Opening Salvos...

The Ultimate Classic Rock website published a list of the 10 Best Opening Songs from classic rock albums.  Having read the list, I said “I can do better.”  The ground rules for my list are simple and few – don’t limit the list to just ten, and pick only one song from any band.  So here’s my list in no order whatsoever.  I know I left out a few.  Feel free to disagree and discuss...

Statesboro Blues [Allman Brothers Band, At Fillmore East, 1971] – Perhaps the best live album from a rock band, this song opens with the immortal words “Ok, the Allman Brothers Band…”  This song is the band’s calling card.

Black Sabbath [Black Sabbath, Black Sabbath, 1970] – awhile back I wrote a blog about Tony Iommi and I said that if one put a gun to my head and asked what is the quintessential Tony Iommi track, I said Sabbath Bloody Sabbath.  I also said that could change on any given day.  Well today is that given day.  This is the first song from the first album from the guys who invented heavy metal.

Like a Rolling Stone [Bob Dylan, Highway 61 Revisited, 1965] – Dylan’s electric phase starts here, and it begins literally with an “opening salvo;” the crack of a drum.

Highway Star [Deep Purple, Machine Head, 1972] – This song is Deep Purple at its finest.  As fate would have it, it is also the opening track from their live album Made in Japan [1973].

White Room [Cream, Wheels of Fire, 1968] – Wheels of Fire was the very first album to be certified “Platinum.”  White Room shows Cream at their studio best, with Ginger Baker’s uncredited 5/4 intro, Clapton’s wah-wah drenched soloing, and Jack Bruce doing a superb job singing Pete Brown’s goofy-assed lyrics.

Break On Through [The Doors, The Doors, 1967] – I had to flip a coin between this one Roadhouse Blues from Morrison Hotel.  This was the world’s introduction to The Lizard King.

Bertha [Grateful Dead, Skull & Roses, 1971] – After the pastoral acoustic albums that were Workingman’s Dead and American Beauty, the Dead plug back in and record another live album.  Los Lobos did a better version, but this one still smokes!

Rocky Mountain Way [Joe Walsh, The Smoker You Drink, the Player You Get, 1973] -  Post-James Gang, pre-Eagles Joe Walsh at his finest.  This is Joe’s best song as a solo artist. 

Aqualung [Jethro Tull, Aqualung, 1971] – a classic rock staple from a “concept” album.  I have a warm place in my heart for this one.  My friend Alan and I were working sound for a Black Student Union party at USC.  After hearing too many rap and hip-hop songs, we went downstairs, cracked open a bottle of Black Velvet and turned on the stereo.  This was the song that came on and saved our sanity.

Enter Sandman [Metallica, The Black Album, 1991] – Metallica finally hit paydirt with this masterpiece when they ditched the long songs with the changing time signatures, shortened their songs and decided to do songs in 4/4 time. One from …And Justice For All finally got the public to notice the band.  Enter Sandman turned them into millionaires.

Ace of Spades [Motörhead, Ace of Spades, 1980] – Is this punk, is it metal, or is it a cross-pollination of both?  Who cares!  It’s Lemmy!

My My Hey Hey (Out of the Blue) [Neil Young, Rust Never Sleeps, 1978] – Neil Young’s acoustic ode to Elvis and Johnny Rotten, the electric version of which closes the album. 

Red Rain [Peter Gabriel, So, 1986] – Peter Gabriel finally hit the big time with So.  The big hit from that album was Sledgehammer, but I like this one much better.

Gimme Shelter [Rolling Stones, Let It Bleed, 1969] – this is the coolest song Keith Richards ever wrote, period.  Need I say more?

Wouldn't It Be Nice [The Beach Boys, Pet Sounds, 1966] – Pet Sounds is Brian Wilson’s masterpiece.  A lot of times Carl Wilson or Mike Love had the main mike, but this time it’s Brian’s turn.

A Hard Day's Night [The Beatles, A Hard Day’s Night. 1964] – There are so many other great Beatles opening tracks to choose from [Help!, Taxman, Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, Back in the USSR, Come Together], but I choose this one.  This song is what Beatlemania sounds like.

Welcome to the Jungle [Guns ‘N Roses. Appetite for Destruction, 1987] – Let’s face it – the 1980s had a lot of real shitty hair metal.  Welcome to the Jungle was a great, refreshing, and real.   This kicked the crap out of poseurs everywhere.

London Calling [The Clash, London Calling, 1979] – Is there really any explanation needed for why this song is on my list?

Baba O'Riley [The Who, Who’s Next, 1971] – There is nothing The Who did before 1971 that came close to sounding like this.  There is a running argument between Carol and I about “the best Who song ever.”   This is Carol’s choice [mine is Won’t Get Fooled Again].

Highway to Hell [AC/DC. Highway to Hell, 1979] – The Ultimate Classic Rock website chose Hells Bells from Back in Black [a worthy choice].  I choose this one.  Why?  Bon Scott, that’s why.

21st Century Schizoid Man [King Crimson, In the Court of the Crimson King, 1969] – For better or for worse, this song is the template for progressive rock.  Gov’t Mule did a smokin’ version on Mulennium.

Born on the Bayou [Creedence Clearwater Revival, Bayou Country, 1969] – This song and Proud Mary define CCR.  If someone wants to know what “swampy” means, play them this song. 

Purple Haze [Jimi Hendrix Experience, Are You Experienced? (US version), 1967] – When I bought this album on vinyl, this was the leadoff track.  The UK’s version had Foxey Lady.  It’s Jimi Freakin’ Hendrix!

Waitin' for the Bus/Jesus Just Left Chicago [ZZ Top, Tres Hombres, 1973] – I know, it’s really two songs, but have you heard one without the other?  Didn’t think so…

Black Dog [Led Zeppelin, LZ IV (or ‘Zoso’ or ‘Untitled’), 1971] – No explanation required.

2112 [Rush, 2112, 1976] - Heavy metal meets science-fiction concept.  It's all one song with several movements.  In my feeble mind, that counts.