10 Best Rock Songs Of 2009

The 10 best rock songs of 2009 is a mesh of established rock rulers, obscure sleeper album cuts, and tracks from ambitious, determined, albeit relatively unknown diamonds in the rough. Rock is an intensely personal thing. Whether it is a hard-hitting savage beast of a song or a kill-me-now ballad, rock songs allow you to feed off its anger or glorify in its beautiful message. If the song doesn’t make you “feel” something…anything, then what really is the point of it? Here are 2009’s best rock songs, in no particular order.

1. Shinedown: “Sound of Madness” –This title track of the bands most driving album is a “tongue in cheek” tirade about someone who is being overly dramatic. The hook is in the chorus. Lead man Smith admits he can be an even bigger diva, but it mans up quite nicely. It walks the walk, strutting just enough raunch and grunge to satisfy even the hardest metal head.
 
2. Disturbed: “The Night” –This sinks its sharp little teeth in with this perfectly executed piece of rock. It’s pure catnip for head bangers. The erotic blend of sawed off axe riffs, power-pumping drums and a slick chorus strikes just the right chord. Embrace front man’s Draiman’s darkness within him.
 
3. Linkin Park: “New Divide” –L.P. never fails to bring it, but they even surpassed themselves with this one. New Divide makes the 10 best rock songs of 2009 mainly because it was included in “The Transformer,” soundtrack; however,  it stands on its own merit. The video is soaked in cheese, but the vocals are powerful.
 
4. Kings of Leon: “Use Somebody” –The naysayers of these masters of metal need to give this flawlessly executed rock song a listen. Sure, the “life on the road” thing has been done to death, but no one can deny greatness when the guitar literally weeps during the bridge. Mainstream rock? Perhaps, but listening to Caleb vocals is sheer, unadulterated finesse and nothing short of magic.
 
5. Mudvayne: “Scream With Me” –This hardcore, bad attitude of a song is a cornucopia of a hundred drunken barbeques, mixed with a plethora of pandemonium. Upon listening to this song off of the self-titled LP, you may find yourself wanting to “stand in the corner and scream” along with this punishing vocalist’s tortured soul. This top 10 best rock song of 2009 is teeming with ferocity, fistfuls of guitar grandeur and demolishing drum action, with just a hit of acoustic to knock you off your game.
 
6. Three Days Grace: “Break” –This was not a huge hit, but it was such a cut above their usual cookie–cutter melodies and tearjerker song style. These guys are passionate, and although “Pain” was a good one, this song far surpasses it. They will enjoy a long and lucrative career.
 
7. Breaking Benjamin: “I Will Not Bow –This top 10 best rock song tells a story that is both heavy-hearted and reflective. It is powerful without coming across as pretentious, as they sometimes can. It is prideful, soulful and altogether masterful.
 
8. Sick Puppies: “You’re Going Down” –These are truly some commanding vocals. The lyrics get in your head, heart and soul and beckon for total surrender to the hard-driving, primitive guitar riffs until you are pleading for forgiveness. This is a must-have for any metal head worth his salt.
 
9. Marilyn Manson: “We’re From America? –Manson is once again up to his old tricks with this arrogant song where the lyrics cut Americans more than the music can ever hope to. This is a high-octane brilliant song that kills with satire and sarcasm, yet you find yourself turning it up louder. Stark, maddening and dark; this one is worth keeping on the top 10 best rock song list of 2009.
 
10. Theory of a Deadman: “Bad Girlfriend”– Every once in a while a band comes along, and you know right from the get-go that you are instantly addicted. It was a hard choice between “Bad Girlfriend,” “So Happy” and all the other masterpieces, but the guitarist nukes his way through this little jewel beautifully. The vocalist cuts through the entire BS in such a way that it leaves you cheering.