2009 in downloadable songs for the Rock Band series
The Rock Band series of music video games supports downloadable songs for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and Wii versions through the consoles' respective online services. Users can download songs on a track-by-track basis, with many of the tracks also offered as part of a "song pack" or complete album at a discounted rate. These packs are available for the Wii only on Rock Band 3. Most downloadable songs are playable within every game mode, including the Band World Tour career mode. All downloadable songs released before October 26, 2010 are cross-compatible between Rock Band, Rock Band 2 and Rock Band 3, while those after only work with Rock Band 3. Certain songs deemed "suitable for all ages" by Harmonix are also available for use in Lego Rock Band.
The Wii version of Rock Band does not support downloadable content, but Rock Band 2 and Rock Band 3 do, with DLC first made available in January 2009. Songs from the back catalogue of downloadable content were released for the Wii weekly in an effort by Harmonix to provide Wii players with every previously available song.
Following the release of Rock Band 4 for the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, all previously purchased downloadable content for Rock Band 3 and earlier is forward compatible within the same system family at no additional cost.
List of songs released in 2009
The following table lists the available songs for the Rock Band series released in 2009. All songs available in packs are also available as individual song downloads on the same date, unless otherwise noted. New songs are released on Tuesdays for Xbox Live and Thursdays for PSN, unless otherwise noted. Dates listed are the initial release of songs on Xbox Live. Starting May 20, 2008, all downloadable songs are available in both the North American and European markets, unless noted.Some songs released before Rock Band 3 have been retrofitted to include Rock Band 3 features, including backing vocals, and the ability to buy an additional pack for Pro Guitar/Bass charts without having to buy the "RB3 Version" of the song. Certain songs have been marked "family friendly" by Harmonix; such songs released before Rock Band 3s launch on October 26, 2010 can be played in Lego Rock Band.
Starting October 26, all new songs are only playable in Rock Band 3, due to a change in the file format. All songs released via downloadable content are playable in Rock Band 3, and support its new Pro Drum mode. Most songs released for Rock Band 3 include core features for keyboards, Pro Keyboards, and backing vocals in the core song, where they are appropriate. Additionally, some of these songs features charts for Pro Guitar and Bass that can also be purchased.
As of October 2009, over 800 songs have been made available as downloadable content. As of October 19, 2009, over 60 million downloadable song purchases have been made by players. The following is a list of the songs that have been released in 2009.
| Song title | Artist | Year | Genre | Single / Pack name | Release date | Family Friendly | Additional Rock Band 3 Features |
Promotions
- Beginning on March 24, 2009, Best Buy customers who purchased the specially-marked deluxe editions of Pearl Jam's Ten, received a promotional code that could be redeemed to download two additional live tracks, as well as a studio version of "Brother". These songs were released to the XBLM and PSN during the week of June 22, 2009. They were released for the Wii the following week.
- Beginning March 31, 2009, Rock Band owners who purchased specially-marked copies of Spectacular! on DVD received promotional codes which could be redeemed to download the songs "Break My Heart" and "Don't Tell Me" from the film's soundtrack.
- On September 20, 2009, Target began offering a special edition of Pearl Jam's Backspacer which included a copy of the album for use in Rock Band games. Backspacer was added to the in-game music store for Xbox 360 on the same day, with the Wii and PlayStation 3 receiving the content on their respective regularly scheduled days.
- On October 13, 2009, Best Buy began offering a limited edition of Brütal Legend which included a code to redeem for the Brütal Legend Track Pack for use in the Rock Band series. The song pack was released to the Rock Band Music Store on the same day.