20 Best Debut Rock Album Lead-Off Tracks
And although songs may be previously released singles or brand-new recordings, all heralded the arrival of greatness — and became signature tunes.
So, here are the 20 greatest opening rock tracks on debut albums...
20. Chuck Berry, 'School Days' - After School Session (1957)
Not only did this song zero in on the everyday high school drudgery (i.e., no seats in the lunchroom, being annoyed by classmates), but it also celebrated the sweetness of afternoon freedom: listening to music and dancing. "School Days" is also notable for giving us one of music's most indelible phrases: "Hail! Hail! Rock 'n' roll"
19. The Beatles, 'I Saw Her Standing There' - Please, Please Me (1963)
The Beatles didn't emerge fully formed, of course; the band members honed their skills in clubs for years before the British Invasion. But this Paul McCartney-John Lennon tune makes a good case for the group's genius: Although obviously indebted to '50s rock 'n' roll, the twisting rhythms, brisk tempo and giddy exhortations— "I'll never dance with another/Oooh!" — make "I Saw Her Standing There" sound fresh and edgy.
18. Led Zeppelin, 'Good Times Bad Times'- Led Zeppelin (1969)
In less than three minutes, "Good Times Bad Times" established Led Zeppelin's bona fides. Each band member contributes a seismic part — there's John Bonham's monstrous rhythmic precision, John Paul Jones' nimble bass and Jimmy Page's proto-metal wailing — although Plant's rakish tone ("I know what it means to be alone/I sure do wish I was at home/I don't care what the neighbors say") ties it all together.
17. Ramones, 'Blitzkreig Bop' - Ramones (1976)
A two-minute burst of locomotive guitar riffs, bashing drums and, of course, one of punk's most famous rallying cries — "Hey! Ho! Let's go!" — "Blitzkrieg Bop" set the blueprint for the Ramones' career.
16. U2, 'I Will Follow' Boy (1980)
"I Will Follow" is a song by rock band U2. It is the opening track from their debut album, Boy, and it was released as the album's second single, in October 1980. Lead singer Bono wrote the lyrics to "I Will Follow" in tribute to his mother, who died when he was 14 years old.
15. The Jimi Hendrix Experience, 'Foxy Lady' - Are You Experienced (1967)
"Foxy Lady" (or alternatively "Foxey Lady") is a song by the Jimi Hendrix Experience. It first appeared on their 1967 debut album Are You Experienced and was later issued as their third single in the U.S. with the alternate spelling. It is one of Hendrix's best-known songs and was frequently performed in concerts throughout his career. Rolling Stone magazine placed the song at number 153 on its list of the "500 Greatest Songs of All Time".
14. Oasis, 'Rock 'n' Roll Star' - Definitely Maybe (1994)
"Rock 'n' Roll Star" is a song by English rock band Oasis. It is the opening track from their record breaking debut album, Definitely Maybe (1994). Like the majority of the band's songs from this era, it was written by lead guitarist Noel Gallagher. Noel said that "Rock 'n' Roll Star" was one of only three songs in which he wanted to say something: "I've pretty much summed up everything I wanted to say in "Rock 'n' Roll Star", "Live Forever" and "Cigarettes & Alcohol", after that I'm repeating myself, but in a different way".
13. Boston, 'More Than A Feeling' - Boston (1976)
"More Than a Feeling" is a song by the American rock band Boston. Written by Tom Scholz, it was released as the lead single from their self-titled debut album on Epic Records in September 1976, with "Smokin'" on the b-side. The single peaked at number five on the Billboard Hot 100. The track is now a staple of classic rock, and in 1999, it was named the 39th best hard rock song of all time by VH1.
12. Van Halen, 'Runnin' With The Devil' - Van Halen (1978)
Van Halen's 1978 self-titled debut gets off to a roaring start with this cut. 'Runnin' With the Devil' provided the perfect introduction to the band, showcasing Eddie Van Halen's guitar virtuosity and David Lee Roth's powerful swagger. If only the band members' personalities gelled as much as their musicianship, the ensuing ride would have been a lot less bumpy.
11. Black Sabbath, 'Black Sabbath' - Black Sabbath (1970)
"Black Sabbath" is a song by the British heavy metal band Black Sabbath, written in 1969 and released on their self titled debut album. In 1970, it was released as a four-track 12-inch single, with "The Wizard" also on the A-side and "Evil Woman" and "Sleeping Village" on B-side, on the Philips Records label Vertigo. It is widely considered to be the first heavy metal song.
10. Iron Maiden, 'Prowler' - Iron Maiden (1980)
"Prowler" isn't Maiden's best track by any stretch of the imagination, but it's one of their most important. This track set the tone for what was to come - a dominance of the '80s by Britain's favourite heavy metal outfit.
9. The Velvet Underground, 'Sunday Morning' - The Velvet Underground & Nico (1967)
It's an album that contains a stunning mix of harsh rock, noise, some graphic lyrics.. and genuinely beautiful pop melodies. "Sunday Morning" is a masterpiece of the latter category.
8. Joy Division, 'Disorder' - Unknown Pleasures (1979)
What a way to start one of the greatest albums in music. Joy Division was unbelievable, and it didn't get much better than their debt album Unknown Pleasures. "Disorder" was a fitting way to start its legacy.
7. Alice In Chains, 'We Die Young' - Facelift (1990)
"Man in the Box" is one of the defining songs of the 1990s, but the one before that kicks an unfathomable amount of ass as well. Kicking off with a heavy, dirty riff and featuring amazing vocals by the legendary Layne Staley. Stellar.
6. Arcade Fire, 'Neighbourhood #1 (Tunnels)'- Funeral (2004)
"Neighborhood #1 (Tunnels)" is a song by Canadian rock band Arcade Fire, and the first track on their debut album Funeral. It is the first of the four-part "Neighborhood" series found on Funeral. It was the band's first single, released several months before the album as a 7" vinyl record on June 20, 2004, to a pressing of 1500 copies.
5. Bon Jovi, 'Runaway' - Bon Jovi (1984)
"Runaway" is the debut single by American rock band Bon Jovi. It was originally recorded in 1981 for the so-called "Power Station Demos" at the beginning of singer Jon Bon Jovi's career, featuring the vocalist backed by session musicians. The song became a surprise hit in 1983 on WAPP-FM, leading to the formation of the first proper lineup of Bon Jovi for a short tour.
4. Motley Crue, 'Live Wire' - Too Fast For Love (1981)
"Live Wire" is the debut single by the American heavy metal band Mötley Crüe. It was released on their 1981 debut album Too Fast for Love. It is still regarded as one of the band's best tracks to date.
3. AC/DC, 'Baby, Please Don't Go' - High Voltage (1975)
"Baby, Please Don't Go" is a traditional blues song that was popularized by Delta blues musician Big Joe Williams in 1935. Many cover versions followed, including the mighty AC/DC. "Baby, Please Don't Go" has been inducted into both the Blues and Rock and Roll Halls of Fame.
2. Linkin Park, 'Papercut' - Hybrid Theory (2000)
"Papercut" is a song by American rock band Linkin Park. It was released as the third single from their debut album Hybrid Theory (2000), and appears as the opening track on the record. The single "Papercut" was never officially released in the US. The song reached number 14 on the UK Singles Chart in 2001 and was in the chart for 6 weeks. It also reached number 32 on the Modern Rock Tracks Chart in 2002.
1. Guns N' Roses, 'Welcome To The Jungle' - Appetite For Destruction (1987)
"Welcome To The Jungle" is one of the most iconic rock songs, and certainly the best opening track of any rock or metal album. The track epitomised what Guns N' Roses were all about, and helped set them on their way to stardom.
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