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!

[Grabs Your Heart] A Collection of Western Songs with Cool Intros [2026] (61–70)

Shot In The DarkAC/DC

AC/DC – Shot In The Dark (Official Video)

Shot In The DarkAC/DC

AC/DC, the rock band that represents Australia.

Boasting over 50 million records sold worldwide, they were formed in 1973 and yet continue to perform at the forefront of the Australian music scene.

Truly a monster of a rock band.

One of their classic songs is Shot In The Dark.

No matter which era you listen to, their intros have such a distinctive melody that you can immediately tell it’s AC/DC.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Everything Is EverythingLauryn Hill

Lauryn Hill – Everything Is Everything (Official HD Video)

Everything Is EverythingLauryn Hill

Lauryn Hill is an artist whose music—rich with hip-hop elements—has garnered high praise from critics around the world.

In Japan, she’s well known for her leading role on the students’ side in Sister Act 2.

A powerhouse talent, Lauryn Hill has released numerous classic tracks.

Among them, Everything Is Everything stands out for its especially cool intro and is known as one of her signature works.

The intro, evocative of old-school hip-hop, instantly draws you into the world of Black music.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Smoke on the WaterDeep Purple

Deep Purple – Smoke On the Water (Official Music Video)

Smoke on the WaterDeep Purple

This timeless masterpiece, included on Deep Purple’s 1972 landmark album Machine Head, stands as one of the band’s signature songs and a piece etched into music history.

As one of the pioneering bands of hard rock, Deep Purple created an intro guitar riff that countless guitar kids around the world—past and present—have tried to play at least once.

Crafted by guitarist Ritchie Blackmore, a creator of many iconic phrases, this riff shines with his distinctive sensibility and will continue to be hailed as one of the most famous riffs in rock history for generations to come.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Paper MacheteQueens of the Stone Age

Queens of the Stone Age – Paper Machete (Official Audio)

Paper MacheteQueens of the Stone Age

The new song by American rock band Queens of the Stone Age is a hard-hitting track themed around the complexity of human relationships and self-awareness.

The intro riff in C-sharp minor hints at the band’s signature powerful sound.

In the chorus and interludes, it suddenly modulates to A major, featuring an ear-catching progression that effectively uses fifths and octaves.

Released this June as the final single from the album “In Times New Roman…,” the song is the band’s first new work in six years, and is said to reflect Josh Homme’s own difficult experiences.

It delivers a scathing satire of betrayal and self-justification through the metaphor of a “paper machete.” It’s a must-listen for anyone buffeted by the turmoil of human relationships.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem

Fire We MakeAlicia Keys, Maxwell

Alicia Keys, Maxwell – Fire We Make (Official Video)

Fire We MakeAlicia Keys, Maxwell

A cool intro isn’t limited to intense, rock-style openings.

Plenty of people want to hear stylish Black music intros, too, right? For those listeners, I recommend Fire We Make.

It’s a collaboration between R&B singers Alicia Keys and Maxwell, crafted into a sultry neo-soul love song.

The intro starts off quietly—nothing flashy—but it creates an incredibly sexy and cool vibe.

Raise the rankinglower

Report a problem