Music blog “It’s All Indie” tweeted yesterday about a list of great opening tracks that they put together in July. There are some gooduns on their list, but it inspired me to go one better. And then another three more so it would fit into my 20 songs series.

So without further ado, shall we get started?

Sparklehorse - It’s a Wonderful Life (It’s a Wonderful Life)

Because it’s my go-to mixtape opener. How else could I start a mix of opening tracks?

Pulp - The Fear (This is Hardcore)

Because this is how you follow your Britpop masterclass: with the sound of loneliness turned up to ten.

R.E.M. - Harborcoat (Reckoning)

Because it’s a perfect start to a practically perfect album.

Gene - Haunted By You (Olympian)

Because it’s a perfect start to a flawed debut album.

Supergrass - Za (Life on Other Planets)

Because it’s also a great way to open a live set.

Ride - Leave Them All Behind (Going Blank Again)

Because it’s simply the most epic.

John Grant - Pale Green Ghosts (Pale Green Ghosts)

Because it will worm its way inside your brain.

The Auteurs - Lenny Valentino (Now I’m a Cowboy)

Because it’s Lenny and Luke.

Wilco - I am Trying to Break Your Heart (Yankee Hotel Foxtrot)

The White Stripes - Seven Nation Army (Elephant)

Because it doesn’t get played enough. Hmm…

Nick Drake - Time Has Told Me (Five Leaves Left)

Do I need a reason? It is Nick Drake after all.

Primal Scream - Burning Wheel (Vanishing Point)

Because of Mani’s bass.

Belle & Sebastian - It Could Have Been a Brilliant Career (The Boy With The Arab Strap)

Because no-one does opening tracks quite as well as Belle & Sebastian

https://youtu.be/W5pjERYBT58

Arab Strap - Stink (The Last Romance)

Because no-one does opening lyrics quite as well as Arab Strap -

Burn these sheets that we’ve just fucked in

See also Packs of Three, from Philophobia -

It was the biggest cock you’d ever seen

https://youtu.be/1SZnonzgOsw

Cornershop - Sleep on the Left Side (When I Was Born For the Seventh Time)

Because who knew they were about to hit a perfect groove?

Grandaddy - He’s Simple, He’s Dumb, He’s the Pilot (The Sophtware Slump)

Because it’s really at least three songs wrapped up in one sweet package.

The Strokes - Is This It (Is This It)

Because: cool.

Joan as Police Woman - Real Life (Real Life)

Because it stopped me in my tracks the first time I heard it.

Elbow - Station Approach (Leaders of the Free World)

Because it’s a start that’s also a happy return.

Teenage Fanclub - Start Again (Songs From Northern Britain)

Because it’s good advice for when you reach the end of something wonderful.