Iconic Opening Rock Songs on the Best 80s Albums

The Iconic Opening Tracks that Defined 80s Rock Albums

The 1980s was a golden era for rock music. Iconic bands released some of their best and most acclaimed albums, featuring legendary opening songs that instantly became classics. These powerful, hard-hitting tracks grabbed listeners from the very first note and set the tone for the masterful records that followed. Let's take a look at some of the most iconic opening songs on quintessential 80s rock albums.

1. "In the Air Tonight" by Phil Collins - Face Value (1981)

Phil Collins' debut solo album Face Value opens with his signature song "In the Air Tonight," which also became one of the decade's most iconic tracks. Its foreboding drums and emotionally charged vocals suck you right into the album's dark and introspective mood. The song's famous drum break is one of the most legendary moments in music history. "In the Air Tonight" is a brooding masterpiece and set the stage for Phil Collins' monumental solo career.

2. "Run to the Hills" by Iron Maiden - The Number of the Beast (1982)

The opening track on Iron Maiden's seminal album The Number of the Beast, "Run to the Hills" is a metal classic. Its galloping rhythm, soaring vocals by Bruce Dickinson, and aggressive, militaristic lyrics made it an instant metal anthem. The song epitomizes the new wave of British heavy metal that Iron Maiden helped pioneer. "Run to the Hills" set the intense tone for the album, which became one of the most important metal records of the 80s.

3. "Hit Me With Your Best Shot" by Pat Benatar - Crimes of Passion (1980)

Pat Benatar's second album Crimes of Passion starts strong with her feminist rock anthem "Hit Me With Your Best Shot." The song captures Benatar's signature mix of hard rock power and pop hooks. Her fiery vocals and the driving rhythm section make "Hit Me With Your Best Shot" an empowering stadium rocker. It was the perfect introduction to Benatar's breakthrough album and remains one of her most beloved hits.

4. "Start Me Up" by The Rolling Stones - Tattoo You (1981)

The lead single and opening track from The Rolling Stones' 1981 album Tattoo You, "Start Me Up" became one of their most recognizable anthems. It opens with one of rock's most iconic guitar riffs before Mick Jagger's vocals come swaggering in. Bursting with the raw, sexual energy The Stones were known for, "Start Me Up" was the perfect table-setter for one of their biggest albums. The song exemplified their longevity and remained a concert staple for decades.

5. "Pride (In the Name of Love)" by U2 - The Unforgettable Fire (1984)

The opening song on U2's fourth album The Unforgettable Fire saw the band take a more subdued, atmospheric direction. "Pride (In the Name of Love)" is a soulful tribute to Martin Luther King Jr. driven by The Edge's shimmering guitar work. Bono's impassioned vocals and the song's universal message about human rights make it one of U2's most beloved tracks. It set the tone for the more experimental Unforgettable Fire and showed how the band was reaching new creative heights.

6. "Welcome to the Jungle" by Guns N' Roses - Appetite for Destruction (1987)

The bestselling debut album by Guns N' Roses, Appetite for Destruction, starts off with the ferocious "Welcome to the Jungle." This hard-rock masterpiece paints a gritty picture of the mean streets of LA with wailing guitars and Axl Rose's wild vocals. It immediately established Guns N' Roses as one of the most dangerous and exciting bands in rock music. "Welcome to the Jungle" is a hostile, heavy tour de force and the perfect introduction to GnR's raw and raucous early years.

7. "Pour Some Sugar On Me" by Def Leppard - Hysteria (1987)

British glam metal superstars Def Leppard unleashed their best-selling album Hysteria in 1987. The opening track and lead single "Pour Some Sugar On Me" is one of their most iconic arena rock anthems. Built around a stripper-ready rhythm, it features hair metal melodies and vocals along with heavily processed, stacked guitar harmonies. Instantly catchy and oozing with sex appeal, "Pour Some Sugar On Me" set the tone for the smash hit album Hysteria and remains a staple of 80s hard rock.

8. "Back in Black" by AC/DC - Back in Black (1980)

AC/DC came roaring into the 80s with one of the decades most monumental hard rock albums, Back in Black. The title track opens the record with a reverberating AC/DC riff and wailing vocals from new frontman Brian Johnson. With lyrics paying tribute to former singer Bon Scott, "Back in Black" unleashed the band's signature mix of heavy blues-rock swagger and stadium-ready hooks. It provided the perfect raucous energy to fuel the classic album, which became a fitting tribute to AC/DC's fallen bandmate.

9. "Tom Sawyer" by Rush - Moving Pictures (1981)

Progressive rock legends Rush opened their hit 1981 album Moving Pictures with "Tom Sawyer," featuring one of the most recognizable synth riffs in rock history. Neil Peart's propulsive drumming drives the technically dazzling track, which showcases each member's virtuosic skills. The anthemic, cerebral song was the perfect representative of Rush's progressive but accessible new direction in the 80s. "Tom Sawyer" remains Rush's signature song and one of the finest prog-rock cuts of the decade.

10. "Cross-Eyed Mary" by Jethro Tull - Aqualung (1971)

Though Jethro Tull released their seminal album Aqualung in 1971, it had a huge impact that carried through the 70s and 80s prog and hard rock scenes. The mythic opening track "Cross-Eyed Mary" delivers folk rock flair with Ian Anderson's distinctive flute riffs and vivid lyrics. It epitomizes Tull's epic progressive rock sound and Anderson's songwriting brilliance. "Cross-Eyed Mary" set the template for epic rock albums for years to come and helped cement Aqualung as an all-time classic.

These powerful opening salvos grabbed the attention of rock fans and set the tone for some of the most celebrated albums of the 80s. The decades' legendary bands knew how to kick things off in high-energy, unforgettable fashion with iconic tracks that became instantly etched into rock history. These songs demonstrate why the 80s were a high water mark for rock music creativity, songcraft, and masterful albums.

FAQs

What was unique about rock music in the 80s?

The 1980s saw the rise of many new subgenres like glam metal, shred guitar, and mainstream pop rock. MTV's launch helped make rock more visual. Albums became more polished and layered in production. The decade also featured larger-than-life rock stars and more extravagant live shows.

Who were some of the biggest bands in 80s rock music?

Some of the most popular and influential rock acts of the 80s included Bon Jovi, Guns N' Roses, Van Halen, AC/DC, Def Leppard, Journey, Queen, Rush, U2, Bruce Springsteen, and Prince. Established bands like The Rolling Stones, Aerosmith, and Metallica also released major hits.

What music technology advanced in the 80s?

New digital effects like reverb, delay, stereo chorus and more could be added to guitars and vocals. Drums sounds became heavily processed and sampled. Synthesizers, samplers, and electronic drums expanded the sonic palette of rock. Large stacked guitar harmonies became a signature of 80s rock production.

What were some of the most iconic live shows of the 80s?

Queen's performance at Live Aid in 1985 was one of the most memorable live shows ever. Van Halen's 1984 tour cemented them as rock gods. U2's Joshua Tree Tour saw them play larger-than-life stadium shows. Guns N' Roses' Appetite for Destruction tour was an infamous, high-energy spectacle. Bruce Springsteen's marathon concerts on Born in the U.S.A. tour became the stuff of legend.

What music videos from 80s bands became classics?

"Thriller" by Michael Jackson revolutionized music videos. Guns N' Roses' "Welcome to the Jungle" depicted their edgy, dangerous vibe. A-ha's "Take On Me" featured innovative visual effects. Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit" captured the grunge era. Dire Strait's "Money for Nothing" used then-new CGI technology. Peter Gabriel's "Sledgehammer" won nine MTV awards.