Top 100 openings

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searching around here i never found any thread on song openings except on lyrical openings so i'll start it up
what songs have the greatest opening tune?

― rex jr., Sunday, 23 February 2003 21:24 (twenty-three years ago)

1.The Pop Group - We are all prostitutes

― rex jr., Sunday, 23 February 2003 21:24 (twenty-three years ago)

i mean like the songs with the best kick start

― rex jr., Sunday, 23 February 2003 21:27 (twenty-three years ago)

Elvis Costello, "Man Out of Time"

― Prude, Sunday, 23 February 2003 21:49 (twenty-three years ago)

Debaser by Pixies

― John S. (John S.), Sunday, 23 February 2003 21:54 (twenty-three years ago)

"i mean like the songs with the best kick start"
not the entire openings just the kick start

― rex jr., Sunday, 23 February 2003 21:58 (twenty-three years ago)

Planet Of Sound - Pixies

― Davlo (Davlo), Sunday, 23 February 2003 22:04 (twenty-three years ago)

I want to say David Bowie, "Let's Dance" -- but I'm thinking there was a thread recently that was pretty close to this one, and that used this as an example right from the start. (But I didn't find the thread when I searched the keywords [bowie, dance] -- am I imagining this?)

― Paul in Santa Cruz (Paul in Santa Cruz), Sunday, 23 February 2003 22:11 (twenty-three years ago)

if it is kick starts that are important then motely crue 'kickstart my heart'

― keith (keithmcl), Sunday, 23 February 2003 22:13 (twenty-three years ago)

Love Lies Bleeding by sir elton.

― Scott Seward, Sunday, 23 February 2003 22:14 (twenty-three years ago)

i mentioned it coz there are bands that draw the opening for half of the track Black Sabbath for exemple.
oh that remindes me!

Black Sabbath - Black Sabbath

― rex jr., Sunday, 23 February 2003 22:18 (twenty-three years ago)

arcturus - star crossed

― dog latin (dog latin), Sunday, 23 February 2003 22:22 (twenty-three years ago)

The Mekons' "Dan Dare"--oh la wow. The Power Station's "Some Like It Hot": way way way over-the-top drums. And I once sat listening to the fade-in on "Eight Days a Week" over and over for about 10 minutes.

― Douglas (Douglas), Sunday, 23 February 2003 22:57 (twenty-three years ago)

Squarepusher - A Journey to Reedham (7AM mix)

― Lynskey (Lynskey), Sunday, 23 February 2003 23:28 (twenty-three years ago)

"Burning Down the House"

― Curt1s St3ph3ns, Sunday, 23 February 2003 23:36 (twenty-three years ago)

Shot By Both Sides by Magazine, especially the demo with the one drumbeat at the start.

― Ferg (Ferg), Sunday, 23 February 2003 23:38 (twenty-three years ago)

"Fight the Power" Public Enemy

― redblue, Sunday, 23 February 2003 23:42 (twenty-three years ago)

MBV - Only Shallow
Chills - Pink Frost

― A Nairn (moretap), Sunday, 23 February 2003 23:57 (twenty-three years ago)

"Celebrity Skin" Hole- a chandelier smashes to the ground, and Courtney throws her hair up and snarls. Except muscically.

― Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Monday, 24 February 2003 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

Handsome Boy Modelling School "Holy Calamity"

― Lynskey (Lynskey), Monday, 24 February 2003 00:09 (twenty-three years ago)

roxy music - pyjamerama : you can't beat a power chord

― phil turnbull (philT), Monday, 24 February 2003 00:11 (twenty-three years ago)

i should mention every song i heared by Big Black (the rock group) in this thread
i'v learned thet when you play a Big Black song for the first time its all about: get ready

― rex jr., Monday, 24 February 2003 00:13 (twenty-three years ago)

"Eight Miles High" -- I can't imagine what that sounded like the first time some unsuspecting kid ran across it on the radio.

"When Doves Cry" -- I CAN imagine how that sounded, because I was sitting at the kitchen table doing homework when it came on. That guitar snarl, followed by the vaguely Middle Eastern electro-drums and Prince going all guttural, "yeah-ee-yeah-ee-yeah..." Whoo-ee.

― Jesse Fox, Monday, 24 February 2003 00:23 (twenty-three years ago)

20th century boy

― lolita corpus (lolitacorpus), Monday, 24 February 2003 00:30 (twenty-three years ago)

public enemy - prophets of rage
baba o'reilly

― brains (cerybut), Monday, 24 February 2003 00:44 (twenty-three years ago)

When Doves Cry is the best lyrical and musical opening by a million miles!!

― Adam A. (Keiko), Monday, 24 February 2003 01:06 (twenty-three years ago)

Bowie's 'Lets Dance' = best intro ever

― stevem (blueski), Monday, 24 February 2003 01:08 (twenty-three years ago)

"i should mention every song i heared by Big Black"
i'v heared about 4 songs up till now so don't take my word for it hehe

― rex jr., Monday, 24 February 2003 01:27 (twenty-three years ago)

Blue Monday- New Order

― chrisbreit, Monday, 24 February 2003 02:54 (twenty-three years ago)

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 2Nc6 3.Bb5

― Gregory Henry, Monday, 24 February 2003 06:43 (twenty-three years ago)

Blondie - "Dreaming". My vote for Best... Opening... Ever...
Wall Of Voodoo - "Mexican Radio"
Verve - "The Sun The Sea"

― Chris Barrus (xibalba), Monday, 24 February 2003 07:08 (twenty-three years ago)

Medicine - "The Pink"
Violent Femmes - "Blister in the Sun"

― Kenan Hebert (kenan), Monday, 24 February 2003 07:17 (twenty-three years ago)

No no no no!
Its that song by Morrissy on "Vauxhall and I" with the chain saw start !

― kevin brady (groeuvre), Monday, 24 February 2003 07:48 (twenty-three years ago)

It's not a contest. It's a list.

― Kenan Hebert (kenan), Monday, 24 February 2003 07:57 (twenty-three years ago)

sorry got carried away..
Carry on.

― kevin brady (groeuvre), Monday, 24 February 2003 08:07 (twenty-three years ago)

Bowie - "Fame"

― juice (juice), Monday, 24 February 2003 08:38 (twenty-three years ago)

Bowie - "Modern Love"

The best four seconds Stevie Ray Vaughn ever played. And then... DRUMS!

― Kenan Hebert (kenan), Monday, 24 February 2003 08:40 (twenty-three years ago)

The Young Gods - L'Amourir

― stevo (stevo), Monday, 24 February 2003 09:53 (twenty-three years ago)

Not a kick-start, but my faviourite beginning ever is still I Wanna Be Adored, those curtains of wraith guitar and rumbling noise and that creeping bassline. Mmmm...

― Nick Southall (Nick Southall), Monday, 24 February 2003 09:56 (twenty-three years ago)

For me, it has to be "One more" by Medicine. A voice somewhere in the background, then this hard sharp metallic sustaining note kicks in loud and clear for about 30 seconds, then a rumbling two note bass, then the drums kick in, and it stays like it for 3 whole minutes, just sustaining on that one note guitar, two note bass and drums.

My favourite opening of all time.

― Rob M (Rob M), Monday, 24 February 2003 10:40 (twenty-three years ago)

"Your Pretty Face Is Going To Hell" by Iggy & the Stooges. "Awright!!"

― Hayden Nicholls (Pop the Weasel), Monday, 24 February 2003 11:21 (twenty-three years ago)

Smells Like Teen Spirit anybody?

Or is that too populist?

― mei (mei), Monday, 24 February 2003 13:23 (twenty-three years ago)

You mean that Destiny's Child song? yeah, that rocks.

― Jesse Fox, Tuesday, 25 February 2003 03:46 (twenty-three years ago)

jimi hendrix- purple haze

― A Nairn (moretap), Tuesday, 25 February 2003 06:01 (twenty-three years ago)

"Voodoo Chile (Slight Return)"!!!!

And "Kids Don't Follow"!!

And "Sure Shot"!!

― Evan (Evan), Tuesday, 25 February 2003 06:12 (twenty-three years ago)

Foo Fighters - Monkey Wrench
Stevie Ray Vaughn - Pride and Joy
The Stooges - Raw Power

― My name is Kenny (My name is Kenny), Tuesday, 25 February 2003 06:42 (twenty-three years ago)

"Jumpin' Jack Flash"

― Burr, Tuesday, 25 February 2003 18:05 (twenty-three years ago)

I've always been very partial to the way Fishbone kick off "Fight the Youth". It's one of the most rowdy-making-kick-starts I've ever heard.

― nickalicious (nickalicious), Tuesday, 25 February 2003 18:20 (twenty-three years ago)

Unwound - We Invent You

12 notes stacked on each other and allowed tod rone for ~2 minutes.... beautiful

(I am modifying my "noise" software to do a cover of this)

― Jonathan Williams (ex machina), Tuesday, 25 February 2003 18:28 (twenty-three years ago)

Girls and Boys! Everybody: do do do do do do do do do do (It's hard to convey that intro in type, but it's a great intro!)

― Alexis, Tuesday, 25 February 2003 18:38 (twenty-three years ago)

Oooh, and Left Eye's "Jenny" just came on WinAmp.. that's a great one: her alarm clock, and a startled gasped "What time is it?" - it always reminds me of this psychotic Hello Kitty clock a friend of mine had that played the same tune as Lisa's alarm clock (I don't know the name) and had a deep, mannish voice urging you to "Wake up! Wake up!" ..creepy. But a good intro to the song.

― Alexis, Tuesday, 25 February 2003 18:43 (twenty-three years ago)

the start of echo & the bunnymen's 'bring on the dancing horses' always makes me swoon.

― lauren (laurenp), Tuesday, 25 February 2003 22:05 (twenty-three years ago)

The Stooges - "tv eye" WWWLEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

― rex jr., Tuesday, 25 February 2003 22:44 (twenty-three years ago)

the anus

― it had to be said (tracerhand), Tuesday, 25 February 2003 22:50 (twenty-three years ago)

"My Slow Descent Into Alcoholism", New Pornographers, the ROCK & ROLL ANIMAL version of "Sweet Jane".

― matt riedl (veal), Wednesday, 26 February 2003 00:43 (twenty-three years ago)

The theme tune from "He Man and the Masters of the Universe"

― Lynskey (Lynskey), Wednesday, 26 February 2003 02:19 (twenty-three years ago)

. . . and the theme to "Saved By The Bell" for that matter.

― Lynskey (Lynskey), Wednesday, 26 February 2003 02:19 (twenty-three years ago)

far too many...
the one I like lately is Fred Maher's drums at beginning of Scritti's "Wood Beez."

― Jess Hill (jesshill), Wednesday, 26 February 2003 02:38 (twenty-three years ago)

20ish) Van Halen "Hot for Teacher"

― msp, Wednesday, 26 February 2003 02:51 (twenty-three years ago)

20ish+1) AC/DC "Thunderstruck"

― msp, Wednesday, 26 February 2003 02:52 (twenty-three years ago)

"Won't Get Fooled Again", The Who

seconded: "Only Shallow" & "Pink rost"

― t\'\'t (t\'\'t), Wednesday, 26 February 2003 13:42 (twenty-three years ago)

add (F) to (rost)

― t\'\'t (t\'\'t), Wednesday, 26 February 2003 14:10 (twenty-three years ago)

"Thriller"

― Tracer Hand (tracerhand), Wednesday, 26 February 2003 14:22 (twenty-three years ago)

I've always really liked how "Billie Jean" started, myself. And "Beat It". (I've recently come to realize that, no matter what kinda fucked up stuff Michael Jackson does, Thriller is still one of my all-time favorite albums.)

Although last night No Doubt's "Hey Baby" came on and I thought it was "Billie Jean". Very similar sounding.

― nickalicious (nickalicious), Wednesday, 26 February 2003 14:34 (twenty-three years ago)

"California Girls" - Beach Boys

― dleone (dleone), Wednesday, 26 February 2003 14:45 (twenty-three years ago)

morrissey - "everyday is like sunday"
gracefull Vini Reilly's riff and the bass line opening = GRAND!

― rex jr., Thursday, 27 February 2003 10:05 (twenty-three years ago)

oo, retro fever

Hendrix - Little Wing
The Stones - Crazy Mama

aww yeah

― mick hall (mick hall), Thursday, 27 February 2003 10:32 (twenty-three years ago)

My vote goes to any Ramones song that starts "1 2 3 4!" and then everyone comes in, in time with themselves, but out of time with the count in. It happens surprisingly often!

― Johnney B (Johnney B), Thursday, 27 February 2003 12:56 (twenty-three years ago)

And The Cradle Will Rock -- Van Halen

― christoff (christoff), Thursday, 27 February 2003 14:13 (twenty-three years ago)

Fatboy Slim, "Right Here Right Now"

― gabbneb (gabbneb), Friday, 28 February 2003 05:53 (twenty-three years ago)

All it does is introduce the riff that runs through the verses, but still the opening of Marshall Crenshaw's "Mary Anne" always makes me smile.

― Paul in Santa Cruz (Paul in Santa Cruz), Friday, 28 February 2003 06:58 (twenty-three years ago)

Kelis 'Good Stuff' - but mainly if you listen to the album intro befor eit

― pete b. (pete b.), Friday, 28 February 2003 14:51 (twenty-three years ago)

[insert cricket joke]

― Cozen (Cozen), Friday, 28 February 2003 14:51 (twenty-three years ago)

Kinski, "Semaphore"

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Friday, 28 February 2003 15:38 (twenty-three years ago)

Sons of Freedom, "The Criminal"

― Bryan (Bryan), Friday, 28 February 2003 15:58 (twenty-three years ago)

Stooges - "TV Eye"
Modern Lovers - "Roadrunner"
Brian Eno - "Here Come the Warm Jets"
Pink Floyd - "Astronomy Domine"

Just another goddamn rockist...

― Matt Maxwell (Matt M.), Friday, 28 February 2003 16:25 (twenty-three years ago)

Specials - "Do The Dog"
The Fall - "Just Step S'ways"

― dan (dan), Friday, 28 February 2003 17:20 (twenty-three years ago)

Michael Jackson, "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough"
Incredible Bongo Band, "Apache"
Elvis Costello & the Attractions, "Accidents Will Happen"
Luomo, "Market"
Prince, "I Could Never Take the Place of Your Man"

― M Matos (M Matos), Friday, 28 February 2003 17:24 (twenty-three years ago)

"What She Said" by the Smiths - breathtakingly brief fade-in that makes the music seem so much noisier. Also must mention Midnight Oil's single most recognizable moment, the trombone intro to "Beds Are Burning".

― Poppy (poppy), Friday, 28 February 2003 18:01 (twenty-three years ago)

The Buzzcocks' Orgasm Addict : 'Well you tried it just for once, found it all right for kicks / But since you've found out it's a habbit that sticks.' What lyrics!

― thrak, Friday, 28 February 2003 18:15 (twenty-three years ago)

steely dan "reelin in the years"... jeff "skunk" baxter lays it down.

― david day (winslow), Saturday, 1 March 2003 07:29 (twenty-three years ago)

hmm, I already answered this for great fade-outs, but it's true - New Radicals, "You Get What You Give"

― gabbneb (gabbneb), Sunday, 2 March 2003 22:03 (twenty-three years ago)

Pulp's Razzmatazz - the jangly chord and then "The trouble with your brother/he's always sleeping/...with your mother."

― Ally (mlescaut), Sunday, 2 March 2003 22:44 (twenty-three years ago)

Not exactly a kick start (rather the opposite), but my favourite intro of all time remains the one to "One Vision" by Queen (the album version that is...)

― Geir Hongro (GeirHong), Monday, 3 March 2003 03:10 (twenty-three years ago)

Joy Division's "No Love Lost" (I like bass because it rhymes with ass.) Also Outkast's "B.O.B." And Rollins & Bad Brains doing "Kick Out the Jams"

― bnw (bnw), Monday, 3 March 2003 03:32 (twenty-three years ago)

(I like bass because it rhymes with ass.)

?!?! barse? ace? i'm confused

― electric sound of jim (electricsound), Monday, 3 March 2003 03:32 (twenty-three years ago)

Not only does "One Vision" have a fine opening, but that ending is a damn classic as well.

― Anthony Miccio (Anthony Miccio), Monday, 3 March 2003 03:34 (twenty-three years ago)

gang of four - anthrax ... feedback for a bit to drums.

― nick ring (nick ring), Monday, 3 March 2003 08:57 (twenty-three years ago)

'gimme gimme gimme gimme fried chicken' being one of queens darker, more brooding moments

― schnell schnell, Monday, 3 March 2003 17:34 (twenty-three years ago)

seven years pass...

The B-52's - "Planet Claire"

― Elvis Telecom, Friday, 27 August 2010 10:25 (fifteen years ago)

The single mix of Madonna's "Express Yourself" has a damn fine opening.

― Tied Up In Geir (Geir Hongro), Friday, 27 August 2010 21:58 (fifteen years ago)

Ratt- Nobody Rides for Free

― Matt Armstrong, Saturday, 28 August 2010 07:34 (fifteen years ago)

Velvet Underground-Sweet Jane
Magazine-A Song From Under the Floorboards
New Order-Regret
Parliament-Liquid Sunshine
Kenickie-Come Out 2nite
The O'Jays-Back Stabbers

This has to be my all time favourite.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ddlmqsNm40

― Kitchen Person, Monday, 30 August 2010 05:35 (fifteen years ago)

I know U2 don't have many fans on ILM, but "Where The Streets Have No Name" and "With Or Without You" are still tailor made for this thread.

― Tied Up In Geir (Geir Hongro), Monday, 30 August 2010 09:47 (fifteen years ago)

The Birmingham School of Business School - The Fall

― GamalielRatsey, Monday, 30 August 2010 09:49 (fifteen years ago)

This one!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RsBCquQa7KE

― daavid, Monday, 30 August 2010 19:22 (fifteen years ago)

five years pass...

Been playing this LOUD on repeat for a week. Who the fuck is on drums? Sounds like Keith Moon if he were playing soul music.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i8kuQz-VVDs

― Jazzbo, Tuesday, 19 April 2016 15:03 (ten years ago)

Freak Scene

― Forever LXI (rip van wanko), Tuesday, 19 April 2016 15:11 (ten years ago)

"Jumpin' Jack Flash"
The winner.

But here are some other doozies

Sly & the Family Stone - Thank You
My Bloody Valentine - Only Shallow
Sleigh Bells - Tell 'Em

― kornrulez6969, Tuesday, 19 April 2016 15:38 (ten years ago)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XP6KbVoalAE

― thom yorke state of mind (voodoo chili), Tuesday, 19 April 2016 15:39 (ten years ago)

Immigrant Song also not bad

― Check Yr Scrobbles (Moodles), Tuesday, 19 April 2016 15:49 (ten years ago)

this chord
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8RtMr4zb2TI

― Dr X O'Skeleton, Tuesday, 19 April 2016 21:28 (ten years ago)

maybe not top 100 in the grand scheme but damn if i don't have to start 'vonal declosion' over a few times before letting stereolab's margerine eclipse proceed

― global tetrahedron, Saturday, 23 April 2016 17:35 (ten years ago)

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