31 Best Guitar Hero 5 Songs

You might be wondering, do people still play Guitar Hero 5? Despite being released in 2009, Guitar Hero 5 still has quite a bit of mileage for a nearly 15-year-old game. 

It’s time to dust off your old Guitar Hero controller and pop the game disc into your console of choice. Here are some of the best songs on the soundtrack, which never get old to play. 

King Crimson – 21st Century Schizoid Man

The history of King Crimson spans many different sounds that push the sonic boundaries of what could be accomplished. Every period has its signature sound, but for many, the band’s debut album is the cream of gold.

It’s on this album that you’ll find 21st Century Schizoid Man, which has an unforgettable guitar riff. Playing this is a blast simply because it is a historical landmark in the culmination of progressive rock. 

Dire Straits – Sultans Of Swing

As a guitarist, there are just some songs that are considered bucket-list tracks that everybody should learn. Sultans Of Swing is a song that will challenge any guitarist learning how to play lead solos.

But you don’t have to be an actual guitarist to enjoy Mark Knopfler’s exquisite musical ornamentation. The Guitar Hero 5 version is plenty challenging in its own right, and sure to be a ton of fun. 

Nirvana – Smells Like Teen Spirit

Is there anyone on the planet that doesn’t have an affinity for Nirvana’s Smells Like Teen Spirit? The song essentially ushered in a new era of music during the 90s, changing the landscape of mainstream rock forever. 

Everything about this song is powerful, and the magnitude of this track translates well to the game. Go ahead, play through Smells Like Teen Spirit, and let your inner Kurt Cobain see the light of day. 

Peter Frampton – Do You Feel Like We Do? (Live)

It’s rare for a live track that lasts longer than 3 minutes to be such a radio hit. But when you experience Frampton’s Do You Feel Like We Do? it makes sense why this song is so classic. 

This song is known for its iconic talk-box effect doing the jam section. Plus, due to its length, the challenge to play completely flawlessly is only increased.

KISS – Shout It Out Loud

KISS isn’t all about lewd and crude sexual songs that can make any parent raise their eyebrows. Sometimes, many of their songs are simply just about getting together and having a good time. 

Shout It Out Loud is a classic track in the KISS repertoire that is pure 70s rock at its finest. Play through this a few times and you’re sure to have this stuck in your head for a month. 

Bon Jovi – You Give Love A Bad Name

Bon Jovi is still insanely popular for a group that reached massive heights throughout the 1980s. You Give Love A Bad Name is as much of an anthem today as when it was originally released.

This is a fairly straightforward arena rock track that does pose a bit of a challenge here and there. Pulling off the song’s melodic solo without error will become one of your favorite pastimes. 

Queens Of The Stone Age – Make It Wit Chu

Queens Of The Stone Age has a unique stoner rock sound that knows no boundaries. Their sound is what makes them so readily identifiable, no matter what song you might be listening to. 

Make It Wit Chu comes from their Era Vulgaris album, and is considered a recent classic. Despite being a rock song, there are hints of smooth R&B influences at play here that quickly become addictive.

Elton John – Saturday Night’s Alright For Fighting

It might seem weird to consider an Elton John track one of the best songs on Guitar Hero 5. After all, Elton is known for tickling the piano keys rather than playing the guitar.

Take a crack at Saturday Night’s Alright For Fighting and you’ll see why it’s included here. Don’t blame us if you get Elton’s repeating Saturdays stuck in your head as a byproduct. 

Sublime – What I Got

There are few songs that embody the feeling of easygoing that comes with a summer day with no agenda. For a good swath of the population, Sublime’s What I Got is the musical embodiment of this feeling.

This track is built primarily from chords, making it easy for anyone to play on Guitar Hero 5. Plus, it has a guitar solo that, despite being called “terrible” time and again, could pose a challenge. 

Jeff Beck – Scatterbrain (Live)

Are you looking for a bit of a challenge during your Guitar Hero 5 play session? You might want to take a crack at Jeff Beck’s live cut of Scatterbrain. 

To put it simply, Jeff Beck was a virtuoso who mastered the Stratocaster and learned to exploit its every detail. You’re going to have a heck of a time playing through his one-of-a-kind guitar style in this song.

Elliott Smith – L.A.

There might never be another songwriter of the caliber that Elliott Smith was in his prime. As an artist, he continually managed to express the inexpressible packaged in a sort of indie folk-pop sound. 

Elliott was also an amazing guitarist, and to see him included in a Guitar Hero game is only much deserved. Playing through L.A. will give you a taste of his craftsmanship as a songwriter. 

Stevie Wonder – Superstition

Are you looking to dial up the fun by an exponential factor? Stevie Wonder’s Superstition is just as ridiculously fun to play as it is to hear on the radio. 

This is, by far, one of the funkiest songs on the planet. It’s almost guaranteed that you won’t make it through the song without a smile on your face. 

Thin Lizzy – Jailbreak

Thin Lizzy is incredibly underrated when compared to their contemporaries throughout the 1970s. Most people only know of them by means of the songs that still receive radio play, such as Jailbreak. 

Playing Jailbreak in the game is quite a blast because of its linear licks that elevate the track’s energy. But, do yourself a favor a discover some of the band’s lesser-known material afterward and you’ll thank yourself later.

Nirvana – Lithium (Live)

Lithium is a bit of a special track for many Nirvana fans, primarily because it isn’t excessively popular. To have a live version featured on Guitar Hero 5 truly is a gift to any Nirvana fan.

While the studio version is a classic, this live version is filled with raw energy. It’s Nirvana’s bizarre blend of pop and sludgy distortion that steals the show here.

Johnny Cash – Ring Of Fire

Some country songs have managed to transcend the genre altogether, becoming a staple in the collective unconscious. As you might expect, Johnny Cash’s Ring Of Fire is one of these tracks that everybody seems to know. 

What isn’t to like here? You have a straightforward rhythm part combined with an unforgettable melody that never fails to get stuck in the noggin. 

A Perfect Circle – Judith

A Perfect Circle often gets a little bit overlooked compared to the other band that Maynard is involved with. To see one of the standout tracks from the Mer De Noms album on this game is a blessing. 

This track is filled with riffs that are both catchy and heavy, sprinkled with a hint of experimental flair. Prepare to use your whammy bar a little. 

Gorillas – Feel Good Inc.

Sometimes, it’s just good fun to play something that is extremely simple, yet insanely fun to listen to. Feel Good Inc. is a song that embodies this notion, and it’s a track just about everybody enjoys.

You might opt for this during those occasions when you break out Guitar Hero 5 during a party. 

Iron Maiden – 2 Minutes To Midnight

How many of you remember cruising the streets of Vice City listening to Iron Maiden’s 2 Minutes To Midnight? If you have such memories, there’s a chance you might have wondered how fun it is to play on guitar. 

Guitar Hero 5 gives you a small taste in video game format, and it’s sure to please any fan. Master this and you might summon Eddie right in your very own living room.

Wild Cherry – Play That Funky Music

One of the most successful mainstream funk songs of all time is Wild Cherry’s Play That Funky Music. It’s a song that remains timelessly popular, with every generation seemingly aware of it from birth. 

If you’re looking for a fun track that will make anyone within earshot burst into a dance, this is it. Plus, it has a guitar solo that is exquisitely suave in its delivery. 

Santana – No One To Depend On (Live)

Santana is one of the most melodically vocal guitarists in recent history. Many people can sing his guitar solos from memory, which is no small feat.

Guitar Hero 5’s live cut of No One To Depend On does not fall short of delivering Santana’s signature flair.

The Sword – Maiden, Mother & Crone

The Sword is known for serving up catchy stoner rock guitar riffs that just don’t quit. Their track, Maiden, Mother & Crone is sure to have you headbanging throughout the entire song. 

For the most part, this is a fairly easy song on Guitar Hero 5. But, it’s such a cool track that it’s worth playing again and again. 

David Bowie – Fame 

David Bowie isn’t known for funk, but his Young Americans album finds him exploring the genre’s sound. The album also spawned Fame, one of his biggest fits of the late 1970s.

This track has some very memorable guitar parts that are translated well into the game. Plus, a little-known fact here is that John Lennon was one of the guitarists in the song’s recording. 

TV On The Radio – Wolf Like Me

If you’re a fan of indie rock from the late 2000s, you’re probably a fan of TV On The Radio. You’ll be pleased that Wolf Like Me is included on Guitar Hero 5 in all its intensely sprawling sonic glory. 

Brand New – Sowing Season (Yeah)

Brand New’s The Devil And God Are Raging Inside Me is one of the greatest emo albums of the 2000s. Guitar Hero 5 lets you relive the glory days of 2005 with its excellent gameplay translation of Sowing Season (Yeah). 

Grand Funk Railroad – We’re An American Band

Are you looking for a song that is equal parts epic rhythmic riffs mixed with tantalizing guitar leads? Grand Funk Railroad’s classic track, We’re An American Band, will fit the bill perfectly.

The song opens up with an epic solo before breaking into riff sections that will have your fingers confused. Don’t dismiss this song simply because you always hear it on the radio!

Beck – Gamma Ray

Beck’s album, Modern Guilt, was yet another landmark in the artist’s massive catalog of significant releases. One of the most popular tracks from the album is Gamma Ray, which is perfect for any indie rock fan. 

This song has a retro-60s vibe with a swirling mix of textures centered around Beck’s quick-witted lyricism. 

Rammstein – Du Hast

If you’re like most people, you know Rammstein for one song: Du Hast. This song became incredibly popular during the early 2000s, finding fans beyond the industrial metal scene. 

Playing this on Guitar Hero 5 actually translates quite well. It’s probably more of a challenge to not sing along with the song’s iconic lyrics. 

Deep Purple – Woman From Tokyo

Believe it or not, Deep Purple is not only known for its song, Smoke On The Water. If you’re just getting your toes wet with Deep Purple, Woman From Tokyo is a great place to start. 

This song is 70s riff-rock at its finest, complete with larger-than-life lyrics and some unforgettable guitar riffs. Plus, it has one of the best solos in the history of the classic rock era.

The Derek Trucks Band – Younk Funk

Derek Trucks is undoubtedly one of the many great modern masters of the guitar creating music today. His slide guitar technique has an almost direct lineage to Duane Allman, with an expression that is truly unmatched. 

Unfortunately, many people aren’t familiar with his music despite being familiar with his name. Give Younk Funk a whirl and you’ll quickly see why Derek Trucks is so highly regarded.

Queen & David Bowie – Under Pressure

The developers of Guitar Hero 5 hit gold when they attained the rights to include Under Pressure in the game. This song is absolutely timeless, featuring an unforgettable duet between Freddie Mercury and David Bowie. 

Of course, the song also possesses one of the most iconic bass lines to have ever been recorded. This is a song that anyone of any age will enjoy playing on Guitar Hero 5.

The Rolling Stones – Sympathy For The Devil 

The Rolling Stones have a massive catalog of songs that all differ slightly in sound depending on the era. Toward the late 1970s, elements of funk were introduced where a blues background had once been prevalent. 

During the 1960s, The Rolling Stones had a distinct sound for a pop band reigning supreme on the radio waves. This iconic sound is best displayed in Sympathy For The Devil, which is devilishly fun to play in the game.

Top Guitar Hero 5 Songs, Final Thoughts

Guitar Hero 5 remains incredibly popular among gamers of all kinds, especially those wearing nostalgic, rosy glasses. Being able to unlock characters and play as them during uncharacteristic songs is a joy that never gets old. 

This is also one of the last games in the series still using the original 5-button Guitar Hero controller design. Any gaming veteran who played the original games will thoroughly enjoy Guitar Hero 5’s experience all these years later.