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 Compilation of Western Songs with Cool Intros [2026] (1–10)

Sweet Child O’ MineGuns N’ Roses

Guns N’ Roses – Sweet Child O’ Mine (Official Music Video)

Sweet Child O' MineGuns N' Roses

A signature song by the American hard rock band Guns N’ Roses.

It’s a track included on their debut album, Appetite for Destruction, released in July 1987.

The intro, which begins with Slash’s memorable guitar riff, truly has the presence worthy of being called one of the greatest intros in Western music.

Axl Rose’s distinctive vocals spin lyrics filled with love for his then-girlfriend.

It’s a classic that continues to be loved by many to this day.

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Where The Rain GrowsHelloween

HELLOWEEN – Where The Rain Grows (Official Music Video)

Where The Rain GrowsHelloween

This is a song by Helloween, a power metal band from Germany.

Featuring solid guitar riffs and catchy melodies, the track was included on a single released in 1994.

Highlights include Andy Deris’s powerful vocals and the technical playing of the twin guitars.

It’s a cut from the landmark album “Master of the Rings,” which marked a new beginning after the lineup changes; the spacious, layered intro riff in particular heightened expectations for the new Helloween.

Highly recommended for listeners seeking a fast, exhilarating sound.

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BurnDeep Purple

Burn (2002 Remaster)

BurnDeep Purple

Deep Purple, a great hard rock band on par with Led Zeppelin, is hugely popular in Japan as well.

Their song Burn is famous in both Japan and the United States, and in Japan in particular it’s known as one of their signature works.

In other countries, the track was a B-side, so it doesn’t seem to have quite the same level of recognition.

The charm of Burn’s intro lies above all in its distorted guitar sound—impactful, with a cool, unforgettable melody that sticks with you once you hear it.

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Welcome To The JungleGuns N’ Roses

Guns N’ Roses – Welcome To The Jungle

Welcome To The JungleGuns N' Roses

A legendary band that needs no introduction, Guns N’ Roses opened their 1987 monster album Appetite for Destruction with this all-time classic.

The melody that kicks off with Axl Rose’s “sha-na-na-na” is incredibly famous, but the delay-drenched guitar riff Slash plays in the intro is a performance for the rock history books.

It’s not just aggressive—the bluesy flavor running through it is quintessential Slash.

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LaylaEric Clapton

Eric Clapton – Layla

LaylaEric Clapton

Among the many legendary performances left by Eric Clapton—world-renowned singer-songwriter and one of the “Three Kings of Rock Guitar” alongside Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page—this is one of his most famous phrases.

The brilliance of the song, known in Japan as “Itoshi no Layla,” needs no explanation, and its wistful, bluesy lick is something almost everyone has heard at least once.

By the way, this track isn’t from Clapton’s solo work; it’s from his time with Derek and the Dominos.

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