Some songs don’t just make an impact — they redraw the musical map.
A riff, a rhythm, a vocal style, or even a studio trick can become the seed from which an entire genre grows. Sometimes, these trailblazers are instant hits, seizing the moment and crystallising a new sound. Other times, their influence works in secret, inspiring a generation of musicians who pick up the idea and run with it.
Think of the primal roar of early punk, the swirling dreamscapes of shoegaze, or the polyrhythmic fire of Afrobeat — each owes its birth to one defining track. These songs often combine innovation with a perfect storm of timing, attitude, and cultural shift. And while they may not have been conceived as “genre starters,” history has a way of anointing them as exactly that.
In this list, we trace the starting gun for a range of musical movements — from hard rock’s stadium-filling swagger to folk rock’s acoustic-electric alchemy, prog rock’s epic ambition, and jazz rock’s fusion of brains and groove. These aren’t just great tracks; they’re the Big Bang moments for whole worlds of sound. Once you hear them, you’ll never listen to music history quite the same way again.
1. Bill Haley & His Comets Rock Around the Clock (1954)
A relatively mild-sounding rock ’n’ roll track by today’s standards, this was pure dynamite in 1954. When it blazed from cinema speakers in Blackboard Jungle (1955), teenagers worldwide felt the raw electricity of loud guitars, pounding backbeats, and a sound that spoke directly to them. It became more than music — it was the rallying cry for youth culture, signposting the unstoppable rock ’n’ roll explosion to come.
2. The Beatles Tomorrow Never Knows (1966)
With swirling tape loops, drone-like harmonies, and Ringo Starr’s hypnotic drum pattern, Tomorrow Never Knows was psychedelic rock’s Big Bang. The Beatles fused Eastern philosophy, avant-garde tape effects, and irresistible pop sensibility into a mind-bending sonic trip. Its groundbreaking production and fearless experimentation reshaped the possibilities of rock music, inspiring generations — from Pink Floyd’s spacey explorations to The Chemical Brothers’ electronic landscapes — and cementing its place as one of the most influential recordings in history.
3. King Crimson 21st Century Schizoid Man (1969)
King Crimson’s debut album opener shattered musical boundaries with its fierce blend of jazz, rock, and experimental sounds. Its complex time signatures, aggressive guitar riffs, and haunting vocals created a new blueprint for progressive rock. The song’s daring fusion of intensity and sophistication inspired countless bands, marking a dramatic shift from straightforward rock to the ambitious, genre-defying compositions that define prog rock today.
4. Blood, Sweat & Tears Spinning Wheel (1969)
This early BST classic fused fiery rock energy with vibrant jazz horns and intricate rhythms, pioneering the jazz-rock genre. Its catchy melodies paired with brass-driven arrangements showcased how jazz’s complexity could energise rock music. This seamless blend opened the door for bands like Chicago and Steely Dan, making 'Spinning Wheel' a defining moment that transformed both genres and inspired a new wave of musically adventurous artists.
5. Black Sabbath Black Sabbath (1969)
Opening with a peal of thunder and a menacing, tritone-laced riff, 'Black Sabbath' announced the birth of heavy metal’s dark aesthetic. Its slow, ominous pace, horror-inspired lyrics, and Tony Iommi’s crushing guitar tone created a sense of dread unlike anything in rock at the time. The template it forged — atmospheric menace, weighty riffs, and occult overtones — shaped decades of metal, from doom to death to stoner subgenres.
6. Manu Dibango Soul Makossa (1972)
Released in 1972, Manu Dibango’s 'Soul Makossa' is widely regarded as the first disco song. Its infectious groove, funky bassline, and hypnotic rhythm laid the foundation for disco’s dancefloor appeal. The track’s catchy chant and fusion of Afrobeat with funk created a fresh, energetic sound that inspired countless artists and producers. Its influence echoes through disco, funk, and later dance music genres, marking a pivotal moment in music history. It's just brilliant. Listen below.
7. Richard Hell and the Voidoids Blank Generation (1976)
Richard Hell’s Blank Generation distilled punk’s defiant spirit into two and a half sneering minutes. With jagged guitars, tumbling basslines, and lyrics rejecting 1960s idealism, it offered anthemic nihilism for a new, disillusioned youth. Emerging from New York’s CBGB scene in 1976, it predated and influenced The Sex Pistols and The Clash, helping define punk’s stripped-down sound, confrontational attitude, and belief in self-creation over inherited cultural values.
8. Donna Summer I Feel Love (1977)
Produced by Giorgio Moroder, this 1977 Donna Summer track became the prototype for electronic dance music. Built entirely on synthesised backing, its relentless four-on-the-floor pulse, shimmering textures, and futuristic sheen broke radically from disco convention. Brian Eno famously told David Bowie it was “the sound of the future” — and he was right. From house to techno, its influence still pulses through dance floors nearly 50 years later.
9. Fatback Band King Tim III (Personality Jock) (1979)
Released just months before the better known 'Rapper’s Delight', 'King Tim III (Personality Jock)' can claim the title of the first recorded rap song. Its raw, energetic delivery and funk-driven groove predate the commercial breakthrough of hip-hop by The Sugarhill Gang. Though less famous, it captures the genre’s early spirit, blending live instrumentation with rhythmic spoken vocals, making it a crucial, pioneering milestone in hip-hop history.
10. The Byrds Mr. Tambourine Man (1965)
The Byrds’ electrified cover of this early Bob Dylan classic is widely credited with creating folk-rock. Their shimmering 12-string guitar and tight harmonies brought folk’s poetic lyricism into the rock realm, making it accessible to a broader audience. The song’s success sparked a wave of artists blending acoustic storytelling with electric instrumentation, marking a pivotal moment when folk music evolved into a vibrant, radio-friendly rock genre.
11. Nirvana Smells Like Teen Spirit (1991)
Nirvana’s Smells Like Teen Spirit exploded onto the scene with its raw energy, gritty guitar riffs, and angsty vocals, defining the grunge sound. It captured the disaffected spirit of the early ’90s youth and brought underground Seattle rock into mainstream consciousness. This anthem’s breakthrough success sparked a seismic shift in rock music, inspiring countless bands and signaling the rise of grunge as a dominant cultural and musical force.
Pics: Getty Images
