Greatest Musical Intro's of All Time – Part I

Greatest Intros Ever.

Every rare once in a while, I like to write about something totally trivial.  Ironically, those are the ones that usually get the most responses.

I really like lists of “best” things.

Years ago, I used to try to use two VCRs to create one great movie tape of, for example, the best sword-fight scenes of all times (and that would be a cool article sometime too)…

So, “itunes” and other programs that allow me to pick only my favorites and best of something seems like it was tailor-made for me.
yio7nooiEYears ago, I started compiling a list of songs that I thought had the greatest instrumental intro’s of all times…

Here were the criteria that I created.
Completely arbitrary, I admit…

  1. The intro has to rock… or be cool… and/or high quality… enjoyable… and this had to be the most important variable, assuming… it needs to have an effect on me, the listener.
  2. The musical intro had to be without lyrics for at least 25 seconds.  Why 25?  Because.  However, there had to be lyrics at some point in the song.  (and noises made by an artist are not necessarily lyrics).

The more “recognizable” the intro was at identifying the song and singers, the better.                                                               I also decided to offer special recognition if, other than the intro, the song was pretty dumb.

Examples of songs that deserve honorable mention because they scored high on some areas, but not on at least one.

The Devil Went Down to Georgia by Charlie Daniels.  Talent?  Maybe #1.  Cool and creative… but short.  For many reasons, I wish Daniels had played for another 6 minutes!

Kashmir by Led Zeppelin is very cool, but only 18 seconds.

Sweet Home Alabama by Lynyrd Skynyrd is so cool that I almost changed my arbitrary rules, and is one of the most recognizable of all times, but only runs for about 22 seconds.  Bummer.

Shine by the Newsboys is so cool, and the remix is long enough, but I didn’t think it fair to start including some remix’s.

Don’t Stop Believin’ by Journey is amazingly recognizable, but only 18 seconds long.

Johnny B Goode by Chuck Berry is perhaps the greatest intro of all time, but only lasts 17 seconds.  If only Berry had played one or two more measures!

Axel F, or Eruption are super cool and recognizable, but never have any lyrics.  A number of great instrumentals were disqualified on this account.
Because of its role in various movies, Fortunate Son by CCR is amazingly recognizable and pretty cool… but way too short.

Here is the list:

22.  Baba O’Riley  by The Who (1:05).  This one is awfully cool, and deserves mention, and I like how it builds some, but it actually starts to wear on me by the time the minute is over.

21.  Livin’ on a Prayer by Bon Jovi (45 seconds).  I know there will be people who want this higher, but I think though it deserves a place in the top 20, this isn’t the strongest intro from a creativity perspective.

… starting with number 20 next week!   Get ready.
As Skynyrd once said… “turn it up.”

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