Ten Of My Favorite Album Openers Of All Time

Posted On June 2, 2021

Samantha Colleran, June 2021

Album openers. We know them. We love them. They kick start the journey of any album you’re listening to; whether it’s listening to an album you’re well versed in, listening to a brand new release, or listening to an old album for the first time, album openers help you get a feel for what your listening experience will be like. I decided to write about just a few of my favorite album openers today. As always, these aren’t in any specific order, and I could go on and on about my favorites, but I’d be here forever, so I limited myself!

“Second Hand News” (Rumours), Fleetwood Mac

Everyone has heard at least one song off the iconic Rumours by Fleetwood Mac. However, if you’ve never heard the album from top to bottom you’re missing out. “Second Hand News” kicks off this album fueled with too many band issues to even begin delving into. Upbeat instrumentally, harsh and biting lyrically, “Second Hand News” welcomes you into the complicated world of Fleetwood Mac at the time. Written by Lindsey Buckingham, the lyrics put his emotions towards Stevie and their incredibly strained relationship on full display. “I know there’s nothing to say/ Someone has taken my place”, the track begins. He claims he won’t miss Stevie once their relationship comes to its ultimate bitter end, that he’s “been down so long” and “tossed around enough” to even think of missing what they once had. He’s just second hand news, he doesn’t believe himself to be a relevant part of Stevie’s life anymore. It perfectly sums up the weird mix of love, heartbreak, and overall tension within the band. This song is a piece of history; it begins the only album the band ever won a Grammy for, and it’s one of the most well known introductions to an album to date. 

“Brianstorm” (Favourite Worst Nightmare), Arctic Monkeys

“Brianstorm” opens the Arctic Monkeys’ sophomore album, Favourite Worst Nightmare, and it’s one of my favorite songs of theirs. It’s a fast paced track about a man named Brian, who is described in the lyrics as a total player. He’s the star of any room he walks into, he can smooth talk his way out of anything, and he can score any girl he wants to. Girls want to be with him (that is, until they become a one night stand and nothing more), the men envy his ability to make the ladies swoon. Alex Turner’s smooth vocals breathe so much life into this character you’re almost sure he’s real. The instrumentals are raw and rocky, the lyrics carry a weight of wit and sarcasm, it’s a really solid introduction into the more refined sound of Arctic Monkeys. This album as a whole is one of their best works, if not their best work, and this song is a standout on the album. 

“Future Nostalgia” (Future Nostalgia), Dua Lipa

Dua Lipa starts off her sophomore album with the lyric “You want a timeless song, I wanna change the game”. With Future Nostalgia, Dua brought back the beloved 80s pop feel with her own twist, and this album became a smash hit of 2020 and has carried on as an incredibly successful album into 2021. Dua asserts herself as a strong female presence in the music world, showing off her confidence in this bouncy pop track. She’s the female alpha; changing the game and making new rules, which further challenges her male counterparts, and it’s simply amazing to see such a strong woman take charge of her career and sound the way Dua has over the last year. “Future Nostalgia” is the name, so turn it up loud and let yourself be swept up in Dua’s world of pop genius. 

“Bridge Burning” (Wasting Light), Foo Fighters

“These are my famous last words”. Name something more badass than starting arguably the Foos best album (in terms of success) with that line. Go on, try to do it. I’ll wait. Couldn’t think of something more badass? Neither could I, and that’s exactly why “Bridge Burning” is on this list! It’s such a fast paced track that’ll have you headbanging away, and you’ll find it hard to turn it off of repeat once you start listening. It’s a really awesome introduction to Wasting Light, which was all recorded in Dave’s garage in LA. This album feels incredibly personal, and opening with such a strong masterpiece both lyrically and musically solidifies the fact the Foos are a force to be reckoned with. Personally speaking, I think this song showcases some of Dave’s best vocal moments, you can hear the passion in the instrumentals as well. 

“Honky Cat” (Honky Chateau), Elton John

Honky Chateau is my personal favorite Elton album. I don’t really know why, I’ve never been able to find the right words to explain my reasoning for loving this album so much. However, there is one thing I can articulate, and that’s why “Honky Cat” is one of the greatest opening tracks! Written by Bernie Taupin and Sir Elton, the lyrics tell the story of a young man who “quit those days and [his] redneck ways” in hopes of leaving his rural hometown for a big, grand city, a change that’ll do him good. Those who live in his hometown tell him to “get back to the woods” because “livin’ in the city ain’t where it’s at”. It’s an upbeat track that’ll have you nodding along with its punchy piano and incredible horn section. It’s fun to listen to, and it’s a really incredible introduction to the weirdly wonderful world of Honky Chateau. (It also doesn’t hurt that Taron Egerton and Richard Madden breathed new life into it for the Rocketman movie!)

“Dead Of Night” (Pony), Orville Peck

I think everyone who has been reading my blog since last summer knows how genuinely obsessed with Orville Peck I’ve become. This was the first Orville song I had ever heard, and it’s still among my favorites of his. It made me want to listen to more of his music, and it was conveniently the track that opened his debut album Pony. Orville is country, but not twangy and annoying. He brings older elements into his music while giving it a classical twist, while simultaneously intertwining a modern vibe into his art. “Dead Of Night” is a dreamy sounding track filled with layered vocals, striking drums, and Orville’s incredibly strong vocals. This song perfectly begins the timeless sounding Pony, and once you hear this opening track you’ll be sucked in and craving more Orville music. 

“Let’s Go Crazy” (Purple Rain), Prince and the Revolution

Dearly beloved, we are gathered here to talk about the most iconic opening song on a movie soundtrack. “Let’s Go Crazy” has all the elements necessary in a Prince masterpiece; incredible instrumentation (if you don’t sing the guitar part we can’t be friends), insanely smart lyrics (with the obvious religious undertones, because this is Prince we’re talking about), and the far too recognizable vocals of the one and only Prince. This song also opens the movie Purple Rain, which to me just further solidifies the fact that this is a perfect opener all around. We’re reminded that life is hard, and going a little crazy isn’t something to be ashamed of, in fact we should be proud of it. It’s a perfect way to enter the Purple Rain world, whether you’re watching the movie or just jamming out to the soundtrack!

“Cuz I Love You” (Cuz I Love You), Lizzo

Lizzo opens her sophomore album in the most Lizzo way possible: powerfully. From the second you hit “play” on this album, you’re launched into the incredible musical world of Cuz I Love You as Lizzo belts out “I’m cryin’ cuz I love youuuuuu” and an amazing backing band fills your ears with such a strong force, you’ll feel yourself leaning back in your seat in pure shock whether it’s your first time listening our your hundredth time listening. Although Lizzo has been in the music game for quite some time, this album truly launched her into stardom, and starting off with a track as strong as this one tells you all you need to know about Lizzo’s incredible vocal performance and lyrical talent. The lyrics have that Lizzo spunk and a lovely dramatic feel, and this song shows one of her best vocal performances. If you need to be blown away by an opening track, and an entire album, definitely start with Lizzo because you won’t be disappointed!

“Cruel World” (Ultraviolence), Lana Del Rey

“Shared my body and my mind with you/ That’s all over now”, Lana croons in that signature, easy to recognize voice of hers. Not only was this the first song to open Lana’s incredible Ultraviolence, it was the first song off the album Lana and her band recorded; it started the entire process, and it’s the perfect song to do so. It starts off slower and softer, giving Lana’s vocals the chance to shine through, and the chorus turns into this warped guitar sound and Lana’s voice cracks and gets more gritty, “Put my little red party dress on/ Everybody knows that I’m the best

I’m crazy, yeah, yeah/ Get a little bit of bourbon in ya/ Get a little bit suburban and go/ Crazy, yeah, yeah”. Lana opens up about her alcohol addiction on this track, letting listeners take a deeper look into her mind and see how overcoming and working through the addiction made her feel. It’s one of the best songs in her discography, opening her best album on such a unique and personal note made people fall deeper in love with her sound and musical style. Ultraviolence is a must listen to album, and “Cruel World” is one of the reasons why it’s a must listen. 

“Rock ‘n’ Roll Star” (Definitely Maybe), Oasis

I recently talked about Oasis’ debut album, but when talking about opening tracks, “Rock ‘n’ Roll Star” is one of the best! The band started their debut album talking about wanting to be some of the greatest rockers of all time, and years later they can certainly say they’ve lived up to their fantasies. Living in the city where life moves too fast, singing for their fans, and making their dreams come true, it’s all laid out in this five minute track. We get a true look into the beginnings of Noel’s songwriting, we’re introduced to Liam’s unique vocals that are so easy to pinpoint, and we’re launched into the wonderful world of Oasis’ debut. You’re in the hands of the Gallaghers now, they’re rock ‘n’ roll stars, and when you listen you become part of their big dream of taking over the world. Sure, it’s just rock ‘n’ roll, but it changed the lives of Oasis forever.

That wraps up my list of ten of my favorite album openers! Did any of your favorites make the cut? Let me know in the comments! Share your favorite album opener from this list in the comments, and if I didn’t touch on your favorite share it below!