TOP 20 GREATEST VOCAL INTROS OF ALL TIME

[@Marcelo_Parada]

Kansas - carry on my wayward son was the first song that came to my mind when I started watching. Great to see that's on the Top3

[@sarahwelty9223]

Great song👍

[@eddiemappala]

Great song. There's also version of Yngwie Malmsteen.

[@Mythilt]

It was my second, right after 'Oh Sherrie' by Steve Perry.

[@VictorGomide]

I missed James Brown with the iconic and irresistible "I feel good".

[@windsofmarchjourneyperrytr2823]

Make it Funky. If you play bass, just wait for the yummy E drop bridge.

[@swimboyfree]

Totally! That’d be #1 or 2 for me

[@chrishepburn1503]

The fact he has Bon Jovi but no James Brown. That's embarrassing 🤦‍♂️

[@blindknitter]

Yeah, we need James Brown.

[@roymarsh8077]

Not many minority faces in this list

[@lunalouhoo]

Oh the lady who sang "A'int no Sunshine" was just divine!

[@danapaul3216]

Rick- “She says she’s not a singer.... proceeds to sing phenomenally.

[@elenol1310]

@@danapaul3216 Yes, i was like WERE CAN I FIND HER

[@lauraheacox9858]

Yeah, she was wonderful...after binge watching Monk earlier this year on Prime, her performance brought Ted Levine's version to mind.

[@adinfinitumprogrock]

@@lauraheacox9858 I just watched a KZbin video a few weeks ago of Bill Withers playing this song live in a studio. Actually, it might have been in RBs video of Great Bass Lines. Early 70s R&B and Soul had some awesome and heart wrenching emotional songs and that's coming from a prog rocker.

[@mylovesongs2429]

You should hear the parody sung by comedian John Valby! Hilarious!

[@terrypoff2651]

Interesting. Im a classically trained singer, and I am so pleased to hear you extolling the virtues of true musicianship. Back in the day, before auto-tune, people had to have real vocal chops. Yep, I'm a music snob, but the musicians you highlight are incredibly gifted and could teach all of us a thing or two about music as art. Thank you.

[@antonlaptev3807]

Before I even started watching: "hey hey mama said the way you move, gonna make you sweat, gonna make you groove".

[@DethronerX]

In my list, thats on number 1

[@hanreality.7266]

Me - “Carry on my wayward son” and “Birds flying high, you know how I feel..”

[@Walacama]

The guitar is so minimal, this should be top 5 easy. #1 for me.

[@bluestorm9218]

@@hanreality.7266 I think that Feeling Good has a little instrumental before the vocal part, but I'm not sure

[@malsemakker4491]

exactly same thought

[@bait3027]

It’s one word, but you know exactly the song: “Crimson and Clover”. That “yeah” in the beginning is infectious

[@edwardlazich1140]

U2's Desire

[@joegarrison5911]

"Hey hey mama say the way you move, gonna make you sweat gonna make you groove"

[@Immaperson856]

Obviously bohemian rhapsody wins, but black dog should be 2

[@MikeM-uy6qp]

I'm partial to the more feral opening on Immigrant Song.

[@Immaperson856]

@@MikeM-uy6qp that’s a completely fair take, zeppelin was really just ridiculous when it came to intros

[@gibblespascack1418]

"I have seen all good people" is a great Yes song. However, the first one that came to my mind was "Leave It" It was more commercially successful in the 80s when I was in college.

[@KevinRevolinski]

Me too

[@alonsonatividad9620]

It was nice to see a Little River Band song in the list. I love their music.

[@matthewmolkentin6230]

The woman who sang the intro to 'Ain't No Sunshine' did Bill Withers proud. I would like to hear her sing the entire song sometime.

[@alonsonatividad9620]

I second that.

[@mt9054]

Same here!

[@villypirok7132]

Has she released anything?

[@helmutsecke3529]

I’m sure she’d be happy to accommodate you.

[@reuireuiop0]

Name ?

[@lowkeyluckyjeans8560]

"Who are you to wave your finger, You must've been outta your head" -Maynard James Keenan, Singer of TOOL

[@lowkeyluckyjeans8560]

Possibly could have been on the list

[@kevinkendall3122]

Eyeball deep in muddy water you probably raised the dead

[@michaeltveten8458]

Honestly, my first thought was “I see all good people”, and then secondly, I thought of Maynard......

[@mrluchtverfrisser]

Haha I was just about to post this.

[@Daily_Bassist]

Gimme fuel, gimme fire, gimme that which I desire, OUGH!

[@vickiistre6155]

Little River Band is so awesome! Their harmonies give me chills.

[@TurnStyle72]

As an Aussie gen x'er it certainly surprised me it was here! Glenn Shorrock singing lead here, but not sure many remember for a little bit John Farnham was their front man.

[@paulmoncton]

The Australian Eagles

[@_ID_as_Non_Bidenary]

Yes is my favorite band in the world but I've seen Little River Band at least four times. Their harmonies are spectacular.

[@marcweissman5752]

Same here, and it's a HUGE reason why "Lady" is one of my go-to karaoke songs. Spectacular harmonies! 🎉

[@DavidDiMuzio]

"Carry On My Wayward Son" was also the first song that came to me my mind as an iconic vocal intro. Funny that Bohemian Rhapsody and Paperback Writer didn't though of course they are by more iconic bands.

[@MultiEviscerator]

Not to mention that Beato is a biased Beatles fan. I wonder if Kansas ever scores #1 in any of his lists? If not, then this clearly could and likely should have been.

[@bowks1o_o669]

First song that popped into my head too.

[@photohounds]

Well it *IS* an iconic intro. Please remember, the post it is, the harder it was to tried, and perform. No computers, so no pro tools , and no autotune either - all talent..

[@kayak8700]

Yep same, could have been number 1, but I can see bohemian rhapsody ahead, maybe.

[@mid2170]

Same here. I would probably put Bohemian Rhapsody #1 too, but definitely Carry On Wayward Son at #2. It's a better vocal than Paperback Writer.

[@omniscientfool2749]

Nice to see Jethro Tull getting some credit, great band, great live!

[@davidknox2787]

Roberta Flack still giving me chills with that voice...

[@averageday]

that killing me softly intro was so chilling

[@KyleValet]

your friend singing Aint no sunshine is beautiful and I love her pure voice!!!! wow refreshing

[@bonniemaxton-harvey4499]

Yes, please tell Jam that she is a SINGER. Loved her rendition.

[@Necron-ez2cc]

Why isn't Jam recording and performing?

[@bryanb3618]

Renegade by Styx? That song gives me chills every time.

[@testodude]

Several of these songs should have been bumped for Renegade

[@lyonheart44]

The first one I thought of was mysteriously missing, and oh boy was it iconic. "A-wop-bop-a-lu-bop-a-lop-bomp-bomp!"--Little Richard

[@Stahlgewitter]

No kidding!!!

[@Stahlgewitter]

Come on Rick, how did you not invite that one???? Dont go getting lazy on us here Rick!!!

[@WJWinstonOficial]

You so right!!!More iconic than this is impossible.

[@josephcalitri5710]

Good call!

[@2032bick52]

And “I’m gonna tell Aunt Mary about uncle John...”

[@nnmrtin8426]

Queen has soo many: Somebody to Love, I Want it All, Dont Stop Me Now

[@atsirik]

Also: "It's a hard life"

[@yayogarcia82]

Or Let me Live

[@pyotrpig]

we are the champions!

[@sherinekhalil7003]

It's a hard life was the first one I thought of. "I don't want my freeeeedom...

[@Tick-Checker]

Breakthru!!

[@billy9361]

Sound of silence Simon and garfunkel "Hello darkness my old friend'

[@Reynolds69er]

Fionn Regan the vocals are certainly glorious but it opens with the guitar picking before the vocals begin

[@billy9361]

@@Reynolds69er yes true

[@umageddon]

Fionn Regan millennials love that song 😂

[@quantumguitar1]

Sound of Silence is one of the best songs ever written but it technically starts with a guitar...

[@dreemsnake1]

And not rock...

[@mr.e8432]

Oh, Mama, I'm in fear for my life from the long arm of the law Law man has put an end to my running and I'm so far from my home Oh, Mama I can hear you a-cryin', you're so scared and all alone Hangman is comin' down from the gallows and I don't have very long... How does that not make the top five, let alone even make an appearance on the list?

[@madmo453]

Absolutely deserves to be on the list.

[@MrKWC007]

Im thinking rick is anti Styx

[@thompsonturnworks7788]

I’m not “a Styx guy”, but I agree whole-heartedly.

[@nineballking06351]

mind blown. he totally dropped the ball on that one

[@alfonsomunoz4424]

Saw your comment in the first minute of the video. Stopped watching immediately knowing Renegade wasn't included.

[@t.s.9656]

You forgot the song that started it by Bill Haley and His Comets. "One, two, three o'clock, four o'clock Rock. Five, six, seven o'clock, eight O'clock rock. Nine, ten, eleven o'clock twelve o'clock rock. We're gonna rock around the clock tonight".

[@crystalf4215]

This definetly should have been on the list

[@mikesomerset6338]

Agreed.

[@ExNihiloComesNothing]

This was a big miss. Along with Tutti Fruiti from Little Richard

[@sourisvoleur4854]

Technically starts with a drum hit.

[@tylerlarsen1842]

@@sourisvoleur4854 Yes, but the intro is still dominated by the vocals

[@mustlistengood3346]

Wayward Son intro is simply iconic for vocal intros. It's just the first thing that comes to mind for a lot of us old people on the subject. I think its partly because it contrasts with killer guitar riff intro that follows and then the rest of the song is jammed with instrumental tracks. And Steve Walsh vocals in 1976 were incredible (with a nod to violinist Robby Steinhardt's harmony who has passed on). Numero uno. And if I'm not mistaken, that vocal intro was added at the last minute as they rushed to record it.

[@neatdesign]

Add these to the list: "At Last" - Etta James "We've Only Just Begun" - Carpenters "I Get Around" - The Beach Boys "Help!" - The Beatles

[@Twongo]

When I saw the title my first thought was, "Aaaaat Laaaaaaaaaaast... "

[@EthanPMusic]

Also add It Can Happen -Yes

[@HunterPhenomMakoy]

What about a For the Longest Time by Billy Joel?

[@AlanaNichole1989]

neatdesign this guy’s got a big blind spot...how is James Brown’s “Please, Please, Please” not on this list??

[@Mariquillalapantorrilluda]

Something's got a hold on me!! Waited for that one till the end Dx

[@dyer2cycle]

..I nominate "Shadows Of The Night", Pat Benatar..from "Get Nervous", 1982..the "Shadows Of The Night" intro really showcases the power of her voice..still gives me goosebumps..

[@robertsparling917]

Let's not forget about "Whose Bed Have Your Boots Been Under?" by Shania Twain from her second album, The Woman in Me, which came out in 1995.

[@jcb3393]

Pat's voice really does shine in that song. Excellent pick!

[@robertsparling917]

@@jcb3393 Unfortunately, Pat Benatar is a blocker and if "Shadows of the Night" was on the list, the video would get taken down!

[@tomb4575]

How is Pat Benatar not in the rrhof?

[@shesails3313]

Absolutely!!!

[@johnh6345]

Where's Blue Swede "Hooked on a feeling " that is iconic... Ogga shucka Ogga shucka. Classic!!

[@guibox3]

Oh yeah. For sure!!

[@Dankster-yo8xv]

I love that stupid song

[@pepperjanehq]

HA! ABSOLUTELY 🙌🙌🙌 wow but you see what Rick does, he sets up the lesson SO THAT the students talk and teach each other. That is an exceptional teacher 🙏🏼

[@gremmiehodad]

Drove the people at our local pizza parlor crazy with that one on the jukebox!

[@demonocracy2480]

Definitely an omission and should have been on this list

[@bluecanary822]

More great work Rick. This is where I think you are at your best and your love for music shows.

[@paulsimmons5726]

The fact that Queen and the Beatles scored double mentions in your top ten speaks volumes! The lady who sang #15 deserves a hand, 👏!

[@oscaraddison8040]

Yes definitely

[@echt114]

Queen really Should have had 4 with "Somebody to Love" and "I Want it All"

[@NeerajKumar-ui7bj]

@@oscaraddison8040 her name?

[@NeerajKumar-ui7bj]

Oh I get it

[@xgenmusic3434]

@@echt114 The single version of I Want It All you mean?

[@wheresbaido4157]

I always liked the intro to “oh sherry” by Steve Perry. That “shouldaaaa beeen gooooooone....” gave me the goose bumps.

[@thomasduke4722]

Yes but that's a keyboard intro.

[@bobbywise2313]

@@thomasduke4722 Oh yeah it does.

[@Bluejeangirl62]

I just knew it would be there somewhere!!!! Even with the keyboards…. That voice…. There is no mistaking it anywhere. Glad to see Anyway You Want It made the cut, at least. ☺️

[@marymacdonald2379]

@@Bluejeangirl62 Yeah, had to have Steve Perry😊

[@chazmosis]

“Can you tell me where my country lies” - such a great and unexpected a cappella opening sung by Peter Gabriel with Genesis. You rock Rick!

[@1Vurgas1]

YES

[@whiteman1506]

"...said the unifaun to his true love eyes." Love this piece too, Genesis on the peak of their creativity.

[@jashfield2269]

That is so true

[@GoWILDwithBen]

I’m with you, chazmosis. First thing I thought of myself.

[@martinhoser6202]

Selling England By The Pound is definitly missing

[@davidmalsher4038]

"For the longest time" by Billy Joel is a superb a cappella song with a rich intro and great pop melody from the start

[@TurnStyle72]

I thought of this song as well. Not a favourite of mine, but I think very notable. Pretty sure the entire song has no instruments too.

[@sumplais]

@@TurnStyle72 There is an accompanying electric bass...

[@bobbiemackellar-wiebe5855]

Nice to see Little River Band on the list. Renegade by Styx was a song that instantly popped into my mind for this list.

[@groundzero6662]

I thought Renegade should be in the top 10!!!

[@MultiEviscerator]

What about "Lady" ?

[@roxannecorset]

@@MultiEviscerator Lady has instrumental before the vocals start

[@Ewarne]

Are you me? I had the exact same reaction!

[@patrickmccarthy2397]

@@MultiEviscerator Not a vocal intro

[@co7314]

Roberta Flack singing Killing Me Softly literally gave me goosebumps

[@tyelerhiggins300]

Reading this comment gave me goosebumps

[@boblevine104]

I was going to say that!

[@baronessvarney9379]

Me too!

[@rohanroll]

Nah, it just means that you are human and got a soul. 😁

[@gwarren54]

Every time I hear this song the music whisks me away to the South China Sea where I heard it for the first time. It's that amazing vocal intro that does it.

[@lucalone]

Tony Iommi coughing at the start of "sweet leaf" is the greatest vocal intro ever ^^

[@MostlyCloudy]

Lol yeee

[@michaelhundt5744]

...or David Gilmore coughing on Wish You Were Here.

[@rickboiardimindshiftingaca6975]

George coughing at the beginning of Taxman.

[@asmith8947]

Hate it. Love Sabbath but that is the one song I can't listen to due entirely to that awful coughing.

[@debilynnphillips]

Yes, Queen should be #1! You're spot on!

[@jorgealexis6569]

Every time I hear "Strumming my pain with his fingers, singing my life with his words ..." in the magnificent voice of Roberta Flack it is just so perfect.

[@David_Theisen]

Every time I hear those words I think I’m going to be hearing the Fugees version!!!

[@tabascocat5102]

When I hear it now-its sullied by that stupid rap version

[@David_Theisen]

@@tabascocat5102 Watch it!!! That woman in the Fugees has a better singing voice than YOU!!!

[@tabascocat5102]

@@David_Theisen She may have. BUT her rapping cohorts dont. We are all better than you. My single was voted best song of the year for Northern Radio stations

[@AmandaHugandKiss411]

Roberta sings this song with such depth, you feel what she is singing... Amazing song and singer.

[@ericroll]

I really appreciated seeing Jethro Tull, Songs From the Wood on the list. That vocal intro doesn’t just set the tone for the song, it sets the tone for the whole album. Pure brilliance.

[@gillrowley]

Definitely. Just amazing.

[@richmoral7735]

Well spoken

[@debras1503]

You are correct sir

[@debras1503]

Being a fan of prog rock when I was a teen, it was almost cultish as cool. I played flute and idolized them

[@MrDjango1953]

I'm pretty sure that Ian Anderson (who is a genius imo) got the idea for the multi voiced intro to the song Songs from The Wood from the brilliant Gentle Giant who had supported Tull just a year earlier in 1976.He'd never done four part harmony vocals before that and i think he was inspired by Gentle Giant's.

[@FionaEm]

As an Aussie, I'm pleased you put Little River Band there. With songs like Help is on its Way, Cool Change, Happy Anniversary and Reminiscing, their harmonies were world class!

[@waynekerr8003]

🇭🇲

[@seanswinton6242]

Totally agree. They're my favourite Australian band because of their harmonies. Unless the Bee Gees are considered Australian. I know their songs "Spics & Specks" was what launched them into worldwide stardom. I was 8-9 when I heard "Happy Anniversary". I thought was a West Coast American band like the Eagles. I saw them 2 times in the 80s. Reminiscing, Night Owls, Lonesome Loser are some their best. For me their ultimate song of harmonic brilliance is "Cool Change". It's also my song for life! I loved it when I first heard it. In secondary school, at university, and other times when bad things happen. Breakups, loss of friends or family, or for me illness are times for a "Cool Change". Additionally they introduced me to John Farnham. Here in the United States singers you have like John Farnham and Jimmy Barnes aren't as well known. Many other artists like INXS, Air Supply, Rick Springfield, Icehouse, the Divinyls, Midnight Oil, AC/DC, Helen Reddy, and Olivia Newton-John I'm a fan of as well. My older brother has been to Australia, but I haven't. Can't wait to visit once good health returns.

[@aldoditoro3139]

♥️🇦🇺

[@Cyberlucy]

They are one of my favorite all time bands. Their harmonies were unreal. As an American I miss them.

[@dani3670]

I grew up listening to them in Mississippi! My step dad was a huge music fan and great guitar player. I never considered they weren't "mainstream"!

[@lovesqueen]

Oh my god!! I was waiting for number one!!! And I was so happy when I heard my favourite band! Thank you!

[@TWDEColtBlooded]

One of my favorite vocal intros is the "I got another confession to make" hit me different at the time

[@ialambo7443]

was waiting for it until he hit the top ten and I realized it wasn't going to happen

[@dannyfromtweonline6430]

I was waiting on this too, especially since we know Rick is a big fan of DG

[@S11tep1a82]

Great Intro bro

[@snapdragonfly6652]

Yes!

[@adammkoss]

"Feeling Good" - Nina Simone "You Can't Always Get What You Want" - Rolling Stones

[@andyharris4048]

Was definitely expecting "Feeling Good".

[@Loanme5]

Ditto

[@brucehartley3858]

Great point about “you can’t always get what you want” - one of the most iconic accidental works - they asked for 5 members of the London choral group to show up, they all did, they figured out a way to use them all and the rest is history.

[@tristankawlewski15]

This is a wonderful list, although I feel that “I Get Around” by The Beach Boys has to be on here. The way the harmonies work along with Brian’s falsetto is absolutely fantastic

[@jrpipik]

I'd put that before "Barbara Ann."

[@popoff7808]

Techically it doesn't start with vocal but a guitar chord.

[@jeangentry6656]

Yes!

[@6thwilbury2331]

@@popoff7808 Agree, although that didn't stop him from including "Black Dog." That said, if I'm putting a Beach Boys song on here, I'm going with "Good Vibrations." The verse vocals in that song are chilling.

[@Johnthestoryteller]

Agree a thousand percent, I hate Barbara Ann simply because that's the only song our high school marching band knew.

[@eddiemappala]

"Pilot of the Airwaves" by Charlie Dore from 1979. It's even used by as intro DJ's jingle in a radio station here back in the 80's. Great list, Mr Beato.

[@TurnStyle72]

Wow... What a blast from the past! "... here is my request You dont have to play it But I hope you'll do your best" 😂

[@edwardlazich1140]

79 wow I that was older

[@mazda9624]

"Renegade" by Styx was *literally* the very first intro that came to mind and I'm insanely surprised that it wasn't *even* mentioned.

[@jacoblasswell]

I feel fortunate as a younger person that I was able to see Styx do Renegade live. They put on such a tight show

[@timboski999]

I agree. I would add this before several of the others on the list

[@Phreddy666]

I'm not going to argue with Rick's list but, Renegade is the first song that popped into my head for a vocal intro, followed by Bohemian Rhapsody.

[@Lonsta-DaMonsta]

You might be new here, but it's become apparent over the years that Rick hates Styx.

[@pcpfree]

@@Phreddy666 I thought the same. Renegade and Bohemian Rhapsody Not sure about the order.

[@RJSchex]

Three others worth listing: "Renegade" - Styx "Take A Chance On Me" - ABBA "Hello Again" - The Cars

[@tommoves3385]

"Renegade" - that was on my mind all the time as well!

[@andrewgreenberg9204]

Couldn’t believe it wasn’t there

[@keymanpacker9721]

I agree! I was going to comment about Renegade

[@tommoves3385]

@@LinkinVerbz44 I don't think he does. It is hard for a music enthusiast to narrow it down to ten... It was just funny as he was counting it down - I always thought "now - here it comes - yeah it is top three - yeah it made it to #1 - and yes well deserved - and then - not there at all 🤔🙁! But I don't blame nobody for nothing... just far too many good songs ☺

[@michealsizemore1]

Ya. Definitely Renegade. That is a KILLER vocal intro.

[@chistopherbest6292]

Ummm? “Oh Mama, I'm in fear for my life from the long arm of the law” U Missed Renegade by Styx

[@michaelbeasley5783]

So many solid choices. Wonderin why Styx "Renegade" didn't make it somewhere? "Oh mama I'm in fear for my life from the long arm of the law . . ."

[@sageforde5120]

Steve Perry’s Oh Sherrie ... “You should’ve been gone ...”! And Chilliwack “Gone gone gone been so long ...”!

[@thefrogqueeen]

Sage Forde I was waiting for Oh Sherrie to be number one! I can’t believe it didn’t make it on the list at all?

[@joethomas1775]

There is a little music intro just before the singing. Still a good one though.

[@thefrogqueeen]

Joe Thomas you are right. But Steve Perry and that voice of his rings out like a bell!

[@mhrobbins1240]

Sage Forde that’s definitely what I was thinking!!! Oh Sherri should definitely be in this list. Not only is it only vocals, which some if these are not but it’s ridiculously amazing vocals!

[@mhrobbins1240]

Doug Davis you know nothing Doug Davis

[@danalogue]

Somebody to Love. What makes this intro particularly unique is the high-end harmony dropout on “Love”. Doesn’t get any better than that, and that includes BR.

[@momsurfing]

my thought exactly. should be on this list.

[@ignaciogomis272]

Totally agree. One of the (many) songs where Freddy proves why he is indisputably the best rock singer of all times. Oh, comments will follow arguing this scientifically proved fact, as there are people out there who deny the earth is round... who cares? "History won't care at all" 😂

[@ignaciogomis272]

Number 1 is undoubtfully number 1, can't argue with it. In so many songs Queen showed how welltheir voices harmonized. Great list! What I personally missed? Super Trouper by ABBA. The harmony of those girls was unsurpassable.

[@diegokrikorian9157]

N° 2 should have been from Queen to "SOMEBODY TO LOVE"

[@08-kris61]

@@diegokrikorian9157100000% i was waiting for it the entire time!!

[@mneugent7658]

Carry On Wayward Son is the absolute #1 for me. I figured Bohemian Rhapsody would be the easy #2. The pure power and sensational vocals of Carry On put it easily at the top in my book. It's not a knock on BR but the use of sweet production effects on the vocals takes it down a touch compared to the pure, raw vocals of Carry On.

[@Uetti]

Or Take A Chance On Me

[@mneugent7658]

@@Uetti Oooooh, killer call. Nice.

[@adamdonovan5633]

How did I miss some of these iconic riffs.....love love love this format. RB you are a treasure. Will take the eartraining course. I want to hear what you/I hear here.

[@anton474]

I feel as if you really missed "take a chance on me" by ABBA. Its a true masterpiece!

[@aprilullrich6858]

Twisted sista. I wanna rock!!!

[@michaellombard894]

Ooh yes Anton, ABBA. They had a few great vocal intros.

[@lameplanet]

Good call.

[@michaellombard894]

@@aprilullrich6858 lol Sista!! Boston roots heah.

[@gerardomartinez8314]

This is about rock

[@pkorzenowski2763]

Styx - Tommy Shaw singing "Oh Mamma I'm in fear for my life from the long arm of the law. Lawman has put an end to my runnin and I'm so far from my home." Then harmony "Oh mamma I can hear you a-cryin you're so scared and all alone. Hangman is comin down from the gallows and I don't have very long. Noooooooooooo!"

[@sourisvoleur4854]

Somebody said Styx are blockers -- that may be why he didn't include it.

[@gavincrawford5924]

Renegade

[@brewaskew]

Styx are not the blockers, Ric Beato IS.

[@flullo]

So true!!!! The minute I saw "Styx" in your comment that song came to mind. Excellent comment

[@connorwallace728]

That one should’ve been in the top 5 too

[@markl4730]

That “not a singer” was an incredible singer. She sounded amazing

[@viggobjrnstad8372]

Totally agree! Singing is what she should do.

[@dizastro5437]

I was cringing until she started singing. Sounded great!

[@doubleleftclick]

Agreed!

[@djangojames3193]

Of course she's a singer ! Just as good as Bill and a damn sight better than Mike love !

[@RobbSadler]

And she's sitting there in your studio - I would have hit record on the multitrack... Nice phrasing, nice voice, nice nuances.

[@mikemclenison8200]

Love all your videos! I watch them all!

[@cliffprowse3341]

Another huge one in my opinion that was left out is Twister Sister’s, “I WANNA ROCK!!!” It’s such a powerful Rock vocal intro!

[@derhandtrommler]

it's simplistic junk. Any dufus can yell "I Wanna RocK" into a mike.

[@marlonsanchez3141]

I was somewhat surprised Queens "Somebody To Love" wasn't on here.

[@mrgod679]

Marlon Sanchez First thing that popped in my head

[@NLBassist]

And some more. Bohemian Rhapsody, I think Keep Passing The Open Windows. And for sure It's A Hard Life.

[@pauldavis9567]

About 20 Queen songs to be fair

[@mattyjohnsson257]

@@NLBassist It's A Hard Life. One of my fav. "late" Queen tracks.

[@joethomas1146]

he didn't have more than 1 song from any particular group, so that is probably why. Bohemian was their entry

[@9426585]

"1, 2, 3, 4" - Dee Dee Ramone That's about as iconic as it gets.

[@admirallongstash8056]

....and applies to how manny songs?

[@moej6014]

@@admirallongstash8056 ALL THE SONGS! It doesn't matter.

[@mightyV444]

@9426585 - That thought had popped into MY mind also! :-))

[@xstacieme]

Road to Nowhere! I love finding this song in a top list! The harmony is excellent!

[@squareloops]

I only clicked the video looking for this song !

[@gridlore]

Pat Benatar's "Shadows of the Night" deserved a slot on this list. Soaring harmonies and it leads into a massive opening riff on guitar and organ.

[@loshambo]

Good one, yes

[@stevenkmiller]

Holy cow, I love when that song comes on! Turn it up and sing it loud cuz I'll prolly never see those people in the car in the next lane ever again.

[@kannonmcafee]

Good choice. I'd definitely prefer her song and those vocals over Bon Jovi.

[@DanEdelen]

Pat Benatar has been one of the most consistently forgotten rock vocalists. She came out of nowhere, owned the female rock vocalist category for a decade, and then retired at her peak to be a mom. “Shadows of the Night” has an opening as big as anything in rock, and her vocals on that intro still give me goosebumps.

[@laurarocke6393]

Oooh, yes!

[@hollydeshazo9687]

I can't believe the opening of "Shout" didn't make it.... "Weeeeeeeell.... You know you make me wanna..."

[@moe45673]

yes!

[@martinamarty1859]

...shout! " love that song

[@skipindarskipindar8308]

Agree. It's also technically the shortest with just one word.

[@vladtepes97]

@@skipindarskipindar8308 hey Jude

[@laurawatters914]

Tears for Fears right?

[@moresnare]

The harmonies on Killing Me Softly are haunting.

[@dashriprock3468]

I read that that song was inspired by Roberta Flack at a Don McLean concert as he sang "American Pie".

[@SeeYaThe1st]

@@dashriprock3468 the song is originally from Lori Lieberman, not Roberta Flack.

[@brahmburgers]

That song is beyond classic. I had a chance to meet Roberta in DC. We were gigging in separate bands in Wash D.C. clubs, .....but my shyness got in the way. What a dish she is. Inspired me to write a James Brown-like song called, "I Can't Trust Myself" (when you're close to me).

[@charlesking8943]

Great list. Great selection and really great suggestions in the comments. The first one that came to me was , “Do You really want to hurt me “by culture club,

[@DamoCcfc]

"AHH!!" - Them Bones, Alice in Chains

[@BenOfGlory]

First thing that came to my mind when I read the vid title

[@OcelotDAD]

Yes!!!!

[@MrViksousa]

My thoughts exactly!

[@ThiagoGasparino]

But the whole band plays the intro note. Not quite a 'vocal' intro.

[@tylerbrittan593]

That’s what I’m talking about!

[@oooooo-ji2nn]

The first thing that came into my Mind was "Carry on wayward Son"

[@CrystalTwinStar]

I loved the sound of your guitar on Ain't No Sunshine. Your friend sang it really well and your playing was beyond impressive

[@gooddaysahead1]

I agree! Why don't I think of Bill Withers as one of the greats? His songs are so easily remembered and so easily sung. They are so meaningful. What a great guy.

[@joseluisespinosa3997]

Y whitney Houston?

[@manicmaggie]

Mississippi in the middle of a dry spell...

[@tonilaaksonen457]

Great video yet again. I'm pretty sure it has been already mentioned in the +27 thousand comments but "Renegade" by "Styx" should have been there as well.

[@smokejumper5379]

"Hey, hey momma, Said the way you move, gonna make you sweat, gonna make you groove." Robert Plant, 1971

[@KWCDesigns]

That isn’t a vocal intro.

[@fabianmv2342]

@@KWCDesigns why not?

[@yoursleepparalysisdemon8171]

Fabián Mejorado there’s some guitar before the singing

[@garymeredith3610]

That was his #13. Great tune, top 5 on my list

[@RJ-ox8on]

@@yoursleepparalysisdemon8171 almost all of the choices have some sort of music accompanying them

[@KennyLickit]

INXS song "Mystify" was a great track. And I'm no big ABBA fan, but they sure were huge, I must admit "Take a chance on me" was a pretty cool vocal intro

[@andrewhalvorson]

Yes! Michael Hutchence had such a great voice! You can tell Jim Morrison was a big influence.

[@MrDaledark]

Good call

[@mrduuud]

Super Trouper

[@forskelligt2541]

Xactly my thoughts

[@windsofmarchjourneyperrytr2823]

There's more to Abba than you'd think. Mamma Mia makes you want to dance around the house w your Rottweiler. Lol

[@rayjackson6917]

"Shoulda been gone, knowing how I made you feel!!!! Oh Sherri!!!" Steve kills it every time!!!

[@MsJimmysgirl]

The fact that it wasn't listed is a crime.

[@toddmurphy664]

@@MsJimmysgirl Yes it should have! That dumbass Beatles tune "Hey Jude" is a joke for this list.

[@sherrykfun]

My name is Sherry. You have no idea how many times someone has sung this to me.

[@Fulschermd]

It starts with the melody, before the vocal intro.. but an exception could be made.

[@franksnbeeenz]

I was thinking the very same

[@stevendpruitt9896]

Steve Perry “shoulda been gone…” (reverb/delay)… Sherry was the first thing that popped in my head on the title

[@micker9830]

Thought that would be number one. That intro makes the whole song. It's iconic

[@sumplais]

I went right to "Oh Sherry" as well, but I remembered from similar best vocal intro videos that there is a significant keyboard intro before Steve Perry begins singing a cappella...except for in the music video version

[@rustysteele9901]

I 100% thought that was gonna be No1.. Didn't even make the list.. 👎

[@dustinchristean7390]

Good stuff y'all. Perry kicked FNA

[@cdgarcia]

“Ain’t no sunshine” performance gave me the chills 🥰 beautiful voice

[@Nicksonian]

Yes! She did a great job

[@johnnydee5658]

Rick is right in spotting talent. She *IS* a singer 🤗

[@glassonion5474]

Thank you for Jethro Tull!!❤❤❤

[@glassonion5474]

Thank you for LRB❤❤❤🇦🇺

[@jubileeshine]

came here to say it

[@beaupacheco3369]

The intro to "You've Lost That Lovin Feeling", should have been here somewhere. That song is the most played song on radio in the history of recorded music. This was a great oversight.

[@embe1]

Oh indeed!

[@mistergeorgie]

According to many respected sources, the most played pop song on the radio of all time.

[@coolmacho975]

Especially the Elvis version in concert in Vegas.

[@Bones43x]

Styx - Renegade Journey - Anytime Def Leppard - Pour Some Sugar on Me Stone Temple Pilots - Dead and Bloated

[@ASUMtneer92]

How about Ozzy Osbourne - Crazy Train

[@optimisticoutreach1236]

Shadows of the Night, Pat Benetar

[@brssing52]

T thought of Anytime as well.

[@borkbork5263]

STP for sure is legendary

[@Bones43x]

@@borkbork5263 What’s awesome about that one is that Scott sang the intro into the bridge pickup of Dean’s Les Paul.

[@elizabethblackwell6242]

Fantastic list. Loved every single track. Queen is hands down the #1 winner.

[@Markephillips77]

For the Longest Time by Billy Joel is a song I was expecting this whole list. I understand that the whole song is A Capella, but that intro is absolutely iconic.

[@hasselett]

If the whole song is Acapella, there's no such thing as a vocal intro.

[@Frosty-xt4jj]

@hasselett what do you mean seven bridges road by the eagles is all acapella and it’s on the list

[@Nicksonian]

Yes. I agree

[@DicksonChenODFAAO]

There is guitar accompaniment after the intro to Seven Bridges Road.

[@paulf559]

When I first seen the title of this video, immediately I thought of The Longest Time, and surely Billy Joel was going to be first.

[@loripritchett-sheats4791]

“Seven Bridges Road” should be in the top 5. Saw this live and couldn’t believe how great it was.

[@spiromandylor]

Agree. Def Top 5 if not Top 3.

[@stephenmccollum1391]

Possibly greatest Harmony ever

[@genny5309]

Agree 110%

[@irwinjanlagare8800]

RIP Bill Withers. Ain't no sunshine for him. No more.

[@davidbutler8096]

YES - Leave It Huey Lewis and The News - It's All Right Journey - Girl Can't Help It...but it's at the end/outro Those were the ones that popped into my head.

[@a.h.9663]

Invite your friend who isn’t a singer on more often. She is incredible!

[@neilflack1756]

“AAHHHHAAAAHHHHAAAAAAHHHHAAAAAAAAAA” -Robert Plant, 1970

[@markmm1066]

But there's a "duh duh duda DAH na, duh duh duda DAH na, duh duh duda DAH na, duh duh duda DAH na" before the vocals.

[@cristianonogueira2483]

@@markmm1066 LOL!!!!!

[@cristianonogueira2483]

Yeah, man. I thought it was the #1.

[@dl4350]

HEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRGHEEEEEEEEEYYY - Roger Daltrey, 1971

[@discomfort5760]

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH HAHAHAHHAHAH HEHEHEHEHEHEHHEHE HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!" - Ian Gillan, Disturbing the Priest (Black Sabbath, Born Again album) Drunk Gillan is best Gillan.

[@quake1792]

Thank you for including Jethro Tull. Such amazing musicians all of them.

[@dizzeeb33]

Yes! So happy!!

[@theshadow9925]

I agree that particular song is one of my favorites... the entire album is excellent

[@russbarker2727]

A brilliant song from a brilliant album.

[@Kerdevan1]

If you listen to "Moths", Jack A Lynn" or anything from "Heavy Horses" or "Songs from the Wood" they are all almost poetry.

[@eileensmith05]

I LOVE LRB! Lonesome Loser is great vocal intro!

[@bongo_baggins]

"Can I Play With Madness" by Iron Maiden. The suddenness of the vocal harmonies reminds me of a trumpet fanfare.

[@timsmith618]

It's short, but it really catches your attention, like you said, like a trumpet fanfare. Even among the ones in the video, it was the first thing that came to my mind.

[@NeiloNeil]

This! In my humble opinion it's even a lot better than some of the songs on this list. Bruce's voice is just so damn good.

[@rovcanada1]

I'd argue that Churchill's speech at the start of Iron Maiden's 'Aces High' would be amongst the best vocal intro's ever.

[@NeiloNeil]

@@rovcanada1 It's also the best intro to a live show ever, that's for sure. I used to play in an Iron Maiden tribute and we always started with Churchill/Aces, there's just nothing like it \m/

[@davidfarlinger4088]

I think Peter Gabriel's a cappella introduction to Genesis' "Dancing with the Moonlit Knight" is one of the greatest vocal introductions of all time.

[@FabioBastianoni]

I agree❤

[@greg-warsaw4708]

Of course it is. I'm surprised it was not included.

[@gueritol]

Indeed! Chilling and great!

[@ggielen]

Absolutely!!

[@causilvestrini7000]

That's the first song I could think of for this video! ❤

[@chuckcochran8599]

Queen actually had several vocal intros that are memorable. Some consisted of just hummed, ooh'd or aahh'd harmonies. A good list and I agree with almost all of your picks Rick.

[@valeriataylor8337]

This! "you take my breath away" just came to my mind and it is heavenly

[@QuantumBeeWellness]

Yep, Somebody To Love comes to mind. Heck, Rick could probably do a top ten of just Queen vocal intros! hehehehe

[@TheWaynos73]

Princes of The Universe 🤟

[@eddiebeaty8150]

Absolutely, Fat Bottom Girls was an awesome intro also 👏 👌

[@tolga9388]

My personal favorite would have been It’s a Hard Life. Freddie starts the song with a passion.

[@samuelbuscop1615]

Amazing list!! I just missed Sombody to Love by Queen, that's one of the best.

[@yosef8209]

Bro, how is Crazy Train not on this. When he says “All Aboooooard, hahaha!!” You know what song it is. It’s instantly recognizable.

[@kevinkendall3122]

Ever notice Snoopy at the very end?😆

[@danieldinenno8484]

100% de acuerdo 🤪🇦🇷🙋‍♂️

[@halidmussi2272]

When he said "ALL ABOOOOOOARD, HAHAHA!" I felt that...

[@dynamite3603]

Probably because he has 0 ability to do the simple line

[@antonisarvanitidis4397]

@@dynamite3603 He can do all the "lines" in world man!!!!

[@budsurtees4224]

Roberta Flack's voice is divine. My classically trained father had no love for pop and rock music, but the very first time he heard Roberta singing "Killing me softly" (courtesy moi) he almost froze and said "Who is that? That's a beautiful voice!". He always listened to my Roberta collection after that. ps: in a video about excellence in vocal singing and harmony, not a single song by CSNY? 'Helplessly Hoping' is a masterpiece.

[@coldroses5337]

Bud Roberta was classically trained. Maybe dad knew that? She deserves her own musical discussion. She was all that with a voice and soul. A beauty too ! Cheers 🍷

[@budsurtees4224]

​@@coldroses5337 Completely agree. Cheers!

[@adityatyagi4009]

Honorable mention: "I Feel Good" by James Brown.

[@didds8869]

Should have at least been in the top 5

[@adityatyagi4009]

@@didds8869 Yes, I agree.

[@Twobarpsi]

Forgot that one!!

[@digitalcamaro9708]

*HAAA*

[@TheEngineeringMonkey]

I feel like somebody to love deserves an honorable mention

[@mbr-zs3oy]

Disappointed that “Take a chance on me” by ABBA didn’t make the list. It’s truly fitting for the list.

[@Zeupater]

I was wondering if TaCoM would make it. It’s not one of my personal favourite vocal intros but it’s certainly an important one. I think Rick’s lists tend more towards classic rock than pop necessarily, though in their time certainly some of these artists were considered “pop”.

[@dzaijn]

That or Super Trouper. There are a couple of ABBA songs that completely demolishes this list. Also Ghost's Infestissumam or Year Zero clearly should be in the top 5.

[@mightyV444]

@mbr5611 - Ohhh yes, absolutely! I had that song play on repeat not long ago, too! Such awesome, positive vibes! Not to mention the amazing musicianship

[@FUSEGROUP]

He ignores female musicians in general. 19 out of 20 in this list are all male. All his lists are insanely imbalanced and regularly overlook great female musicians. Highly misogynistic channel.

[@user-hu3iy9gz5j]

@@FUSEGROUP Or Maybe because he prefers male musicans. "Misogynistic" you can be yourself.

[@SDSsongs]

My favorite solo vocal intro has to be Oh Sherrie by Steve Perry. Nothing beats the raw power of his unaccompanied voice.

[@outermarker5801]

Agreed on the Voice, but it isn't a vocal intro per criteria of this video in that there's a musical prelude

[@bjohnkautzman1041]

@@outermarker5801 actually, this is an interesting observation. When "Oh, Sherry" got a lot of top 40 airplay back in the 80s, the intro was omitted pretty much all the time. I didn't even know there was an intro until I bought the CD some 20 years later.

[@outermarker5801]

@@bjohnkautzman1041 Your comment sparked an ember of memory and made me look for a 'radio edit' but I couldn't find one. You could be right, but even then since the 'official' version contains the intro, and every version available today does too, I think it's still a pass here. Again though, great song by one of the best to ever hold a mic

[@masavoy0228]

Facts

[@squaaaaak3178]

@@outermarker5801 many of the songs on this list also had more instruments, if only minimal. Plus I think artificial harmonization should be disqualified, like Bohemian Rhapsody using layered voices that are all Freddie Mercury.

[@evilbyron]

I can’t believe you missed somebody to love.

[@laynedohngne8897]

Especially the blues brother version

[@laalonso]

Looks like he needed the place in the list for another dull Beatles "intro".

[@kevinmedvedocky165]

I agree the intro of somebody to love by queen is really good

[@maciejkowalski2759]

Maybe because it actually starts with a single piano note 😅

[@AnthonyRitfw]

I caný believe he missed "I want it all".

[@heatherknopp3723]

I ADORE Little River Band!!!! Thank you for including them and that great song! So many classics on this list! Altho I thought you might include Renegade by Styx - their harmonies were always incredible!

[@relahtnelnarF]

"Can you tell me where my country lies?" Said the unifaun to his true love s eyes... Peter Gabriel

[@MrSpankee02]

Giova_03 yeesss. Moonlit knight!

[@acgijzen]

Was gonna write it, luckily someone already has...

[@XeneiFana]

I was hoping this song would be included at least as an honorary mention :(

[@zakneutron]

Brilliant track. Really ought to be a what makes the song great.

[@0506plc]

Pero cómo no aparece esta canción que inicia uno de los mejores discos de la historia de la música!!! Dicción perfecta, letra gloriosa, una música de ensueño para una canción inolvidable! De terror lo suyo, chief!!

[@sumtin05698]

Where is Renegade by Styx?

[@SimpleManGuitars1973]

Yeah as a Steelers fan I feel I should riot because of this. LOL!

[@MrIrrelevanT021]

A thousand “thumbs up” on this comment. The fact it did not make the list is garbage.

[@williamsanders2348]

First one that came to mind.

[@KevinKoolx]

Yeah I was waiting for that song the whole time haha

[@musicfrommicksroom]

I guess it got ousted by "Ain't nuthin butta". :(

[@nicolaminotti6692]

Queen. Somebody to love.

[@wendyc7730]

They're blockers.

[@nicolaminotti6692]

@@wendyc7730 He can still mention the song or band without playing them. That's legal.

[@wendyc7730]

@@nicolaminotti6692 only certain songs are allowed to be mentioned or played. The one he did in video is the only one that gets by. He's had videos taken down because of just mentioning a song or singer or name of the band which is stupid

[@nicolaminotti6692]

@@wendyc7730 Ok. I thought it was only when he actually played a song, or part of it. Just mentioning it should not have his video taken down. That's odd.

[@wendyc7730]

@@nicolaminotti6692 He says anything about Don Henley and the Eagles... It's gone. It warped the video and sound of the Eagles harmonizing and it got by. There's a dozen others he can't do. It's ridiculous. Look for Rick's video he testified n front of the Senate for fair use

[@purpleroom101]

Thank you SO MUCH Rick for including LRB!!!❤🇦🇺🦘