Top 10 Most Epic Song Intros of All Time

1. Welcome to the Black Parade - My Chemical Romance

   

   The intro begins with a melancholic piano melody that gradually builds up with soaring strings and a marching drum beat, culminating in a bombastic rock chorus that sets the stage for the rest of the song. It lasts for 1 minute and 49 seconds.

2. The Final Countdown - Europe

   

   The intro begins with a triumphant synth fanfare that gradually builds up with soaring guitars, thunderous drums, and soaring vocals, creating an epic and catchy rock anthem that has become a cultural icon of the 80s. It's a 1 minute and 20 second intro.

3. Free Bird - Lynyrd Skynyrd

   

   The intro begins with a slow electric guitar progression supported by organ accompaniment. It establishes the song's ballad-like first section before transitioning into the extended faster finale.

4. Knights of Cydonia - Muse

   

   The intro opens with a twangy guitar riff that gradually builds up with pounding drums, soaring vocals, and layers of futuristic synthesizers, creating a grandiose and cinematic atmosphere that evokes images of a space western epic. The intro lasts for 2 minutes and 6 seconds.

   Epic is the only way I can describe this. Who knew neighing horses and laser beams could sound so good together?

   For a song titled "Knights of Cydonia," the intro does a good job of living up to the rebellious, planetary-level crusader themes that it invokes.

5. Sweet Child O' Mine - Guns N' Roses

   

   The intro begins with an iconic guitar riff that sets the tone for the rest of the song. This memorable intro lasts for 30 seconds.

6. I'd Do Anything for Love (But I Won't Do That) - Meat Loaf

   

   The full version of this intro begins with a haunting piano melody that gradually builds up with atmospheric sound effects, thunderous drums, and soaring vocals, creating a theatrical and romantic atmosphere that sets the stage for the epic love ballad to come. It's a 1 minute and 50 second long intro.

7. Shine On You Crazy Diamond - Pink Floyd

   

   The intro features a sustained synthesizer pad and guitar motif that gradually layers additional keyboards and saxophone elements over several minutes. It serves as the opening movement of the multipart suite found on the album Wish You Were Here.

8. The Imperial March - John Williams

   

   The intro begins with the ominous Imperial March, a haunting melody that is synonymous with the power and might of the Empire.

9. Bat Out of Hell - Meat Loaf

   

   The intro begins with a haunting piano and vocal melody that gradually builds up with pounding drums and soaring guitars, creating a dramatic and operatic atmosphere that sets the stage for the epic rock opera to come. It's a 1 minute and 55 second long intro.

10. Thriller - Michael Jackson

    

    The intro begins with ominous sound effects and a spoken word monologue that leads into a catchy beat.

The Newcomers
11. ?

    Holy Diver - Dio

    

    The intro starts with atmospheric synthesizer textures followed by a distinct guitar riff. This section leads directly into the main rhythm pattern that anchors the track.

12. ?

    Back to Paradise - Miki Matsubara

    
The Contenders

13. For Whom the Bell Tolls - Metallica

    

    The intro begins with a haunting bell tolling and a distorted guitar riff.

14. Rasputin - Boney M.

    

    The intro opens with a rhythmic drum pattern and disco instrumentation that sets the tempo for the rest of the track. It quickly introduces the primary melodic hook used throughout the song.

15. I'm Shipping Up to Boston - Dropkick Murphys

    

    The intro begins with a fast-paced banjo riff that leads into a high-energy punk rock song.

16. Thunderstruck - AC/DC

    

    The intro begins with a loud and electrifying guitar riff that sets the tone for this classic rock anthem.

17. Layla - Derek & The Dominos

    

    The intro begins with a memorable guitar riff and transitions into an emotional love song. The intro is 24 seconds long.

    The stars aligned when, by pure coincidence, Duane Allman was in the same recording studio with Eric Clapton. Both were in their prime, and both tried to one-up each other.

    The result is probably the greatest "organic" guitar collaboration of all time.

18. Hojotoho! - Richard Wagner

    

    The intro begins with the iconic "Hojotoho!" call, a famous motif from Richard Wagner's opera Die Walkure.

19. The Phantom of the Opera - Nightwish

    

    The intro begins with haunting organ music that sets the mood for this powerful rendition of The Phantom of the Opera by Nightwish.

20. Set You Free - N-Trance

    

    The intro opens with a hypnotic synth melody that gradually builds up with pounding drums, soaring vocals from Kelly Llorenna, and layers of atmospheric sound effects, creating a euphoric and anthemic dance tune that captures the spirit of 90s dance music. The intro lasts for 45 seconds.

21. Runnin' with the Devil - Van Halen

    

    The intro begins with a sinister laugh followed by a heavy guitar riff.

22. Heaven and Hell - Black Sabbath

    

    The intro begins with a slow and somber piano melody that builds into a thundering guitar riff.

23. Goldeneye - Tina Turner

    

    The intro begins with a moody and atmospheric synth riff that sets the tone for Goldeneye, a powerful and haunting song.

24. Children of the Sea - Black Sabbath

    

    The intro begins with a moody guitar riff that sets the tone for this haunting and melodic Black Sabbath classic.

25. River Deep Mountain High - Tina Turner

    

    The intro begins with a pulsing bass line and driving beat that is instantly recognizable.

26. Judas Rising - Judas Priest

    

    The intro begins with a thundering guitar riff and driving beat that sets the stage for this classic metal anthem.

27. Holding Out for a Hero - Bonnie Tyler

    

    The intro begins with a strong drum beat and guitar riff and continues with high energy and operatic backing vocals. The intro lasts for 33 seconds.