What do you consider to be the "best" and/or your favorite song intros. Any genre.

For me here are a few to start off (not necessarily in this order)

Norman Greenbaum, "Spirit In The Sky"

Deep Purple, "Smoke On The Water"

Eagles, "Hotel California" Live version

Santana, "Oye Como Va"

Mötley Crüe : Shout at the Devil
1st track intro to "Shout at the Devil"
"In the Beginning"

Born to be Wild, live version by Blue Oyster Cult. Patti Smith does the intro. She barks like a dog, then screams "On your feet or on your knees, here they are, the amazing Blue Oyster Cult!". Pretty radical, even on a very loud record.

I've always been fond of the intro to Fortunate Son by CCR.....


other noteables...

Back In Black - AC DC

Peace Frog - The Doors

Kids Don't Follow as well as Go- The Replacements

Title track to Willard Grant Conspiracy's Let It Roll. 3+ minutes of frenetic goodness.

Jimmy Page and Bonzo crashing in on "The Song Remains the Same."
Keith's riffing on "Brown Sugar."
Brian's line beginning "Paint it Black."
The atomic detonation at the beginning of Can's "Oh Yeah." technically the end of "Mushroom," but I love the way the band emerges out of that mushroom cloud.

Too many candidates to list, not surprising given that the "intro" section of many songs is often the most, and in many instances the only, interesting or engaging portion therein, a phenomenon particularly prevalent (IMO) in the Rock genre.

Pioneervato, I'm with you on those. Let me add several by ELP:
>The incredible counterpoint work Keith does on the Hammond at the beginning of Karn Evil 9 1st Imp.
>The slow, menacing swell just before the explosive 5/4 groove starts in Tarkus.
>Greg Lake's dirty, gritty bass work in The Barbarian

>The 11/4 intro for the Allman Brothers' Whipping Post
>Yes - Roundabout (need I say more here?)


>And at the risk of blowing my own horn (or keyboards), I'm rather pleased with the effect I got on the piece entitled FIFE ORE. You can hear that one on my podcast site (addy in signature below). BTW, has anyone figured out the "musical pun" buried in the song title?

The Beatles . . . . I Feel Fine

Too many candidates to list, not surprising given that the "intro" section of many songs is often the most, and in many instances the only, interesting or engaging portion therein, a phenomenon particularly prevalent (IMO) in the Rock genre.

For example, the Stones' "Monkey Man." With that brooding, analog compressed, distorted riff, one thinks all Hell is about to break loose and then it turns into one of the lesser gems on "Let it Bleed" with silly lyrics like "I'm a cold Italian pizza."

Don't get me wrong, I love the tune, but it has EVERYTHING to do with the amazing intro.

Ken

The Intro to Pink Floyd's "On the turning away", it just keeps building on itself and gets better and better IMO. :smoke:

How about Pete Shelley's yelping at the beginning of "Orgasm Addict"? Now that's a song with no filler.

"Crazy On You" Heart
"Year Of The Cat" Al Stewart
"On The Boarder"... live version Al Stewart
"Beginnings" Chicago
"Child Of Vision" Supertramp

Just a few of my favorites...oops now I gotta play one or two....

"Immigrant Song" by LZ.

Ahhh ah ahh ahhhhhhhh!!!

Another vote for Yes - Roundabout.
The Beatles - Hard Day's Night
Genesis -Firth Of Fifth (best Piano solo ever!)
Genesis - Watcher Of The Skies

The best introduction to any song in the history of recorded music is "Sweet Jane" on Lou Reed's album: Rock 'n' Roll Animal.

Genesis was good at the intro, mostly due to Steve Hackett.

Watcher of the Skies, Return of the Giant Hogweed, The Knife have great intros.

Pioneervato, I'm with you on those. Let me add several by ELP:
>The incredible counterpoint work Keith does on the Hammond at the beginning of Karn Evil 9 1st Imp.
>The slow, menacing swell just before the explosive 5/4 groove starts in Tarkus.
>Greg Lake's dirty, gritty bass work in The Barbarian

>The 11/4 intro for the Allman Brothers' Whipping Post
>Yes - Roundabout (need I say more here?)


>And at the risk of blowing my own horn (or keyboards), I'm rather pleased with the effect I got on the piece entitled FIFE ORE. You can hear that one on my podcast site (addy in signature below). BTW, has anyone figured out the "musical pun" buried in the song title?

And with that I have to add "All Good People". I like this one a lot as well.

The best introduction to any song in the history of recorded music is "Sweet Jane" on Lou Reed's album: Rock 'n' Roll Animal.

Damn! You beatme to it.
Echos, by pink Fluoride.

Some very good ones already listed.

I'll add:
The Who - Baba O'Riley, Who Are You?
Led Zepplin - Kashmir, Rock n' Roll, The Song Remains The Same, hell just about every other Zep song.
Heart - Barracuda
AC/DC - Thunderstruck
Van Halen - Ain't Talking About Love
Iron Butterfly - Ina-Godda-Da-vida
Black Sabbath - Ironman

Wagner - The Ride of the Valkyries
Ravel - Bolero, hell this one the whole song is a intro.
Star Wars - Theme :D

The best introduction to any song in the history of recorded music is "Sweet Jane" on Lou Reed's album: Rock 'n' Roll Animal.

You took my answer. :cry:

The next two of course are Gimme Shelter and Can't You Hear Me Knocking. :D

I think the intro is called Armageddon.

Lazy-Deep Purple
And don't laugh....The intro to Boogy Nights.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jOe2H3tRjjM

Here's what I think is one of the coolest synth intros ever.. Love dropping this LP on and really pushing the volume way up at the beginning...

Loverboy - Take me to the top (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U9KwY4b32Cs&feature=related)

OH.. and this Zappa intro is sure to have the neighbors calling if you got it cranked up too loud...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4dYV6BB_U78&feature=related

(Yeah, the video is sucks and is cheesy, but it was the only LP version of the song I could find.)

Voodoo Child :thmbsp:

Aerosmith also comes to mind: Back in the Saddle and Sweet Emotion

California Girls and Fun Fun Fun - Beach Boys
Up Around The Bend - CCR
Werewolves Of London - Warren Zevon
Hitchin' A Ride - Vanity Fare
My Girl - Temptations

Can't believe Little Wing hasn't been mentioned yet!! Every artist I've ever heard play this song makes me stop and stare within the first two notes!

Ravel - Bolero, hell this one the whole song is a intro.


Good one!

The guitar loop that begins and continues throughout "How Soon Is Now" by The Smiths.

Another vote for Yes - Roundabout

Vangelis - Pulstar (EDIT: Whoops - just re-read the thread title Best 'song' intros - this is instrumental :pity: )
Eric Clapton - Layla

Lots of Led Zepp too

Smoke on the Water Deep Purple
Long Cool Woman In a Black Dress The Hollies
Communication Breakdown Led Zeppelin
CCR Green River

Mötley Crüe : Shout at the Devil
1st track intro to "Shout at the Devil"
"In the Beginning"

Agreed! That and the intro to the Primal scream music video!

Def leppard- rocket (the version from histeria)

I saw an article on this same subject in the Dentist's waiting room a few years back, an was surprised to see the intro to The Jackson Five's "I Want You Back" rated very highly by people in the music industry. Come to think of it, it's actually pretty good.

"The Hellion" from Judas Priest..a short passage that leads into "Electric Eye". They usually open thier shows with it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=il1etwBDCIs

Couple I have to agree with first of all;
Deep Purple...Lazy
Genesis...Firth of Fifth

But my faves would be;
Led Zeppelin...Rock and Roll
Yes...Siberian Khatru and
Pink Floyd...Shine on You Crazy Diamond.

Too many candidates to list, not surprising given that the "intro" section of many songs is often the most, and in many instances the only, interesting or engaging portion therein, a phenomenon particularly prevalent (IMO) in the Rock genre.

"Hey, man, that's a great riff! Let's fill it out and make a record!"

The King Will Come- Wishbone Ash
Paint it Black- Stones

My Pick 'O the Litter (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mqK9VskF2Qo).

13th Floor Elevators
"You're Gonna Miss Me"

Steely Dan's Don't Take Me Alive.

Van Halen's "Aint Talkin' bout Love"

Van Halen had a bunch indeed! "I'll Wait" had a cool 80s intro.

How about the Talking Heads - Burning Down the House

Smells Like Teen Spirit.
Best drum intro ever.

Van Halen had a bunch indeed! "I'll Wait" had a cool 80s intro.

How about the Talking Heads - Burning Down the House

"Poundcake", with the electric drill! (and the video was amazing too)

Oh, and the big snare hit at the start of Like a Rolling Stone.

Live with Me - Rolling Stones / Let it Bleed

Highway to Hell - AC/DC

Rock & Roll - Led Zeppelin

Opening to "Fire On High" by ELO, from their "Face The Music" LP.

Ah yes, as noted by dr*audio: The thunderous Mellotron intro to "Watcher of the Skies" (Genesis), and I once heard it for real--omnipresent, it was in the hall.

Ted Nugent - Stanglehold

Van Halen's cover of "You Really Got Me"


[edit] apparently the intro is actually a separate track called "Eruption"...

Jimi Hendrix - Red House....

Walking On The Moon - The Police

House burning down and Gypsy eyes, by Hendrix.

I've got to give it up for Boston's More Than a Feeling. Hearing that fade in almost defined an entire era for us growing up. :music:

Money for Nothing. Dire Straits. Volume up...carefully.:D
c-ya
ToddG

"Fast as a Shark" Accept
"Sin City" AC/DC

OO Speaking of Boston, Foreplay/Long Time.

I Feel Free Cream
Jingo Santana

Side one, track one of Armed Forces by Elvis Costello and the Attractions: Accidents Will Happen. It starts with Elvis singing: "I just don't know where to begin". For some reason, that always cracks me up!

Aqualung- Jethro Tull
Locomotive Breath- Jethro Tull
In the Beginning- Emerson Lake and Palmer
Stranglehold- Uncle Ted
Free Bird-Lynyrd Skynyrd
Hells Bells- Ac/Dc
Baba O'Riley- The Who
Sympathy for the Devil- The Stones
Ziggy Stardust - David Bowie
Uncle Reemus - Frank Zappa

Just a few :)

The organ sound swelling up at the beginning of the original version of "Lady Marmalade"

Rush - 2112 ~ Overture
Neil Diamond - Hot August Night ~ Prologue
Elvis Presley - Aloha From Hawaii ~ Also Sprach Zarathustra

Surprised no one has mentioned any vocal-doowop intros, such as "Rag Doll" by the 4 Seasons and "I Wonder Why" by Dion and the Belmonts.

Chest Fever- the Band, live version
Rikki Don't loose that Number- Steely Dan, being ultra cool
My Old School- ditto , but rockin'
Light Another Cigarette- Beacon Street Union obscure, but wow!
Riders on the Storm- Doors the weather used to upset my dog.
Jackie Wilson Says- Van Morrison vocal riff

I really like the start of "Death May Be Your Santa Claus" by Mott the Hoople.

"Low Rider"

"Holiday In Cambodia" by the Dead Kennedys.

No contest: the guitar intro to Sweet Jane from Lou Reeds live album, Rock n' Roll Animal. The guitar intro to Reelin' in the Years by Steely Dan ain't no slouch either.

A few off the top of my head...

Genesis-Guitar opening on "Follow You-Follow Me"
Elton John - "Funeral for a Friend" as a lead into Love Lies Bleeding the piano and guitar work here are classic even if you are not an EJ fan
Two from Bruce Springsteen - Guitar lead in on "Born to Run"
- Keyboards on "Born to Run" repeats throughout the song and makes it an anthem...

Rush - 2112 ~ Overture Also Sprach Zarathustra

Well there's two that jumped to my mind, but you got to them first!

A few other's from Rush:


Spirit of the Radio (just so damn catchy!)

Limelight, Tom Sawyer (do I have to say anything? two powerful classic openings)

Working Man (what a powerful guitar opening!)

Anthem (love the slide!)

YYZ (Neil drumming in morse code on cymbals, then an explosion of guitar and drums matching his drumming)

Subdivisions (powerful synth opening, one of my favorites)

Show Don't Tell (electric quiet and soft drums begin, then an explosion of guitar, bass, and drums to start the song)

Dreamline (sound of a car going by in the wet street after a rain, then quiet guitar, bass and vocals until a explosion of all starts kicks off the song)

Animate (Neil counts off, then all instruments join to start the song)

Stick it Out (powerful guitar riff complete with feedback, then vocals and bass join to start the song proper)

One Little Victory (great drum opening with a gritty guitar joining in)

Far Cry (powerful opening with great interplay between guitar, bass, and drums)

Spindrift (very odd opening, then a wailing guitar starts the song off)



Other bands:


Black Sabbath - Black Sabbath

Hendrix - Stone Free

Genesis - Turn it on Again

Fleetwood Mac - The Chain

Queen - One Vision

Metallica - For Whom The Bell Tolls

U2 - A Sort of Homecoming


And lots more I can't think of. :scratch2:

2nd on "Reelin' in the Years"
Both "Sunshine of Your Love" and "White Room"...Cream
"Born on the Bayou"...CCR
"Just Like Me"...Paul Revere & the Raiders
"Tumbling Dice"...Stones
"Fire"...Crazy World of Arthur Brown
uhhh.."Layla"?

how about Beethoven's 9th? does that count as a song? :p

how about Beethoven's 9th? does that count as a song? :p

It's music and it definitely counts. Keep them coming. Lots of good one mentioned.

obscure 70s single 'as the years go by' by (? Mashmakhan?) organ solo like a haunted house.
jazz bass from 'Theme from Barney Miller'
from '90125' (I think), the gradually slowing guitar morphing into synths for 'Soon'.
the guitar/drum into 'White Rabbit'. chills me to this day.

ZZ Top - La Grange :guitar:

you know what I'm talking about :D

Intro to "I want to thank you" is also very cool.

How about Richie Blackmore Rainbow Live. Dorothy saying, Toto, I have a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore, We must be over the Rainbow (echoes twice) then the band plays a few bars from The Wizard of OZ, then right into Kill The King.

Classic

Pink Floyd "Time"
Rolling Stones "Satisfaction"

Probably not on many folks list but I really love Raferty's
"Baker Street" intro..........but I love the whole damn song.

Smells Like Teen Spirit.
Best drum intro ever.

I'm glad you mentioned this one.

I offered up the opening crunching note of "Serve The Servants" once in a similar thread. Shortest great intro ever.

hush deep purple, or tequila by the champs

Daydream by Robin Trower:D I also really like Alexisonfire: Polaroids of Polar Bears, really good intro for the genre. And probably my third favorite would be Skating Away/Thin Ice by Jethro Tull very good stuff:)

The awesome organ intro by Garth Hudson on "Chest Fever" by The Band is a favorite.

And what a great album in general is Music From Big Pink, just a fantastic work of art. :music:

"My Sharona" The Knack

'gimme shelter' - stones
'can't you hear me knocking' - stones
'wish you were here' - floyd
'welcome to the jungle' - guns
'the razors edge' - ac/dc

Drum intro by Bobby Columby on the Blood, Sweat, & Tears song, " Redemption "

allow me to add:

"children of the sun" billy thorpe
"the confessor" joe walsh
"life's been good" joe walsh
"spinning wheel" blood, sweat, and tears (short, but powerful)
"sir duke" stevie wonder
"school" supertramp
"take the long way home" supertramp
"bloody well right" supertramp
"tinman" america
"brick house" commodores?
"band on the run" and "silly love songs" wings

plus too many early chicago tunes to mention

a couple of my favorites that have already been mentioned are:

"straight on" and "crazy on you" by heart

"foreplay-long time" boston

Some really great ones here, but the first one I thought of was the guitar licks opening on Joe Walsh - Turn To Stone

and there is another song on Joe Walsh's Barnstorm LP where he basically starts out screaming, then some great big guitar chords and ARP synth - Here We Go? Birdcall Morning? What a rush. :smoke:

and Joe's earlier material from the James Gang - Funk 49, Walk Away

Grateful Dead - Tennessee Jed
Jerry Garcia - It Must Have Been The Roses

"Gimme All Your Lovin'" ZZ Top

Psychotic Reaction - Count Five

"Smoke On The Water" Deep Purple
"Rock Candy" Montrose

Lou Reed Sweet Jane, Live version on Rock and Roll Animal.

I'll 2nd LaGrange by ZZ Top

and all the Joe Walsh suggestions already mentioned by SpeakerLabFan.

Regarding Joe Walsh, I thought that song where they started out screaming was from The Smoker you Drink the Player you get. I will have to go listen to find out.

How about Red Rider - Lunatic Fringe? I can name that tune in one note..

How about Red Rider - Lunatic Fringe? I can name that tune in one note..

Good call, very very good intro:D Great song too:music:

Since I'm listening to it right now, how about Styx - Mr. Roboto? :D

Renegade is good. :yes:

anybody mentioned "from the beginning" by emerson, lake, and palmer?

U2 - Streets have no name
Aerosmith - Sweet emotion
The Who – Won’t get fooled again
Allman Brothers – Jessica
Joe Walsh – Meadows
Journey – Where were you live (from Captured)

Eddie Money – Trinidad
Steve Miller – Jet Airliner
Genesis – ABACAB live (from Three Sides Live)
Allman Brothers – Melissa (someone probably already mentioned this one)
Kid Rock – BAWITABAW
AC/DC – Have a drink on me

Derek and the Dominoes - LAYLA
Van Halen – You’r no good
The Cars – living in Stereo –(Think about Fast Times at Ridgemont High)

Well…..lovet or hate it I think everyone knows the intro to this one…….
Y – M – C – A

Couple of my old favorites (best at very high volume!)
"Girl Goodbye" by Toto, and "Green Grass and High Tides" by The Outlaws.

Some one hitters from the 80’s had notable intros:
Men Without Hats – Safety Dance
Gary Numan – In Cars

#1 Steely Dan - Don't Take Me Alive. Superb lead intro. Even Jimmy Page commented on how that is one of his favorites.
#2 Gotta give it up for tshoe's choice of Layla. Great layering of guitars in the intro.
#3 Pink Floyd's - Sheep. I'm Scottish. If you were Scottish, you'd understand. :banana:

OK - a hint: Why do Scotsman where kilts? 'Cause sheep can hear zippers!

Good call, re: Lunatic Fringe.

Doors - Riders on the Storm of course!

obscure 70s single 'as the years go by' by (? Mashmakhan?) organ solo like a haunted house.
jazz bass from 'Theme from Barney Miller'
from '90125' (I think), the gradually slowing guitar morphing into synths for 'Soon'.
the guitar/drum into 'White Rabbit'. chills me to this day.

Yep, that's Mashmakhan. A surprisingly good LP, but that opening is fine. I think the drummer in Mashmakhan went on to Loverboy.

Some more Rush :D

(Sorry, but since I know them so well I can easily think of many of their openings and I truly feel that they have some very good, creative, and unique song intros whether one likes them or not :D)


A Farewell to Kings (about a minute of quiet classic acoustic guitar and then an explosion of electric guitar and drums)

Xanadu (synths and a lazy background guitar that builds and builds to a great opening)

Cygnus X-1: Book I: The Voyage (a spacey intro that builds and builds: great intermittent bass guitar)

Cygnus X-1 Book Two: Hemispheres (just great musicanship from the start, after a "rush" of air sound emulated by a synth; the intro: I. Prelude, itself is the best part of the song imo)

Natural Science (quiet acoustic guitar and distant echoey voice over the sound of the tide, perfect set up for the song which starts with a guitar leading into a quick explosion of guitar, vocals, bass, and drums)

The Camera Eye (heavy synth opening with guitar and drums gradually building to a powerful opening that is then ended and followed by yet another synth opening that starts the song proper off, with amazing electric guitar work)

Witch Hunt (sets the perfect mood with an opening of spooky synths and voices of a mob growing more and more frenzied and louder...which was actually recorded outside of the studio on a snowy night with Neil leading friends and crew in a drunken rant :D)

Countdown (synths with announcer voice overlay builds the excitement of a shuttle launch, another perfect mood setter for the song)

Distant Early Warning (guitar with "fuzzy" synths to a full synth opening, sets the tone to this cold, synth driven, dense album)

Big Money (powerful guitar and synth opening right away)

Mahattan Project (powerful synths and drums that then quiet for the start of the song proper)

Mystic Rythms (starts with just Neil's drums then a classic acoustic guitar and then mysterious sounding synths accompany...perfect mood for the lyrical content of the song)

Force Ten (odd fake synth chorus sound with military sounding drums then coming in and then bass and guitar)

The Pass (soft bass guitar with intermingling acoustic guitar and vocals set the tone for this passionate anti-suicide song)

Scars (from the start unique "African" sounding drums and bass)

Presto (few second start of full guitar and drums with brief vocal that then fades to a great acoustical guitar with vocals and synths coming into the song)

Heresy (very quiet military sounding drum lead in then synths and guitar start the song proper)

Double Agent (wicked bass and vocals start off this odd song)

Limbo (sounds of chains and a bubbling cauldron start off this instrumental)


No other bands' songs that I can think of that haven't already been mentioned!

OH.. another song I can name in one note of the intro...

Sweet - Fox on the Run

Pretty far ahead of it's time for when it was written.

Gotta mention "Sweet Child O' Mine." Starts with Slash's solo guitar riff, then Izzy Stradlin's rhythm guitar for a few bars, and then the bass line comes in. About a 45 sec intro, and IMO, it's still the best thing Guns N' Roses has done.

OH...

ALDO NOVA - Fantasy

AND....

Gary Newman - Cars

Eh.. While I'm on that 80's Intro kick...

Berlin - Metro along with Tainted Love...

Maybe not ones that are the best, but sure are very well known..

eeeerrr.. which got me to have to add one more....

Ministry - Every Day is Halloween... Gotta love the drums, along with the clave..

oh oh oh.. anyone mention Iron Maiden - Trooper? What a hell of a riff..

Speaking of riffs, and being on a roll now....

Green Jello - 3 Little Pigs...

and then if we are going to take the "Strange" tangent there is

King Missile with Detachable Penis.

OK.. last one.. This one is pretty obscure, but one of my favorite LP's to put on and crank up and listen to the intro...

CCCP- Orient Express... I'll include a link to the tune too...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dOTe4mWlv8I

BUT.. Then I have to pull this one out and crank it afterwards...

CCCP - American Soviets

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pgcaRV9Z_qk&feature=related

OK.. I lied.. once I got on the 80's dance music kick, now I gotta add this...

Microchip League - New York New York...

Now I'm done :D

Rare Earth - "Hum Along and Dance"
J. Geils Band Live Full House - Whammer Jammer

Roy Orbison, "Oh, Pretty Woman"
Still a great song by the late, great, Mr. Orbison.

Actually a correction from my previous post in this thread -
Steely Dan - Reelin' in the Years. Grrrrreat lead in the Intro.
Earlier - I mentioned Don't Take me Alive. Reelin's FAR better! (IMHO).

the drum intro on grand funk's "we're an american band" really rocks...