With #PlayingAtMyHouse, each week KEXP will announce a music-related theme to our audience and ask our listeners for examples of each theme by sharing songs on social media with #playingatmyhouse. But it’s more than just sharing songs. Our hope is people will take it as an opportunity to interact with each other by sharing opinions, recommendations based on other people’s picks, memories attached to the songs, or whatever else may come up for you. This week’s theme is Album Openers.
First impressions aren’t everything, but they undeniably can make a huge difference the first time you’re sitting down to listen to a record. The opening track to an album carries an unenviable burden to set the tone and draw people into an artist’s work. Time and time again we’ve seen bands and songwriters rise to the occasion with many iconic opening moments.
Sometimes an album bursts into action, throwing you into the middle of the sonic fray. Other’s arrive in spacious tones, creating a dense ambiance to enthrall you into the world you’re about to be sucked into. There’s no right or wrong way to begin an album, just as there is no defined way to start any story. No matter the genre or era, a great album opener can knock you back and lock you in for whatever else is in store for you on the album.
For this week we’ll add a caveat. Knowing that some albums may have extended introduction or dialogue, we’ll accept submissions of the first actual song to play on album – so options like Lauryn Hill’s “Lost Ones” and Frank Ocean’s “Thinkin’ Bout You” (but don't forget he also has "Nikes") and others are still on the table!
What are your favorite album openers? We’ve listed a few of our favorites below to get you started. Remember to share your favorites by Tweeting #PlayingAtMyHouse or commenting on our posts on Facebook and Instagram.
Each week KEXP is asking you to share songs on social media based off a theme with #playingatmyhouse
