I’m going to admit right at the beginning, I am not a Slipknot fan. In fact there’s only about 37 seconds that I do like, and that just happens to be the intro to Psychosocial. Its brilliant right up until Corey Taylor opens his mouth, which is a shame because he’s got a really good voice, e.g. Stone Sour- Through Glass.

Status Quo- Whatever You Want: Say whatever you want (apologies for the horrific pun) about Status Quo, but the rock legends have been around for near 50 years and  you don’t have staying power like that without having some talent. So what if they only play with three chords, the end result is fantastic. A perfect example of that is this classic from their 1979 album of the same name. It reached number 4 in the charts, and has been a mainstay of their live show ever since. It is one of their most recognisable songs, and has been used in many TV commercials.

Sum 41- Fat Lip: That’s right, got a pop punk classic on here, and it comes courtesy of Sum 41. One of the songs of my generation this is, the intro is etched into the memory of my childhood. That and it appeared on the album ‘Now 50’ (before I got ‘All Killer No Filler’). This song is teenage angst at its very best, anti-establishment and rebellious it was the perfect soundtrack to the youth of the time. It’s stood the test of time remarkably well as well. Whereas other pop punk sounds a little dated, this still sounds fresh. Mark of a top quality song.

The Answer- On and On: The Answer, a rock n roll band from Northern Ireland, have been around for a few years now, and with three albums in their armoury and a fourth on the way, they have a growing reputation as part of the new generation of rock artists. This song taken from their second album ‘Everyday Demons’ shows exactly what the band are all about. They play Led Zep-esque blues rock, but to pass them off as imitators is not only unfair but inaccurate. Sure there are clear influences, but they are talented in their own right. Paul Mahon is a fantastic guitarist, while Cormac Neeson is a very good frontman. They may not be a household name yet, but they have the talent to become one.

The Black Keys- Lonely Boy: It may have taken a while for The Black Keys to find commercial success, but they got there eventually. With their album ‘Brothers’, they finally made the mainstream breakthrough that took them to the next level with songs like ‘Howlin’ for You’ and ‘Tighten Up’. Their follow up album ‘El Camino, from which this song is taken, has continued that trend. It won the award for ‘Best Rock Performance’ and ‘Best Rock Song’ at the 2013 Grammys. The mixture of the catchy riff with the use of a keyboard makes the intro particularly memorable. It is one of the best contemporary rock songs of recent times, and was received very favourably with critics and fans alike. Plus the dancing guy in the video is brilliant.

 
The Raconteurs- Steady As She Goes: ‘Steady As She Goes’ is the debut single from The Raconteurs, a project including White Stripes guitarist and frontman Jack White. It starts off in typical minimalist White fashion, with a simple drum beat, followed by a simple bass line followed with a catchy yet simple riff over the top. It’s not until you reach the chorus that the song is in full stride, but by then there is a good chance you are already hooked. The Jack White DNA is laced throughout this song, but it has a different vibe to the White Stripes material, there’s a slightly meatier feel to the delivery. The song peaked at number 4 in the UK and reached number one on the Modern Rock Track chart in the US.

 
The Who- Baba O’Riley: I was going to include ‘Won’t Get Fooled Again’, but then remembered this, and changed my mind. Written by Pete Townshend, it appears on The Who’s 1971 album ‘Who’s Next’ It’s a song that everyone knows, so there really isn’t much to say other than to sit back, turn it up and enjoy a classic.

Thunder- Dirty Love: One of the best British bands people have never heard of, this is perhaps Thunder’s best song. Appearing on the band’s debut album ‘Backstreet Symphony’ in 1990, this is one of their most popular songs. With fans at least. Unfortunately, the timing was unfortunate, as the release coincided with the rising of the grunge scene. Even though the album wasn’t the commercial success it deserved, Thunder still managed to gather a strong and loyal fan base. This is partly down to a very energetic and engaging live show. They arguably announced themselves with their superb appearance at Monsters of Rock in 1990, with this song closing their set. The live version of the song that appears on their 2009 ‘Best Of’ album is fantastic, and shows just how good this song, and the band is.

Velvet Revolver- Slither: Now the more eagle eyed readers will have spotted that this is the third time that Slash appears on this list. Now I am a big Slash fan, but I don’t think anyone could argue that this song doesn’t deserve to be on this list. Consisting of the ex-GnR axeman as well as bassist Duff McKagan and drummer Matt Sorum, there was also Dave Kushner on rhythm guitar and Stone Temple Pilots singer Scott Weiland on vocals. Given the strong Guns n Roses core, there is a very familiar sound to VR’s music but it is given its own identity with Weiland’s characteristic vocals. Taken from the album ‘Contraband’, it is arguably the band’s most recognisable song with Duff’s instantly identifiable bass line and Slash’s irresistible riff. The band may currently be on hiatus after the sacking of Weiland, but it would be interesting to see if the Velvet Revolver name got revived. I’d certainly be more excited for a new VR album than a new GnR album.

Well there you go, 30 of the best intros of all time. I know there are loads I’ve missed out, I couldn’t include them all, but hopefully you agree with a good few of them. Again these are all personal choices, and I could easily have picked another 30, but this'll do for now.

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