First impressions can last a lifetime, which is undoubtedly the case for these rock single debuts that remained the band or artist’s most popular song. Even as these acts released more (and some would argue better and more nuanced) albums as their career progressed, their breakthrough hits continued to define their musical legacy.
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But considering how great these tracks are, their staying power isn’t exactly surprising.
“Break On Through (To The Other Side)” by The Doors
Kicking off our list of the best, most enduring rock single debuts are the Doors with their 1967 track, “Break On Through (To the Other Side),” which opened their eponymous debut album. Technically, the single didn’t perform all that well on the charts. Following its release on New Year’s Day, the track peaked at No. 126 on the U.S. charts. Nevertheless, the song and the band’s musical legacy go hand in hand. It features Jim Morrison’s psychedelic poetry, brooding croons, and guttural screams. The rest of the band is airtight in their half-Bossa nova-inspired arrangement. It’s a quintessential Doors song, through and through.
“Sultans of Swing” by Dire Straits
Dire Straits opened the B-side of their 1978 self-titled debut with “Sultans of Swing,” a single that proved both undeniably catchy and overwhelmingly captivating at a time when most popular music required the listener to choose between storytelling and great playing. The public ate the song up, making it an incredibly successful rock single debut as it peaked at No. 4 in the U.S. and Canada, No. 6 in Ireland, and No. 8 in the U.K. Even with a six-album discography, “Sultans of Swing” remains one of the band’s most recognizable and beloved tracks.
“Dream On” by Aerosmith
If you’re looking for the perfect song to showcase Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler’s incredible vocal abilities, “Dream On” is a great place to start. The 1973 debut rock single became an instant classic, peaking at No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The RIAA certified “Dream On” platinum four times. The power ballad continues to be a staple in classic rock playlists everywhere and has maintained a spot on Rolling Stone’s “500 Greatest Songs of All Time” since the early 2000s. “Dream On” was Aerosmith’s first major success, released by Columbia three years after the band’s formation.
“Crazy Train” by Ozzy Osbourne
Although not technically his first single ever, Ozzy Osbourne’s “Crazy Train” rounds out our list of the best and most enduring rock single debuts in musical history. The former Black Sabbath frontman released the single in 1980 with his first album post-split from the pioneering heavy metal band he founded in the late 1960s, Blizzard of Ozz. “Crazy Train” peaked at No. 9 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart, cementing Osbourne’s legacy as a solo performer. The quadruple-platinum single remains one of the Prince of Darkness’ most iconic and recognizable tracks, surpassing many of the Black Sabbath tracks that helped him rise to fame in the first place.
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