Top Ten Songs That Start With a Lyrical Cold Open
What on earth is a lyrical cold opening? I stole it from the website TV Tropes, who call it a Lyrical Cold Open (I decided that the word "opening" sounded better). Basically, this list is about songs where the lyrics come in at the very beginning of the song. No intro, no riff, no fade in, nothing. These songs don't have to start off acapella (though they can); it's okay if an instrument plays along with the vocalist at the very beginning. Feel free to add to this list; if you do, tell me more about how each song starts.The Top Ten
"Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy? " I think it's fair to say that all of you just recognized that and probably sang along too.
Phenomenal song with phenomenal acapella opening, possibly one of the most famous ones of all time. Screw Lil Meerkat's cover by the way.
"Walking across the sitting room, I turn the television off." I find it interesting that one of the best 70s prog songs starts with the vocals coming in straightaway.
One thing's for sure, this exquisite song should rank above Overemian Ratedapsody.
John, Paul, and George sing the intro acapella, in harmony.
Wonderful!
The song starts with Mick Jagger singing "She would never say where she came from". It makes you wonder where he's going next.
Led Zeppelin since he has four of the if not the greatest musicians of all time.
If you listen to John bottom, it's almost abandon itself. Any drummer would agree that he is the best.
John Paul Jones is one of the most underrated magicians ever, he can and still does play any instrument he wants to.
Jimmy page was and still is considered one of the best guitarist in the world. And finally who else has the range, emotion and the ability to write mystical and mind altering lyrics. " all that lives is born to die" "what is and should never be" " to find a queen without a king", " as sure as the dust floats high in June" And how about finishing off with if the sun refused to shine I would still be loving you. That's the short version
Robert Plant sings the line "And if I say to you tomorrow" right before the band comes in.
The song starts with James singing "Please, please, please, please! " at the top of his lungs. Way to get people's attention.
Jim Morrison sings the first two words by himself and finishes the phrase with the rest of the band.
You missed a lot of rap hits for this list...
"Good evening ladies and gentlemen,
(***Instrumental sample starts***)
How's everybody doing tonight? "
The Contenders
The song starts with Roger Waters and his acoustic guitar, asking "Mother, do you think they'll drop the bomb? ".
No, this has a few notes before the vocals start, it's not a lyrical cold opening.
The band sings the intro acapella. This was the first Yes song I ever heard; the harmonies blew my mind.
Why was this not on the list...
"Gimme fuel, gimme fire, gimme double which I desire! "
Gimme food, Gimme fries, Gimme salad on the side!
One of the best Metallica songs.
Gimme 2 gimme 5 gimme salad on the side! - TheDarkOne_221b
Somebody once told me!...
This is the first one that came to mind, which I was going to add if it wasn't already here. I should have known you'd already have it covered. Ha!
"Well since my baby left me, I found a new place to dwell". That's probably one of the most iconic song intros from the 50s.
Are you gonna take me home tonight?
Ah, down beside that red firelight
Are you gonna let it all hang out?
Fat bottomed girls
You make the rocking' world go 'round