Many moons ago, Seth
Munson Green and Noah Thomas Bloom were sitting around listening to Led
Zeppelin’s 1. I will not speculate if their state of mind had been artificially
or naturally stimulated by any substance (I wasn’t there, after all) but what
came out of this meeting of the minds was a statement by Noah Bloom: “Good
times, bad times” Noah Bloom was later recalled as saying “Is the best lead-off
song, from a debut album ever.” Ever since that statement was related back from
Seth Munson Green to the rest of us, a great debate has taken place between myself
and many of my friends. Like many other statements Noah Bloom has made over the
years: “[my hat] cost more than yours did”, “I could take several shots and
still be sober enough to drive several miles before they impaired me”, “I think
I could get away with tax evasion.” This one ended up with many hours of heated
conversation, and like all of our debates, ended with everyone agreeing to
disagree. Until today, because, ladies and gentleman, I present to you: The top
10 opening tracks from a debut album of all time (as voted on by Quinn Rose)
11. Once-
Pearl Jam http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tPkz7bZoq18,
Ironically, from Pearl Jam’s debut album ten, Once is the only song on this
list that isn’t a single. Ten (which includes chart toppers: Alive, Even Flow,
Jeremy, and Black) is usually in peoples top 20 albums of the 90’s and it is
listed as the #209th album of all-time in Rolling Stones top 500
albums list. Once is loud and in-your-face and let’s people know from the get
go, that Pearl Jam is a force to be reckon with.
10. Baby One More Time-
Britney Spears http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-u5WLJ9Yk4&ob=av2e
it is easy to boo and hiss this choice, but doing so is useless, stupid, and musically
stubborn as a mule. BOMT is as perfect a pop song as it gets.
9. Break on Through (to
the other side)- The Doors http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aE4kUg54GyU
The Doors self-titled debut album gave the world an introduction to a new piano
driven world of rock n roll. Break on Through was The Doors first single, but
according to Wikipedia its highest spot on the charts was only 126. Obviously
time has justified its existence and it is now one of their most popular songs
(it’s their #2 selling song on Itunes). It is also one of only 4 songs I have
sung at Karaoke.
8. Good Times, Bad
Times- Led Zeppelin. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cm2-K6ttHYs
Noah Bloom wasn’t far off in his originally hypothesis. Good Times, Bad Times
introduces us to a band that would change the world of rock n roll, forever. In
less than three minutes, it lets us know that we will never be the same again.
This song is covered by Cracker on the underrated Zeppelin tribute album Encomium
7. More Than a feeling-
Boston http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fm_-sW4Vktw
Boston’s debut album is the #2 selling debut album of all time and it is in no
small part because of this song. This song is by far the top selling Boston
single on Itunes, and is rank #39th best hard rock song of all time
by VH1. It is also my favorite song by a 70’s rock band that doesn’t crack my
50 favorite bands of all-time list. Here is a version of The Cool Kats doing a
Lip-sync, air instrument version of the song http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qs0aEuB9rXQ
(it’s my sisters favorite scene from Scrubs)
6. Purple Haze- Jimi
Hendrix http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ciij718a9Mc
The version of Jimi debut album released first in Europe has Foxy Lady as the
lead track. However, the American (and Canadian) release has Purple Haze as the
lead track. Because, much like Jimi, I am American, I am going to go with the American
version of the album.
5. Head Like A Hole- Nine
Inch Nails http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cV2EUUF47Ms
With Head Like A Hole, Trent Reznor sent a big Fuck You to the corporate music
industry and this song tells them They are all going to get what they deserve.
Pretty Hate Machine was the first independently released album to go platinum
(sell over 1 million records). Head Like A Hole was its most successful single
4. Round Here -Counting
Crows http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SAe3sCIakXo&ob=av2n
though not the albums most successful single (that would be Mr. Jones) it is
the best (and that’s saying a lot, as it is an amazing album). This song is
pure poetry. Adam Duritz was such a big music star that he dated both Courtney
Cox and Jennifer Aniston when Friends-mania was at its peak, despite the fact
he sported the white guy with dreads look.
3. I put a spell on
you- Credence Clearwater Revival http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4R6nmKjcSeU
If you explained this song to as a Northern California band whose lead singer
sings with a fake Louisiana accent covering a song that, while really good,
could best be described as “spooky voodoo” song must likely heard on Dr.
Demento’s playlist http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=orNpH6iyokI
I would probably not be very excited
about listening to it. But the great thing about this song is it works under any
circumstance and while it seems a little weird for a rock band that writes most
of its music to lead off its debut album with a cover song, it wasn’t back in
1968.
2. Bring Da Ruckus- Wu Tang Clan http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cbfGkiecl2M Most Rap albums start with a skit, but Wu-Tang was always better than most Rappers (rap groups), they brought the motherfuckin Ruckus from the very beginning, and the world was never the same again.
2. Bring Da Ruckus- Wu Tang Clan http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cbfGkiecl2M Most Rap albums start with a skit, but Wu-Tang was always better than most Rappers (rap groups), they brought the motherfuckin Ruckus from the very beginning, and the world was never the same again.
1.Welcome to the Jungle- Guns
& Roses http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1tj2zJ2Wvg&ob=av2e
The minute you realize this is the opening track from Guns & Roses debut
album, you realize this list couldn’t (and shouldn’t) have any other song at
the top of the list. From the opening guitar riffs to the first time you hear
Axl’s voice you realize you are listening to something awe-inspiring. Appetite
is the best selling debut album of all time and while it had other chart toping
singles, none of them came close to this.
You know where you are? You at
the end of my blog, baby…
Let me know what you think…
HUUH