Lovely Western music

[Captivating] A Collection of Western Songs with Cool Intros [2026]

Music writer / guitarist / Certified web writing practitionerHoshino Takashi
Drawing on over 30 years of experience with guitars and bands since my high school days, I specialize in music-related articles and have handled many feature pieces to date. While my tastes lean toward genres like hard rock and heavy metal since I first picked up the guitar, I make a point of listening to a wide range of styles, both Japanese and Western, on a daily basis. I began working as a freelance writer in 2018. I hold a Web Writing Practical Certification, and in addition to writing, I’m also studying video editing. In my private life, I’m raising an elementary school child and stay active while supporting their extracurriculars, such as parkour and dance.
music writerKOH-1
Started working as a music writer as a side job while employed at a record shop, and for over 18 years I’ve contributed to music magazines, disc guide books, mooks, and web media. As a writer my main field is Western music, but as a listener for over 35 years, I always try to keep my curiosity alive with the motto “I like what I like.” I have experience playing in bands, where I was a bassist who handled songwriting and composition. Instruments I’ve played include bass, guitar, and piano. I began studying English in my mid-40s and continue to do so today.

What makes a song “good” varies from listener to listener, but many music lovers pay particular attention to how much the intro—the gateway into the track—pulls them in.

When we think of classic hits from years past, it’s often the memorable intro phrases that pop into our heads first, isn’t it?

In this article, we’ve rounded up famous intros from Western music that captivate listeners right from the start.

Articles like this tend to focus only on golden oldies, but here we’ve highlighted more recent releases across genres in the first half, and introduced classic masterpieces in the latter half and beyond, so listeners of all generations can enjoy it!

[Captivating] A Collection of Western Songs with Cool Intros [2026] (41–50)

bad guyBillie Eilish

Billie Eilish – bad guy

bad guyBillie Eilish

Billie Eilish’s smash hit “bad guy,” which took the world by storm in 2019.

In Japan, many people probably discovered her through this very song, right? The intro to “bad guy” is, above all, delightfully surreal! When we talk about songs with great intros, it’s usually a striking guitar riff—but this track is the complete opposite.

It opens with a super simple combo of bass and percussion.

Layered over that, Billie Eilish’s laid-back scat is just perfect.

It’s a stylish, surreal intro at its finest—absolutely a must-listen!

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MisirlouDick Dale & The Del Tones

Dick Dale & The Del Tones “Misirlou” 1963

MisirlouDick Dale & The Del Tones

Dick Dale & His Del-Tones, the band featuring Dick Dale—whom Jimi Hendrix, known as the guitar god, openly cited as an influence.

Their 1962 smash hit Misirlou is a track defined by its impactful guitar riff using tremolo picking.

The thrilling guitar work and stylish ensemble create a distinctive sense of tension throughout the song.

It’s an instrumental number with a comfortably classic rock sound, beloved across generations.

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Hoshino Takashi

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AHHH HALil Durk

Lil Durk – AHHH HA (Official Music Video)

AHHH HALil Durk

I’d like to introduce “AHHH HA” as a song with a slightly unusual intro.

It’s a track by Lil Durk and serves as a response to YoungBoy’s “Bring The Hook.” “Bring The Hook” contains disses aimed at Lil Durk’s friend, the late King Von, and this song counters those with some very strong language.

In the intro, it also prefaces that the lyrics are fictional.

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VertigoU2

U2 – Vertigo (Official Music Video)

VertigoU2

U2 is a rock band that holds the record for the most Grammy Awards won by an artist group and has enjoyed long-lasting popularity with a rock sound that evokes the atmosphere of their home country, Ireland.

Vertigo, the lead single from their 11th album, How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb, is a track whose straightforward rock ensemble amps up the energy.

The guitar riff in the intro, which doubles the bass to add thickness, is simple—made up only of power chords—yet its choice of notes is brilliantly memorable.

It’s a stylish rock tune that was also featured in Apple’s iPod commercial.

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Hoshino Takashi

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SICKO MODE ft. DrakeTravis Scott

Travis Scott – SICKO MODE (Official Video) ft. Drake

SICKO MODE ft. DrakeTravis Scott

Rapper Travis Scott, who earns props from heads around the world for his high-level rap skills.

Since trap music became mainstream, he’s continued an incredible run as one of the rappers representing the hip-hop scene.

His classic track “SICKO MODE” featuring Drake is a collaboration with Canada’s leading rapper Drake, and it greatly energized hip-hop in 2018.

The song changes sections multiple times, but the intro riff is crafted to be a serious tone fitting for the beginning.

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