Chris Cornell was a legendary musician and songwriter who left an indelible mark on the world of rock music. As the lead vocalist for bands like Soundgarden and Audioslave, Cornell’s powerful and emotive voice, combined with his poetic and introspective lyrics, created some of the most iconic songs of the grunge era and beyond. In this article, we will explore the top 10 Best Chris Cornell Songs of All Time, showcasing the range and depth of his musical genius. From hard-hitting anthems like “Cochise” and “Rusty Cage” to introspective ballads like “Nearly Forgot My Broken Heart” and “Be Yourself”, Cornell’s catalog of songs is a testament to his versatility as a songwriter and performer. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or new to his music, this list will take you on a journey through the best of Chris Cornell’s incredible career, showcasing the artistry and passion that made him one of the most beloved and respected musicians of our time.
1. ‘Black Hole Sun’
‘Black Hole Sun’ by Chris Cornell is a haunting and melancholic song that was released in 1994 as a single from Soundgarden’s fourth studio album, “Superunknown”. The song was written by Cornell, who was the lead vocalist and guitarist of the band, and was produced by Michael Beinhorn. It features a distinctive, psychedelic sound that combines heavy guitar riffs with a somber, almost mournful melody. The lyrics are enigmatic and surreal, evoking a sense of cosmic mystery and despair. The chorus of the song, with its refrain of “black hole sun, won’t you come, and wash away the rain”, has become iconic, and is often regarded as one of the defining songs of the grunge era. The music video, directed by Howard Greenhalgh, is a surrealistic montage of disturbing and surreal images, including distorted faces and surreal landscapes. The video won several awards, including the MTV Video Music Award for Best Art Direction.
2. ‘Like A Stone’
‘Like A Stone’ by Chris Cornell is a hauntingly beautiful song that was released in 2002 as a single from the eponymous debut album of Cornell’s solo project, Audioslave. The song was written by Cornell, who was the lead vocalist of the band, and was produced by Rick Rubin. The song features a stripped-down, acoustic sound that highlights Cornell’s emotive vocals and poetic lyrics. The lyrics are introspective and contemplative, exploring themes of mortality, regret, and the passage of time. The chorus of the song, with its refrain of “In your house I long to be, room by room patiently, I’ll wait for you there, like a stone”, is both haunting and poignant. The music video, directed by Meiert Avis, features footage of Cornell walking through a desert landscape, interspersed with images of a woman’s face and scenes of a burning house. The video won several awards, including the MTV Video Music Award for Best Rock Video.
3. ‘Spoonman’
‘Spoonman’ by Soundgarden is a high-energy, hard rock song that was released in 1994 as a single from the band’s fourth studio album, “Superunknown”. The song was written by Chris Cornell and features the unique percussion of Artis the Spoonman, a street performer from Seattle who plays spoons as a musical instrument. The song is characterized by its driving guitar riffs, pounding drums, and Cornell’s powerful vocals. The lyrics are cryptic and surreal, with references to a “spoonman” who has mystical powers and can “save your life from gravity”. The music video, directed by Mark Pellington, features footage of Soundgarden performing the song in an abandoned factory, interspersed with images of Artis the Spoonman and other surreal and abstract imagery.
4. ‘You Know My Name’
‘You Know My Name’ is a theme song written and performed by Chris Cornell for the 2006 James Bond film, “Casino Royale”. The song was produced by David Arnold and features a dramatic orchestral arrangement with Cornell’s distinctive vocals. The lyrics are inspired by the character of James Bond, and are filled with references to espionage and danger. The chorus of the song, with its refrain of “You know my name, you know my number”, is both catchy and menacing. The music video, directed by Daniel Kleinman, features footage of Cornell performing the song intercut with scenes from the film. The song was critically acclaimed and won several awards, including a Grammy Award nomination for Best Song Written for a Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media.
5. ‘Show Me How To Live’
‘Show Me How To Live’ by Audioslave is a hard rock song that was released in 2003 as a single from the band’s second studio album, “Out of Exile”. The song was written by Chris Cornell and the other members of Audioslave, and was produced by Rick Rubin. The song features a driving, heavy guitar riff and Cornell’s powerful vocals. The lyrics are introspective and philosophical, exploring themes of self-discovery and the search for meaning in life. The chorus of the song, with its refrain of “Nail in my head, from my creator, you gave me life, now show me how to live”, is both anthemic and poignant. The music video, directed by AV Club, features footage of the band performing the song in a desert landscape, interspersed with scenes of a car chase. The song was a commercial success, reaching the top 10 on several rock charts, and has since become a fan favorite.
6. ‘Rusty Cage’
‘Rusty Cage’ is a gritty, hard rock song by Soundgarden that was released in 1991 as a single from their third studio album, “Badmotorfinger”. The song was written by Chris Cornell and features a driving, guitar-heavy sound that is characteristic of the grunge era. The lyrics are raw and visceral, with Cornell singing about feeling trapped and wanting to break free. The chorus of the song, with its refrain of “I’m gonna break my rusty cage and run”, is both catchy and rebellious. The music video, directed by Matt Mahurin, features surreal and dark imagery, including footage of Cornell trapped in a cage and scenes of industrial decay.
7. ‘Cochise’
‘Cochise’ is a powerful, hard rock song by Audioslave that was released in 2002 as a single from their debut studio album. The song was written by Chris Cornell and the other members of Audioslave, and was produced by Rick Rubin. The song features a driving, heavy guitar riff and Cornell’s signature vocals. The lyrics are inspired by the Apache warrior Cochise, and are filled with references to battle and resistance. The chorus of the song, with its refrain of “Cochise, don’t you die, well let’s live to rule the world”, is both anthemic and defiant. The music video, directed by Mark Romanek, features footage of the band performing the song in a desert landscape, interspersed with scenes of political protest and social unrest.
8. ‘Be Yourself’
‘Be Yourself’ is a reflective and introspective song by Audioslave that was released in 2005 as a single from their third studio album, “Out of Exile”. The song was written by Chris Cornell and the other members of Audioslave, and was produced by Rick Rubin. The song features a mellow, acoustic sound that highlights Cornell’s emotive vocals. The lyrics are inspired by Cornell’s experiences with addiction and recovery, and encourage listeners to be true to themselves and not conform to societal expectations. The chorus of the song, with its refrain of “Just be yourself, it doesn’t matter if it’s good enough for someone else”, is both comforting and empowering. The music video, directed by Barnaby Roper, features footage of a man walking through a surreal landscape, interspersed with scenes of nature and urban decay.
9. ‘Fell On Black Days’
‘Fell On Black Days’ is a haunting and introspective song by Soundgarden that was released in 1994 as a single from their fourth studio album, “Superunknown”. The song was written by Chris Cornell and features a moody, melancholic sound that is characteristic of the grunge era. The lyrics are introspective and poetic, exploring themes of depression and despair. The chorus of the song, with its refrain of “Whatsoever I’ve feared has come to life, whatsoever I’ve fought off became my life”, is both poignant and cathartic. The music video, directed by Matt Mahurin, features surreal and abstract imagery, including footage of Cornell floating in space and scenes of urban decay.
10. ‘Nearly Forgot My Broken Heart’
‘Nearly Forgot My Broken Heart’ is a soulful and melodic song by Chris Cornell that was released in 2015 as a single from his final studio album, “Higher Truth”. The song was written by Cornell and features a stripped-down, acoustic sound that highlights his emotive vocals. The lyrics are introspective and contemplative, exploring themes of heartbreak and loss. The chorus of the song, with its refrain of “I nearly forgot my broken heart, it’s taking me miles away”, is both bittersweet and hopeful. The music video, directed by Jessie Hill, features footage of Cornell in a Wild West setting, interspersed with surreal and abstract imagery. The song was a critical and commercial success, and is widely regarded as one of Cornell’s most powerful and emotive works.
Samuel Moore is a frequent contributor to Singers Room. Since 2005, Singersroom has been the voice of R&B around the world. Connect with us via social media below.
