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What starts a song off best? A voice, perhaps? How about a drum beat, or guitar riff? Well, maybe it's a piano that best launches a tune. Actually, quite a few of popular music's most memorable tracks number those commencing with someone playing a piano. But what are among the most famous intros featuring a musician tickling the ivories?
Click through for a collection of keynote songs you need to listen to.
Few people fail to recognize the introduction to 'Bridge over Troubled Water.' One of the greatest songs ever written, it begins with Larry Knechtel on piano, an instrument heard throughout. His work earned Knechtel a Grammy Award.
Written by Paul McCartney but credited to the Lennon–McCartney partnership, this is arguably the most recognized of Beatles tracks introduced by a piano. McCartney is at the keyboards, playing a song that was inspired by his late mother, Mary.
Several Elton John numbers could be included on this list, but 'Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me' especially resonates for its melodic introduction. Taken from the album 'Caribou' (1974), the song enjoyed a resurgence after John performed it as a memorable duet with George Michael at the Live Aid concert in London in 1985.
The best-selling single of John Lennon's solo career, 'Imagine' encourages the listener to imagine a world at peace. Lennon was filmed in 1972 at his Tittenhurst Park home singing and playing the piano to promote the song.
John Legend dedicated 'All of Me' to his then bride-to-be, Chrissy Teigen. Released in 2013, the song serves as a simple, modest proposal set against delicate keys. It became Legend's first number one single in the United States.
Benny Andersson's work on the piano and keyboard was key in establishing ABBA's musical style. 'SOS,' released in 1975, begins with a plaintive piano intro. The song was the Swedish band's first major worldwide hit since 'Waterloo' the previous year.
Adele's songwriting partner Dan Wilson is at the piano on this song from her 2011 album '21.' And the piano is the only musical instrument accompanying the English singer throughout.
The title says it all, really. Released as a single in November 1973, 'Piano Man' is taken from Joel's album of the same name and is based on his real-life experiences as a lounge musician in Los Angeles in the early 1970s.
The lead single for both the soundtrack album from the 1991 film 'Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves' and Adams's sixth studio album, 'Waking Up the Neighbours,' '(Everything I Do) I Do It for You' spent an eternity at the top in numerous countries. Highly respected American pianist Bill Payne played his part admirably.
Barry Manilow released his version of a song originally called 'Brandy' in 1974. Manilow's virtuosity at the piano is apparent throughout, and 'Mandy' became his first number one hit on the Billboard Hot 100.
'Clocks' begins with Chris Martin's deft handling of a piano riff-melody, which he maintains throughout the song. The track appears on 2002's 'A Rush of Blood to the Head' and is considered one of the band's signature songs.
Bruno Mars is an accomplished pianist, and this emotional piano ballad brings his keyboard skills to the fore. It's the sole instrument on 'When I Was Your Man,' which was released as a single from his 2012 album, 'Unorthodox Jukebox.'
'Feel' is the lead single from Robbie Williams' fifth studio album, 'Escapology' (2002). The piano is being played by Andy Wallace, who in fact is a music studio producer and audio and mixing engineer by trade.
Kate Bush's wistful piano introduction sets the mood for 'Wuthering Heights,' written when she was just 18 years old! The song garnered widespread critical acclaim when it was released in 1978.
'Tapestry' is one of the best-selling albums of all time. Released in 1971 by singer-songwriter Carol King, it features the hit single 'Too Late,' with King opening the song with a flurry of notes played softly on the piano.
The upbeat, catchy intro to Toto's debut single 'Hold the Line' was played by the band's keyboardist David Paich, who in fact wrote the song. It was a huge international hit in 1978.
David Bowie plays piano on 'Oh! You Pretty Things,' one of the tracks found on 1971's 'Hunky Dory.' The album in fact features several piano-driven songs, such as 'Life on Mars?' and 'Changes,' but the man tickling the ivories on those occasions is keyboard maestro Rick Wakeman.
The fifth track on Pink Floyd's seminal 1973 album 'The Dark Side of the Moon,' 'The Great Gig in the Sky' features a virtuoso piano performance by the band's keyboard wizard, Richard Wright. The powerful wordless vocals are provided by Clare Torry.
'Tolerate It' is tucked away on Taylor Swift's surprise 2020 album 'Evermore.' Written by Swift and her musical collaborator Aaron Dessner, the song has been variously described as a "lyrical masterpiece" and "one of the best in her entire discography."
English heavy metal band Black Sabbath surprised everybody with 1972's 'Changes,' a heartbreaking ballad underscored by guitarist Tony Iommi's mournful piano.
Glenn Frey is on the piano for this soft rock ballad, which appeared on the Eagles' 1973 album 'Desperado.' While it was never released as a single, 'Desperado' remains one the band's best-known songs.
Music critics and the public alike cite 'She's a Rainbow' as perhaps the most beautiful and uncharacteristic of all Rolling Stone numbers. The song features on the band's 1967 offering 'Their Satanic Majesties Request,' but it is renowned session pianist Nicky Hopkins who provides the haunting introduction.
Nina Simone's story in song of four African-American women is effectively a musical analysis of the damning legacy of slavery. Featuring on the 1966 album 'Wild Is the Wind,' Simone's piano playing is based on a simple but methodical groove-based melody.
U2's first UK hit single and their first to chart in the US actually begins with the band's guitarist, The Edge, playing piano. The introduction is further driven by Adam Clayton's distinctive bassline before Bono welcomes in the New Year.
'Treat Me Nice' featured prominently in the 1957 movie 'Jailhouse Rock,' Elvis Presley's third picture. The song was written by Jerome Leiber and Mike Stoller, and it's Stoller playing the piano on the intro and throughout.
American rapper Megan Thee Stallion earned her first producer credit for playing and composing the song's piano riff. It serves as track six from her 2021 compilation album 'Something for Thee Hotties.'
This little-known song is hidden away on Stevie Wonder's 1974 album 'Fulfillingness' First Finale,' and is notable for its beautiful piano introduction, a piece of music that carries 'Too Shy to Say' over an angelic-sounding slide guitar.
'Sometimes It Snows in April' closes Prince's 1986 album, 'Parade.' While the piano on the studio version is played by Lisa Coleman, Prince performed the song at the piano live fairly often over the years. The ballad received significant attention after the singer's death on April 21, 2016.
A huge hit in September 1986 for American rock group Bruce Hornsby and the Range, 'The Way It Is' features pianist Bruce Hornsby throughout, including two extended piano solos.
Sources: (Songfacts)
Popular music's most memorable piano intros
Famous tracks that tickle the ivories
MUSIC Songs
What starts a song off best? A voice, perhaps? How about a drum beat, or guitar riff? Well, maybe it's a piano that best launches a tune. Actually, quite a few of popular music's most memorable tracks number those commencing with someone playing a piano. But what are among the most famous intros featuring a musician tickling the ivories?
Click through for a collection of keynote songs you need to listen to.