Signature Introductions to Classic Songs

admin · Post by **admin** » Sat Jul 09, 2005 4:09 am

While The Beatles made very good use of instrumental signature song introductions in the 1960s, the opening chord of A Hard Day's Night being perhaps the most famous example, what other classic instrumental openings do you recall from late 1950s through the 1960s?

royclough · Post by **royclough** » Sat Jul 09, 2005 4:31 am

Tambourine Man, Everlasting Love(Love Affair -though they did not play on it)

MOVE IT was a classic instro opening despite what Bob thinks.

bassman · Post by **bassman** » Sat Jul 09, 2005 4:34 am

Peter,

Jimmy Webb's McArthur's Park has that classic harpsicord intro played by Larry Knetchel that's instantly recognizable.

I love Richard Harris' (Jimmy Webb) verion of this tune.

apollo11 · Post by **apollo11** » Sat Jul 09, 2005 5:01 am

Beach Boys' blazing guitar intro to Surfin USA

Elvis: Double bass intro to Don't Be Cruel (McCartney used a very similar bass line for The Ballad of John and Yoko)

CCR's Down on the Corner

Stones' Satisfaction

Buddy Holly: xylophone intro to Everyday

royclough · Post by **royclough** » Sat Jul 09, 2005 5:20 am

Larry Knetchel later a memeber of Bread of Course.

The Association were originally offered McArthur Park

bassman · Post by **bassman** » Sat Jul 09, 2005 5:38 am

The Zombies, She's Not There and The Grass Roots, Midnight Confessions both have great starting intro bass lines.

"The Association were originally offered McArthur Park".

I read that just this week on Jimmy Webb's website. I'm glad they turned it down. It just wouldn't have been the same.

tony_carey · Post by **tony_carey** » Sat Jul 09, 2005 6:07 am

The Searchers with 'Needles & Pins' is a cracking intro.

stubby · Post by **stubby** » Sat Jul 09, 2005 6:31 am

The drum whack followed closely by the keyboards on "Like a Rolling Stone."

rictified · Post by **rictified** » Sat Jul 09, 2005 7:44 am

"MOVE IT was a classic instro opening despite what Bob thinks."
The intro was ok Roy, it was the rest of the song I didn't like, haha!

Yes, and that drum wack in Like a Rolling Stone still sets up a feeling of excited anticipation in me much like Pavlov's Dog. (I don't drool though, only drummers do that)

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Sat Jul 09, 2005 9:00 am

Well, while we're sorts on the Association, they were pretty good at 4-bar signature intros.

Viz: "Along Comes Mary", "Cherish", Windy", "Never My Love", "Enter the Young", etc., etc.

One of the most musically sophisticated, best-produced groups of the '60s, IMO.

jerrymac51 · Post by **jerrymac51** » Sat Jul 09, 2005 9:10 am

Stairway to Heaven and Can't you hear my Heartbeat by Herman's Hermits. I've heard that they were both played by some guy named Page, but then again, Page takes credit for every great guitar part ever recorded (like the solo in You Really Me)!!!

Here's another great intro and a funny story about it which I don't know if it's true or not. The story I heard is that S&G recorded the original acoustic version for their first album Wednesday Morning 5AM which flopped big-time. When folk rock hit big, the Columbia big-wigs decided to electrify the acoustic version of Sounds of Silence and bought in some studio musicians to add drums and bass and electric guitar tracks to the acoustic track. Including the great electric guitar intro.

All this time, Simon's been hiding out in London, bummed out over the failure of the Wednesday Morning album. Columbia tracks him down, tells him they're going to release the new version, and Simon heads back to the states to promote the song.

S&G are booked on one of the rock TV shows like Shindig, and at the rehearsal, Simon walks over to the studio musician playing electric guitar (no, it wasn't Jimmy Page, I kinda remember it being Tommy Tedesco). Simon proceeds to tell the guitarist that he wants the intro played exactly like it recorded on the single and offers to show the session man how HE (Simon) played it on the record. The guitarist looks up at Simon and says (paraphrased), "No a**hole, I'll show you how I played the intro on the record."

royclough · Post by **royclough** » Sat Jul 09, 2005 9:41 am

According to Ray Davis, Page was not even the session that produced You Really Got Me, why would he lie, Page himself has as far as I know never actully claimed it was him.

This gives some info but I concede a number of websites claim it was Page.

http://www.creemmagazine.com/BeatGoesOn/Kinks/UnravelsTheKinks001.html

jerrymac51 · Post by **jerrymac51** » Sat Jul 09, 2005 11:11 am

Hi Roy,

In the article you referenced, Ray does say Page "...now he says that he played it!" referring to the lead in All Day. One thing for certain IMO, the two solos (YRGM & ADAATN} were perpertrated by the same evil mind. BTW, the Kinks are the most underrated band from that era. In terms of originality, beautiful melodies, witty lyrics and the ability to reinvent themselves at will they are second only to those Beatle guys. IMHO.

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Sat Jul 09, 2005 11:22 am

100% agreement here, Jerry!

royclough · Post by **royclough** » Sat Jul 09, 2005 12:18 pm

Jerry who really knows, the article does quote Davis as saying he thinks Page is an A---hole not sure if the point you aremaikng is that Davis confirmed Page playe dlead on All Day but Davis does not support that. BTW Jerry on an earlier thread I posted the KInks second single one before You---- which allegedly only sold 127 copies, if you missed it nad have not heard let me know I'll send it to you.