“High Fidelity” by Nick Hornby is a book about the music-obsessed — about the kinds of guys who spend their free time making desert-island mix tapes. The main character, Rob, spends hours reorganizing his record collection based on different themes and aesthetics. I’ve decided to start the column that Rob wishes he could have had. I’ll review new albums, write about some of my favorite albums with upcoming anniversaries and, most importantly, I’ll make lists.
I thought there would be no better way to begin the column than by rolling out an abridged list of the best opening songs on albums ever made.
Honorable mentions:
“Like A Rolling Stone” by Bob Dylan (Highway 61 Revisited; 1965)
“Mama Tried” by Merle Haggard (Mama Tried; 1968)
“I Want You” by Marvin Gaye (I Want You; 1976)
“I Ain’t No Joke” by Eric B. & Rakim (Paid in Full; 1987)
“Girls & Boys ” by Blur (Parklife; 1994)
“96 of My Life” by JME (Grime MC; 2020)
No. 10: “Purple Haze” by The Jimi Hendrix Experience (Are You Experienced; 1967)
Nothing sounded like this in 1967, and for good reason: No one could play like Hendrix. A perfect start to a classic album.
No. 9: “Let’s Stay Together” by Al Green (Let’s Stay Together; 1972)
I challenge you to find one person who doesn’t like this song. Or a single setting where this song doesn’t work.
No. 8: “Blitzkrieg Bop” by Ramones (Ramones; 1976)
Everyone knows this song. They don’t remember the first time they heard it; they just know it. It’s fun as hell, and then it’s over before you know it.
No. 7: “Straight Outta Compton” by N.W.A (Straight Outta Compton; 1988)
“You are now about to witness the strength of street knowledge.” And with that, a new genre of hip-hop was born. Ice Cube and Eazy-E sound like they’re shouting directly at you, and Dr. Dre’s production is relentless.
No. 6: “American Pie” by Don McLean (American Pie; 1971)
Don McLean would never make a finer song. Spawning decades of lyrical interpretation, “American Pie” is a seminal American classic.
No. 5: “London Calling” by The Clash (London Calling; 1979)
The perfect encapsulation of The Clash’s lyrical ethos and Joe Strummer’s sneer is in full force. An anthem.
No. 4: “Can’t Stand Me Now” by The Libertines (The Libertines; 2004)
An argument between the lead singers set to jangly guitars and slurred vocals. It’s endearing and mindless fun at the same time.
No. 3: “Sunday Morning” by The Velvet Underground and Nico (The Velvet Underground and Nico; 1967)
It’s hard to imagine a world where this song didn’t exist. At the same time, this could be released now, and no one would bat an eye.
No. 2: “The Revolution Will Not Be Televised” by Gil Scott-Heron (Pieces Of a Man; 1971)
A soul song, a jazz song and an early rap song. It’s relentless, filled with cultural allusions. An unraveling depiction of what it meant to be marginalized in America. An anthem for the idealistic and for the hopeful patriot.
No. 1: “Thunder Road” by Bruce Springsteen (Born to Run; 1975)
This is the song that made “The Boss” a symbol of the everyday American. No album ever starts more tactically than Born to Run, transporting you to the heart of America, full of average people trying to become a little bit better. “You ain’t a beauty, but hey, you’re alright/ Oh, and that’s alright with me.” It’s alright with me too, Bruce.
