Top 10 Most Instantly Recognizable Song Intros

You've probably had that moment when a song starts, and within an instant, you recognize it. Maybe it reminds you of a specific time in your life, or it's just a song you've heard a million times and could never tire of.

These intros are more than just the start of a song. They've become cultural signals, triggering excitement, nostalgia, or even just the urge to dance.

The Top Ten

  1. Hot Legs - Rod Stewart

    Stairway to Heaven's nice river of acoustic guitars in the intro is magic, but to say you've never heard this song is just poppycock.

    The intro to Hot Legs is more melodic than any other "Rock" song intro. It may be too hard for most ears, but give it a good listen.

    And Bohemian Rhapsody? Come on, that's a cliché of a song, nicely put together but catering to the taste of mediocrity.

    Who's that knocking on my door?

  2. Smoke on the Water - Deep Purple

    This is a clear number one. I think even people who don't know the song would still recognize the opening riff.

  3. Bohemian Rhapsody - Queen

    Obviously, I'd recognize this one if I suddenly heard the intro.

    Hot Legs was spam-voted.

    Almost everyone knows this one. "Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy?"

    "Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy?

    Caught in a landslide.

    No escape from reality."

  4. We Will Rock You - Queen

    What's funny is that people don't even know the lyrics that well. Just the iconic intro.

    You can hear the clapping, making it an instant hit.

    The intro is like the whole song.

  5. Bad to the Bone - George Thorogood

  6. Back in Black - ACDC

    I'm surprised this iconic song isn't #1.

    Almost everyone knows this song and its intro.

    Back in Black is iconic.

  7. Stairway to Heaven - Led Zeppelin

  8. Echoes - Pink Floyd

  9. Smells Like Teen Spirit - Nirvana

  10. Master of Puppets - Metallica

    I can dream the intro!

    11. The Newcomers
  11. ?

    Flying High - The Arcana

  12. ?

    Seven Nation Army - The White Stripes

    13. The Contenders

  13. The Final Countdown - Europe

    No matter what genre of music you like, everyone knows the intro and main riff of this song.

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

    How is this not number one?

    Should be in the top 20.

    Oof, should be higher. Top 15 at least.

  15. Eye of the Tiger - Survivor

    Anyone would know it.

  16. Iron Man - Black Sabbath

  17. One - Metallica

  18. Let's Get It On - Marvin Gaye

  19. In the End - Linkin Park

    This song has a recognizable intro, but the chorus is way more recognizable.

  20. Come Together - The Beatles

    I love this soft intro.

  21. Don't Stop Believin' - Journey

  22. Old Time Rock and Roll - Bob Seger

  23. Extreme Ways - Moby

  24. Crazy Train - Ozzy Osbourne

    The intro is so iconic and badass.

  25. Roundabout - Yes

  26. Fallen - Electus

  27. Imagine - John Lennon

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