In 1984 he formed the band Soundgarden with bassist Hiro Yamamoto. Throughout the late 1980s and 90s, Soundgarden experienced major success as one of the major grunge bands (along with groups such as Alice in Chains, Nirvana, and Pearl Jam).
In 1990, Chris Cornell worked together with the (then) Soundgarden drummer Matt Cameron, and Stone Gossard, Jeff Ament and Mike McCready (who would later form Pearl Jam) in a project named Temple of the Dog. They wrote a 10 song album as a tribute to Andrew Wood, the singer of Mother Love Bone who had died the year before of a heroin overdose.
In 1997 Soundgarden split at the zenith of their popularity due to tensions in the group and Chris began a solo career. He released the sucessful album Euphoria Morning. Out of this album came the single Can't Change Me.
When Zack De La Rocha left Rage Against The Machine in 2001, Chris Cornell joined the instrumentalists of Rage Against the Machine to form the band Audioslave.
In 2006 Chris recorded a theme song for the James Bond 007 movie, "Casino Royale", titled You Know My Name, which is used as the opening song.
In the fall of 2006, Cornell started recording his second solo album Carry On, with producer Steve Lillywhite. Among some fellow artists who are expected to accompany him on his second solo release is friend and legendary musician Gary Lucas, who has contributed acoustic guitar to some of the tracks. Cornell has stated that he is always writing, and that there are some songs that he was not able to put into an Audioslave album. Carry On was released in the summer of 2007.
On February 15, 2007, Chris Cornell issued a statement that he was leaving Audioslave, shortly after Tom Morello, Tim Commerford and Brad Wilk reunited with their former vocalist Zack de la Rocha to reform Rage Against the Machine.
Chris Cornell released his third solo album, Scream, with American rapper and record producer Timbaland on February 3rd, 2009. This album was a critical failure, and sold poorly. It is rumored that he is going to try and "De-Timbalandize" the tracks.
On January 1st, 2010, Chris Cornell announced the reunion of Soundgarden after a 12 year hiatus.
Chris Cornell was extremely revered among the music listeners for his powerful multi-octave singing and gritty, soulful vocal style. He was a baritone with an ability to sing extremely high in the tenor range, as well as in the lower register of a baritone voice. He showcased this in various songs, most notably the studio and the demo versions of "Beyond the Wheel", where he can be heard spanning three octaves. He has also experimented with various different vocal styles, ranging from light falsetto to brutal screams and chants.
On May 17, 2017, Cornell died in Detroit after performing at a show with Soundgarden. He committed suicide by hanging himself in his hotel room. Footage of his final concert was posted to YouTube.
Mission 2000
Chris Cornell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Pulled through you and drowning in your swirl
Circling unfolding in your will
I'm going to glide on the winds of your breathing
And alight on your guarded heart
I'm gonna tear all our temples down
I'm on a mission now
Slithering and fanning in your eyes
I'm going to dive through your crying and sleep in your hair
Rise from your ashes and kneel in your prayers
Tear all your temples down
I'm on a mission now
And I have nothing, but then the have is not as good as the want
I'm gonna glide on the winds of your breathing
Writhe in your calm and provide your release
Weave into your wanting and needing
And reside in the heart of your strongest beliefs
I'm gonna tear all our temples down
I'm on a mission now
And I have nothing, but then the have is not as good as the want.
The lyrics in Chris Cornell's "Mission 2000" suggests a passionate desire to be consumed by the object of the singer's affection. The reference to being "Pulled through you and drowning in your swirl" suggests a sense of being overwhelmed or entranced by the other person. The singer wants to become a part of this person's essence and exist within their "guarded heart."
The repetition of "I'm gonna tear all our temples down" speaks to a desire to break down barriers between the two and completely merge as one. Throughout the lyrics, there is a theme of giving oneself over to the other person and being completely consumed by them, suggesting an intense desire for unity and a passionate desire for love.
Overall, the lyrics seem to depict the all-consuming nature of love and the desire to break down any and all barriers in pursuit of that love.
Line by Line Meaning
Pulled through you and drowning in your swirl
Feeling overwhelmed by the powerful emotions and energy of the person he is close to.
Circling unfolding in your will
Submitting to the influence and control of the other person.
I'm going to glide on the winds of your breathing
Surrendering completely to the other person, allowing them to lead and guide him.
And alight on your guarded heart
Hoping to penetrate the other person's emotional defenses and connect deeply with them.
I'm gonna tear all our temples down
Rejecting traditional structures and beliefs, and forging a new path in their relationship.
I'm on a mission now
Determined to achieve a new level of intimacy and connection with the other person.
Smoldering down inside your mood
Feeling the intensity of the other person's emotions and letting them affect him deeply.
Slithering and fanning in your eyes
Sensing the depth of the other person's feelings and the power they hold over him.
I'm going to dive through your crying and sleep in your hair
Wanting to be present for the other person in all situations, even their most vulnerable moments.
Rise from your ashes and kneel in your prayers
Being there for the other person through all their highs and lows, including times of loss and grief.
And I have nothing, but then the have is not as good as the want
Valuing emotional connection and intimacy above material possessions or external accomplishments.
Writhe in your calm and provide your release
Finding solace in the other person's serenity and allowing them to soothe and comfort him.
Weave into your wanting and needing
Understanding the other person's desires and needs intimately, and becoming an essential part of their life.
And reside in the heart of your strongest beliefs
Becoming a deeply embedded part of the other person's identity and values.
Lyrics © HIPGNOSIS SONGS GROUP, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: CHRIS CORNELL, ALAIN JOHANNES, NATASHA SHNEIDER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Maysticha
Pulled through you and drowning in your swirl
Circling unfolding in your will
I'm going to glide on the winds of your breathing
And alight on your guarded heart
I'm gonna tear all our temples down
I'm on a mission now
Smouldering down inside your mood
Slithering and fanning in your eyes
I'm going to drive through your crying and sleep in your hair
Rise from your ashes and kneel in your prayers
Tear all your temples down
I'm on a mission now
And I have nothing, but then the have is not as good as the want
I'm going to glide on the winds of your breathing
Writhe in your calm and provide your release
Weave into your wanting and needing
And reside in the heart of your strongest beliefs
I'm gonna teat all our temples down
I'm on a mission now
And I have nothing, but then the have is not as good as the want
@Dohsoda
Chris Cornell did songs for both the Mission: Impossible and James Bond franchise. That is just brilliant.
@zeynepuyar4225
Euphoria Morning is my favorite album and i was today years old when i learned this version of Mission exists. It's beautiful. Cornell, you're a God
@TheAdam159
love this song. Chris is an awesome singer, one of the best of the 90s, along with Layne Staley
@Bram25
This is what made the MI: II soundtrack for me. Man. Cornell had such an amazing reach when it came to vocals.......
@drlongshot5696
R.I.P. CHRIS
words don't even begin to describe your musical achievements.......you are already missed .......was such sad news to hear this morning
One thing is for certain, you will NEVER be forgotten!!
@frootloop85
I get never tired of this song. It's my all time favourite
@sgtlockhart2008
I heard a sad news about Chris Cornell.
I like this song in the M:I-2 sound tracks.
...Chris Cornell, R.I.P.
@celularnuevocn
This version is just brilliant.
@BCFOX99
This is just a remix of Mission from Chris Cornell's solo debut album Euphoria Morning. Interesting remix and good!
@christar9527
I love his screams!