Our top 10 Soul Asylum songs showcase a Grammy award-winning band known for its contributions to grunge, country rock, and alternative rock. Formed in Minneapolis in 1981, Soul Asylum was originally fronted by singer-songwriter and producer Dave Pirner. The band released three studio albums with Twin/Tone Records and two with A&M Records. Despite the competitive rock music scene at the time, these early albums achieved modest success.
Soul Asylum faced numerous challenges, including initially poor sales and Pirner’s hearing problems. At one point, the band considered disbanding, but Pirner remained convinced of their potential for success.
The 1990s marked a significant turnaround for Soul Asylum, starting with their critically acclaimed album Grave Dancers Union in 1992. This album went triple platinum and featured “Runaway Train,” one of the band’s most successful hits, which they performed at President Bill Clinton’s inauguration in early 1993. Grave Dancers Union paved the way for their next album, Let Your Dim Light Shine, which also achieved platinum status.
The journey from obscurity to fame was not without its hardships. The band saw all its original members depart except for Dave Pirner. While Dan Murphy and Pat Morley left the band, Karl Mueller tragically passed away from cancer in 2005, a year after his diagnosis, despite a benefit concert held in his honor.
Today, Soul Asylum has achieved global recognition and plays to sold-out shows, reflecting their significant impact on the alternative rock scene. Here are the top 10 Soul Asylum songs, drawn from the band’s twelve studio albums.
# 10 – Heavy Rotation
Leading our list of the top 10 Soul Asylum songs is the ballad “Heavy Rotation” from the band’s album Hang Time. This chaotic rocker captures the raw energy of the band. Frontman Dave Pirner, who wrote the song, infused the lyrics with themes of staying true to oneself amid life’s pressures. The title “Heavy Rotation” refers to a song that receives substantial airplay, a nod to industry pressures. However, Pirner resisted the demands for commercial hits, especially as the band neared the brink of stardom and faced increased expectations to succeed.
# 9 – Can’t Even Tell
“Can’t Even Tell” by Soul Asylum serves as a key track on the soundtrack for the 1994 film Clerks. This collaboration marked the beginning of a lasting partnership between the band and the movie’s director, Kevin Smith. Their successful synergy continued, with Soul Asylum’s “We 3” featured in Smith’s subsequent film Chasing Amy, and “Misery” in Clerks II. Moreover, the music video for “Can’t Even Tell” enhances its connection to the Clerks franchise by featuring notable characters Silent Bob and Jay.
# 8 – Cartoon
“Cartoon,” a track from Soul Asylum’s album Hang Time, stands out for its themes of self-denigration and alienation. Composed by Dan Murphy with lyrics by the band’s principal songwriter, Dave Pirner, the song showcases a notable dual lead vocal performance by Dan and Dave. Their intense and impassioned delivery has garnered significant attention for its raw, powerful sound.
# 7 – Promises Broken (Remix)
After achieving commercial success with the album Grave Dancers Union, Soul Asylum carried forward their momentum into their next project, Let Your Dim Light Shine. “Promises Broken” is a standout track from this album and merits inclusion in the top 10 Soul Asylum songs. Despite being one of the band’s most underrated releases, the song captivates with its serene yet melodious tune, making it a must-listen for fans.
# 6 – Just Like Anyone
Number six on our top 10 Soul Asylum songs list is “Just Like Anyone,” from the band’s 1995 album Let Your Dim Light Shine. Written by lead vocalist Dave Pirner, this track stands out due to its superb composition. It made its mark on singles charts in the UK and Canada, and also appeared on the US Modern Rock Tracks chart. The song gained considerable exposure on MTV, becoming one of the most-played tracks on the network. “Just Like Anyone” reached its peak at number fifty-two on the UK Singles Chart.
#5 – Without a Trace
Soul Asylum, renowned for their diligent work ethic in the late 1980s, achieved significant success with the release of their album Grave Dancers Union. The song “Without a Trace” is the de facto title track of the album, featuring lyrics that inspired the album’s name. Frontman Dave Pirner dedicated this song to the memory of former band member Karl Mueller, who passed away from cancer a year after his diagnosis.
#4 – Black Gold
“Black Gold” is a war-themed ballad from Soul Asylum’s most successful album, Grave Dancers Union. The title refers to oil, and the lyrics allude to the first Gulf War, using the metaphor “two boys on a playground” to represent Iraq and the USA. While political songs often have a limited lifespan, “Black Gold” has defied expectations by maintaining its relevance and remaining a staple in the band’s setlist. The song reached number twenty-six on the UK Singles Chart.
#3 – Somebody to Shove
Written by frontman Dave Pirner, “Somebody to Shove” is another standout track from Soul Asylum’s album Grave Dancers Union. Featured as the opening song, it kicks off with a fast and vigorous pace, establishing itself as an upbeat rocker. The song reached number one on the US Alternative Airplay Chart.
#2 – Misery
“Misery” stands as Soul Asylum’s second-biggest hit, reaching number one on the US Alternative Rock Chart and number two on the Mainstream Rock Chart. Featured on the band’s album Let Your Dim Light Shine, the song was penned by Dave Pirner as an expression of his frustration with the consequences of the band’s newfound success. The track was later featured in Kevin Smith’s film Clerks II, a testament to the filmmaker’s admiration for the band.
#1 – Runaway Train
Topping our list of the top 10 Soul Asylum songs is the poignant ballad “Runaway Train” from the album Grave Dancers Union. Written by the band’s frontman, Dave Pirner, the song’s lyrics poignantly address depression. It became Soul Asylum’s first pop hit, dramatically changing the band’s fortunes after five albums of modest commercial success. The music video was notably impactful, featuring images of missing people, primarily children and teenagers. “Runaway Train” reached number five on the Billboard Hot 100.
Feature Photo: Jonathunder, GFDL 1.2 <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/old-licenses/fdl-1.2.html>, via Wikimedia Commons