Down on the Upside Songs Ranked

Down on the Upside is the fifth studio album by the American rock band Soundgarden, released on May 21, 1996, through A&M Records. Following a worldwide tour in support of its previous album, Superunknown (1994), Soundgarden commenced work on a new album. Self-produced by the band, the music on the album was notably less heavy and dark than the group’s preceding albums and featured the band experimenting with other sounds. The album topped New Zealand and Australian charts and debuted at number two on the United States’ Billboard 200, selling 200,000 copies in its opening week and spawning the singles “Pretty Noose”, “Burden in My Hand”, “Blow Up the Outside World”, and “Ty Cobb”. The band took a slot on the 1996 Lollapalooza tour and afterward supported the album with a worldwide tour. Down on the Upside would end up becoming Soundgarden’s final studio album for sixteen years as tensions within the band led to its breakup in April 1997. The album has sold 1.6 million copies in the United States. Here are all of Down on the Upside songs ranked.

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16. Applebite

“Not very emotionally engaging, as if I had to pick a weak track on the album, it would be this. It’s not bad by any means, as I like it’s electronic beat and almost dubby bass line, with some tinkering piano. The intro is pretty good, sounding a bit machine factory esque. Unfortunately, it has a very distant feeling, which unfortunately doesn’t equal emotional distance. By the time the song is done, it has diminished into tediousness. Too bad, but forgettable.”

15. An Unkind

“A short sweet song, it took me a few listens to let it grow on me, now I love it. Basically alternates from a churning buzz saw riff, and a yearning, sometimes dreamy, but powerful, even spiritual chorus. Epic song, with a sense of the time of, well time. The outro once again gives it a somewhat jazzy end, and there are subtle nuances that add to the whole thing.”

14. Switch Open

“This song is just awesome, being an anthem to breaking out of the mold, at least in my opinion, split into three awesome main sections. The first, with it’s chiming guitars, is hopeful and cathartic, while the the second part has this incredibly uplifting, guitar riff, dreamy, melodic, and a totally unique guitar tone. The last, with a sort of repetitive march over this great guitar riff, suggests strength of overcoming obstacles. A masterpiece.”

13. Overfloater

“‘Overfloater’ is another slow, balladish epic, and a very solid one. It’s got a nice explosive chorus, while not being dull during the other parts either. “

See more: Soundgarden Albums Ranked

12. Boot Camp

“While I feel that this song is not the most enjoyable Soundgarden song, this is a song that I really admire the heck out of. Dreamy sound scape of trippy guitars, and ethearal vocals from Cornell speak of hope, wanting more out of life, and a better life. I think one of the other reviewers here captured the greatness of this song, so I won’t say much else. This is one of their most poignant songs in their whole catalog, a perfect summarizing of Existentialism that Sound garden always had in their music.”

11. Never Named

“Easiest the poppiest song that Soundgarden has ever done, or though I would say it is very sunny and catchy. Beach Boys grunge? Maybe that’s a little stretching it, but you get the point. Still, it has the hard edge guitars, and the breakdown at the end is clap your hands almost. A highlight would probably be Matt Cameron, who delivers precision and an energetic wallop all in one. I also like it’s lyrics regarding taking things for granted that we as children seemed to always have.”

10. Never the Machine Forever

“A crashing, melange of punk, metal, and almost industrial sound, warped in a weird time signature. The almost haunting aural equivalent of an internal of machine and man. It takes a bit of time to grow on you, but like all Soundgarden songs, they win you over big time.”

9. Tighter & Tighter

“This is your classic epic Soundgarden dirge, and they do it just about as well here as ever. It seems a bit too repetitive, initially, but this just makes the eventual soaring chorus all the more effective. A definite classic.”

8. Dusty

“One of the best songs Soundgarden has ever done, so much going on in this song. The verses, driven by a splash of acoustic guitar, features Chris swooning over a jazzy back beat (check out the shakers in the background near the end). And the chorus is anthem-worthy and is worth just screaming off the top of your lungs, I’ve never had the urge to do so since listening to Rancid’s Indestructible. Such an impeccable and unbelievable tight and executed, subtle and nuanced song. Perfection”

7. Rhinosaur

“Awesome song, driven by giant, howling riffs, with a bullish, take no prisoners vocal performance by Chris Cornell. It also breaks down into a faster portion of the song, where Kim Thyall and Cornell unleash a pair of terrific, wailing, abrasive, and wicked guitar solos that seem to offset and play off each other. Such great stuff.”

See more: Soundgarden Songs Ranked

6. No Attention

“Cornell is as dominating on the songwriting bench as he is in other albums and bassist Sheperd almost shares half of the songwriting with Cornell here. While no way is as great as Cornell in that department, he shows that he has talent for writing complex and effective melodies as in ‘Unnamed’ and ‘Ty Cobb’. Camerons’ drumming is spot on as ever but it is a little dissapointing that Thayil’s guitar isn’t as obvious as it was on Superunknown.”

5. Zero Chance

“Zero Chance is achingly ennui-laden and has two of the best lines ever in rock music; if you loved the Pumpkins’ Mayonaise or STP’s Still Remains then Zero Chance might make you cry (or drink) as well.”

4. Ty Cobb

“Continuing Soundgarden’s penchant for awesome punk rock songs, Ty Cobb is a melange of Mandolin (!) and raw punk rock filtered through Kim’s whirling guitar riffs, with a shout out chorus. The breakdown is sick, with a grungy, dirty guitar riff over somewhat jazzy drums, as rocking and energetic as it sounds. Once again, the playing is just airtight and awesome.

3. Burden in My Hand

“Burden in my Hand” is an upbeat, classic rock style track. By the time this CD came out, I think Soundgarden had really reached a pinnacle in their career. It’s just such a shame that they aren’t around anymore. They could be making some really interesting music.”

2. Pretty Noose

“Leading off with a wicked wah-wah inspired guitar melody, this pummeling and rolling song is one heck of an opener. Almost howling guitar riffs, slabs of dissonant guitar squall, and a terrific oceanic atmosphere, well, what more can I say? Great lyrics about something that looks appealing at first but bites you back hard.”

1. Blow Up the Outside World

“Excellent song that predictable alternates to mellow, subdued angst (in the best, psychology based way possible), to a REALLY loud, expressive and explosive chorus, that features Cornell howling over explosive hard rock. In between there, there’s another great guitar solo, and more howling. Oh, and the excellent outro with infectious guitar strums. Nothing too groundbreaking when it comes to the sound of Soundgarden, but you won’t be disappointed by this track if you are a Soundgarden fan.”