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] (91–100)

ForthenightMusiq Soulchild

Musiq – Forthenight

ForthenightMusiq Soulchild

As a neo-soul singer, Musiq Soulchild is beloved by core Black music listeners.

His well-known classic “Forthenight” appears on his third album, Soulstar, and was released in 2003.

It’s a track that adds a touch of funk to classic R&B, with an intro featuring keyboards and slap bass that truly says, “This is R&B.”

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Fallin’Alicia Keys

Alicia Keys – Fallin’ (Official HD Video)

Fallin'Alicia Keys

Alicia Keys is an R&B singer with a captivating husky voice.

Although she later shifted toward dance and pop music, up until the mid-2000s she released classic soul and R&B.

One of her signature songs, “Fallin’,” released in 2001, gained popularity for its soulful vocals and track.

The intro, which begins with Alicia Keys singing a cappella, instantly elevates the song’s atmosphere—truly a classic.

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Dead ButterfliesArchitects

Architects – “Dead Butterflies”

Dead ButterfliesArchitects

Architects are a rock band energizing England’s metalcore scene.

Formed in 2004, they had been steadily building their career, but in 2016 they faced a crisis when their lead guitarist, Tom Searle, passed away from cancer.

One of their standout songs born from such experiences is Dead Butterflies.

Its sweeping, grandiose intro leaves a strong impression, and from start to finish the track maintains a serious, strikingly cool melody.

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TyphoonsRoyal Blood

Royal Blood – Typhoons (Official Video)

TyphoonsRoyal Blood

Royal Blood is a rock duo formed in Brighton, England, in 2013.

Compared to the legends, their career can still be considered relatively young, but they’ve already earned recognition from many artists, even serving as the opening act for Foo Fighters in 2015, just two years after their formation.

The work I’d recommend from them is Typhoons.

Be sure to check out its cool intro that evokes the vibe of glam rock.

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Panic AttackJudas Priest

Judas Priest – Panic Attack (Official Video)

Panic AttackJudas Priest

Judas Priest’s song “Panic Attack” brilliantly captures the chaotic state of contemporary society.

Just hearing the intro, with its unmistakably British, flowing guitar phrases, is enough to set many hearts racing.

The sound is heavy yet melodic, and Rob Halford’s powerful vocals ride atop it to sing of the world’s anxieties and fears.

In an era rife with political turmoil and misinformation, the song offers a sharp critique of a reality where justice and truth are under threat.

The band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2022, but their spirit of adventure, showcased on Invincible Shield, seems not to have waned—in fact, it has grown ever more refined.

Precisely because we live in tumultuous times, the presence of veteran rockers who continue to deliver such hard-hitting messages is invaluable.

Now is the time to listen to their music, which sounds a resonant alarm for the soul.

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