# Favorite opening tracks from debut albums **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** music\ **Created:** [June 14, 2025, 12:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-opening-tracks-from-debut-albums/1019622 "2025-06-14T12:55:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2025, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-opening-tracks-from-debut-albums/1019622/61 "2025-06-16T23:09:07Z")
Procol Harum’s first US album starts with “A Whiter Shade of Pale.” It had been a smash hit so they led with it. Their UK album starts with “Conquistador,” another one of their classics, though not until it was recorded live. The German version starts out with “Homburg,” also a great song. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/BrV4nxAligw/hqdefault.jpg "Procol Harum - Homburg (with lyrics)") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrV4nxAligw) ---
**Author:** ![Labdad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/439d5e/32.png) [@Labdad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labdad)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2025, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-opening-tracks-from-debut-albums/1019622/62 "2025-06-17T00:08:11Z")
I go one further; Best **first line** off the first song of the first album. “Jesus died for somebody’s sins, but not mine!” [“Gloria”](https://youtu.be/bPO0bTaWcFQ?si=I6pEpevz3tM806Qt) from “Horses” by Patti Smith. ---
**Author:** ![Labdad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/439d5e/32.png) [@Labdad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labdad)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2025, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-opening-tracks-from-debut-albums/1019622/63 "2025-06-17T00:10:15Z")
[Gloria](https://youtu.be/bPO0bTaWcFQ?si=I6pEpevz3tM806Qt) ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2025, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-opening-tracks-from-debut-albums/1019622/64 "2025-06-17T00:20:07Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > Heel/Heal - IDLES Excellent choice. ---
**Author:** ![Si\_Amigo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/si_amigo/32/2877_2.png) [@Si\_Amigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Si_Amigo)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2025, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-opening-tracks-from-debut-albums/1019622/65 "2025-06-17T01:44:13Z")
The Go Go’s debut Beauty and the Beat started out with the catchy tune Our Lips Are Sealed. Sure, its pop, but pretty decent pop. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2025, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-opening-tracks-from-debut-albums/1019622/66 "2025-06-17T01:56:42Z")
I will not let you use “pop” as an implied pejorative. That’s a fantastic song. I’m going to put it on right now, in fact. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2025, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-opening-tracks-from-debut-albums/1019622/67 "2025-06-17T02:37:44Z")
The first track on Rockpile’s debut (and only) album is a fun track called [Teacher, Teacher](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=65Ia4Qti6_s). But they were together for a bit before that backing other groups. In a similar house band vein, Booker T and the M.G.s were the house band for Stax. The first track on their debut album is probably their most famous track - [Green Onions](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0oox9bJaGJ8). ---
**Author:** ![wguy123](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wguy123/32/3161_2.png) [@wguy123](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wguy123)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2025, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-opening-tracks-from-debut-albums/1019622/68 "2025-06-17T03:12:48Z")
You by Radiohead. Sure, it was completely overwhelmed by the next song on this album, but it’s a strong opener to their catalog. > **[You](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OzL7u5teZhg%2F)** > > Provided to YouTube by Beggars Group Digital Ltd.You · RadioheadPablo Honey℗ 2016 XL Recordings LtdReleased on: 1993-02-22Associated Performer: Colin Greenwo... ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2025, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-opening-tracks-from-debut-albums/1019622/69 "2025-06-17T03:50:03Z")
A few I like that I don’t think have been mentioned yet. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/SOJSM46nWwo/hqdefault.jpg "Madness - One Step Beyond (Official 4k Video)") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SOJSM46nWwo&t=30) [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/5UXnulANF8g/maxresdefault.jpg "Dream Academy - "Life In A Northern Town" (Official Music Video)") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5UXnulANF8g) [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/1o4s1KVJaVA/maxresdefault.jpg "The Traveling Wilburys - Handle With Care (Official Video)") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1o4s1KVJaVA) [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/oQbULwlGOKg/maxresdefault.jpg "Scenic Routes") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oQbULwlGOKg) [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/SECVGN4Bsgg/maxresdefault.jpg "Men At Work - Who Can It Be Now? (Video Version)") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SECVGN4Bsgg) ---
**Author:** ![cieskokid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cieskokid/32/5374_2.png) [@cieskokid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cieskokid)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2025, 5:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-opening-tracks-from-debut-albums/1019622/70 "2025-06-17T05:03:45Z")
Say what you will about who & what U2 has become, they came out of the gate from Ireland on fire, perhaps even an unforgettable fire 😉 [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/-sLzV00gNUo/maxresdefault.jpg "U2 - I Will Follow") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-sLzV00gNUo) ---
**Author:** ![fiddlesticks](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fiddlesticks/32/18129_2.png) [@fiddlesticks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fiddlesticks)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2025, 5:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-opening-tracks-from-debut-albums/1019622/71 "2025-06-17T05:18:54Z")
Interpol’s “Turn on the Bright Lights” was set up in one of the Employee’s Choice Listening Stations at my local record shop (RIP) sometime back in the fall of 2002. The first track (“Untitled”) sold me. https://www.youtube.com/embed/9Fz6Ffv_RFQ?feature=oembed&wmode=opaque&list=RD9Fz6Ffv_RFQ ---
**Author:** ![ShadowFacts](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shadowfacts/32/2934_2.png) [@ShadowFacts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShadowFacts)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2025, 12:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-opening-tracks-from-debut-albums/1019622/72 "2025-06-17T12:14:17Z")
> [@Thudlow\_Boink](#): > > A few I like that I don’t think have been mentioned yet Those are excellent choices. ---
**Author:** ![ZonexandScout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zonexandscout/32/544_2.png) [@ZonexandScout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZonexandScout)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2025, 12:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-opening-tracks-from-debut-albums/1019622/73 "2025-06-17T12:47:14Z")
Fairport Convention’s debut album, _Fairport Convention_, opens with “Time Will Show the Wiser.” Definitely a strong introduction. If we allowed for the subsequent debut albums for each of the members of the band (and combinations thereof, including spouses), we’d have a lot more very good contenders. ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2025, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-opening-tracks-from-debut-albums/1019622/74 "2025-06-17T13:36:23Z")
> [@ZonexandScout](#): > > If we allowed for the subsequent debut albums for each of the members of the band (and combinations thereof, including spouses), we’d have a lot more very good contenders. Tangential, but the podcast “Life of the Record” has a terrific episode on the making of “I Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight”, narrated by Richard and Linda (or Linda’s daughter reading her notes, IIRC, because of her misophonia). ---
**Author:** ![ZonexandScout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zonexandscout/32/544_2.png) [@ZonexandScout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZonexandScout)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2025, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-opening-tracks-from-debut-albums/1019622/75 "2025-06-17T13:46:49Z")
The opening track of IWTSTBLT is a very, very strong contender for favorite opening track on a debut if we allow it to be the debut of Richard and Linda as a group. I believe one critic stated that there is no track on the album “…that is less than luminous.” Unfortunately, this was not the first album that Richard and Linda did together. As The Bunch, Richard, Linda (Peters), Sandy Denny, and others released an earlier album, _Rock On_. For this reason, I’m reluctant to consider it a debut. ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2025, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-opening-tracks-from-debut-albums/1019622/76 "2025-06-17T13:48:41Z")
I wasn’t arguing it for a debut, I was letting you know there was a cool podcast episode out there based on your interest in them. ---
**Author:** ![ZonexandScout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zonexandscout/32/544_2.png) [@ZonexandScout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZonexandScout)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2025, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-opening-tracks-from-debut-albums/1019622/77 "2025-06-17T13:51:01Z")
Thank you! Sorry. I was already aware of the podcast, so I misinterpreted your comment. My gratitude and apologies to you. ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2025, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-opening-tracks-from-debut-albums/1019622/78 "2025-06-17T13:54:40Z")
No problem! I’m glad you’d found that, it’s really interesting hearing them talk about it so many years later. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2025, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-opening-tracks-from-debut-albums/1019622/79 "2025-06-17T14:06:24Z")
Chuck Berry’s first album was After School Days, released in 1957. The first track was the hit [School Days](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRSYFXhAl1A). But Berry had released several singles starting in 1955, the first of which was [Maybelline](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RMkIK0qZnjw). ---
**Author:** ![Eonwe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eonwe/32/240_2.png) [@Eonwe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eonwe)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2025, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-opening-tracks-from-debut-albums/1019622/80 "2025-06-17T14:50:14Z")
Marshall Tucker Band’s _Take The Highway_. Like some of the other great suggestions in this thread, it’s an example of a debut track clearly showing what the band is about. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=25ALsr5phZo](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=25ALsr5phZo) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-opening-tracks-from-debut-albums/1019622.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/favorite-opening-tracks-from-debut-albums/1019622.md?page=5)