12 Best Song Intros That Sound Like Music Magic

The Rolling Stones

There are song intros that grab you from the very first note, setting the stage for a musical journey that's nothing short of magic. From iconic guitar riffs to haunting piano melodies, these 12 intros have defined eras and genres, captivating listeners instantly. Let's dive into the world of unforgettable openings that have left a lasting impression on music lovers everywhere.

AUTHOR: Matt Harris

1. Careless Whisper: George Michael

George Michael
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Could an intro outlive a song? Sometimes, the first few notes are so memorable that we might forget the rest of the tune. Everybody knows the saxophone line, but who remembers the remainder of "Careless Whisper"?

2. For Whom the Bell Tolls: Metallica

Metallica band
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One forum contributor is really into Cliff Burton’s bass and accompanying bells in this song. "For Whom the Bell Tolls" is described as "a banger," the intro builds dramatically until the rest of the band joins in.

3. Gimme Shelter: The Rolling Stones

The Rolling Stones
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The first notes build slowly and quietly into a final crescendo is what is one of The Rolling Stones’ most unforgettable tracks. The band enjoyed several suggestions on this thread, but "Gimme Shelter" won, with one person describing it as a memorable "moment in music history."

4. Bela Lugosi’s Dead: Bauhaus

Happy man listening to music and dancing
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This may not be the most obvious choice, but I agree with one poster when they claim that "Bela Lugosi’s Dead" is a "smooth eerie introduction to a great song." This is it if you want to hear a tune that sums up the Goth music genre.

5. Teardrop: Massive Attack

Barcelona, Spain / June 14, 2014: British electronic music band Massive Attack performs live during Sonar advanced music ands arts festival at Fira de Barcelona
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It’s another intro that builds in decibels, starting with faint notes from a harpsichord. Aside from the fact that very few bands have used this unusual instrument in their songs, the intro to "Teardrop" stands out as it builds into a beautiful track.

6. True: Spandau Ballet

Spandau Ballet band
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You’ll have to forgive me for going back to my youth with this 1980s classic. It was the slow dance at every school disco for a time, and music lovers of a certain age will always have fond memories of Spandau Ballet’s "True."

7. All Along the Watchtower: The Jimi Hendrix Experience

Jimi Hendrix
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Bob Dylan wrote some great songs, but certain cover versions later outshone the originals. That’s certainly the case with this track, which builds from a dramatic opening into a classic Hendrix guitar riff.

8. Blind: Korn

MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA - JULY 29, 2016: Korn in concert at the Shoreline Amphitheater in Mountain View, CA
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One individual informs us that this intro gives them "goosebumps.' They also point out that Korn almost always opens their set with "Blind." The most infamous case of this came at the ill-fated Woodstock 99 festival.

9. Bitter Sweet Symphony: The Verve

Man listening to music in mobile
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While they may have "borrowed" this arrangement from The Rolling Stones, the intro to "Bitter Sweet Symphony" remains an unforgettable moment from the 1990s. The image and video are unforgettable, and The Verve’s defining track remains a brilliant song.

10. Jump: Van Halen

WANTAGH, NY-AUG 14: Eddie Van Halen of Van Halen performs onstage at Jones Beach Theater on August 14, 2015 in Wantagh, New York.
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The person who suggested this song gave a very descriptive explanation behind their thinking. As they pointed out, "The intro gives any listener the internal visualization of what the 1980s looked like." It’s a colorful combination of words, but you get what they mean.

11. Sweet Jane: Lou Reed

TRENCIN,SLOVAKIA - JULY 5:Lou Reed performs at the Pohoda Music Festival at the Trencin Airport in Trencin, Slovakia on July 5, 2012.
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Two respondents point specifically to the live version of this classic song. One suggests that Steve Hunter’s guitar work is "incredible." Other claims that Lou Reed comes in far too early but still fails to ruin one of music’s great intros.

12. Wannabe: Spice Girls

Spice Girls
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A sassy female band introduced themselves in the best possible way with the start of this 1990s hit. Girl power was all the rage, and the five original Spice Girls told us exactly what they wanted in the iconic opening chorus to "Wannabe".

Source: Reddit.

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old people
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