Best way to kick off an album...just one, please

Spirit: Prelude - Nothin' to Hide

 

The Stooges - “Down on the Street”

 

The Police: Outlandos D'Amour - Next to You

 

One of the finest openers can be found on American progband Happy The Man’s second album Crafty Hands:

 

Good one!

 

Queen - Death On Two Legs (Dedicated to.....

 

Medieval Overture - Return to Forever

 

Kick out the jams MC5

They lived off this song for 20 years

 

"Green River" on Green River. Here's CCR at Woodstock.

 

Death On Two Legs

 

The Dream Syndicate, "Tell Me When It's Over". Love this one!

 

And you suggest a comedy band?

 

I thought of that one. Too bad it doesn't kick off the album.

 

“I dig a pigmy by Charles Awtry and the Deaf Aides. Phase one in which Doris gets her oats.

 

Agreed, one of the great ones! The drumming is amazing as well, especially into the fade

 

Sky is red I don't understand, past midnight I still see the land....

Burn!

Deep Purple: Burn (1974), Made in Europe (1975)

 

Not only a great opener but also one of the all time best first to second song transitions. The loud squealing end to this song leading into the flute driven "Talk to the Wind" is brilliantly unsettling

 

I believe this was the first time I tried out a headset previewing CDs in HMV (remember those?). Blew me away.

 

From the soft rock side of things comes the beyond-gorgeous, haunting "Snow Queen" from The City, kicking off Carole King's singing career

 

The Ties That Bind - The River

 

Summer time blues blue cheer

Good for 20 years

 

YES. This is the grandfather of progressive rock greatness.

 

"Walk On", opener to On the Beach

"Sooner or later, it all gets real, walk on"

Welcome to the ditch.

 

Krautrock - Faust IV