Songs That Directly Sample Video Games

Highlights

Many musicians draw inspiration from video games, including Grammy winner Jacob Collier, known for playing Legend of Zelda themes.
Some producers use video game samples to create atmosphere in songs, such as Thundercat’s use of Sonic the Hedgehog jump sound in “Special Stage.”
Songs like “We Are Born to Play” by Galantis sample iconic video game themes like Super Mario Bros. to add positivity and energy.

As a long-time gamer and music enthusiast, I’ve always been fascinated by the intersection of these two passions. Growing up in the 80s and 90s, I spent countless hours at the arcade, mastering games like Pac-Man, Tetris, Super Mario Bros., Street Fighter 2, and many others. The memories of those moments are still vividly etched in my mind.

Music and video games frequently overlap in unique ways. Besides famous game soundtracks and in-game radio stations, numerous musicians have been influenced by the distinctive sounds produced in video games. For instance, Grammy-winning artist Jacob Collier is celebrated for incorporating themes from the Legend of Zelda series into his live concerts.

As a gamer and music producer, I love exploring creative ways to bring my favorite gaming experiences into my music. Instead of just relying on traditional instruments or sounds, some producers and I go the extra mile by incorporating iconic game sounds into our tracks. It’s like bringing the game world to life in an entirely new way.

5 Special Stage by Thundercat

Samples the Jump Sound Effect from Sonic the Hedgehog

As a passionate gamer and musician, I can’t help but be excited about Thundercat’s unique blend of talents. He’s a jazz fusion artist who frequently collaborates with big names in the industry like Kendrick Lamar, Tame Impala, and Gorillaz. But what sets him apart from others is his unabashed love for cartoons and video games. His stage name, Thundercat, pays homage to the iconic 1985 animated series, “Thundercats,” which continues to inspire him.

In his music collection, there’s a consistent theme – incorporating sounds from “Sonic the Hedgehog” games. On his second studio album, “Apocalypse,” this can be heard in the track named “Special Stage,” produced by Flying Lotus. This song employs video games as an abstract representation of life. Just like video games necessitate focusing on objectives, taking time to unwind, and persevering after setbacks, real life does too. A distinctive jump sound from “Sonic the Hedgehog” is included in this composition as a sample.

As a huge fan of the Sonic series, I’ve always been captivated by its amazing music. From collaborations with artists like Thundercat and Wiz Khalifa, who have rapped over remixed versions of game instrumentals, to the catchy tunes that play during races and challenges – the music in Sonic is truly unforgettable. But what really sets Special Stage apart is its creative use of Sonic’s iconic sound effects. Instead of just hearing them in-game, I get to enjoy them in a whole new way. It’s a delightful surprise that adds an extra layer of fun and immersion to the experience.

4 Get It Back by Gucci Mane ft. 2 Chainz

Samples Tetris: A-Type

In the 19th century, a well-known Russian folk song called “Korobeiniki” emerged, telling the story of a peddler and a girl bargaining over merchandise. Later on, this melody was significantly altered and gained widespread recognition outside Russia as the theme music for the iconic video game, Tetris.

In 2012, I was blown away when hip-hop producer Mike WiLL Made-It creatively reimagined the iconic Tetris theme for an instrumental he produced for my favorite artist Gucci Mane. The track, featuring the talented 2 Chainz, showcases Gucci’s nonchalant attitude towards spending money. This carefree approach is influenced by his belief that he can always earn back what he spends.

Hirokazu Tanaka’s unique interpretation of the folk song “Get It Back” has been adopted not just once, but multiple times by musicians worldwide. Artists like MC Lars, Salmo, and Culcha Candela are among those who have included this rendition in their own compositions.

3 We Are Born to Play by Galantis ft. Charli XCX

Samples Super Mario Bros. Theme

Kodo Koji’s “Super Mario Bros. Theme” is easily identifiable and frequently remixed in games where the characters appear. Its lively melody brings a contagiously optimistic vibe to any medium, including the associated games. This mood is echoed in “We Are Born to Play,” even though it doesn’t specifically refer to the game. Charli XCX’s lyrics contain hints of Mario (like her desire to burn fiercely and feel her heart racing double) and an overall cheerful atmosphere.

In the style of Galantis, a renowned Swedish electronic duo, this song’s lyrics take a back seat. They serve more as an accompaniment than the main attraction, intended to evoke the desired emotion. Unlike numerous tunes that utilize video game samples, this particular composition emerged through a collaborative effort between the creators and Nintendo and Universal, with the end goal of promoting Super Nintendo World.

In addition to promoting it, the theme has inspired other musicians. For instance, New York rapper Saigon created a track called “Get Busy” using a remixed version of the theme produced by Canei Finch.

2 Dead Man’s Tetris by Flying Lotus ft. Snoop Dogg and Captain Murphy

Samples Street Fighter 2 KO Sound Effect

Street Fighter 2 helped set the standard for what fighting games are today. It has spread so much that even simple soundbites from the game find themselves in music, such as the sound a male fighter utters when knocked out. Flying Lotus, a multi-talented LA-based producer sampled the aforementioned sound for his own song, along with many other bits and pieces from works such as Another One Bites The Dust by Queen. He also serves as one of his own features alongside Snoop Dogg, with “Captain Murphy” being his rapper persona.

As a gamer, I’ve come across a track named after Tetris, but don’t be fooled by its title. Instead, it represents Dimethyltryptamine, an organic substance naturally found in our bodies that triggers intense hallucinations when consumed. This song aims to mimic a DMT trip one might experience after death. The repetitive KO sound is thrown in, likely symbolizing an occurrence preceding “death,” which could be likened to a game over in a metaphorical sense.

Flying Lotus isn’t alone in drawing inspiration from “Street Fighter 2” for his music. For instance, The Lady of Rage’s track “Afro Puffs” also makes a reference to the iconic Shoryuken move, and it can be found on the soundtrack of Grand Theft Auto V.

1 Pac-Man Fever by Buckner and Garcia

Samples The Pac-Man Theme

The novelty song by the Ohio-based musical duo, Buckner and Garcia, is notable for not just sampling but also being directly about the beloved arcade game, Pac-Man. Jerry Buckner and the late Gary Garcia were a pair of performers, who typically worked on jingles, inspired to create their hit after spending a long time playing the game at a restaurant’s arcade machine.

It is also the title track of an 8-track album where every song is inspired in part by a classic arcade game, including Donkey Kong, Frogger, and Asteroids. A reworked version of the song was later featured in the Adam Sandler film, Pixels. Buckner and Garcia also released Found Me the Bomb, a song dedicated to the gaming website, Giant Bomb. Buckner also co-wrote Wreck-It, Wreck-It Ralph, for the video game-focused Disney movie, Wreck-It Ralph. Despite being credited to the pair, Garcia did not perform on the song, presumably due to recently passing away at the time of recording.

I’m a huge fan of the classic arcade game Pac-Man, and its iconic theme song is something that has been sampled in various songs throughout the years. “Pac-Man Fever” isn’t the only track to pay tribute to this gaming legend. Artists like Lil’ Flip with their song “Game Over,” and NSYNC with their track titled “The Game is Over,” have also incorporated Toshio Kai’s theme into their music, showcasing the enduring appeal of Pac-Man and its soundtrack.

2024-07-17 19:34