Listening to Neu!’s “Hallogallo” recently, it struck me that this song was an incredible way to launch one’s recording career. It also spurred me to ponder the idea of groups and solo artists bowing into the recording sphere with a sonic nuclear bomb. It’s crazy (and wonderful, too) to realize that some groups peak with the first song they issue into the world.

So below I’ve compiled some opening tracks from debut releases that qualify for that hallowed pantheon of songs that announces to the world, “Head’s up, motherfuckers! We’re gonna be important!”—which is not to say that I think every song here represents these artists’ peaks, although sometimes they do.

Just as interesting to consider is the number of classic artists whose initial efforts don’t merit inclusion here (ymmv, of course): The Beatles, the Kinks, the Rolling Stones, Captain Beefheart, Black Dice, Animal Collective, Tim Buckley, Stevie Wonder, Curtis Mayfield, My Bloody Valentine, Primal Scream, etc.

Contribute your ideas in comments, if you’re so inclined.

*Indicates an album’s first track after what I consider an insignificant “Intro.”

Neu!- “Hallogallo” (Neu!)

Kraftwerk- “Ruckzuck” (Kraftwerk)

Funkadelic- “Mommy, What’s a Funkadelic?” (Funkadelic)

Hawkwind- “Hurry On Sundown” (Hawkwind)

Can- “Father Cannot Yell” (Monster Movie)

Roxy Music- “Remake/Remodel” (Roxy Music)

The Velvet Underground- “Sunday Morning” (The Velvet Underground & Nico)

Jimi Hendrix Experience- “Purple Haze” (Are You Experienced)

The Who- “I Can’t Explain” (I Can’t Explain 7”)

M.I.A.- “Galang” (Galang EP)

Public Enemy- “You’re Gonna Get Yours” (Yo! Bum Rush the Show!)

Mercury Rev- “Chasing a Bee” (Yerself Is Steam)

The Move- “Night of Fear” (single)

LCD Soundsystem- “Losing My Edge” (Losing My Edge 12”)

Gang of Four- “Ether” (Entertainment!)

Os Mutantes- “Panis et Circenses” (Os Mutantes)

Portishead- “Mysterons” (Dummy)

Sly & the Family Stone- “Underground” (A Whole New Thing)

Incredible Bongo Band- “Let There Be Drums” (Bongo Rock)

Pink Floyd- “Astronomy Domine” (The Piper at the Gates of Dawn)

Suede- “The Drowners” (The Drowners EP)

Burial- “South London Boroughs”

Mahavishnu Orchestra- “Meeting of the Spirits” (Inner Mounting Flame)

Yoko Ono- “Why” (Plastic Ono Band)

Tomorrow- “My White Bicycle” (My White Bicycle 7”)

Mothers of Invention- “Hungry Freaks, Daddy” (Freak Out!)

The Stooges- “1969” (The Stooges)

Dream Syndicate- “Tell Me When It’s Over” (The Days of Wine and Roses)

The Clash- “White Riot” (White Riot 7”)

13th Floor Elevators- “You’re Gonna Miss Me” (The Psychedelic Sounds of the 13th Floor Elevators)

Jesus & Mary Chain- “Upside Down” (Upside Down 7”)

Suicide- “Ghost Rider” (Suicide)

Silver Apples- “Oscillations” (Silver Apples)

Tony Williams Lifetime- “Emergency!” (Emergency!)

The Present- “Heavens on Ice” (World I See)

Brian Eno- “Needles in the Camel’s Eye” (Here Come the Warm Jets)

Plastikman- “Krakpot” (Krakpot 12”)

Cymande- “Zion I” (Cymande)

The Soft Boys- “Wading Through a Ventilator” (Give It to the Soft Boys 7”)

Steely Dan- “Do It Again” (Can’t Buy a Thrill)

U.N.K.L.E.- “If You Find Earth Boring” (The Time Has Come EP)

Rip Rig + Panic- “Bob Hope Takes Risks” (Bob Hope Takes Risks 12”)

Micachu and the Shapes- “Golden Phone” (Golden Phone 7”)

Aphex Twin- “Analogue Bubblebath” (Analogue Bubblebath EP)

Basic Channel- “Phylyps Trak” (Phylyps Trak 12”)

Das EFX- "Mic Checka" (Dead Serious)

*De La Soul- “The Magic Number” (3 Feet High and Rising)

*This Heat- “Horizontal Hold” (This Heat)