The week began on a high note between DragonForce’s new music video, entertaining ourselves with the possibility that Seether ripped off Tool, and hearing a new Mutoid Man song. Everything looked like a normal week until yesterday morning (18) struck us by surprise. At one point, we thought (or hoped) it was a hoax as we heard about Chris Cornell’s sudden passing. Instead of sharing our favorite music videos of the week, we decided to share a few of our favorite Soundgarden videos in honor of Cornell. His voice was like no other and impossible to replicate.
5) Soundgarden – “Loud Love” (Louder Than Love, 1989)
It doesn’t get any better than than Kim Thayil’s opening guitar riff followed by Cornell’s scream. It could be argued that nothing beats the earlier Soundgarden days. “Loud Love” is a pure example as it shows more of their metalic mixed with sludge and careless style.
4) “Outshined” (Badmotorfinger, 1991)
One of Cornell’s personal songs from the early nineties that sparked the conflicted emotions between self-confidence and self-loathing. You can depict this in the lyrics with, “I just looked in the mirror. And things aren’t looking so good. I’m looking California and feeling Minnesota.”
3) “Jesus Christ Pose” (Badmotorfinger, 1991)
The larger-than-life tune “Jesus Christ Pose” when Cornell slightly pointed fingers at Jane’s Addiction’s Perry Farrell. He couldn’t stand how celebrities would fashionably represent a god-like figure to show how better and god-like they are compared to others. Musically, the heavy riff introduction mixed with that 90s raw sound pairing with Cornell’s vocals makes this one unforgettable tune.
2) “Black Hole Sun” (Superunknown, 1994)
For anyone who grew up in the nineties and were introduced to the grunge movement, this was the song that brought Soundgarden up the rankings, despite it being from their fourth studio album 1994’s Superunknown. Whether you want to admit it or not, this is most likely the “go-to” Soundgarden tune. The surreal video to a psychedelic Beatle-esque ballad was an MTV and rock radio staple, and remains the latter to this day.
1) “The Day I Tried to Live” (Superunknown, 1994)
Going to leave this one with its lyrics:
“I woke the same as any other day
Except a voice was in my head
It said seize the day, pull the trigger, drop the blade
And watch the rolling headsThe day I tried to live
I stole a thousand beggar’s change
And gave it to the rich
The day I tried to win
I dangled from the power lines
And let the martyrs stretch
Singing
One more time around (Might do it)
One more time around (Might make it)
One more time around (Might do it)
One more time aroundThe day I tried to live
Words you say never seem
To live up to the ones
Inside your head
The lives we make
Never seem to ever get us anywhere
But deadThe day I tried to live
I wallowed in the blood and mud with
All the other pigs
I woke the same as any other day you know
I should have stayed in bed
The day I tried to live
I wallowed in the blood and mud with
All the other pigs
And I learned that I was a liar
Just like you”
Bonus 1 – Audioslave – “Like a Stone” (Audioslave, 2002)
Everyone went crazy over Audioslave’s self-titled debut album in 2002. The song “Like A Stone” was most likely played on repeat for hours on end. Its catchy hook and the memorable vocals by Cornell is what makes this song timeless.
Bonus 2 – Audioslave – “Show Me How To Live” (Audioslave, 2002)
“And with the early dawn
Moving right along, I couldn’t buy an eye-full of sleep
And in the aching night under satellites, I was not received
Built with stolen parts, a telephone in my heart, someone get me a priest to put my mind to bed
This ringing in my head, is this a cure or is this a disease?
Nail in my head, from my creator
You gave me life, now show me how to live
Nail in my head, from my creator
You gave me life, now show me how to live
And in the after birth, on the quiet earth, let the stains remind you, you thought you made a man
You better think again, before my role defines you
Nail in my head, from my creator
You gave me life, now show me how to live
Nail in my head, from my creator
You gave me life, now show me how to live
And in your waiting hands, I will land, and roll out of my skin
And in your final hours I will stand, ready to begin?
Ready to begin? ready to begin? ready to begin?
Nail in my head, from my creator
You gave me life, now show me how to live
Nail in my head, from my creator
You gave me life, now show me how to live
Show me how to live, show me how to live
Show me how to live, show me how to live”
