# Most recognizable song intro **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 21, 2016, 6:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-recognizable-song-intro/749732 "2016-03-21T06:11:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![NVME702-redux](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a183cd/32.png) [@NVME702-redux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NVME702-redux)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2016, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-recognizable-song-intro/749732/101 "2016-03-23T17:44:44Z")
All great songs- my first thought was Layla as well… But what about songs that are counted in to start? sorry at work so cant link, but actually I suck at it 😉 Wooly Bully Hey- Ya ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2016, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-recognizable-song-intro/749732/102 "2016-03-23T17:58:58Z")
How could we forget [Come Together?](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qHGXfJKv6mU) ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2016, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-recognizable-song-intro/749732/103 "2016-03-23T18:06:35Z")
[Good Thing](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2LvVB5JaDc), FYC ---
**Author:** ![scabpicker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scabpicker/32/8268_2.png) [@scabpicker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scabpicker)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2016, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-recognizable-song-intro/749732/104 "2016-03-23T18:25:44Z")
Yeah **NVME702-redux** , from the moment Sam says [Uno!](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7CHiUN8XTWs), I know what song I’m listening to, and that I must “watch it”.\* And yeah, **Leaffan** , it’s funny. Most of the songs from the era of recorded music that are regularly played on the radio, I can recognize from their first 4 notes (or chords, if you’re being pedantic). Part of it is the production, the sound and EQ of those first 4 notes. Those all give me clues as to what the song is in the case of famous recordings. I can recognize 95% of rock radio playlists from the last 40 years within a bar. Most of our memorable songs have good openings, otherwise we’d have spun the dial, skipped ahead, or whatever was the method for getting new music through the media. For example, while spinning the dial through a slew of things I already knew I didn’t like on a road trip, I happened onto the very beginning of [this](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=srTVYKybihQ). It’s just a fairly generic beat. But I knew it’s sound and the crowd noise behind it and knew I liked it, even if I couldn’t put a name to it, so I should leave it there. So, who’s up for a thread of songs that start forgettably, but pay off in the end? 🙂 \*Apropos of nothing: I love that this man, and by extension his song, are from Dallas. If there was any justice in the world, it would the be the city’s theme song. Barely a rhyme, very little reason; just craziness that somehow works. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2016, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-recognizable-song-intro/749732/105 "2016-03-23T19:05:51Z")
> [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](#): > > Psst. He was \*agreeing \*with you. He’s also the least douchebaggy person on the board. ---
**Author:** ![jsc1953](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2016, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-recognizable-song-intro/749732/106 "2016-03-23T20:27:49Z")
For all those who named the opening chord of “Hard Day’s Night” (good choice), this link is fascinating. (it was posted on the George Martin RIP thread). [Very techno-geeky breakdown of the chord.](http://www.guitarworld.com/beatles-multitracks-reveal-true-hard-days-night-chord-video) It turns out to be 3 different chords on 3 instruments: 12-string electric, 6-string acoustic, and piano. And a bass note. ---
**Author:** ![YogSothoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/8edcca/32.png) [@YogSothoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YogSothoth)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2016, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-recognizable-song-intro/749732/107 "2016-03-23T20:29:56Z")
Gangnam Style ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2016, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-recognizable-song-intro/749732/108 "2016-03-23T20:45:03Z")
The airplane noise at the beginning of “Back in the USSR”. Also the pumpy organy thing at the beginning of “California Girls” (Beach Boys). ---
**Author:** ![It\_s\_Not\_Rocket\_Surgery](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/it_s_not_rocket_surgery/32/312_2.png) [@It\_s\_Not\_Rocket\_Surgery](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/It_s_Not_Rocket_Surgery)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2016, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-recognizable-song-intro/749732/109 "2016-03-23T21:40:13Z")
I think this thread proves that there are at least 1000 songs tied for the most recognized into. And, to contribute to the thread, here’s [“Master of Puppets”](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xnKhsTXoKCI). ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2016, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-recognizable-song-intro/749732/110 "2016-03-23T21:53:10Z")
Both versions of Free Bird… [The studio version](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D0W1v0kOELA) where you can close your eyes and see Michael, Terry, and Buddy strutting down the aisle to the ring… [The live version](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fuZyMx2NXZM) that isn’t really also known as Oak’s Anthem, but should be. ---
**Author:** ![Guest-starring\_Id](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guest-starring_id/32/21736_2.png) [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2016, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-recognizable-song-intro/749732/111 "2016-03-23T23:18:48Z")
> [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](#): > > Psst. He was \*agreeing \*with you. Ah, I see - I didn’t realise he was referring to his own kids. oops - sorry, **Pulylkamell** 😃 ---
**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:** [March 23, 2016, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-recognizable-song-intro/749732/112 "2016-03-23T23:41:18Z")
> [@Eddie The Horrible](#): > > LMFAO - condescend much? (you’ll wanna keep the douchery down a bit - thanks) What the fuck are you talking about? I admitted I made an error due to a newborn in the house and said “tom” instead of “hi hat”? Am I missing something here? ETA: Sorry…I didn’t see the post directly above mine as I was responding as I was catching up to the rest of the thread. No hard feelings on my part. 🙂 Oh, and if you have kids that match my situation, best wishes, too! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![from\_a\_to\_z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5fc32e/32.png) [@from\_a\_to\_z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/from_a_to_z)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2016, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-recognizable-song-intro/749732/113 "2016-03-24T02:02:06Z")
> [@Walken\_After\_Midnight](#): > > John Cage’s _4’33"_. Even if they don’t know it’s name, I think almost everyone would be familiar with the opening bars of its first movement. Yes, thank you. I’ve sung along with it many times, because I don’t know the words to [Mendelssohn](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y1uvYdW8MSk). I offer another [close your eyes and click](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQf6X2ynL0A) selection. For any naysayer, we can at least shout to it. ---
**Author:** ![minor7flat5](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/minor7flat5/32/258_2.png) [@minor7flat5](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/minor7flat5)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2016, 4:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-recognizable-song-intro/749732/114 "2016-03-24T04:37:07Z")
I just spent … too long… listening to different versions of this song [Here’s the canonical version, live.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V9Yq5m9eLIQ) Once you hear it you will understand why multiple versions kept me up way too late. ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2016, 10:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-recognizable-song-intro/749732/115 "2016-03-24T10:49:26Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > He’s also the least douchebaggy person on the board. Agreed. If you are looking for a reasonable person to geek out about music with, **pulykamell** is your guy. ---
**Author:** ![Wilson00](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/d78d45/32.png) [@Wilson00](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wilson00)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2016, 11:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-recognizable-song-intro/749732/116 "2016-03-24T11:13:24Z")
He’s a pirate from Pirates of the Caribbean ---
**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:** [March 24, 2016, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-recognizable-song-intro/749732/117 "2016-03-24T13:49:30Z")
More classical music recognizable intros (that I don’t think have been mentioned yet): (titles in spoiler box for those who want to play “close your eyes and click”): [#1](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FCi2u265wxQ) [#2](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fOk8Tm815lE) [#3](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fKfGDqXEFkE) [#4](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRxofEmo3HA) [#5](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4pO7_IxbDsU) 1. Mozart, “Eine Kleine Nachtmusik” 2. Beethoven, 5th Symphony 3. Grieg, Piano Concerto 4. Vivaldi, “Spring” (first of The Four Seasons) 5. Mendelssohnm 4th (“Italian”) Symphony ---
**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:** [March 24, 2016, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-recognizable-song-intro/749732/118 "2016-03-24T14:00:24Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > He’s also the least douchebaggy person on the board. > [@WordMan](#): > > Agreed. If you are looking for a reasonable person to geek out about music with, **pulykamell** is your guy. Aw, shucks, you guys are making me blush. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2016, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-recognizable-song-intro/749732/119 "2016-03-24T16:53:33Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > Aw, shucks, you guys are making me blush. 🙂 No need to get douchey about things. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![HyacinthBucket](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hyacinthbucket/32/3063_2.png) [@HyacinthBucket](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HyacinthBucket)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2016, 6:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-recognizable-song-intro/749732/120 "2016-03-29T06:16:33Z")
Late to the party, as usual… In the “I can Name That Tune in one note” catagory, gotta agree with A Hard Days Night in the Rock/Pop catagory. “Unique” by every definition of the word. In Classical, I second Thudlow Boink’s first choice And even though this one might take three notes, you can never have too much of the Beatles: [I Want To Hold Your Hand (2013 Remaster) - YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1_zdt_FNmM). [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-recognizable-song-intro/749732.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-recognizable-song-intro/749732.md?page=7)