Number 167

Sublime Moments of Rock n' Roll (first installation)

Sublime (adj.): Of such excellence, grandeur, or beauty as to inspire great admiration or awe.

As I've said before many times, I take this shit way to seriously...

This entry is about a variety of moments in rock n' roll songs over the years that I've come to refer to as... well, read the title. To be clear, when I say "moments," that's just what I mean. Though this is a list of songs, I'll only be talking about a few seconds of each them - the moment when something super cool or unexpected happens. "Wait a second... what did I just hear?! Play that again!" Unfortunately I lack the skills to isolate and then embed audio clips of these moments, so you'll have to do a little work be able to listen them, but I promise, the search will be worth it. My other caveat is that this is, by no means, an exhaustive list. For example, my first entry will be "sublime piano song introductions." I have songs in mind, and while they are indeed sublime, I'm just as positive there are many other songs that could fit the bill. Feel free to nominate your own moments. Now, before starting, please take in a sublime moment in the photographic history of rock 'n roll: Jimi Hendrix paying 'homage' to his guitar that he has just set ablaze. From the Monterey Pop Festival in 1967. 

Sublime Keyboard Intros A) The first three seconds of Blueberry Hill by 'Fats' Domino. I'm sure what he does is technically very easy, but in his hands it takes on a life of its own. A three second primer on what great rhythm and blues songs should sound like. B) The first twelve seconds of One Fine Day by the Chiffons. Take everything I just said about Blueberry Hill but sub in the word "pop" for "rhythm and blues." C) The ascending chord progression, with a two note Hammond B3 response in the first four seconds of Lean On Me by Bill Withers is simple perfection. D) The first fifteen seconds of What'd I Say (Part I) by Ray Charles. E) The first six seconds of Jump by Van Halen has you instantly wanting to know what's coming next. F) The first 0.5 seconds of I Want You Back by the Jackson 5.

Sublime Guitar Intros A) The first three notes of Smoke on the Water. Beyond cliche, I know, but it remains irresistible. B) Okay, in this one instance, the entire song could be considered sublime, but for our purposes today I'll only refer to the first 15 seconds of Johnny B. Goode by Chuck Berry. C) The first 15 seconds of Sweet Child of Mine by Guns 'n Roses. Slash apparently didn't think too much of this when he came up with it proving that the artist is not always the best judge of their artwork. D) In the first eight seconds of Layla, by Derek & the Dominoes, Eric Clapton puts you instantly in the middle of this classic song of unrequited love. E) The first eight seconds of Day Tripper by the Beatles. How many of you knew that George and Paul are both playing (in unison)?

Sublime Bass Guitar Intros A) The first eight seconds of I Wish by Stevie Wonder is funk heaven. B) The bass line that makes up the first eight seconds of Lou Reed's Walk on the Wild Side is instantly recognizable. C) The incomparable James Jamerson and the first five seconds of My Girl by the Temptations. D) On the very first song of the first Van Halen album, Running With the Devil, Michael Anthony starts everything off by playing the same note eight times. Simple, but incredibly effective. E) Another instantly recognizable bass intro introduces the first 15 seconds of Ben E. King's incomparable Stand By Me.

Sublime Spoken Intros A) "Dearly beloved, we are gathered here together to get through this thing called life..." (Let's Go Crazy by Prince). B) "All Aboard!" cries Ozzy, followed by his maniacal laugh is why the first 4 seconds of Crazy Train makes this list. C) "You are about to experience the strength of street knowledge..." The first three seconds of Straight Outa Compton by N.W.A. lets us know that we ignore so called, "gansta rap," at our own peril.  D) The word 'ridiculous' is often paired with the word 'sublime' - as in the saying "from the ridiculous to the sublime." Well, the first 21 seconds of Baby Got Back by Sir Mix-a-Lot informs us the sometimes the two are the same thing. E) "Woe to you, oh earth..." gets Iron Maiden's The Number of the Beast off to an agreeably creepy start. Additionally, this 25 second intro is a sure way to prank your parents into thinking you've sold your teenaged soul to Satan.

Sublime Percussion Intros A) The first 7 seconds of We're an American Band by Grand Funk Railroad. Cowbell! B) You knew Neil Peart would make this list. The first 5 seconds of YYZ by Rush. This one's a special for my long time friends, Jeff and Mike. C) It only takes Joey Kramer 4 seconds to get Walk This Way by Aerosmith off to a roaring start. D) John "Bonzo" Bonham's drum kit was set up at the bottom of a stone staircase for the Led Zeppelin song When the Levee Breaks. His six second intro sets the tone for this epic song.

More sublime rock 'n roll moments to follow. Stay tuned.