I'm watching that Seven Ages of Rock thing, and they just talked about Ritchie Blackmore writing the opening bars to "Smoke on the Water"

My friend is also watching it, and we are IM-ing each other tidbits back and forth, and we started discussing that this might possibly be "the one" riff that practically everyone knows, regardless of actual musical taste.

I'm trying to think of other openings that are as instantly recognizable by a large cross-section of people. I can't think of many:

"Iron Man"
"In A Gadda-Da-Vida"
"Born To Be Wild"

There's also bits of classical music I would throw into it, like Vivaldi's Four Seasons (Spring), or Beethoven's Fifth.

What else fits the bill? What would you say is the most instantaneously recognizable opening bars in music - of any kind?

Teen Spirit. People under 30 are more likely to recognise that than the ones you listed, I think.

Or at least are more likely to be able to name it. I could go in the other room and hum those three to my brother and cousin and they'd know them but probably couldn't name them.

satisfaction

Louie Louie, Ace of Spaces, This Charming Man, Whole Lotta Love, Step On, Transmission, Sheena Is A Punk Rocker.

My humanities student heritage, revealed.

Let's Get it On. You know. Bwah bwang bwang bwang.

Although maybe not.

Boilermaker

If you're around the best kind of people, Flashlight and Atomic Dog.

chairman_hall wrote:Boilermaker

Not a riff, a cold dick in your face.

My Girl
Superstition
Roller Coaster, perhaps.

big_dave wrote:Sheena Is A Punk Rocker

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