Top 10 Rock Songs with the Most Recognizable Intros

There are many legendary classic rock songs which are still loved to this day. However, there are only a number of songs, which are instantly recognized from the first few seconds alone. Even if you are not a huge fan of rock music, you may still recognize these songs based on their intro.
The Top Ten
1 Smells Like Teen Spirit - Nirvana

Even if you're not a huge fan of grunge rock or Nirvana, you may have heard this widely popular song at least once. The intro alone is memorable, which says it all.

Fantastic song with a fantastic intro.

2 Hotel California - Eagles
3 Jump - Van Halen
4 Sweet Child O' Mine - Guns N' Roses
5 Eye of the Tiger - Survivor
6 You Give Love a Bad Name - Bon Jovi
7 We Will Rock You - Queen

The song that nearly everyone of all ages has heard from that rhythm alone. In fact, this was most likely the first rock song you've heard in your life. This classic song is regarded as a staple to play for almost any occasion. Along with "We Are the Champions," this song is commonly played at many sporting events. Seriously, you didn't go to a sporting event if you didn't hear this song.

8 Immigrant Song - Led Zeppelin
9 Don’t Stop Believin’ - Journey

Another classic song that is instantly recognizable to everyone, regardless of what music they listen to. The first few piano notes give away this song instantly, and it's a perfect song to play almost anywhere.

10 Smoke on the Water - Deep Purple

Ah, yes. That iconic riff that everyone knows. Everyone has heard this riff at least once in their lives, as it has been covered using different instruments.

Ah yes, also from Beavis and Butt-Head.

The Contenders
11 Baba O'Riley - The Who

Also regarded as the song with the unnecessarily long intro, this song has gained significant popularity thanks to its usage in many films and television shows. The most notable one is in Family Guy, where Peter is singing karaoke.

12 Crazy Train - Ozzy Osbourne
13 Stairway to Heaven - Led Zeppelin

Considered one of Led Zeppelin's most legendary songs of all time, no matter how often or how little you've heard this song, you can remember the opening with that soft-playing guitar.

14 Sweet Home Alabama - Lynyrd Skynyrd

While this song is mostly known for being a meme about incest in Alabama, that has helped make it recognizable. Also, just like "Bad to the Bone," the song's repetition of the title kind of gives it away already.

15 Rock You Like a Hurricane - Scorpions
16 Bohemian Rhapsody - Queen

I'm kind of surprised this wasn't added before. This song's intro is iconic and instantly recognizable.

Yeah, the intro where Freddie sings, "Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy?" is very recognizable indeed.

17 Layla - Derek & The Dominos
18 Highway to Hell - AC/DC

One of AC/DC's most popular songs. Hearing the first few riffs in the beginning will instantly let you know.

19 Welcome to the Jungle - Guns N' Roses

Talk about a great way to be introduced to a band! The first thirty seconds of this memorable song are known to almost anyone. This song also happens to be one of my personal favorites, and has been used in Megamind towards the end of the movie.

20 Roundabout - Yes
21 The Final Countdown - Europe
22 Man in the Box - Alice in Chains
23 Welcome to the Black Parade - My Chemical Romance

Pretty much any song on The Black Parade album comes with its own recognizable intro. This song is the most iconic one and the source of the G note meme.

24 Locomotive Breath - Jethro Tull
25 Enter Sandman - Metallica
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