Led Zeppelin’s self-titled debut album was released 49 years ago today (January 12.) Besides being one of the best albums of all time, Led Zeppelin also has one of the best opening tracks of all time, too.
The opening track sets the tone for an entire album, and when Jimmy Page hits those thunderous two notes to kick off “Good Times Bad Times,” it never fails to make your pulse skip a beat.
In honor of Led Zeppelin and its killer side A/track 1, we assembled a playlist of some of our other favorite opening tracks. Enjoy!
Best Side A/Track 1’s Playlist – Tracklisting
Led Zeppelin – “Good Times Bad Times”
Bruce Springsteen – “Thunder Road”
U2 – “Where The Streets Have No Name”
Aerosmith – “Toys In the Attic”
Rolling Stones – “Gimme Shelter”
Iggy & The Stooges – “Search and Destroy”
Velvet Underground – “Sunday Morning”
Ramones – “Blitzkrieg Bop”
Patti Smith – “Gloria”
Boston – “More Than A Feeling”
ZZ Top – “Gimme All You Lovin’”
Queen – “We Will Rock You”
New York Dolls – “Personality Crisis”
Van Halen – “Runnin’ With The Devil”
AC/DC – “Highway To Hell”
The Who – “Baba O’Riley”
David Bowie – “Five Years”
Black Sabbath – “War Pigs”
Beach Boys – “Wouldn’t It Be Nice”
The Clash – “London Calling”
Erica Banas is a rock/classic rock blogger that loves the smell of old vinyl in the morning.