"By Crooked Steps" is a song by American

rock Rock most often refers to: * Rock (geology), a naturally occurring solid aggregate of minerals or mineraloids * Rock music, a genre of popular music Rock or Rocks may also refer to: Places United Kingdom * Rock, Caerphilly, a location in Wale ...

band

Soundgarden Soundgarden was an American rock band formed in Seattle, Washington, in 1984 by singer and drummer Chris Cornell, lead guitarist Kim Thayil, and bassist Hiro Yamamoto. Cornell switched to rhythm guitar in 1985, replaced on drums initially ...

. It is the second single from their album, ''

King Animal ''King Animal'' is the sixth and final studio album by American rock band Soundgarden, released on November 13, 2012, through Universal Republic and Loma Vista Recordings in North America and Vertigo Records elsewhere. Produced by the band alo ...

''. The song premiered on television November 27, 2012, on ''

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''. It reached number 1 on the US Mainstream Rock chart.

Music video

The music video for "By Crooked Steps" was directed by

Dave Grohl David Eric Grohl (; born January 14, 1969) is an American musician. He founded the rock band Foo Fighters, of which he is the lead singer, guitarist, principal songwriter, and only consistent member. From 1990 to 1994, he was the drummer of th ...

. The video depicts Soundgarden as a motorcycle gang who rides

Segways A Segway is a two-wheeled, self-balancing personal transporter device invented by Dean Kamen. The name is a registered trademark of Segway Inc. It was brought to market in 2001 as the Segway HT, and then subsequently as the Segway PT. ''HT'' ...

. Midway through the video, the band is shown shutting off an electronic music DJ's laptop, then taking over the stage and playing a show. The DJ proceeds to call the cops, and then the band flees the stage and rides again on the Segways with police in pursuit, ending with the band being arrested. One of the police officers who was arresting the band was played by

electronic Electronic may refer to: *Electronics, the science of how to control electric energy in semiconductors * ''Electronics'' (magazine), a defunct American trade journal *Electronic storage, the storage of data using an electronic device *Electronic c ...

music artist

Deadmau5 Joel Thomas Zimmerman (born January 5, 1981), known professionally as deadmau5 (pronounced "dead-mouse"), is a Canadian electronic music producer and disc jockey, DJ. His musical style mostly includes progressive house and electro house music, ...

. ''

Rolling Stone ''Rolling Stone'' is an American monthly magazine that focuses on music, politics, and popular culture. It was founded in San Francisco, California, in 1967 by Jann Wenner and the music critic Ralph J. Gleason. The magazine was first known fo ...

'' referred to Soundgarden in the video as "badass." Soundgarden drummer

Matt Cameron Matthew David Cameron (born November 28, 1962) is an American musician who is the drummer for the rock band Pearl Jam. He first gained fame as the drummer for Seattle-based rock band Soundgarden, which he joined in 1986, appearing on each of the ...

said he felt it was "refreshing" that Dave Grohl decided to make a humorous video for "By Crooked Steps" when it is such a serious song. Cameron went on to say that this was a new experience since Soundgarden had only made "more traditional rock music videos" in the past.

Personnel

Chris Cornell Christopher John Cornell ( Boyle; July 20, 1964 – May 18, 2017) was an American musician, best known as the lead vocalist, rhythm guitarist, and the primary lyricist for the rock music, rock bands Soundgarden and Audioslave. He also had a ...

– vocals, rhythm guitar *

Kim Thayil Kim Anand Thayil (born September 4, 1960)Kim Thayil Biography
Unofficial SG Homepage.

– lead guitar, color guitar *

Ben Shepherd Hunter Benedict Shepherd (born September 20, 1968) is an American musician best known as the bassist of rock band Soundgarden. Shepherd has won two Grammy Awards as a member of Soundgarden. Born in Okinawa, Shepherd grew up in Washington and d ...

– bass guitar *

– drums, percussion

Charts

References

External links

* {{authority control Soundgarden songs 2012 songs Song recordings produced by Adam Kasper Songs written by Chris Cornell Songs written by Ben Shepherd Songs written by Matt Cameron Songs written by Kim Thayil 2013 singles Republic Records singles