More Than a Feeling or Metallica? The Best Song Intro Debate
'More Than a Feeling' or 'Holier Than Thou'? The debate over the best song intros: instant impact versus slow build-up.
English · Original discussion in Spanish · Published
Which song has the best intro? The 40-second controversy
There is no consensus on the best song intro, but what nobody disputes is that a track should hook the listener from the very first bar. Or maybe not: some of the most iconic songs take longer than expected to get going. The most cited case is Boston's «More Than a Feeling», whose famous guitar riff doesn't appear until the 40-second mark. For many, that's an unacceptable wait; for others, it's part of the magic.
At the opposite end, Metallica's «Holier Than Thou» opens with a barrage of drums and guitar that leaves no room for doubt. No preamble: straight to the point. Some also argue that the best intro is one that works as a ringtone, with no need to wait. Songs like that become the listener's perfect identifier.
The eternal debate between pogre build-up and instant impact will remain open. What for some is a masterpiece of tension, for others is a test of patience. In the end, the perfect song to start with depends on each ear. But if you had to bet, the purists of the direct riff will keep winning the argument.
There is no consensus on the best song intro, but what nobody disputes is that a track should hook the listener from the very first bar. Or maybe not: some of the most iconic songs take longer than expected to get going. The most cited case is Boston's «More Than a Feeling», whose famous guitar riff doesn't appear until the 40-second mark. For many, that's an unacceptable wait; for others, it's part of the magic.
At the opposite end, Metallica's «Holier Than Thou» opens with a barrage of drums and guitar that leaves no room for doubt. No preamble: straight to the point. Some also argue that the best intro is one that works as a ringtone, with no need to wait. Songs like that become the listener's perfect identifier.
The eternal debate between pogre build-up and instant impact will remain open. What for some is a masterpiece of tension, for others is a test of patience. In the end, the perfect song to start with depends on each ear. But if you had to bet, the purists of the direct riff will keep winning the argument.
Also available in: Deutsch
Summary of a discussion on Burbuja.info - Foro de economía, actualidad y política., translated from Spanish and reviewed before publication. Read the full discussion (46 replies).
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