Best opening tracks of debut albums?

The opening track of a debut album is something very special - both for the artist as well as the listener, IMHO. If done and/or chosen correctly, it really is something like the summary of something new, the introduction of an artist or even a new category of music.

For me, there a few openers of debuts that are really monoliths until today, that somehow manage to give a brief introduction into the whole new world the respective artists are going to present in the years to come afterwards:

1. King Crimson - "21st Century Schizoid Man" of "In the Court of the Crimson King" (1969)
I (born 1970) listened to it the first time in my youth mid 80s... can still remember I was stunned. And still I get goose pimples every time I listen to it... nearly 50 years old now, and still light years ahead. Absolutely stunning.

2. Pink Floyd - "Astronomy Domine" of "The Piper at the Gates of Dawn"(1967)
Maybe - or quite certainly - the Barret-years are not really representative for the stuff Floyd did later. But the sound and production are still excellent... btw. the introductory peeping-sound is the ring-tone of my smartphone since a decade or so.

3. Black Sabbath - "Black Sabbath" of "Black Sabbath" (1970)
What the hell-of-a-song is that?! The riff, the rhytm breaks, the athmosphere - here you get not just a slight insight of what doom & metal are all about.

4. Led Zeppelin - "Good times bad times" of "Led Zeppelin" (1969)
Yes, the real great Zep-songs are on later records - but if you want to know why Bonzo Bonham was such an extraordinary drummer the first song of the very first album is sufficient. What a BOOOM.

5. The Doors - "Break on through (to the other side)" of "The Doors" (1967)
Another really great 60s band, another smasher: The whole concept of the Doors in less then two-and-a-half minutes... and you can even dance to it... to the other side!

6. Taste - "Blister on the Moon" of "Taste" (1969)
Rory Gallagher's first step into heavy blues rock - and what a smasher... sounding more modern than tradionals such as Catfish or Sugar Mama.

7. Rage Against the Machine - "Bombtrack" of "Rage Against the Machine" (1992)
As a friend of mine put it in the 90s: Zack de la Rocha's voice is actually somehow a weapon - and here you can really hear and understand why.

8. Arctic Monkeys - "The view from the afternoon" of "Whatever people say I am, that's what I'm not" (2006)
Although well in my 30s at the time of the release I could really subscribe to the Arctic's point on nightlife, adolescence and love... made me feel ten years or so younger then.

These are the ones that most regularly come to my mind. With this I want to leave it for you to add more - I'm really curious on your suggestions.

 

I Saw Her Standing There

 

Welcome to the Jungle

 

Suite : Judy Blue Eyes

 

"Perfect Skin" on Lloyd Cole & The Commotions' first album "Rattlesnakes"

 

TOY MATINEE - "Last Plane Out"

 

Big Star - Feel

 

Hungry Freaks Daddy

 

Janie Jones - The Clash

 

Baba O'Reilly
- Who's Next

by The Who

 

Queen - Keep Yourself Alive

Elvis Costello - Welcome to the Working Week

Genesis - Where the Sour Turns to Sweet

Paul Simon - Mother & Child Reunion (if you discount the Paul Simon Songbook)

 

Debut albums

 

First label release-Voices & Images, 1988
Camouflage-That Smiling Face

 

Couldn't agree more about Good Times Bad Times by Led Zeppelin. With his right foot, Bonzo sent all the others back to school.

 

The Byrds - Mr. Tambourine Man

 

Steely Dan's "Do It Again"

 

Oasis - Rock n Roll Starr

 

More best...
Heat of the Moment - Asia
And The Address - Deep Purple
Do You Believe in Magic - Lovin' Spoonful
Break On Through (To the Other Side) - The Doors

 

The Cars, "Good Times Roll"
Oh my god, this song, such a great vocal by Ric, love the guitar riff, so catchy and groovy, love the use of synths to give it that oomph, the great chorus vocals, what a great way to introduce you to an awesome band.
Pearl Jam, "Once"
Starts with a slow, ominous build, then slowing turns into a grooving mid tempo rocker with Eddie howling over it, a dark underbelly with such gusto and passion projecting it.
The Prentenders, "Precious"
Great tune, such a cutting riff from the late great James Honeyman-Scott, such attitude from Chrissie Hynde who will take no s*** and take no prisoner, this is a band who should noticed.
Megadeth, "Last Rites/Love It To Death"
Starting with a little piano riff, it builds into a harsh, abrasive tune, written by somebody who clearly has a chip on their shoulder. This is somebody fighting with a vengeance, hungry, bloodthirsty, with neck-breaking speed and technicality, holy f***.

 

Hendrix: "Purple Haze" (US) or "Foxy Lady" (UK)

 

More Than a Feeling - Boston

 

The Police - Next to You

 

"Hey Hey,we're the Monkees!"

 

In a strange sort of way, "The Emperor of Wyoming" by Neil Young works for me.