A great song intro can hook a listener in seconds, setting the tone for the rest of the track. From iconic guitar riffs to unforgettable synthesizer melodies, these 12 song intros have stood the test of time, captivating audiences and inspiring generations of musicians.
AUTHOR: Matt Harris
Table of Contents
- 1. For Whom the Bell Tolls: Metallica
- 2. Careless Whisper: George Michael
- 3. Bela Lugosi’s Dead: Bauhaus
- 4. Gimme Shelter: The Rolling Stones
- 5. Teardrop: Massive Attack
- 6. True: Spandau Ballet
- 7. All Along the Watchtower: The Jimi Hendrix Experience
- 8. Blind: Korn
- 9. Bitter Sweet Symphony: The Verve
- 10. Jump: Van Halen
- 11. Sweet Jane: Lou Reed
- 12. Wannabe: Spice Girls
- 15 Knock Knock Jokes That Will Have You Laughing Out Loud
- 12 American Foods That People From Other Countries Are Obsessed With
- 12 Life-Changing Secrets from People Over 70
1. For Whom the Bell Tolls: Metallica
One forum contributor is really into Cliff Burton’s bass and accompanying bells in this song. "For Whom the Bell Tolls" is described as "a banger," the intro builds dramatically until the rest of the band joins in.
2. Careless Whisper: George Michael
Could an intro outlive a song? Sometimes, the first few notes are so memorable that we might forget the rest of the tune. Everybody knows the saxophone line, but who remembers the remainder of "Careless Whisper"?
3. Bela Lugosi’s Dead: Bauhaus
This may not be the most obvious choice, but I agree with one poster when they claim that "Bela Lugosi’s Dead" is a "smooth eerie introduction to a great song." This is it if you want to hear a tune that sums up the Goth music genre.
4. Gimme Shelter: The Rolling Stones
The first notes build slowly and quietly into a final crescendo is what is one of The Rolling Stones’ most unforgettable tracks. The band enjoyed several suggestions on this thread, but "Gimme Shelter" won, with one person describing it as a memorable "moment in music history."
5. Teardrop: Massive Attack
It’s another intro that builds in decibels, starting with faint notes from a harpsichord. Aside from the fact that very few bands have used this unusual instrument in their songs, the intro to "Teardrop" stands out as it builds into a beautiful track.
6. True: Spandau Ballet
You’ll have to forgive me for going back to my youth with this 1980s classic. It was the slow dance at every school disco for a time, and music lovers of a certain age will always have fond memories of Spandau Ballet’s "True."
7. All Along the Watchtower: The Jimi Hendrix Experience
Bob Dylan wrote some great songs, but certain cover versions later outshone the originals. That’s certainly the case with this track, which builds from a dramatic opening into a classic Hendrix guitar riff.
8. Blind: Korn
One individual informs us that this intro gives them "goosebumps.' They also point out that Korn almost always opens their set with "Blind." The most infamous case of this came at the ill-fated Woodstock 99 festival.
9. Bitter Sweet Symphony: The Verve
While they may have "borrowed" this arrangement from The Rolling Stones, the intro to "Bitter Sweet Symphony" remains an unforgettable moment from the 1990s. The image and video are unforgettable, and The Verve’s defining track remains a brilliant song.
10. Jump: Van Halen
The person who suggested this song gave a very descriptive explanation behind their thinking. As they pointed out, "The intro gives any listener the internal visualization of what the 1980s looked like." It’s a colorful combination of words, but you get what they mean.
11. Sweet Jane: Lou Reed
Two respondents point specifically to the live version of this classic song. One suggests that Steve Hunter’s guitar work is "incredible." Other claims that Lou Reed comes in far too early but still fails to ruin one of music’s great intros.
12. Wannabe: Spice Girls
A sassy female band introduced themselves in the best possible way with the start of this 1990s hit. Girl power was all the rage, and the five original Spice Girls told us exactly what they wanted in the iconic opening chorus to "Wannabe".
Source: Reddit.
15 Knock Knock Jokes That Will Have You Laughing Out Loud
Here's a collection of 15 timeless classics that promise to bring a smile and maybe even a groan.
Click Here For 15 Knock Knock Jokes That Will Have You Laughing Out Loud
12 American Foods That People From Other Countries Are Obsessed With
American cuisine is loved worldwide for its bold flavors and hearty portions. From coast to coast, here are 12 American foods that have won hearts across the globe.
Click Here For 12 American Foods That People From Other Countries Are Obsessed With
12 Life-Changing Secrets from People Over 70
Here are 12 life secrets from those who've been around the block a time or two, ready to change the way you see the world.