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Best First Songs on First Albums: The Recap

8/1/06, 7:14 pm EST

Pretty Hate MachineTime to summarize our best first songs on first albums list. As many of you pointed out, we were going for best first songs on first albums, not first songs on any album, though that’s another good list. We also wanted to stay away from artists whose first records, however iconic, were preceded by Eps, which means no Guns N’ Roses (remember the Live ?!*@ Like a Suicide Ep?) among others. So here, in no particular order, is a summary of the coolest/most frequently mentioned songs you listed.

Nine Inch Nails: “Head Like a Hole” on Pretty Hate Machine
The Stooges: “1969” on The Stooges
The Velvet Underground: “Sunday Morning” on The Velvet Underground and Nico
Oasis: “Rock ‘N’ Roll Star” on Definitely Maybe
NWA: “Straight Outta Compton” on Straight Outta Compton
The Modern Lovers: “Roadrunner” on The Modern Lovers
U2: “I Will Follow” on Boy
Patti Smith: “Gloria” on Horses
Eminem: “My Name Is” on The Slim Shady EP
Beck: “Loser” on Mellow Gold


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Woody | 8/2/2006, 3:27 am EST

Bring the Rawkus – Enter the Wu-Tang
Blind – Korn
I Am One – Gish (Smashing Pumpkins)
Good Times, Bad Times – Led Zeppelin I
Bombtrack – Rage Against the Machine
Dre Day – The Chronic

Biscuit | 8/2/2006, 8:29 am EST

What about Welcome to the Jungle on Appetite for Destruction?

Fortune | 8/2/2006, 9:22 am EST

The Strokes – Is This It
Wolf Parade – You are a runner….

Frank | 8/2/2006, 9:55 am EST

Sugar: “The Act We Act” on Copper Blue

Kristofer | 8/2/2006, 11:52 am EST

“Protection”– Massive Attack
“I’m Bad” LL Cool J
“Let’s Go Crazy”–Prince
“Boys Don’t Cry”–The Cure

Everything Your Hate | 8/2/2006, 1:40 pm EST

Can’t a writer from RollingStone at least get this right: Mellow Gold is not Beck’s First Album, its his first Major Label release but his third album.
My choices:
Deceptacon – LeTigre-s/t
Caribou – The Pixes – Come on Pilgrim
Oh My Lover – PJ Harvey – Dry

Tom Wieler | 8/2/2006, 2:30 pm EST

Bring the Rukus – Enter the Wu-Tang
Is This It? – The Strokes
Black Sabbath – Black Sabbath
Untitled – Turn on the Birght Lights by Interpol

Z | 8/2/2006, 2:58 pm EST

I’m still pulling for “Blister In The Sun” by Violent Femmes. Who doesn’t know all the words to that song?

Pete | 8/2/2006, 3:21 pm EST

Van Halen- Runnin’ With the Devil
The Cars- Let the Good Times Roll
Black Sabbath-Black Sabbath
blink-182-Carousel
G uns & Roses- Welcome to the Jungle

McGuire | 8/2/2006, 3:40 pm EST

to name a few……

The Libertines – Vertigo
Kasabian – Club Foot
White Stripes – Jimmy the Exploder
Babyshambles – La belle et la bete
Dirty Pretty Things – Deadwood
The Strokes – Is This It

Michael Schirmer | 8/2/2006, 3:58 pm EST

1. “Let’s Go Crazy” Prince & The Revolution off Purple Rain
2. “Drowned World/Subsitute for Love” Madonna off Ray Of Light
3. “Black Celebration” Depeche Mode off Black Celebration
4. “Everything In it’s Right Place” Radiohead off Kid A
5. “The Kiss” The Cure off Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me
6. “Say Ahhh…” Deee-Lite off Dewdrops In The Garden
8. “Before Today” Everything But The Girl off Walking Wounded
9. “Sign O The Times” Prince off Sign O The Times
10. “The New Year” Death Cab For Cutie off Translanticism

johnnygunit | 8/2/2006, 4:01 pm EST

Planet Telex
Airbag
2+2=5

…sou nds like a nice start…

johnnygunit | 8/2/2006, 4:05 pm EST

“Wordless Chorus”, My Morning Jacket, Z

…from Louisville, KY

Tim | 8/2/2006, 5:09 pm EST

“American Girl,” Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
“Cool,” The Time
“Welcome to the Jungle,” G’nR
“Police and Thieves,” The Clash
“Nuthin’ but a G Thing,” Dr. Dre
“About a Girl,” Nirvana
“Alive,” Pearl Jam
“Rock Box,” Run-DMC

And people, “Purple Rain” was FAR from Prince’s first album!

Tim | 8/2/2006, 5:13 pm EST

Mea Culpa … I thought we were discussing first SINGLES from first albums. But I think the list is referring to first TRACKS off of first albums.
Still, some of my picks fit the bill.

R | 8/2/2006, 5:19 pm EST

Tori Amos-Crucify!
It came out of nowhere in the early nineties. The powerful imagery, rocking piano, and subversive lyrics are still a force to be reckoned with.

Shutler | 8/2/2006, 5:35 pm EST

i love it this is exactly what i said on my post yesterday and said NIN’s “Head Like a Hole” should be on it but cmon you should have definitely added
Led Zeppelin’s “Good Times Bad Times” and Silverchair’s “Israel’s Son”

dott | 8/2/2006, 5:44 pm EST

Radio Free Europe-R.E.M

JSuzart | 8/2/2006, 5:52 pm EST

I insist this list is stupid and very geeky. You are thnkinf in a very specific situation, as if when you hear the first track from a debut album you are taking your very first dose. Come On!! the first single would be the very first time you’ve heard an artist.
But contributing with the list:
-Belle & Sebastian: “The State I’m In”
-Guns n’ Roses: “Welcome to the Jungle”
-The Strokes: “Is This It”
-Yeah yeah yeahs: “Rich”
-The Velvet Underground: “Sunday morning”
-R.E.M.: “Radio Free Europe”
The list about first tracks is a really good topic

Ryan | 8/2/2006, 5:52 pm EST

Hellooooooooo–”Human Behavior” by Bjork.

djmusicK | 8/2/2006, 5:54 pm EST

Alive is not the first song on Ten (but it is a great song and even better live). Master/Slave intro into Once is the first song; and that first song on the first album by the best band of the last 15 years is on the top of my list.

eric | 8/2/2006, 6:28 pm EST

you all disgust me……
janie jones from the first clash album…..start listening to real music please

Enrique | 8/2/2006, 6:45 pm EST

How about “hit the lights” y metallica’s kill’em all and “cochise” in audioslave’s self title first album

Daniel | 8/2/2006, 8:01 pm EST

This is not a complete list without…

“Lucky Star”
Madonna

:)

Greg | 8/2/2006, 8:06 pm EST

Good Times, Bad Times from Zeppelin I is the greatest opening song of all time. Its omission is further proof of Rolling Stone’s decline from authoritative rock magazine to sold-out pop rag. I want people fired for this.

Oskar | 8/2/2006, 8:28 pm EST

“Human Behaviour” by Bjork is from her “debut” album- it was NOT her FIRST album, even as a solo singer.

Some favourites of mine:
“Heartbreaker”- Pat Benatar
“Money Changes Everything”- Cyndi Lauper
“Wuthering Heights”- Kate Bush
“6 foot 1″- Liz Phair
“O My Lover”- PJ Harvey
“Hound Dog”- Big Mama Thornton
“Try”- Janis Joplin (her first solo album)

Just a few off the top of my head…

david darianto | 8/2/2006, 8:44 pm EST

blitzkrieg bop – Ramones-Ramones

Rich | 8/2/2006, 9:00 pm EST

Toto-Hold The Line.

Only because I remember my neighbor playing the song over and over following along with his 1979 air guitar. Oh how I miss the 70’s.

Mack | 8/2/2006, 9:24 pm EST

Ummm, don’t know how to break this to the supposed Bible of music, but ‘Live ?!*@ Like a Suicide’ was never released by itself, but rather on ‘Lies in 1988, a year after ‘Appetite.’ (the songs supposedly consisting of the EP weren’t even live, but I pray you knew that at least).

Zenidog | 8/2/2006, 9:34 pm EST

I Feel Free- Cream

austin | 8/2/2006, 9:41 pm EST

back in the u.s.s.r. – the beatles

airbag – radiohead

cherub rock – smashing pumpkins

JC | 8/2/2006, 9:44 pm EST

“London Calling” – London Calling
“Hunter” – Homogenic

austin | 8/2/2006, 9:46 pm EST

err im sorry completely missed the FIRST ALBUM
part of this blog hahah ahh well

stevenson | 8/2/2006, 10:09 pm EST

Can none of you read??

FIRST ALBUM!!!

Not 5 albums into a career!! Kid A??? Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me??? Black Celebration ?? Sign O The Times???

No wonder this country is laughed at by other nations, our people can’t read!!!

PunkkyG | 8/2/2006, 10:47 pm EST

Break On Through – The Doors.

Ryan | 8/2/2006, 11:54 pm EST

Hmm…Madonna’s self titled release album containing “Everybody”

D | 8/3/2006, 12:35 am EST

still retarded

Brett Lehman | 8/3/2006, 12:58 am EST

Astronomy Domine-Pink Floyd
Wurthering Heights-Kate Bush
Good Times, Bad Times-Led Zeppelin
Introduction-Chicago
Purple Haze-Jimi Hendrix
21st Century Schizoid Man-King Crimson
I Feel Free-Cream
and come on guys, check your track listings…

Mili | 8/3/2006, 1:02 am EST

Of course,Appetite for Destruction,but I think,that the songs are more,than just Welcome to the jungle!For example,my favourite song is Sweet child o’mine,but I also like Paradise city,Rocket Queen,Nightrain,Mr Brownstone…

Jonathan | 8/3/2006, 2:38 am EST

So… I see you ahve taken into account Eminem’s Slim Shady EP, but what about Infinite? Just like GNR’s live EP or whatever, that should nullify this too, right?

Mark | 8/3/2006, 3:44 am EST

i feel free by cream

Riz | 8/3/2006, 4:58 am EST

QOTSA – Regular John
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club – Love Burns
Franz Ferdinand – Jacqueline

Josh | 8/3/2006, 5:38 am EST

Cherub Rock is from Siamese Dream, the Smashing Pumkins first album was gish.
maybe then I am one?

Oceans – Ten

Mark | 8/3/2006, 6:06 am EST

Chronic Town preceded Murmur, so Radio Free Europe by REM wouldn’t qualify.
I also have to second Love Burns by BRMC.
Also, I Want To Be Adored by The Stone Roses should absolutely be on the list.

AC | 8/3/2006, 7:05 am EST

Dazed and Confused- Led Zeppelin
Light My Fire- The Doors
Alive- Pearl Jam

AC | 8/3/2006, 7:08 am EST

Sorry, this is what I meant.
Good Times Bad Times- Zeppelin
Break On Through- Doors
Once- Pearl Jam

Shaun | 8/3/2006, 7:45 am EST

Welcome to The Jungle – GNR
Paradise City – GNR

Live Forever – Oasis
Slide Away – Oasis

Hank Snow | 8/3/2006, 8:12 am EST

Jane’s Addiction – JANE SAYS

Tytti | 8/3/2006, 8:20 am EST

Like Eating Glass – Bloc Party
(Silent Alarm)

Tytti | 8/3/2006, 8:23 am EST

And
Jenny Was a Friend of Mine – The Killers (Hot Fuss)
Jacqueline – Franz Ferdinand (Franz Ferdinand)

Tytti | 8/3/2006, 8:38 am EST

And Is This It – The Strokes (Is This It)

Axl | 8/3/2006, 8:51 am EST

Honestly, how can Welcome to the Jungle not be at the top of the list. Think before you post RS. You bring shame upon yourself when you display such a lack of judgement. Pathetic.

bwatt17 | 8/3/2006, 8:54 am EST

Everything in it’s right place-Radiohead Kid A????? How can that be left off???

gsga | 8/3/2006, 9:00 am EST

Axl: read before you post:
We also wanted to stay away from artists whose first records, however iconic, were preceded by Eps, which means no Guns N’ Roses (remember the Live ?!*@ Like a Suicide Ep?)

bwatt17: As far as I know Kid A isn’t Radioheads first album.

Yenrac | 8/3/2006, 11:43 am EST

Here’s my top 10 list in order of greatness:

1) “Feel” Big Star-#1 Record
2) “Astronomy Domine” Pink Floyd The Piper at the Gates of Dawn
3) “Something in the Air” Thunderclap Newman-Hollywood Dream
4)”Break On Through” Doors, The Doors
5) “Suzanne” Leonard Cohen, Songs of Leonard Cohen
6) “Sunday Morning” Velvet Underground, VU & Nico
7) “Gloria” Patti Smith, Horses
8) “I will Follow” U2-Boy
9) I Saw Her Standing There” Bealtes-Please Please Me
10) “Mr. Tamborine Man” The Byrds

Jim | 8/3/2006, 1:54 pm EST

to be honest i cant really complain with the list rolling stone has now

Jim | 8/3/2006, 2:09 pm EST

wait, radio free europe has to be on there, rollings stones list is almost perfect

Nse | 8/5/2006, 11:04 am EST

Love to love you baby – Donna Summer
Like a star – Corinne Bailey Rae
It was supposed to be so easy – The Streets
Overload – Sugababes

Graham | 8/6/2006, 3:33 pm EST

See No Evil-Marquee Moon-Television

Bliztkreig Bop-Ramones-The Ramones

kurt | 8/10/2006, 10:48 pm EST

Good call on “I Will Follow,” “Straight Outta Compton,” and “Head Like a Hole.” I’ve got to add “In a Big Country”-Big Country (don’t laugh, those guys kicked ass), “Teen Angst)-Cracker, “My Name is Jonas”-Weezer,
“Holiday in the Sun”-Sex Pistols, ”
Web in Front”-Archers of Loaf and “Cult of Personality”-Living Colour. By the way, London Calling was not The Clash’s first record.

hoan rulz | 8/12/2006, 3:51 am EST

Pink floyd – Astronomy domine (Piper at gates of dawn)
Boston – More than a feeling (Boston)

Frank P | 8/13/2006, 11:53 am EST

Brett Lehman is the only one who got it right…”21st Century Schizoid Man” was the most stunning first song ever. Nothing even sounded remotely like it. Basically invented progressive rock.

Ian Brown | 8/15/2006, 12:36 am EST

“I WANNA BE ADORED” by The Stone Roses, from the debut album by the same name

Ian Brown | 8/15/2006, 12:37 am EST

“In a Big Country” by Big Country, on their debut album, “The Crossing”

kevin | 8/26/2006, 3:45 pm EST

Hey, Frank P, I mentioned King Crimson on the other list.

I would also have to say Ether on Gang of Four’s Entertainment! and A Song for Our Fathers on Explosions in the Sky’s How Strange, Innocence.

johnny | 9/2/2006, 5:50 pm EST

you by radiohead has to be up there. its the only good song off of their first album and it just was more groundbreaking to the serious listenier than creep ever was

Joey | 9/8/2006, 5:10 am EST

Mothers of Invention – Hungry Freaks Daddy (on “Freak Out!”)
Tom Waits – Ol’ ‘55 (on “Closing Time”)
Nick Drake – Time Has Told Me (on “Five Leaves Left”)
Coldplay – Don’t Panic (on “Parachutes”)
Townes Van Zandt – For the Sake of the Song (though the later version is even better…)
This Mortal Coil – Kangaroo (on “It’ll End in Tears”)
Damien Rice – Delicate (on “O”)

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