All great songs @Thea Wood! I agree, women in rock (and all genres) need more mentions. One of the main reasons why my discography ranking projects this year were only female artists. Note for the community for the next UGC piece :)
Another comment said Spirit of Radio and that is good, but I’m going to say another Rush opener - Tom Sawyer from 1981’s Moving Pictures. The way it just dives right in is so cool to me.
I know Needle in the Camel’s Eye from the soundtrack to Todd Haynes’s Velvet Goldmine, an all time great soundtrack for which it’s also the opening track.
I have a stick answer whenever this question comes up. Art School by The Jam. Song one. Album one. A smash into your senses that screams "we're here". Fire, energy and skill. A wonderful introduction
These are all great songs! I am only disappointed that female acts are missing from the list.
A few epic opening tracks in various genres I would suggest if I had seen the original survey:
- “Steve McQueen” from Sheryl Crow’s Come On, Come On
- “Bad Reputation” from Joan Jett’s Bad Reputation.
- “Respect” from Aretha Franklin’s I Never Loved A Man The Way I Love You”
- “Gaslighter” from The Chicks’ Gaslighter
- “I Wanna Dance With Somebody” from Whitney Houston’s Whitney
- “Material Girl” from Madonna’s Like A Virgin
- “Jolene” from Dolly Parton’s Jolene
- “Our Lips Are Sealed” from the Go-Go’s Beauty & The Beat
- “Dog Days Are Over” from Florence & The Machine’s Lungs
All great songs @Thea Wood! I agree, women in rock (and all genres) need more mentions. One of the main reasons why my discography ranking projects this year were only female artists. Note for the community for the next UGC piece :)
You rock! I appreciate all you do to promote gender equity. 🤘🏻🎶🙂
Also "Gloria" by Patti Smith (from _Horses_) is an absolutely iconic opening track.
Yesssss
There ya go! She’s the bees knees.
I'm embarrassed that it took me a while to think of this, but "Five Years" from _Ziggy Stardust_ is definitely a must-hear opening track.
One of many must-hear tracks on that album.
Gotta go with The Spirit of Radio on Permanent Waves by Rush. That opening riff…geez
Hellz yeah! Thanks Mike :)
"Cinnamon Girl" EKTIN, Neil Young
Emerson Lake and Palmer's
Welcome Back, My Friends, to the Show That Never Ends – Ladies and Gentlemen
Another comment said Spirit of Radio and that is good, but I’m going to say another Rush opener - Tom Sawyer from 1981’s Moving Pictures. The way it just dives right in is so cool to me.
Rush had so many good album openers … embarrassment of riches for real.
The Doors - Break on Through
LOVE this one!
Thought I would see We Will Rock You here. Good list!
Another good one, thanks Jim.
I know Needle in the Camel’s Eye from the soundtrack to Todd Haynes’s Velvet Goldmine, an all time great soundtrack for which it’s also the opening track.
Yes!! Great pick 👌
And how could I have forgotten Wussy? Lisa's ode to The Who, "Teenage Wasteland" opens Attica with a pedal steel, feedback drenched sonic blast.
Yes!
Roxy Music always killed it for opening tracks to legendary albums. Thrill of it All, Manifesto, More Than This…
Holidays in the Sun! By a country mile…
I have a stick answer whenever this question comes up. Art School by The Jam. Song one. Album one. A smash into your senses that screams "we're here". Fire, energy and skill. A wonderful introduction
Great one! Thanks David :)
Gloria by Patti Smith would be top of my list.
Great list! Here’s a few of my own additions:
Only Shallow - Loveless - My Bloody Valentine
Brighton Rock - Sheer Heart Attack - Queen
Innuendo - Innuendo - Queen
King of Carrot Flowers - In The Aeroplane Over The Sea - Neutral Milk Hotel
Hunter - Homogenic - Björk
Army of Me - Post - Björk
Little Deer - The Turning Wheel - Spellling
Take A Bow - Black Holes & Revelations - Muse
New Born - Origin of Symmetry - Muse
Y’all, we’re curating a nice Part II in the comments!
Nice list! There are a few here I forgot about but once I saw them, I was nodding along
Hellz yeah