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.