Great Rock Song Intros

I never gave a whole of thought to song intros until this week. It was while listening to a variety of tunes that I noticed how an effective introductory musical statement really enhanced the song that followed. By "intro" I mean a little composition that is distinctly different from its follow-up. I don't mean the opening guitar, keyboard, or bass riff or theme that is actually tied to the song - like in Roundabout, by Yes. I mean two pieces that work separately yet together create something greater than either one on its own.

Sometimes the intro is part of the "main" song, built right into the recorded track (on a record there would be no space between intro and its companion), so that it will always, always be there as the lead-in to its star attraction. There is also the intro that is a "song", usually very brief, that is named (with a title and a sequence number) as a separate track on the album (and on a vinyl record would appear physically apart from the next track), and that precedes and segues smoothly into its companion song. The pairing feels obvious and intentional. And it would seem strange and unnecessary to listen to that "intro" song without continuing the flow into the next song. Usually, but not always. Some can stand strong - alone - on their own merit. A very famous one (if you can call it an intro... I do)  that comes to mind is Van Halen's Eruption; that guitar solo is known to every rock, metal, and guitar fan the world over as the original "bible" of modern guitar technique, flash and invention. It is so unique and powerful a composition that it stands as a milestone in rock history... all by its lonesome.

But pair Eruption with its album follow-up, You Really Got Me, and you've got a metallic double-threat that'll send your brain a-buzzing. When I hear Eruption on the radio, and its final sustained note fades out, I expect You Really Got Me to play next. I don't think I've ever heard a radio DJ flub that one. It would be sacrilege to break that rule. 

Anyway, I did just a little brain-storming to come up with a handful of well-known (some my favourites) songs with notable intros. There are songs with built in intros, and there are intros that are songs... that lead into their companion pieces. I've made a note about the sort of intro with each list entry. If you have any ideas for other great rock song intros, feel free to leave comments. Enjoy...


Eruption & You Really Got Me, by Van Halen (you know it... sheer guitar genius)

1984 & Jump, by Van Halen (Eddie's soothing futuristic keyboard dabbling)

Tora! Tora! & Loss of Control, by Van Halen (guitar-generated battle sounds)

Intruder & (Oh) Pretty Woman, by Van Halen (these guys are kings of the intro, huh?)

Symphony of Destruction, by Megadeth (short but sweet symphonic warm-up)

Last Rites/Loved to Deth, by Megadeth (pretty piano etude (!) before the thrash madness)

Fast as a Shark, by Accept (a snippet of some traditional German folk song)

The Journey & It's Easy, by Boston (spacey keyboard and guitar)

E5150 & The Mob Rules, by Black Sabbath (eerie synthesized keys and guitar effects)

The Hellion & Electric Eye, by Judas Priest (perhaps the greatest intro song of all time!)

Prelude & Tyrant, by Judas Priest (melancholy piano and guitar piece builds and builds)

Welcome to the Machine, by Pink Floyd (mechanical and electrical sound effects)

Alan's Psychedelic Breakfast, by Pink Floyd (kitchen noises and someone muttering)

Broon's Bane & The Trees, by Rush (a concert-only classical piece that appears on live recordings only... dedicated to Rush's longtime producer Terry Brown... excellent!)

Rock Bottom, by Kiss (in fact, half the song is classical-ish guitar... then Ace rocks it!)

Easy Does It & Sister Moonshine, by Supertramp (two full - short-ish - songs, actually, that are always played back-to-back in concert... maybe not a true intro, but the flow is seamless and natural - a fave!)