The Sickest Album Openers In Rock History
For many artists, the intended listening experience involves a full album playthrough, in the order the songs were arranged. While streaming services offer playlists, the impact of a carefully constructed album—like Pink Floyd’s “Dark Side of the Moon” or The Who’s “Tommy”—is diminished when songs are heard in isolation. A truly impactful album opener doesn’t just present a good song; it immediately grabs the listener, setting the tone and demanding attention for the musical journey ahead.
The Beatles – Come Together from Abbey Road
“Abbey Road” is widely considered The Beatles’ magnum opus, recorded amidst internal tensions before the band’s breakup. The album begins with John Lennon’s “Come Together,” a track that opens with a sound many initially believed to be a modified rotary phone dial, but is actually Lennon’s electronically altered voice hissing “Shoot me.” This is followed by Paul McCartney’s doom-laden bass line.
Lennon’s lyrics borrow from Chuck Berry’s “You Can’t Catch Me,” but quickly veer into the nonsensical with phrases like “ju-ju eyeball,” “toe jam football,” and “walrus gumboot.” The song builds to a crescendo with Billy Preston’s funky organ and Ringo Starr’s deliberately primitive drumming, contrasted by Lennon’s distorted rhythm guitar and George Harrison’s slick solo. Rolling Stone magazine once deemed it one of the Fab Four’s top 10 songs.
The Rolling Stones – Gimme Shelter from Let It Bleed
“Gimme Shelter,” from the Rolling Stones’ 1969 album “Let It Bleed,” remains a classic. The song begins with a hypnotic guitar progression, a slow samba groove, and gentle backing vocals. Charlie Watts’ drums then kick in, establishing the song’s unmistakable rock rhythm.
Mick Jagger sings of an impending storm, warning of a world on the brink of chaos. The chorus features Jagger and Merry Clayton warning that “war is just a shot away.” Clayton’s powerful vocals steal the song, delivering the lines “Rape, murder, it’s just a shot away,” followed by an appreciative “whoo!” from someone in the studio. Both Rolling Stone and other music industry outlets have declared “Gimme Shelter” to be the band’s best song ever.
Bob Dylan – Like a Rolling Stone from Highway 61 Revisited
Bob Dylan’s “Highway 61 Revisited” marked a significant shift in his sound, embracing electric instrumentation. The album’s opening track, “Like a Rolling Stone,” was unlike anything Dylan—or anyone else—had produced before. It begins with a jangling combination of drums, bass, and piano, immediately launching into Dylan’s rapid-fire lyrics: “Once upon a time you dressed so fine/You threw the bums a dime in your prime, didn’t you?”
Clocking in at around six minutes—a considerable length for a pop single at the time—the song features shimmering guitars and Dylan’s sneering vocals. Session musician Al Kooper improvised the now-iconic organ riff that defines the track.
Jimi Hendrix – Purple Haze from Are You Experienced
Jimi Hendrix’s debut album, “Are You Experienced,” released in May 1967, showcased groundbreaking guitar virtuosity. The album’s first track, “Purple Haze,” expanded the limits of what a guitar could achieve. The song opens with discordant guitar notes, influenced by Hendrix’s experiences with LSD, and features haunting voices and feedback-influenced effects.
While “Are You Experienced” contains other extraordinary songs, none match the originality and sheer weirdness of “Purple Haze.” Acclaimed guitarists like Eric Clapton and Jeff Beck were humbled by Hendrix’s technological innovation and inventiveness.
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers – Refugee from Damn the Torpedoes
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers achieved their breakthrough with their self-titled 1976 debut. However, it was their third album, “Damn the Torpedoes,” led by the opening track “Refugee,” that truly propelled them to success. “Refugee” embodies Petty’s defiant spirit, with lyrics inspired by his battle with his record label.
Guitarist Mike Campbell’s riffs are raw and menacing, complementing Petty’s intense vocals. The song required an astonishing 100 takes to perfect, partly due to the challenging vocal range. Campbell noted that Petty sometimes struggled to hit the high notes, but “Refugee” became the standard against which all other Heartbreakers songs were measured.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes an album opener “sick”?
According to the source, a truly “sick” album opener must immediately grab the listener’s attention, setting the tone for the album and launching the listener into a musical adventure.
Which album opener is considered the Rolling Stones’ best song?
Both Rolling Stone and other music industry media outlets have declared “Gimme Shelter” to be the Rolling Stones’ best song ever.
How many takes did it take to record “Refugee” by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers?
It took an unbelievable 100 takes to record “Refugee,” due in part to the song’s challenging vocal range for Tom Petty.
Do you think the way we listen to music—streaming versus full album plays—impacts our appreciation for an artist’s overall vision?