[2] According to Cornell, "Pretty Noose" is about "an attractively packaged bad idea ... something that seems great at first and then comes back to bite you.

[4] "Pretty Noose" appeared on Billboard magazine's Hot 100 Airplay chart, reaching the top 40.

At the 1997 Grammy Awards, "Pretty Noose" received a nomination for Best Hard Rock Performance.

[5] Stephen Thomas Erlewine of AllMusic called the song "updated, muscular prog rock".

"Pretty Noose" also reached number four on the Canadian Year End Alternative Top 50.

"Pretty Noose" is available as downloadable content for the Rock Band series as a master track.

[8] The song was upgraded and made available to download on July 19, 2011, for use in the Rock Band 3 music gaming platform in both Basic rhythm, and PRO mode which takes advantage of the use of a real guitar / bass guitar, along with standard MIDI-compatible electronic drum kits / keyboards in addition to up to three-part harmony vocals.

[10] The video blends animation with various scenes of the band members in a bar, an exotic dancer, Cameron riding a motorcycle, Shepherd being arrested, a tattoo parlor, and Cornell in a bedroom.

At this point in our lives, part of the challenge is to try new things, not to fall into the pattern of playing it safe.

He added, "They got a dead girl in that lame Stabbing Westward video so I don't understand their problem.

"Pretty Noose" was performed on Saturday Night Live in May 1996 in support of Down on the Upside.