Soundgarden Songs Ranked

Soundgarden was an American rock band formed in Seattle, Washington, in 1984 by singer and rhythm guitarist Chris Cornell, lead guitarist Kim Thayil (both of whom are the only members to appear on every album), and bassist Hiro Yamamoto. Matt Cameron became the band’s full-time drummer in 1986, while bassist Ben Shepherd became a permanent replacement for Yamamoto in 1990. The band dissolved in 1997 and re-formed in 2010. Following Cornell’s suicide in 2017 and a year of the uncertainty of the band’s future, Thayil declared in an October 2018 interview with Seattle Times that they would not continue as Soundgarden, they did, however, reunite in January 2019 for a one-off concert in tribute to Cornell. Soundgarden was one of the seminal creators of grunge, a style of alternative rock that developed in Seattle, and was the first of a number of grunge bands to sign to the record label Sub Pop. Soundgarden was the first grunge band to sign to a major label (A&M Records in 1989), though they did not achieve commercial success until they popularized the genre in the early 1990s with Seattle contemporaries Alice in Chains, Pearl Jam, and Nirvana. Here are all of Soundgarden’s songs ranked.

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20. Superunknown (Superunknown, 1994)

“This song is so awesome! Its guitar lick is awesome and it has extraordinary vocals from Chris. Their best song by far. An amazing yet underrated Soundgarden song.”

19. Zero Chance (Down on the Upside, 1996)

“Zero Chance” might rub some wrong as dour grunge-downer music, I think it’s a fine song that gives things a chance to catch their breath and start formulating what’s to come.”

18. Hands All Over (Louder Than Love, 1989)

“The most immediate and arena-ready song on their major-label debut LP, with some monster hooks and choruses atop an intentionally primordial/dumb Stooges-esque bassline.  According to the book New Metal Crown, it apparently got banned by several radio stations because of the line “Gonna kill your mother.” However, they were referring to Mother Nature, as the song is a pro-environment anthem (“Trees fall down like dying soldiers”), though it also seems to deal with the Cold War, and possibly rape.”

17. Black Rain (Badmotorfinger, 1991)

“This song is just amazing. The guitar riffs are magnificent and Cornell’s voice is always wonderful to hear. It’s so good it gives me chills. It’s the complexity and progressive elements that do it for me.”

See more: Soundgarden Albums Ranked

16. Room a Thousand Years Wide (Badmotorfinger, 1991)

“Incredible song. A riveting riff accompanied by cutting vocals which are supported by characteristically cryptic yet mesmerizing lyrics. Embodies why I like the band and is half the reason that Badmotorfinger is so high up on my most played albums list!”

15. Beyond the Wheel (Ultramega OK, 1988)

“The first song…well it was actually Chris Cornell’s “Reach Down” when he was in Temple Of The Dog. This was the second song I’d heard from Chris Cornell as a vocalist. His vocals are superb, I’ve never heard anyone like it, and I’m a big Axl Rose fan so you know what I’m talking about. Get this checked, and also make it your first choice if you’re just getting into the band!”

14. Live to Rise (Avengers Assemble, 2012)

“Live to Rise is a good Soundgarden song. Not their best, but is still fantastic. The song works very well with the first Avengers movie (it should since it was made for the movie). Did I mention it was the first song Soundgarden fully recorded since the 90’s.”

13. Slaves and Bulldozers (Badmotorfinger, 1991)

“Rick Rubin played this song for the three remaining members of RATM after they broke up to show them Chris Cornell’s range. enough said. Amazing song from the best Soundgarden album. This song along with New Damage got me into Soundgarden and are still my favorites. Badmotorfinger to me will always be their best album.”

12. Like Suicide (Superunknown, 1994)

“Incredibly underrated Soundgarden song and grunge song in general – everything is phenomenal, from the epic build-up to the epic guitar solo! Also one of Chris and Matt’s best performances on vocals and drums respectively.”

11. Burden in My Hand (Down on the Upside, 1996)

“I love soundgarden and this song is by far my favorite, it’s clever and flawless in everyway. I absolutely can’t get enough of the lyrics as every time I listen to them it opens up new meaning. The first time I heard this song I felt as if I had a revelation into a different kind of reality where I had all of this philosophical knowledge. This song has made me look at the world and life in a different way so I thank you Chris Cornell so much for this amazing masterpiece.”

10. Pretty Noose (Down on the Upside, 1996)

“It’s not just a song, but a story with much rhythm and meaning to it. The metaphors in this masterpiece suggest a fair amount of depression that the writer, Chris Cornell went through at the time. Simply one of the deepest, most inspirational songs ever written”

9. Blow Up the Outside World (Down on the Upside, 1996)

“The first song I listened to after hearing of Chris Cornell’s passing. His lyrical work was haunting and wonderful at the same time. In my humble opinion, this song is by far Soundgarden’s best one. This is pretty clear if you come from another kind of listening and you are not an SG fan.”

8. 4th of July (Superunknown, 1994)

“This song is a killer. You won’t find a darker, more ominous riff than this. Just an incredible piece of music and storytelling. “Jesus tries to crack a smile Beneath another shovel load.” So, so good. This song is subtlety at its finest, the heavy dark guitars build up to a beautiful peak and the chorus, the solo is one of Thayil’s best and the lyrics and incredibly detailed and complex.”

7. The Day I Tried to Live (Superunknown, 1994)

“Black hole sun is solid, however if you look deeper and are a bigger Soundgarden fan, you’ll see that they have better songs on that very same album, nevermind their entire library. That being said, I love this song as it all just clashes together perfectly.”

See more: King’s X Albums Ranked

6. Jesus Christ Pose (Badmotorfinger, 1991)

“I get chills whenever I hear this song. From the feedback laden, fast paced drumming, bass solo style intro to the downright jaw dropping vocal performance from Chris, every aspect of this song is utterly perfect. This song… This song is just amazing.”

5. Spoonman (Superunknown, 1994)

“Creative but weird lyrics but just awesome to listen to and play. Easily one of the most complex songs in ever heard Spoonman has a real story behind it and the amazing beat and rhythm behind it really puts the whole thing in perspective.”

4. Rusty Cage (Badmotorfinger, 1991)

“It’s so angst-y and angry, but it has deep undertones. Plus it just sounds great and the vocals! So great. Good guitar riff! This song should be most higher in this list, classic from Soundgarden the best of the 90’s! Between Pearl Jam & Nirvana.”

3. Outshined (Badmotorfinger, 1991)

“One of my all time favorite songs. This song and Alice in chains man in the box symbolize everything grunge. Personally I prefer this song over Black Hole Sun, Spoonman, and Fell On Black Days because overall it is heavier and all the instruments alongside Chris Cornell’s vocals and it just kicks ass!”

2. Fell on Black Days (Superunknown, 1994)

“Fell On Black Days is realizing you’re unhappy in the extreme. If you have depression like me then this song will never get old. This song is my favorite and represents my life. Really demonstrates the versatility of Chris Cornell’s voice, probably the best song they ever wrote..”

1. Black Hole Sun (Superunknown, 1994)

“Black Hole Sun has got to be one of the greatest songs of all time! It has everything, amazing vocals, guitar, rhythm, beat, and it also has that feeling that you get when everything in your life is going perfectly. This song rocks perfectly and it deserves to be first!”