Guitar Hero 2 Song List: Dive into the Setlist of a Legend

The anticipation was palpable, and the rumors were swirling. Finally, the full tracklist for Guitar Hero 2 was unleashed, sending waves of excitement through the gaming and music communities. Set to arrive on Playstation 2 on November 7th and Xbox 360 in Spring 2007, this sequel promised to amplify everything that made the original Guitar Hero a phenomenon. And it delivered. Boasting a significantly expanded and more diverse selection of rock anthems, Guitar Hero 2‘s song list was designed to captivate a broader audience, ensuring there was something for every aspiring guitar hero. For those who spent countless hours shredding in the first game, dreaming of even more iconic tracks, Guitar Hero 2 was an answer to their rock and roll prayers.

Guitar Hero 2 song list is revealed on the game box art for Playstation 2 and Xbox 360

Let’s break down the legendary Guitar Hero 2 song list that defined a generation of virtual rockstars:

Opening Licks: Starting Strong

This opening tier immediately sets the tone, mixing classic rock with heavier sounds to get players pumped.

• Motley Crue – Shout at the Devil: A stadium anthem to kick things off with glam metal energy.
• Danzig – Mother: A dark and iconic track, blending punk and metal influences.
• Cheap Trick – Surrender: Pure power pop perfection, an undeniably catchy rock staple.
• Wolfmother – Woman: Modern retro-rock that brings heavy riffs and bluesy swagger.
• Spinal Tap – Tonight I’m Gonna Rock You Tonight: A touch of humor and hard rock parody from the mockumentary legends.

Amp-Warmers: Getting Hotter

The intensity ramps up with this set, featuring some true guitar gods and unforgettable riffs.

• Kiss – Strutter: Glam rock at its finest, with a signature swagger and memorable guitar work.
• Nirvana – Heart-Shaped Box: Grunge royalty, a melancholic yet powerful track with Kurt Cobain’s iconic vocals and guitar.
• Police – Message in a Bottle: New wave with reggae influences, featuring Sting’s distinctive voice and Andy Summers’ intricate guitar lines.
• Van Halen – You Really Got Me: Eddie Van Halen’s explosive guitar intro and a high-energy rock classic.
• Kansas – Carry on Wayward Son: Progressive rock masterpiece with soaring vocals and epic guitar harmonies.

String-Snappers: Raising the Stakes

This section starts to challenge players with faster tempos and more intricate guitar parts.

• Foo Fighters – Monkey Wrench: High-energy alternative rock with Dave Grohl’s powerful vocals and driving guitars.
• Alice in Chains – Them Bones: Dark and heavy grunge with distinctive vocal harmonies and a crushing riff.
• Iggy Pop and the Stooges – Search and Destroy: Raw punk rock energy, a chaotic and influential track.
• Pretenders – Tattooed Love Boys: New wave with punk attitude, Chrissie Hynde’s strong vocals and sharp guitar work.
• Black Sabbath – War Pigs: Heavy metal pioneers, an epic protest song with Tony Iommi’s legendary riffs.

Thrash and Burn: Full Throttle

Prepare for shredding! This tier turns up the heat with faster tempos and more technically demanding songs.

• Warrant – Cherry Pie: Glam metal with a catchy hook and guitar-driven energy.
• Butthole Surfers – Who Was in My Room Last Night: Alternative and psychedelic rock, known for its bizarre and unconventional sound.
• Matthew Sweet – Girlfriend: Power pop with a 90s alternative edge, a catchy and guitar-heavy track.
• Rolling Stones – Can’t You Hear Me Knockin’: Classic rock jam with extended instrumental sections and iconic guitar riffs.
• Guns N’ Roses – Sweet Child O’ Mine: One of the most iconic guitar intros of all time, a hard rock ballad that builds into a powerful anthem.

Return of the Shred: Guitar Hero Territory

This is where Guitar Hero 2 truly earns its name, demanding serious fretwork skills.

• Rage Against the Machine – Killing in the Name Of: Aggressive rap-rock with politically charged lyrics and Tom Morello’s revolutionary guitar techniques.
• Primus – John the Fisherman: Funky and eccentric alternative metal with Les Claypool’s unique basslines and unconventional guitar riffs.
• Sword – Freya: Stoner rock with heavy, sludgy riffs and epic, mythological themes.
• Thin Lizzy – Bad Reputation: Classic hard rock with twin guitar harmonies and a driving rhythm.
• Aerosmith – Last Child: Blues-infused hard rock with a funky groove and Joe Perry’s signature guitar licks.

Relentless Riffs: Non-Stop Rock

The challenge continues with a relentless barrage of iconic riffs and demanding solos.

• Heart – Crazy on You: Hard rock with a powerful female vocal and an iconic acoustic guitar intro that explodes into electric energy.
• Stone Temple Pilots – Tripping on a Hole in a Paper Heart: Grunge with psychedelic elements, known for its distinctive guitar riff and Scott Weiland’s vocals.
• Stray Cats – Rock This Town: Rockabilly revival with a fast tempo and retro guitar stylings.
• Allman Brothers – Jessica: Instrumental Southern rock jam showcasing incredible guitar interplay and musicianship.
• Jane’s Addiction – Stop!: Alternative rock with art-rock influences, featuring soaring vocals and dynamic guitar work.

Furious Fretwork: Pushing the Limits

Only true guitar heroes can conquer this tier, requiring speed, precision, and stamina.

• Anthrax – Madhouse: Thrash metal with fast tempos and aggressive riffs, a true test of speed and accuracy.
• Living End – Carry Me Home: Punk rockabilly fusion with blistering speed and high-energy performance.
• Lamb of God – Laid to Rest: Modern metal with heavy grooves and complex guitar riffs, demanding precision and rhythm.
• Reverend Horton Heat – Psychobilly Freakout: Psychobilly madness with lightning-fast guitar licks and a frantic pace.
• Rush – YYZ: Progressive rock instrumental masterpiece, known for its complex time signatures and virtuosic musicianship, a true Guitar Hero challenge.

Face-Melters: The Ultimate Test

The final tier, reserved for the most skilled players, featuring epic tracks and unforgettable solos.

• Avenged Sevenfold – Beast and the Harlot: Modern metal with melodic elements and a challenging guitar solo.
• Suicidal Tendencies – Institutionalized: Punk and thrash crossover with fast tempos and socially conscious lyrics.
• Dick Dale – Misirlou: Surf rock instrumental with incredibly fast and iconic guitar licks, made famous by Pulp Fiction.
• Megadeth – Hangar 18: Thrash metal classic with complex song structures, intricate riffs, and dueling guitar solos.
• Lynyrd Skynyrd – Free Bird: Southern rock epic, culminating in one of the most legendary guitar solos in rock history, a true test of endurance and skill.

While some iconic bands like Iron Maiden and AC/DC were notably absent from the initial Guitar Hero 2 song list, the sheer breadth and quality of the included tracks cemented its place as a legendary entry in the series. And who knows, maybe those missing icons would appear as bonus content down the line. Regardless, Guitar Hero 2‘s tracklist was a resounding success, ensuring countless hours of rocking out for gamers worldwide and further solidifying the franchise’s place in music game history.