Recently Brent Smith the lead singer of Shinedown shared the 10 songs that mean the most to him, also he celebrated a birthday recently. With those songs being shared and the band releasing Planet Zero in July of 2022. The Inscriber Magazine has been inspired to come up with the ultimate playlist for the band.
Note: This can be found on Spotify as well.
No.1 “Diamond Eyes (Boom-Lay Boom-Lay Boom)”
How about starting off the list with energy? That is exactly what “Diamond Eyes (Boom-Lay Boom-Lay Boom) is. Also enjoy the part of the song where it slows down significantly and the lyrics are “every night of my life I watch angels fall from the sky, every time that the sun still sets, I pray they don’t take mine.”
No.2 “Beyond The Sun”
This one is one of the more underappreciated songs from Shinedown and is definitely a must-listen. It has a Metallica like sound to.
No.3 “Black Cadillac”
From the album Threat to Survival. “Black Cadillac” offered a more soulful approach from Smith.
No.4 “The Crow and the Butterfly”
Guitar solo check, amazing vocals check. What more is needed?
No.5 “Attention Attention”
The title track from the album Attention Attention. From the opening lyrics listeners are hooked, it’s also an album where Shinedown took on the topic of mental health.
Here are the introductory lyrics to the song. “Attention, attention, get down on the floor. Don’t reach for your pockets, don’t run for the door. Attention, attention, it’s urgent, it’s realThe cameras are rolling, the envelopes sealed.”
No.6 “Hope”
A ballad from the band’s latest album. The lyrics make the song and here is a great example of that. “Put on a happy face. Make a scene and leave a permanent trace. Show me that rebel inside,
where the leader of the revolution resides. Afternoon tea with the impending doom. Counting the elephants here in this room.”
No.7 “Burning Bright”
From Shinedown’s first release Leave A Whisper, this song showcased the power of Smith’s voice.
No.8 “Devil”
There is only one word to describe “Devil” and that is powerful. A song that also silenced any “haters” who believe that Shinedown appeals to the “hypermasculine military-friendly, red-state demographic.”
No.9 “Sound of Madness”
A driving song that has plenty of energy. Lyrics that stand out are “I created the sound of madness, wrote the book on pain. Somehow I’m still here to explain that the darkest hour never comes in the night. You can sleep with a gun, but when are you going to wake up and fight?
For yourself.”
No.10 “Monsters”
This song is featured on one of The Inscriber Magazine’s Spotify Playlists. The intro of the song gets you hooked. Smith opens with “good for you, you fooled everybody. Good for you, you fooled everyone. Good for you, now you’re somebody. Good for you, you fooled everyone. Leave your weapon on the table, wrapped in burlap, barely able, don’t get angry, don’t get discouraged, take a shot of liquid courage. Cause my monsters are real.”
No.11 “Second Chance”
Arguably for many one of the most recognizable songs by Shinedown. The music video tells the story of a young woman leaving home to pursue her passion, which was as a ballet dancer.
No.12 “Enemies”
The song has an aggressive, driving beat. Barry Kerch makes the song with the drums.
No.13 “Lady So Divine”
From the album Us and Them, “Lady So Divine” has a more gritty feel. Once again the lyrics are incredible especially towards the end of the song, which are “she’s here to rescue me. Clear my mind, and set me free. If it’s dark, she still shines. A masterpiece made by design. She’s come to rescue me. Stain my mind with make believe. If it’s dark, she still shines. She’s my lady, so divine,divine.”
No.14 “The Human Radio”
Aggressive guitar, great chorus and lyrics, what more is needed?
No.15 “Planet Zero”
Another heavier song. According to Smith, it is song that is about “giving power back to the individual and back to people from all walks of life.” He further went on to say that “If change is to be made, we have to do it together.”
Lyrics that hit home include “Out here on planet zero. We live like no tomorrow, I think we’ve reached the ceiling. They’re canceling your feelings, on to better days or so they say, but I don’t think so. They’re murdering our heroes, out here on planet zero.
No.16 “Bully”
This song is an anthem to those who have been bullied. It is also about no longer tolerating it with lyrics such as “we don’t have to take this back against the wall, we don’t have to take this we can end it all.”
No.17 “Get Up”
As mentioned earlier, Shinedown took on the stigma of mental health. This one is about taking the necessary steps to get the help one needs. The chorus says it best “Get up, get up. Get a move on. Get up, get up. What’s taking so long? Get up, get up. Get a move on. Stop stalling, I’m calling out.”
No.18 “What A Shame”
One of the most underrated songs that does not get the attention it deserves. It is about not judging others and treating them with respect regardless of their background.
No.19 “Better Version
The intro gets the listener hooked and amazing lyrics from their debut album.
No.20 “Atlas Falls”
Shinedown release Atlas Falls as a single to raise money for the non-profit humanitarian organization, Direct Relief during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. The band itself donated $20,000 to the cause.
As usual the lyrics to the song are amazing. “If Atlas falls, I’ll rise up and carry us all the way. It won’t pull me down. The weight of impossible days, I’ll stand tall, I’ll rise up and carry us all the way. Keep moving forward now, keep your head above the clouds, I’m right with you, I will lift you, just hold on.”
No.21 “For My Sake”
Another intro that is attention getting. The song is about ending a relationship and the lyrics showcase this amazingly.
No.22 “Misfits”
For those who struggle with their self-esteem, this song is about not being able to fit in or following certain societal rules. Another song that has powerful lyrics such as “cause the world has a way of tearing you down. Keeps you tied to the surface, paints you up like a clown, but I’m right here. Day after day, year after year. So come out, come out, wherever you are. I know you’re there,
I know you are.”
No.23 “Creatures”
Song is about battling demons and certain habits that bring people down. Opening speaks to this by stating “never again, never give in, never given in, never again, never give in, never given in.”
No.24 “If You Only Knew”
In this song, it shows why being vulnerable is important and how important communication is.
No.25 “Her Name Is Alice”
Piano opens, then a voice explains about a certain mystery when it comes to this particular world. Best part of song is when Smith sings at about the two minutes and 12 seconds mark with “this kingdom good riddance, good freedom and innocence. Has brought this whole thing down. Her name is Alice (Alice). She crawls into the window, who shapes the shadows. Alice (Alice).”
No.26 “Fly From The Inside”
To this day the song does not get the credit it deserves. It is underappreciated yet showed from Shinedown’s first album that the band was capable of a heavier sound.
No.27 “Brilliant”
Song starts out somewhat like a ballad yet picks up the tempo and the heaviness. It also showcases how facing fears helps one overcome certain thoughts and feelings. Lyrics that showcase this include “To whom it may concern, I won’t crash and burn. Burn, burn, I won’t crash.”
No.28 “I’ll Follow You”
A ballad, a love song showcasing devotion to one’s partner.
No.29 “State Of My Head”
Shinedown shared on their Facebook page the meaning of the song. It is “a song about being truly proud of who you are and the people you call your family and friends.
It is unlike anything we have ever written, for a reason and a purpose…because it needed to heard…because it is the renaissance of rock ‘n roll…AND THAT is the, ‘State of My, State of My, State Of My Head.'”
No.30 “I Dare You”
Another song with a great intro and the opening lyrics are great too. Hello, let me introduce you to. The characters in the show. One says yes, one says no. Decide which voice in your head you can keep alive. Even in madness, I know you still believe. Paint me your canvas, so I become, what you could never be. I dare you to tell me to walk through the fire, walk my soul, and call me a liar.”
No.31 “Breaking Inside”
Opening lyrics have the listener hooked from the start. The song starts out with “I caught a chill, and it’s still frozen on my skin. I think about why I’m alone, by myself, no one else to explain. How far do I go? No one knows If the end is so much better, Why don’t we just live forever? Don’t tell me I’m the last one in line. Don’t tell me I’m too late this time. I don’t wanna live
To waste another day. Underneath the shadow, of mistakes I’ve made. ‘Cause I feel like I’m breaking inside.”
No.32 “Through The Ghost”
Great opening lyrics are the bread and butter of Shinedown. Through the Ghost proves this with “Speak of the devil, look who just walked into the room. The guilted and faded, notion of someone I once knew. All the perfect moments are wrong, all the precious pieces are gone. Everything that mattered is just. A city of dust, covering both of us. Did you hide yourself away? I can’t see you anymore. Did you eclipse another day? I used to wake up to the color of your soul.”
No.33 “Special”
The song is a message to those who allow certain things to get in their way, for example ego.
No.34 “How Did You Love”
Smith put great meaning in How Did You Love. It is about recognizing that life is short and it is important how others are treated.
No.35 “Simple Man”
One of the greatest covers of all-time. His powerful voice and emotion with this song is incredible.
No.36 “Call Me”
A realization, a relationship ending. Still feelings for the one loved are still there. Lyrics are once again impressive with “I’ll always keep you inside. You healed my heart and my life, and you know I’ve tried. Call me a sinner, call me a saint. Tell me its over, I’ll still love you the same. Call me your favorite, call me the worst. Tell me its over I don’t want you to hurt.”
No.37 “45”
While the song has some controversy surrounding it due to the title. For those who listened to the song, it was easy to understand what Smith was conveying in the song. He paints a great picture of how difficult it is for a young man to open up and become vulnerable with those around him. Lyrics such as “in these times of doing what you’re told, keep these feelings, no one knows. What ever happened to the young man’s heart? Swallowed by pain, as he slowly fell apart.”
Or “Everyone’s pointing their fingers, always condemning me. And nobody knows what I believe, I believe.”
No.38 “A Symptom Of Being Human”
A song that reminds the listener of their humanity and that many share the same feelings at some point.
No.39 “Daylight”
This song expresses the importance of certain people in one’s life. Smith does a great job of illustrating that particular person may not realize that they are in fact a life saver and certain cases multiple times.
Yet expressing that in words is often difficult, which is why Daylight’s lyrics are so powerful. “It’s amazing what the hard times can reveal, like who shows up, who walks away, and who is for real.