Welcome back to our Guitar Hero series! I've been so excited to dive into more of the iconic rock songs that created the soundtrack for these amazing games, and thankfully the second installment did not disappoint.
Guitar Hero II was released November 7th, 2006 for PlayStation 2 consoles and April 7th, 2007 for the Xbox 360. Developed by Harmonix and published by RedOctane and ActiVision, it was a rhythm and music based game that, instead of using a traditional controller, handed you scaled down model of a Gibson SG guitar that was cherry red if you had a PS and white if you had the Xbox. The buttons, whammy bars, and star power bonuses were back, of course, because how could you possibly virtually rock out without them? The second game did just as well as the first, scoring a 92 from MetaCritic and a 9.5 out of 10 from IGN, making sure this series would continue living on.
Most of the songs in Guitar Hero II are, again, cover versions of the original, but four of them were based on the original master recordings. We have another good mix of different rock genres compiled here, and I'm absolutely ready to dive in. Obviously, the stars of the game again are the guitar solos - how will they stack up to the first game?
Guitar Hero II featured eight "stages" on its story mode, with setlists of six songs each set in a different venue. Since I'm admittedly not a guitarist, I won't be ranking the songs based on how fun or iconic they are to play, and since I've never played the second game I can't rank based on how fun or iconic they are to play. Therefore, let's just check out the soundtrack and, naturally, enjoy the music.
Stage 1: Opening Licks
Heart-Shaped Box by Nirvana
Original Album: In Utero (1993)
Genre: Grunge
Songwriters: K. Cobain
Do I Like It: Of course, an obvious classic.
Possum Kingdom by Toadies
Original Album: Rubberneck (1994)
Genre: Grunge
Songwriters: T. Lewis
Do I Like It: Not bad, a different grunge feel than Heart-Shaped Box and a lot of fun.
Salvation by Rancid
Original Album: Let's Go (1994)
Genre: Alternative Rock
Songwriters: R. Freeman, T. Armstrong
Do I Like It: The guitar is fun, vocals aren't anything special in my opinion, overall sounds like a standard '90s rock song.
Shout at the Devil by Mötley Crüe
Original Album: Shout at the Devil (1983)
Genre: Industrial Metal
Songwriters: F. Feranna
Do I Like It: I don't know why I always thought this song was by someone else; great, steady classic metal beat and catchy chorus.
Strutter by Kiss
Original Album: Kiss (1974)
Genre: Hard Rock
Songwriters: G. Simmons, P. Stanley
Do I Like It: I'm admittedly not the biggest Kiss fan, so this one was pretty mid for me.
Surrender by Cheap Trick
Original Album: Heaven Tonight (1978)
Genre: Power Pop
Songwriters: R. Nielsen
Do I Like It: It's another one of those songs that I recognize upon hearing but can't ever remember who sang it or what it's called. Super catchy and easy to sing with on the chorus.
Stage 2: Amp Warmers
Cherry Pie by Warrant
Original Album: Cherry Pie (1990)
Genre: Glam Metal
Songwriters: J. Lane
Do I Like It: Certified banger today and every day.
Life Wasted by Pearl Jam
Original Album: Pearl Jam (2006)
Genre: Alternative Rock
Songwriters: E. Vedder, S. Gossard
Do I Like It: It's alright, but not the best Pearl Jam song I've ever heard.
Mother by Danzig
Original Album: Danzig (1988)
Genre: Heavy Metal
Songwriters: G. Danzig
Do I Like It: Eh, the song is okay, just not a big fan of Danzig personally.
Tonight I'm Gonna Rock You Tonight by Spinal Tap
Original Album: This Is Spinal Tap (1984)
Genre: Heavy Metal
Songwriters: H. Shearer, C. Guest, M. McKean, R. Reiner
Do I Like It: Not bad, maybe I'd like it more if I'd ever seen This Is Spinal Tap.
Woman by Wolfmother
Original Album: Wolfmother (2005)
Genre: Hard Rock
Songwriters: A. Stockdale, C. Ross, M. Heskett
Do I Like It: This one was okay, not a huge fan of the vocal style but the guitar was good.
You Really Got Me by Van Halen
Original Album: Van Halen (1978)
Genre: Hard Rock
Songwriters: R. Davies
Do I Like It: I really enjoy this both as a standalone and as a cover, it's a lot of fun.
Stage 3: String-Snappers
Billion Dollar Babies by Alice Cooper
Original Album: Billion Dollar Babies (1973)
Genre: Hard Rock
Songwriters: A. Cooper, M. Bruce, R. Vinson
Do I Like It: It's alright and I like Alice Cooper, just think there are better of his songs out there.
Carry On Wayward Son by Kansas
Original Album: Leftoverture (1976)
Genre: Progressive Rock
Songwriters: K. Livgren
Do I Like It: An obvious classic, and it definitely helps that I also love Supernatural.
Message in a Bottle by The Police
Original Album: Reggatta de Blanc (1979)
Genre: Reggae Rock
Songwriters: G. Sumner
Do I Like It: Super catchy and a bop of a Police song, not my favorite from Sting but not my least favorite either.
Search and Destroy by Iggy Pop and the Stooges
Original Album: Raw Power (1973)
Genre: Garage Rock
Songwriters: J. Osterberg, J. Williamson
Do I Like It: Eh, this one wasn't really for me; a little too shrieky for my taste.
Them Bones by Alice In Chains
Original Album: Dirt (1992)
Genre: Alternative Metal
Songwriters: J. Cantrell
Do I Like It: Also not really for me, but I historically struggle with metal.
War Pigs by Black Sabbath
Original Album: Paranoid (1970)
Genre: Heavy Metal
Songwriters: W. Ward, A. Iommi, J. Osbourne, M. Butler
Do I Like It: I mean, come on, it's War Pigs, it's hard NOT to be a fan.
Stage 4: Thrash and Burn
Can't You Hear Me Knocking by The Rolling Stones
Original Album: Sticky Fingers (1971)
Genre: Blues Rock
Songwriters: M. Jagger, K. Richards
Do I Like It: It'd be better if it wasn't way way WAY too long.
Girlfriend by Matthew Sweet
Original Album: Girlfriend (1991)
Genre: Power Pop
Songwriters: M. Sweet
Do I Like It: Super '90s but I really enjoyed it.
Hush by Deep Purple
Original Album: Shades of Deep Purple (1968)
Genre: Psychedelic Rock
Songwriters: J. South
Do I Like It: It was alright, not as good to me as Smoke on the Water though.
Monkey Wrench by Foo Fighters
Original Album: The Colour and the Shape (1997)
Genre: Alternative Rock
Songwriters: D. Grohl, N. Mendel, G. Ruthenberg
Do I Like It: This just solidified what I already knew: I need to listen to more Foo Fighters.
Sweet Child o' Mine by Guns N' Roses
Original Album: Appetite for Destruction (1987)
Genre: Hard Rock
Songwriters: W. Rose, S. Hudson, J. Isbell, M. McKagan, S. Adler
Do I Like It: Seriously just one of the greats, from the vocals to the iconic guitar solo.
Who Was in My Room Last Night? by Butthole Surfers
Original Album: Independent Worm Saloon (1993)
Genre: Hard Rock
Songwriters: G. Haynes, P. Walthall, K. Coffey, J. Pinkus
Do I Like It: Respectfully, wtf did I just listen to? I will say the guitar was great.
Stage 5: Return of the Shred
Bad Reputation by Thin Lizzy
Original Album: Bad Reputation (1977)
Genre: Hard Rock
Songwriters: P. Lynott, W. Gorham, B. Downey
Do I Like It: Not my favorite, a little too chaotic for me.
Jessica by The Allman Brothers Band
Original Album: Brothers and Sisters (1973)
Genre: Southern Rock
Songwriters: F. Betts
Do I Like It: This one I really liked, it's a really fun instrumental piece.
John the Fisherman by Primus
Original Album: Frizzle Fry (1990)
Genre: Funk Metal
Songwriters: L. Claypool, T. Huth, J. Lane
Do I Like It: Les Claypool and I do not vibe on the same wavelength, but I respect and can appreciate his musical ability and how intricate this song is to play (I am, after all, married to a bassist who loves Primus).
Last Child by Aerosmith
Original Album: Rocks (1976)
Genre: Funk Rock
Songwriters: S. Tyler, B. Whitford
Do I Like It: This one started off slow but picks up with a good solo by the middle; still not my quintessential Aerosmith song.
Rock and Roll, Hoochie Koo by Rick Derringer
Original Album: Johnny Winter And (1970)
Genre: Hard Rock
Songwriters: R. Derringer
Do I Like It: This one was alright, really high energy and probably fun to play.
Tattooed Love Boys by The Pretenders
Original Album: Pretenders (1980)
Genre: New Wave
Songwriters: C. Hynde
Do I Like It: I wasn't super crazy about this one either, it just felt too all over the place for me.
Stage 6: Relentless Riffs
Crazy on You by Heart
Original Album: Dreamboat Annie (1975)
Genre: Hard Rock
Songwriters: A. Wilson, N. Wilson
Do I Like It: Not my #1 Heart song, but still great.
Dead! by My Chemical Romance
Original Album: The Black Parade (2006)
Genre: Alternative Rock
Songwriters: R. Bryar, F. Iero, R. Toro, G. Way, M. Way
Do I Like It: Not one I was familiar with but I ended up enjoying it quite a bit.
Freya by The Sword
Original Album: Age of Winters (2006)
Genre: Heavy Metal
Songwriters: J. Cronise, K. Shutt, B. Richie, T. Wingo
Do I Like It: I enjoyed this one way more than I expected to with it being fairly modern heavy metal.
Killing in the Name by Rage Against the Machine
Original Album: Rage Against the Machine (1992)
Genre: Alternative Metal
Songwriters: T. Commerford, Z. De La Rocha, T. Morello, B. Wilk
Do I Like It: I know this is one of their really big songs, but this one was okay to good for me.
Stop by Jane's Addiction
Original Album: Ritual de lo Habitual (1990)
Genre: Funk Metal
Songwriters: P. Farrell, D. Navarro, E. Avery, S. Perkins
Do I Like It: This one was alright, not really what I was expecting and ended up being interesting.
Trippin' on a Hole in a Paper Heart by Stone Temple Pilots
Original Album: Tiny Music... Songs from the Vatican Gift Shop (1996)
Genre: Alternative Rock
Songwriters: E. Kretz, S. Weiland
Do I Like It: This one surprised me with how much I liked it, too - definitely a fun listen.
Stage 7: Furious Fretwork
Laid to Rest by Lamb of God
Original Album: Ashes of the Wake (2004)
Genre: Groove Metal
Songwriters: D. Blythe, W. Adler, C. Adler, M. Morton, J. Campbell
Do I Like It: Definitely not for me, but my husband does really enjoy this band.
Madhouse by Anthrax
Original Album: Spreading the Disease (1985)
Genre: Thrash Metal
Songwriters: J. Bellardini, D. Spitz, S. Ian, F. Bello, C. Benanate
Do I Like It: I guess I like '80s Metal more than most modern stuff, but this is still a bit heavy for me.
Psychobilly Freakout by The Reverend Horton Heat
Original Album: Smoke 'Em If You Got 'Em (1990)
Genre: Psychobilly
Songwriters: J. Heath, J. Wallace, P. Bentley
Do I Like It: This one was so much fun, and absolutely crazy to think about playing.
Rock This Town by Stray Cats
Original Album: Stray Cats (1981)
Genre: Rockabilly
Songwriters: B. Setzer
Do I Like It: Another classic, I've loved this one for years.
The Trooper by Iron Maiden
Original Album: Piece of Mind (1983)
Genre: Heavy Metal
Songwriters: S. Harris
Do I Like It: More evidence I may like '80s metal, this one was actually pretty good.
YYZ by Rush
Original Album: Moving Pictures (1981)
Genre: Instrumental Rock
Songwriters: G. Weinrib, N. Peart
Do I Like It: A bit much for me, but I do use it as a teaching example for my students when we learn about tritones.
Stage 8: Face-Melters
Beast and the Harlot by Avenged Sevenfold
Original Album: City of Evil (2005)
Genre: Heavy Metal
Songwriters: M. Sanders, Z. Baker, J. Sullivan, B. Haner, J. Stewart
Do I Like It: Very much so not for me; super busy and just not my vibe.
Carry Me Home by The Living End
Original Album: Roll On (2000)
Genre: Punk Rock
Songwriters: C. Cheney
Do I Like It: More fun than the last one, but still a little too hard for my personal music taste.
Free Bird by Lynyrd Skynyrd
Original Album: (Pronounced ‘Lěh-‘nérd ‘Skin-‘nérd) (1974)
Genre: Southern Rock
Songwriters: L. Collins, R. Van Zant
Do I Like It: A bonafide classic, no notes.
Hangar 18 by Megadeth
Original Album: Rust in Peace (1990)
Genre: Thrash Metal
Songwriters: D. Mustaine
Do I Like It: It's alright, good guitar lines.
Institutionalized by S******l Tendencies
Original Album: S******l Tendencies (1983)
Genre: Hardcore Punk
Songwriters: M. Muir, L. Mayorga
Do I Like It: Yeah another one that's just not my cup of tea.
Misirlou by Dick Dale
Original Album: Surfer's Choice (1962)
Genre: Instrumental Rock
Songwriters: Traditional Melody
Do I Like It: I don't think I ever knew this was the title of this song - what a banger.
Whether you're a Guitar Hero aficionado or just a lover of rock music, I hope you had fun checking out this soundtrack today. Happy listening, and see ya'll next week!
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