To become 2025 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees, Soundgarden had a historic run full of career-defining songs that cemented their legacy. Just like fellow Hall of Fame contemporaries such as Guns N' Roses, the Eagles, and Led Zeppelin, it didn't take long for Soundgarden to create a well-known discography. In less than 10 albums, they were able to make enough hits to establish themselves as legends. From the day they burst onto the scene in the late '80s, the band made an impact.

Of course, it was not an easy task for them, as they were competing with a few other big acts, trying to make the grunge genre a premier avenue. Alongside Nirvana, Alice in Chains, and Pearl Jam, they made this up-and-coming genre stand out among all others. As is well documented, the early '90s saw arguably the highest peak grunge ever experienced. From the radio to MTV, these bands and their songs were everywhere, with Soundgarden and their defining hits right at the center of it.

10 Hunted Down

Album: Screaming Life EP (1987)

After forming in 1984, it took them a few years, but in October 1987, Soundgarden would release their first EP, Screaming Life. Out of the six songs, the one that made the biggest impact was "Hunted Down." Not only was it the first song on the EP, but it was also the first single they ever released. Although the band had noted that the tune was not intended to be as heavy as it was, fans did not complain, as it made an impression.

Not only was it the first song on the EP, but it was also the first single they ever released.

The song ultimately showcased key elements of their sound, proving they could break into the mainstream. From Chris Cornell's voice to Kim Thayil's guitar playing and Matt Cameron's drumming, it highlighted everything that would set them apart from all other groups. There was no question as to who Soundgarden was after this song. It was only a matter of how big they could become, since they clearly had the tools for success.

9 Flower

Album: Ultramega OK (1988)

After a couple of EPs, Soundgarden finally released their debut studio album, Ultramega OK, in October 1988. The record landed on several Billboard charts, with its biggest highlight being a Grammy Awards nomination in 1990. Helping to bring it to the forefront of music was its successful single, "Flower." The song is well-known for being the first time guitarist Kim Thayil incorporated his technique of blowing on the guitar to create a distinctive sound.

Another key part of the song's success was the lyrics, which created a compelling narrative that showcased the band's range in writing. Additionally, the music video for the song was aired on MTV. This was still during the time when the MTV Generation was one of the leading forces in making music popular. The exposure on the channel introduced the band to a wide audience, now setting them up to tour the world.

8 Loud Love

Album: Louder Than Love (1989)

After their first album was released, the band wasted no time working on their sophomore follow-up. This time, Louder Than Love did even better than the record preceding it, as it marked the first time Soundgarden placed on the Billboard 200. Its peak was the 108th spot, which was a great start for them. The exposure played a key role in further demonstrating what the band was capable of, as they showed a harder side to their songs.

A fan favorite from this album ended up being "Loud Love." The song blends heavy riffs with unique rhythmic elements. It was also a great example of how they were able to integrate the metal genre into the sound they were becoming known for. By doing this, the song became very influential on other artists. The popularity of the track was a breakthrough for the band, and they would ride its success by also basing an EP around it.

7 Outshined

Album: Botorfinger (1991)

While Soundgarden started their career with commercial success through their albums overall, they were still looking to find that success with a single song. This would come from the track "Outshined," which was part of their 1991 record, Botorfinger. This became the band's first single to appear on Billboard's Mainstream Rock chart, peaking at the 45th position. The song would even chart again in a few places in 2017, marking it as a true classic in the eyes of fans.

Part of what made this tune so popular was the strong vocals by Chris Cornell. Of course, his voice always shone through, but this one in particular hit differently. With its themes and the angst surrounding it, it became very relatable as well. Additionally, many have referred to the riff as being Black Sabbath-esque, which is a huge compliment, given that they are considered one of the greatest bands of all time.

6 Black Hole Sun

Album: Superunknown (1994)

For any band, there are many dreams they have when beginning their career, but a common one is to create a signature song. Some of the acts that were Soundgarden's contemporaries at the time had already accomplished this by 1994, as Nirvana had "Smells Like Teen Spirit" and Pearl Jam had "Black." With their fourth studio album, Superunknown, they finally had theirs, as this is where the world would be introduced to "Black Hole Sun."

There were many things that made this song stand out, with some of the biggest being its psychedelic textures and its blend of heavy riffs. The chorus also features a unique soundscape that sets it apart from other songs. To this day, it remains the band's top hit, as it is nearing one billion streams on Spotify. This will certainly be one of the most important tracks that will carry on their legacy from one generation to the next.

5 Head Down

Album: Superunknown (1994)

While Soundgarden has a nice list of hit songs, one of the things the band is known for is having hidden gems on their records. These are the songs that didn't quite receive mainstream attention, but their hardcore audience has come to appreciate these tracks. One that stands out is "Head Down," which comes from their album Superunknown, known, of course, for "Black Hole Sun," "Spoonman," and some other well-known tracks.

"Head Down" should be recognized for its ability to keep pace with the multiple tracks that were released as singles.

What makes the song so special is its unusual structure. This slower tune builds over time, leading to an inspired ending. The lyrics are made even stronger by Chris Cornell's haunting vocals. Additionally, it showcases the band's ability to blend elements effectively. This song has the capacity to evoke emotion, and "Head Down" should be recognized for its ability to keep pace with the multiple tracks that were released as singles.

4 Burden In My Head

Album: Down On The Upside (1996)

Some of the best musicians never achieve the feat of having a song reach number one on any particular chart. For Soundgarden, it didn't happen as often as they would have hoped, but it did occur, marking a major accomplishment for the band. Perhaps their most notable chart success was "Burden in My Hand," which was the second single released from the band's fifth studio album, Down on the Upside.

The interesting part about this song was that Chris Cornell said the lyrics derived from the sound of the guitar. However, in his later years, the words encomed in it would come to mean much more to him. The band's guitarist, Kim Thayil, called it the "Hey Joe" song of the '90s. Famously, "Hey Joe" is a track from back in the 1960s that has been covered by countless artists of the years, with its origins still up for debate.

3 Boot Camp

Album: Down On The Upside (1996)

Before disbanding in 1997, Down on the Upside would be the band's last album until 2012. In typical fashion, they left their fans not only with major songs, but also a few lesser-known ones. This time it wasn't just a typical hidden gem; instead, it is considered arguably the best in the category. The track was called "Boot Camp" and, ironically, it would be the last song on the 1996 record, a fitting end for the band at the time.

The song was recognized for its strong instrumentation, which has been described as industrial-sounding. It also featured thought-provoking lyrics that touched on being trapped in a cycle. The words would come to mean even more after the breakup, as being in a band can be viewed this way. Following this, Chris Cornell embarked on solo work, but they ended their remarkable run in the 1990s on a high note, cementing their legacy as icons of grunge.

2 Black Rain

Album: Telephantasm (2010)

After being separated for well over a decade, Soundgarden was back in 2010 to continue adding to the legacy they started building long before. During their time apart, Chris Cornell found success as a solo artist and in a rock supergroup called Audioslave, but nothing was quite like having the band that began it all for him back together. Before releasing a new record, they put out a compilation album titled Telephantasm. Although it mostly featured songs already in their discography, there were a couple of new tunes as well.

One that found a lot of success was "Black Rain." This song would end up on multiple Billboard charts, including a 96th place ranking on the Hot 100 and a Top 10 finish on the Mainstream Rock chart. The most important thing this track delivered was a definitive statement that the band was back. Along with a catchy introduction, it showcased their signature heavy sound, and powerful vocals to match. For those who hoped they would reunite, the song was a dream.

1 Been Away Too Long

Album: King Animal (2012)

In 2012, when Soundgarden released their sixth studio album, King Animal, it was not intended to be their final studio album, but that is what it became after Chris Cornell's death in 2017. Being that this was it for the band that had meant so much to music, this record has become treasured. Even during its initial release, it received great reviews and finished in the fifth spot on the Billboard 200. The first single and the opening track of the album, "Been Away Too Long," became a driving force behind its success.

It was a song written by Cornell, in which the singer compared it to Eminem's "Without Me." It wasn't meant to be autobiographical, but that's how it turned out to be. This was supposed to be the band's statement that they were back after 15 years. It was so well-received that it was used in the mainstream multiple times. The song would end up on both the NHL 14 and Guitar Hero Live video games. Additionally, the Soundgarden track was featured in the hit show Sons of Anarchy.