Black Hole Sun by Soundgarden: How Chris Cornell Let Go of the Past to Find Soundgarden’s Future

[@Producelikeapro]

What songs do you feel changed music?

[@jamesweston4089]

Helter Skelter. Voodoo Child. Welcome To The Jungle.

[@Producelikeapro]

@@jamesweston4089marvellous

[@PabloUliver-Bass-Guitar]

Hey Warren! Several songs by Rush, or Genesis also...

[@Producelikeapro]

@@apegrasshoplizardthanks ever so much for sharing

[@Producelikeapro]

@@PabloUliver-Bass-Guitarexcellent!

[@rome8180]

I've never understood the snobbish Soundgarden fans who don't like this song. Maybe it's just overexposure or a knee-jerk reaction to commercial success. But in my opinion, it contains all the qualities of a "Soundgarden" song while adding on top a layer of melodic beauty reminiscent of The Beatles. It's one of the most inventive "hits" in the history of popular music.

[@guitaristssuck8979]

Well, it's one of those songs you'll eventually get tired of

[@Producelikeapro]

Every band has fans who love the band most before they become very successful. We are all guilty at times of wanting bands/artists to be ours and ours only!

[@JTguitarlessons]

This song and entire album is fantastic, and it has some real hidden gems on it. "Limo Wreck," "Mailman," "4th of July," really good songs.

[@jeffrey.a.hanson]

I wasn’t aware that this song wasn’t liked. It’s not like Cornell went pop. As a songwriter it influenced me to follow my ear and trust that I will find a way to stick the landing…and that there many ways to support a melody that still sound ‘pop’ to the general public.

[@HotTakeHQ]

Like Radiohead fans with creep?

[@leefchapman]

What a haunting and monumental song! RIP Chris.

[@Producelikeapro]

Yes, agreed 100%!

[@danymalsound]

AGREED

[@Producelikeapro]

@@danymalsound absolutely 100%!

[@tjmcgurk]

I worked at Bad Animals through the 90's as an engineer. Long hours, lots of crazy, fantastic stuff. I had some amazing experiences during the recording of that album. We had two EMT plates at the studio, in a back room outside of the main studio area. We used to go into the back room where the plates were kept, while Chris was tracking, or when they were mixing, and listen to his vocal coming through the plate. It was awesome. I had the horrible habit of singing bands songs that were in the studio, as I was working in various other studios at Bad Animals. Studio X had a back entrance to the big room (Studio X), which was also the lounge/kitchen/restroom area. There was a door into the back hall, which wasn't usually used by the bands. I was in the back hall one night after midnight belting out "Jesus Christ Pose". I came around the corner and came face to face with Chris. I immediately shut up and froze. He looked at me and said "Sonics look good this year, eh?" I mumbled yes and hurried off. Nice guy. Such a loss of an amazing vocalist.

[@zvonimirsarcevic7928]

it would be cool to see where they record, gear, how you seti it upa... and to hear some stories :)

[@Producelikeapro]

Wow! Thanks ever so much for sharing! Yes, huge loss of such an amazing singer!

[@AudioReplica2023]

I remember when this song came out . I was at lunch from school in a music store where radio was playing and this song stared to play. I was like; I gotta listen to that album. Next thing I knew I became a fan . Thats when I discovered Ten by PearlJam. What an era ...freakn miss the 90s

[@nocuh]

THE rock song for the summer of 1994. It was everywhere, and now serves as one of my reference recordings for auditioning a stereo system. Lightning in a bottle ⚡️🔥🚀

[@Producelikeapro]

Agreed 100%!

[@nikdrown]

Very much the soundtrack of summer 94. That and Green Day with Dookie are hard not to have memories of that year. Plus a bunch of other stuff

[@mystikrebel1089]

An amazing song thats dark, depressing , and haunting but something mystical i feel when i hear or see that video

[@Paulnap]

Holly sh*t! Those isolated drums! I love Cameron's playing on Soundgarden. What an absolute masterpiece of song, so unpredictable. It has everything.

[@guitaristssuck8979]

The ghost notes!

[@CarlDraper]

the leslie guitars gives me the goosebumps every time, superb track

[@vk3fbab]

The amazing thing is the tempo. How slow is black hole song. Count it out. You don't get popular songs this slow. It's slow but it doesn't sound like it's dragging. Everything is great about this track. The video is iconic to boot. It just all came together.

[@music531778]

RIP Chris Cornell. "Black Hole Sun" is definitely a timeless masterpiece that still catches ears & will for generations to come.

[@guitboxgeek]

First time I heard this song, I was sitting in my car at a stoplight and it was on the radio. I pulled over and listened to the entire thing, just astonished at the incredible feel and writing. Great vid as always, Warren!

[@thomash2806]

I’m a flight attendant and once had the pleasure of looking after Chris Cornell in First Class on a long haul flight. As far as I recall he was my only customer that day. He was calm and gentle: a very pleasant guest.

[@billyhughes9776]

Love this one -- I watched the original interview you did with Michael about SuperUnknown probably 10 times. Special, special record (in my personal top 5 of all time) and of course song. One thing -- the guitars you mentioned being used I'm pretty sure were Chris's guitars (maybe Kim used them too!), and I remember Michael saying that Chris played a good majority of the rhythm guitars throughout the record. Thanks Warren!

[@jamesweston4089]

Incredible track by an amazing band. Whenever it came on the radio in the 90’s, my car volume always went to 11! RIP Chris. Glad we have your music to always listen to.

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much for sharing. Yes, a masterpiece

[@justlisa1599]

i never heard this song til 2012 or so... must be timeless because i was so surprised to hear it is from a much earlier time! incredible. RIP Chris. : (

[@DonBonin]

Warren, you once again hit it out of the park with this video. Interesting, insightful and delivered with such respect for the music and the incredible people involved in making this song. I said it before, you are the real deal. Chris would have loved this. Thank you!

[@ramspencer5492]

Such a great song. Remember the first time i heard it. Sang along with the chorus in the first listen!

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much! Agreed, so good

[@1sparkyj]

I remember hearing this for the first time on MTV in the summer of 94 and it hit me like a sledgehammer! So disturbing yet beautiful.

[@spencergroup]

I remember hearing this song the same day that the death of Kurt Cobain was announced. The song, the guitar sounds especially, so encapsulated the gloomy mood that day fell into. The song to me had an instant timeless feel, that now around 30 years later it still holds up as a classic. Another great video in this series, Warren. Thanks.

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much for sharing

[@jeffbridges6110]

I'll never forget this song. I was 16 and everytime I listen to it , it brings back a lot of memories.

[@otgenesis7410]

A song so damn good I can listen to it in my head up to the exact second. Thanks a million😁

[@Producelikeapro]

A masterpiece

[@kildogery]

Haha, I know exactly what you mean.

[@RC32Smiths01]

Soundgarden is just one of the most brilliant bands to be honest. Just deep and personal writing put into very articulate music! Cheers

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much! Agreed 100%!

[@RC32Smiths01]

@@Producelikeapro Always a pleasure!

[@ragebait988]

Superunknown is the only album that is possible to get through. The others are kind of bad.

[@jamesweston4089]

@@ragebait988 - Badmotorfinger is a good album. People might hate on it but I love it. Searching With My Good Eye Closed is an epic song. But yeah, this is definitely the bust album.

[@Producelikeapro]

@@RC32Smiths01thanks ever so much as always

[@commontimeproductions]

It is interesting growing up here near Seattle and having the chance to be where these epic songs were created. I remember hearing some of SoundGarden's early stuff on the local radio stations when I was in middle school. I still remember Black Hole Sun being played a lot during our summer break and listening to it with my band friends. Thanks for this one Warren, it brings back such great memories. Hope you are doing well!

[@nickwilliams8454]

Warren mate you are knocking it out of the park! Maiden the other week now Soundgarden what a treat! I think Chris Cornell was one of the very best ever rock vocalists. He could scream but do tender just as well. Miss you Chris RIP x

[@dylanfrombach8771]

Another great one Warren! Growing up in Seattle I was able to see Soundgarden in Tacoma at the Comunity World Theatre opening for the Butthole Surfers years before the success. There was no doubt then that Chris's voice was one of the best rock voices ever. The Black Sabbath influence was definitely there way back then. I had never seen Soundgarden before that show and I was really there to see the Butthole Surfers. I remember saying to my friend Dexter "These guys think they are Black Sabbath." LOL. Was awesome to watch them grow and get more and more success with each record. What started as a band I just happened to see opening on a bill eventually became my favorite band from my hometown. Thanks again for your great take on an incredible song by an incredible band. RIP Chris.

[@charlienelson2395]

When I feel like I need creative inspiration, this album is one of the top few I put on. I was a kid when it came out and I listened to it a bajillion times. I miss the 90s.

[@mikej9619]

Great video, great content. I love music and the depth behind these creations. Thank you.

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much

[@cozmicpfunk]

I personally feel it is the best song of the Grunge era music- there are so many other greats but this one "Black Hole Sun" is a an achievement of it's time. It is beautiful and intense and deep and melancholy and lastly so profound as a musical statement. l love Warren and his ability dive into all kinds of music and find the common denominator of the Heart. Thank you so much

[@willem-janageling3907]

I have always loved Soundgarden and this one particularly. I love your passion for this one. It indeed is their Stairway.

[@madmuso5]

What a song, what an album! Superunknown is all killer no filler. I also love 4th of July from that album, one of my favourite soundgarden songs.

[@cdprince768]

Your comments about Sabbath at the end resonate. I remember people in the 90s equating Grunge with Punk, and my response was always, I hear Sabbath.

[@JohnLynagh]

Couldn't agree more with your sentiments Warren. For me , Chris was THE greatest rock vocalist of all time (with Robert Plant in 2nd) . He is so badly missed. What a production and thank god Michael B got this out Chris and the band. This story highlights to me that a good producer should know how to manage people and get the best out of them. Honestly delivered in a compassionate and understanding way. Thank you for your insights on this Warren and for making this video.

[@imacmadman22]

Chris and I are the same age, born barely two months apart and grew up less than an hour apart so I can identify with some of his ideas, themes and angst. We both grew up listening to the same kind of music. I never got to know him, we crossed paths at a party that was raided by the police where an early version of Nirvana played, later I saw him at another Nirvana show that didn't get shut down. Such is life, we were on different trajectories. "Superunknown" is a great album, but I have to listen in small doses, it's quite dark and if you're prone to melancholy, it can be addicting. Some may disagree, but I think "Black Hole Sun" is a masterpiece, but it sure as hell ain't chipper, unless you're talking about that scene from Fargo. Cheers, Warren - another great video, Thanks!

[@1rwjwith]

Brilliant song, brilliant recording that transcends the Grunge genre…it’s timeless. Great analysis Thanks!

[@irotinmyskin]

Hey Warren, please bring this series back! We miss new episodes

[@Producelikeapro]

Stay tuned!

[@InonBeiser]

An incredibly valuable video - inspiring and enlightening in terms of songwriting and production - thanks!

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much! I really appreciate it

[@dave_s_vids]

Brilliant video, thank you! These sorts of videos are absolute gold for the fans - being able to listen to the individual stems is fantastic

[@jonleonguerrero]

Somber and affectionate tribute to the great Chris Cornell. I appreciate the comments about the placement of the overheads and the darkness of the Ks. The width and heft of the drum sound on this record is remarkable.

[@Hau5test]

Love the breakdowns, always listening to the song after these videos with a new understanding and appreciation ❤

[@Producelikeapro]

That’s amazing to hear!

[@Producelikeapro]

Glad that it sparks your renewed vigour for the song and this amazing band!

[@nachobassman]

According to Kim Thayil he told Cornell to record all the clean/rotating guitar licks and he recorded some heavy rhythmic and, ofc, the solo.

[@jamesweston4089]

That’s interesting because they played them in reverse live. Kim played the Leslie and Chris played the heavy stuff. Just shows how amazing both were.

[@wyrlismike]

great video guys! love this kind of content. i remember being ten years old when this came out, me and some buddies were playing mortal kombat on snes and we turned it off and everyone freaked out when black hole sun was on mtv, i was the only one who didnt know it yet

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much! I really appreciate it. Such an amazing song

[@kyleolin3566]

One of my favourite songs of all time. Black Hole Sun has always given me a surreal feeling. Like living in a dystopian world and embracing the impending doom that will come when our universe inevitably implodes. Almost like the musicians who kept playing on the Titanic as it sank. And that snare…. Is there a better snare sound?

[@janka1298]

terrific review! I've always loved Soundgarden's Superunkown stuff and this review highlights the most important parts about its such a unusual song. thank you!

[@CarlosOro777]

Just amazing and awesome how music was so raw and creative back in the days before digital computer generated/lack luster sounds of today!

[@theena]

Soundgarden is my favourite band. This was such a joy to listen to. Such a great deep dive into the process.

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much for sharing!

[@philipbeasley72]

You got this one right. Awesome documentary style

[@IvanovBR]

Another great video! Thanks Again, Warren!

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much

[@alansouthall8221]

Thank you for this.

[@Producelikeapro]

My pleasure!

[@eatingplaydoh]

You have the best videos. Really enjoy your view that most of us never quite see. For me, the breakdown of equipment used is icing on the cake. Thank you.

[@DerrickBadenhorst-jl3xq]

It's great to hear you're saying "Totsiens". My native language Afrikaans. 😀 Love your videos. I don't comment much, but trust me when I say, I ALWAYS click on the like button, because your videos makes sense. Laat dit goed gaan met jou. Greetings from Port Elizabeth, South Africa 🇿🇦

[@Joey-rp5vg]

Great video. Never heard of this band, thanks for the heads up

[@Producelikeapro]

Our pleasure!

[@thommann8732]

I didn’t know the engineer was Jason Corsaro! He was the man behind The Power Station Tony Thompson drum sound, another of the most amazing drum sounds of all time!

[@Producelikeapro]

Very well said

[@kazukihiratani]

Woohoo! My favourite band! So glad you did this! I suggested it a while back! So stoked! Thanks Warren!

[@Producelikeapro]

My pleasure!!

[@pop000690]

My introduction to Soundgarden and next to Nirvana was my introduction to grunge music. A great haunting but beautiful melody, heavy chorus and a Creepy Music Video to boot. Its a great song on a great album.

[@jeremydmarx]

Fantastic breakdown of a masterpiece song off a masterpiece album!

[@Beer-GineersBeerReviews]

Love your expression when you hear stuff you love. Thanks Warren 👍

[@mariodriessen9740]

Such a great song! One of the best imho. ❤

[@thirdgengta]

Love this song, and I really love learning more about music. But I gave up on this particular video about mid-way through because of the the constant KZbin ad interruptions .

[@elizabethingram9784]

SG music blows my mind. Great video, good work. 😊

[@mayorofthenonsense]

30 years on and rock fans are STILL deconstructing this song and talking about how great it is.

[@divinedelaware7541]

What a voice that dude had. May Mr Cornell rest peacefully and beautifully.❤

[@fokeyjo]

I'm amazed that Chris was getting advice to write what he wanted and not what others wanted to hear when he was already several albums in. I've had to give musicians that advice because they were absolutely killing themselves trying to people please. Just don't please people - you may end up a penniless pauper, but you also may just end up one of the greatest rock songwriters! Really liked hearing the solo solo, but I think hearing the vocal solo would've been a good tribute also.

[@michaelsstatement]

I remember seeing the music video and hearing the song first time when it came out...I never bought a album because of the music video...but in this case....the whole album is a masterpiece. Love listening to it together with my favourite progressive rock bands. Great video Warren! What happened with the SSL?😢😢

[@mikej6565]

I saw it for sale on Reverb not long ago. Very sad to see people getting rid of their SSL's! I currently own 5 of them and will NEVER sell them!

[@concretebadger]

Brilliant video, thank you so much. It's funny: I'm surprised to hear that Badmotorfinger had a mixed reception, because I honestly don't know whether that or Superunkown is my favourite Soundgarden album! They're so different, so I suppose I admire them equally but for different reasons. Either way, I have a huge amount of respect for their ability to be so weird and yet so good at being weird! All those odd time signatures, alternate tunings variety of influences...all four of them are/were talented guys, whether many listeners realise it or not. And of course the sound design on Superunkown captures their respective greatness brilliantly.

[@terriblecertainity]

side note: i had no clue shinedown had a Grunge era...gonna check that! Awesome video as always

[@jryanmark]

It’s an incredible lullaby

[@MrTubeman206]

Lovely breakdown. Best Rock Vocalist if all time !!

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much for sharing

[@JacksonAxe]

Matt Cameron became part of my top 2 drummers of that genre the first time i heard Jesus Christ Pose. Dear Lord, that song is intense. Danny Carey was the other. The drumming on Opiate floored me.

[@eMeXdubyah]

wow i was just singing this one today because of the sky in new york from the wildfires

[@---do2qd]

Very influential song and record for me

[@edalder2000]

I knew "Louder Than Love" and "Badmotorfinger" was played endlessly through 1992 by me. "Superunknown" was a different beast. the sonic palette was a lot wider and the production seemed "brighter" and the sound not as thud-heavy as before. "Black Hole Sun" is a showcase for Cornell's vocals and what a voice! The subject matter and apocalyptic scene were totally different from anything else Soundgarden has ever done. "Black Hole Sun" is a song where everything just "fit." Soundgarden nailed it. When I first heard "Black Hole Sun," I was stunned. Soundgarden had so expanded their sound that it took me a while to catch up. An incredible statement of purpose.

[@Producelikeapro]

Thanks ever so much for sharing! Yes, Superunknown is a masterpiece

[@thechrisricci]

Awesome.

[@erikduijs2723]

This brings back memories of this one band that I recorded during the late 90s in my own studio at the time. They were very much into that 'grunge' sound and they were great at it. But there was this moment during the recording sessions of their main track where the guitar solo needed to be done. The guitar player, being a very young but super talented dude had this guitar solo prepared and after so many takes he kept messing up. At one point I suggested to forget about his prepared solo and just go wild and see where it goes. Although he humored that idea for like 1 take (which I thought sounded awesome) he then just said "no, I can do this". He absolutely nailed the very next take of his prepared solo, and it completed the song perfectly. Not sure how relevant this little anecdote is to this video, other than being inspired by it 🙂

[@mannysmiclocker]

I just picked up Super Unknown yesterday and been on repeat!

[@GIBKEL]

I was buying their first albums by reading print. Bleach, Mud Honey, ect. They were from my region and the record store I worked in got a monthly music magazine called ‘The Rocket’. It was so good to be present for what was about to break huge. Once it did, it was a mixed bag but SoundGarden hung on and grew while Nirvana had the misfortune of being the “It” band which brought ruin. Nobody was looking after these young guys. Loved this band and what a shame we don’t have these voices that we need. Just knowing someone is out there, gives peace of mind.

[@inphanta]

Fantastic video with lots of detail in a short space of time. I remember watching your interview with Michael Beinhorn and this serves as a nice addendum to it. :) Another producer who I think does great things with drums is the notoriously reclusive Dave Fridmann. Anyway, I definitely enjoyed this. Always good to see Soundgarden get more love!

[@ricopaulson1]

I could be wrong but I think Kim said recently in a Beato interview that Chris played the intro guitar line with the Leslie due to it not being a style of guitar Kim plays and he had difficulty doing it. So Chris played it on the record. Regardless great video.

[@crysstalized]

This is correct…was Chris

[@centroproiv5614]

Amazing content dude! Would be great if you can bring Beinhorn back to talk about other Superunknow tracks or the Korn album he produced , that record was nuts in terms of production.

[@danymalsound]

Such a well-crafted tribute piece that only you could deliver, Warren! Cheers!

[@philippgrunert8776]

One of my supermegaalltime favourites

[@todddonaldson2822]

Warren, another great video! Black Hole Sun and Superunknown are modern classics without any doubt. Interestingly I’ve never understood the reviews and some fans dislike for Badmotorfinger. Personally I think it is equally as good as Superunknown. They certainly are very different albums for different moods.

[@mannysmiclocker]

This may be one of my fav!

[@tisbonus]

Warren, this song was my shizzy! Played it constantly couldn't get enough. This was their pierre de tier or magnum opus. The lack of a click track allowed this to breathe. I'm curious, have you heard Eddie's son Wolfgang on his 1 st album? The song "Stone" affected me similarly because it's not quantized either.

[@BarkingLondon]

Great vid great track. 🖤👌🏻🎶🎶

[@gwaptiva]

Early Soundgarden fan here, and to me, Badmotorfinger is their best album... or at least I enjoy the most.. But then, I'm not a critic. I was at that Pinkpop gig when they played in the middle of a thunderstorm and it all fit so well together.

[@andthensome512]

An absolutely beautiful, forgotten and certainly underrated song from the mid 90s is Mockingbirds by Grant Lee Buffalo.

[@benjaminmtang]

could not agree more. i reckon it's the ambiguity of the images he used in the song (and yes, that video!) that opens it up to so many personal interpretations... and i too thought the song was dark and had an almost nihilistic undercurrent to it.

[@Hummelsbusch]

I love this song. One of my all time favourite rock songs. When I heard it the first time I was in awe and really wanted to know how they made this legendary guitar-sound. A classic.

[@patrickjosephtobin8014]

THANK YOU

[@erock.steady]

it's enthralling. like being a fly trapped in amber, fully aware that you're crystalizing.

[@InTheMindOfDavid]

That music video is one of the most surreal videos of all time. Can’t believe it’s already be 6 years since Cornell’s passing. Rock music lost one of its most powerful vocalist that day.

[@leafbelly]

Great video. I had no idea Badmotorfinger was panned by so many. To me, it's their best. And while the mix suffers, the songwriting blew my mind back in the early '90s with "Mind Riot" being one of my favorite songs of the '90s. But, the entire mix just sounds very thin and narrow and the hi hats are too loud, IMO. There are also horns on some of the tracks, but they're pretty low in the mix (like "Drawing Flies"). Maybe they didn't want ska comparisons, but I loved it. It reminds me of the first Foo Fighters album: great songs, lackluster production.

[@rocket69218]

I always thought it was the album that put them on the map, so to speak. I remember seeing loads of people wearing the Badmotorfinger t-shirts back in the day at Reading Festival and gigs. It was the first time I was properly aware of them anyway so I just presumed it was successful/liked.

[@BrundleFly868]

Another great video, but I must (respectfully) protest at your passing over Badmotorfinger so abruptly! When that album came out it blew my mind - Rusty Cage, Jesus Christ Pose, Slaves & Bulldozers... the whole thing just blazes with wild, heavy, frenetic energy like nothing we'd heard at the time. I absolutely love Superunknown (and indeed the whole Soundgarden discography) but, for me, Badmotorfinger will always be No.1.

[@musicmann1967]

For me this song was undeniable, right from the very first listen. There's a bunch of really good songs on this album. The production, though very slick for a grunge type band, was meticulous and perfect for the songs imo..

[@marcdanielnelson317]

Excellent video. We need to Model that Sun PA to get that distortion in a plugin!

[@Producelikeapro]

Yes please, Marc!!

[@micumatrix]

That song could be called „Ohrwurm“ ear worm in german. I remember being called out in the school for humming it all the time for a day. Black hole sun and spoon man… Of course it’s dark. Even if you don’t understand english, you got it when seeing the video that it’s not a happy song. Besides the radio we were happy with MTV and the german version of it Viva. Grunge was the epiphany moment after some dark and funny 1980s spent with Heavy-Trash Metal and Queen :) Nirvana, Alice In Chains, Pearl Jam, Jane’s addiction and bands like Smashing Pumpkins, Radiohead, etc.. Parallel to it HipHop, Trip-Hop! Drum&Base, House and a lot of other crazy stuff.

[@Beer-GineersBeerReviews]

Thanks Warren great video. Chris is maybe the best ever rock vocalist imo (between him and Robert Plant)

[@irok75]

what are your thoughts on the Behringer X32? I like that tune :)

[@Producelikeapro]

I have to try it!

[@Producelikeapro]

Actually I have! They have them at a rehearsal studio I use for Pre Production

[@Producelikeapro]

They are great and looking at the price, very affordable considering the amount of capabilities they have

[@irok75]

@@Producelikeapro You are the best, not because u say they are great just because u r u :)

[@lionheartroar3104]

Cornell was my favorite new rock voice in the 90's.