Our top 10 songs by Disturbed showcase the band, an American group celebrated for its masterful fusion of hard rock, heavy metal, alternative metal, and nu-metal styles. Originally named Brawl, the band’s initial lineup included bassist Steve Kmak, drummer Mike Wengren, and guitarist Dan Donegan. The group underwent a transformation, adopting the name Disturbed upon the addition of vocalist David Draiman. Following this change, Disturbed produced two three-track demo tapes, featuring their mascot, The Guy, on the cover art. The band’s breakthrough came with signing a deal with Giant Records, leading to the release of their debut album, The Sickness.
The debut album was a significant success, reaching number twenty on the Billboard 200 and selling over four million copies. Disturbed has released a total of seven studio albums, with five consecutive albums debuting at number one on the Billboard 200, establishing the band as a distinguished entity in the music industry. Despite a hiatus in 2011, the band made a triumphant return with the 2015 album Immortalized. Having sold over seventeen million records worldwide, Disturbed stands among the most successful rock and metal bands of the contemporary era, sharing the spotlight with notable acts like Godsmack and Slipknot. Our curated list of the top 10 Disturbed songs delves into the band’s most celebrated tracks, often driven by the members’ personal experiences and imaginative narratives.
# 10 – Stupify
Leading off our top 10 Disturbed songs is “Stupify,” the standout first single from their inaugural album, The Sickness. This track is a creative endeavor by the band, exploring themes of racism and discrimination, inspired by a personal episode in David Draiman’s life involving a relationship that faced his father’s disapproval due to ethnic differences. Diverging from the typical sound of Disturbed’s biggest hits, “Stupify” incorporates a prominent use of synthesizers. The song made a significant impact, climbing to number twelve on the US Mainstream Rock Tracks Chart.
# 9 – Prayer
Disturbed’s sophomore album, Believe, was poised for success, propelled by its impactful first single, “Prayer.” Penned by lead vocalist David Draiman, the song draws inspiration from the passing of his grandfather and the events following September 11. “Prayer” takes the form of a dialogue between Draiman and God, with Draiman challenging God’s use of suffering as a means to elicit a response. The track achieved notable success, reaching number eighty-five on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart, making it one of Disturbed’s highest-charting singles.
# 8 – Inside The Fire
“Inside the Fire” stands out as a haunting yet captivating track, serving as the leading single from Disturbed’s fourth studio album, Indestructible. Crafted by the collaborative efforts of David Draiman, Dan Donegan, and Mike Wengren, the song delves into dark, suicidal themes. It narrates the turmoil of a man who contemplates entering the afterlife to reunite with his deceased fiancée. David Draiman has openly shared that “Inside the Fire” ranks as one of the band’s most somber compositions, noting the personal catharsis he experienced in creating the song, which echoes his own teenage struggles. The track made its mark by reaching number sixty-three on the Billboard Hot 100 and earned a Grammy Award nomination for Best Hard Rock Performance.
# 7 – Indestructible
The sacrifices and efforts of soldiers often go unrecognized, but Disturbed has made notable efforts to honor them, including performing at military bases. In a further tribute, they released “Indestructible,” a song that has been embraced as an anthem by many in the military community. This title track from their album aims to embolden soldiers as they prepare for battle and uplift their spirits. The powerful and motivating lyrics of “Indestructible” played a key role in the song reaching number seventy-two on the Billboard Hot 100, resonating deeply with listeners and providing a source of strength and encouragement.
# 6 – Land of Confusion
Disturbed elevated their status even further with their rendition of the Genesis classic, “Land of Confusion.” Originally penned by Genesis guitarist Mike Rutherford, the song stands out as a political statement from the rock band, critiquing the decisions of world leaders during a period marked by tension between the United States and Russia, with the specter of nuclear conflict looming in the background. Disturbed included their cover on their third studio album, Ten Thousand Fists, making some alterations to the lyrics. Notably, the original bridge was swapped out for a compelling guitar solo by Disturbed’s own Dan Donegan, adding a unique twist to this iconic track.
# 5 – Stricken
“Stricken” stands out as one of Disturbed’s finest tracks, particularly noted for its impressive guitar solo. Crafted by the band members, the song delves into the emotional pain inflicted on the band’s lead vocalist by a woman. The lyrics convey a sense of self-reproach, with David suggesting that he blames himself for the misfortunes he’s endured. “Stricken” achieved commercial success, reaching number ninety-five on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and earning a gold certification from the RIAA for sales exceeding half a million copies.
# 4 – The Light
At number four in our top 10 Disturbed songs list is “The Light,” a track that has garnered acclaim for its notably uplifting lyrics. Disturbed penned this song for their 2015 album, Immortalized, and its message stands out as particularly positive within the album’s context. “The Light” encourages finding hope and positivity even amidst life’s darkest moments. The song is distinguished by its compelling use of keyboards, heavy yet melodic guitar riffs, and powerful vocals, creating an inspiring auditory experience. “The Light” achieved significant success, climbing to the top of the US Mainstream Rock Chart.
# 3 – The Vengeful One
“The Vengeful One” stands as Disturbed’s heralding return after a four-year hiatus, a strategic pause taken by the band to ensure they left at their peak and would only return once fully rejuvenated. This track, the lead single from their 2015 album Immortalized, embodies the figure of The Destroyer or the Angel of Death overseeing humanity. Vocalist David Draiman’s intent was to rekindle the band’s creative energy, resulting in this powerful comeback. “The Vengeful One” successfully resonated with fans and climbed the ranks of the US Mainstream Rock Chart.
# 2 – Down with the Sickness
“Down with the Sickness,” recorded in 1999 and featured on Disturbed’s debut album, The Sickness, is a riveting nu-metal anthem that critiques societal attitudes toward those who are perceived as different. The song’s core message, encapsulated by the phrase “getting down with the sickness,” advocates for embracing individuals as they are. This track has not only become one of Disturbed’s signature songs but also a staple of their live performances, celebrated for its raw energy and powerful message. Widely regarded as one of the standout rock songs of the 21st century, “Down with the Sickness” achieved significant chart success, reaching number four on the US Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles Chart.
# 1 – The Sound of Silence
Topping our list of the top 10 Disturbed songs is their renowned cover of “The Sound of Silence.” While “Down with the Sickness” may be celebrated as the band’s most iconic original track, this cover showcases a different dimension of Disturbed’s musical talent. Originally penned by Paul Simon and made famous by Simon & Garfunkel, “The Sound of Silence” delves into themes of alienation and the failure of people to communicate meaningfully with one another. In its time, the original song soared to number one on the Billboard Hot 100. Disturbed’s haunting rendition brought a new level of depth to the classic, achieving the number one spot on both the US Mainstream Rock and Billboard Hard Rock Digital Songs charts, marking a significant milestone in the band’s career.
Feature Photo: Sven Mandel, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons