I love Sonic the Hedgehog. I know, who doesn't right? For my
entire lifetime, that pesky, lightning quick blue hedgehog has captivated video
game (and TV) audiences with his Superman speed, chilly dog addiction,
unbelievably bizarre mouth movements (the highest of comedy) and penchant to
have a three tailed fox named Miles "Tails" Prower follow him around everywhere. And
while his newer games have at times been...terrible (what? There's no good way
to put it), Sonic remains a cultural icon to this day, Sega's Mario if you
will. Like Richard Gere is to Hansel in Zoolander, Sonic is a hero of mine. And
hopefully he's a hero of yours too.
So why are we talking Sonic? Because, after much
deliberation, myself and my friend, The Great and Epic T.O. (full name),
decided we needed to do a Sonic related column for Sega Saturday. And well, other than the fact that it's clearly not Saturday, we got the job done. Our topic;
the top ten Sonic songs of all time! There's a twist here though; we're each
going to do a separate list. For example, you'll first read my #10 entry, and
then immediately read T.O.'s #10 entry, and so on and so forth. You'll get the
hang of it. Anything to add, oh epic and wise one?
I was a late entry into Sonic fandom, thanks to having older
brothers who were Nintendo fan boys. It wasn’t until I had a job and could
afford my own consoles that I played my first Sonic game – Sonic Adventure 1 and
2 for the Dreamcast (seriously Sega, get your asses back in the Console Wars!
The X-Box One sucks, and as much as I love my PlayStation 4, the people demand
a Dreamcast 2!). So, I’m not entirely beholden to the 16-bit Sonic tunes. Eh,
it is what it is. Sorry, Genesis fans.
That said, I fucking LOVED Sonic Adventure 2, so expect a lot of that on my
list. While it had some atrocious voice acting at times (looking at you, Rouge
and Tails), it also had some of the most amazing gameplay and graphics for its
time. Plus, seeing Robotnik/Eggman have to work together with his nemesis?
Solid gold! Plus, as bad as some of the voice acting was, Sonic, Knuckles, and
Shadow brought their A games.
Side question: If Shadow was a lab creation, how did he know he had a super
form? That part always bugged me. Also, how many different sizes did the Master
Emerald have? At times it fit in Knuckles’ hand, at other times it was bigger
than everyone but Eggman.
Ah, nitpicking is fun. ON TO THE LIST!
10.
Cult's pick: His
World (Sonic the Hedgehog)
Is that good old Zebrahead I hear singing this one? I
remember the time they did Maria Kanelis' theme during her WWE run; fun times.
I honestly don't know what to say here. It's not a bad tune, but it comes from
by far the worst Sonic game ever invented and sounds like a lesser version of
"Reach For the Stars". The best thing I can say about this tune; it
made the list. Which means it must be good. Right?
T.O.'s pick: Stage
Complete theme (numerous Sonic games)
I’m cheating here, but to hell with it. After 10 to 20 minutes of blazing through a level, you’re often greeted with
this short little ditty that emphasizes how successful you were (and in the
case of Sonic Adventure 2, a letter grade corresponding with your performance
on that level). It’s only 5 or so seconds long, but it’s a damned catchy 5
seconds. A lot more catchy than its counterpart of Super Mario Bros, that’s for
sure.
9.
Cult's pick: Open
Your Heart (Sonic Adventure)
I would've expected this to be higher on the list. The boys
at Crush 40 do their job with this tune, which is provide an energetic opening
song for what remains my favorite game in the Sonic canon. Why's it down here
then? Because the rest of this list is that damn good. To even make it is an
honor. The kind of honor that's reserved for those who get to meet Randy Orton
or throw beer cans at the male lead from Fifty Shades of Grey.
T.O.'s pick: Reach
for the Stars (Sonic Colors)
Ah, the game that pushed the franchise back from the brink.
What the hell was Sonic Unleashed about, anyways? A werehog? Perfect Dark (come
on Rare…) Gaia? Chip?! I’m generally not a fan of songs like this, to be
honest. Probably why it’s this low on the list. But, Cash Cash created a catchy
little tune that showed the Sonic franchise still had life left in it. It’s
upbeat, much like the titular hedgehog. What more can you ask for?
8.
Cult's pick: Escape
From the City (Sonic Adventure 2)
Talk about expecting songs to be higher on the list; I
expected to name this number one. I love this tune! It's catchy as hell, it
opens the really underrated Sonic Adventure 2, it's the song for one of the
most fun 3D levels Sonic has ever produced. I would've bet my entire Dreamcast
game collection this would've been at worst in the top three of this list.
Alas, upon further listen, it slots in at nine. What a day. WHAT A CRAPPY DAY!
T.O.'s pick: His
World (Sonic the Hedgehog)
I hated this game. Like, really despised it. Almost
destroyed the franchise (that, and Unleashed). That said, this song was pretty
boss. It’s a fairly good representation of everything Sonic stands for – he’ll
do anything to defeat evil, and do it with a smile on his face and a hitch in
his step.
7.
Cult's pick: Fly in the Freedom
(Sonic Adventure 2)
Here's the thing about Sonic music; you generally know what
you're going to get with it, which is a lot of alternative/punk for everyone
not named Knuckles and hip hop for everyone named Knuckles. Straight up pop?
Not generally on the menu. Fly in the Freedom, the theme of Rouge (or as
Knuckles calls her, Bat Girl) is a straight up pop song; you could see Katy
Perry cover this today and not even blink an eye. The best part is that it's
actually bearable. I'm by no means a fan of pop music, but "Fly in the
Freedom" works surprisingly well. Now if only Knuckles' name calling was
better. Bat Girl? Word of advice Knuck (can I call you Knuck), next time use an
insult that doesn't compare your enemy to a pretty cool comic book character.
Bat Girl isn't an insult you fool!
T.O.'s pick:
E.G.G.M.A.N. (Sonic Adventure 2)
This sharp little ditty demonstrated how much of a bad man
Dr. Robotnik/Eggman really is. He’s always got a master plan, and he’ll make
sure you know about it. The metallic, mechanical tempo in the background
reminds you of the evil doctor’s love of machines, and how he’ll use them to
destroy you. Plus, it’s got to be fun to just yell out “I AM THE EGGMAN” whenever you want
to make someone take notice, right?
6.
Cult's pick: I
Am...All Of Me (Shadow the Hedgehog)
Is it just me, or do the songs for Shadow just absolutely
rule? If I can quote skateboarding legend Chad Muska from his glorious Tony
Hawk: Underground cameo, those songs are "louder than a Metallica
concert!". That would've been his greatest gift to society if he hadn't
followed that line up with one of the greatest unintentional comedy quotes
ever. "Muska, chillin chillin." Stop slaying me with your words Chad!
Back to this Shadow song. Like I said, the songs for this
character are just awesome. Absolutely heavy, absolutely catchy, the kind of
music that makes you want to watch the opening scene of xXx. Which of course
leads to you immediately regretting watching the opening scene of xXx. That
Shadow, always getting the most badass things. No wonder he's one of the most
popular characters in the canon. Chicks dig the anti-heroes. Which probably
explains why my brother foolishly spent tens of dollars on that Shadow game.
Mistake bro, mistake.
T.O.'s pick: Open
Your Heart (Sonic the Hedgehog)
You know, I’m just going to echo most of what Cult said
here. Not much more I can add. Fun song, and a killer Sonic introduction onto
the next generation of Sega consoles (*cries*).
5.
Cult's pick: Live and
Learn (Sonic Adventure 2)
My partner in crime here absolutely loves this song. I think
it might actually be his favorite of the group. As I run the site however, it
gets put at number five. Come at me haters!
Look, this isn't a bad tune in the slightest, otherwise it
wouldn't be here. Crush 40 rocks as hard as they always do, the song is as
catchy as per usual; it fits the Sonic song criteria to an absolute T. Again
though, I must repeat that this list is very strong. I'm talking Roman Reigns
strong, or at least as strong as he is in my buddy Mazza's mind. I know you
don't know that yet because you haven't read it, but trust me, the other songs
take it to a whole other level. "Live and Learn" takes it to just one
other level. It doesn't mean it's bad, it doesn't mean it doesn't rule, and it
doesn't mean I'm not adding it to my walking playlist for my next Chill Zone
run. It's just no "All Hail Shadow" (spoiler alert). Now if you'll
excuse me, I have to duck for cover while T.O. throws tomatoes at me.
T.O.'s pick: A
Ghost's Pumpkin Soup (Sonic Adventure 2)
I pretty much have to echo a lot of what Cult said (spoiler
alert to what Cult said). I’ve grown out of touch with the modern world of
hip-hop (don’t get me started…), but this tune subtly underlines the eerie feel
of Pumpkin Hill. Knuckles is a badass who needs to find the shards of the
Master Emerald, and won’t let the spooky setting get in his way.
4.
Cult's pick: Reach
For the Stars (Sonic Colors)
To say I was 100% surprised to love this song would be 100%
accurate. How was this so good?! "Reach For the Stars" basically has
everything going against it; it wasn't done by Crush 40 (composer Tomoya Ohtani
and elctro dance band Cash Cash were behind the song), it's a song that came
after the dark cloud known as Sonic the Hedgehog and it sounds like an unholy
cross of a Blink 182/Owl City collaboration. But dammit, the song works. It's
perhaps the most catchy song of the Sonic catalogue, the drum work is quite
good and somehow the punk/electronica mix just works. Bravo to you Cash Cash.
Let's hope you find your way to Muska's chill lair sooner than later.
T.O.'s pick: Escape
from the City (Sonic Adventures 2)
There’s a running theme here. Get it? Running? Sonic? Ah,
same to you…
From the moment you begin this game, you understand that Sonic is…the same he’s
always been, really. Always on a roll (…), never one to let someone contain
him. As you drop from the G.U.N. helicopter, snowboarding down the streets of
the city (Station Square?), you’re reminded of what makes a Sonic game fun.
Pure unadulterated speed and chaos as Sonic escapes captivity. Even a comically
oversized truck is no match for Sonic as he barrels down through town. It’s a
shame G.U.N. forces end up re-capturing him. This song demonstrates the hectic
pace of the level and also backs up how Sonic cannot be contained. “Trust me
and we will escape from the city” indeed.
3.
Cult's pick: A
Ghost's Pumpkins Soup (Sonic Adventure 2)
You probably know this song
better as the Pumpkin Hill theme, the song that plays throughout that creepy
Knuckles level in SA2. Turns out the name is "A Ghost's Pumpkins
Soup." Why? Ask Hunnid-P, the dope MC who dropped this track. And make no
mistake, this is a cool tune. I'm not a huge hip hop guy, but even I can't deny
that this song sticks out, and has ever since I was a kid. What makes it great;
it fits the level. I may not have brought this up enough, but that is a big
deal. A video game song, or any song for a form of entertainment really, can't
just be great, it has to be great within the confines of where it's being used.
"A Ghost's Pumpkins Soup" does just that; it's cool, eerie beat fit
perfectly with the cool, eerie setting that is Pumpkin Hill. It's easily the
best hip hop tune Sonic has.
T.O.'s pick: Fly in
the Freedom (Sonic Adventure 2)
Like I said, I loved SA2. Full disclosure: I love pop and
R&B music. So this was pretty much a no-brainer. I’ve never heard of
Tabitha Fair until I looked up who wrote this song, but it made me want to look
up more of her stuff. Outside of Amy Rose (ugh), there wasn’t really a prominent female character in
the Sonic franchise until Rouge the Bat debuted in Sonic Adventure 2. So, the
music probably required a change of tempo. From the rock and hip-hop to a more
smooth, sultry rhythm, this tune helped build Rouge as different from her male
counterparts: feminine, but still very much to be reckoned with.
2.
Cult's pick: All Hail
Shadow (Sonic the Hedgehog)
Let's be real; the PS3/X-Box 360 Sonic the Hedgehog is
absolute sludge. You ever see any M. Night Shyamalan film after Signs? The
Sonic reboot is all of those movies rolled into one big ball of suck. And yet,
it produced this masterpiece right here. My goodness, what a damn good song!
Dare I say it's Crush 40's masterpiece? I know that's high praise seeing as all
their songs are top notch, but this one just continuously blows me away.
Musically, it's tight like a tiger. Character wise, it fits Shadow even better
than "I Am...All Of Me" does. And most importantly, this song helped
make Sonic the Hedgehog, the Tommy Wisseau of video games, more enjoyable. That
would get any other song number one here. Alas, only two here, which is A okay.
Can I also just thank Sonic Generations for resurrecting this song in the
awesome Sonic/Shadow level? About damn time this song found a great game to be
a part of.
T.O.'s pick: I
Am...All of Me (Shadow the Hedgehog)
Shadow is probably the perfect video game doppelganger, in
my opinion. He shares pretty much EVERYTHING physically with his original, yet
doesn’t have a diametrically aligned back story. He’s “supposed” to be evil,
but has a purpose, a raison d’être for his actions. He’s not truly a bad guy
(hedgehog?), he’s just being extremely loyal to those close to him, especially
Maria Robotnik.
“I see no, hear no evil, black writing's on the wall
Unleashed a million faces, and one-by-one they fall
Black-hearted evil, Brave-hearted hero
I am all, I am all, I am”
If this doesn’t fully paint a picture of the chaos going on inside Shadow’s
mind, nothing will. Shadow has no true purpose in life (he’s a lab creation,
after all), and is not a prisoner of his actions. He’ll see to it that whatever
he wants done GETS done, no matter the cost.
1.
Cult's pick: E.G.G.M.A.N.
(Sonic Adventure 2)
That's right, the number one song is the villain's song, and
boy does it feel good. Let me tell you something now; you haven't lived life
well enough until you've walked around your house screaming the lyrics, "I
AM THE EGG MAN!" as loud as you can. What a glorious thing to do! And
that's why this song tops the charts here. It checks off everything on the
list, and then goes even deeper by being the goofiest thing I've ever heard.
That just makes it even more fun. You'll laugh, you'll cry, and you'll jam to
this wonderful, over the top epic. Well done Paul Shortino and Jun Senoue; you
guys are number one. Seriously though, did you doubt Jun getting here? Sonic
bows down to that man.
T.O.'s pick: Live and
Learn (Sonic Adventure 2)
Mr. Icon was right, this is my top Sonic song of all time.
Up there with the Psycho Mantis theme from Metal Gear Solid for my favorite
video game song of all time. This song is the main theme for the game (an
instrumental version plays on the main menu), and it also plays in key segments
of the storyline (such as Sonic figuring out how to destroy the Eclipse Cannon
in the Hero Story). Moreover, it serves to set up the epic battle both Super
Sonic and Super Shadow have against the Finalhazard in the finale. Crush 40
brought their A game here, with an up tempo rock song demonstrating the urgency
Sonic and Shadow face as they have mere minutes to destroy the lizard before it
obliterates Earth, “Can you feel time slipping down your spine?” You will if
you fail to destroy the Finalhazard in short order.
That's it! Anything to add T.O.?
There’s this fan video splicing together scenes from several
Sonic games that you can check out here. In
fact, I’m going to make this Roman Reigns’ theme on WWE 2K15, as soon as I can
FIGURE OUT HOW TO DOWNLOAD THEMES ONTO THE GAME! Seriously 2K Sports, you
idiots. Oh, and I hope you enjoy tomatoes, Colt Iken! *throws a bushel*
And that'll do it.Till next time, tell DUCHOVNY to get his ass in gear and make Evolution 2 already!
Check out the songs!
E.G.G.M.A.N.
Please change disks to
continue...
