[Captivating] A Collection of Western Songs with Cool Intros [2026]
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!
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[Grabs Your Heart] A Collection of Western Songs with Cool Intros [2026] (21–30)
24K MagicBruno Mars
Bruno Mars’s single “24K Magic,” released in 2016.
The album of the same name that features this track became a worldwide hit.
The intro to “24K Magic” is nothing short of glamorous and sexy! Although the intro may sound like singing, it’s actually not a human voice.
It uses a unique instrument called a talk box, where you put a tube in your mouth to shape the articulation while producing the tone with a keyboard.
Despite being an instrument, it conveys an intensely soulful vibe, making it an irresistible intro for fans of Black music.
And So It WentThe Pretty Reckless
The Pretty Reckless is an alternative rock band fronted by Taylor Momsen, who is active as an actress and model.
In Japan, when an actor serves as a band’s vocalist, it often feels like there’s a lack of skill, but she’s completely different.
With steady vocals and a consistent musical style, the band has earned widespread popularity.
Their classic track And So It Went is a remarkable piece, featuring an unforgettable intro marked by gritty guitars and drums that really get your heart pumping.
[Grabs Your Heart] A Collection of Western Songs with Cool Intros [2026] (31–40)
Crashing ThroughFriko
Currently the talk of the town among Japanese music fans and slated to perform at Fuji Rock 2024, Friko is an indie rock band based in Chicago.
This track, which has drawn attention as the first single from their debut album “Where we’ve been, Where we go from here,” impresses with a grand, hook-laden sound that skillfully weaves in elements of post-punk and chamber pop.
The intro—erupting with dynamic drum rolls and fiercely distorted guitars—evokes ’90s alternative rock while pulling listeners into their music as a reflection of the present.
Their ability to portray the subtle emotional shifts of a sensitive period with delicacy, yet express them with power, is emblematic of Chicago, a city that has produced countless legendary bands, and it conveys a universality that gets to the essence of rock.
JumpVan Halen
No matter how much time passes, hearing that triumphant synth brass from the Oberheim OB-Xa in the intro inexplicably lifts your spirits, doesn’t it? Released in 1984 and included on the globally successful album 1984, it’s one of Van Halen’s signature songs that almost everyone has heard at least once.
For the band, it was the album—and the song—that boldly brought synthesizers into a hard rock style and opened up new horizons.
SnowRed Hot Chili Peppers
This song, included on the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ 2006 album Stadium Arcadium, comes from a band affectionately known here in Japan as “Recchiri.” While the Chili Peppers are known for producing a wide range of classics—from hard-hitting funk tunes to mellow ballads—this track highlights their mellower side.
John Frusciante’s guitar in the intro isn’t flashy, but it stands out for its meticulous craftsmanship, demanding precise alternate picking.
Master Of PuppetsMetallica
One of the most famous songs in heavy metal history, it leaves a powerful impact right from the very start.
Released by Metallica in 1986 on their masterpiece Master of Puppets, it’s the title track and a live staple.
While it’s not as fast in BPM as the opener Battery, James Hetfield’s incredibly strong right hand powering through the intro riff with relentless downpicking is astonishing.
And from the first verse, their effortless use of odd time signatures is nothing short of brilliant.
Heaven’s On FireKISS
The legendary hard rock band, KISS.
They’ve been active since the time hard rock gained worldwide recognition, and they continue to enjoy enduring popularity today.
Among their works, a track I highly recommend for its cool intro is “Heaven’s On Fire.” It kicks off with the vocalist’s vocal ad-lib, crafting a striking opening right from the start.
From there, the hard rock charge never lets up, powering forward at high voltage—truly breathtaking.