Top Five Blind Melon Songs With Shannon Hoon
It was sixteen years ago today (10/21/95) that we unexpectedly said farewell to one of the most talented and underrated vocalist of our time -- Shannon Hoon of Blind Melon. While the singers demons became too much for him very early in his career, he still amassed a collection of great, heartfelt songs that are still celebrated amongst his fans today. Check out our five favorite songs by Shannon Hoon.
- 5
'No Rain'
Although there are probably much better candidates for the list than the band's only big hit, we included 'No Rain' because it was the first time most people knowingly heard Hoon's voice -- many unknowingly heard Shannon's backup vocals on Guns N' Roses 1991 hit 'Don't Cry'. Unfortunately the song was not a very good representation of the band's sound, that along with the bee-girl from the video became the things that many would remember most about Blind Melon -- a band that was so much more than one song and one video.
- 4
'Time'
An album cut from their 1992 debut showcases the true versatility of Blind Melon's instrumentation and Hoon's vocals at the same time. From the jangly intro to the outro guitar solo that winds down the song, this song is a much better representation of Blind Melon and Shannon Hoon than 'No Rain'.
- 3
'Galaxie'
This fan favorite from 'Soup' paints a picture of Hoon's first love and break-up, using his 1964 Ford Galaxie as inspiration for the lyrics that replaced the original written chorus of 'I'm a freak' -- which Shannon hated and refused to sing.
- 2
'Toes Across the Floor'
The second single from the band's sophomore album 'Soup' wasn't much of a commercial success, but it showed the scope of what the band was capable of. 'Toes Across the Floor' mixed the jammier tendencies with straight ahead rock and psychedelia to create a backdrop for one of Shannon's most powerful vocal performances.
- 1
'Change'
Often regarded as their best song by many die-hard fans, the song was a single but never quite received the attention that 'No Rain' did. The song combines several elements found in much older rock, giving it a felling that's more early 70's than early 90's. The lyrics examine the pitfalls of not living life the way you want to, a hauntingly resonant message that echoed the real life of Shannon Hoon and his struggles with addiction.