665

Album: Ultramega OK (1988)
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Songfacts®:

  • Written by Soundgarden bass player Hiro Yamamoto, 665 is one away from 666, the sign of the devil. The song parodies all those Heavy Metal songs that supposedly include hidden (or not-so-hidden) satanic messages. Soundgarden has said that the association between black magic and rock is ridiculous.
  • When played in reverse, lead singer Chris Cornell can be heard singing, "I need you Santa baby." This is a play on the supposed backward masking found in songs like "Stairway To Heaven."
  • Soundgarden was often pegged as an angsty band, but this song shows their vivid sense of humor. The album title is also a bit of a joke - they liked the songs but weren't thrilled with the way it was produced, so they reflected their conflicted feelings in the title Ultramega OK.

Comments: 3

  • Alice In A Garden from Plainfield, IlYeah this song Hiro Yamamoshi er whatever his name is sang the vocals for this song...or was it 667...but Hiro was an ex basist of soundgarden!
  • Hebrew from St. Paul, MnPer the song facts, apparently they don't think it's that ridiculous.
  • Ashley from Moncton, CanadaI think the earlier Soundgarden is better than the nineties Soundgarden, because there is more high-pitched Cornell screaming.
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