# Good opening songs in concerts that don't also open albums?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-opening-songs-in-concerts-that-dont-also-open-albums/292963>\
**Category:** Cafe Society\
**Created:** [March 4, 2005, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-opening-songs-in-concerts-that-dont-also-open-albums/292963 "2005-03-04T20:34:00Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\
**Post date:** [March 4, 2005, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-opening-songs-in-concerts-that-dont-also-open-albums/292963/1 "2005-03-04T20:34:00Z")

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I have only once been to a concert that had a kickass opening song that didn’t also open up one of their albums.

The best opening songs I have heard all DID open albums. Off the top of my head I recall:

Call to Arms/Do or Die - Dropkick Murphys  
At Your Funeral - Saves the Day

The only exception I can think of is “Kick it Out” by Heart, which isn’t the first song on Little Queen, but given the subject matter is jumpstarting things in an upbeat tune, it was appropriate.

Any other examples?

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**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\
**Post date:** [March 5, 2005, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-opening-songs-in-concerts-that-dont-also-open-albums/292963/2 "2005-03-05T00:10:54Z")

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Genesis has used \*Turn it on again \* as an opening song as well as _Land of Confusion_ The opening song for their reunion concert was _Back in New York City_

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**Author:** ![astorian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\
**Post date:** [March 5, 2005, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-opening-songs-in-concerts-that-dont-also-open-albums/292963/3 "2005-03-05T03:20:10Z")

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“Waiting Man” was the 4th song on Side 1 of King Crimson’s “Beat,” but it made a good opening number on their 1982 tour.

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**Author:** ![Dubious\_Sacrifice](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f08c70/32.png) [@Dubious\_Sacrifice](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dubious_Sacrifice)\
**Post date:** [March 5, 2005, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-opening-songs-in-concerts-that-dont-also-open-albums/292963/4 "2005-03-05T04:00:24Z")

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The Stones, _Under My Thumb_.

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**Author:** ![sulamith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f08c70/32.png) [@sulamith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sulamith)\
**Post date:** [March 5, 2005, 4:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-opening-songs-in-concerts-that-dont-also-open-albums/292963/5 "2005-03-05T04:02:35Z")

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Fleetwood Mac, “The Chain”. They have opened with it forever, and it kicks major ass live.

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**Author:** ![angelicate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@angelicate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/angelicate)\
**Post date:** [March 5, 2005, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/good-opening-songs-in-concerts-that-dont-also-open-albums/292963/6 "2005-03-05T20:16:48Z")

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I’ve seen Pearl Jam open with “Release” and it worked out really well. I’ve also seen Tori Amos open a few shows with “Precious Things” which is a good opening song as well.