Idolator
If you've ever wondered what accounts for the sudden, occasional dips in quality on this site—why posts take three hours to show up, or why there's a sudden surge of "look at this funny photo!" entries—there can be only one explanation: Your Idolators are off playing Guitar Hero. Now officially the eleventh-greatest thing ever to happen in the history of mankind (following such heavy hitters as oxygen, waffle irons, the fall of Communism, and season three of The Wire), Guitar Hero is the first game to combine our collective need for communal self-expression with our collective need to eat pizza and play "Smoke On The Water" eleven times in a row. Badly.
Next month sees the release of Guitar Hero II for Xbox, but we're already thinking about the still-in-the-works third edition. So we hereby present our 30-song wishlist for Guitar Hero III jams—the songs that we hope to be playing along with in the near future. We've even included MP3s with our top ten, so you can get a head start on your neighbor.
1. Television - Marquee Moon: It's not the most obvious choice for the number-one slot: Not only have few people heard this 1977 new-wave work-out, but it's a slow-building epic that uses its ten-minutes-plus running time to gather steam. But there are enough riffs, licks, and scattered notes here to test even the most experienced player's skills, and it would probably inspire a generation of younguns to further investigate the careers of Tom Verlaine and Richard Lloyd, which can only be a good thing.
2. Megadeth - Holy Wars ... The Punishment Due: Megadeth is a Guitar Hero mainstay; "Symphony of Destruction" was on the game's first edition, and "Hangar 18" was on its sequel. But "Holy Wars"—which is from the same album as "Hangar 18," and which is, frankly, a lot better—would provide a fine challenge for more experienced Heroes. To start, there's the manual-typewriter-like riff that provides the force for most of the song's first half, but the real challenge comes at the midway point—a little gypsy-guitar bit that requires the fleetest fretwork, which could be a potential stumbling block for even the most expert players.
3. Soundgarden - Jesus Christ Pose: From its woodpecker-imitation opening and outro to its monster solo, this song kills—and it may very well kill the hopes of players trying to take their game to the next level.
4. Prince - Let's Go Crazy: For breaks during NFL/Guitar Hero fiends' next Madden session. (It's a hell of a lot better than The Panic Channel, that's for sure.)
5. Living Colour - Cult Of Personality: Vernon Reid's opening salvo alone would make this worthy of inclusion, but throw in that thrashing finale, and you've got a song that would probably kill most of us on "medium."
6. The Smiths - This Charming Man: Think the Smiths were soft? Try keeping up with Johnny Marr's intricate guitar lines or Andy Rourke's hop-along bassline.
7. Funkadelic - Maggot Brain: Sure, it's another lengthy track, but it does have one of the best guitar solos of all time.
8. Sleater-Kinney - Rollercoaster: It's hard to pick just one S-K song, but "Rollercoaster" is one of their most relentless numbers, and anyone sitting out a round can chime in background whooos of support.
9. Guns N' Roses - Rocket Queen: Some of Slash's best moments are in this mini-epic, which closed out Appetite For Destruction in a fierce, yet fiercely sad way. (Bonus points if you can actually find a "partner" for the bridge.)
10. Drive-By Truckers - Let There Be Rock: Admittedly, there are some quiet moments in the beginning, and the weed and acid references wouldn't make parents too proud, but the closing solos are fierce. And who could argue with the song's titular mission statement?
The remaining 20:
11. Archie Bell & The Drells - Tighten Up
12. AC/DC - Thunderstruck
13. ESG - UFO
14. Dinosaur Jr. - Out There
15. Faith No More - Surprise! You're Dead!
16. PJ Harvey - Sheela-Na-Gig
17. Radiohead - My Iron Lung
18. Jane's Addiction - Mountain Song
19. Modest Mouse - Ocean Breathes Salty
20. Bad Brains - Pay To Cum
21. Mudhoney - Judgment, Rage, Retribution, and Thyme
22. Poison - Nothin' But A Good Time
23. Led Zeppelin - The Rover
24. At The Drive-In - Arcarsenal
25. Meat Puppets - Aurora Borealis
26. The Girls - The Girl From Yesterday
27. Ohio Players - Fopp
28. Melissa Auf Der Maur - Followed The Waves
29. Extreme - Get the Funk Out
30. Metallica - Anaesthesia (Pulling Teeth)*
* Yes, we know it's for the bass. But you tell us it isn't worthy of inclusion.
Comments
Great call on "Pay to Cum." It would really loosen things up going from shred to pure speed.
A world with DBT songs on Guitar Hero is my kind of world.
My personal suggestion for opening track on GH3 is the Offspring's "Self-Esteem." The chord structure is basic enough for beginners, while the strumming can be made more complex on harder levels.
Besides which, you KNOW that shouting out "LA, LA, LA-LA-LA, LA, LA, LA-LA-LA" is one of the most kickass ways to start rockin' out.
If it wasn't for the mp3 links and the actual thought put into the list the idea of this list is something that would be on the rollingstone.com blog. Just saying...
But seriously, I refuse to play Guitar Hero 'cause if I did I would probably never leave my apartment.
Huey Lewis and the News, "Hip to be Square".
I'd like to see them throw "Blank Generation" on there just for the sheer amusement of having people try to figure out what the hell Robert Quine is doing to his guitar.
For the noodling fan, you can't go wrong with CCR's "Susie Q."
Best game ever.
I wouldn't mind something off of Pinkerton on GH3.
The dot in the file name of Drive-By Truckers "Let There Be Rock" is missing before "mp3"...
Listen to "Anaesthesia(Pulling Teeth)" and you'll know why Cliff Burton is due much respect. God bless his soul.
At first, I was surprised not to see something from Phish or The Grateful Dead, just because of the sheer amount of noodlery that goes on with both.
Then I realized that there's probably not a hard drive big enough to hold even one of those endless solos.
Hooray for the limitations of technology!
Nice call on the Auf Der Maur. I still haven't decided if it's a good album or if it just has a few great songs, but Followed The Waves is definitely top notch.
Needs more DragonForce. Yay for PS2 custom tracks! (^.^)
@def PD: Bemani dork! :)
I'm always happy to see a Modest Mouse shout-out, but how can you pick the wimpy "Ocean Breathes Salty" when there are more rocking-out worthy choices like "Doin' the Cockroach" or "Trucker's Atlas"?
Um that list is actually kinda crappy, I only like a few of the picks. If this was the actual set list for GH3 I wouln't buy it. Sure you music elitiest will rag on me but what makes GH fun are somewhat frmailiar songs that you always remmeber rocking out to in your car that gives you the opertunity to do the dirty work for once.
GH is not about "look I can play play 5 notes in this incridible solo by this ultra thrash band I've never heard of and frankly never want to hear again". The best songs (all of which on GH1 I might add) were Ziggy Stardust, Queen Killer, Texas Flood, and well maybe Bark at the Moon. You know why those were great, becase they were fun, challenging but playable and also somewhat framiliar unlike the very forgetable GH2 soundtrack.
I was just talking about this with a friend last night and we agreed that a Journey song should be included in the next installment.
However, we differed when it came to the actual song. He said "Any Way You Want It". I said "Don't Stop Believin'".
@FoxHoundADAM: This may be the first time in history that a list recomending Extreme was condemned as elitist. Well played.
Cash - God's Gonna Cut You Down
*
Nirvana - Breed
*
some Pixies, Clash
call me when they come out with Tabletop Guitar Hero
Boo. The best song on GH1 is Godzilla, because it's about Godzilla. This is one of the few objective truths out there.
.....I fiddled around with my nephew's GH game once. Sad thing is that I can play a lot of stuff like "Bark at the Moon" on a real guitar. I totally sucked on the toy controller!
.....I'd like to see some Malmsteen on the list. Guitar Hero, indeed. Or say, Dokken: "Tooth and Nail." Or (watched this week's American Idol last night) the Roth/Vai version of "Tobacco Road." Whitesnake "Still of the Night" would be great, too!
Don't feel bad about picking "Anaesthesia." The treat of GHII, and I hope GHIII, is that now they're picking songs that have great bass lines too, since you can plug in a second guitar and each take a part.
This is why "Sweet Child O' Mine" is so awesome on GHII. Incredible guitar and bass lines.
Hello!
Where's the "Comfortably Numb!"
Somewhere - in a sad & remote place - a wee little brother is desperately crying to be "hooked up"
VH - Panama
I'd say something by Mastodon, but eh, I'd rather see some older, riff-heavy tunes make the list instead of the newer stuff for now.
Holy Wars... The Punishment Due
Well played, Idolator. While breezing through "Hangar 18" in GH2, I couldn't help but think that the lead-off track from "Rust in Peace" would've been a much more enjoyable tune. That build-up at the end of the solo would be tremendously fun to [attempt to] play.
Auf Der Maur would be killer, but AC/DC's "Back in Black" would be the ultimate for me.
Steely Dan's "Bodhisattva". The YouTube videos of people attempting (and failing) to five-star it would be priceless.
I'm still waiting for foreigner's "Jukebox Hero".
I really hope I don't have to explain why.
But my biggest hope for Xbox GH2 and all versions of GH3 is downloadable genre packs. Want punk? here's 5 punk songs. Want classic rock? Country? Modern Rock? Indie? Brit-Pop? Sub-Sub-Sub-Sub genre of metal?
"Mississippi Queen" would be a great addition, too...
...If only for the chance to say "THIS IS HOW THE WHITE MAN PLAYS GUITAR!" as you launch in to the tune.
I say get stuupid with the alt-rokk cheez:
Buckcherry "Lit Up"
Wax "Who Is Next"
Zwan "Settle Down"
What about "cherry bomb" by the runaways...for the 15 year-old slut in all of us? Guaranteed NOT to get a letter written by the Rock 'n' Roll Camp for Girls. Right?
"11. Archie Bell & The Drells - Tighten Up"
helllll yes.
you know what song should really be a guitar hero song.
BILLY TALENT - FALLEN LEAVES
that cool solo and all would make is so great, im not even a fan i just think it would go good with the game.
If we're throwing on some DBT, I'd have to nominate Buttholeville. Let there be rock works though.
@janine:
You're all wrong. The best song on GH1 is "More Than a Feeling". I've never played it on Extreme, but pattern verse into big riff chorus = heaven.
3. Soundgarden - Jesus Christ Pose: From its woodpecker-imitation opening and outro to its monster solo, this song kills--and it may very well kill the hopes of players trying to take their game to the next level.
Of what "monster solo" are we speaking? I don't remember a solo in that song at all...
Granted, there's a tough little break in there... It definitely would make for great GH3 tune, though. The verses would be pretty tough...
"Oceans Breathes Salty" is easily one of my favorite songs of all time, but I don't think it belongs on the list. If you're going for more "mainstream" Modest Mouse, I would go with "The View." Too bad you can emulate a banjo on those games... I would love to see "Satin in a Coffin" included. The looks on the faces of onlookers when they hear the chorus would be priceless. Other ideas:
"Two-Way Monologues" by Sondre Lerche - It would be a nice little oddball challenge - a, acoustic-based track that is faster and more complex than some of the metal songs listed above.
"El Scorcho" by Weezer - Someone above mentioned Pinkerton... what better than the ultimate geek love song?
"Fashion Zombies!" by The Aquabats - It's a fun, driving track that also makes fun of Goth culture. A nice change of pace.
"Do Right" by Jimmie's Chicken Shack - The pseudo-swing syncopation might throw a few people off, but that isn't a big deal. Like "Fashion Zombies," this track would for the people who want to play more than just metal.
"We Will Rock You (Fast Version)" - Non-Queen fans might not know this, but there are actually two versions of this classic track - the one heard at sporting events and one in question. Simply put, the "Fast Version" is a power pop song, and a fantastic one at that. Hey... if it's good enough to make Ben Elton's Queen musical, then it's good enough for GH, right?
"Radiation Vibe" by Fountains of Wayne - Speaking of power pop...
"Till My Head Falls Off" by They Might Be Giants - Hey... gotta include TMBG.
I'm waiting for Key-tar Hero, with Berlin's "Metro" and A-Ha's "Take On Me."
I agree with @Ariata on "Ocean Breathes Salty" - if you're going to throw Modest Mouse in there it should be "Tundra/Desert" - you'd probably end up breaking something though.
can we not get a Scatterbrain song on GHIII? My personal pick would be Mr. Johnson And The Juice Crew... c'mon it's short..
I second "Don't Stop Believing," I've been preaching the merits of that since GH1, and I nominate The Stone Roses' "I Am the Resurrection." Don't try to tell me that it wouldn't be awesome to play the second half of that song.
I have no idea what Guitar Hero really is, except a friend of mine was excited his kids were into it instead of sports all the time.* Also sort of scared it's prolly making the kids feel like no one's a loser or whatever, 'cause if they can't be bothered to become guitar aces they can always Silent Hill it. Or whatever.
That said, all of XTC "Black Sea," because Idolator hasn't yet given itself over to a weekly symposium on the greatness of this LP.
* he was letting his son [name redacted] play "Cherry Pie" when I hung up.
I want a Three Days Grace song, preferably Riot.
Body Count - "Cop Killer"
Need I say more?
'marquee moon' = sonic journey. perfect pick for guitar hero.
Here's the correct link for the Drive-By Truckers song
http://cache.idolator.com/assets/resources/mp3/ghrock.mp3<...
Blur's "Bugman." It'd be cool to try to make the vacuum cleaner noise in the middle section.
I'm hoping for some good Swedish metal... a good Dark Tranquillity, In Flames, or At The Gates track would rock. Especially in co-op, if they picked a song with some good dual-guitar leads. But I can't imagine any of these bands ever making it in the game :-(
TEETH LIKE GOD'S SHOESHINE!
and i know they'd never put a b side on the game.. but ATDI's "Catacombs" anybody?
If it had another Ozzy song, I would want "Crazy Train"
And just about any Steely Dan would be a welcome addition.
that is a terrible , terrible list. it seems like some thirty-something ex-collage radio dj/hipster just wanted to name a bunch of songs that nobody would know so they would appear cool/intelligent.
I am an avid fan of guitar hero one and two, and would certainly not be interested in purchasing your proposed shlock of a game. the only worthy song in that whole list may be ac/dc's thunderstruck. hit the lights by metallica would be far better suited, and how about civil war or paradise city for g n'r . id also like to see some more acoustic guitar, such as classical gas, by eric clapton. but thats just me. and no stairway? i mean i know its obvious but comeon!
Great call on Living Colour. We all need some more spandex Body Glove suits in our lives.
Dammit, ya'll need some goddamn Nightwish on this list. Maybe some 403 Forbidena too...
....."Crazy Train!" Another song I can play... I agree with Steely Dan, too, but not "Deacon Blues." Too much "Auburn" in this boy...
Actually, the next Guitar Hero due out is strictly the 1980s edition. I forgot where link is and I am lazy, but yes. The next GH version is the 1980s. Which I suppose they should probably just call the "GNR, Van Halen and Poison: Axis of Evil Edition."
Ok, ok. So maybe I am reaching a bit with the Poison there. Someone suggest a third band.
I always hope for the Clash to turn up on Guitar Hero. I think White Riot might kill some people.
Why is there no Jimi!? Or is that too obvious?
Good call on The Rover
.....No one these days wants to give Ozzy any credit, but... You could call the 1980s "GNR, Van Halen and Randy Rhoades." Rhodes influenced everybody from Def Leppard, Dio, Dokken, Judas Priest to Whitesnake, Malmsteen, Extreme and Vai. My favorite guitarist ever...
.....Hendrix on "all along the watchtower" is the underpinnings of much of the 1970s hard rock stuff. Sounds great 30+ years later!
Wholly agreed on Jesus Christ Pose. I would instantly buy the first Guitar Hero to feature a Soundgarden song.
actually, Eric Clapton didn't record "Classical Gas", that was done by Lisa Simpson as the B-side for "We Have the Power".
"THE RIME! OF THE ANCIENT! MARINERRRRR..."
And, we're off.
Eddie Hazel is God.
Here's my list, from somewhat "easiest" to hardest
Cult of Personality Living Color
Working Man Rush
Spiderwebs No Doubt
Heart Barracuda
Black Star Yngwie Malmsteen
Cortez The Killer Neil Young
Alive Pearl Jam
Europa Santana
Maggot Brain Funkadelic
Man In The Box Alice in Chains
Sultans Of Swing Dire Straits
Smells Like Teen Spirit Nirvana
For The Love Of God Steve Vai
Surfing With The Alien Joe Satriani
Stranglehold Ted Nugent
Floods Pantera
Heartbreaker Led Zeppelin
Highway Star Deep Purple
Bohemian Rhapsody Queen
Aqualung Jethro Tull
Bulls on Parade Rage Against the Machine
Hotel California The Eagles
Crazy Train Ozzy Osbourne
White Room - Cream
Layla Derek & The Dominos
Eruption Van Halen
November Rain Guns N' Roses
All Along The Watchtower Jimi Hendrix
Comfortably Numb Pink Floyd
One Metallica
Gah, where are all the female singers?
Well i wasn't sure what site to go to so this is the first one i found. I wanted to post a comment on some guitar hero page to make a suggestion on how the Guitar Hero 3 game should include. I had an idea that in the game you would be able to automatically cycle through all the selected songs on some career based format and after completing every song you given a percentage or overall conclusion on what genre you are or of what percent you have to each genre .. if that makes perfect sence. - lol.. maybe someone could email me back at elkiego@hotmail.com to let me know if something could come of my idea. thank you. April 25, 2007
Also, i would love to play one very long song if possible.. Dante's Inferno by Iced Earth..if it isn't possible to put a long song on there then i thought i would suggest Return of the Night Creatures by Old Man's Child..thanks.
the songs you should put in guitar hero three that everyone would like to play over and over again are
Quiet Riot- cum on feel the noize
Quiet Riot-mama we're all crazy now
Quiet riot-bang your head
Twisted sister-i wanna rock
AC/DC-Thunderstruck
Iron Maiden-Number of the beast
Iron Maiden-wasted years
Scorpions-rock you like a hurricane
Scorpions-big city nights
guns n' roses-november rain
Kiss-detroit rock city
Metallica-fade to black
guns n' roses-welcome to the jungle
judas priest-breaking the law
megadeath-peace cells
ac/dc-highway to hell
iron maiden-virus
iron maiden-clairvoyant
iron maiden-2 minutes to midnight
Queen- we will rock you
iron maiden-rise of the ancient mariner
survivor-eye of the tiger
queen-another one bites the dust
iron maiden-aces high
queen-we are the champions
You should really put these songs, mostly :cum on feel the noize by quiet riot.they may be old songs but they ROCK OUT LOUD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
sorry. i wrote this song wrong. it is written like this
iron maiden-the rime of the ancient mariner
please put cum on feel the noize by quiet riot. thanks.
another two songs you should put are
bon jovi:dead or alive
george thoroughgood:bad to the bone
i hope that you have new guitar for guitar hero 3. i hope that it is better
I think that they should select the top 10 most challenging songs of every GH ever made along w/ what Red Octane think's are the top 20 suggestion.
Bohemian Rhasody- Queen
I Wanna Rock and Roll- Kiss
Skater Boy- Avril LaVigne
Move Along- All-American Rejects
Stairway to Heaven- Led Zeplin
Long Way Home- Super Tramp
I think that GHIII should be for Gamecube because Gamecube is a more popular game platform.