Best Song Opening

[Fab Foodie]

Can I suggest another one, completly opposite to my first (classical music) one. The theme tune to the Grand Prix programme, the name of the group and the tune has gone completely out of my head. Some one on here will know.

Fleetwood Mac, The Chain?

Not the intro though, go to 3 min 15 approx....


View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Csatmi34YEk


In fact, more outro than intro...

 

[Rhythm Thief]

Jump to 3'00" for the start of the pyrotechnics, and at 3'21", watch really closely to try to figure out just what on earth he's doing. Incredible.


View: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=bC9smz-5PHU

Ok, fair enough. I've got an identical guitar to that (I'm noodling around on it now) and I'm pretty sure it would go out of tune if I did that to it.

 

[Yellow Fang]

Good thread this. I'm going to go for this obvious one.


View: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=TehFZ38kt6o


The Pixies were my all time favourite band. They had lots of good intros, but I'll go for this.


View: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=skYBE38Sl38&feature=related


I like all those Neil Young songs. I might have to download a few.

Oh yes, TRex's 20th Century Boy's intro's not bad neither.


View: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=Ylww2dOW7fg

 

[Foghat]

While I'm giving lessons in Hendrix appreciation, here's a great opening, showcasing from 0'21" to about 0'35" his superb feel for playing lead and rhythm lines together.

Straight Ahead, Atlanta 1970

And this Machine Gun has a marvellous portent-of-doom opening. Check out the synchronisation between Jimi and Buddy Miles on drums during the staccato string brushing at 1'08". The whole song is an immaculate performance where he simply stood there playing his heart out, having been challenged by the concert promoter for spending too much time doing the showboating stuff in the previous night's gig.

 

[Fab Foodie]

Frankly chaps, If there'e a better intro than this, then I'm flabberghasted...


View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jnz7LJMECOg


A cast of thousands.

 

[Yellow Fang]

I'm beginning to wonder if there are many great songs that don't have great openings. Here is another quieter one by Nick Drake.


View: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=hE0ODrmaiFE&NR=1

 

[Rhythm Thief]

Perhaps this should be a thread all of its own, but is there a better guitar solo anywhere than this? (Starts at 1.08.) Genius.

 

[Foghat]

Yep, I do enjoy the Bonzos, and their Cornology should be compulsory listening.

My favourite is The Strain, partly for its excellent in-key straining, as heard at 1'07" and 2'45". And the immaculately timed "Ahhh" at 1'30", of course.

The Strain

 

[Bigtallfatbloke]

I'm not a huge Gn'R fan but I always liked the use of a few lines from the film Cool hand Luke on the intro to Civil war:

http://www.last.fm/music/Guns+N'+Roses/_/Civil+War

 

[Foghat]

Television were masters at all this sort of thing, of course.

See No Evil has a good intro, and one of the most exciting solos ever committed to tape (just listen to how Richard Lloyd finishes it off).

Marquee Moon has an opening that tells you immediately that the song is going to go to some very interesting places indeed before the band's done; and playing live in the 70s their explorations were even better than in the studio.

 

[mondobongo]

Nope don't get the Bonzos at all.

 

[MattB]

Two of my favourites, different extremes:

Sorrow by Pink Floyd Such a powerful riff. Induces amazing feelings.

Detroit by Rancid Proof that bass guitar is the best instrument

 

[Rhythm Thief]

Television ...

Good call.

 

[Mr Phoebus]

Straight to the point, no messin'
Listen out for the kettle drum. Not that you really have to.

 

[palinurus]

Just dug out Marquee Moon for a listen..