I love it when albums include intro tracks. These songs aren’t usually ones you’d listen to on their own, but when experienced as part of the full album, they add depth and excitement. Whether serving as an overture that hints at the album’s themes and sounds or building anticipation for what’s to come, intro tracks that aren’t standalone singles are essential to the structure of many albums. Often, these introduction songs also blend well into the second song and make a beautiful and seamless transition that adds to the second track and the album. So, here is a list of introduction songs that make the next song and the rest of the album better.
BLOOD. – Kendrick Lamar
DAMN. – Rap (2017)
This is my favorite song transition in rap, and I think the best opening to any rap album ever. It starts with the lyrics, “Is it wickedness? Is it weakness?” which is a theme running throughout the album, depending on if you play it from start to finish, or reverse it and play it finish to start. After that lyric, the song seems rather innocent with Kendrick Lamar telling a story. It is quick, with quite a simple beat in the background. The story has a few different interpretations. The woman who ends up shooting Kendrick is blind. This could be interpreted as Lady Justice as she is blind as well. Other thoughts lead to her being a biblical symbol from the Book of Deuteronomy.
After he is done telling the story there is a sample from a Fox News report criticizing Kendrick’s earlier work, specifically the song Alright off his 2015 album. The sample is cut off and transitions into one of the most popular songs off the album, and arguably one of the most upbeat as well. It’s a great start to a legendary and timeless rap album.
May These Noises Startle You In Your Sleep Tonight – Pierce The Veil
Collide With The Sky – Emo, Pop Punk (2012)
This album has many reasons why it is considered an all-time great and one of my favorites. The intro track leading into the first song is one of the best album introductions, and it also features one of the best transitions from song to song in music. It starts with drowned out screams from lead vocalist Vic Fuentes. The screams then are brought to the foreground, mixed with drums and catchy guitar riffs, mirroring those of the next track. If you didn’t know there were two songs and just listened to these two back to back, they sound like one song. I rarely listen to Hell Above on its own. I almost always add the intro track beforehand because it makes it so much better.
DVD Menu – Phoebe Bridgers
Punisher – Indie Pop (2020)
A haunting one minute track sounds just like its name. It sounds like a DVD menu, where it gives you the choice to hit play, choose to start from a specific scene, bonus/deleted scenes and more. It’s a nice addition and adds tension and ambience to the album. The sound of the opening track is more ominous than anything else on the album. That said, it adds anticipation, like when you’re on a DVD menu and about to hit play. A unique addition for an introduction song that adds nostalgia to a new album.
The Genesis – Nas
Illmatic – Hip Hop, Rap (1994)
This is an intro to Nas’s most popular song and his most popular album. The title alone is an allusion to the Bible, with Genesis being the first book in the Bible. Furthermore, it’s his first album, so that song is the first of the first. The song itself is a really unique and cool sounding intro. It also makes the audience listen and hints at what is to come throughout the album. The last word in the last lyric name drops the album name “Illmatic.” Then the iconic beat comes in and the start to one of the best rap albums of all time is underway.
Intro – Juice WRLD
Goodbye & Good Riddance – Rap (2018)
This intro song has a sad string instrumental and has a female voice over. It sounds like it’s a voicemail and it’s a girl, supposedly an ex, ripping apart Juice WRLD. It’s harsh, violent, and depressing. The things she says really set the mood for the entire album and especially the next song. It’s a great tone setter, not a standalone song by any means but it opens the album so well. It sets the groundwork for dealing with heartbreak and helps give the perspective of where Juice is coming from with a lot of his lyrics and songs on the album.
Intro (feat. Apocalyptica) – Bullet For My Valentine
The Poison – Metalcore (2006)
This intro is haunting, eerie and builds up slowly. Thanks to Apocalyptica adding a sound that Bullet For My Valentine doesn’t have, but compliments so well. Then, as the song transitions, it’s a 180 and is almost like a punch in the mouth. It’s heavy and starts with a scream from lead vocalist Matthew Tuck. I rarely listen to Her Voice Resides without listening to the Intro beforehand. They are very different songs, but the intro just seems to build tension so well. Like a live performance where you can hear the guitarist playing familiar chords before the band enters and before the start of a show. This also is a super nostalgic album for me and was one of the first albums to get me into metal.
Intro – Notorious B.I.G.
Ready To Die – Hip Hop, Rap (1994)
Not only does this intro create an atmosphere for the upcoming album, but also it relays some of B.I.G.’s moments before the album. There are snippets of other influential tracks as well. This album is arguably the best rap album of all time. The beats, the flow but most importantly the lyrics are all top tier. This is a window into what it was like for many people in the inner-city at the time of its release. The introduction was longer than any on this list, but it really adds depth and puts the listener into the perspective and viewpoint of Biggie Smalls.
The End of Everything – Trivium
Ascendancy – Metalcore (2003)
Six of the bands ten studio albums have an introduction song that leads into the album. These introductions are all instrumental and help build anticipation. They usually end abruptly and then jumps right into a heavy and faced past first official track. I chose this specific set because I think Ascendancy is their best album. However, they really captured an iconic formula with their two latest albums. The songs IX and X both create fantastic atmospheres and build ups into the album. I often listen to them before What The Dead Men Say and In The Court Of the Dragon, respectively.
The piano in the opening track is too good to not highlight. Choirs come in later in the track to compliment the haunting atmosphere. Overall, it’s a simple, catchy and great opening. Then, the track Rain starts and immediately slaps the listener in the face with a heavy and iconic riff. Drums come in and Matt Heafy’s vocals are soon to follow. I don’t see a better start to such an amazing album.
Introduction – Panic! At The Disco
A Fever You Can’t Sweat Out – Emo, Pop Punk (2005)
This is a very simple but effective introduction on one of my favorite albums of all time. While it’s quick, the intro covers quick snippets of songs that are later heard on the album. It is a mesh between an introduction as well as an overture. I also really like the mix of static that brings an old-timey feel to a contemporary record. This intro has a nice transition as well, but it’s best part is making the album feel more whole and complete.
Dawn – Breaking Benjamin
Dark Before Dawn – Alternative Metal, Hard Rock (2015)
Like Trivium, three of the band’s six albums (not counting Aurora) contain an introduction song. Unlike the previous picks, this intro doesn’t immediately lead into a new song. It almost plays like they are separate tracks and don’t have the cohesion as previous entries. I like that for this album as it sets the tone. Instead of matching with the next song it goes well with the outro of the album, creating a clear start and end to the album.
About The Author
