Soundgarden is an American rock band from Seattle, Washington, formed in 1984 by lead singer and rhythm guitarist Chris Cornell, lead guitarist Kim Thayil, and bassist Hiro Yamamoto. The band achieved its breakthrough in 1988 when Louder Than Love was released, which included the singles “Big Dumb Sex” and “Hands All Over.” The band’s fifth studio album, Superunknown, was released in 1994 and was the band’s biggest commercial success, reaching No. 1 on the US Billboard 200 and containing singles such as “Black Hole Sun,” “Spoonman,” and “My Wave.” The band’s sixth studio album, Down on the Upside, was released in 1996, and was the last album released with Cornell before the band disbanded in 1997. In 2010, the band reunited and released King Animal, their seventh studio album.
| Name | Soundgarden Band |
| Genre | Grunge, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal |
| Years Active | 1984 – 1997, 2010 – Present |
| Origin | Seattle, Washington, USA |
| Members | Chris Cornell (1984 – 1997, 2010 – 2017), Matt Cameron (1986 – Present), Kim Thayil (1984 – Present), Ben Shepherd (1990 – 1997, 2010 – Present) |
| Chris Cornell Date of Birth | July 20, 1964 |
| Matt Cameron Date of Birth | November 28, 1962 |
| Kim Thayil Date of Birth | September 4, 1960 |
| Ben Shepherd Date of Birth | September 20, 1968 |
10 Best Soundgarden Quotes
1.
“I think if a song isn’t good, no amount of production is going to make it better.”
– Chris Cornell, from Guitar World
2.
“I think we’re just a rock band that has a much broader interest in music than just rock music.”
– Kim Thayil, from Rolling Stone
3.
“I think that’s one of the things we’ve had going for us, that we don’t fit into any neat little box.”
– Chris Cornell, from Rolling Stone
4.
“It’s more a question of what is the music we want to make, and if it doesn’t fit into anything that’s been established, then that’s even better.”
– Matt Cameron, from Rolling Stone
5.
“It’s always a challenge to stay true to what you’re about, and at the same time, not be repeating yourself.”
– Chris Cornell, from NPR
6.
“The title King Animal is a metaphor for the band itself, having gone through so many changes over the years. To still be able to survive a full 25-year career and still be making music and still be interested in making music is sort of a triumph.”
– Ben Shepherd, from Rolling Stone
7.
“I think it’s just a matter of keeping the music interesting, and keeping the creativity alive.”
– Matt Cameron, from NPR
8.
“That’s the way it’s always been with Soundgarden. We try to mix it up and make it interesting.”
– Kim Thayil, from Billboard
9.
“I think that I’m most proud of the fact that we were able to make the albums that we wanted to make, and that we were able to stay true to the mission of the band.”
– Chris Cornell, from Billboard
10.
“The thing that’s allowed us to remain successful is that we’re able to take risks, and have fun and be creative.”
– Ben Shepherd, from Billboard
8 Inspirational Soundgarden Quotes
“I think the best thing that can happen is when you’re playing a show, and something totally unexpected happens. That’s when music is really alive.”
– Chris Cornell, from YouTube
“I think that when you’re in a band, you kind of have to let yourself go. Let go of your inhibitions and be free.”
– Kim Thayil, from YouTube
“I think a lot of times if you’re going to make a career out of music, you have to be willing to take risks.”
– Matt Cameron, from YouTube
“I think when you’re in a band, it’s really important to be open to different ideas, and to let everyone’s unique voice be heard.”
– Ben Shepherd, from YouTube
“I think that the key is to keep pushing yourself to do new things and to not be afraid to take risks.”
– Hiro Yamamoto, from YouTube
“I think the most important thing is to stay true to yourself, and don’t be afraid to do something different.”
– Chris Cornell, from YouTube
“I think that music is about expressing yourself and not worrying about what other people think.”
– Kim Thayil, from YouTube
“I think it’s important to remember that music should be fun, and it should be something that you enjoy doing.”
– Matt Cameron, from YouTube
6 Famous Soundgarden Quotes
“If you’re not growing and changing, then what’s the point?”
– Chris Cornell, from Rolling Stone
“I think it’s really important to keep the music going and to keep it fresh.”
– Kim Thayil, from NPR
“We try to look ahead and make something that’s fresh, something that’s new and something that’s exciting.”
– Matt Cameron, from Grammy
“We just want to be true to ourselves, and when we can do that, it usually works out.”
– Ben Shepherd, from Billboard
“The spirit is the same, but the sound is different.”
– Chris Cornell, from Rolling Stone
“The creative process is kind of a mystery, but it’s awesome when it works.”
– Kim Thayil, from NPR
5 Soundgarden Quotes About Love
“Love is a mystery, and I think it should remain that way.”
– Chris Cornell, from Rolling Stone
“You just learn to love the love and hate the hate.”
– Chris Cornell, from Rolling Stone
“I think that love is like a hard thing to have to define.”
– Kim Thayil, from Rolling Stone
“Love is more than just an emotion. It’s an action.”
– Matt Cameron, from Rolling Stone
“Love is so much bigger than what we can experience on a day-to-day basis.”
– Ben Shepherd, from Spin
7 Soundgarden Quotes About Life
“If you can look at your life and see that you’ve had an interesting journey and that you’ve done something with your life, then you can be satisfied.”
– Chris Cornell, from Rolling Stone
“I think that the real art of life is to find a balance between being a hedonist and a monk. It’s about living life fully without the extremes.”
– Kim Thayil, from Guitar World
“You have to make choices and you have to live with those choices. That’s life.”
– Matt Cameron, from Grammy.com
“I’ve always appreciated the idea of struggle in the creative process. That’s part of life.”
– Ben Shepherd, from Rolling Stone
“I think that you can be as serious as you want to be, or as unserious as you want to be, but life is short, so you’d better enjoy it.”
– Chris Cornell, from Grammy.com
“The only way to live a good life is to make sure you’re getting what you want out of it and not compromising your values.”
– Kim Thayil, from New York Times
“I feel like the only way to really enjoy life is to do what you really want to do and to do it with a sense of purpose.”
– Chris Cornell, from Guitar World
7 Quotes About Soundgarden
“Soundgarden was one of the great hard-rock bands of the ’90s, and you can hear why in this collection: the riffs, the melodies, the dynamics, the sheer power of songs like ‘Spoonman’ and ‘Black Hole Sun.’”
– Stephen Thomas Erlewine, from AllMusic
“The thumping “Jesus Christ Pose” and the acoustic “Half” are some of the best songs of their career.”
– Heather Phares, from AllMusic
“One of the most daring, innovative, and influential bands of the ’90s, Soundgarden pioneered the fusion of heavy metal, punk, and alternative rock.”
– William Ruhlmann, from AllMusic
“Soundgarden were one of the first bands to bring together metal, punk and psychedelia in a way that felt natural and cohesive.”
– Rob Hughes, from The Guardian
“Soundgarden were the very first Seattle band to sign a major label deal, and they eventually became the city’s biggest grunge band.”
– NME, from NME
“Their music remains the byword for how to do heavy but melodic, how to be smart and thoughtful but still keep the rock star swagger.”
– John Earls, from Loudersound
“Soundgarden was the first band from Seattle to sign with a major label, and it was their 1992 album ‘Badmotorfinger’ that broke the scene worldwide.”
– Ben Kaye, from Consequence of Sound
Interview with Soundgarden
Frequently Asked Questions About Soundgarden
1. What is the Most Famous Soundgarden Quote?
Soundgarden is one of the most iconic alternative rock bands of the 1990s. Their music has inspired millions of fans all over the world and their songs have been featured in countless films and tv shows. As a result, the band has gained a cult following and has developed a vast array of memorable and inspirational quotes. While it is difficult to narrow it down to one single quote, some of the most famous Soundgarden quotes include:
- “My friends are lost, but I’m not giving up.”
- “It’s better to burn out than to fade away.”
- “I’m gonna break through, no matter what.”
- “Just because you’re paranoid doesn’t mean they’re not out to get you.”
- “I’m the one who’s got to die when it’s time for me to die, so let me live my life the way I want to.”
- “If you’re looking for something to believe in, believe in yourself.”
- “You can’t put a price on a good time.”
The most famous Soundgarden quote is arguably the line from their song “Black Hole Sun”: “The sky is the black hole sun”. This line has become a popular meme, and the song itself is one of the most iconic and recognizable of their catalog. It’s a reminder that even in the darkest times, there is still hope and beauty to be found.
2. Who wrote the most memorable Soundgarden lyrics?
Soundgarden is an American rock band that is known for their memorable lyrics and hard-hitting riffs. The band’s lyrics were primarily written by lead singer Chris Cornell, who was the band’s primary songwriter. Here are some of the most memorable Soundgarden lyrics written by Chris Cornell:
- “My eyes burn with the waves that crash around me, a world that’s filled with fear” – Outshined
- “Just ’cause you feel it doesn’t mean it’s there” – Black Hole Sun
- “I’m the shape of the hole inside your heart” – Rusty Cage
- “I’m looking California, but feeling Minnesota” – Outshined
- “These words are my diary screaming out loud” – Spoonman
- “I keep my eyes above the waves and I thank God I’m still alive” – The Day I Tried To Live
3. What is the earliest Soundgarden song?
Soundgarden was formed in 1984 and the earliest song released by them was a single in 1987, titled “Hunted Down”. This single was the first of several to be released by the band, before their debut album, Ultramega OK, was released in 1988.
The following is a list of the earliest Soundgarden songs:
- Hunted Down (1987)
- All Your Lies (1987)
- Flower (1988)
- Beyond the Wheel (1988)
- Incessant Mace (1988)
- Circle of Power (1988)
- He Didn’t (1988)
- Nazi Driver (1988)
- Head Injury (1988)
4. What are some of the most influential Soundgarden albums?
Soundgarden has released six studio albums, each of which has been highly influential in the development of Grunge and alternative rock. Here are some of the most iconic and influential Soundgarden albums:
- Badmotorfinger (1991)
- Superunknown (1994)
- Down on the Upside (1996)
- King Animal (2012)
Badmotorfinger is one of the most iconic albums in the Grunge genre, featuring singles such as “Outshined” and “Rusty Cage”. Superunknown was an even bigger success, with singles like “Black Hole Sun”, “My Wave”, and “Spoonman” becoming hits. The album was nominated for a Grammy and won two MTV Video Music Awards.
Down on the Upside was a more experimental album for Soundgarden, featuring a more diverse range of sounds and styles. The album was a moderate success, with the singles “Burden in My Hand”, “Blow Up the Outside World”, and “Pretty Noose” receiving airplay.
King Animal was Soundgarden’s most recent album, released in 2012. The album was well-received by fans and critics alike, with singles such as “Been Away Too Long”, “By Crooked Steps”, and “Non-State Actor” receiving airplay.
5. How has Soundgarden’s sound evolved over the years?
Soundgarden, formed in 1984, has gone through many changes over the years. From their early days as a punk rock band to their later days as a hard rock group, the band’s sound has shifted and evolved. Here’s a look at how Soundgarden’s sound has developed over the years:
- Early Years (1984-1987): In the early years, Soundgarden was a punk rock band, drawing influence from bands like Black Flag, the Germs, and the Stooges. Their sound was fast, energetic, and raw.
- Sub Pop Era (1987-1988): During this time, Soundgarden signed to Sub Pop Records and released their debut album Ultramega OK. The album featured a more melodic sound, incorporating elements of psychedelic rock and punk.
- Grunge Era (1989-1994): After signing to A&M Records in 1989, Soundgarden released their breakthrough album, Badmotorfinger. This album featured a heavier sound influenced by metal and hard rock. The band continued to explore this heavier sound on their subsequent albums, Superunknown and Down on the Upside.
- Post-breakup (1996-2011): After the band’s breakup in 1997, frontman Chris Cornell embarked on a solo career and explored a more acoustic and experimental sound. He released five solo albums during this period, featuring a variety of styles.
- Reunion (2012-present): After reuniting in 2010, Soundgarden released their first album in 16 years, King Animal, in 2012. The album featured a blend of the band’s classic sound, as well as experimentation with other styles. The band’s most recent album, 2016’s The Beast Is G-dzilla, is a return to their heavier sound.
As evidenced by the above, Soundgarden has gone through a variety of changes in sound over the years. While they are still known for their classic grunge sound, they have also explored other genres and styles.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Soundgarden is a legendary band that has left a lasting impression on the music industry. Their unique sound, powerful lyrics, and memorable performances have resonated with fans around the world. Through their quotes, they have shared their insight and wisdom with their fans, inspiring them to stay true to their artistic vision and follow their dreams. Soundgarden will continue to rock on for years to come, and their quotes will remain a part of their legacy.
