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 at least heard this widely popular song once. That 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 You Give Love a Bad Name - Bon Jovi

I had to submit this? Wow.

6 Eye of the Tiger - Survivor
7 We Will Rock You - Queen

The song that nearly everyone of all ages has heard of from that rhythm alone. In fact, this most likely was 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 played at commonly played at many sporting events. Seriously, you didn't go to a sporting event if you didn't hear this song.

8 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.

9 Immigrant Song - Led Zeppelin
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 Newcomers

? Numb - Linkin Park
The Contenders
11 Baba O'Riley - The Who

Also regarded as that song with that unnecessarily long intro, this song is heavily popular thanks to its usage in many films and television shows, the most notable one being 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 little you've heard this song, you can remember the opening of that soft playing guitar.

14 Sweet Home Alabama - Lynyrd Skynyrd

While this song is mostly known for being a meme about incest in Alabama, with the help of that, it has made this song a recognizable one. Also just like "Bad to the Bone" this song repeating 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, "Is this the real life, is this just fantasy?" is very recognisable 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 great way to be introduced to a band! The first thirty seconds of this memorable song are known to almost anyone, and this song also happens to my personal favourites. This song has also 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, with this song being the most iconic one and is where the g note meme came from.

24 Locomotive Breath - Jethro Tull
25 Enter Sandman - Metallica
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