Jerry Cantrell Names Favorite Songs From Legendary Grunge Group

Alice in Chains vocalist/guitarist Jerry Cantrell has by no means been shy about his admiration for Soundgarden, and in a brand new interview with the Rock and Roll Corridor of Fame’s YouTube channel, he names the tracks which are amongst his favorites and that “outline” the legendary grunge group.

Jerry Cantrell’s Favourite Soundgarden Songs

Within the clip – uploaded on Nov. 28 – Cantrell laughingly begins, “I hate this as a result of – I hate having to pair it down to a few songs that outline Soundgarden as a result of I believe Soundgarden is kinda undefinable.”

“It’s at all times exhausting for me to do favorites. I’m actually unhealthy at this as a result of I prefer it all,” he continues, including:

I actually do. I imply, if it was a band that was, like, a one or two-hit surprise, it’d be loads simpler. However Soundgarden wrote so many nice fucking songs. You already know, the data that they made – what, six data? – they’re fucking good, you understand what I imply? So, to select, like, a kind of out and say one is best than the opposite and even that one means extra to me than one other is fairly contact. It’s all actually very good. It’s all fairly stellar.

Nonetheless, Cantrell says that “The Day I Tried to Stay” (from 1994’s Superunknown) is “fairly – the hair simply went up on the again of my neck simply mentioning that music. There’s one which will get me within the brief and curlies.”

He additionally runs by a number of different Soundgarden staples – starting from “Hunted Down” and “Flower” to “Limo Wreck,” “Gun,” “Burden in My Hand,” “Superunknown,” “Rusty Cage” and naturally, “Black Gap Solar” – as proof of the band’s brilliance.

“I don’t suppose they ever did something unhealthy,” Cantrell concludes. “I don’t they ever put a nasty file out, and I don’t suppose they ever wrote a nasty music. So far as the lyrical strategy, it’s all poetry, man. It’s all tremendous high-quality stuff.”

So, do you agree with Cantrell’s picks for the best and/or most essential Soundgarden songs? Tell us!

READ MORE: The Most Psychedelic Songs by 9 Grunge Bands

What Else Did Cantrell Say About Grunge + Rising Up?

Close to the tip of the interview, Cantrell displays on rising up in Tacoma, Washington, an space he says “produced some my favourite music. Soundgarden being considered one of them on the planet. And a few of my favourite individuals on the planet that I nonetheless cherish deeply to at the present time.”

He elaborates:

You already know, whenever you see them, the smile simply comes out and the nice and cozy embrace and if any considered one of us are enjoying nearing the others – if someone’s doing a present, like Pearl Jam’s enjoying – I’m going! If we’re enjoying, someone’s coming to see us. It’s nonetheless a way of neighborhood, and within the case of music, even when you’re not right here – sadly [likely referencing Chris Cornell] – you do reside on by your music. Your music lives on, and your music is you. It’s you injected into that piece of artwork. It’s an expertise of life completely recorded and shared, you understand, for anyone might relate to it.

You possibly can see the complete clip under:

Jerry Cantrell Reveals His Favourite Soundgarden Songs

Different Alice in Chains + Soundgarden Information

Earlier in November, Loudwire reported on This Indignant Pen of Mine: Recovering the Journals of Layne Staley, a brand new guide concerning the late Alice in Chains frontman (clearly) that additionally options touching tributes from many main rock and metallic artists. As an illustration, Megadeth’s Dave Mustaine and Slipknot’s Corey Taylor contributed to it, and it additionally homes “pictures of the late vocalist from all phases of his life, his poetry, journal entries, music lyrics, art work and extra.”

This Indignant Pen of Mine: Recovering the Journals of Layne Staley was launched on Nov. 11 through Simon & Shuster, and you should buy on Amazon, too.

As for Soundgarden, they have been inducted into the Rock and Roll Corridor of Fame earlier this month (alongside The White Stripes, Unhealthy Firm and a number of other different acts). They have been inducted by nonother than actor/comic Jim Carrey – who mentioned that Soundgarden have been amongst a number of bands that “resurrected rock and roll” for him – and surviving members Matt Cameron, Hiro Yamamoto, Kim Thayil and Ben Shepherd accepted the consideration and gave their very own speeches.

As an illustration, Yamamoto mentioned: “Chris Cornell, we’re lacking you tonight on this stage. All of us love you and we might not be right here with out you. . . . To all of the bands we’ve performed and shared phases with, their crews, and everybody concerned, thanks.”

Equally, Thayil thanked Soundgarden’s followers “for over 40 years of putting up with loyalty and assist,” simply as Cameron thanked his household and “Pearl Jam, Nirvana, The Melvins, The Wipers, Alice In Chains and the numerous bands and fellow musicians we had the pleasure of interacting with within the ’80s and ’90s.”

It’s additionally price mentioning that Chris Cornell’s daughter, Lillian, gave a speech earlier than Soundgarden’s efficiency wherein she thanked individuals for his or her assist of her father’s music.

Talking of Soundgarden’s efficiency on the RaRHOF, they performed a number of hits with a number of company. Particularly, The Fairly Reckless’ Taylor Momsen joined them for “Rusty Cage” earlier than Brandi Carlile belted out “Black Gap Solar.” Additionally, Cantrell – alongside Peal Jam’s Mike McCready – took half all through Soundgarden’s set.

Plus, Chris Cornell’s youngest daughter (Toni) and Coronary heart’s Nancy Wilson did a strong rendition of “Fell on Black Days.” Of the night, Toni Cornell later remarked (through social media):

I used to be six years previous when Soundgarden reunited. My brother and I have been fortunate to see small items of that second unfold, not realizing we have been witnessing one thing historic. I’ll always remember strolling into Soundgarden’s reunion present with my brother, my American Lady doll in tow and seeing my dad step onstage once more with Soundgarden after greater than a decade. I might need been too younger to know the magnitude of this second, however I nonetheless knew I used to be witnessing one thing extraordinary. I’ll endlessly be glad about these years, finally spending time in Seattle and experiencing the greatness of the Pacific Northwest that impressed my dad and his bandmates so immensely.

These moments formed me, being on the street for years and experiencing Soundgarden formed me, not simply as “Chris’s daughter,” however as an artist and an individual. I might hear individuals inform my dad his music saved them and seeing that legacy honored, I perceive simply how true that was. Soundgarden belonged within the Rock Corridor from the day they began making their revolutionary music. An enormous congratulations to Matt, Kim, Ben and Hiro and particularly to my dad, who ought to have been right here to share this second together with his bandmates. I understand how proud he’s.

Thanks to the legendary [Nancy Wilson] for honoring him beside me and to Brandi and Taylor for constantly sharing his music and holding his spirit alive. And to the followers, who’re the explanation this music nonetheless breathes.

Performing “Fell on Black Days” was one of many biggest honors of my life and one of many hardest issues I’ve ever executed. My dad’s absence is at all times felt, however singing his songs at all times makes me really feel nearer to him. I’m so grateful I obtained to share this second for him and with him, indirectly.

Daddy, you might be beloved and your music will endlessly change individuals’s lives. Lengthy reside Soundgarden.

You possibly can see her submit under.

Additionally, you may see pictures from the 2025 Rock and Roll Corridor of Fame induction ceremony itself right here and see pictures from the crimson carpet right here.