EP817 Best Album Opening Tracks of the 70s and 80s

In the 70’s & 80’s the album was the artist’s statement about who they were and where they were at that time in history. In order for an album to serve as a complete statement, many things needed to be considered and many decisions needed to be made in order to “get it right.” . One of the most important decisions was what track would open the album. 

 

On this week’s Loudini Rock & Roll Circus we take a look back at the most effective opening tracks from some of the biggest albums of the classic rock era.

 

1970s

1. “Whole Lotta Love” – Led Zeppelin (Led Zeppelin II, 1969)

• This track features one of rock's most iconic riffs and showcases the band's blues influences blended with hard rock.
• More about Led Zeppelin II

“War Pigs” – Black Sabbath (Paranoid, 1970)

• A heavy metal anthem with anti-war themes, setting a dark and powerful tone for the album.
• More about Paranoid

“Immigrant Song” – Led Zeppelin (Led Zeppelin III, 1970)

• Known for its Viking-inspired lyrics and Robert Plant's wailing vocals, this song is a hard rock staple.
• More about Led Zeppelin III

“Baba O’Riley” – The Who (Who’s Next, 1971)

• Featuring a distinctive synthesizer intro, this track is often mistakenly called "Teenage Wasteland."
• More about Who’s Next

“Black Dog” – Led Zeppelin (Led Zeppelin IV, 1971)

• A complex, riff-driven song that became one of the band's most popular tracks.
• More about Led Zeppelin IV

“Speak to Me / Breathe” – Pink Floyd (The Dark Side of the Moon, 1973)

• An atmospheric opening that sets the conceptual tone for the album.
• More about The Dark Side of the Moon

“Sweet Emotion” – Aerosmith (Toys in the Attic, 1975)

• A breakthrough hit for the band, featuring innovative use of the talk box.
• More about Toys in the Attic

“Shine On You Crazy Diamond (Part 1)” – Pink Floyd (Wish You Were Here, 1975)

• A tribute to former band member Syd Barrett, this epic piece is divided into nine parts.
• More about Wish You Were Here

“More Than a Feeling” – Boston (Boston, 1976)

• A defining song of classic rock, known for its melodic guitar work and vocal harmonies.
• More about Boston

“Detroit Rock City” – Kiss (Destroyer, 1976)

• A fan favorite that captures the energy of the band's live performances.
• More about Destroyer

“Hotel California” – Eagles (Hotel California, 1976)

• A classic track known for its intricate guitar solos and enigmatic lyrics.
• More about Hotel California

“Barracuda” – Heart (Little Queen, 1977)

• A hard-hitting song with a galloping guitar riff, showcasing Ann Wilson's powerful vocals.
• More about Little Queen

“Runnin’ with the Devil” – Van Halen (Van Halen, 1978)

• A bold introduction to the band's debut album, highlighting their raw energy.
• More about Van Halen

“Don’t Stop ’Til You Get Enough” – Michael Jackson (Off the Wall, 1979)

• A disco-infused track that marked Jackson's transition to a solo superstar.
• More about Off the Wall

1980s

1. “Hells Bells” – AC/DC (Back in Black, 1980)

• A tribute to late vocalist Bon Scott, featuring ominous bell tolls and a powerful riff.
• More about Back in Black

“Tom Sawyer” – Rush (Moving Pictures, 1981)

• A progressive rock classic with complex time signatures and synthesizer layers.
• More about Moving Pictures

“Where the Streets Have No Name” – U2 (The Joshua Tree, 1987)

• An anthemic song with a memorable guitar intro, reflecting the band's exploration of American themes.
• More about The Joshua Tree

“Welcome to the Jungle” – Guns N’ Roses (Appetite for Destruction, 1987)

• A gritty track that captures the raw energy of the band's debut.
• More about Appetite for Destruction

“Crazy Train” – Ozzy Osbourne (Blizzard of Ozz, 1980)

• A solo debut hit featuring one of the most famous guitar riffs in rock history.
• More about Blizzard of Ozz

“Let’s Dance” – David Bowie (Let’s Dance, 1983)

• A dance-rock track that became one of Bowie's biggest hits, produced by Nile Rodgers.
• [More about Let’s Dance](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Let%27s_Dance_%28David

“Let's Go Crazy” – Prince and the Revolution (Purple Rain, 1984)

• Opening with a spoken-word sermon, this track erupts into a high-energy blend of rock and funk, exemplifying Prince's genre-defying artistry.

• More about Purple Rain

“I Want to Know What Love Is” - Foreigner (Agent Provocateur, 1984)

“Jump” - Van Halen (1984, 1984)

“Money for Nothing” - Dire Straits (Brothers in Arms, 1985)

“Start Me Up” - The Rolling Stones (Tattoo You, 1981)

What we got up to this week:

Loudini: Things Will Be Different, Pacific Rim, Dear Santa (christian outrage), “Reunification” (all films are a “special effect”)  and the future,  of filmmaking, Andrew Gold tearing it up on guitar with Linda Ronstadt, Metal is not music(Trey Xaivier), Leland Sklar on Tommy Tedesco (wise wind), BSG rewatch, Seagulls (bad lip reading)

 

Pittsburgh Kevin: So bad it’s good: Steven Seagal; Me Want The Punani, Alex Van Halen interview, Ram Jam guitar, Galaxy Quest, Rick Beato with Jeff “Skunk” Baxter,

Lily V: true crime, 

New & Notable:

 

Lily V: Queen of Spades; Impact

 

Pittsburgh Kevin: Red Voodoo; Style

 

Loudini: Gojira; Mea Culpa 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gojira_(band)