What's your favorite album opening? First song or first few notes?

The opening organ of P Control on The Gold Experience gets me every time (more than the opening of Let's Go Crazy, for example).

As for favorite opening songs, Thunder really sets a tone which the rest of the album doesn't live up to. My Name Is Prince sets the scene well for the album. I think The Rainbow Children is a wonderful, sprawling, 'doing it my own way' opening track to the album.

Mouth.

After that, probably Purple Rain

I've always had a soft spot for the opening of ATWIAD. Just the start of the song and when Prince gives a small cry, ( I always thought it sounded like he was having a orgasim ), just sets the mood for the rest of the album.

Wow, booyah. I've got to agree with everything you said. Maybe we are twins separated at birth, connected only by a psychic bond...!

Why even ask this question? Lets Go Crazy will always be the prototype opening for Prince

for you. I love the opening of that album. it's like prince is saying look what I can do.

EYE NO from LoveSexy, no other Prince has an opening song like!

I always liked the opening on Parade, those first few moments of drums and synth(I think) of "Christopher Tracy's Parade" seem to set a great atmosphere...too bad I didn't like the song--and the album as a whole--as much as I liked that opening..lol...

As for the entire song as an opening, "Let's Go Crazy" probably stands out above the rest...that, and "The Rainbow Children" and all it's sprawling musicianship..

I haven't heard all, but I like the way Emancipation begins and how ends. It's as if a door is opening and closing, and Prince is letting you in, and then shuts you out as if saying okay, I spent enough time right about now, I'm going home, I've made my point.

Fav song opening:

GOOD MORNIN PEOPLE, TAKE A LOOK OUT YOUR WINDOW...IT IS ALMOST TIME TO GO. DANCE ELECTRIC

and the reason is...


despite all the many problemos we all have, worldwide probs,
whatever...if you like to dance...well it makes you feel good.

"...I only want U 2 have sum fun..."

i agree about Thunder, and especialy My name is Prince. those two really set the stage for a very funky album! But I thiunk Let's go Crazy or Sign O the times takes the cake for being the best album opener.

4 me it's..."rain is wet & sugar is sweet... LOVESEXY!! An opening through baptismal waters.

BLACKMF said:

What he said. Cuz FACE said so.

Moonbeam said:

What he said. Cuz MOON said so.

Love the pic in your avatar Supernova! I aint got a problem cuz that's my team too! GO LA!

Right on, Organgrindah!

ROADHOUSEGARDEN said:

agreed. this opening is pure joy.

Dear Dad,
things didn't turn out quite like I wanted them 2
sometimes I feel like I'm gonna explode

I like how the The Rainbow Children opens, and also how it ends.
Especially how tracks 15 through 21 are
like one second of silence then it continues
with the chorus of Last December.That's original.

I also like how Purple Rain and 1999 begin.

For You & Lovesexy

wellbeyond said:

I agree, I agree, I agree.
The three songs on Parade are just the best intro to one of his best albums. I also must say I like most of the Revolution intro's. Purple Rain's Let's Go Crazy, ATWIAD's ATWIAD. And, what I like to call the echo of THe Revolution; SOTT's Sign "O" The Times.

*SIGH* I have officially turned into an old man moaning about the good old days. Allthough everybody seems to forget One Nite Alone...that is bliss too.

Heavenly Golden Bliss

misschestylarue said:

Me 2

Around The World In A Day - Love the yelp.

Although there are many great openings the greatest has to be MY NAME IS PRINCE followed closely by PUSSY CONTROL

The best combination of beginning and end has got to be the COME album opening with COME and ending with the climax ORGASM

For U - Rewind the track a dozen times
1999 - Always get that "sookie, sookie ... here IT comes" anticipation, waiting 4 the smackdown b4 the groove.
Let's Go Crazy - Officially initiated me into Prince geekdom when I commenced 2 flail my hands like some sort of Muppet (inside of course - too 4 dat) during P's "make 'em wait" intro of the Hit & Run tour.

I 2 love the opening of ATWIAD it so captures the tone for that album and it was the first time i really realised that following Prince was gonna B a different type of ride.

It's hard for me to choose between ATWIAD and PARADE: I'll probably say...the first

Favourites for me would be Lovesexy (Eye Know), Around the World in a Day (title track) and EMANCIPATION. "Jam of the Year" sets up the album perfectly!

Least favourite would be Diamonds and Pearls (Thunder) - just a bit too melodramatic for me. Also, generally when a songwriter makes an explicit reference to one particular faith (that is, Jesus in this case) it kinda leaves me cold. I guess that's why I never liked Thunder.