Opening chords that send shivers down your spine

[Norris]

It's not an album opening track, but... Steely Dan - Don't Take Me Alive. Awesome

[DaveFry]

The first result of a quick memory scan goes back to 1976 . 'Twas the year of parched lawns in the summer drought and the first Sex Pistols single .
However, in the smooth jazz world George Benson released his first album for Warner Bros . It starts with a short five chord intro to the title track which sounds like something Jimmy Webb could have written , but is not heard again on the whole album .

Breezin' by George Benson

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_rwHp34HR7Q[/media]

( - Stanley Banks on bass . - )

[KevB]

I'm not the biggest Genesis fan but these opening chords on the opening track and the way the song then kicks in seems to be sending out a clear 'this band's not done yet' message despite its title

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5U2nTJ4huxA[/media]

Edited December 7, 2015 by KevB

[oldbass]

[quote name='paulnb57' timestamp='1449351418' post='2922903']
The opening riff on Pretty Vacant by the Sex Pistols
[/quote]

couldn't agree more....the angriest three note intro ever written.

Edited December 7, 2015 by ians

[wateroftyne]

[quote name='ians' timestamp='1449488535' post='2923880']


couldn't agree more....the angriest three note intro ever written.
[/quote]

And ironically referenced with a wink in the opening of the Genesis song in the previous post...

[SICbass]

[quote name='martin8708' timestamp='1449355169' post='2922945']
Best opening chord .

B flat sus 2 - Prince - Purple Rain , great great intro .
[/quote]

+1

Also, admittedly the second track on the album, but [i]I'm Not In Love[/i] by 10cc.

[acidbass]

Camel's 'Rhayader Goes To Town' off the Snow Goose album. Massive synth and huge chords!

[RickyV]

Ok, there have been a few classical offerings so far and here's mine. 'Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis' by Ralph Vaughan Williams. Hairs on the back of my neck every time.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0U6sWqfrnTs

[bassace]

Bill Evans's opening chords to Miles's So What are sublime. Even if you don't like jazz try to get a listen. Genuinely gives me shivers.

[bassace]

[quote name='RickyV' timestamp='1449500372' post='2924091']
Ok, there have been a few classical offerings so far and here's mine. 'Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis' by Ralph Vaughan Williams. Hairs on the back of my neck every time.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0U6sWqfrnTs
[/quote]

Yes!

[Stefanogregori]

First album to spring to mind is Metallica's Master of Puppets. Battery gets me every time!

Edited December 7, 2015 by Stefanogregori

[timmo]

The Real Me, and I also like Reign O'er Me, although i guess it isnt really chords as such, from Quadrophenia

[jazzyvee]

[font="sans-serif"][color="#252525"]"Medieval Overture" from the Return to Forever album Romantic Warrior[/color][/font]

[Bilbo]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L0bcRCCg01I

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nz0b4STz1lo

[Bilbo]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SPtqRjirC6o

[doomed]

Quincy The Pigboy by Orange Goblin, because you know when you hear it live things are shifting to overdrive.

[Number6]

Symptom of the Universe - Black Sabbath

[Roland Rock]

"I Want to be Adored" by Stone Roses
"Sting Me" by Black Cowes


..can you tell that my adolescent musical awakenings happened in the early 90s?

Edited December 8, 2015 by Roland Rock

[acidbass]

Metallica 'Hit The Lights' off Kill 'Em All. That fade in - wow!

[oldbass]

[quote name='wateroftyne' timestamp='1449489006' post='2923887']


And ironically referenced with a wink in the opening of the Genesis song in the previous post...
[/quote]well ive never heard that before...interesting though nothing beats that SP's intro.
Have'nt listened to Genesis for years, love that keyboard mix.

[mike 110]

Down Down - Status Quo

Rock Bottom ( Strangers in the Night version ) - UFO

It's a long way to the top (if you wanna Rock'n'Roll) - AC/DC

Feel Like Makin' Love - Bad Co

[colgraff]

[quote name='mike 110' timestamp='1449572235' post='2924683']
Feel Like Makin' Love - Bad Co
[/quote]

This sends the wrong sort of shivers down my spine. A great song that I had to play in too many bands over too many years.

[Nicko]

Its not really the chord sequence, but at around 20 seconds into Hot Fuss the bass comes in to Jenny was Friend, and the album just gets better and better from there.
For opening chords American Idiot (Greenday) or Highway to Hell (ACDC) are both great title tracks and openers and show exactly what you're gonna get.

[ezbass]

This

http://youtu.be/B3kFPBtc9BE

And this

http://youtu.be/VBlKYbFWZ-o

Edited December 9, 2015 by ezbass

[louisthebass]

This:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zx6j4vI8lE

Love the sound of a 12 string Rickenbacker