Top 10 Rock Songs with the Most Recognizable Intros

There are many legendary classic rock songs that are still loved to this day.

However, there are only a number of songs that 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 intros.

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. 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.

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

  4. Jump - Van Halen

  5. 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.

  6. 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.

  7. Crazy Train - Ozzy Osbourne

  8. 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.

  9. 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.

  10. 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.

    11. The Newcomers
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    Numb - Linkin Park

  12. ?

    Faraway Eyes - The Rolling Stones

    13. The Contenders

  13. 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.

  14. 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.

  15. 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.

  16. Hotel California - Eagles

  17. Man in the Box - Alice in Chains

  18. 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.

  19. Enter Sandman - Metallica

  20. Roundabout - Yes

  21. American Idiot - Green Day

  22. Locomotive Breath - Jethro Tull

  23. Johnny B. Goode - Chuck Berry

  24. In the End - Linkin Park

  25. Immigrant Song - Led Zeppelin

  26. Every Breath You Take - The Police

  27. Don't Fear the Reaper - Blue Oyster Cult

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