Five Amazing Songs We Have Games to Thank For
As a professional gamer and music lover, I‘ve witnessed firsthand how masterfully-crafted gaming moments can thrust songs into the spotlight. Music and gaming go hand in hand to create some of the most enduring tunes. In this article, we‘ll unravel the stories behind five sensational songs that games brought to the masses. From soaring vocals to subtle string melodies, let‘s explore the tremendous synergy between sounds and pixels.
Hikaru Utada – Face My Fears (Kingdom Hearts 3)
Japanese singer Hikaru Utada has established herself as the quintessential Kingdom Hearts vocalist, having recorded iconic theme songs for every numerical entry in the series like "Simple and Clean" and "Sanctuary." Her latest, "Face My Fears," ups the ante with skittering electronica courtesy of famed DJ Skrillex. He amps up Utada‘s crystalline vocals with thumping bass and samples for an exhilarating arrangement. As Kotaku‘s Chris Kohler puts it:
"It‘s a perfect encapsulation of what makes Kingdom Hearts what it is: sentiment and melodrama amplified to absurd degrees by an overexcited production."
The lyrics encapsulate protagonist Sora‘s ever-present catchphrase "don‘t ever forget" with uplifting themes of staring down fear and darkness alongside steadfast friends. Since Kingdom Hearts 3‘s launch, "Face My Fears" has accumulated over 194 million streams across platforms. Clearly, this collaboration knocked it out of the park.
Jose Gonzalez – Far Away (Red Dead Redemption)
As the titular protagonist in Rockstar‘s mythic western epic Red Dead Redemption, players inhabit weathered cowboy John Marston attempting to leave his violent past behind. But as he approaches the rural township of Chuparosa, producer Daniel Lanois‘ echoing guitar ushers in Swedish indie folk artist Jose Gonzalez‘s haunting ballad "Far Away." With subdued strings and Gonzalez‘s hushed voice, it‘s a mood-setting song that encapsulates Marston‘s solitude and the futility of escaping bloodshed. As Marston walks past hanging corpses into town, Gonzalez sings:
“Avenues all lined with trees.
Picture me and then you start watching,
Watching forever.”
It‘s a chilling moment that left an imprint for fans. Beyond the game, "Far Away" has accumulated over 63 million YouTube views since Red Dead Redemption‘s 2010 release. Gonzalez‘s melancholic chords linger as long as memories of roaming the frontier.
CHVRCHES – Death Stranding (Death Stranding)
The bizarre Death Stranding starring Norman Reedus is truly a video game experience like no other. Amidst cameos from filmmaker Edgar Wright and appearances by Monster Energy drinks awaits a surprising vocal contribution from Scottish electronic trio CHVRCHES. The group forged the game’s main theme “Death Stranding” at director Hideo Kojima’s personal request. Frontwoman Lauren Mayberry‘s delicate vocals glide over oscillating synth arpeggios as she details tenuous connections between people:
“I lay my head down,
What does it mean? Why can‘t I see your face?”
It’s a Sci-Fi lullaby that encapsulates Death Stranding’s melancholy and isolation. CHVRCHES’ airy synth-pop proves the ideal fit for Kojima’s enigmatic world. Since appearing in 2018’s E3 trailer, “Death Stranding” has reached over 15 million Spotify streams. This soundtrack surprise tapped perfectly into the game’s DNA.
Grimes – Delicate Weapon (Cyberpunk 2077)
CD Projekt Red’s ambitious Cyberpunk 2077 enlisted multiple musicians for its dystopian sci-fi soundtrack including Run the Jewels and Refused. But it’s Canadian art pop auteur Grimes as in-game rocker Lizzy Wizzy that contributes the standout track “Delicate Weapon.” As Grimes described to The Verge, the song details:
“[Lizzy‘s] storyline of being kind of a girl who was gang-raped and discarded…taking control back."
Harp strings cascade as Grimes‘ wispy high register details this reclamation of power after suffering immense trauma. Her ethereal style proves transportive, with the song‘s dark dream pop tones aligning flawlessly with Cyberpunk 2077’s rain-soaked, neon-stained setting. Since release, “Delicate Weapon” has garnered over 4 million YouTube views and 25 million Spotify streams. Like her in-game avatar Lizzy Wizzy, Grimes rocks Night City.
Jaden Smith – I‘m Ready (Spider-Man: Miles Morales)
In Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales, the fledgling web-slinger embraces his alter ego over an impactful hip hop musical backdrop. Actor/rapper Jaden Smith provided the pivotal song “I’m Ready” which underscores Miles accepting the Spider-Man mantle after Peter Parker’s disappearance. Backed by thumping 808s, Smith delivers bars from Miles’ perspective, affirming his preparedness through with lines like:
“I’m ready, I’m ready, I’m ready, I’m ready, ready as I’ll ever be."
The song channels the drive and hunger fitting for Marvel’s newest hero on the rise. Since release, “I’m Ready” has hit over 600,000 Spotify streams. Smith told Billboard he related heavily to feeling unsure and eventually rising to destiny‘s calling. That personal connection shines through in this eventual triumph.
The games explored above show how this medium helps brilliant songs find larger audiences. By fusing interactivity with great music, developers enable these tracks to transcend their digital worlds and thrive offline. Each artist brought something special to the table, whether soaring J-Pop vocals or minimalist indie folk or cyberpunk synths. Let their stories stand as resounding proof of gaming’s unexpected musical might. These five examples only scratch the surface of gaming-assisted starmaking songs still out there waiting to be discovered by passionate players like us.
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