Man, Guitar Hero 2. Takes me right back to college dorm battles where we'd trash-talk over who could nail "Free Bird." That game's tracklist? Pure fire. People still obsess over the Guitar Hero 2 song list for good reason – it nailed that sweet spot between rock classics and face-melting challenges. If you're digging through old boxes for that red controller or emulating it, this breakdown's for you. Let's get into why this setlist rocks and how to conquer it.
The Full Guitar Hero 2 Setlist Breakdown
Forty-two main tracks plus unlockables – way more than the first game. Neversoft threw in everything from Southern rock to metal bangers. What made this song list for Guitar Hero 2 special was the flow: Starting with "Shout at the Devil" and ramping up to "Carry On Wayward Son" felt like a real concert. Here's the complete roster:
| Song Title | Artist | Difficulty Tier | Fun Fact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shout at the Devil | Mötley Crüe | Medium | Perfect warm-up track |
| Mother | Danzig | Easy | Simplest intro riff ever |
| Surrender | Cheap Trick | Medium | Chorus chords trip beginners |
| Woman | Wolfmother | Hard | Insane solo section |
| Tonight I'm Gonna Rock You | Eurovision | Medium | Secretly hardest chorus jumps |
| Heart-Shaped Box | Nirvana | Medium | Timing quirks frustrate players |
| Message in a Bottle | The Police | Medium | Andy Summers' arpeggios = finger workout |
| You Really Got Me | Van Halen | Medium | Eddie's tone perfectly captured |
| Carry On Wayward Son | Kansas | Expert | Final boss track for many |
Seriously, trying to five-star "Carry On Wayward Son" on expert made me rage-quit twice. The layered solos still haunt me. Worth noting: Some covers divided fans. The GH2 version of "Sweet Child O' Mine" lacked Slash's feel, but "Free Bird"? Spot-on.
Personal Nostalgia Bomb
I'll never forget the first time I cleared "Psychobilly Freakout" on hard. Roommate bet me $20 I couldn't do it – bought pizza with my winnings. That track's chaotic energy is peak Guitar Hero 2 song list magic.
Tiered Difficulty Rankings
Not all tracks are created equal. Based on my 100+ hours (and multiple smashed controllers), here's how they stack up:
Beginner-Friendly Tracks
- Mother (Danzig): Three chords. Seriously.
- Search and Destroy (Iggy Pop): Simple power chords
- Strutter (Kiss): Straightforward classic rock
Great for learning hammer-ons without panic.
Mid-Tier Challenges
- War Pigs (Black Sabbath): Slow tempo, tricky timing
- Can't You Hear Me Knocking (Stones): That extended solo though
- Tattooed Love Boys (The Pretenders): Deceptively fast chorus
Pro tip: "John the Fisherman" trains you for rapid alt-strumming.
Expert Nightmares
- Free Bird (Lynyrd Skynyrd): 5-minute endurance test
- Carry On Wayward Son: Solo sections require tap-hopping
- Psychobilly Freakout (Reverend Horton Heat): Pure chaos
Beat these and you've earned bragging rights. Still can't FC Free Bird after 15 years.
Warning: "Jordan" by Buckethead isn't just hard – it's controller-breaking frustrating. Those tapped arpeggios? Pure evil. Only 23 people FC'd it worldwide in 2006 according to leaderboards.
Unlockable Secrets You Might've Missed
Beat career mode? Congrats, you unlocked 10+ bonus tracks. Some gems:
| Unlock Method | Song | Artist | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beat Medium Career | Arterial Black | Drist | Insane tempo changes |
| Beat Hard Career | Six | All That Remains | Metalcore madness |
| Co-op Mode | Jessica | Allman Brothers | Duet masterpiece |
Deep cuts like "Trooper" by Iron Maiden only appeared in co-op. My brother and I failed this for weeks – the harmony sections require scary coordination.
Why This Song List Still Slaps Today
Compared to later GH games, Guitar Hero 2's song list had personality. No filler pop tracks – just guitar-driven bangers. Harmonix curated songs that actually worked with plastic controllers:
- Iconic intros (Sweet Child O' Mine)
- Solo-heavy tracks (Free Bird)
- Rhythm challenges (Message in a Bottle)
Modern rhythm games could learn from this. Too many recent setlists prioritize popularity over playability.
Critical Flaws? Yeah, A Few
Let's be real: The absence of real Metallica tracks stung. "Carry On Wayward Son" is great, but replacing it with "Killing in the Name" would've been perfection. And why include two Wolfmother tracks? "Woman" rocks, but "Love Train" felt redundant.
Performance Tips From a GH Veteran
Want to dominate? Burn these into your brain:
- Star Power Placement: Save it for sections with long note streams
- Orange Button Reliance: Practice songs like "Search and Destroy" without it
- Controller vs Guitar: PS2 Kramer controller's strum bar > X-plorer for fast songs
Biggest mistake I see? Over-strumming solos. Ease up – the game registers lighter touches.
Song List Legacy and Easter Eggs
Fun fact: The GH2 version of "Hangar 18" inspired Megadeth's actual live arrangements. Dave Mustaine saw cover bands copying the game's chart! Also, pause during loading screens for hidden messages mocking your skill level. Savage.
FAQ: Your Guitar Hero 2 Song List Questions Answered
Did any songs get cut from the final tracklist?
Yep. Early builds included "Smoke on the Water" but got axed for licensing. Total shame – that riff would've killed.
Why are some covers better than others?
Harmonix recorded multiple versions. Their "Carry On Wayward Son" nailed the harmonies, while "Killing in the Name" cover sounded thin without Zack's scream.
Can I play these songs on modern systems?
Officially? Tough. But Clone Hero modders have rebuilt the entire Guitar Hero 2 song list note-for-note. Google "GH2 Clone Hero pack" – lifesaver.
What's the rarest achievement?
"The Lou" – 5-star every song on expert. Took me 8 months back then. Required grinding "Jordan" for weeks.
Which tracks teach real guitar techniques?
"Message in a Bottle" = arpeggio practice. "John the Fisherman" = downpicking endurance. "Woman" = whammy control. Seriously, this song list for Guitar Hero 2 functions as Guitar 101.
Final Verdict on the Ultimate Song List
Look, newer games have flashier graphics. But Guitar Hero 2's tracklist? Timeless. It forced you to grow from strumming "Mother" to sweating through "Free Bird." Few games deliver that progression. Dig out your PS2, blow dust off the disc, and relive the glory. Just... maybe buy a spare controller first.
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