What makes Like a Stone by Audioslave notable?

'Like a Stone' quickly became one of Audioslave's signature songs, reaching number one on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart and receiving extensive radio play. The song's introspective lyrics and melodic structure resonated with audiences, solidifying the band's place in early 2000s rock and influencing many alternative metal bands that followed. Released on January 1, 2003, 'Like a Stone' was a significant single from Audioslave's self-titled debut album. At this time, the band was navigating the complexities of merging Chris Cornell's artistry from Soundgarden with the instrumental prowess of Rage Against the Machine members, marking their entry into a new musical landscape.

How many songs are on Like a Stone?

Like a Stone has 3 tracks, running approximately 13 minutes.

Like a Stone

Audioslave · 2003

13 min · 3 tracks · alternative rock

A haunting blend of brooding melodies and powerful vocals that capture both longing and introspection.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Like a Stone — This track exemplifies Audioslave's signature sound, showcasing Chris Cornell's soaring vocals over a hauntingly melodic guitar line, encapsulating themes of yearning and loss.
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We Got the Whip — With its driving rhythm and aggressive instrumentation, this track highlights the band's hard rock roots while also displaying a more playful lyrical approach.
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Gasoline (live from Letterman) — The live performance adds an electrifying energy to the studio version, demonstrating the band's raw power and dynamic stage presence, which are hallmarks of their identity.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

54 /100

Foothills

Higher than 43% of albums we've rated

The single showcases strong songwriting and production, though its cohesion suffers from the inclusion of unrelated tracks.

What we noticed

The title track features a slow, steady tempo with a prominent guitar riff that underpins the verses and chorus.
Vocals are layered with harmonies in the chorus, creating a rich texture that contrasts with the sparse instrumentation of the verses.
The song's structure follows a traditional verse-chorus format but includes an extended instrumental outro that emphasizes its emotional weight.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 4/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Breakthrough — Established Audioslave's reputation with a signature sound and chart success.
Themes: haunted longing· post-grunge introspection
Career context: Released on January 1, 2003, 'Like a Stone' was a significant single from Audioslave's self-titled debut album. At this time, the band was navigating the complexities of merging Chris Cornell's artistry from Soundgarden with the instrumental prowess of Rage Against the Machine members, marking their entry into a new musical landscape.
Stylistic neighbors: Soundgarden· Rage Against the Machine· Stone Temple Pilots