Ready to unleash your inner rock god? Then get ready to shred! We're diving headfirst into the electrifying world of Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock, specifically tackling the question burning in every seasoned rocker's mind: what are the best songs Guitar Hero 3 has to offer? This isn't just about tapping buttons; it's about reliving iconic moments, mastering challenging riffs, and feeling the rush of perfectly timed power chords. For years, players have debated the ultimate tracklist, and we're here to settle the score (or at least, offer our expert opinion). Whether you're a seasoned veteran dusting off your plastic guitar or a newbie ready to jump into the fray, this definitive list of the best songs Guitar Hero 3 has to offer will have you rocking out for hours. Get ready to crank up the volume and experience the legendary tracks that defined a generation of rhythm game fanatics.
| Song | Artist | Album | Listens |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Welcome To The Jungle | Guns N' Roses | Appetite For Destruction | 603M+ |
| 2. Paint It, Black | The Rolling Stones | Aftermath | 525M+ |
| 3. One | Metallica | ...And Justice for All (Remastered Deluxe Box Set) | 326M+ |
| 4. Before I Forget | Slipknot | Vol. 3: The Subliminal Verses | 288M+ |
| 5. Paranoid | Black Sabbath | Paranoid (Remaster) | 276M+ |
| 6. Even Flow | Pearl Jam | Ten | 175M+ |
| 7. La Grange | ZZ Top | Tres Hombres (Expanded 2006 Remaster) | 175M+ |
1. Welcome To The Jungle (1987)
Guitar Riff: The iconic opening riff is instantly recognizable and incredibly fun to play, perfectly capturing the raw energy of the song.
Gameplay Challenge: The fast-paced rhythm and challenging guitar solo provide a rewarding experience for Guitar Hero players of all skill levels.
Overall Vibe: Its aggressive sound and powerful vocals make it a high-octane experience that translates perfectly to the Guitar Hero format, making it an unforgettable track in the game.
2. Paint It, Black (The Rolling Stones)
Guitar Riff: Paint It, Black boasts an iconic, instantly recognizable guitar riff that's challenging yet incredibly satisfying to play in Guitar Hero 3, making it a fan favorite.
Tempo and Rhythm: The song's driving rhythm and steady tempo provide a great foundation for the fast-paced gameplay of Guitar Hero 3, offering a consistent and exciting playing experience.
Overall Difficulty: While challenging, the song's structure and riff memorability make it a rewarding experience for players aiming to master it; perfect for showing off skills.
3. One (Metallica)
Crushing Riffs: Metallica's "One" boasts a legendary, instantly recognizable guitar riff that's perfect for shredding on Guitar Hero 3. The song's challenging yet rewarding structure makes it a favorite among players of all skill levels.
Intense Drumming: Lars Ulrich's ferocious drumming provides a powerful backbone to the track, keeping the energy high and pushing the song forward with relentless intensity. This makes it a thrilling experience for Guitar Hero 3 players.
Emotional Depth: Despite its aggressive sound, "One" contains surprisingly nuanced and emotionally charged vocals, adding another layer of complexity for players to master. The dynamic range from quiet to intense creates a powerful experience.
4. Before I Forget
Guitar Hero 3 Difficulty: "Before I Forget" boasts a challenging yet rewarding Guitar Hero 3 track, featuring rapid-fire riffs and intricate chord progressions that will test even experienced players.
Iconic Slipknot Sound: The song perfectly captures Slipknot's signature aggressive sound, blending heavy metal riffs with Corey Taylor's distinctive harsh vocals, making it a standout track on the game's already intense setlist.
Gameplay Experience: The song's structure lends itself well to the Guitar Hero format, with memorable sections that translate into satisfying gameplay moments, ensuring a thrilling and memorable playthrough.
5. Paranoid (1970)
Killer Riffs: Paranoid's iconic, instantly recognizable guitar riff is a cornerstone of hard rock history, perfectly suited for Guitar Hero 3's fast-paced gameplay.
Intense Rhythm: The driving beat and relentless tempo create an addictive, high-energy experience ideal for shredding on Guitar Hero 3.
Simple, Yet Effective: Despite its simplicity, the song’s structure is highly effective, making it both challenging and rewarding to master in the game.
6. Even Flow (1991)
Guitar Solo: Even Flow boasts a legendary, soaring guitar solo that's incredibly satisfying to play and master in Guitar Hero 3, perfectly capturing the song's energetic climax.
Rhythmic Complexity: The song's shifting time signatures and dynamic rhythm section provide a challenging yet rewarding experience for Guitar Hero players of all skill levels.
Overall Playability: Its memorable riff and structure make it a classic choice, ensuring a fun and exhilarating Guitar Hero 3 playthrough.
7. La Grange
Killer Guitar Riff: La Grange's instantly recognizable main riff is a blues-rock masterpiece, perfectly suited to Guitar Hero 3's gameplay and challenging for players of all skill levels.
Authentic Texas Blues Vibe: ZZ Top's signature sound, blending blues, boogie, and a touch of country, shines through in La Grange's powerful and infectious rhythm.
High Score Potential: The song's structure and relatively straightforward solo make it a prime candidate for achieving a high score in Guitar Hero 3's career mode.
8. When You Were Young (The Killers - 2025)
Killer Guitar Riffs: "When You Were Young" boasts a relentlessly catchy guitar riff that's both powerful and instantly memorable, perfect for shredding along to.
High-Octane Energy: The song's driving rhythm and anthemic chorus make it ideal for high-score runs; its relentless energy keeps you engaged and focused.
Expert Difficulty: While accessible enough for dedicated players to master, the song's intricate parts offer a satisfying challenge that tests your Guitar Hero skills.
9. Through the Fire and Flames (DragonForce)
Gameplay: "Through the Fire and Flames" is infamous for its brutally difficult Guitar Hero 3 solo, featuring lightning-fast shredding and complex fretwork that tested even the most skilled players.
Musicality: DragonForce's signature blend of power metal and neoclassical influences creates an incredibly energetic and memorable track, perfect for high-score attempts.
Challenge: Mastering this song in Guitar Hero 3 provided a significant sense of accomplishment, making it a highlight for many players and a true test of skill.
10. Sabotage
Killer Guitar Riff: Sabotage boasts an iconic, heavily distorted guitar riff that's instantly recognizable and incredibly fun to play, perfectly suited for Guitar Hero's frenetic energy.
Intense Rhythm Section: The song's driving beat and powerful drumming provide a solid foundation for the frantic guitar work, making it a truly exhilarating experience to play along to.
High-Energy Gameplay: The fast tempo and challenging sections translate brilliantly into the Guitar Hero 3 format, offering a rewarding challenge for players of all skill levels.
11Barracuda
Heart
1977
Little Queen
12Cult of Personality
Living Colour
1988
13The Number of the Beast
Iron Maiden
2020
The Number of the Beast (2015 Remaster)
14Rock You Like A Hurricane
Scorpions
1984
Love At First Sting
15Raining Blood
Slayer
1986
Reign In Blood (Expanded)
16Talk Dirty To Me
Poison
1986
Vixen
17Slow Ride
Foghat
1975
18Story of My Life
Social Distortion
1983
19Miss Murder
AFI
2006
20Rock And Roll All Nite
KISS
1975
Dressed To Kill
21Helicopter
Bloc Party
2005
22Cherub Rock
The Smashing Pumpkins
1993
The Outlaws
23Suck My Kiss
Red Hot Chili Peppers
1991
Blood Sugar Sex Magik (Deluxe Edition)
243's & 7's
Queens of the Stone Age
2007
Era Vulgaris
25Cliffs of Dover
Eric Johnson
1990
26Black Magic Woman
Santana
1970
Supernatural (Remastered)
27School's Out
Alice Cooper
1972
School's Out
28Hit Me With Your Best Shot
Pat Benatar
1980
Crimes Of Passion
29Mississippi Queen
Mountain
1970
The Outlaws