Top 10 Greatest Ever Debut Songs
#10: “Brown Eyed Girl”
Van Morrison
By the time Van Morrison went solo, he had already worked up a reputation for himself as a member of blues-rock outfit, Them. However, when he took the studio to record his debut solo release, the results would change his life forever. “Brown Eyed Girl” was an instant success in the US, catapulting Van The Man to the top-ten in the Billboard charts. Sure, he would go on to explore different genres on albums like “Astral Weeks” and “Moondance”, but Morrison nailed his sound early. The song is simple but highly effective, and even though Van himself doesn’t like it any more, it remains one of his most revered compositions.
#9: “Supersonic”
Oasis
Oasis were never going to do anything other than kick the door down with their debut release. The band came pre-packed with all the swagger and confidence they needed to stand out, and “Supersonic” is a prime example. The brothers Gallagher, Liam and Noel, were an instant hit with the fans, rising to number-two on the Indie Charts in the UK. The track preceded the release of their studio album “Definitely Maybe”, a cultural landmark that would shoot the band to global fame. Beyond all of that, it stands on its own two feet as an excellent song, injecting British rock and roll with some much-needed grit and attitude.
#8: “Anarchy in the U.K.”
Sex Pistols
The British punk scene didn’t come out of nowhere. No, it was a response to what was happening in the country musically and, of course, politically. When Johnny Rotten and the Sex Pistols burst onto the scene, to say they had an impact would be putting it lightly. We’d heard rock and roll delivered with aggression before, but this was something different. The band were loud and angry, becoming icons for disillusioned youths. It did not take long until the group were a national sensation, posterboys for any form of counter-culture movement. However, given how volatile they were, it should come as no surprise that they had a very short lifespan, imploding after just three years.
#7: “Wuthering Heights”
Kate Bush
There was nothing normal about Kate Bush’s ascent to superstardom. When she released “Wuthering Heights” in 1978, she became the first female songwriter to earn a self-penned number-one in the UK. She wrote the song when she was just 18 years old. Everything from the music videos to the production and arrangement felt oddly mature and fully-formed for a debut. Bush knew exactly how she wanted to present her art and this track, along with her first album, were remarkably well thought-out. Sure, she would go on to release even more critically acclaimed work during her career, but this was one incredible way to announce yourself to the world.
#6: “Fast Car”
Tracy Chapman
Making an opening statement as strong as Tracy Chapman’s “Fast Car” is simply not going to happen for most artists. In her first-ever single, Chapman painted a picture so vividly that it remains as popular and relevant today as ever. The song, and in particular her performance at Nelson Mandela’s 70th birthday concert, propelled her to fame. Since then she has always preferred to live a more reclusive lifestyle for the most part. However, “Fast Car” ensured that she would always receive a rapturous reception whenever she did make a rare on-stage appearance.
#5: “Take It Easy”
Eagles
Few bands, if any, have introduced themselves to the world as well as the Eagles did on “Take It Easy”. Their laidback sound was already in full swing and it would go on to become one of their signature tracks. Co-written by band member Glenn Frey and music legend Jackson Browne, the song received a pretty warm commercial and critical reception. The song details a man’s simple journey as he looks for a woman to comfort him. It’s a truly timeless and universal theme. To this day, it’s up there with “Hotel California” as one of the band’s definitive releases.
#4: “...Baby One More Time”
Britney Spears
Once Britney Spears achieved superstardom with her debut single “...Baby One More Time”, it changed pop music forever. She was a different breed of superstar, ready to redefine the tired formulas of the ‘90s with something truly fresh. The song’s iconic music video introduced Britney to the world, but the strength of the song itself cannot be ignored. Composed by Max Martin, this is the type of tune that would hold up if performed in a dozen different genre styles. It would eventually go on to become one of the biggest selling songs in music history with over ten million copies sold.
#3: “That’s All Right”
Elvis Presley
It’s hard to imagine how it must have felt to hear the sound of “That’s All Right” by Elvis Presley blasting through the radio in 1954. This was one of the true ‘before and after’ moments, a mainstream introduction for the masses to an entirely new type of energy. Sure, Presley owed quite a lot to great musicians like Big Mama Thornton, Arthur Crudup, and even B.B. King. However, The King earned his crown by taking all of these influences and bringing them together in a package that was an instant hit. The track made Elvis a bona fide star, setting in motion one of the most legendary rock and roll careers in music history.
#2: “Creep”
Radiohead
If you asked Thom Yorke whether he would have preferred if Radiohead never released “Creep”, you might get a surprising answer. For as much as the band famously hated the song, this insanely popular debut single opened so many doors for them in the early 90s. The self-loathing lyrics, the grungey music video, and the explosive chorus. Sure, it was all very of-its-time, but the song is extremely popular for a reason. Yorke and co. crafted a truly timeless anthem with this one. Thankfully, after years of openly hating on it, they eventually began performing it on-stage again from time to time.
Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.
“More Than a Feeling”, Boston
Boston Came Out With a Blistering Debut Album
“Wannabe”, Spice Girls
The Single That Changed Pop Music Forever
“I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor”, Arctic Monkeys
Our Unforgettable Intro to Sheffield’s Finest
“Clint Eastwood”, Gorillaz
Damon Albarn Sheds His Britpop Image for Good
“Pon de Replay”, Rihanna
A 21st Century Pop Superstar Arrives on the Scene
#1: “Love Me Do”
The Beatles
When the four Beatles, John, Paul, George, and Ringo, introduced themselves, nobody had any idea what would follow. Indeed, “Love Me Do” is a catchy little number, but it’s by no means their most acclaimed single. However, it was what the song’s release would represent that earned it a spot on our list. This song effectively launched “Beatlemania”, changing the very nature of superstardom in the 1960s. After years of honing their talents on-stage, The Beatles officially arrived with this track. It charted in the top-20 in the UK and eventually reached number-one in the US after finally being released eighteen months later. It kick-started the career of the biggest band in the world, and the rest, as they say… is history.
But what first glimpse at an artist sticks out in your memory? Let us know in the comments below.
