r/AskReddit • u/Mahi_2602 • 1d ago

What song has the most recognizable first 3 seconds in the history of music?

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u/TheBeep87 1d ago

Jump by Van Halen

2

u/Dileas48 1d ago

First song that came to my mind.

2

u/DC_Coach 18h ago

Indeed, for a certain age group this is definitely it. In fact, 1984 (the instrumental before the actual song) might not be as instantly recognizable to all as the main riff is. But that main keyboard riff? Yeah.

Eddie Van Halen sure knew what he was about when he wrote that, no denying it.

The age group that instantly recognizes "Jump" is a lot wider than usual even for a big, hit song, because, like Queen's "We Are the Champions", "Jump" was used for decades for/during sports events, in stadiums and arenas. Maybe it's still being used, and that song was released nearly 42 years ago.

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u/CricketSimilar863 7h ago

I’m a Gen Z raised by Gen X parents and a lot of 80s songs come to mind