intro
The opening section of a song that establishes mood, key, and tempo before the vocals enter.
In Depth
Intros range from a single drum hit to elaborate instrumental passages. In pop music, intros have shrunk dramatically from 20+ seconds in the 1980s to under 5 seconds in the streaming era, as artists compete for listener attention. Classic intro types include the guitar riff intro, the fade-in, the a cappella vocal opening, and the count-in. A strong intro creates anticipation and establishes the song's identity.
Streaming economics have driven intro lengths down; studies show many listeners skip within 5 seconds, pushing songwriters to start with the hook immediately.