Let's face it: Guitar Hero 5 holds a special place in the hearts of rhythm game fanatics. Its massive tracklist offered something for everyone, from classic rock anthems to modern hits, making the quest to find the best songs on Guitar Hero 5 a perpetually debated topic. Were you a master of "Free Bird," shredding through its iconic solo with ease? Or did you conquer the technical challenges of "One" by Metallica? This list isn't just nostalgia; it's a definitive ranking of the most rewarding, challenging, and downright fun songs from the game's legendary roster. Whether you're a seasoned pro revisiting old favorites or a newcomer eager to experience the thrill of virtual rock stardom, get ready to revisit the greatest tracks Guitar Hero 5 has to offer and maybe even discover some hidden gems along the way. Prepare your guitar controllers, because the countdown is on!
| Song | Artist | Album | Listens |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Smells Like Teen Spirit | Nirvana | Nevermind (Remastered) | 2B+ |
| 2. Feel Good Inc | Gorillaz | Demon Days | 861M+ |
| 3. Sex on Fire | Kings of Leon | Only By The Night | 543M+ |
| 4. You Give Love A Bad Name | Bon Jovi | Slippery When Wet | 392M+ |
| 5. Sultans Of Swing | Dire Straits | Dire Straits | 380M+ |
| 6. Lithium | Nirvana | Nevermind (Remastered) | 280M+ |
| 7. Superstition | Stevie Wonder | Talking Book | 171M+ |
1. Smells Like Teen Spirit (1991)
Guitar Hero 5 Difficulty: A challenging yet rewarding track for Guitar Hero 5 players, "Smells Like Teen Spirit" offers a thrilling experience with its iconic riff and fast-paced rhythm.
Iconic Riff: The instantly recognizable opening guitar riff is perfectly translated to the Guitar Hero 5 gameplay, making it instantly satisfying to play.
High Score Potential: Master the complex strumming patterns and quick transitions to achieve a high score and dominate the leaderboards.
2. Feel Good Inc (Gorillaz)
Guitar Part: Feel Good Inc.'s guitar riff is instantly recognizable and incredibly fun to play, featuring a catchy melody and satisfyingly challenging rhythm for Guitar Hero 5 players.
Overall Gameplay: The song's dynamic structure, with its shifts in tempo and intensity, translates well to the Guitar Hero format, offering a varied and engaging experience for players of all skill levels.
Crowd Pleaser: Its upbeat energy and memorable chorus make it a crowd-pleasing track that's sure to get everyone moving, both in the game and in real life.
3. Sex on Fire (Only By The Night - 2025)
Guitar Part: "Sex on Fire" boasts a highly recognizable and challenging guitar riff, perfect for showcasing skills on Guitar Hero 5. Its driving rhythm and memorable melody make it a standout track for players of all levels.
Gameplay Experience: The song's energetic tempo and distinct sonic qualities translate exceptionally well to the Guitar Hero format, providing a satisfying and rewarding gameplay experience.
Overall Difficulty: While challenging, the song's structure is well-suited to the game's difficulty progression, offering a climb in intensity that keeps players engaged without being overly frustrating.
4. You Give Love A Bad Name (1986)
Guitar Hero 5 Difficulty: A challenging yet rewarding track for Guitar Hero 5 players, featuring a memorable riff that's both fun and technically demanding.
Iconic Riff: The instantly recognizable guitar riff is a staple of 80s rock and provides a satisfyingly challenging experience for players of all skill levels.
High Score Potential: Master the fast-paced solo and complex chord progressions to achieve a top spot on the leaderboards.
5. Sultans Of Swing
Guitar Solo: Sultans of Swing features Mark Knopfler's iconic, instantly recognizable guitar work, a defining characteristic of the song and a true test of skill in Guitar Hero 5.
Rhythm and Groove: The song's infectious swing rhythm is perfectly suited to the Guitar Hero gameplay, providing a satisfying and challenging experience for players of all skill levels.
Difficulty Curve: While challenging, the song's structure allows for a gradual increase in difficulty, making it both rewarding and accessible to a wide range of players in Guitar Hero 5.
6. Lithium (1991)
Guitar Hero 5 Experience: Lithium's frenetic energy translates incredibly well to Guitar Hero 5, offering a challenging yet rewarding playthrough with its distinctive riff and driving rhythm.
Note Placement & Difficulty: The song's iconic distorted guitar sound and Kurt Cobain's raw vocals are perfectly represented in the game's note charting, making it a memorable and difficult track to master.
Overall Satisfaction: Successfully completing Lithium on expert mode provides a satisfying sense of accomplishment, thanks to its unique combination of technical challenge and raw emotional power.
7. Superstition (Talking Book)
Guitar Riff: Stevie Wonder's instantly recognizable, funky guitar riff is a joy to play, offering a satisfying challenge for Guitar Hero 5 players of all skill levels.
Groove: The song's infectious groove translates exceptionally well to the rhythm game, creating an engaging and energetic experience.
Note Density: While challenging, the note density isn't overwhelming, allowing players to focus on the song's nuances and enjoy the performance.
8. Sympathy For The Devil (The Rolling Stones - 1968)
Guitar Hero 5 Challenge: "Sympathy for the Devil" boasts a challenging yet rewarding guitar riff, making it a standout track for experienced players.
Iconic Rhythm: The song's driving rhythm and memorable chorus translate exceptionally well to the Guitar Hero gameplay, providing a satisfying and energetic experience.
Sustained Notes & Slides: Mastering the extended guitar solo sections will earn you serious points and a sense of accomplishment – a true test of skill.
9. The Rock Show
Guitar Hero 5 Experience: The fast-paced, energetic rhythm of "The Rock Show" translates incredibly well to Guitar Hero 5, making for a thrilling and rewarding playthrough. The song's iconic riff is especially satisfying to master.
Difficulty and Replayability: While challenging enough to be engaging, the song's structure and recognizable sections make it approachable for players of varying skill levels. It’s a track you'll want to return to repeatedly to perfect your score.
Overall Impact: Its punk energy and catchy chorus perfectly encapsulate the feeling of rocking out to a great song, making it a standout choice in the Guitar Hero 5 setlist.
10. Bullet with Butterfly Wings (The Smashing Pumpkins - 1995)
Guitar Hero 5 Experience: The iconic riff is challenging yet rewarding, making it a standout track for Guitar Hero 5 players of all skill levels.
Sonic Intensity: Its driving rhythm and powerful distortion provide a thrilling and energetic experience perfectly suited for the high-octane gameplay of Guitar Hero 5.
Memorability Factor: The song's instantly recognizable main riff and chorus ensure it remains etched in the memory long after you’ve finished playing it, a testament to its enduring appeal.
11Dancing with Myself
Billy Idol
1981
12Lust for Life
Iggy Pop
1977
13Comedown
Bush
1994
14Blue Orchid
The White Stripes
2005
15Steady, As She Goes
The Raconteurs
2006
16Shout It Out Loud
KISS
1976
Destroyer
17Play That Funky Music
Wild Cherry
1976
Wild Cherry
18Ring of Fire
Johnny Cash
1963
Highwayman
1921st Century Schizoid Man
King Crimson
1969
In The Court Of The Crimson King (Expanded & Remastered Original Album Mix)
20Wolf Like Me
TV on the Radio
2006
21All Along the Watchtower
Bob Dylan
1967
John Wesley Harding
22Bleed American
Jimmy Eat World
2001
23American Girl
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
1976
Tom Petty And The Heatbreakers
24One Big Holiday
My Morning Jacket
2003
It Still Moves
25Gamma Ray
Beck
2008
26Under Pressure
David Bowie,Queen
1981
Hot Space (Deluxe Remastered Version)
27Mirror People
Love And Rockets
1987