On our Facebook page this month, we featured a song a day from our monthly theme. This month, great opening songs from great debut albums. Both criteria were required, and I decided to eliminate a few great opening songs from mediocre albums, and vice-versa.
It turned out to be a fun, crowd-sourced endeavor with input from a handful of killer rock music fans.
Here’s our list (we started midmonth), with the Top 10 highlighted.
- Boston – More Than A Feeling, Boston, Boston – Everyone mentioned this one, and for good reason. It’s one of the best debt albums ever, and the opening song was legendary.
- Led Zeppelin – Good Times Bad Times. Led Zeppelin – This debut was a game changer, and the song was the perfect way to kick it off. Probably the most meaningful debut on this list.
- The Cars – Good Times Roll, The Cars – Side 2 was a perfect album side, but Side 1 wasn’t bad either, thanks to this great first song.
- Van Halen – Running with the Devil, Van Halen – One of those songs that grabs you by the short hairs and demands attention, and then introduces you to the majesty of a young band in its prime.
- U2 – I Will Follow, Boy – Another killer opening track. The album was not a commercial smash, but the music on here is timeless.
- Guns n Roses – Welcome to the Jungle, Appetite for Destruction – The song was West Coast perfection, and a defining song of 80’s guitar rock. The album didn’t suck either.
- Asia – Heat of the Moment, Asia – There was tremendous buzz and anticipation before this album was released. It took about ten seconds to realize that the supergroup had their shit together.
- Jimi Hendrix Experience – Foxy Lady, Are You Experienced – Another opening song that demanded attention. It was an eye-opener for millions of rock fans and a strong album.
- The Killers – Jenny Was a Friend of Mine, Hot Fuss – Finally, one from this millennium. The first track was strong, and one of six or seven powerful tracks on the excellent debut.
- The Alarm – Declaration/Marching On, Declaration – Raw, passionate rock from the moment it starts, and the album just got better from there.
Best of the Rest (Alphabetically):
- Bad Company – Can’t Get Enough, Bad Company
- Pat Benatar – Heartbreaker, In the Heat of the Night
- The Doors – Break on Through, The Doors
- Eagles – Take It Easy, The Eagles
- Foreigner – Feels Like the First Time, Foreigner
- Heart – Magic Man, Dreamboat Annie
- Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers – Rockin Around with You, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
- Queen – Keep Yourself Alive, Queen
- The Ramones – Blitzkrieg Bop, Ramones
- Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band – Blinded by the Light, Greetings From Asbury Park
- Thunder – She’s So Fine, Backstreet Symphony
Traveling Wilburys – Handle with Care, Traveling Wilburys Vol. 1
