A great opening track does more than start an album, it introduces a listener to the band and sets the stage for the rest of the songs. It is the most important track on an album, and can make a great album legendary. I’ve listed my favorite opening tracks of all time after the jump, but I’d love to hear yours. Leave them in the comments.

5. “Come Together” (Abbey Road) by The Beatles

Contrary to popular opinion, I believe this the greatest Beatles album of all time. It has the driving bass of “Come Together”, the haunting melody of “I Want You (She’s So Heavy)”, possibly the most romantic Beatles song: “Something”, and the arrival of George Harrison in the elite songwriters club, after his songs, “Here Comes the Sun” and  “Something”, appeared on the album. A listener gets their first taste of this greatness with the bass line from “Come Together”.

It’s also a blast to play on Rockband: Beatles.

4. “Airbag” (OK Computer) by Radiohead

Radiohead’s music has never been overly approachable, especially for the casual music fan. That said, their music has matured and improved with every album release. After the Bends was mostly successful, music critics began to doubt whether Radiohead could really be successful with their next album. “Airbag” answered that question with a resounding, “YES!”, as the album begins. Thom York boldly sings, “In an interstellar burst I am back to save the universe.” And they were, and it was awesome.

3. “Wouldn’t It Be Nice” (Pet Sounds) by The Beach Boys

The lead track off what is considered to be one of the best, if not THE best, album of all time. It very accurately conveys the frustration of being young and having to wait to grow up. The vocals are beautiful and the riff is a classic. It’s a great song.

2. “Uprising” (The Resistance) by Muse

This was a very difficult choice. I only wanted to pick one opening track from each band, but I could’ve easily added the manic “New Born” (Origin of Symmetry) or ominous “Supremacy” (The 2nd Law) to this list. Both are great opening tracks and set the stage perfectly for the rest of the songs on their respective albums. But even better than those, “Uprising” brings the listener into Muse’s world. From the opening notes to the end of the song, the driving drums and bass whips you into a fury. It’s as close to perfect as any opening track I’ve ever heard.

What I would give to see Muse open a concert with this song.

1. “Smells Like Teen Spirit” (Nevermind) by Nirvana

Was there any doubt? I was young when it was released, but not too young to recognize the implications of this song. This band (and this song) single-handedly killed what I consider to be the worst genre in American music history – 80’s hair metal. It was most fans’ first introduction to the band that would be the Beatles of our generation – wonderful music but too short lived.

Honorable mentions: “Lisztomania” (Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix) by Phoenix, “The Grudge” (Lateralus) by Tool, “Bombtrack” (Rage Against the Machine) by Rage Against the Machine, “Taxman” (Revolver) by the Beatles

What are your favorites?