Rock Band song library hits 1,000

Harmonix and MTV Games reach milestone between on-disc, downloadable tracks for rhythm franchise.

When Rock Band was first announced in April 2007, Harmonix founder Alex Rigopoulos laid out his ambition for the project, saying the developer had "very big plans for building out a huge library of online expansion content." That ambition has been soundly realized, as this week the Rock Band platform reached a new milestone, with 1,000 songs available on disc or as downloadable content.

Rock Band will never sport a true "never-ending setlist," but it gets a little closer every week.

That tally spans songs from Rock Band, Rock Band 2, Lego Rock Band, the PSP adaptation Rock Band Unplugged, and hundreds of downloadable songs that can be played across multiple games. It also includes the retail-exclusive AC/DC track pack's 18 songs, but omits The Beatles: Rock Band, as that game and its downloadable content are not compatible with the rest of the Rock Band series. A full list of Rock Band's 1,000 songs is available on the game's official Web site.

Rock Band's catalog has even surpassed that of its main competition (and Harmonix's previous project), Guitar Hero. Activision's official Guitar Hero music catalog lists roughly 830 songs available across the five main installments of the series, spin-offs like Band Hero and Guitar Hero Rocks the '80s, the Guitar Hero On Tour DS games, band-specific titles for Aerosmith and Metallica, and downloadable offerings. The Activision catalog page includes neither DJ Hero nor Guitar Hero: Van Halen, which includes 44 tracks and will be released in stores December 22. (The game was also sent out early to purchasers of Guitar Hero 5 as part of a since-expired promotion.)

Since Rock Band debuted November 20, 2007, Harmonix has supported the game with 105 consecutive weeks of new downloadable content. The offerings run the gamut from full album downloads like Judas Priests' Screaming for Vengeance to novelty freebies like Stephen & the Colberts' faux '80s stalker anthem "Charlene (I'm Right Behind You)."

At the moment, Pearl Jam is the best represented band in the series, with 25 songs available for download, and a 26th track, "Alive," available on the Rock Band 2 setlist. The Foo Fighters are close behind with 25 songs (22 downloadable and one on-disc track for each console installment of the series). That gap is likely to expand, as Pearl Jam in May invited fans to vote on their favorite versions of more than 40 different songs for inclusion in an unspecified "Rock Band project" to be released in 2010.

The Seattle rockers won't be the only ones seeing a surge in the Rock Band game's downloadable catalog. Harmonix and MTV Games have announced a do-it-yourself way for bands to get their music into the game with the Rock Band Network Music Store. When that project does launch (it's currently slated as "coming soon"), the companies said it will "exponentially increase the number of songs available."

For more on the latest addition to the Rock Band line, check out GameSpot's review of Lego Rock Band.

145 Comments

  • norabbitnofun

    Posted Dec 4, 2009 2:31 pm GMT

    We don't really get 1000 songs available no matter the game we choose, because roughly 25% of these songs are on disc only. With the Lego, Beatles and Unplugged games unable to export to one another, this means you get fewer songs.
    Really, why not just make everything mixable and DLC-able in any way we want? It just means more revenue for these guys. I would gladly buy Ghostbusters, but not at the cost of a full-fledged game. No way.

    PS: For people wondering why people can prefer Guitar Hero, I have to hypotheses to offer.
    1 - Rock Band is really less of a great experience outisde of the USA, because of the lack of proper instruments for years.
    2 - You start that thing called plastic guitar playing with a virtual friend called Guitar Hero, you get accustomed to the name, you like it. Then someone else comes and does something close to it (better at the time), then your Guitar Hero catches up. You keep your usual names and favourites, that's all. Sometimes beyond rationale. But I would say it is your choice (not mine).

  • Gkeller14

    Posted Nov 30, 2009 3:16 pm GMT

    I don't understand how the note charts can be an issue. Unless the notes are just completely random, its all the same. If it is really that huge of an issue to you, but some sheet music and a guitar and play it that way. And if that's not possible for you, then you should just stop playing. There's a few understandable problems with condensing a song that possibly spanned as many as 24 frets down to 5 buttons

  • RE4WiiGirl

    Posted Nov 30, 2009 7:22 am GMT

    Im dying for RB2, and meanwhile im still waiting to buy the ****ing game here in Australia. GET INTO GEAR HARMONIX geez!!!!

  • Ma6660t

    Posted Nov 30, 2009 7:05 am GMT

    I love Rock Band over GH, FYI...

  • Ma6660t

    Posted Nov 30, 2009 7:03 am GMT

    Just give me some Slipknot and I'll be happy for life...

  • gobbo00

    Posted Nov 30, 2009 3:53 am GMT

    And with all this content for this game alone microsoft still offer only a 120gig hard drive to buy seperately.

  • herbertfkj

    Posted Nov 29, 2009 7:59 pm GMT

    @ SocialAnXieTy "Back on subject though, this is why I love Rock Band over Guitar Hero. GH charts are always dumbed down and simplified, not to mention the engine isn't that great on any of the instruments.. especially drums."

    GH charts are not always simplified. Sometimes, it can be even more challenging! I tried to figure out how exactly to sing 'The Rock Show' on GH5, which I only got 3 stars and for Rock Band 2 DLC I could get 100%. It's so challenging to try and sing in a tune other than what the original singer is doing, and the deviation is not just a few notes but entire sections of phrases. I realised that if you are a large game publishing company, you have to hire non-tone-deaf people to chart your tunes.

  • DJSAV_101

    Posted Nov 29, 2009 7:09 pm GMT

    Activision should learn from Harmonix and put out good DLC every week not another mediocre GH game every 6 months.

  • ruines131

    Posted Nov 29, 2009 6:29 pm GMT

    Its just too bad nobody cares about music games anymore. Most people don't even know what a DJ hero is anyways. Everybody right now is too busy trying to unlock the model 1887 in modern warfare 2 either way lol.

  • Linkman0714

    Posted Nov 29, 2009 5:34 pm GMT

    Holy Crap

  • reece590

    Posted Nov 29, 2009 4:00 pm GMT

    Thats a lot of music!

  • CCGR_Pheonix

    Posted Nov 29, 2009 3:28 pm GMT

    @Glade_Gnarr

    When Rockband 2 came out and the exporting from Rockband to Rockband 2 became possible Harmonix had already lost their licenses to those three songs. Thus you couldn't export them to Rockband 2. Answer your question?

  • Kleeyook

    Posted Nov 29, 2009 9:02 am GMT

    I wish RB Unplugged on PSP will get 1,000 DLCs soon! I can't stand the songs they release. I love a few of them, a few. Why don't they bring Linkin Park to RB PSP?

  • gotNITRO

    Posted Nov 29, 2009 3:15 am GMT

    The only problem I have with RB is the songs they have been coming out with for DLC.

  • MuRRaY-

    Posted Nov 28, 2009 11:27 pm GMT

    Let's just say you'll never run out of songs to "play" at a party now Following a Rock Band Bar night presented by Dualshockers.com recently, I found out the importance of DLC as there were so many songs available for play that were new to even myself (veteran RB2 player)

  • xXvenom5150Xx

    Posted Nov 28, 2009 10:34 pm GMT

    I guess some people here don't realize that not everyone has access to DLC. Also 60 bucks for 80 some songs versus the 1-2 dollars per song times 80 (you can do the math) is cheaper, which helps some of us out. I do like Rock Band, don't get me wrong.

  • Glade_Gnarr

    Posted Nov 28, 2009 10:17 pm GMT

    I still wanna know what the hell happened to run to the hills, paranoid and enter sandman when rock band 2 came out.

  • Byaku524

    Posted Nov 28, 2009 10:12 pm GMT

    1000 songs is amazing. But I'm surprised that they don't have Yellowcard yet. Do that and I'll be a happy man.

  • Mr_arizona

    Posted Nov 28, 2009 6:54 pm GMT

    Rock band-1000 songs available on one disc. Guitar hero-874 songs across 10 disc.

  • Dynamo11

    Posted Nov 28, 2009 4:55 pm GMT

    Guitar Hero's downfall was the lack of constant DLC. I say keep it up Rock Band and let's hope Activision gets some kickass DLC tunes soon!

  • GameBeaten

    Posted Nov 28, 2009 2:46 pm GMT

    Pretty vast collection for download. Great stuff.

  • Tripwolf posted Nov 28, 2009 9:12 am GMT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    Tripwolf

    Posted Nov 28, 2009 9:12 am GMT (hide)

    These aren't games anymore - it's a music download service and it's sad.

  • Nozizaki

    Posted Nov 28, 2009 5:15 am GMT

    I'm still trying to upgrade from PS2 to Wii, so I've never had DLC and preffered Rock Band, mainly because the notes seemed to fit the song better

  • mariokart64fan

    Posted Nov 27, 2009 9:42 pm GMT

    rb guitar need work though, i hate the strummer , but aside fro that both rb an guitar hero is equal in terms of enjoyment , they serve the same purpose as any othr music title out already such as lips ddr donkeykonga wii music singstar etc

  • DiabloNeonX

    Posted Nov 27, 2009 8:47 pm GMT

    I have bought every single song Harmonix has released, including the Country and Metal track packs. I had to upgrade my hard drive in my PS3 just to hold it all.

    Rock Band, after all this time, still gets more play in my PS3 than any other PS3 game I own. Well, Rock Band 2 specifically.

  • Mr_arizona

    Posted Nov 27, 2009 7:17 pm GMT

    chaingun543

    Most of the people who still think Guitar Hero is better at this point fall into one of two categories.

    1) 9 years old.

    2) Someone who is currently adding another keystone light to their beer pyramid while shopping for polo shirts online and playing with their MW2 goggles and listening to Kid Rock. -
    You just described my friend perfectly.

  • berebere101

    Posted Nov 27, 2009 6:14 pm GMT

    @byrdcjb100: But it would be the best $2,000 spent. If you're open to new content.

    Now wheres our Snopp Dogg!?

  • The_Dude1212

    Posted Nov 27, 2009 2:55 pm GMT

    @chaingun543

    Guitar Hero only surpasses RB in TWO aspects as far as I'm concerned:

    They got Bruce Springsteen and Bob Seger.

  • gnbfd

    Posted Nov 27, 2009 2:35 pm GMT

    I almost have half the total songs available
    F you Harmonix for stealing all my money lol

  • Wula_

    Posted Nov 27, 2009 1:19 pm GMT

    I am still waiting on when they will offer some of the songs separately. From each game. Since I don't want to pay full price for Lego Rock Band to get just 2 single songs I really want to play :c Once Harmonix uploads all its music from most of their games as DLC. So you only need a single copy. They will become gods of the rhythm genre. (not saying they aren't already)

  • chaingun543

    Posted Nov 27, 2009 12:10 pm GMT

    Most of the people who still think Guitar Hero is better at this point fall into one of two categories.

    1) 9 years old.

    2) Someone who is currently adding another keystone light to their beer pyramid while shopping for polo shirts online and playing with their MW2 goggles and listening to Kid Rock.

  • chaingun543

    Posted Nov 27, 2009 12:05 pm GMT

    How anyone can prefer Guitar Hero at this point is beyond me. I mean seriously, Activision probably fuels its factories by burning poodles, how can people even defend those douchebags.

  • mietha

    Posted Nov 27, 2009 10:04 am GMT

    All songs in Lego and Unplugged are also in the main game. There are only 3 songs in RB1 that don't export. The only total that matters (as evidenced by the fact that not even they count the beatles) is how many songs are available in RB2. I'm sure they are counting, and you don't mention (as you should have, instead of the redundent games that you did) are the exclusive tracks from the country and metal track packs.

  • super_newber

    Posted Nov 27, 2009 9:37 am GMT

    They failed to mention the Spongebob Squarepants DLC...

  • mrballistix

    Posted Nov 27, 2009 7:58 am GMT

    Rock Band is a game made with effort and love

    Guitar Hero is a product that keeps getting pushed out every couple of months

  • -eddy-

    Posted Nov 27, 2009 7:04 am GMT

    this means we could play just the DLC songs for about 3 days non-stop.

  • Mr_arizona

    Posted Nov 27, 2009 6:55 am GMT

    Rock band will never sport a true "never ending setlist," but it gets a little closer every week.
    I think Gamespot nailed it perfectly.

  • Michael-Redd-22

    Posted Nov 27, 2009 2:47 am GMT

    1000 songs is great. Now all they need is some friggin' Def Leppard and I'll be a happy panda.

  • reece590

    Posted Nov 26, 2009 10:22 pm GMT

    Thats awesome, Love Rock Band Beatles

  • Justinge3

    Posted Nov 26, 2009 8:34 pm GMT

    Let there be ROCK-ACDC

    keep rockin on everyone

  • jaxx47

    Posted Nov 26, 2009 6:46 pm GMT

    O and mike you cant forget that when rb3 does comes out and you get it, you can then import all of that content onto the new game

  • mike2640

    Posted Nov 26, 2009 6:32 pm GMT

    Not trying to hate on Guitar Hero, but one reason I prefer Rock Band is because they have so much DLC. With GH, they release plenty of songs, but they release them as new games (GH:WT, GH:5, GH:Metallica, GH: Aerosmith, GH: Van Halen. GH: Smash Hits, etc.) With Rock Band 2, I can just own one game and then buy the extra songs I want, rather than an entire new game. And thankfully, that amount of songs keeps growing.

    Congrats Harmonix!

  • Vimanesba

    Posted Nov 26, 2009 4:23 pm GMT

    Took only 2 games to make the best musical videogame out there! Congratz Harmonix!

  • Zacek1000

    Posted Nov 26, 2009 4:22 pm GMT

    Congratulations Harmonix!!! I only have like 5% of the DLC! But it's good.

  • byrdcjb100

    Posted Nov 26, 2009 3:22 pm GMT

    It would cost $2,000 to purchase it all geez

  • jtthegame316 posted Nov 26, 2009 2:48 pm GMT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    jtthegame316

    Posted Nov 26, 2009 2:48 pm GMT (hide)

    I still get more enjoyment from GH 5 because rock bands tour(career) does my head in.

  • Xtressbro

    Posted Nov 26, 2009 2:31 pm GMT

    @Lukas1051

    the Derek Trucks band song is one of the most fun songs in GH5, so I wouldn't say something by them was bad DLC... I don't think there has even been and DLC by them

  • SolidSnakeJT

    Posted Nov 26, 2009 1:38 pm GMT

    mjc0961

    Posted Nov 26, 2009 8:38 am GMT -4

    "That tally spans songs from Rock Band, Rock Band 2, Lego Rock Band, the PSP adaptation Rock Band Unplugged"

    And unless every single one of those games can play every single song that's available to buy on Xbox Live and the Playstation Store, it's really not too much of an accomplishment. It's more nickel and diming, they are no different than _____ Hero.
    -----------------------------------------------------------------------------

    say what now?
    unplugged is for psp and gets weekly dlc from the current library
    Lego rockband can play all the family friendly songs that are currently in the rock band library
    rockband 1 and rockband 2 can play ALL SONGS from the library.

    now please leave that cave you live in, and go take a sun bath.

  • Dan21278

    Posted Nov 26, 2009 12:48 pm GMT

    When i first played rock band 1 i said "wow this is really something special". When you play the game you can almost feel the love and detail Harmonix put in the game. It's one of the franchise's that i will never get board of. PS: You guys at Harmonix rock keep on doing what you do, Forget about the haters!!!

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