If you’re a fan of the Seattle-based grunge rock band Soundgarden, you’re in luck!
Playing Soundgarden songs on guitar is a great way to get into the music of this iconic band.
Soundgarden was formed in 1984 and quickly rose to fame thanks to their unique sound and lyrics that resonated with fans.
They gained a huge following and became a major part of the grunge rock movement in the early 90s.
With a combination of heavy metal riffs and melodic choruses, Soundgarden’s music is a great way to learn guitar.
This article will provide you with 10 easy Soundgarden songs to play on guitar, plus tabs to help you get started.
So, if you’re looking to learn some of the classic Soundgarden songs, you’ve come to the right place!
Table of Contents
10. “Pretty Noose”
“Pretty Noose” by Soundgarden is a classic rock song that was released in 1996 as the lead single from the band’s fourth studio album, Down on the Upside.
Written by frontman Chris Cornell, the song is a hard-hitting rocker that features a driving beat, distorted guitars, and a catchy chorus.
The lyrics to the song are dark and brooding, dealing with themes of betrayal and revenge.
The song was a commercial success, reaching number one on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart and becoming the band’s highest-charting single in the United States.
It also received positive reviews from critics, who praised the song’s heavy sound and Cornell’s powerful vocal performance.
The song has since become a staple of the band’s live shows and has been covered by numerous other artists.
9. “Burden In My Hand”
“Burden In My Hand” by Soundgarden is a song that has been around for over two decades.
It was released in 1996 as part of the album Down on the Upside, which was the band’s fifth studio album.
The song is about the idea of being weighed down by the burden of responsibility and the difficulty of making decisions.
The lyrics explore the idea of having to make a difficult decision and the consequences of that decision.
The song has a heavy, grunge-inspired sound that is typical of Soundgarden’s music.
The band was formed in 1984 and is considered to be one of the pioneers of the grunge movement.
They were one of the most successful bands of the 1990s and their sound has been influential on many other bands. “Burden In My Hand” is a classic song that has stood the test of time and is still popular today.
8. “Jesus Christ Pose”
“Jesus Christ Pose” by Soundgarden is a powerful and iconic song that has been a staple of the band’s live shows since its release in 1991.
Written by frontman Chris Cornell, the song is an exploration of the commodification of religion and the power of faith.
The song’s hard-hitting lyrics are backed by a driving rhythm section and heavy guitar riffs, creating a sound that is both intense and melodic.
The song’s music video, directed by Mark Romanek, was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Music Video in 1992.
Soundgarden is a Seattle-based grunge band that was formed in 1984 by Chris Cornell, Kim Thayil, and Hiro Yamamoto.
They released their debut album, Ultramega OK, in 1988 and quickly became one of the most influential bands of the grunge movement.
They achieved mainstream success with their 1994 album, Superunknown, which spawned the hit singles “Black Hole Sun” and “Spoonman”.
The band went on hiatus in 1997 and reunited in 2010, releasing their sixth studio album, King Animal, in 2012.
7. “Outshined”
“Outshined” by Soundgarden is a classic grunge rock song from the band’s 1991 album, Badmotorfinger.
It was released as a single in 1992 and peaked at number 10 on the Mainstream Rock Tracks chart.
The song is a reflection on the feeling of being overwhelmed by the success of others, and the chorus includes the lyrics “I’m looking California, and feeling Minnesota.”
The song was written by Soundgarden frontman Chris Cornell and guitarist Kim Thayil.
It’s a great example of the band’s signature sound, with heavy guitar riffs, distorted bass, and Cornell’s powerful vocals.
The song has been featured in numerous films and television shows, including the movie Singles and the TV show Scrubs.
It’s also been covered by several other bands, including Pearl Jam and Foo Fighters.
It’s a great example of the grunge rock sound that defined the 90s, and it’s still a fan favorite today.
6. “Rusty Cage”
The grunge rock classic, “Rusty Cage” by Soundgarden, is a song that has been around for decades and still stands the test of time.
It was released in 1992 on their iconic album Badmotorfinger and was later covered by Johnny Cash in 1996.
The song is a perfect example of the band’s signature sound, combining heavy metal riffs with a melodic chorus.
It was written by frontman Chris Cornell and was inspired by the novel, “Birdy” by William Wharton.
The lyrics tell a story of a man who is struggling to break free from his own personal prison, a metaphor for the struggles of life.
The song has been featured in a number of movies and TV shows, and is still a fan favorite today.
It’s a powerful reminder of the band’s legacy, and a great example of the genre-defying sound that made them so successful.
5. “Get on The Snake”
“Get on The Snake” by Soundgarden is a hard-hitting rock song that was released in 1989 as part of the band’s debut album, Ultramega OK.
The song is known for its heavy riffs, thundering drums, and powerful vocals, all of which combine to create a unique and intense sound.
The lyrics of “Get on The Snake” are about the feeling of being overwhelmed by the chaos of life and the need to break free from it.
The song was written by lead singer Chris Cornell and was a major influence on the grunge movement of the 1990s.
Soundgarden was an American rock band from Seattle, Washington, formed in 1984 by Chris Cornell, Kim Thayil, and Hiro Yamamoto.
The band’s sound was a combination of heavy metal, punk, and alternative rock, and they were one of the most successful bands of the grunge era.
“Get on The Snake” helped to define the sound of the Seattle scene and was a major influence on many of the bands that followed in its wake.
4. “My Wave”
“My Wave” by Soundgarden is a classic rock song from the band’s 1994 album Superunknown.
It was one of the album’s singles and became a hit, reaching number five on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart.
The song is a hard rock anthem with a driving guitar riff and a powerful vocal performance from lead singer Chris Cornell.
The lyrics explore the idea of being an individual in a conformist society, with Cornell singing about the need to stand up for oneself and not be swayed by the opinions of others.
The song also features some of Soundgarden’s signature heavy metal riffs and a complex drum pattern.
The band has said that the song was inspired by the punk rock movement of the late 1970s, which was all about rejecting authority and expressing individualism.
The song has become a fan favorite over the years, and it is still a staple of the band’s live shows.
3. “Fell On Black Days”
“Fell On Black Days” is a song by the American rock band Soundgarden, released in 1994 as the fourth single from their fourth studio album Superunknown.
Written by frontman Chris Cornell, the song is a slow-paced, melancholic ballad that features a heavy, distorted guitar riff and a somber vocal delivery from Cornell.
Lyrically, the song is about depression and the feeling of being overwhelmed by life’s hardships.
It was one of the band’s most successful singles, reaching number two on the US Billboard Mainstream Rock chart and number four on the UK Singles Chart.
The song has been covered by numerous artists, including P.O.D., Staind, and Stone Sour.
It was also featured in the 1998 movie The Faculty and the soundtrack for the video game Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 4.
The song has become a staple of Soundgarden’s live performances, and is one of their most beloved songs by fans.
2. “Spoonman”
The song “Spoonman” by Soundgarden is a classic rock anthem that has become a fan favorite over the years.
Released in 1994, the song was the first single from the band’s fourth studio album Superunknown.
Written by frontman Chris Cornell, the song tells the story of a street performer, the titular Spoonman, who plays spoons as a form of percussion.
The song is an upbeat and energetic track, with heavy guitar riffs and a driving beat.
The lyrics are clever and witty, and the song has become an anthem for street performers everywhere.
The song was a huge success for Soundgarden, reaching number three on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart, and was even nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Hard Rock Performance in 1995.
It is one of the most iconic songs of the 90s and has become a staple of classic rock radio stations.
1. “Black Hole Sun”
“Black Hole Sun” by Soundgarden is one of the most iconic and recognizable songs of the 1990s.
Written by frontman Chris Cornell and released in 1994, the song is a staple of the grunge era and is often considered to be one of the band’s signature songs.
The song’s lyrics are surreal and dreamlike, and the music is heavy and melodic.
The song was a huge success, reaching number two on the US Billboard Hot 100, and was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Hard Rock Performance.
It was also featured in the movie The Avengers, and was included on Rolling Stone’s list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.
The song’s success helped propel Soundgarden to international fame, and the band went on to become one of the most successful and influential bands of the 1990s.
Born and raised in Florida! I’ve been playing guitars for the past 5 years. Love to learn, and I’m always striving to achieve greater heights in music. Currently have a Fender Stratocaster as my main guitar.
