10 Songs Crying Out To Be In Guitar Hero 4
March 17th, 2008 at 16:15 by Stuart Heritage
By christ, Guitar Hero has taken over our lives in a bad way - to the extent that our left hand is now nothing more than a withered arthritic stump.
But something worries us - the next Guitar Hero expansion pack is going to be about Aerosmith alone. And, obviously, the trouble with that is that Aerosmith are a giant sack of donkey bums. By copping out this badly, Neversoft had better pull its finger out and make sure that Guitar Hero 4 is full of songs that don't make us want to lose the will to live. Songs like these.
You might not agree with some of these choices - and you definitely won't agree with all of them - so feel free to leave any other suggestions you have in the comment box. Meanwhile, here's our massively subjective list of songs that deserve to be included in Guitar Hero 4…
10 - The Bronx, White Guilt
Part of the appeal of Guitar Hero undoubtedly comes from flouncing around your living room with a gruesome pout plastered across your face, and White Guilt is a song that'd let you do that in spades. Like a distilled, updated Guns 'N Roses, it's got enough strut to please the hair metal fans, enough rawness to please the punks and exactly the right tone to fit Guitar Hero's classic rock mandate. And if completing it could unlock a homeless rabbit costume then that'd be even better.
9 - Steely Dan, Reelin' In The Years
Steely Dan. You heard. Now, before you start threatening to string us up by our nutsacks for blaspheming in such an awful way, just hear us out. There's a certain type of Guitar Hero 3 player - let's call them 'wankers' - who enjoy nothing more than going online and filling up their side of the setlist with Through The Fire And Flames again and again even though a) the song's shit and b) they're horrible BO-stinking metal fans who know that they'll beat you because they never do anything else. The best weapon to retaliate with? That's right, the sodding Dan. Plus, you can't deny that you secretly want to have a go at the solo two minutes in.
8 - Beck, E-Pro
Not Beck's best song by a long stretch, but it's easy and beginner-friendly - and it beats the shit out of Slow Ride, wouldn't you say?
7 - Duelling Banjos
The song that multiplayer Guitar Hero was made for, frankly. Plus, if you play Guitar Hero as much as some of the people we know do, there's a strong chance that you're probably starting to look quite inbred. Hacked here for Guitar Hero 2, but surely it’s time for an official release.
6 - Lou Reed, White Light White Heat (Live) Hear sample
No, not the Velvet Underground original - the live version from 1974's Rock N Roll Animal. The version where Lou Reed takes everything that was good about the original, throws it in the bin and covers whatever's left with widdly guitars. And yodelling. We feel the widdly guitars/yodelling combination has been sorely overlooked on Guitar Hero thus far.
5 - Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks, Real Emotional Trash
We've always though it'd be nice if Guitar Hero had a long multipart song in it that wasn't One by Metallica because, you know, it's One by Metallica for God's sake. Nobody wants to listen to that more than a couple of times a decade. So instead, why not use the title track from Stephen Malkmus' new album? Starts off fiddly and quiet, quickly turns into a tendon-snapping wig-out and then collapses into an exhausted heap at the end. Probably like you would if you managed to get a perfect score on expert with it.
4 - Love, Orange Skies
Guitar Hero shouldn't be exclusively about neck-snapping rock, and Orange Skies would offer the lushest of pace-changes. It's laid-back, not insultingly easy to play and, well, just listen to it. It's bloody lovely.
3 - Iron Maiden, Run To The Hills
Not exactly giant Iron Maiden fans around here, but even we can't shake the suspicion that Guitar Hero fans travelled back in time and gave Run To The Hills to Iron Maiden just because it'd be so much fun to play on Guitar Hero. And, yes, we know it's on Rock Band. But we haven't bloody got Rock Band, have we?
2 - Dinosaur Jr, Almost Ready
Quite honestly, any Dinosaur Jr song ever recorded would make us play Guitar Hero until our arms fell off, but after a long period of contemplation we've decided to offer Almost Ready - the opener to last year's comeback Beyond album. You'd have to be an idiot not to see why - the intro alone would test the fiercest Guitar Hero player, not to mention all the freefalling solos. Look at David Letterman's face at the end - if he likes Almost Ready then Guitar Hero definitely would.
1 - Magazine, Shot By Both Sides
How this hasn't made it onto a Guitar Hero instalment yet beggars belief. Listen to that solo. Listen to it. Now imagine hitting a bunch of coloured buttons in time along with it. Feels good, doesn't it? And then there's the chorus - tricky, but not tricky enough to stop you windmilling your arms around with one foot on the coffee table at the same time. Guitar Hero people - we urge you, stick this on Guitar Hero 4. We'll love you forever for it. And isn't our love the reason why you got into this crazy business in the first place?
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March 17th, 2008 at 4:19 pm
4′33″ by John Cage.
March 17th, 2008 at 4:20 pm
Good call on Shot by both sides. There’s a riff if there ever was one.
March 17th, 2008 at 5:17 pm
You should really get Rock Band. Activision is going to run Guitar Hero into the ground. Regardless, Rock Band makes Guitar Hero wish it was never born.
March 17th, 2008 at 5:23 pm
Maybe you’re right, Braintooth, maybe you’re right. Although the world needs to hear my singing voice like it needs to be raped in the eye by a Yeti.
March 17th, 2008 at 5:53 pm
“Too Rolling Stoned” by Robin Trower…..
March 17th, 2008 at 7:13 pm
[...] Ten songs for your consideration, Guitar Hero 4. [...]
March 18th, 2008 at 3:40 am
If Stuart is singing then my answer goes double.
March 18th, 2008 at 11:45 am
I’m holding out for Bass Guitar Hero.
Or Violin Hero.
March 18th, 2008 at 1:55 pm
Bassoon Hero IV Honks Your World
March 18th, 2008 at 5:45 pm
are you kidding? Iron Maiden - Hallowed be thy Name - is insane! just Imagine playing the intro…. :drools:
http://www.last.fm/music/Iron+Maiden/_/Hallowed+Be+Thy+Name+%28live%29?autostart
March 18th, 2008 at 5:48 pm
run to the hills was the only good song named. they need some As I Lay Dying , Lamb of God, or some Pantera. Metallica is a good option to.
March 18th, 2008 at 5:50 pm
Where is the AC/DC?
March 18th, 2008 at 5:59 pm
I think your choices absolutely suck. just bein honest, sorry. I’ve only heard of like 2 of those songs
March 18th, 2008 at 6:01 pm
I am amazed, the list seems to get crappier with each entry. I am pretty sure I wouldn’t touch this game with a ten foot pole.
March 18th, 2008 at 6:08 pm
If I see any of these lame songs on GH 4 I will cry…… cry I tell ya. Heres a though….. how about putting songs in “GUITAR HERO” made by… well, GUITAR HEROS! I can’t say I didnt like the lineups in GH1-3 but living up to the name…. not quite. Lets here some songs from real guitar heros ie: Eric Clapton, Eddie Van Halen, more Randy Rhodes, more Zakk Wylde, B.B. King, more Stevie Ray Vaughan, more Carlos Santana, Dimebag Darrell, Jimi Hendrix, more Slash, Jimmy Page, Angus Young, and Kirk Hammett. Between these guys alone you can have a full lineup of songs for a new guitar hero installment and for the most part they all have their own style of playing so it would still have a nice varity of music to choose from and mix things up a bit. Going from some BB King to some Pantera (Dimebag Darrell) would be madness and raise the difficulty just a tad to keep the player on his/her toes. Sometimes I wonder where some of these creative thinkers come from cause I beat them hands down in creativity….
March 18th, 2008 at 6:37 pm
Hmmm…
Let us see now…
Black betty by Ram Jam
Comfortably Numb by Pink Floyd
New Orleans is Sinking by The Tragically Hip
Legacy by The Gone Jackels (For anyone who can remember when LucasArts did more than make an unending line of Star Wars games)
The Oaf by Big Wreck
Creeping up the Back Stairs by The Fratellis (Either that or “Everybody Knows You Cried Last Night”)
Go Your Own Way by Fleetwood Mac or the cover by The Cranberries (Not exactly super difficult, but would still be fun, and helps to make things nice and diverse)
I’m The Man Who Loves You by Wilco
Arco Arena by Cake
Old Time Rock and Roll by Bob Seger (Ok seriously, this is a no brainer. Not remarkably hard to play, but COME ON)
When It’s Good by Ben Harper
Susie Q by CCR
Do You Feel Like We Do? by Peter Frampton
Revolution by The Derek Trucks Band (Former guitairist for the Allman Brothers)
Hotel California by The Eagles (Or barring that, Rocky Mountain Way by Joe Walsh)
Are You Gonna Go My Way by Lenny Kravitz
These aren’t in any particular order, and they’re not all that difficult to play but damn they would be fun.
March 18th, 2008 at 6:55 pm
Couldn’t agree with you more about GH needing a Dinosaur Jr. song! I’m not sure I would choose a song from Beyond (though I can see your argument for Almost Ready) - I’m thinking more The Lung or Out There, but anything would be good (considering almost every DJ song has a killer solo). Anyone who doesn’t consider J Mascis in the pantheon of true guitar heros needs to pick up a few Dino Jr. albums and turn the sound up.
March 18th, 2008 at 8:44 pm
“As I Lay Dying , Lamb of God, or some Pantera.”
Fucking hell, you mean people actually listen to that stuff? Eurgh.
March 18th, 2008 at 9:03 pm
AC/DC definitely
How about Jimi Hendrix? Pink Floyd? The Doors? Moody Blues? Nirvana? The Beatles perhaps? There are still plenty of big bands you could put on the next game instead of going for all this crap that most people don’t know. Go for some sweet classic rock music.
March 19th, 2008 at 3:04 am
Tool would make me cream my pants. So would some NIN (though they do have songs in Rock Band). I’m all about the recent stuff. Let’s see Tool, NIN, Primus and Ween in the next Guitar Hero. Specifically, lets see:
Tool: Jambi or Rosetta Stoned
Nine Inch Nails: Wish or Mr Self Destruct
Primus: Wynonna’s Got a Big Brown Beaver (incredible bass guitar and lead)
Ween: Transdermal Celebration (easy but fun as hell)
I seriously suggest that some of you listen to the last two. They are really awesome songs that would be fun to play. Also Ocean Breathes Salty by Modest Mouse would be a fun easy one. And The Doors would be incredible.
March 19th, 2008 at 4:45 am
terrible list
March 19th, 2008 at 5:15 am
“As I Lay Dying , Lamb of God, or some Pantera.”
“Fucking hell, you mean people actually listen to that stuff? Eurgh.”
Its the music that really belongs in guitar hero. Some more great bands would be:
Children of Bodom-Kissing the Shadows, check this song out and tell me it shouldnt be in guitar hero.
Dimmu Borgir - Have a lot of songs with many multiparts and would be a blast to play.
Kalmah- Similar music style to Bodom, have killer solos and just fantastic guitar work.
Behemoth
Kreator
Slayer- Choose a better song, Raining blood is cool but there are way better songs by Slayer. Angel of Death instantly comes to mind.
Sepultura
Metallica-Master of Puppets would be a way better song
They can continue to make these shitty spin offs all they want but give me one Heavy Metal spin off and I will be as happy as can be. Hell even throw some good 80’s metal in the mix and you would have the best Guitar Hero ever.
March 19th, 2008 at 6:34 am
Never heard of nearly any of these bands
Bring on the metal from europe!
There are way too much golden oldies and modern pop meta already on GHl!
March 25th, 2008 at 1:28 am
Thank god he has no say in choosing the songs for GH4….
March 27th, 2008 at 2:06 pm
the list is shit seriously, If GH4 would have such songs its gonna be a big failure…
real good songs that would make this game the best in the series are like Iron maidens Hallow be thy name or the trooper and aces high… Metallica’s Master of Puppets, some stuff for Motley Crue. Black Sabbath-Iron Man-Under the Sun, ACDC TNT, COB- IN your face,and Canon Rock one of the best ever.. and some classics maybe for jimi Hendrix and Led zeppelin…oh and bring some progressive power metal bands like Manowar, Rhapsody of fire, Dragonforce…..then this game would be absoulutely perfecto….
March 27th, 2008 at 2:53 pm
Is it just coincidence that the people with the absolute worst taste in music want to see it all included in a Guitar Hero game?
Dragonforce? Seriously? As if it’s not nerdy enough that you’re playing a video game about playing the guitar.
Listen up people, because I’m only going to say this once: Metal is for nerds. The reason it does not have a mainstream following is that only obsessive shut ins with the time and desire to examine retarded minutiae about excessively masturbatory instrumentation to the exclusion of all else (including basic personal hygiene) can achieve the insularity necessary to convince themselves that they “get it” and that their favorite terrible band is “good”.
A bit of interesting trivia, furry porn is attributable to this selfsame effect. Way to go, metalheads, as a psychological case you are virtually indistinguishable from a dude in a rabbit costume fucking a hole cut in a teddy bear.
March 28th, 2008 at 6:44 am
First of all.. “metal is for nerds”.. disputing taste is fucking retarded, you’ll never win.
also, guitar hero is really going to fail hard if they dont change the game so that theres a way to personalize the soundtrack. Theres no way a random list of songs will please anyone, it’s fucking worthless.
March 28th, 2008 at 12:37 pm
Thankfully, I don’t have to win, since anyone who listens to metal on purpose automatically loses.
April 1st, 2008 at 10:23 pm
ANY Rage against the machines song would OWN THE SHIT out of guitar hero.. Guerrilla radio, know ur enemy, testify, the list goes on forever… PLZ put more rage against the machines
on a personal note: TOM MORELLO OWNS
April 2nd, 2008 at 3:32 am
rage against the machine licensing their music to appear in a video game owned by a subsidiary of vivendi
how perfectly would that wrap up the legacy of rage against the machine?
April 5th, 2008 at 3:34 am
lets see….
eruption by van halen and crazy train by ozzy
…
April 7th, 2008 at 12:35 am
Omg I hope they put these songs…….you guys want a good song ?.. How about “sad but true” by metallica. And “Broken Bones” by nonpoint….come on guys don’t mess this up.
April 12th, 2008 at 12:30 am
I agree with william as i think it needs some metal
Metallica sounds good maybe some shadows fall too and i just once want a trivium song in their
I also like a bit of hard rock i think a RA song needs to be put on but thats just me
April 15th, 2008 at 8:53 pm
I think guitar hero needs Puddle of Mudd, AC/DC, Jimmy Eat World
April 15th, 2008 at 8:55 pm
Some more Metallica,
April 16th, 2008 at 3:00 am
Maybe shorter songs,
April 16th, 2008 at 3:01 am
so it could hold
April 16th, 2008 at 3:01 am
Casedy’s attention.
April 21st, 2008 at 1:30 am
All That Remains - Regret Not / Not Alone
Mudvayne - Happy
Three Days Grace - Wake Up / Animal I Have Become
The Offspring - The Meaning Of Life / Feelings
Serj Tankian - Empty Walls / Saving Us
Rise Against - Survive / Injection
Disturbed - I’m Alive / Guarded
Atreyu - When Two Are One
Any of these would be great for GH4, especially Regret Not, Happy and Injection
May 1st, 2008 at 5:39 am
what about “show me how to live” by audioslave-that would be a good one
May 1st, 2008 at 11:15 pm
I heard for Guitar Hero IV there gonna have 4 FLYLEAF songs.
Cassie, All Around Me, Justice and Mercy, & Breathe Today!!!
May 5th, 2008 at 5:37 pm
dude songs from System of a Down would be awesome!
May 6th, 2008 at 10:01 pm
Cannibal corpse ,album :the bleeding . mostly :staring trough the eyes of death! would be a killer and why not some old sepultura!
May 7th, 2008 at 12:52 am
RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE, LINKIN PARK, SYSTEM OF A DOWN, AC/DC…AND HOW BOUT ACTUALLY LIVING UP TO THE NAME GUITAR HERO, WTF EVER HAPPENED TO REAL GUITAR HEROES LIKE JIMI HENDRIX AND CARLOS SANTANA..