THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

614-Soundgarden-Black Hole Sun.

1994-Number 12 single.

Best Bit-At 1.54. Any amateur astronomers reading this, don’t panic, you haven’t got it wrong. There is a black hole, and there is a sun, but there is no black hole sun.

Soundgarden were formed in 1984, in Seattle, Washington, United States, by Chris Cornell, (1964-2017) (lead vocals, and guitar) Kim Thayil, (lead guitar) and Hiro Yamamoto, (bass) the groups drummer Matt Cameron joined full time in 1986. Hiro Yamamoto left in 1989, and was replaced Ben Shepherd (bass) in 1990, the other two official members were Scott Sundquist, (drums) from 1985-1986, and Jason Everman, (bass) between 1989-1990. Soundgarden remained active until 1997, but did reform in 2010-2018, and then again in 2019, after which the group was retired. They originally named themselves after a wind channelling pipe sculpture titled ‘A Sound Garden,’ which is to be found in the ‘National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’ property, next to ‘Magnuson Park,’ in Seattle. The music of Soundgarden can be filed under ‘Heavy Metal,’ ‘Alternative Metal,’ ‘Alternative Rock, and ‘Grunge,’ which they are considered to be one of the main originators of, along with their ‘Washington’ contemporaries Nirvana, (see also best songs 788 and 9) and Pearl Jam (see also best songs 458.)

The discography of Soundgarden, who have sold in excess of 30 million records worldwide, includes six studio Albums released between 1988-2012, and 24 singles released between 1987-2013, there are also six official compilation Albums, and two live Albums available. In America, Soundgarden have never had an entry on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, due to the fact that many of their songs didn’t receive a physical release, with the record companies, at that time, figuring that if the single wasn’t available, then the customer would buy the Album instead. Soundgarden did have great success on the Billboard ‘Alternative Airplay’ chart, which was formerly known as the ‘Modern Rock Tracks’ chart between 1988-2009, where 12 of their tracks made the top 40, with three of those songs including ‘Black Hole Sun’ peaking at Number 2. In the UK seven of their singles have reached the top 40, with ‘Black Hole Sun’ peaking the highest at Number 12.

‘Black Hole Sun’ was the third of five singles released from ‘Superunknown,’ which was the fourth studio Album by Soundgarden, from March 1994, the song was written by Chris Cornell, with the production credited to Michael Beinhorn, (see also best songs 623) and Soundgarden. ‘Black Hole Sun’ was something that the songs writer Chris Cornell had misheard. He was watching the news on television, and thought that he heard the newsreader say ‘black hole sun,’ but in fact he was really saying something else. Cornell so liked the phrase, and thought it would make a good title for a song. Cornell has said,’I wrote it in my head, driving home from Bear Creek Studio in Woodinville, a 35-40 minute drive from Seattle.’ The songs lyrics are a mixture of Cornell’s thoughts at that time, written in an experimental manner, with more than one potential meaning. ‘Black Hole Sun’ was produced by Michael Beinhorn, who has recalled his reaction on first hearing the song.’I think for the rest of my entire life, until I draw my last breath, I’ll never ever forgot how I felt when they started playing that song. From the very first few notes, I felt like I’d been hit by a thunderbolt. I was just absolutely stunned. What in the world is this? I get goosebumps thinking about it now.’

Chris Cornell was born Christopher John Boyle, on July 20th, 1964, in Seattle, Washington, United States, he died on May 18th, 2017, by committing suicide, at the age of 52. Chris Cornell had struggled with depression for most of his life, and was found dead in his hotel room in the early hours of May 18, 2017, after performing at a Soundgarden concert an hour earlier, at the ‘Fox Theatre,’ in Detroit, Michigan, his death was ruled a suicide by hanging. Away from Soundgarden, Chris Cornell released five solo studio Albums between 1999-2020, and 19 singles within the same time period. He was also a member of the group ‘Temple of the Dog,’ who released one studio Album in 1991, and also a member of the group ‘Audioslave,’ who released three studio Albums between 2002-2006. His only solo charting single was ‘You Know My Name,’ which reached Number 7 in the UK in 2006. The song is the theme song of the 2006 ‘James Bond’ film ‘Casino Royale,’ and was performed by Cornell, who wrote and produced it jointly with the English film composer David Arnold, Following Chris Cornell’s death there were many tributes, including one from Alice Cooper, (see also best songs 427) who said,’Chris Cornell, in our circle, was known as ‘The Voice,’ because he had the best voice in Rock and Roll. I was lucky enough to write and record two songs with him. His death comes as a total shock to all of us. ‘Black Hole Sun’ will live on as a classic, and his is a true legacy of Rock and Roll.’

‘In my eyes, indisposed, in disguises no one knows. Hides the face, lies the snake, in the sun, in my disgrace. Boiling heat, summer stench, ‘neath the black the sky looks dead. Call my name through the cream, and I’ll hear you scream again.’