As often happens with any work with a strong visual component, musical accompaniment can give a lot, from an immersive point of view, to the user who uses it. Cinema fans and, why not, videogames fans know this well. Today we want to collect the best ones songs written, sung and recorded specifically for various video games.
In this article you will therefore not find the iconic instrumental musical themes of Pac-Man and Super Mario, but real songs, complete with text and voice.
The best original songs made for video games
Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater – Sneak Eater (Cynthia Harrel)
This list will include a lot of songs from the Metal Gear Solid video games. After all, the popular Hideo Kojima franchise has accustomed us to an impressive soundtrack, with dedicated soundtracks and beautiful songs. “Not for honor, but for you” he sings Cynthia Harrel in this song that opens Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, which is very reminiscent of the theme of some 007 movies.
GTA: San Andreas – CJ Rap (Young MayLay)
Let’s go back to the Groove Street ghetto for this unforgettable chapter of the Grand Theft Auto saga. The real rapper sings it Young MayLay which gives voice to Carl Johnson, protagonist of the Rockstar Games title. A rap with a text that takes up the events of the video game, from the abuses of power of agents Tenpenny and Pulaski to the characteristics of the character that can be improved in game: “Stamina, muscle, fat, and sex appeal”.
The Sims 2 – Pocketful of Sunshine (Natasha Bedinfield)
In our article dedicated to songs in Simlish we had already mentioned this song by the American singer-songwriter Natasha Bedingfield. The song, a shameless but pleasant pop song, was born in 2008 as a result of the collaboration between the artist and Maxis, on the occasion of the release of The Sims 2: Free Time. Why is it so crazy? Because it was written and sung entirely in Simlish, the language of the Sims.
Sonic Adventure 2 – Live and Learn (Crush 40)
I Crush 40 they have written and composed numerous songs for SEGA’s Sonic video games. Among the most popular certainly this Live and Learn, which in addition to appearing in Sonic Adventure 2 (2002) is also included in the 2008 Sonic Supersmash Bros Brawls.
Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain – Sins of the Father (Donna Burke)
When the first MGSV trailer came out in 2015, fans knew they would be facing yet another masterpiece. What they didn’t know is that the video – and the game – would contain this spectacular and sumptuous song sung by Donna Burke. To narrate the exploits of the iconic Snake it took a great voice and a great piece. And never was the choice more apt.
Red Dead Redemption – Far Away (Jose Bonzalez)
The first guitar chord is enough to understand that we are in a dusty old west. Sung by Jose Gonzalez, the text of the song collects all the atmospheres of the game. “Who are you trying to impress steadily creating a mess?”
Max Payne 2: The Fall of Max Payne – Late Goodbye (Poets of the Fall)
Anyone who has played Max Payne 2 knows as well as the lyrics to this song – which reads “I had a dream of my wife. She was dead, but it was alright ”- is relevant to the video game and its characters. The song was written and made by Poets of the Fall.
‘Splosion Man – Donuts Song
To dry our tears after Max Payne’s poignant song 2 – “I can’t do it, too many memories” – let’s dive into something completely different. A ukulele and craving for donuts. One could almost say “when the song is more beautiful than the video game”, since many users have claimed to still play the title just for this light-hearted song.
Divinity: Original Sin 2 – Lohse Song
It is unclear how good Lohse, playing only one lute in the video game scene, is able to replicate the sounds of an entire band. But these, dear friends, are the magic of video games. The fact remains that the song is beautiful (and the scene too).
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – The Wolven Storm (Emma Hiddleston & Marcin Przybylowicz)
Enchanting and melancholy. In The Witcher 3 the young Priscilla sings us a poignant ballad thanks to the incredible voice, real, of Emma Hiddleston. And if she doesn’t cry now you deserve the Donut’s Song.
Metal Gear Solid Peace Walker – Heavens Divide
This is the latest entry of Metal Gear Solid, I promise! But how do you leave a song like this out of a list of the most beautiful songs sung for video games? Strong also in the ending of the videogame – no spoiler – the text takes on an exciting and meaningful connotation. “I will dive into the fire. Spilling the blood of my desire. The very last time. My name scorched into the sky. When heavens divide “
Parappa the Rapper – Live Rap With Mc. King Kong Mushi
Again we have to recover, and then here’s a carefree rap that no one, really no one, felt the need.
Civilization IV – Baba Yetu (Christopher Tin & The Soweto Gospel Choir)
So beautiful to win a Grammy, the first in the history of video games, in 2011 for the Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocalists. Here we are faced with an epic work. Could this be the best song ever written and composed for a video game?
Portal 2 – Want You Gone (Ellen McLain & Jonathan Coulton)
If you loved Portal 2 – and if you have played it, you certainly did – you should definitely read the lyrics of this song sung by Ellen McLain. The song reflects all the “emotions” and contradictions of the GLaDOS artificial intelligence compared to the protagonist Chell.
Baten Kaitos Origins – The Sakuraba Family
A decidedly atypical song to be the background to the final battle against the boss of Baten Kaitos Origins, but incredibly suitable for the sequence. The song was composed by Kazushi Sakuraba, written by his wife and sung by his 9-year-old daughter. It therefore makes sense that the song is credited to The Sakuraba Family.
Mirror’s Edge – Still Alive (Lisa Miskovsky)
When the lyrics of a song used for a video game reflect the themes and feelings of the protagonist, then the result is guaranteed. This is the case of Still Alive, a pop song entrusted to the voice of Lisa Miskovsky, which reaffirms the urgency of being yourself despite the world around us. Exactly like the character of Faith Connor, who in the video game rebels against an oppressive system subjected to a single thought.