Best Song Intros

1997
#12 US, #2 UK

An interesting note about this intro is how it came to be. It was based around a sample of the Andrew Oldham Orchestra's recording of the Rolling Stones song "The Last Time." I like it the best out of the three, which is why this one is on the list and not the others.

Official video Here

1983
#53 US, #10 UK

This was U2's first hit single in the UK. The intro was performed by Adam Clayton and The Edge.

Vocals by Sarah Brightman and Michael Crawford
1986

The only song on the list that wasn't released as a single.
Official video: Click
The official music video is an earlier version of the song with different lyrics, slightly different orchestration, and a different male singer (Steve Harley). Below is the finished version from the Original London Cast recording.

1966
#1 US, #1 UK

The song partly inspired the Jackson 5 hit I'll be there, as shown both in its name and Michael's "Just look over your shoulders, honey," line, which was almost exactly the same as a line from this song.

1969
#1 US, #2 UK

And speaking of the Jackson 5, this song was the first of 4 #1 singles by the group on the Billboard Hot 100.

1986
#23 US, #4 UK

This intro sounds like a party waiting to happen. Or a party that's happening right now.

1977
#68 US, #13 UK

Peter Gabriel wrote this song about a spiritual experience on Solsbury Hill, after leaving the band Genesis.

1985
#1 US, #2 UK

Official video: Click

The song was originally recorded in 1983, and released as a single in the UK, but didn't chart, then it was reworked into the version below, but also failed to chart. The below music video was produced, and the song was released in the US reaching #1, and released for the third time in the UK, reaching #2.

The song was made popluar again in recent years thanks to DustoMcNeato's Literal Video Version

1984
#1 US, #7 UK

One of the most well-known synth solos ever.

1986
#1 US, #1 UK

The shortest intro on the list, at 13 seconds. The theme song from the movie Top Gun. I've never seen the movie, but this has always been one of my favorite songs.

1987
#1 US, #1 UK

Decades before Rickrolling came into being and gave this music video a combined total of over 60 million views (spread over several videos), this song was Rick Astley's biggest worldwide hit.

1965
#3 US, # 14 UK

This was the first of Stevie Wonder's songs to be co-written by him. I think he wrote the intro riff as well. At the time, he was in danger of being let go by Motown, partly because his voice was changing, and partly because he'd had few top 40 hits. So basically, it saved his career, which was good for everybody.

I'd say this is probably my favorite song from the 60's, or at least one of the top ones. Also, I'm a brass player, so that makes the intro that much better to me.

1974
#8 US, #21 UK

Nothing to say about this song (and intro) except that it's a classic.

1983
#1 US, #1 UK

Music to moonwalk by. You know you want to. In fact, Here's a tutorial video.

2006
#86 US

Below is the album version of the song (which is longer than the music video version). The official video is Here.

The most recent song on this list. The song became so popular that it was included in Guitar Hero III (I've heard that they got a lot of requests or something), and after the release of the game, DragonForce's album and download sales greatly increased.

1972

This song was not released as a single in the US or UK. It was originally going to be 30 minutes long, and be the introduction for a rock opera that was never completed, although it and other songs from it ended up on The Who's album Who's Next.

1977
#1 US, #8 UK

A staple of guitar players everywhere.

1971
#30 US, # 37 UK (both digital download in 2007)

An interesting bit of trivia I found: The song was not released as a single, despite it's popularity throughout the 70's. I have a feeling that this intro might top a lot of similar lists, or maybe... (continued below).

1973
#4 US, #21 UK

(continued from above)... this one. Both this and Stairway to Heaven have very popular intros. I first heard this song in high school marching band. I actually forgot this song when I first made this list, which surprised me since I'm pretty familiar with it, but it's here now.

1985
#1 US, #16 UK

This is one of the first songs I ever remember hearing, and it's stuck with me ever since. And who doesn't love a harmonica?

1981
#9 US, #62 UK

The version I like the best was removed from Youtube, so here's the album version. As a bonus, I also like the solo in the below video at 3:07.

The song has seen a resurgence in popularity in recent years, thanks to the use by the Chicago White Sox, and it's appearance in several movies and TV shows, most recently on Glee.

I often listen to this song on a loop when I need motivation.

1986
#8 US, #1 UK

The longest intro on the list at over 1:20, and one of the best synth solos ever. Like Smoke on the Water, I first heard this song in marching band. If this list only considered my personal opinion, this intro would be at #1.

1984
#1 US, #1 UK

Having heard it from the time I was little, this sax solo is forever embedded in my brain, moreso than the song itself. An interesting thing I found after doing some research (after writing this list), is that the sax solo isn't really the intro. It's the intro to the music video, but not the album version.

1983
#1 US, #3 UK

Speaking of the songs as a whole, I would put Billie Jean first, but this has the better, more popular intro.

1982
#1 US, #1 UK

And now, ladies and gentlemen, I give you the best song intro ever! Anybody not see that coming? If you don't agree, please let me know in the comments section, and add it to the plexo below (if it's not there already).