Guitar Hero exploded onto the scene and redefined music games, bringing the thrill of shredding iconic rock anthems into living rooms worldwide. The first installment set the stage, introducing players to a killer tracklist that blended classic rock staples with then-contemporary hits. For those looking to revisit the setlist that started it all, here’s a complete rundown of the Guitar Hero 1 Music List, a collection that cemented the game’s legendary status.
Guitar Hero 1 Full Song List
The original Guitar Hero was structured into tiers, each progressively more challenging and unlocking new songs as you conquered them. Here’s the breakdown of the main setlist, excluding bonus tracks, just like in the original blog post.
1. Opening Licks
- I Love Rock ‘N Roll – Joan Jett and the Blackhearts
- I Wanna Be Sedated – The Ramones
- Thunder Kiss ‘65 – White Zombie
- Smoke on the Water – Deep Purple
- Infected – Bad Religion
2. Axe-Grinders
- Iron Man – Black Sabbath
- More Than a Feeling – Boston
- You’ve Got Another Thing Comin’ – Judas Priest
- Take Me Out – Franz Ferdinand
- Sharp Dressed Man – ZZ Top
3. Thrash and Burn
- Killer Queen – Queen
- Hey You – The Exies
- Stellar – Incubus
- Heart Full of Black – Burning Brides
- Symphony of Destruction – Megadeth
4. Return of the Shred
- Ziggy Stardust – David Bowie
- Fat Lip – Sum 41
- Cochise – Audioslave
- Take It Off – The Donnas
- Unsung – Helmet
5. Fret-Burners
- Spanish Castle Magic – Jimi Hendrix
- Higher Ground – Red Hot Chili Peppers
- No One Knows – Queens of the Stone Age
- Ace of Spades – Motörhead
- Crossroads – Cream
6. Face-Melters
- Godzilla – Blue Öyster Cult
- Texas Flood – Stevie Ray Vaughan
- Frankenstein – The Edgar Winter Group
- Cowboys From Hell – Pantera
- Bark at the Moon – Ozzy Osbourne
This initial Guitar Hero tracklist was a masterclass in rock selection, ranging from the hard-hitting riffs of Black Sabbath’s “Iron Man” to the glam rock swagger of David Bowie’s “Ziggy Stardust.” It perfectly captured the spirit of rock music across decades, appealing to both seasoned rock fans and a new generation discovering these iconic songs through the game. The inclusion of diverse subgenres, from punk rock with The Ramones to heavy metal with Megadeth, ensured broad appeal and showcased the versatility of guitar-driven music.
While Guitar Hero 1 might seem basic compared to later installments, its song list remains incredibly influential and nostalgic for many. It laid the foundation for a franchise that would dominate music gaming and introduce countless players to the joys of rock and roll. For those who picked up the plastic guitar for the first time, this tracklist was the gateway to becoming a true guitar hero.
