What’s the best rock song intro?
Posted by lovelyb1ch66@reddit | GenX | View on Reddit | 605 comments
It’s always going to be Deep Purple’s Smoke On The Water for me. The slow build, the timing and the simplicity of it never fails to get me.
YousAPenguinLookinMF@reddit
Metallica - For Whom The Bell Tolls
khyrian@reddit
Slowly building an intro layer by layer without it becoming stale is one of Metallica’s strengths. Enter Sandman is another big contender in the category.
Gorrmb69@reddit
The baseline to open Would by AIC is a good one. Some songs had intros in front of them like Van Halen’s Eruption or 1984.
Havacookiewhydontcha@reddit
Fame by David Bowie
endowedchair@reddit
Song for the Dead, QOTSA
Silentlaughter84@reddit
Tom Sawyer - Rush.
UrCreepyUncle@reddit
Twist of Cain - Danzig
Boys are Back in Town - Thin Lizzy
Foreplay/Longtime - Boston
Perry Mason - Ozzy
Berserker - After the Burial
icedogsvl@reddit
Closer by NIN
Ggeunther@reddit
Thunderstruck is one of my favorites...
InevitableCodeRedo@reddit
Behind The Lines - Genesis
Ike_In_Rochester@reddit
I held the book so tightly in my hands....
Unplaceable_Accent@reddit
Ooh I have a playlist of songs called "Cool Intros". Lessee:
"Dirty Boots" Sonic Youth
"Last Goodbye" Jeff Buckley
"Fire Woman" The Cult
"Walk This Way" Run DMC/Aerosmith
"Sick and Tired" Everclear
"Can I Ride" Polvo
"Cannonball" The Breeders
"Blister In The Sun" Violent Femmes
"Waiting Room" Fugazi
"Blue Monday" New Order
"Little Bones" Tragically Hip
"Under Pressure" Queen/Bowie
Ike_In_Rochester@reddit
Awesome list. Thanks! It actually got my head going and I realized Pictures of You by The Cure needs a shout out.
emoore06905@reddit
Hot for teacher - van halen
Sanibeldeb1@reddit
25 or 6to 4 Chicago
KittyCat723@reddit
This Town - Go-Go’s
Ike_In_Rochester@reddit
Where the Streets Have No Name.
Loomied00@reddit
Funeral For A Friend
DrHarryWolper@reddit
I Need a Lover - John Mellencamp
costellotalking@reddit
Fashion - David Bowie
StrictFinance2177@reddit
Janie's Got a Gun
Think what you want about Aerosmith. That intro is the best part of the song.
fredinNH@reddit
They are pretty good at intros. Sweet emotion and walkers way are all time greats too
Everything_Breaks@reddit
When the Levee Breaks, you know who
icedyoga@reddit
The Spirit of Radio
fredinNH@reddit
Walk this way
SnooCakes8914@reddit
Runnin’ With The Devil-Van Halen
icedyoga@reddit
Yep.
FacePalmAdInfinitum@reddit
From the same band, two more: Highway Star and Knocking at Your Backdoor
neon_meate@reddit
Always been a fan of Lazy myself. Great interplay between Lord and Blackmore.
GSDNinjadog@reddit
Money For Nothing
WayPowerful484@reddit
Rock and Roll - Zeppelin
tlBudah@reddit
Karn Evil #9, Emerson Lakd & Palmer. "Welcome back my friends, to the show that never ends. We're so glad you could attend, come inside, come inside".
neon_meate@reddit
I don't know, the intro for Fanfare for the Common Man is pretty cool. Is Copland rock though.
dadothree@reddit
And now this is stuck in my head. Not a bad thing.
therealFergusBob@reddit
Hot for Teacher- Van Halen.
EmotionDecent6108@reddit
I don’t feel tardy
neon_meate@reddit
I got my pencil, give me somethin' to write on man.
Puzzleheaded_Hat4556@reddit
Can't you hear me knocking The Stones
Casterix75@reddit
Stargazer by Rainbow
SnapoleanDynamite@reddit
Welcome to the Jungle - GnR
Greful@reddit
Yea come on. This is the obvious answer.
jacobsmyboy@reddit
For me, it's always gonna be She Sells Sanctuary by The Cult.
royphotog@reddit
Smoke on the way is one great intro, with each instrument added to that guitar riff. Love it. I'm a Ritchie Blackmore fan, and he has so many great intros, Terrot Women that starts off the Rainbow Rising album is one of the best, sets the mood for the entire album.
PoisonMind@reddit
Painkiller
Sempophai@reddit
Dire Straits - Money For Nothing.
PeaceABC123@reddit
Boston Foreplay/Long Time and Pretty Woman.
karma2879@reddit
Monkey Business - Skid Row
ChadTitanofalous@reddit
Bohemian Like You - The Dandy Warhols
chefkelly555@reddit
Oh hell yeah.
Big-Football8811@reddit
Long cool woman, The Hollies
FriendRaven1@reddit
If Soundgarden is considered rock and not metal, Jesus Christ Pose has the best opening of any song ever.
Emotional_Mess261@reddit
Had Smoke on the Water intro as my ringtone when one fun day it came on the radio. If I hadn’t noticed the car screen saying I had a call coming in , I’d have gotten home to a VM. The chance happening of the music correlating together was wild
Wayne_Hetherington@reddit
My neighbor's kid fancied himself as a guitar superstar and would practice Smoke endlessly in the basement at high volume. It's left me emotionally scarred 😂
meltonr1625@reddit
March of the S.O.D.
DrumsKing@reddit
That's the metal national anthem right there.
VicksyG@reddit
Cannonball - Breeders
DrumsKing@reddit
AC/DC - For those about to rock.
Additional_Common_15@reddit
Marilyn manson the beautiful people
Wayne_Hetherington@reddit
AC/DC - Thunderstruck For that long, slow burn.
Grammarhole@reddit
Whatever that song was in the Freedom Rock commercial. Layla, I think.
dadothree@reddit
Well, turn it up, man!
MadPixFilm@reddit
Kiko and the Lavender Moon - Los Lobos
ahutapoo@reddit
Album version of Will the Wolf Survive as well.
MadPixFilm@reddit
Fun fact, the instrumental just before Wolf on the album version, called Little King of Everything, was supposed to be connected to Wolf Survives as one grand song, the record company put the gap in. Incredible one-two punch on the album.
ahutapoo@reddit
That's great, thank you. It's always been a whole to me.
Joethebassplayer@reddit
Working Man by RUSH is pretty epic and heavy as fuck! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5eZqkaP37po&list=RD5eZqkaP37po&start_radio=1
Zenitharr@reddit
Voodoo Child (Slight Return). Give it a few seconds to tease you then it absolutely explodes.
NaseInDaPlace@reddit
The Immigrant Song- Led Zeppelin
Lanky_Asparagus_8534@reddit
Bad Motor Scooter -Montrose
Gotravel7@reddit
Rolling Stones - Give Me Shelter
Criseyde2112@reddit
The Spirit of Radio. Tom Sawyer.
ForwardSlash813@reddit
You must be from Ontario
Criseyde2112@reddit
Houston, TX
onebeard1975@reddit
Was going to throw in Limelight.
LeadingEconomy4323@reddit
Depending on your age depends on the answer. But there are loads that people have already said.
UnusualSnow506@reddit
Eruption.
RightLegDave@reddit
Cherub Rock - Smashing Pumpkins
ADMSXavier@reddit
Metallica - One
Gbonk@reddit
Cowboys from Hell and a lot of other Pantera Songs.
arawnsd@reddit
7 nation army. Simple, catchy, immediate reaction inducing. I most technical or theatric? No. Just damn good.
ForwardSlash813@reddit
This isn’t wrong
NadaOmelet@reddit
Interesting the simplicity of both this and Smoke on the Water. Just has to sound cool, that's it.
heliskinki@reddit
Gave up scrolling to see if it’s been noted already, but the answer is:
The Cult - She Sells Sanctuary
ForwardSlash813@reddit
One of the all-timers. Saw The Cult live in a small, outdoor venue and they were for real!
KilroySmithson@reddit
Yes!
PR151@reddit
Don't sleep on Wildflower
Six_Pack_Attack@reddit
Okay, but Sun King gets an honorable mention.
"This is where it all ends."
Intrepid-Entrance460@reddit
Foreplay/Long time - Boston
Bat Outta Hell - Meatloaf
Crazy On You - Heart
sustainablogjeff@reddit
Rocket Queen - the bass!!
tmonehee@reddit
Collective Soul - Shine
ForwardSlash813@reddit
“Paranoid” by Black Sabbath
“Unchained” by Van Halen
“Lay It Down” by Ratt
HowDidFoodGetInHere@reddit
Into The Void > Paranoid
ForwardSlash813@reddit
Great song but it’s no Paranoid
OneFortyEighthScale@reddit
Rock and Roll by Led Zepplin.
I love it when a rock song starts off with fire!
The-Mugwump@reddit
JB just SMASHING that kit!
55StudeSpeedster@reddit
Dance on a volcano, Genesis.
ZealousidealGrab1827@reddit
Boston. Long Time.
curiousleen@reddit
This was the other one that went through my head!
ZealousidealGrab1827@reddit
I will put some headphones on and crank it —- just amazing.
curiousleen@reddit
I literally started playing it in my head the moment i saw your post. Had to restrain myself from air guitar.
Syyklops@reddit
This. By a mile.
Fernandop00@reddit
Love like Anthrax by Gang of Four
shankthedog@reddit
They are currently touring
shankthedog@reddit
Money for Nothing - Dire Straits
LeoMiloKiss@reddit
UNCHAINED by Van Halen
BasketBackground5569@reddit
Magic Carpet Ride.
timfinn1972@reddit
She Sells Sanctuary - the long version
ZealousidealGrab1827@reddit
Great one for sure.
heliskinki@reddit
Ah there is the only answer.
AdLeather8285@reddit
As long as you don’t have to say it
dumbstruck_dumbfucks@reddit
I always think of Paradise City when I think of great intros. Hard to choose a best, but that’s gotta be up there.
RetroactiveRecursion@reddit
Lunatic Fringe
ZealousidealGrab1827@reddit
Oh hell. Oldie. Red Rider. I cranked that song while cruising in HS.
Jehoshaphatso1@reddit
Montana by Frank Zappa.
bluealien78@reddit
Money For Nothing. When the drums kick in and it crescendo's into Knopfler's riff, that hits so hard.
lavransson@reddit
I’m kind of an audiophile and that album and song is one of my top test tracks when I want to evaluate a stereo component. I have it on vinyl and it sounds incredible as the build up rises.
Just last week I played the whole record. The entire album is awesome.
bluealien78@reddit
Brothers in Arms is a top 3 album for me. Absolutely stunning, all these years later. The Atmos remix that was released last year is on another level.
lavransson@reddit
Oooh, I'll have to check that out! Thanks for the tip.
RogueSqdLdr@reddit
Came here to say this exactly.
NoFollowing7781@reddit
"Whole Lotta Love" - by Led Zeppelin
I consider the first 33 seconds to be the intro, and it's a masterpiece in and of itself... fuckin epic 🔥🤘
BigJohn1231@reddit
Dr Feelgood - Crue
42145505560550@reddit
Kashmir by Led Zeppelin
onrake@reddit
Spirit in the Sky - by Norman Greenbaum.
Fair-Wishbone-1190@reddit
Seek and destroy by Metallica
jackdupp27@reddit
Sweet Child of Mine by Guns and Roses
Sleepy_cheetah@reddit
First guitar solo I remember as a child! Loved it!
jackdupp27@reddit
I believe Slash wrote that bit as a finger exercise to warm up before performing. Funny how a warm up exercise became an awesome song.
onrake@reddit
Definitely Spirit in the Sky.
onrake@reddit
Spirit in the Sky
jaycutlerdgaf@reddit
Dire Straits - Money for Nothing
Big-Application-8055@reddit
Ever since that SNL skit, Don't Fear the Reaper by B.O.C., makes me laugh.
jaycutlerdgaf@reddit
Kimber80@reddit
Foreplay/Longtime
vanbrima@reddit
My first thought as well!
ottguy42@reddit
Money for Nothing - Dire Straits... especially on a good stereo system at an appropriate volume.
Panem-et-circenses25@reddit
When the Levee Breaks
PacRat48@reddit
When the Lever Breaks / Rhymin’ and Stealin’
lovelyb1ch66@reddit (OP)
That’s a solid tune throughout
Panem-et-circenses25@reddit
Best Zeppelin song ever
freebird37179@reddit
Cirice - Ghost.
Past-Football629@reddit
"Give Me All Your Lovin." By the Rolling Stones. That opening guitar riff is intense and immediately recognizable. Love it.
pmick66@reddit
Funeral for a Friend
Baymavision@reddit
Van Halen -- Mean Streets
Kicks you in the face and lets you know you're about to fucking rock! 🎸
PacRat48@reddit
It’s so good it sounds like a magic trick on the guitar
WI762@reddit
Van Halen is great for this on so many of their songs. Forget the slow build, let do this!
lotus_ink@reddit
Unchained is the king of slap you in the face. IMHO.
agnosticrectitude@reddit
Hit em Up. I know it’s not rock, but it’s Tupac.
CaroCogitatus@reddit
Dance Along The Edge by Concrete Blonde
theinspireddesigner@reddit
AcDc thunderstruck
docthirst@reddit
100% intro start to finish
kranj7@reddit
I'm the One - Van Halen
dewihafta@reddit
Most Van Halen is pretty up there. I still get goosebumps with “Right Now.”
Idontfeelold-much@reddit
All of these are fantastic, and because I haven’t seen it yet. Lunatic Fringe- Red Ryder
Azule330@reddit
Eyes of the South by Down. Very smooth, Pepper Keenan at his best and then…. ‘GODDAMN!!! It’s great.
Specialist_Issue_214@reddit
Cherub Rock, Smashing Pumpkins
ancientastronaut2@reddit
Mississippi Queen comes to mind.
Necessary_Giraffe_66@reddit
There’s tons of good ones and a lot already listed. I’ve always liked the o to to Stairway to Jeaven and the intro to Money for Nothing
Optimal-Band-7065@reddit
If you’re a Hokie you know it’s ’Enter Sandman’.
For those not in the know…
https://share.google/OICZsi88Psx9V2Zz6
curiousleen@reddit
Teenage Wasteland. In fact, it’s the only part of the song I usually listen to.
SavoirFaire2Middling@reddit
* Baba O'Riley
curiousleen@reddit
You and I caught simultaneously… i always sing lyrics in my head before i register the title. Sometimes i never get to the title (Yo FOB)
One-21-Gigawatts@reddit
Layla
bobbywake61@reddit
Rock Candy. Montrose.
supy96@reddit
Probably Turn Me Loose by Loverboy. Sounds like a movie opener. Like you can see a shot of the city with the casting, then to a couple of hoodlums breaking into a car etc.
QuieroTamales@reddit
Crazy Train. That brief moment before Randy Rhoads starts the main riff where you can hear him roll up the volume on his guitar kills me every time.
GrumpyPidgeon@reddit
I still get chills and amped when I hear Ozzy’s opening sinister laugh
PeterPunksNip@reddit
Boom Boom Satellites ; Broken Mirror https://youtu.be/jPgt_iGVoYg?is=Yynh3gcxbVHILK1b
Angry_GorillaBS@reddit
It's a shame that the rest of the song sucks. IMO.
disco008a@reddit
Should I stay or should I go - The Clash
Fernandop00@reddit
Anthrax by Gang of Four Swamp Thing by the Chameleons
AlGeKna@reddit
Smells Like Teen Spirit!
Gimme Shelter or Honky Tonk Women. Or Brown Sugar. Keith Richards is the master of cool intros to rock songs. Crazy Train is cool too. RATM also have some cool intros.
Alovingcynic@reddit
All Along the Watchtower- Jimi Hendrix
Certain-Ordinary8428@reddit
Upvote and raise you Voodoo Child (Slight Return)
Alovingcynic@reddit
This too!
naruda1969@reddit
Gunter gleiben glauchen globen Alright I got somethin' to say, yeah It's better to burn out, yeah Than fade away
-animal-logic-@reddit
War Pigs comes to mind
MaximumJones@reddit
Three Strange Days by School of Fish
idrathern0tsay@reddit
Slayer - Reign In Blood but that’s more metal but still rocks. Most bad ass riff I’ve heard.
RogueMale666@reddit
Judas Preist Hellion/Electric Eye.
lovelyb1ch66@reddit (OP)
Remember when Rob Halford came out and nobody was surprised lol
RogueMale666@reddit
I ended up in a fist fight in 7th grade because I said Robs outfit was "kinda gay looking" around the wrong person. It wasn't even directed to them they overhead me say it while looking at a picture of him in Hit Parade. Cause " Rob ain't no fag. You are." I always wondered how Bobby took the news when he found out. LMAO.
Fickle_Tap7908@reddit
Just Like Heaven - The Cure
thoughtbubblecx@reddit
Sweet Emotion by Aerosmith is a classic. Cinematic.
MaximumJones@reddit
This one wins by miles. You can physically feel the build up.
obstreperousRex@reddit
Jambi - TOOL
Lonely_Opening3404@reddit
Came here to say Ticks & Leeches
JWMoo@reddit
Hotel California.
BokBokBagock@reddit
Has the best outro, too!!!
VeryLowIQIndividual@reddit
You Could Be Mine
VeryLowIQIndividual@reddit
Long intro to Bad Medicine.
lostjules@reddit
Living Color’s Cult of Personality
Anynamehere14@reddit
AC/DC has some good ones… highway to hell, Who maid who, Thunderstruck.
sarcasticorange@reddit
So many great song beginnings. Harder to find a bad one than to pick the best.
Well, we all know it is Hells Bells, but I guess harder to pick the 2nd best.
therelybare5@reddit
Since Cliffs of Dover is an instrumental, is the whole song basically an intro?
guptroop@reddit
Rocket Queen
fenwyk@reddit
"For Those About to Rock" - AC/DC
ONROSREPUS@reddit
Oooh that is a good one too but I went with Hells Bells.
Livid-Caramel7103@reddit
Hells Bells - AC/DC
Spirit of Radio - Rush
ONROSREPUS@reddit
Had to scroll way to far to find the bells!
I_do_not_post_here@reddit
Today by the Pumpkins
Plenty-Object8204@reddit
Song for the Dead - Queens of the Stone Age
ONROSREPUS@reddit
AC/DC - Hells Bells
Al_Wood_@reddit
IRON MAN.
TheRateBeerian@reddit
I like when the bass drops mid intro on Ween’s Exactly Where I’m At
itsyaboythatguy@reddit
Sunshine of your Love, some peak Clapton on that track.
kalamazoo43@reddit
Pink Floyd’s intro of Shine On You Crazy Diamond
khInstability@reddit
kevtay1969@reddit
Best answer here!
therelybare5@reddit
Two of my favorites are Song For America by Kansas (3:02) and Funeral For A Friend/Love Lies Bleeding by Elton John (5:49). Also maybe Bat Out Of Hell by Meat Loaf!
Longryderr@reddit
Elton John, Funeral For A Friend
khInstability@reddit
Shine On You Crazy Diamond
NotEasilyConfused@reddit
Hot for Teacher. How the drums keep adding layers without losing the original rhythm (or the other additions) is still so impressive to me.
2Payneweaver@reddit
Purple Rain
RichAge2413@reddit
Intro/Sweet Jane. Off the album Rock ‘n’ Roll Animal. Steve Hunter and Dick Wagner play the best guitar duet in rock history. Imi.
Grillmaestro@reddit
Came here to add that one!
Grillmaestro@reddit
Sweet Jane - Lou Reed Rock n Roll Animal
akobie@reddit
Thunderstruck ACDC
upv395@reddit
The version of Thunderstruck done by Steve ‘N’ Seagulls is pretty perfect. Using an anvil is genius.
akobie@reddit
Never heard of them. Looked it up and that was excellent! Thanks for suggesting that version. I also like the 2 cellos version mostly because i love cellos. Banjo really hits that well too
Imsoschur@reddit
Completely different genre, but if you loved hillbilly TNT, then check out The Gourds version of "Gin and Juice"
akobie@reddit
Oh yeah, I had that on a burned cd back in the day! Perfect cross over song and how i know all the lyrics to gin n juice!
Jackie_Treehorn99@reddit
Def Leppard usually hits the gas pretty hard.
kgleas01@reddit
Foreplay / Longtime
holliwood98@reddit
Sweet Child of Mine, For Whom the Bell Tolls, Crazy Train.
ruarchproton@reddit
Renegade - Styx
Jeffedejeff@reddit
Sweet Child O’ Mine
attaboy_stampy@reddit
Every guitar center employee just felt a cold chill.
Ha. But I think because that song's intro riff is so overplayed, the song is sometimes picked on. But that is a great song, even though I am personally tired of it, because of how the song reflects that intro lick. Like, that initial riff, it's kind of goofy, but then the other instruments all kind of shadow it. It's like a classical movement theme, where the other instruments - and Axl's melody even - sort of reflect the riff, but don't exactly mimic it. And then the riff is never quite played - between verses or at the bridge - it's different than the intro although similar. And then that guitar solo? The radio version cuts it off, but there's a minute long solo in there by Slash that is all kinds of good.
Jeffedejeff@reddit
https://youtu.be/8f13FY94BKI?si=VYWUQKzJ5BtrrsK8
attaboy_stampy@reddit
Just like when I saw it in the theater a few times in college. lol
I wonder what's the equivalent now. Sweet Child of Mine? Smells Like Teen Spirit?
Flyerbill@reddit
Limelight - Rush
Fin1205@reddit
Limelight has such a great intro, although 2112 is probably my all-time favorite.
BlueFeathered1@reddit
Sweet Child o' Mine - GNR. As soon as I hear the first note I'm carried back to the boardwalk at Myrtle Beach during road trip with best friend. There was a jukebox there and arcade games, and that song played and played. It's unlike any other.
ProfessionalBrick717@reddit
Barracuda (Heart)
Balasarius@reddit
Foreplay / Longtime
neurophen@reddit
The only answer is Dr. Feelgood -Mötley Crüe. The rest of the song is shit, but that intro is amazing.
Bork60@reddit
Highway Star, also off Made in Japan has a great intro..
madtownjeff@reddit
Smoke On the Water's opening is a variation on a a backwards Beethoven's 5th. According the Ritchie Blackmore.
Fragrant_Amphibian51@reddit
“Best?”, I dunno. But it’s hard to argue against “Rock Around the Clock” by Bill Haley for impact. The opening bars used to set off riots in movie theaters in 1955.
happycj@reddit
“Reluctantly crouched, at the starting line…”
A_Life_Well_Steved@reddit
KISS: War Machine
Judas Priest: You Got Another Thing Comin’
JohnyWhoops@reddit
Don't fear the reaper
ixamnis@reddit
It enough cowbell.
Recent-Sail-7836@reddit
Mississippi Queen
ohitsjeffagain@reddit
Children of the sun
RaisinHorror1440@reddit
Hawkwind?
ohitsjeffagain@reddit
Billy thorpe
RaisinHorror1440@reddit
Never heard of him I'm afraid.
ohitsjeffagain@reddit
Promise I didnt rick roll you
ohitsjeffagain@reddit
https://open.spotify.com/track/5iiadi85b2MArbziJVTsEv?si=DkHh4PcHRhWjcES118APiw
ohitsjeffagain@reddit
Give it a play
DavidStauff@reddit
Classic.
ohitsjeffagain@reddit
We (my friend and I) bought that album for that song. Not worth my hard earned high school money lol, only track we liked on the album.
driven_under@reddit
Parabol -> Parabola. It's a whole song that is the intro to Parabola, and it's really worth listening to both together always.
Socalwarrior485@reddit
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_nQhGR0K8M
idmont@reddit
Slift-Ummon
PrymTym66@reddit
Maybe not the top, but Money for Nothing
by Dire Straits is on that list
javarouleur@reddit
The guitar riff part, yes. The slow, atmospheric lead in (that's nearly 2 minutes on the "Brothers In Arms" album) is good if reduced to 15-20secs. All said, though, it's my favourite song of all time.
Imsoschur@reddit
It is a spectacular opening.
3D_mac@reddit
The intro does build up the tension.
But it's also super embarrassing when I come in too early for like the fifth time on my air guitar.
"BWAA da da dah, DAHH... Oops, dang it. "
CountHonorius@reddit
Memorable enough! I love that song - it's a shame it doesn't get played anymore.
undwiedervonvorn@reddit
Suffer/Bad Religion
Ok, punk rock.
StThomasAquina@reddit
Not sure I agree but upvote for BR reference.
ReceptionUnhappy2545@reddit
Kashmir
31engine@reddit
Wow. No “smells like teen spirit” yet ?
Noodnix@reddit
There are a lot of great songs here, but it’s definitely more boomer era music than GenX. SLTS is peak GenX.
cyberchaox@reddit
Yeah. I am a little surprised that there's a lot here that's more boomer than X, but nothing on the other end that's starting to lean more millennial but could still be in the range of Xennials.
(I'm talking about Seven Nation Army.)
Noodnix@reddit
Jack White (b. 1975) is totally GenX.
Weak_Upstairs_4129@reddit
Crazy on you -Heart
bankrobba@reddit
It's even better live. You know shit is about to go down when Nancy grabs a guitar pick.
bippy404@reddit
In the Meantime - Space Hog
Johoski@reddit
That Space Hog opener is one for the ages.
Federal-Photograph79@reddit
Won't Get Fooled Again......
norskgenes@reddit
Enter Sandman was just re-released by Les Mills for BodyPump. Currently loving it all over again. I might have to dust off Thunderstruck and We Don’t Run too…this is shaping up to be a great mix! 🎸🎶🤘
kh77kh77@reddit
For whom the bell tolls....
DakaBooya@reddit
That intro is epic
kh77kh77@reddit
I think so as well...just bad ass in general
OriginalChri@reddit
Hot for Teacher - Van Halen
AdLeather8285@reddit
Thriller - MJ
cyberchaox@reddit
Great song, but not rock.
Imsoschur@reddit
Crazy Train
cyberchaox@reddit
Had to scroll way too far to find this.
sexless-innkeeper@reddit
The opening to Spirit in the Sky by Norman Greenbaum has always been one of my favorites.
DrEyeBender@reddit
The Cure - The Kiss
SignificantTransient@reddit
The Hollies - Long Cool Woman
Secret-Ad-5366@reddit
The stones , can’t you hear me knocking
winnerhotel@reddit
I am not a huge Rolling Stones fan but the intro to Gimme Shelter rocks.
SuaveMF@reddit
Breakin da Law
tomnevers99@reddit
I second Radar Love.
Razor_Paw@reddit
Born to Run
beef-hed@reddit
Oroborus by Gojira
MaintenanceCapable83@reddit
25 or 6 to 4 popped into my head first, so i will go with that for now.
ticketyboo_@reddit
Our oven beeps the first 5 notes of 25 or 6 to 4 when it gets to temperature and I LOVE IT.
vasectomy7@reddit
Alice in Chains -- Again
Mtlkfn@reddit
Wasted Years- Iron Maiden
qwibbian@reddit
Radar Love
zionzednem@reddit
Sweet Emotion- Aerosmith. Walked in to our wedding reception to a live band playing that opening. Heck ya!
Ambitious_Manager_82@reddit
That song always reminds me of the opening scene in Dazed and Confused.
zionzednem@reddit
I can’t beat my wedding moment but it’s use in that movie and the movie are also classic.
gp66@reddit
"There's nothing like a tortured Strat" (paraphrased) - liner notes from the live album
Super_Ad4363@reddit
John Cougar “I need a lover”, Steve Winwood “While you see a chance”, Boston “Foreplay/Longtime”, & Styx “Fooling yourself” are a few of my favorites.
Dychnel@reddit
Extended version of In Time by Robbie Rob
MotoXwolf@reddit
Bridge of Sighs
Robin Trowers Band
Extension-Rabbit3654@reddit
Not a slow build up, but Immigrant Song, Led Zeppelin
jenorama_CA@reddit
Thank you. This is my vote.
sprag80@reddit
Gimme Shelter’s opening is epic.
jenorama_CA@reddit
Have you watched 20 Feet From Stardom? I love the story the backup singer for Gimme Shelter tells about performing that song.
chipinserted@reddit
Sound of madness by shinedown
devildoc8804hmcs@reddit
Heartbreaker by Led Zeppelin
Prestigious-Thing716@reddit
I know it’s cheesy but The Final Countdown
Dost_is_a_word@reddit
Happiest drummer ever
onebeard1975@reddit
Who cares? That’s a great song.
Joanr719@reddit
When the Levee Breaks - Zeppelin. Those drums and harp, fantastic.
CheeseburgerSmoothy@reddit
London Calling!
raind0gg@reddit
The Guns of Brixton ✔️
SaintCholo@reddit
Cat Scratch Fever
intheether323@reddit
Eye in the Sky/Alan parsons!
248Spacebucks@reddit
Fun fact I thought it was Slow Moving Water and sang that proudly at the top of my little lungs.
Bonded-James-007@reddit
Eye in the Sky - Alan Parsons Project
fenwyk@reddit
I came here for this. It tickles me that this epic intro for "Sirius" breaks into an absolutely groovy song with this and it's a mellow almost yacht rock type of song. It's like a wrestling match where something epic plays and then out comes a chiweenie. It's still absolutely great though.
gpradar@reddit
Left of the Dial - The Replacements
ahutapoo@reddit
Sweet Leaf - Black Sabbath
WonderSql@reddit
This is the one I was looking for!
cacarson7@reddit
In the Light - Led Zeppelin
skruegel@reddit
Nirvana Smells like teen spirit
fishkabibble@reddit
No Sugar Tonight / New Mother Nature - The Guess Who
ExcentricaGallumbits@reddit
Pink Floyd: Time
Born_Joke@reddit
Let's Go Crazy, Prince
martin_seamus_mcfIy@reddit
UFO - Love to Love
In honor of the nomination: Iron Maiden - Number of the Beast
Personal favorite: Rage - Sleep Now in the Fire
joshloveless1976@reddit
Marylin Manson- Beautiful People ..... ( i swear I'm not into them, but this song intro rocks )
Cold_in_Lifes_Throes@reddit
I’ve grown to appreciate the sound. But also, that whole song rocks.
joshloveless1976@reddit
i find myself turning it up full blast and harmonizing with the "arrrrahhhhh"s lol .. shit maybe i am into them
Cold_in_Lifes_Throes@reddit
I won’t tell a soul.
onebeard1975@reddit
Three Days - Jane’s Addiction
lollipopknife@reddit
Tired of scrolling, didnt see it...
Cochise - Audioslave
squeakybeak@reddit
Can someone add all of these to a Spotify playlist so we can listen and properly judge?
Justasadgrandma@reddit
We vote for you to do it. Let us know when it's done 😄
squeakybeak@reddit
😬
Firstcounselor@reddit
Cliffs of Dover. Not banger per se, but probably the only song opening that truly awed me.
onebeard1975@reddit
Ahhhh!!! Great pick.
hairygorilla451@reddit
Night Prowler!
AmazingRefrigerator4@reddit
Interstate Love Song - STP
huron9000@reddit
Foreigner, feels like the first time. As used in the last scene of the movie Magic Mike.
AmazingRefrigerator4@reddit
Not much hair metal, so I'll throw one out there from my childhood:
Uncle Tom's Cabin - Warrant
Yeah, they were the last of the hair band genre, but that opening acoustic riff is pretty damn good, and then the electric guitars kick in.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bx6f68Wd9dc
badhoopty@reddit
albatross - CoC
also ngl, even tho ive heard it a zillion times on the radio and whatnot, gnr's welcome to the jungle.
pilgrimtohyperion@reddit
Duuude! This is great! Thanks
badhoopty@reddit
that whole deliverance album is fantastic.
JMLKO@reddit
Velvet Underground Sweet Jane
Objective-Minimum802@reddit
Bombtrack
AmazingRefrigerator4@reddit
Evenflow - Pearl Jam. Just slaps you in the face with the opening riff.
Educational_Fox2212@reddit
Jump - Van Halen
Woody402@reddit
Def Leppard - Photogragh
sharty_mcstoolpants@reddit
Mississippi Queen Live - MOUNTAIN
AmazingRefrigerator4@reddit
Damn, I was hoping it was this version where the drummer goes wild. It's one I watch probably once a month.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ss1EyyXL4Gk
squeakybeak@reddit
Stairway to Heaven. Wayne agrees with me.
thePopPop@reddit
Victim of Changes -- Judas Priest
Fritzo2162@reddit
For me it's always been Black Dog by Led Zeppelin.
That quiet scratch buildup then switching to Robert Plant shouting out the most sexually confident lyrics in history, followed by a super heavy guitar lead. That's the definition of rock n roll right there.
human5398246@reddit
If we're talking quiet scratch anticipation, we should include Photograph by Def Leppard.
bobbylx@reddit
Stay with me - the Faces
Im_A_Nice_Karen666@reddit
Song for the dead - Queens of the Stone Age
Cojiro_rarely_crows@reddit
Welcome to the Jungle and Back in the Saddle
optimal-gold976@reddit
Hot For Teacher - Van Halen
Boson_Higgs_Boson@reddit
Poison, Alice Cooper
Tweezus96@reddit
Rusty Cage is up there.
X-Bones_21@reddit
This might be my favorite song ever, and I’m a big music fan. GREAT CHOICE!
ActuaryFew6884@reddit
Ozzy - Bark at the Moon
Allahn77@reddit
Helpless - Metallica's Garage Days revisited
Princessferfs@reddit
Back in Black, AC/DC
heliskinki@reddit
Another one:
War On Drugs - Under The Pressure
nunwalksinabar@reddit
Boston - Foreplay/Longtime
lotus_ink@reddit
This is the answer
TheReadyRedditor@reddit
Black Dog
Bloody_Mabel@reddit
Roadhouse Blues, The Doors.
Reddfx4@reddit
Tusk by Fleetwood Mac comes to mind.
Inevitable_Ad7080@reddit
Deep Purple 100% best keyboard intros, Lazy, Perfect Stranger...the sound of a distortion organ crushes
Better-Emu7264@reddit
Deep Purple, “Knockin at Your Back Door”.
Voodoo-Chyld@reddit
Van Halen’s Panama
ahutapoo@reddit
Heard that being played loud in a parking lot. Thought the truck had some type of chugging issue.
CT_Reddit73@reddit
As much as I love all the metal and hard rock classic opening riffs… I gotta go with “Money For Nothing” as the best rock song intro ever in history.
DreadedFistNW@reddit
100%
I compete in car audio events and this is one of the prime demo tracks. Shows the legs of your system with the slow build then massive crescendo.
Royal_Ad_2653@reddit
You Really Got Me ... The Kinks
uwpxwpal@reddit
Bitter Sweet Symphony - The Verve
SodomEyes@reddit
Wow, a Britpop song coming in with a simple orchestral sample loop. You forgot the /s.
CobblerMoney9605@reddit
Larry Carlton's 45 second intro for Don't Take Me Alive has got to be top 5, maybe top 3.
It's innovative, perfectly played, and unmistakable when you hear it.
cornbread_ninja@reddit
Ha, just made a comment about Don't Take Me Alive
KayKB23@reddit
Steely Dan Reeling in the years
cornbread_ninja@reddit
But have you tried Don't Take Me Alive?
boilersnipe@reddit
Motörhead-Ace of Spades
Walts_Ahole@reddit
Lots of good songs here, I'll throw out an obscure one, Billy Thorpe, Children of the Sun.
Loved doing car audio demos with this - as well as many others on the list
Life-Entry-7285@reddit
Fade to Black.
PoeJam@reddit
Fanfare For The Common Man - ELP
Agent7619@reddit
Or the original by Aaron Copeland
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKgk6G0lekQ
Agent7619@reddit
For give me for linking to that YouTube account.
Pristine-Clerk-1020@reddit
Pretty Vacant - Sex Pistols
Big_Gassy_Possum@reddit
James Gang - Funk #49
finchfinch2@reddit
Money for nothing, Dire Straits
drinkslinger1974@reddit
Scrolled pretty far and didn’t see the final countdown. Whenever anybody hears the intro to that song, they get hyped up immediately. Another one would be that just a small town girl song by journey.
Lophura@reddit
For the last 20 years or so, “Final Countdown” has been synonymous with Gob Bluth and that’s not a bad thing! “The are illusions!”
its_always_slag@reddit
Panama- Van Halen
Lurchie_@reddit
Your time is gonna come \~Zep
dingdongdoodah@reddit
Isn't the intro to smoke other water the fist 7 something notes of Beetjovens fifth symphony? I might have my details totally screwed up but I kinda remember the dude from deep purple saying that in an interview. I'm to damned tired to Google this so my apologies if im wrong.
Still one of the best intros
An orher great one in my opinion is the one for light my fire by the doors
Hoon0967@reddit
Walk All Over You by AC/DC
thunderbirdwine75@reddit
Bad Co - Live for the Music
boogityshmoogity@reddit
The 2 best intros ever are “Can’t You Hear Me Knocin” by the Rolling Stones and “Stay With Me” by the Faces.
DocMcCracken@reddit
Metalica Enter Sandman.
PV_Pathfinder@reddit
Oh Well by Peter Green
PontifexMaximus1968@reddit
Yes Changes
Unhappy_Permit2571@reddit
Jumpin Jack Flash
ohnoitshimagain10@reddit
Stay with me, The Faces
TheFoxtail1977@reddit
The extended guitar acoustic duet intro version of Love Song by Tesla
KilroySmithson@reddit
Let’s throw in Edison’s Medicine while we’re at it.
Ok-Huckleberry-6326@reddit
Little Suzi is up there for me in terms of intros too!
Slablanc@reddit
Best intro? Thunderstruck, hands down.
strangedazey@reddit
I saw them in concert right after this song was getting popular, and the crowd went insane when they started this one
Slablanc@reddit
I would have loved to experience this one live back in the day. The concert performances on YouTube do a pretty good job of capturing the vibe but it’s not the same.
Aggravating_Hat4799@reddit
Love that one. Tough to choose number one. Tie for this and Enter Sandman
EarRubs@reddit
Magic by the Cars comes in hot
OneMustAlwaysPlanAhe@reddit
Actually two songs, but Foreplay-Long Time
jzoola@reddit
Immigrant song
Slablanc@reddit
Good one
XYZ2ABC@reddit
“Where the Streets Have No Name” U2
AdLeather8285@reddit
And it was song 1 on the Joshua tree album!
XYZ2ABC@reddit
Not only a great song intro, but one of the best opening album songs
AdLeather8285@reddit
I listened to that album driving through the Joshua tree national park! Epic!
XYZ2ABC@reddit
Put it on your calendars: March 27th 2027, 40th Anniversary of the rooftop video shoot
oglumb@reddit
Yeah, this is a good pick!
lovable_asshole@reddit
Babo Reilly
Full_Grape1139@reddit
Turn me Loose by Loverboy is pretty good.
lovelyb1ch66@reddit (OP)
Can’t go wrong with a good bass track
Takin_Up_Space70@reddit
Detroit Rock City - KISS (Destroyer version) Best ending too.
SeminoleVictory@reddit
Gone shootin'
Fantastic_Lack_8141@reddit
War Pigs
BreenX@reddit
Roundabout
Six_Pack_Attack@reddit
Rusty Cage-Soundgarden
A Forest--The Cure
One - Metallica
Mydreamsource@reddit
Full version of Hotel California.
PetieG26@reddit
Grand Funk Railroad - Time Machine
https://youtu.be/eDxyiCRUDzY
ScousePete@reddit
Eye of the Tiger - Survivor
fraghead5@reddit
awesome intro, meh rest of the song.
Van Halen - Hot for Teacher
The Drum into is fantastic. The rest of the song is fine, there are way better VH songs out there but that intro.
wespellettieri@reddit
Fascination Street- the Cure- Disintegration 7"
pberck@reddit
The Kiss!
MrBiscotti_75@reddit
Money for Nothing by Dire Straits
Secret-Function-2972@reddit
Hell's Bells - AC / DC
AForse@reddit
I just love the intro to ‘What’d I Say’ by Ray Charles. Not entirely certain that it falls under the ‘rock’ umbrella, though?
GargleToes@reddit
Cherub Rock by Smashing Pumpkins. Starts with simple drum lick, them muted guitar parts, then the entire band crushes your head.
Ok_Persimmon_5961@reddit
Violent Femmes, Blister In the Sun
MurkyResolve6341@reddit
Outlaws-Green Grass and High Tides
psp8@reddit
Back in Black… AC/DC
txmascot01@reddit
Soulhat - Bonecrusher.
bavindicator@reddit
For me, Black Betty by Ram Jam
Stefgrep66@reddit
Muse Plug in Baby
moetownslick@reddit
Eruption/You Really Got Me - Van Halen
False-Storm-5794@reddit
Me too.
DAGB_69@reddit
Dire Straits - The Man's Too Strong.
Firstcounselor@reddit
Mark Knopfler is such a talented musician, really next level.
3D_mac@reddit
Right band, right album, but I have to go with Money for Nothing.
Jtd06@reddit
Unchained or Hot for Teacher
fatmominalittlecar@reddit
I’ve heard Eruption lead into You Really Got me and that shit claps.
JackStraw-Waukesha@reddit
Can’t you hear me knocking
MaxBulla@reddit
Not even Purple's best. Child in Time wins hands down
mjcostel27@reddit
Money for Nothing
3D_mac@reddit
I was sorted by "New" instead of "Best" and couldn't figure out why this wasnt showing up.
Casablanca_Cabanana@reddit
“Mountain Song” by Jane’s Addiction
vodeodeo55@reddit
The extended intro to "Sweet Jane" on Rock & Roll Animal by Lou Reed
PutPuzzleheaded5337@reddit
Aldo Novas song “Fantasy”. I’m 58 and it still gives me goose bumps.
luluislulu2520@reddit
Smiths How Soon Is Now
Merican1973@reddit
Turn me loose- Loverboy
Hopper52@reddit
Just Like Heaven
snackingsnek@reddit
Speed.king, Deep Purple, specifically the version from Deep Purple in Rock with the organ intro.
twoturntablesanda@reddit
For me, it's Hot For Teacher, hands down. Had a '67 Camaro with a very lopey cam that sounded a lot like that, so brings back fond memories.
GraphicSarcasm@reddit
Wish you were here...
peacefinder@reddit
Barracuda is right up there
UTALR1@reddit
Welcome to the Jungle
LetsTryAnal_ogy@reddit
This is the only one that is better than Thunderstruck.
CoffeeJedi@reddit
Gunter glieben glauten globen!
Up to you to decide if I mean Def Leppard or Offspring
AnybodyCanyon@reddit
NotUrDadiBlameUrMoma@reddit
AC/DC Back in Black 🤟🏽
atomicbunny@reddit
Thunderstruck for a guitar intro, Hot For teacher for a drum intro
LetsTryAnal_ogy@reddit
AC/DC Thunderstruck has to be the top 3, if not number one.
stlredbird@reddit
Black Betty
dustin91@reddit
I love that Satisfaction hasn’t even been listed yet, because it’s… fine.
The answer is Cult of Personality.
CountHonorius@reddit
Seldom if ever does Living Colour get a mention. Good man!
dustin91@reddit
Thanks! I actually got to ask Vernon Reid what it was like to create the greatest guitar lick in rock, and he shyly just said thanks and took another question. And got my photos with Corey and Will!
greenappleberry@reddit
The Year of the Cat. Al Stewart. Don’t know if it’s considered a rock song but the piano intro is magic.
Ok-Huckleberry-6326@reddit
Close tie - 'Battery' or 'Fight Fire With Fire'
Two absolute ragers straight out the gate. No other album openers match it, although 'Angel of Death' and 'Among the Living' get close.
SnowflakeSWorker@reddit
Baba O’Riley by The Who gets me every time.
samsounder@reddit
Under the Bridge
geetarboy33@reddit
Mean Street - Van Halen.
Elbza@reddit
Dunno about the best, but ‘Black Sunshine’ always gets me (white zombie ft. Iggy Pop)
Upstairs-Map1257@reddit
Lonely is the Night, Billy Squier
Trick-Mechanic8986@reddit
Reign in Blood. Slayer.
bikerbuilderguy02@reddit
Ted nugent. Great white buffalo
Gay_Giraffe_1773@reddit
Jane - Jefferson Starship
She's A Beauty - The Tubes
Der_fluter_mouse@reddit
Money for Nothing- Dire Straits
The Pretender- Foo Fighters
mjcostel27@reddit
Money for Nothing is the correct answer. First words at 2:06. 🔥
Freightshaker000@reddit
Over the Mountain - Ozzy Osbourne, Aldridge is just rocking triplets.
NoGood2154@reddit
Friend, what if I told you that, That's not Tommy on the first two albums. It's Lee Kerslake from Uriah Heep and Tommy only played on Bark at the Moon.
Freightshaker000@reddit
Today I learned...
gamesk90210@reddit
Whipping Post - Allman Brothers
moccasinsfan@reddit
Best is debatable. And it is a great debate to have.
But IMHO, the greatest most influential rock song guitar intro is the oppening riff to Chuck Berry's Johnny Be Good.
Many great guitarist cite Berry and this song as major influences.
morris90024@reddit
25 or 6 to 4 - Chicago Jungleland - Bruce Springsteen
Warhammer517@reddit
Orion by Metallica. The way the intro fades in.
Jtd06@reddit
Blackened and Battery also killer intros.
mrdaver911_2@reddit
I was going to say Blind by Korn, but it’s already been said.
So I will come in with my “separate the art from the artist take”:
Bawitaba - Kid Rock
That intro is a freakin monster.
eyecandynsx@reddit
Blind - Korn
mrdaver911_2@reddit
I’m sorry I can only upvote this once.
natelopez53@reddit
“Perry Mason” - Ozzy
Perfect intro. Starts dramatically. Picks up speed and sound. Building tension the whole. Just when you think it’s done, the toms are hammered and the guitar sneers all the way down into another faster buildup. The guitar is screaming, the noise crescendos until the heavy groove picks up into the final crash and just when you can’t take anymore, Ozzy’s perfect voice breaks through it all and he starts singing about a fictional TV lawyer from the 50’s.
Just a perfect minute.
yodamastertampa@reddit
Ted Nugent Stranglehold
vankirk@reddit
Limelight - Rush
Free_Account9372@reddit
Spirit of Radio intro rocks too!
geddylee1@reddit
Or 2112
MaybeOnFire2025@reddit
Living Thing by E.L.O. (particularly as the end credits to Boogie Nights) hits pretty hard.
Mr-and-Mrs@reddit
Foreplay/Longtime
Jenniflower17@reddit
Over the Hills and Far Away
Economy_Care1322@reddit
Thunderstruck
Embarrassed-Ad-1432@reddit
Leave Them All Behind - Ride
pulling the thread into the 90s, but an a card-carrying GenXer
Unique_Information11@reddit
80s/90s is peak GenX music. There are some good 70s songs here, but I don’t feel like they belong to our generation.
GomerSnerd@reddit
Deep purple "Lazy" or Jethro tull "Aquaman "
oldschoolhc@reddit
aint talkin bout love - van halen
emergency_salad_fox@reddit
Yes to all of these
Motor_Struggle_3605@reddit
Seek and Destroy - Metallica
deepthoughtswithdan@reddit
I absolutely agree with so many songs listed in this thread, but I would add the build of "Funeral For a Friend" into "Love Lies Bleeding"
truce_m3@reddit
I was just thinking abou this. The answer is Baba O'Riley.
WileyCoyote7@reddit
Among others mentioned here, Def Leppard - Pour Some Sugar On Me. The Terror Twins in their prime.
Correct_Radish_2462@reddit
Welcome to the jungle
OtherworldDk@reddit
I just re-heard Bat out of Hell by Meat Loaf. The intro alone blew me away
captaindomer@reddit
This one gets slept on a lot because it's just kind of a meh song, but the intro to Woodstock by Crosby, Stills and Nash is kickass
dkragen@reddit
Hells Bells. The layering and simplicity are perfect.
Gloomy-Bridge9112@reddit
Wish you were here
hdhdhgfyfhfhrb@reddit
Good Times Bad Times. I'm not even a big Zep guy but that intro goes hard and then those drums and Bonham's bass flutter through the first part is epic. First song on their first album. That was the music worlds intro to Led Zep and their intro delivered!
CrackerJackKittyCat@reddit
I dunno, When The Levee Breaks gets your attention real fast!
Jimmy and the boys knew how to start a song out with a punch!
WileyCoyote7@reddit
My favorite song of theirs; that harmonica gets your attention real fast.
bionic_cmdo@reddit
Metallica - One
crashin70@reddit
Foreplay/Long Time will always be primo Uno! Nothing else has that build up!
Uforia88201@reddit
Agreed
mitkase@reddit
Boston's Foreplay/Long Time.
Uforia88201@reddit
I was expecting Foreplay/Long Time to be on the top of the list.
wistmans-wouldnt@reddit
Layla
OldHaggittyHag@reddit
Crazy on You - Heart
Promises in the Dark - Pat Benatar
CountHonorius@reddit
Upvotes for Pat!
OldHaggittyHag@reddit
She doesn't get near enough credit! Thanks!!
Rungi500@reddit
Beasts of Prey - Sunnata.
TheWarDoctor@reddit
A little more on the alternative side: Ben Folds Five - Philosophy
PeteMcM22@reddit
I need a lover. John cougar melencamp
JayOnSilverHill@reddit
Xanadu by RUSH
Unique_Information11@reddit
Sloan - Money City Maniacs
Embarrassed-Ad-1432@reddit
H-e-double-sticks, yes. Nice pull
Pletchner@reddit
The drum into in Hot For Teacher
Agitated_Raspberry_7@reddit
The monkeys Valerie.
CountHonorius@reddit
The Monkees had a few good tracks - "Valerii" was among them. Apparently they tried a serious album but it went nowhere.
herodotus69@reddit
Welcome to the Jungle. Especially once Rose joins in.
eclectic-up-north@reddit
You Can't Always Get What You Want.
CountHonorius@reddit
Gonna blow that 50 amp fuse
tanhauser_gates_@reddit
Black Betty
CountHonorius@reddit
Ram Jam Band!
Quiet_Ad4074@reddit
Eminence Front by The Who and for get right to it Misirlou by Dick Dale.
CountHonorius@reddit
Misirlou, the crown jewel of surf!
JJQuantum@reddit
Gotta go with The Who, either Baba O’Riley or Pinball Wizard.
ftwforknot@reddit
Magic Carpet Ride - Steppenwolf
CountHonorius@reddit
That's so memorable! MTV used to use it in spots.
CountHonorius@reddit
The opening chords to "Start Me Up" by the Rolling Stones
SeniorRaspberry4697@reddit
Thunderstruck - AC/DC
YourGuyK@reddit
I love the opening of "Welcome to the Jungle." That sliw guitar riff, the rising howl as the drums come in, then the build to the actual song.
Comfortable-Tap-6774@reddit
Straight On, by Heart.
CASUALxCHICKEN@reddit
Crazy On You is my pick
DavidStauff@reddit
Sylvan Song before Dream of the Archer.
CynfullyDelicious@reddit
Kickstart My Heart - I’m not even much of a Crüe fan, but that gets my adrenaline going and has resulted in a floored accelerator waayyy too many times 😂.
attaboy_stampy@reddit
This immediately popped into my brain as well. That intro, the way the guitar whines and stretches, the drum tics, and them BOOM all of the instruments just come crashing in. In that intro, the guitar ramping like that sounds like a race car where the driver is stomping on the gas and shifting gears, and then when the drums and bass drop hard and the riff shifts, it's like a race car hitting the curves in a track.
That's one of those riffs, where it sounds like what the song is. A race car hammering the gears. Like, Start me Up, where the riff sounds like someone trying to start the car repeatedly, or the riff to Crazy Train, where it sounds like a train out of control on its tracks.
I too am a also ran as a Crue fan, mildly liked them 35+ years ago lol, and they're ok. But they have some bangers that hold up.
RandomActsOfCruelty@reddit
I can’t stand the Crue but if I had to pick one, it would he Dr. Feelgood.
Deufuss@reddit
Cheap Sunglasses
Routine_Breath_7137@reddit
Wish you were here, Pink Floyd Welcome to the machine - Pink Floyd
CraftLass@reddit
One of These Days by Pink Floyd. Best album opening of all time.
aloeicious@reddit
Highway to Hell
Gloomy_Mulberry7834@reddit
Best is almost impossible to say. But one of my favorites is Heart of the Sunrise by Yes.
dasmarian@reddit
Money for Nothin’ Dire Straits
mikeyfireman@reddit
The drums are so good!
crewsctrl@reddit
In The Air Tonight - Phil Collins. Intro almost takes the whole song.
phalanxausage@reddit
Neurosis has some incredible intros. "A Chronology for Survival," "Lost," "Aeon," I could go on.
lrbikeworks@reddit
Sweet Emotion
attaboy_stampy@reddit
Sweet Home Alabama
Kickstart My Heart
punkdrummer22@reddit
Blind by Korn
90Carat@reddit
AC/DC Hells Bells
VanHalen Hot For Teacher
lrbikeworks@reddit
I can’t believe I had to scroll all the way down here for hells bells.
Mammoth_Ad_483@reddit
I can't here to say Hot for Teacher. Gets me every time
Environmental_Suit49@reddit
T-Rex - Children Of The Revolution
CB_Chuckles@reddit
So many to choose from. How about every song named on this thread. 😁
DavidStauff@reddit
Locomotive Breath - Jethro Tull
Nobody's Fault but Mine - Led Zeppelin.
Anything by Aerosmith before they got sober.
echojebroni@reddit
Van Halen - "Mean Street"
MiserableWheel9472@reddit
Ironman~Black Sabbath
Itchy_Competition_99@reddit
Train Train by Blackfoot.
Blacktooth_Grin@reddit
Great intro. The rest of the song, not so much.
Maleficent-Scene-475@reddit
Over the Hills and far away
nwillsey@reddit
Meat Loaf I’d Do Anything for Love (But I Won’t Do That).
BlackaddaIX@reddit
For a build up I prefer stairway to heaven to smoke on the water as when it kicks in I get pure chills
IHoppo@reddit
Thunderstruck.
Adventurous_Tell6684@reddit
Everlong
f700es@reddit
My man!
f700es@reddit
Everlong!
coci222@reddit
A couple of not as popular as the ones mentioned so far that I like are Spacehog - In the Meantime and Local H - High Fivin' MF
flyingmooset@reddit
Baba O’Reilly
KKMcKay17@reddit
Welcome to the Jungle by Guns N Roses.
Enter Sandman by Metallica.
Rusty Cage by Soundgarden.
Monkeynutz_Johnson@reddit
Pink Floyd - One of These Days
sobuffalo@reddit
Final Countdown...
Dadada dun, dada da dun dun, da da duun, da da dun dun
johnwcasey@reddit
Whipping Post - Allman Bros.
Prestigious_Safe3565@reddit
Money for Nothing.
diedforyourzyns@reddit
Alive by Pearl Jam
TransatlanticMadame@reddit
Queen, One Vision