Our Top 10 Chris Cornell Songs list will look at the talented and late great Chris Cornell. He was a singer, songwriter and musician. He was known for being the lead singer for Soundgarden and Audioslave. He was also a solo artist. He helped make grunge music popular in the 90s. Chris Cornell was known for his four-octave range. He was a baritone, but he had the ability to sing in the tenor range. He had a powerful vocal belting technique. Chris Cornell’s catalog sold over 30 million records worldwide. He has over 300 million streams. He won 15 awards and was nominated for 100. He released four solo studio albums before he passed away. Fans picked him as one of the greatest rock singers of all time. He was voted as one of the best heavy metal vocalists of all time. Rolling Stone ranked him as one of the best lead singers of all time. MTV picked him as one of the greatest voices in music.
Christopher John Boyle was born on July 20, 1964 – May 18, 2017. When he was younger, his musical influences were Little Richard and The Beatles. He studied The Beatles’ music by listening to their albums. He was dealing with anxiety and used rock music to cope with it. He battled personal demons early in life. He used music to help deal with his demons. The talented singer’s mother saved his life when she bought him a snare drum. It helped him get on the road to becoming a rock singer.
He formed the band Soundgarden in 1984. The band released five studio albums together. Four of Soundgarden’s albums went platinum or better. They sold over 14 million albums. The band broke up in 1997. They reunited over the years. He became a solo artist as well as a member of Audioslave. While he was with Audioslave, they released three albums. Their albums went gold and platinum. Audioslave sold over five million albums.
Chris Cornell released his debut solo album Euphoria Morning in September 1999. The album peaked at number 18 on Billboard 200. It features the singles “Can’t Change Me,” “Preaching the End of the World,” “Follow My Way” and “When I’m Down.” Carry On was released in May 2007. The album peaked at number six on the rock charts and number 17 on Billboard 200. It features the singles “You Know My Name,” “Finally Forever,” “No Such Thing,” “Arms Around Your Love,” “She’ll Never Be Your Man” and “Billie Jean.”
Scream was released in March 2009. The album peaked at number 10 on Billboard 200. It features the singles “Watch Out,” “Ground Zero,” “Scream” and “Part of Me.” Higher Truth was released in September 2015. The album peaked at number 19 on Billboard 200 and number seven on the rock charts. It features the singles “Nearly Forgot My Broken Heart,” “Before We Disappear,” “Let Your Eyes Wander” and “Josephine.” No One Sings Like You Anymore, Vol. 1 was released in December 2020. This is a cover album. It consists of songs he covered in 2016. The album peaked at number 10 on the rock charts and number 78 on the Billboard 200. It features the singles “Patience,” “Nothing Compares 2 U,” “Jump into the Fire,” “Watching the Wheels,” “Showdown” and “Stay with Me Baby.”
Chris Cornell was an amazing and talented rock musician. He had incredible songs that have stood the test of time. He was able to be a star with his bands as well as on his own. He may have left us too soon, but his legacy will live on through his music. He may be gone, but he will never be forgotten.
Our Top 10 Chris Cornell Songs list will focus on his SOLO work.
# 10 – Billie Jean
The 10th song on our Top 10 Chris Cornell Songs list is “Billie Jean” from the Carry On album. “Billie Jean” was released in 2000. The song is about a woman named Billie Jean who claims a man is the father of her newborn son. He denies being the father of her child. She approached him about the baby and caused a scene about it. Everyone turned and looked at them. He was warned not to be around people like Billie Jean. He denied that Billie Jean was his lover. He said she was just a woman who claimed that he was the father of her baby. Despite his denial, she insists that he is the father. He warns listeners about getting together with strange women. In a twist, she showed him a picture of her baby. He noticed that the baby’s eyes looked like his. He realized he was trapped. As the song progresses, he denies being the father.
This song was famously recorded and written by the late great Michael Jackson. This is a song that most people don’t cover because it is one of his signature songs. Chris Cornell took a chance covering this song when it is so closely linked to Michael Jackson. Did Chris Cornell do a good job with this cover? The answer to that question is yes. Chris Cornell did a stripped rendition of the song. He turns it into a rock song. He removed the instrumentation from the original pop song. He turns it into an acoustic version of the song. He gives the song a dark feel. He sings the song with passion. He belts throughout the song. He uses his baritone vocals to the best of his ability. He put a different spin on the popular song. Chris Cornell’s version is raw and bluesy. This is a haunting version of the song. This version may not make you forget about the original version, but it gives you a chance to hear a different take of it.
# 9 – Finally Forever
The ninth song on our Top 10 Chris Cornell Songs list is “Finally Forever” from the Carry On album. “Finally Forever” was released in 2007. This song is about finding true love. He talks about falling in love at first sight. It takes patience to win over someone’s heart. The narrator is in love with his partner and he is willing to do anything for her. Their love is so strong he believes it will last forever. He will always be there for her no matter what happens. He never expected to meet someone like her. Our narrator almost lost the nerve to ask her out. He was determined to get her attention and win her over. He is thankful that he found his true love and doesn’t have to worry about his future. He will do anything he can to make her happy. He wants to marry her one day. Our narrator can’t wait to start their lives together. He believes they will be bound forever.
This song tells a story about finding love when you least expect it. He is head over heels in love and will do anything for her. It tells a story about how true love should be. It teaches you that love is worth waiting for no matter how long it takes for you to get it. The song is more than just falling in love. It is about having someone in your life who will be there for you. The music is soft and tranquil. The instrumentation is simple. It features acoustic and electric guitars and drums. The lyrics are poetic and romantic. They are words anyone would want to hear. It is a mind-blowing song that will make you smile. Chris Cornell’s voice is incredible. He embraces the lyrics in a way where it feels as if he is singing right to you. He shows the listeners that a baritone singer can have a powerful voice. He was able to hit notes that could have been out of his vocal range. We were pleasantly surprised to hear the notes he held after the bridge.
# 8 – Arms Around Your Love
The eighth song on our Top 10 Chris Cornell Songs list is “Arms Around Your Love” from the Carry On album. “Arms Around Your Love” was released in May 2007. The song is about lost love and regret. He sings about seeing his ex-girlfriend in the arms of another man. The new man in her life treats her better than the narrator did. Our narrator realizes he had the chance to make things right with her, but he let her go without trying to win her back. He didn’t give her the love and attention she deserved when they were together. It is hard for him to see her happy with another man. He knows he must pay for his mistakes. He is trying to take responsibility for his actions, but he feels like it might be too late to win her back. He realizes he must accept the consequences of his actions. He knows it will take a lot for him to win her back. She is going to make him work for it.
This song sends a powerful message about how important it is to appreciate the people you have in your life because you never know when they will be gone. The song encourages listeners to love people who are in your life because another man or woman can steal your joy. None of us like the idea of the people we love being in the arms of someone else. Chris Cornell captures that feeling brilliantly. The lyrics are a realistic take on a person taking responsibility in their role in a breakup.
If you have been in this situation, you will understand the pain he feels in the song. The song opens with a powerful guitar riff that will hold your attention until the song is over. The song has a mix of country and rock. The instrumentation is flawless. The volume level of the music is perfect for his tone of voice. It allows him to be heard without having to strain his voice. He has the vocal control to belt at the end of each line effortlessly. His voice is beautiful in this song. This song might make you miss the fact that he is no longer with us.
# 7 – Long Gone
The seventh song on our list is “Long Gone” from the Scream album. “Long Gone” was released in 2008. The song is about a person who had their heart broken by someone they love. He talks about being with a woman he loved. He didn’t treat her right and her heart turned to stone. She ended up leaving him. He prays for her to come back to him. She doesn’t come back to him, so he must move on with his life.
He felt like she shouldn’t have left him. She left at the wrong time. He thinks he could have been a better person if she stayed. He thinks it is too late now. She will never know what type of man he could have been. He always believed she was a diamond and he was glass. They were like oil and water because they used to argue. He decides to let her go. In the bridge, he talks about not being able to fly without her. He considers her an angel and needs her to save him.
This song tells a story about someone realizing when it is time to move on from a love that no longer works. He realizes that he needs her in his life, but since he can’t get her back, he is ready to let her go. This is a song that will have you in your feelings if you are dealing with the end of a relationship. “Long Gone” will encourage you to find a way to move on with your life despite having your heart broken. This is an emotional track. On the Scream album, Chris Cornell wanted an upbeat sound.
He decided to change things up for “Long Gone.” This song gives him a chance to write passionate lyrics about a relationship that has gone sour. This track gives Chris Cornell a chance to focus on his phenomenal vocals. His vocals are breathtaking. You can hear the longing in his voice. He sounds like he is heartbroken. The lyrics are more meaningful now that he is no longer here. You would have to have a heart of stone not to be moved by this song.
# 6 – Part of Me
“Part of Me” is from the Scream album. “Part of Me” was released in October 2008. The song is about a man who is attracted to a woman who isn’t good for him. He sees a woman and he enjoy the way she talks to him. He loves her smile and the way she walks. He realizes he is attracted to her and thinks about being with her. He never plans on being with her. As he moves to the chorus, he talks about the woman never being in his life. He has no intention of her letting her be a part of him.
In the next verse, he talks about loving her and the way she dresses. He is tempted by the way she moves, but he knows he must resist her. He realizes that she is interested in him, but he sees that she is only going to be a fling. He doesn’t want to take on the burden of being with her. She is friendly, but he has been with friendly women before. He insists that she would only be a fling in his life. She would never be anything more than that. He doesn’t want to get involved with someone who is toxic.
This song tells a story about not having a relationship based on physical attraction. He is resisting temptation. He wants more than a physical attraction. It teaches you to make the right decisions when it comes to relationships. He tells you that it is better not to choose someone based on physical attraction. This song is different from his rock songs. This one has a dance and pop beat. He was out of his comfort zone, but he pulled it off. It gives him a chance to branch out and do something different.
He was the type of artist who didn’t want to put himself in a box. This song gives him a chance to show his range as an artist. This song may be more of Justin Timberlake’s style, but Chris Cornell did an amazing job with it. He sounds right at home in this song. His soulful vocals shine in this song. The music has a catchy dance beat that will have you out of your seat and on the dance floor.
# 5 – Scream
The next song on our Top 10 Chris Cornell Songs list is “Scream” from the album of the same name. “Scream” was released in September 2008. This song is about a couple who have a volatile relationship. They are constantly screaming at each other. Anytime he tries to tell her anything, she screams at him. It doesn’t matter what he has done or if he crosses the line. She will yell at him. She gets low blows even if they aren’t arguing. She blames him for things even when they are not his fault. She messes with his head and wants to see him fall. He doesn’t want to bother her because he doesn’t want to argue. As he moves to the chorus, he questions why she is always screaming at him. He demands an answer for why she is always screaming at him.
In verse two, he explains to her that he doesn’t have to raise his voice to talk to her. He wants her to stop yelling at him. He understands what she is saying to him. He even agrees that she might be right. He wants her to learn how to say it better. She is losing her head. He is standing in front of her, so she doesn’t need to scream.
This song teaches you that screaming doesn’t prove your point in a relationship. You should find a better way to resolve your issues instead of screaming at each other. This song is relatable to anyone who is in a tumultuous relationship that turns into a scream fest. This song is another departure from Chris Cornell’s rock sound. This has a pop-rock sound. The song has Timbaland’s production stamp written all over it. There is no denying that he produced this song.
The production is slick and polished. The track may be a departure from his previous work, but he didn’t forget about his rock roots. The guitar riffs are included in the instrumentation which gives the song a rock edge. Chris Cornell didn’t forget about his raw edge and emotional intensity. His vocals are excellent. He sings in time with all the beat changes. His vocals are stacked, making it sound like more than one person is singing the song. He can sing any type of music and make it sound good. This song is one you will have on repeat.
# 4 – Nothing Compares 2 U
“Nothing Compares 2 U” is from the No One Sings Like You Anymore, Vol. 1. “Nothing Compares 2 U” was released in 2016. This is a heartbreaking song about losing someone you love. He talks about how long it has been since she left him. He has been wandering aimlessly since she walked away from him. He goes out every night and sleeps all day. He is lost because she is not with him anymore. The pain of being alone is tearing at his heart. Anything he does feels empty and hollow. He deals with depression.
The things he used to do that made him happy don’t mean anything anymore. Anything he does to take his mind off his heartbreak fails miserably. Every woman he meets reminds him of the one he lost. He tries to get advice from a doctor, but his advice doesn’t help him. Flowers died when she went away. He knows that he wasn’t the easiest person to live with, but he is willing to try again with her.
This is a tender song about a man who has trouble getting over the woman he lost. He falls into a deep depression and can’t get over losing her. Chris Cornell suffered from depression, so it made sense for him to sing this song. This is a cover of Prince’s song. It was famously made by Sinead O’Connor, but Chris Cornell covered Prince’s version of the song. Chris Cornell wanted to pay tribute to Prince, so he covered his version of the song.
This is an acoustic version with an orchestral background. Chris Cornell did a chilling version of the song. This version is closer to Prince’s version than it is to Sinead O’Connor’s. Chris Cornell made a haunting rendition of the song. Chris Cornell’s past makes the lyrics more poignant. He was able to take a hit song and interpret it his way. This may not make you forget about the other versions of the song, but it is worth listening to. Chris Cornell’s performance is stellar and worthy of a standing ovation.
# 3 – Nearly Forgot My Broken Heart
Coming in at number three on our list is “Nearly Forgot My Broken Heart” from the Higher Truth album. “Nearly Forgot My Broken Heart” was released in August 2015. The song is about the end of a relationship. He is heartbroken and trying to find a reason to go on. As he tries to find a reason to go on with his life, he gets burned and blinded. He looks to the sun for hope, but he can’t find any. He tries to move on with his life, but he gets reminded that he is heartbroken. The only thing that keeps him going is the fact that he is slowly moving on with his life. He knows that there is no simple solution to his problem. He wants to take a picture of the sun so he can see the light, but it doesn’t help him.
This song is about a man who is trying to move on with his life. He is having trouble and looking for ways to get help. This song is melancholy. It will have you feeling emotional especially if you have had your heart broken and haven’t been able to move on with your life. The somber lyrics are poetic. The lyrics are haunting considering he is no longer with us. This is a song where the lyrics speak to you. Chris Cornell is a lyrical genius. His words are poignant and mysterious just like he was. The music has a country and rock vibe. The music is dramatic. The guitar, piano and percussion combine to make an enchanting song. The music caters to Chris Cornell’s voice. He sounds sad in the first verse, but his spirits pick up in the second when the beat changes from melancholy to upbeat. There is a guitar solo that shouldn’t be missed.
# 2 – Can’t Change Me
“Can’t Change Me” is from the Euphoria Morning album. “Can’t Change Me” was released in 1999. The song is about a woman who can make a difference in world. She can help other people. She can have anything she wants. She may be able to do things, but she can’t change him. She tries to figure him out, but she can’t. In the second verse, he talks about her ability to bring out people’s fears. He knows she is trying to free him, but he can’t be changed. He is aware of everything that is wrong with himself. The narrator knows that she needs him, but he still can’t change. He can see that he has things wrong with him. He won’t change who he is, but he is still growing as a person. He becomes vulnerable in the bridge as he talks about praying about the pain he is in. He needs someone to help him cope with his struggles. By the end of the song, he feels isolated and lonely. He feels lonely because he didn’t allow himself to be helped.
This is a vulnerable song about someone needing help to deal with their pain. He gives a look at a man who can’t be changed even by a woman who can do everything. He must be able to help himself. The powerful lyrics will touch your soul. Chris Cornell wrote complex lyrics about self-awareness. What is good about his songs is that they have a little bit of mystery to them. You may think you know what they are about, but there is always something new to discover about his songs. Chris Cornell’s talent as a songwriter will never stop being amazing. He writes soulful lyrics that make you think. He had a gifted way of storytelling. The music is soft. It has different chord changes throughout the song. The different chord changes add to the mystery of the song. Chris Cornell’s voice is out of this world. He was able to sing any song and sound great doing it. He nailed this song. His vocals will invite you to sing this song with him. His voice is unforgettable.
# 1 – Patience
The number one song on our Top 10 Chris Cornell Songs list is “Patience” from the No One Sings Like You Anymore, Vol. 1 album. “Patience” was released in 2020. The song is about missing a person and having to wait for them. He talks about being alone. Even though he is in pain, he feels confident that things will work out if you have patience. He thinks about her every day. Their relationship was filled with ups and downs. There was a point where he wasn’t sure if they would work out. She changed his mind and he knew she was the right one for him. She showed him that they could work out. He is positive that she is in his heart. In the chorus, our narrator feels that taking things slowly will help things work out. They need a little patience. He feels things will come together just fine if they have patience. If he can’t have her, he would rather be alone. He is willing to wait for her. Waiting for her gets intense. He wishes he could speed up time so he could see her again.
This is a hopeful song about a couple who will get together if they have patience. The song encourages you to have patience and things will work out. It is an optimistic song about love working out if you take your time. This song will resonate with you if you are longing to be with someone and it looks as if things aren’t working out for you to be together. This is a cover of Guns N’ Roses hit song. Chris Cornell took a chance covering this song since it was a hit for Guns N’ Roses. Chris Cornell was up for the challenge.
This version has more instrumentation than the original version. Chris Cornell vocally interpreted the song differently from the original. Axl Rose sings the song optimistically while Chris Cornell sings the song somberly. Chris Cornell sounds as if he is in pain as he is telling the story. The song was released after he passed away so it may bring a tear to your eye. It might be hard to listen to it if you are a fan of his music. He made this song his own. This song as well as others will make you realize that he will be truly missed.
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