10 Best RHCP Songs

It's been a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame career for the Red Hot Chili Peppers, and we're attempting to count down the 10 Best Red Hot Chili Peppers Songs. To help narrow things down, we're keeping it to original tracks, which knocks out their splendid covers of 'Higher Ground' and 'Love Rollercoaster,' but there's still so many other great songs to choose from. From their early days as a college rock/party band through their present day reign as chart-topping hitmakers, singer Anthony Kiedis and bassist extraordinaire Flea have kept the band's spirit lively and sound extra funky. They've been joined on their mission by guitarists Hillel Slovak, Jack Sherman, DeWayne McKnight, John Frusciante, Arik Marshall, Jesse Tobias, Dave Navarro, and Josh Klinghoffer and drummers Jack Irons, Cliff Martinez, D.H. Peligro, and Chad Smith, and have rarely missed a step. So let's take you to the songs you love, take you all the way, and count down the 10 Best Red Hot Chili Peppers Songs:



10.'Suck My Kiss'

From: 'Blood Sugar Sex Magik' (1991)





Red Hot Chili Peppers may have gotten more commercial around the 'Blood Sugar Sex Magik' era, but 'Suck My Kiss' still had the energy and ferocity of some of their early albums. The track is driven by Flea's ferocious bass playing, while Anthony Kiedis delivers overly-amorous lyrics about his partner's obvious sexiness.





9.'Brendan's Death Song'

From: 'I'm With You' (2011)





'Brendan's Death Song' is a new tune, but it makes our 10 Best Red Hot Chili Peppers Songs as an example of a band connecting as one, letting their emotions from a traumatic experience flow simultaneously in perfect harmony. The group penned the track for late Los Angeles club owner and close friend Brendan Mullen, who gave the band their first break. Anthony Kiedis said the song was instantaneous after he delivered the news to his bandmates, and his voice, in particular, reaches emotional levels not heard prior on the band's records.





8.'Californication'

From: 'Californication' (1999)





The title track from Red Hot Chili Peppers 'Californication' album definitely shows the band's dance-with-the-dark side of life in Hollywood. The group delves into the superficial nature of modern society, with references like “Space may be the final frontier / But it's made in a Hollywood basement” and “Pay your surgeon very well to break the spell of aging” lamenting an increasingly plastic world. The song would reach No. 1 on both the Mainstream Rock and Modern Rock Tracks charts.





7.'Knock Me Down'

From: 'Mother's Milk' (1989)





Still reeling from the death of guitarist Hillel Slovak, Red Hot Chili Peppers found themselves in the midst of a band shakeup, with Chad Smith and John Frusciante eventually coming on board. Anthony Kiedis was also coming out of rehab and wrote this song about his withdrawal and realizing that if Slovak could die, he too was invincible.





6.'Dani California'

From: 'Stadium Arcadium' (2006)





The character of Dani California was first conjured up by Anthony Kiedis in 1999's 'Californication' and continued her journey in the 2002 single 'By the Way,' but with 2006's 'Stadium Arcadium,' the singer used the character as a representation of many women he knew in his life and built a full song around her. The video featured the band representing the different eras and genres of music that influenced their style. The group would win Grammy awards for Best Rock Song and Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocal for the track.





5.'Breaking the Girl'

From: 'Blood Sugar Sex Magik' (1991)





'Breaking the Girl' found singer Anthony Kiedis dipping into his personal life for material. The singer revealed in his 'Scar Tissue' autobiography that the song was about the turbulent relationship with his ex-girlfriend, and also his father's relationship with women. The track is driven by Chad Smith's percussive instrumentation, and Flea's initially hypnotic and later aggressive bass playing.





4.'By the Way'

From: 'By the Way' (2002)





'By the Way' earns its spot among the 10 Best Red Hot Chili Peppers tracks for its ability to show the band's strengths. The John Frusciante guitar line demonstrates a melody-driven style, while Chad Smith and Flea deliver a full-on audio assault on drums and bass. Singer Anthony Kiedis told Kerrang of the song, “I thought that single was an über-bombastic assault of non-commercialism.” The track is No. 8 on Loudwire's Top 21st Century Hard Rock Songs list.





3.'Give It Away'

From: 'Blood Sugar Sex Magik' (1991)





If ever there were a guitar lick and drum beat that told you exactly what band it was, 'Give It Away' is that song for Red Hot Chili Peppers. While the lyrics may seem nonsensical, the group revealed on VH1's 'Behind the Music' that the track comes form the idea that the more that you give, the more you receive, so why not give it all away. Kiedis would later say that his girlfriend at the time, Nina Hagen, inspired the lyrics, after she gave him a jacket he liked from her closet.



2.'Scar Tissue'

From: 'Californication' (1999)





'Scar Tissue' is a must for the 10 Best Red Hot Chili Peppers Songs. The cut would serve as the band's first single marking the return of guitarist John Frusciante to the lineup after dealing with the substance abuse issues. The track itself featured themes of life and resurrection, which reflected not only Frusciante's return but other band members' abilities to emerge from their past demons as well. The moniker would also serve as the title for Anthony Kiedis' future biography.





1.'Under the Bridge'

From: 'Blood Sugar Sex Magik' (1991)





The song that catapulted the band to superstardom was also one in which Anthony Kiedis laid his soul bare for all to see. The track was about the singer's heroin addiction and his own isolation the deeper he got into the drug. The lyrics initially were part of a poem, and producer Rick Rubin reportedly convinced the singer to explore them as a song. The track also featured a wide style shift, from the somber opening guitar chords through the mid-tempo drum beats up to the climactic finale.





What Is Your Favorite Red Hot Chili Peppers Song?

So there you have it, our 10 Best Red Hot Chili Peppers Songs? Did we get it right, or with the birds are we sharing our lonely view? There's still plenty of great songs that just missed out on the list. What would you add and what would take away? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.

LOUDWIRE

10 Best Metallica Song of All Timee

Picking the 10 best Metallica songs might just be the hardest thing we've ever tried to do. As one of the most successful and internationally recognized bands around, Metallica's discography includes nine studio albums and over 40 singles, all created and released over the course of more than three decades. This huge catalog is the foundation for Metallica's success that has now reached beyond the world of music, whether it be a critically acclaimed documentary or their own music festival or an in-the-works 3D movie that showcases their one-of-a-kind live concerts. As fans eagerly await the band's next studio album, we've racked our brains to a mushy pulp to come up with this list of the 10 Best Metallica Songs:



10.'Fuel'

From: 'ReLoad' (1997)





'Fuel' is the most popular tune from 1997's 'ReLoad,' and it is hard to argue against it being one of Metallica's best songs. With the ferocious intro delivered a cappella by James Hetfield, the song never lets up for the four and a half minutes it runs. 'Fuel' definitely serves up the fastest-paced and most in-your-face song from 'ReLoad' – and arguably outshines any tune on the band's previous album, 'Load.'



9.'Fade to Black'

From: 'Ride the Lightning' (1984)





Call it a ballad if you must, but 'Fade to Black' is one of Metallica's best songs if for no other reason than it shows just how talented the band really is. Being Metallica's first true slow song, it covers the theme of suicide and is the first track that guitarist Kirk Hammett received co-writing credit on. Despite being slow-paced, the tune still conveys brutality and intensity, whether it's through Hetfield's lyrics or Hammett's guitar solos.





8.'…And Justice for All'

From: '…And Justice for All' (1988)





One of the most complex songs in Metallica's catalog, '…And Justice for All' stretches to nearly 10 minutes long. Due to its complexity and length, it has been a rarity for fans to enjoy the song live at Metallica concerts. However, the common absence of the song from setlists does not make it any less powerful. The band's fans had high expectations following 'Master of Puppets' and with the '…And Justice for All' title track, Metallica proved that they were still on top of the metal world.





7.'Battery'

From: 'Master of Puppets' (1986)





Selecting the order of tracks for 'Master of Puppets' was no doubt a hard task, but picking 'Battery' to open the album was a stroke of genius. The song opens with an acoustic guitar riff – just like the opening track of 'Ride the Lightning' — that leads into the band joining in with full-on power and intensity. The song is one of current bassist Robert Trujillo's favorites as he requested to begin his audition with Metallica by jamming on the tune, further cementing late bassist Cliff Burton's legendary status.





6.'For Whom the Bell Tolls'

From: 'Ride the Lightning' (1984)





'For Whom the Bell Tolls' is inspired from the Ernest Hemingway novel of the same name, and is one of the most-played songs at Metallica concerts. It has become a fan-favorite no doubt due to that unique opening that sounds like a guitar, but is actually the sound of Cliff Burton playing a bass fed through distortion. 'For Whom the Bell Tolls' was first released as a promotional single, which meant it never hit the charts.





5.'Seek & Destroy'

From: 'Kill 'Em All' (1983)





'Seek and Destroy' first made its debut on Metallica's demo tape, 'No Life 'til Leather.' Thirty years later, it still stands out as one of the band's premiere songs. Since around 2004, it has been the staple tune the band jams on to end their live shows. With obvious influences from bands like Diamond Head and Saxon, 'Seek and Destroy' has turned into an anthem for Metallica fans throughout the world. With the piercing opening guitar riff to the brutal lyrics of “Running / On our way hiding / You will pay dying / One thousand deaths,” everything builds up to the climactic and powerful chorus: “Searching / Seek and destroy!“





4.'One'

From: '…And Justice for All' (1988)





The last single to be released from '…And Justice for All,' 'One' sets itself apart as one of the best songs recorded by Metallica because of its build-up from a slow, clean, haunting opening to a heavy, fast and absolutely shattering ending. That ending features an unforgettable solo from axeman Hammett as well as an earth-shattering display of Lars Ulrich's double-bass drum kit. To make the song even better, Metallica recorded their first music video around it, a dark video that splices together footage from the 1971 anti-war film, 'Johnny Got His Gun,' with shots of the band playing the song.





3.'Enter Sandman'

From: 'Metallica' (1991)





'Enter Sandman' might have one of the most recognizable guitar riffs around, and as the first track, sets the stage for Metallica's self-titled 1991 disc (aka The Black Album). With a dark theme that follows a child and his nightmares, one of the most memorable moments in Metallica's career comes when producer Bob Rock's son recites the line 'Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep' alongside Hetfield. Nowadays, fans can hear the song in a number of places outside of the album, including football games, baseball games and a slew of other athletic events.





2.'Creeping Death'

From: 'Ride the Lightning' (1984)





Taking their cue from the Bible, specifically the book of Exodus, Metallica deliver an instant thrash classic from their second studio album. Packed with Metallica's signature sound, the highlight of the song has also turned into a staple at Metallica's live show. After a blistering guitar solo and about four minutes into the song, the chanting of 'Die! Die! Die!' makes 'Creeping Death' a song Metallica fans will always bang their heads to.



1.'Master of Puppets'

From: 'Master of Puppets' (1986)





One of heavy metal's best songs ever, 'Master of Puppets' opens with a crushing guitar riff that carries the tune for over eight and a half minutes. The dynamic opus that covers the theme of drugs and addiction has become a mainstay in Metallica's live set. It's been covered an innumerable amount of times by bands of several different genres, and was reportedly Cliff Burton's favorite Metallica track. While fans will argue over this for years to come, 'Master of Puppets' tops our list of the 10 best Metallica songs of all time.



What's on Your List of the Best Metallica Songs?

Now that you've seen our list of Metallica's best songs, what do you think we missed? With nine studio albums, it was nearly impossible to cover every epic song released by the legendary band. Should there have been a tune from 'Death Magnetic?' More from the 'Black' album? What about a cover song from 'Garage Inc.?' Sound off and let the debate begin in the comments section below!

LOUDWIRE

10 Best Grunge Bands

Grunge — it was the sound that defined the early '90s, and with this list of the 10 Best Grunge Bands, we're looking back on the acts that started a musical revolution and turned the music world on its ear. As the '80s gave way to the '90s, there was a need to shake things up from the status quo, and the sound called grunge was there to not only fill a void but to engulf the music scene as a whole. It paved the way for a wealth of frequently overlooked acts and all of a sudden, harder-edged, gritty music typically only heard on college radio was finally making its way into the public lexicon. Seattle became the center of the music universe; sweaty concert halls were once again the place to be; and flannel became a fashion statement. So let's crank up some distortion and count down the 10 Best Grunge Bands:



Mudhoney

Sub Pop

10

Mudhoney





Mudhoney are one of grunge's most consistently solid and enduring bands. The group had its roots in the '80s act Green River, a band that many point to as one of the pioneers of the grunge sound. Mark Arm and Steve Turner emerged from Green River to start Mudhoney and while they didn't reach the commercial success of some of their peers, tracks like 'Touch Me I'm Sick,' 'Let It Slide' and 'Suck You Dry' became well-respected grunge anthems.

Listen to 'Touch Me I'm Sick'





Courtney Love

Frank Micelotta, Getty Images

9

Hole





It took a while for Hole to emerge from the shadow of Courtney Love's late husband, Kurt Cobain, but 1994's 'Live Through This' was the album that finally broke them to a mass audience. Courtney Love's raspy voice hit the perfect mark on 'Miss World,' 'Doll Parts,' and 'Violet,' and though the band's sound began to evolve with 1998's 'Celebrity Skin,' songs like the title track and 'Awful' still had their roots in that undeniably gritty grunge sound.

Listen to 'Miss World'





Mother Love Bone

YouTube

8

Mother Love Bone





For many, the brilliance of Mother Love Bone wasn't discovered until after the band was no more. Sadly, singer Andrew Wood died of a drug overdose just days before the release of their first disc. The album did produce such grunge favorites as 'Stardog Champion' and 'Crown of Thorns' (the 'Chloe Dancer' intro portion would be added for the 'Singles' soundtrack). The group was also notable for being the pre-Pearl Jam band for Jeff Ament and Stone Gossard.

Listen to 'Chloe Dancer / Crown of Thorns'





Screaming Trees

Facebook: Screaming Trees

7

Screaming Trees





Screaming Trees may have hit it big with 'Nearly Lost You,' but the band was well versed in their sound long before most people picked up on grunge. Led by the increasingly deep vocals of Mark Lanegan and the driving bass and guitar work of brothers Van and Gary Lee Conner, the band emerged as one of the leaders of the grunge movement. While 'Nearly Lost You' became their calling card, tracks like 'Dollar Bill,' 'Shadow of the Season,' and 'Bed or Roses' were also favorites in the band's catalog.

Listen to 'Nearly Lost You'





The Melvins

Facebook: The Melvins

6

The Melvins





The Melvins, led by singer/guitarist Buzz Osbourne and drummer Dale Crover, are considered one of the pioneers of what would become grunge and thus deserve their spot among the Top 10 Grunge Bands. Their slow-moving, trudging sound became an influence for up-and-coming Seattle bands like Nirvana and Soundgarden. The band is still going strong today, and songs like 'Hooch,' 'Honey Bucket' and 'Night Goat' are as solid as they come.

Listen to 'Honey Bucket'





Stone Temple Pilots

Facebook: Stone Temple Pilots

5

Stone Temple Pilots





Could grunge grow outside of Seattle? That was the question in 1992, when San Diego-based rockers Stone Temple Pilots arrived with their 'Core' album, leading the second wave of grunge. The brutal lead single 'Sex Type Thing' introduced the band and vocal style of Scott Weiland. But it was the second song 'Plush,' with its memorable rhythmic guitar lines that truly established the band. Though they would evolve into a more straight-ahead rock band over time, the 'Core' and 'Purple' records had songs firmly implanted in the grunge sound.

Listen to 'Plush'





Soundgarden

Facebook: Soundgarden

4

Soundgarden





After forming in Seattle in the '80s, Soundgarden finally broke through with the 1991 single 'Outshined,' followed by the spirited follow-up 'Rusty Cage.' Blending in some of their punk roots, Soundgarden provided a frenetic interpretation early on before settling into a moodier, more trudging sound. Singer Chris Cornell shined on such hits as 'Spoonman,' 'Black Hole Sun,' 'Fell on Black Days,' and 'Pretty Noose.' There's no doubt Soundgarden deserves their upper echelon ranking in the Top 10 Grunge Bands list.

Listen to 'Outshined'





Alice in Chains

LegacyRecordings.com

3

Alice in Chains





Was there a more impactful partnership in the grunge scene than Alice in Chains guitarist/vocalist Jerry Cantrell and powerhouse frontman Layne Staley? The pair's harmonies were unmatched, with Staley delivering the extra punch when things got really heavy. 'Man in the Box' put them on the musical map in 1991, and by the following year, they spawned the grunge masterpiece, 'Dirt,' which featured such classics as 'Would?,' 'Rooster,' 'Them Bones' and 'Angry Chair.'

Listen to 'Man in the Box'





Pearl Jam

Facebook: Pearl Jam

2

Pearl Jam





Formed after the demise of Mother Love Bone, Pearl Jam emerged from the ashes to soar with 1991's 'Ten' album. The rhythmically heavy 'Alive' set the tone for the group, while the hard-hitting 'Even Flow' cemented their status as a band to be reckoned with. And by the time 'Jeremy' commanded MTV's airwaves, everyone knew Pearl Jam. The 'Vs.' and 'Vitalogy' albums kept the grunge vibes going, and the band is still one of the most successful touring acts to this day.

Listen to 'Alive'





Nirvana

Facebook: Nirvana

1

Nirvana





It's hard to argue against Nirvana as the No. 1 act of our 10 Best Grunge Bands list, as they essentially put the genre on the map with their 1991 classic, 'Nevermind.' But things didn't stop with 'Smells Like Teen Spirit,' as 'Come As You Are,' 'Lithium' and their 'In Utero' favorites 'Heart Shaped Box' and 'Rape Me' are as good as they come in the grunge world. Sadly, we lost Kurt Cobain in 1994, but the fact that the band reached iconic status speaks to the quality of the music and their dominance in such a short timespan.

Listen to 'Smells Like Teen Spirit'





What Are Your Favorite Grunge Bands?

So there you have it, the 10 Best Grunge Bands. What do you think of the list? Is there a band missing that should be included? Is there a group that should be placed higher or lower? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.

LOUDWIRE

10 Best Slayer Song

Choosing the 10 best Slayer songs is a difficult task, considering the band's prolific career. Having unleashed a brand of unforgiving thrash metal for over 30 years, Slayer are one of the most iconic and influential bands of all time. Beyond the realms of metal, Slayer have almost built an entire ecosystem around their music, which has seen great appreciation and respect from all types of music fans. As one of thrash's 'Big Four,' Slayer have pummeled fans with 11 albums, two live records, four gold-selling discs and five Grammy nominations (including two wins). Slayer are currently in the process of writing their 12th studio album, which is tentatively set for a 2013 release, but for now, we celebrate the band's phenomenal career with our picks of the 10 Best Slayer Songs.



10

'Chemical Warfare'

From: 'Haunting the Chapel' EP (1984)





After the success of Slayer's debut album, 'Show No Mercy,' Metal Blade Records founder Brian Slagel reportedly pushed the idea of Slayer releasing an EP. Slayer were already playing 'Chemical Warfare' at their live shows, so releasing the song as soon as humanly possible was an obvious move. The track unveils an incredible power through pure grit, and is a favorite of old-school Slayer fans. 'Chemical Warfare' and the rest of the 'Haunting the Chapel' EP was later included in the 1987 re-release of 'Show No Mercy.'

Listen to 'Chemical Warfare'





9

'Cult'

From: 'Christ Illusion' (2006)





After the strong response to 'God Hates Us All,' Slayer continued their challenge against religion with their 2006 full-length, 'Christ Illusion.' Although the album features two Grammy Award-winning songs, 'Eyes of the Insane' and 'Final Six,' track number nine, 'Cult' is arguably the album's greatest creative achievement. The Kerry King-penned track questions Christianity with vivid and intense lyrics that singer Tom Araya delivers with ultimate conviction.

Listen to 'Cult'





8

'Disciple'

From: 'God Hates Us All' (2001)





As somewhat of a return to form for Slayer, the band unleashed 'God Hates Us All' in 2001, with 'Disciple' instantly becoming a fan favorite. The unforgettable yell of 'God hates us all!' gave a new iconic phrase for Slayer fans to scream along with frontman Tom Araya. In an incredibly strange coincidence, the 'God Hates Us All' album was released on Sept. 11, 2001, giving the album an additional dark overtone.

Listen to 'Disciple'





7

'Dead Skin Mask'

From: 'Seasons in the Abyss' (1990)





It's utterly ridiculous how Slayer were able to cram so many iconic riffs into one album, but they achieved unparalleled creative success with 'Seasons in the Abyss' and the standout track 'Dead Skin Mask.' The prime cut was inspired by infamous murderer Ed Gein, who wore the skin of his dead victims. Adding a further piece of horror to 'Dead Skin Mask,' a voice of a child can be heard in the outro, crying, “I don't want to play anymore, Mr. Gein,” and “Let me out!”

Listen to 'Dead Skin Mask'





6

'Hell Awaits'

From: 'Hell Awaits' (1985)





As the title track to one of metal's most influential releases, 'Hell Awaits' is one of the key Slayer tracks that demonstrates the diabolic atmosphere that the band is able to conjure. Although the track is mostly instrumental, 'Hell Awaits' grabs you with a Satanic grip as is drags you down into the fiery pit. This track can only be described as purely terrifying.

Listen to 'Hell Awaits'





5

'War Ensemble'

From: 'Seasons in the Abyss' (1990)





Opening the 'Seasons in the Abyss' album with Slayer's classic take-no-prisoners attitude, 'War Ensemble' is without a doubt one of the strongest beginnings to an album in metal history. Still a staple of their live show decades after the release of 'Seasons in the Abyss,' 'War Ensemble' never fails to incite screams of 'Sport the war! / War support!' while Tom Araya concludes the iconic chorus with, 'The final swing is not a drill / It's how many people I can kill.'

Listen to 'War Ensemble'





4

'South of Heaven'

From: 'South of Heaven' (1988)





Honing yet another memorable lick that only Slayer could unleash with such undercurrent, 'South of Heaven' is yet another cut that delves its demonic hooks into your flesh. 'South of Heaven' floats somewhere within the many lakes of fire explored by Slayer, taking the listener to an igneous crypt completely new to metalheads at the time, but all too familiar to the devil's favorite band.

Listen to 'South of Heaven'





3

'Angel of Death'

From: 'Reign in Blood' (1986)





Beginning with a scream that embodies the suffering felt within the walls of the Auschwitz concentration camp, 'Angel of Death' is written from the perspective of Nazi doctor Josef Mengele. The doctor has become infamous for the sadistic experimentations he performed upon Auschwitz prisoners, including children. For this, he was gifted with the title, 'Angel of Death.' Slayer explored the monstrous acts carried out by Mengele with lyrics such as “Surgery, with no anesthesia / Feel the knife pierce you intensely.”

Listen to 'Angel of Death'





2

'Seasons in the Abyss'

From: 'Seasons in the Abyss' (1990)





As the closing chapter to the album of the same name, 'Seasons in the Abyss' shows what Slayer can achieve musically without constantly driving at full speed. Much like some of their earlier works, Slayer creates a hellish atmosphere with 'Seasons in the Abyss,' with the feel of the track complementing the title perfectly. Don't go to sleep while this song is playing, because you'll surely dream about walking through the realm of purgatory.

Listen to 'Seasons in the Abyss'





1

'Raining Blood'

From: 'Reign in Blood' (1986)





Thunder strikes as the sound of menacing rain and electric shrieks of perdition echo across the realm of the eternally damned. As the demonic sound begins to crescendo, Slayer take hold as they unveil one of the most evil riffs in metal history. From the 'Reign in Blood' album, which many considered to be the heaviest record on history at the time, 'Raining Blood' feels like it was handed down by the devil himself. As a band who perfected the concept of atmospherically evil thrash, 'Raining Blood' is certainly one of metal's highest peaks, as well as the most immortal achievement of Slayer.

Listen to 'Raining Blood'





What's Your Favorite Slayer Song?

It wasn't easy coming up with a list of the 10 Best Slayer Songs, as there are so many tunes to choose from. Which Slayer song is your favorite? Which songs should have made the list? Let your opinion be known in the comments section below:

LOUDWIRE

10 Catchiest Metal Song Ever

Loudwire

When you think of heavy metal songs, the first words that come to your mind might be 'intense,' 'powerful' and in some cases, 'demonic.' But one word that may not pop in your head right away is 'catchy.' Metal music has not always been at the forefront of commercial culture, but just think about how many iconic metal tracks have turned up in television ads over the last few years. Not to mention, how many times do you hear metal songs used at sporting events to pump up a crowd? You're probably already conjuring up guitar licks from Randy Rhoads, Tony Iommi, and Kirk Hammett in your heads. And why do those riffs so easily come to mind? Because they're catchy, that's why! So that got us thinking about the most infectious songs in metal history — and they have to rock, no ballads here. So get ready to sing along, as we bring you the 10 Catchiest Metal Songs.



10.Dio Holy Diver





From: 'Holy Diver' (1983)

One of the keys to a catchy song is making sure there's something that sticks in your mind, and Ronnie James Dio's enunciation in 'Holy Diver' makes it a natural for our list. By putting the emphasis on 'diver' and 'tiger' in a certain manner not typically heard on those words, it stands out. Add in a driving melody and lyrics that are easy to sing along with, and 'Holy Diver' is like a piece of ear candy that keeps on giving.

Listen to 'Holy Diver'





9.Motorhead Ace Of Spades





From: 'Ace of Spades' (1980)

Motorhead aren't exactly a “singles” band, but 'Ace of Spades' will forever be one of their most recognizable tunes. Here's one where the guitar play leads the way, with “Fast” Eddie Clarke providing a blistering piece of music for Lemmy Kilmister to sing over. The hyper-frenetic pacing of the song amps up most listeners, and being able to belt 'The Ace of Spades / The Ace of Spades' along with Lemmy is simply the icing on the cake.

Listen to 'Ace of Spades'





8.Iron Maiden Run To The Hills





From: 'Number of the Beast' (1982)

'Run to the Hills' would be the song that truly marked Bruce Dickinson's arrival in Iron Maiden, and in the process it became one of their biggest hits. Besides being a rather cool homage to the battle between European settlers and Native Americans in the New World, the song just rocked because of Dickinson's powerful voice that kicked into full gear during the chorus.

Listen to 'Run to the Hills'



7.Pantera Walk





From: 'Vulgar Display of Power' (1992)

The odd 12/8 time signature of Pantera's 'Walk,' led by the repetitive guitar riffing of Dimebag Darrell throughout makes this one of the simplest beats to follow. The song also makes the 10 Catchiest Metal Songs for one key element — the chant. While some may not be able to scream through gutteral verses like Phil Anselmo does, even the most timid fan can chant along to “Re – spect! / Walk! / Are you talking to me?“

Listen to 'Walk'





6.Black Sabbath Paranoid





From: 'Paranoid' (1970)

With 'Paranoid,' Black Sabbath's Tony Iommi laid down one of the most recognizable opening riffs to a song. As if that didn't call you to attention, the powerhouse vocals of Ozzy Osbourne melding perfectly with the band's backing certainly should. Ironically, a song about being unable to find satisfaction in life has become one of the most satisfying tracks in both rock and metal history.

Listen to 'Paranoid'





5.Guns N Roses Paradise City





From: 'Appetite for Destruction' (1987)

For catchiness, it's hard to top the instantly recognizable lines, “Take me down to the paradise city where the grass is green and the girls are pretty.” It's so good that it not only starts the song, but also ramps up the chorus. Add in the guitar attack of Slash and Izzy Stradlin, the specific beat of Steven Adler's drumming early on, and Axl Rose's signature wail, and you've got one of the catchiest songs ever.

Listen to 'Paradise City'





4.Metallica Enter Sandman





From: 'Metallica' (1991)

It's no wonder that Metallica's fifth album was the one that broke them to the masses when you have a song like 'Enter Sandman' leading the way. The hypnotic opening licks from Kirk Hammett building up into the aggression of the track has made the song an anthem. James Hetfield taking a well-known children's prayer and incorporating it into a darkly-themed song didn't hurt in grabbing the collective consciousness either.

Listen to 'Enter Sandman'





3.Judas Priest The Best Of Living After Midnight



From: 'British Steel' (1980)

One thing that is common in all of the 10 Catchiest Metal Songs is some excellent guitar work, and the interplay of Judas Priest's Glen Tipton and K.K. Downing keep the song both bouncy in some parts and chugging at other times, but compelling throughout. 'Living After Midnight' also delivers easy to understand lyrics and a certain energy in Rob Halford's vocals that just get stuck in your brain.

Listen to 'Living After Midnight'





2.AC/DC You Shook Me All Night Long





From: 'Back in Black' (1980)

Some have argued that AC/DC songs sound incredibly similar, but as the saying goes, “If it's not broke, why fix it?” 'You Shook Me All Night Long' is one of the band's biggest hits thanks to recognizable lyrics like, “She was a fast machine / she kept her motor clean / was the best damn woman that I ever seen.” How can you not love that visual image — especially when put to some great drumming and guitar work? All these years later, AC/DC are still knocking us out with this one.

Listen to 'You Shook Me All Night Long'





1.Ozzy Osbourne Crazy Train





From: 'Blizzard of Ozz' (1980)

Ozzy Osbourne's 'Crazy Train' was the first single released from 'Blizzard of Ozz' and the song's upbeat message struck a chord with many. Randy Rhoads' guitar work on the track made him one of the most respected guitarists going, and you'd be hard pressed not to find someone who won't follow the sound of the vibraslap with “Ay, Ay, Ay” thanks to Osbourne. You've heard it, you know it, and 'Crazy Train' deserves its spot atop the 10 Catchiest Metal Songs.

Listen to 'Crazy Train'





What Do You Think Is The Catchiest Metal Song?

There you have it — the catchiest metal songs, guaranteed to be stuck in your head at least for the rest of the day if not longer. Did we miss anything? Let us know what songs you think should have made the list and what you would knock out in the comments section below.