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I can't remember what promted this, but a few nights ago I dreamed up a new meme:

Favorite Album Openers

This is played by selecting your favorite songs that are the first track on a band or artist's album. A great album needs a great opener, a song that hits you in the gut and tells you all you need to know about what is to come. I'm going to try to stick to ten songs.

1) The Who - "Baba O'Riley" (from Who's Next)

This is one of the best arena-rock anthems of all time. You wonder what you're in for when the keyboard starts up, but then the big, crashing piano chords come in and you finally get it. It really starts to sink in when Roger Daltrey starts singing. Or is he screaming? You can't really tell. The whole thing comes to a climax with the gorgeous violin solo at the end. You never expected that, did you?

2) Afro Celt Sound System - "When I Still Needed You" (from Anatomic)

I chose this over "Release" because I simply like this song better. I love how it starts slowly, building and building with each additional instrument. The bouzouki riff is mind-blowing and catchy, and then Dorothee starts to sing! Her vocals are super-intense, especially at the end, and that makes the song a great way to start the album. When you finish listening, you're amazed that you've experienced such amazing feelings and still have eight songs yet to hear!

3) Audioslave - "Cochise" (from Audioslave)

Audioslave wasted no time establishing their presence with the first song and single on their debut album. There's a small buildup, and then everything explodes in a cacophony of noise. Chris Cornell screams his way through the lyrics, grabbing you by the throat with his intensity. This song gets you in a hard rockin' mood, something that any good rock album opener should do.

4) BeauSoleil - "La Danse De La Vie" (from La Danse De La Vie)

My choice was between this and "Newz Reel" from L'Amour Ou La Folie. I chose this song because it's a complete song rather than a two-minute jam like "Newz Reel." It's one of BeauSoleil's strongest songs.

5) Elvis Costello and the Attractions - "No Action" (from This Year's Model)

This song sneaks up on you in a good way. You barely hear Elvis' opening line, and then the entire band smacks you in the face musically. This is a fast, no-bull rock song, not even two minutes long. Elvis' lyrics are quite sarcastic and kind of mean, setting the tone for the rest of the album. This isn't as well known as "Pump It Up," but it should be.

6) Jimi Hendrix Experience - "Purple Haze" (from Are You Experienced?)

This isn't my favorite Jimi Hendrix song, but it's still an unforgettable way to start your Hendrix listening experience. Of course, this was only the opening song on the U.S. version of the album. The U.K. version started with "Foxey Lady" and either song is an excellent way to start things off. "Purple Haze" may not have the guitar tricks that Jimi put into the other songs, but it does showcase his ability to come up with a killer heavy metal riff.

7) Nickel Creek - "Smoothie Song" (from This Side)

Nickel Creek always start their albums with great songs. The first two albums had instrumentals to start, and this one is the better of the two. You have to love Chris Thile's down-home bouzouki playing. It's really too bad this was the only instrumental on This Side, but it's definitely the most opening-worthy song on the album.

8) Guns N' Roses - "Welcome To The Jungle" (from Appetite For Destruction)

Holy moley, this is the best opening song on a debut album ever! Everything you want to know about Guns N' Roses is contained in this song. I love how the song builds and builds with small guitar riffs, big guitar riffs and finally Axl Rose's wailing vocals welcoming you to his jungle. This song is an absolute classic and very, very effective as an opening track.

9) Smashing Pumpkins - "Cherub Rock" (from Siamese Dream)

Billy Corgan sure knows how to kick off an album. Siamese Dream was one of the Pumpkins' classic albums, and "Cherub Rock" kicks it off with a bang. Any comparisons to Gish are shot down when you hear the combination of god-knows-how-many guitars and beautiful melody. If Gish was formulaic, Siamese Dream was anything but, and this track is proof of that.

10) Smashing Pumpkins - "To Sheila" (from Adore)

There are many other opening tracks that I like, but I could not bear to leave this off. It's just too beautiful. Upon hearing it, a Smashing Pumpkins fan knows we're not in Kansas anymore. Adore was about beauty, not power, and "To Sheila" is the most beautiful song on the album by far. It pulls you into a dreamland and doesn't let go.

Other album-opening songs that I enjoy:

The Beatles - "Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" (Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band)
BeauSoleil - "Newz Reel" (L'Amour Ou La Folie)
Gavin DeGraw - "Follow Through" (Chariot)
Led Zeppelin - "Black Dog" (IV)
Natalie MacMaster - "A Blast" (Blueprint)
Metallica - "Enter Sandman" (Metallica)
Afro Celt Sound System - "Release" (Volume 2)
Alison Krauss and Union Station - "Gravity" (Lonely Runs Both Ways)

I invite anyone and everyone to make your own list and spread the love.