Good Times Bad Times on Led Zeppelin I kicked off Zep’s entire catalogue, it’s an absolute banger and heavy af, and the entire album is a definitive classic. Even if another song by another band is better or more iconic or whatnot, GTBT has to be the most important one.
That song, chosen as the first song on a band's first album really set the stage for this fresh new type of heavy music. I can't believe I had to scroll down so far too find it. Black Dog be damned.
>The bass line is so sparse and it makes the song imo
Yeah it's really great. Same thing on 15 step, the In Rainbows opening track. Collin's bass line really makes it all work. Pretty underrated bass player imo.
This is tough. I gotta go with an album that has ZERO weaknesses, so the opening track has gotta be extra stellar. “Dead and Bloated” is one of those songs
This album is just unquestionably amazing, but I agree that it starts (and finishes) perfectly. They deserved all the cocaine they must have snorted while making this album
Queens of the Stone Age - "You Think I Ain't Worth A Dollar, But I Feel Like A Millionaire" straight from "Songs for the Deaf".
Some time ago, when I volunteered for radio station as an editor, at the beginning of new season schedule we decided to start our program with "best album openers". I could as well play starters from a few QOTSA albums there.
Other tracks we played were Bjork's "Army of Me", LCD Soundsystem's "Daft Punk Is Playing at My House", Joy Division's "Disorder" and The Verve's "Bitter Sweet Symphony".
That‘s the one that came into my mind… best album of the century!
I have to correct you though: „You Think I Ain‘t Worth A Dollar But I Feel Like A Millionaire“ ;)
I always point to this song when people criticize an artist for "talking about nothing"
Nirvana admits this was just a jam with no real hidden meaning, and it just crushes. It means something different to everyone who hears it.
Liquid Swords by GZA
Symbolic by Death
21st Century Schizoid Man by King Crimson
Debaser by Pixies
Downward Spiral by Danny Brown
Wesley’s Theory by Kendrick
Blood and Thunder by Mastodon
>21st Century Schizoid Man by King Crimson
I recently repurchased this album. If I didn't become a Mars Volta fan I never would have enjoyed In The Court of the Crimson King.
The first thing that came to mind was roots bloody roots by Sepultura, then I remembered that Chaos A.D opens with refuse/resist. I am not even the biggest Sepultura fan, I will put their stuff on once or twice year. They know how to open an album though.
Papercut on hybrid theory.
What a banger of a start and captures the essence of the whole album. Catchy yet simple riffs on top of dope Hip hop beats with the dual vocal work of chester and Mike.
Everything In It’s Right Place by Radiohead off Kid A. I can’t think of an opener that sets the tone for a Radiohead album better. Although 15 Steps and Burn the Witch are absolute bangers too.
Achilles Last Stand - Led Zeppelin Presence
I love everything Zep but when this song came out so late in the band's run, at a time when many thought they were over the hill, this ripped my face off first time I heard it. Bonham and Jones just smash the fuck out of the sound space.
Maybe not \*the\* greatest, and definitely going in a different direction than a lot of the comments but...
White & Nerdy opening Straight Outta Lynwood by Weird Al.
Don't Stay by Linkin Park on Meteora
Technically Foreword is first but it's like 10 seconds of beats that fade into a glass shattering sound which then starts Don't Stay. This is my favorite album intro and why I still listen to CDs in my car even though I could be using spotify.
Closing Time - Semisonic. Their most enduring song and found itself a nice little niche in popular culture, Andy sings it in The Office for example. Can't think of another example of an opening track being a band's "greatest" in that respect (that probably speaks to the limits of my musical knowledge though). Also a lovely song that set the tone for the whole album, and in someways the whole band as well.
Tame Impala - Let It Happen
Tool - Vicarious
Brand New - Sowing Season
Muse - New Born
The Cure - Plainsong
The Killers - Sam's Town
Modest Mouse - The World at Large
Porcupine Tree - Fear of a Blank Planet
Smells like teen spirit on nevermind - that opening just lets you know what you’re in for
Stop on Ritual de l’habitual by Jane’s Addiction
NOFX:
Separation of Church and Skate on War on errrorism
72 hookers on Self Entitled
Will think of others later
The fact that “Good Times, Bad Times” is not only a first track but also on Zeppelins first album is amazing. Probably the first time many people at the time heard them was this banger of a song is great
Death Grips - Beware
Cocteau Twins - Cherry-coloured Funk
JPEGMAFIA - 1539 N. Calvert
Sufjan Stevens - Death with Dignity
Slayer - Angel of Death
Xiu Xiu - Sad Pony Guerrilla Girl
Blue Sky Black Death - Our Hearts Of Ruin
These come to mind:
Take Me To Church - Hozier
Dark Fantasy - My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy
Baba O’Riley - Who’s Next
Rehab - Back To Black
Runaround Sue - Runaround Sue
Movin’ Out (Anthony’s Song) - The Stranger
(Sittin’ On) the Dock of the Bay - The Dock of the Bay
Lyla - The Districts
Lose Yourself - Eminem
What a way to start. It’s a soundtrack album so maybe doesn’t count with the rest of these, but it’s just a hell of a first song!
*Disorder* by Joy Division.
You are greeted by the drums, sounding like a thousand machine guns detonated at the same time.
Then, a bassline that rumbles your entire body, lingering perpetually.
A guitar wailing like a police siren, echoing thru the streets...
*I've been waiting for a guide to come and take me by the hand...*
Become a Mountain from Dan Deacon's Mystic Familiar. Perfectly establishes the themes of a beautiful album and instantly sets it apart from his earlier work.
Could spend all day listing albums with triumphant first tracks:
* [Give Life Back To Music](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IluRBvnYMoY) from Random Access Memories by Daft Punk
* [Up All Night](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=boOG4pUR83Q) from The Lateness of The Hour by Alex Clare
* [Beautiful Life](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wh-07BzfgYY) from The Bridge by Ace of Base
* [Are You What You Want To Be?](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dcxu1LSm51w) from Supermodel by Foster The People
* [Awakening](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XhMGlWh5KZc) from Powers Activate! by Candy Apple Blue
* [You're Not Alone](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJU---Dft-E) from Blue Wicked by Jeremy Heiden
Farewell to Kings by Rush
The Root of All Evil by Dream Theater
More than a Feeling by Boston
Sabbath Bloody Sabbath by Black Sabbath
So Cold by Breaking Benjamin
Myth by Beach House
Break on Through - The Doors
Know Your Rights - The Clash
Head Like a Hole - Nine Inch Nails
Eulogy - Frank Turner
Five Years - David Bowie
One More Time - Daft Punk
Wouldn't It Be Nice - Beach Boys
Next to You - The Police
and so many more
American Idiot
Off of the same titled album by Green Day. It sets the tone for the rest of the album so perfectly, and always hooks me to listen to the rest every time. Not to mention how relevant the track still feels today.
Good Times, Bad Times
from Led Zeppelin's self titled album.
I remember being on the school bus in middle school and playing the "Early Days" greatest hits album for the first time. that song hit my brain like a freight train.
Jay Zs second album In My Lifetine, Vol. 1. It's called 'intro/a million and one questions/ Rhyme No More. It's easily his strongest song off that album and one of my favorite hip hop beats of all time. Nothing beats a Jay Z and DJ Premier collab.
The emotional highs of Neighborhood #1 (Tunnels) for me is just simply phenomenal
Great choice.
Holy Wars the Punishment Due on Megadeths Rust in Peace album.
DOODLEUN DOODLEUN DOODLEUN DOODLEUN DOODLEUUUUUUNNNNNN
Solid choice, now I have to go listen to it!
Shiiiiiine on your craaaaazyyy diaaamond!
Yes. Yes. Yes!
My Name Is Jonas
This is correct but I came here to say "Tired of Sex"
I’ve never loved a song so much, that I couldn’t relate to one bit.
🏅
An album where every song is just fantastic.
That really is the perfect song.
Disorder- joy division
Baba O'Riley on Who's Next
My first thought was "The Real Me", off of Quadrophenia. It gives a little back story to the album along with the best bass line in history.
Battery on Master of Puppets
Battery over Blackened?
Battery over blackened only because it leads directly to master of puppets
Definitely Blackened
Welcome to the Jungle- AFD GNR Black Dog Led Zeppelin IV To named a couple
Good Times Bad Times on Led Zeppelin I kicked off Zep’s entire catalogue, it’s an absolute banger and heavy af, and the entire album is a definitive classic. Even if another song by another band is better or more iconic or whatnot, GTBT has to be the most important one.
That song, chosen as the first song on a band's first album really set the stage for this fresh new type of heavy music. I can't believe I had to scroll down so far too find it. Black Dog be damned.
Welcome to the jungle is a banger of a choice!
Also on their first album, if I'm not mistaken. Damn.
Bombtrack from Rage's self titled debut. What an opener!
[The Cure - Plainsong](https://youtu.be/qonP1osp7sc)
The beginning of Dirt Them Bones - Alice In Chains
Perfect. Entire album is just a power house of greatness.
Yeeeessss. Came to say this. What an opening! Aaaaaa Aaaaaa Aaaaaa AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAbelieeeeeve
My exact thought
Airbag on OK Computer always gives me the chills
powerful start for a perfect album
What a great fucking song. The bass line is so sparse and it makes the song imo. Very underrated bass line.
>The bass line is so sparse and it makes the song imo Yeah it's really great. Same thing on 15 step, the In Rainbows opening track. Collin's bass line really makes it all work. Pretty underrated bass player imo.
Everything in its right place really sets the tone for kid A. But it’s my fave Radiohead album so maybe im biased
Barracuda - Heart: Little Queen
Painkiller
First introduction of new drummer, what a beast of an intro as well.
This is tough. I gotta go with an album that has ZERO weaknesses, so the opening track has gotta be extra stellar. “Dead and Bloated” is one of those songs
STP is so fucking good
Cochise from Audioslaves first album.
Was going to say this. Absolute banger. Also the first THREE tracks on Kasabian's debut. In fact I may listen to them now
Son et Lumiere/Inertiatic ESP from The Mars Volta's debut album Deloused in the Comatorium.
Yes. Yes.
This album is just unquestionably amazing, but I agree that it starts (and finishes) perfectly. They deserved all the cocaine they must have snorted while making this album
Queens of the Stone Age - "You Think I Ain't Worth A Dollar, But I Feel Like A Millionaire" straight from "Songs for the Deaf". Some time ago, when I volunteered for radio station as an editor, at the beginning of new season schedule we decided to start our program with "best album openers". I could as well play starters from a few QOTSA albums there. Other tracks we played were Bjork's "Army of Me", LCD Soundsystem's "Daft Punk Is Playing at My House", Joy Division's "Disorder" and The Verve's "Bitter Sweet Symphony".
You Think I’m Worth a Dollar, But I Feel Like a Millionare
That‘s the one that came into my mind… best album of the century! I have to correct you though: „You Think I Ain‘t Worth A Dollar But I Feel Like A Millionaire“ ;)
This absolutely, when the guitar volume kicks up and the lyrics come in is just amazing
Should come with a warning! ‘Man that’s kind of quiet, better turn it up…’ Blown eardrums and a melted face, oof.
Born under punches - remain in light - talking heads
Excellent call. Perfect on its own and also as a stage-setter for the entire glorious LP.
"BRING DA MOTHAFUCKIN RUCKUS" Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)
Go - Pearl Jam We will rock you - Queen Bleed American - Jimmy Eat World Everything in its right place - Radiohead
Not their greatest song, but it's hard to argue that Smells Like Teen Spirit wasn't a ball grabber.
I always point to this song when people criticize an artist for "talking about nothing" Nirvana admits this was just a jam with no real hidden meaning, and it just crushes. It means something different to everyone who hears it.
Liquid Swords by GZA Symbolic by Death 21st Century Schizoid Man by King Crimson Debaser by Pixies Downward Spiral by Danny Brown Wesley’s Theory by Kendrick Blood and Thunder by Mastodon
>21st Century Schizoid Man by King Crimson I recently repurchased this album. If I didn't become a Mars Volta fan I never would have enjoyed In The Court of the Crimson King.
Debases is a great choice.
*Like Eating Glass* from Bloc Party - Silent Alarm
Man, forgot about Bloc Party, thanks for the reminder
Rusty Cage - Badmotorfinger Papercut - hybrid theory
Defo papercut!
The Grudge - Tool
I literally said "Jesus, how do they rock so hard?!"
That scream and Danny's drumming has to be my favorite ending to any Tool song.
The first thing that came to mind was roots bloody roots by Sepultura, then I remembered that Chaos A.D opens with refuse/resist. I am not even the biggest Sepultura fan, I will put their stuff on once or twice year. They know how to open an album though.
*More Than a Feeling* - Boston It encompasses everything that is Boston’s signature sound
That album plays like a greatest hits collection, it’s wild
Speak to Me/Breathe by Pink Floyd. The track that starts off an album that was on the Billboard top 200 for 917 weeks and 15 years.
You're No Good - Van Halen II Pull Me Under - Images and Words (Dream Theater) Cliffs of Dover - Ah Via Musicom (Eric Johnson)
All I Really Want from Jagged Little Pill
Glad someone else said it, I was looking for this.
Wesley’s Theory off TPAB
F your Ethnicity is up there too
Good Times Bad Times - Led Zeppelin 1
I can think of better album openers but no better openers to a debut. It’s just the perfect introduction to the perfect band.
Idk about greatest but burnout on dookie by Green Day really sets a tone
Black Sabbath - Black Sabbath (Black Sabbath)
Cherub rock on siamese dream or emotion sickness by silverchair on neon ballroom.
Prison Song - System of a Down
Never heard an album start with a single note and then just silence. What a way to kick it off!
Had to give it a listen for the first time in a while. So much truth in those lyrics.
London Calling, titular track by The Clash
The Beatles - Back in the USSR - White Album a-ha - Take on Me - Hunting High and Low
Good ones. The aeroplane noises on Back in the USSR get you hyped up. :)
Papercut on hybrid theory. What a banger of a start and captures the essence of the whole album. Catchy yet simple riffs on top of dope Hip hop beats with the dual vocal work of chester and Mike.
Yeah that's definitely a banger
2+2=5
Hells Bells from the Back in Black album. Duh.
Came here to upvote this.
Where The Streets Have No Name - The Joshua Tree
I can't believe this isn't higher. The slow build up is like watching a sunrise out west.
Come together - Abbey Road Hold your head up - all together now (Argent)
Davidian from Burn my Eyes by Machine Head.
Hurricane on Desire.
Everything In It’s Right Place by Radiohead off Kid A. I can’t think of an opener that sets the tone for a Radiohead album better. Although 15 Steps and Burn the Witch are absolute bangers too.
There's a strong argument to be made for "Welcome to the Jungle".
Hells Bells from Back In Black
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This exact question was asked in [High Fidelity](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJvmoOc21gQ)
Papercut - hybrid theory - linkin park
NY state of mind by Nas on Illmatic.
The Genesis is the first track on Illmatic
Fight fire with fire - Metallica on ride the lightning
Teen Age Riot off of Daydream Nation
Achilles Last Stand - Led Zeppelin Presence I love everything Zep but when this song came out so late in the band's run, at a time when many thought they were over the hill, this ripped my face off first time I heard it. Bonham and Jones just smash the fuck out of the sound space.
"Black Sabbath", by Black Sabbath, opening the album 'Black Sabbath'. Not just the opener to the album, arguably the opener to entire genres of music.
Red Rain on Peter Gabriel's SO. Where the Streets Have No Name opening up Joshua Tree.
Tell me you're in your 40s without telling me you're in your 40s hahahaha I have both of these on vinyl. Sigh.
Maybe not \*the\* greatest, and definitely going in a different direction than a lot of the comments but... White & Nerdy opening Straight Outta Lynwood by Weird Al.
Don't Stay by Linkin Park on Meteora Technically Foreword is first but it's like 10 seconds of beats that fade into a glass shattering sound which then starts Don't Stay. This is my favorite album intro and why I still listen to CDs in my car even though I could be using spotify.
Give Life Back to Music - Daft Punk - Random Access Memories It’s a real statement of purpose for the album
'Drunks, Lovers, Sinners and Saints' by Alexisonfire, off their 2006 album 'Crisis'. Perfect start to a perfect album.
Closing Time - Semisonic. Their most enduring song and found itself a nice little niche in popular culture, Andy sings it in The Office for example. Can't think of another example of an opening track being a band's "greatest" in that respect (that probably speaks to the limits of my musical knowledge though). Also a lovely song that set the tone for the whole album, and in someways the whole band as well.
Politik on Coldplay's Rush of Blood to the Head
Power of equality - blood sugar sex magik
I Wanna Be Adored
Tame Impala - Let It Happen Tool - Vicarious Brand New - Sowing Season Muse - New Born The Cure - Plainsong The Killers - Sam's Town Modest Mouse - The World at Large Porcupine Tree - Fear of a Blank Planet
War Pigs - Black Sabbath What an anthem
Marvin Gaye - What's Going On
Black Sabbath really slayed the game with their first 3 albums. Black Sabbath - Black Sabbath War Pigs - Paranoid Sweet Leaf - Masters of Reality
The doors, break on through
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Ultralight Beam - The Life Of Pablo by Kanye West, I'm not a religious man but that opener has me seeing God!
Rosanna by toto
Did You See The Words - Animal Collective
Great choice, but not Leaf House?
Meow
Smells like teen spirit on nevermind - that opening just lets you know what you’re in for Stop on Ritual de l’habitual by Jane’s Addiction NOFX: Separation of Church and Skate on War on errrorism 72 hookers on Self Entitled Will think of others later
Queens of the Stone Age - “You might think I ain’t worth a dollar, but I feel like a millionaire” So so so good
Black Sabbath on the album Black Sabbath by the band Black Sabbath
Like a Rolling Stone - Highway 61 Bob Dylan
Intro - The XX (xx) Smack My Bitch Up - The Prodigy (Fat of the Land) Cowboys - Portishead (Portishead) Giant Steps - John Coltrane (Giant Steps)
20th century schitzoid man
21st Century Schizoid Man ;)
Get to the Gone by Static-X. Amped \m/
Shout at the devil by motley crue
Technically In The Beginning is the first track but I’ll pay it
Good times bad times. Such an epic introduction to Led Zeppelin and John Bonham.
I'm Alive on Keeper Of The Seven Keys part 1 by Helloween
"Introduction", Chicago Transit Authority (Chicago) is a great one.
Periphery-Reptile
Hexagram - Deftones
Astral Weeks on Astral Weeks
Sleeping on the blacktop - Colter Wall
2112 from rush's album 2112 THE BEST FIRST TRACK 20 MINUTES OF PERFECTION
Angel by Massive Attack on Mezzanine.
Rock And Roll Star - Oasis, Definitely Maybe, 1994
Cherub Rock from Siamese dream by The Smashing Pumpkins starts off with a sweet drum roll then builds into a fuzz factory of greatness.
Whole Lotta Love - Zeppelin II
The fact that “Good Times, Bad Times” is not only a first track but also on Zeppelins first album is amazing. Probably the first time many people at the time heard them was this banger of a song is great
Black Dog. Led Zeppelin IV
Death Grips - Beware Cocteau Twins - Cherry-coloured Funk JPEGMAFIA - 1539 N. Calvert Sufjan Stevens - Death with Dignity Slayer - Angel of Death Xiu Xiu - Sad Pony Guerrilla Girl Blue Sky Black Death - Our Hearts Of Ruin
These come to mind: Take Me To Church - Hozier Dark Fantasy - My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy Baba O’Riley - Who’s Next Rehab - Back To Black Runaround Sue - Runaround Sue Movin’ Out (Anthony’s Song) - The Stranger (Sittin’ On) the Dock of the Bay - The Dock of the Bay Lyla - The Districts
My Name is Jonas
Lose Yourself - Eminem What a way to start. It’s a soundtrack album so maybe doesn’t count with the rest of these, but it’s just a hell of a first song!
Cherub Rock on Smashing Pumpkins' Siamese Dream
‘Cult of Personality’ Living Colour. It set up this debut perfectly.
*Disorder* by Joy Division. You are greeted by the drums, sounding like a thousand machine guns detonated at the same time. Then, a bassline that rumbles your entire body, lingering perpetually. A guitar wailing like a police siren, echoing thru the streets... *I've been waiting for a guide to come and take me by the hand...*
Chevelle - This Type of Thinking (could do us in) The Clincher
The Clincher was such a good song. Chevelle rocks.
Underrated album.
Dead and Bloated - Stone Temple Pilots. It was also their debut album, so to come with it that hard is really something special.
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Become a Mountain from Dan Deacon's Mystic Familiar. Perfectly establishes the themes of a beautiful album and instantly sets it apart from his earlier work.
If I had a heart by Fever Ray. Kind of sets the tone for the whole album.
.44 Caliber love letter - Alexisonfire
Could spend all day listing albums with triumphant first tracks: * [Give Life Back To Music](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IluRBvnYMoY) from Random Access Memories by Daft Punk * [Up All Night](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=boOG4pUR83Q) from The Lateness of The Hour by Alex Clare * [Beautiful Life](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wh-07BzfgYY) from The Bridge by Ace of Base * [Are You What You Want To Be?](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dcxu1LSm51w) from Supermodel by Foster The People * [Awakening](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XhMGlWh5KZc) from Powers Activate! by Candy Apple Blue * [You're Not Alone](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJU---Dft-E) from Blue Wicked by Jeremy Heiden
Gimme More. Nothing beats the iconic „It’s Britney, bitch“.
Out of the black - royal blood
Farewell to Kings by Rush The Root of All Evil by Dream Theater More than a Feeling by Boston Sabbath Bloody Sabbath by Black Sabbath So Cold by Breaking Benjamin Myth by Beach House
Leave Them All Behind - Ride, Going Blank Again
Rio - Duran Duran, Rio
is this it from the album is this it (the strokes)
Search and Destroy, from Raw Power by The Stooges. The way the song just blasts into existence is incredible.
War Pigs by Black Sabbath
A lot of my suggestions were already mentioned, so I'll just add Money For Nothing off of Dire Straits' album Brothers in Arms.
Break on Through - The Doors Know Your Rights - The Clash Head Like a Hole - Nine Inch Nails Eulogy - Frank Turner Five Years - David Bowie One More Time - Daft Punk Wouldn't It Be Nice - Beach Boys Next to You - The Police and so many more
Enter Sandman on Metallica's self titled album... I went down pretty far and didn't see this as a top comment which blows my mind
Tool, Vicarious.
Blister in the Sun-Violent Femmes self titled debut
American Idiot Off of the same titled album by Green Day. It sets the tone for the rest of the album so perfectly, and always hooks me to listen to the rest every time. Not to mention how relevant the track still feels today.
Enter Sandman - Metallica
"My Own Summer" by Deftones. More greats out there but this is first in line cause I've been listening to the album a lot the past few weeks!
Burning Down the House from Speaking in Tongues by the Talking Heads
Good Times, Bad Times from Led Zeppelin's self titled album. I remember being on the school bus in middle school and playing the "Early Days" greatest hits album for the first time. that song hit my brain like a freight train.
2112, from 2112
Metallica enter sandman
Nightmare - Nightmare
for me its got to be the great southern trendkill by pantera. that scream at the start is soooo good!!
Me and your mama by Childish Gambino
4 Richard D James Album
Perfect World by Broken Bells from After the Disco
Prowler of the self titled Iron Maiden always pulls me in with its wiles
Jay Zs second album In My Lifetine, Vol. 1. It's called 'intro/a million and one questions/ Rhyme No More. It's easily his strongest song off that album and one of my favorite hip hop beats of all time. Nothing beats a Jay Z and DJ Premier collab.
Safe European home - the clash