One of the most beloved parts of the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise is not only its characters, gameplay, or nostalgia, but its music. Sega's popular game series, while sometimes criticized for its gameplay or writing, has yet to truly disappoint when it comes to its soundtracks. Bands such as Crush 40, Cash Cash, and Zebrahead have all contributed to Sonic's iconic rock-genre of music, creating some of the most memorable character themes and boss battles of the entire franchise.
The Sonic series has some amazing instrumental soundtracks, but many of its best songs have lyrics to accompany the game's story. Some of the franchise's songs speak to the characters themselves — often from the perspective of its protagonists — while others are simply thematic companions to a battle or memorable scene. Overall, the music throughout the Sonic franchise stands out as some of the best elements in any Sonic game.
10 "Live and Learn" Accompanies Sonic And Shadow's Super Transformations
First heard during the Finalhazard fight in Sonic Adventure 2, "Live and Learn" is a classic among Sonic fans. Written and performed by Crush 40, the song has been remixed and featured across various Sonic content since its original appearance.
Shadow, specifically, has a large association with "Live and Learn." The song appeared as an instrumental in Shadow the Hedgehog and during the Shadow Saga of the Sonic X series. As a classic early 2000s rock song, it's the perfect companion to Sonic and Shadow's climactic power up moments across the franchise.
9 "A Ghost's Pumpkin Soup" Is A Fun Halloween-Themed Rap
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One of the Sonic franchise's most well-known characters, Knuckles the Echidna, gets his own song during the Pumpkin Hill stage of Sonic Adventure 2. While searching for three emerald shards across the Halloween-themed level, Hunnid-P can be heard rapping about Knuckles and his adventures in the fan-favorite song "A Ghost's Pumpkin Soup."
The song, sung from the perspective of Knuckles himself, is as catchy as it is unique. During this stage in Sonic Adventure 2, Pumpkin Hill is filled with jack-o'-lanterns, tombstones, and even ghosts. "A Ghost's Pumpkin Soup" describes Knuckles' efforts to find the emerald and his concerns over his haunted environment.
8 "Open Your Heart" Paved The Way For Sonic's Rock-And-Roll Genre
The first song a player hears after booting up the original Sonic Adventure game is "Open Your Heart." Originally written and performed by Crush 40 — who would only form their official band years after the song's release — the song is arguably the catalyst for Sonic franchise's rock-styled music.
"Open Your Heart" details the events of Sonic Adventure, specifically the creature Chaos and the threat he poses to the Sonic universe. It even touches on the story elements of the game, such as Chaos' hatred and rage. It hints at Sonic's true mission to bring peace to Chaos, as opposed to simply sealing him away, and foreshadows the game's climax.
7 "I Am... All of Me" Embodies The Best Of Sonic's Edgiest Hedgehog, Shadow
In start contrast to the upbeat, whimsical tone of most Sonic games, Shadow the Hedgehog is famous for its darker themes and edgy protagonist, Shadow. The song "I Am... All of Me" by Crush 40 perfectly captures the game's tone and accompanies the climactic boss fight against Devil Doom during the game's finale.
"I Am... All of Me" is sung from Shadow's perspective, referencing much of his internal conflict during Shadow the Hedgehog's story. As Shadow slowly learns about his past and his purpose, his disjointed memories cause him no end of grief. The song touches on these emotions and reveals some of Shadow's frustration and anger throughout the game.
6 "Dreams Of An Absolution" Gives Fans A Deeper Look Into Silver The Hedgehog
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Despite Silver the Hedgehog's infamously difficult boss fight in Sonic the Hedgehog (2006), also known as Sonic '06, he became a well-known and interesting character from the Sonic franchise. During his first appearance in Sonic '06, Silver's theme song "Dreams of an Absolution" became a fan favorite for its upbeat tone and futuristic sound.
Originally written and sung by Bently Jones, "Dreams of Absolution" has several instrumental and remixed versions as well. The song is written from the perspective of Silver, a time-traveler who aims to change the course of history and prevent an apocalypse. Certain elements of the song are also similar to the music for Green Hill Zone, although Bently Jones claims it's only a coincidence.
5 "Reach For The Stars" Is A Vibrant Song For A Vibrant Game
Anyone who has played Sonic Colors knows the first several notes of "Reach for the Stars," the opening theme of the well-received installment to the Sonic franchise. Written and performed by Cash Cash, the song is fast-paced, energetic, and perfect for the colorful and futuristic tone the game represents.
In Sonic Colors, Sonic and Tails explore an interstellar amusement park and befriend colorful alien creatures known as Whisps. The lyrics for "Reach for the Stars" are written from Sonic's perspective and tie in thematically to the game's adventure, touching on its outer-space setting and emphasis on color as a game mechanic.
4 "His World" Is The Best Part Of Sonic '06
If there's one good thing to come from Sonic '06 besides nostalgia, it's the soundtrack. First heard in the end credits of the game, "His World" is both the theme of the game and of Sonic himself. The original version was written and performed by Zebrahead, while Crush 40 eventually made another popular cover, both of which were reprised in various Sonic sequels.
"His World" is all about Sonic and his heroic personality. It fits well within the context of its original game, Sonic '06, but also within the franchise as a whole. It's a perfect character theme for Sega's famous mascot, embodying Sonic with its rock and roll music and thematic lyrics.
3 "What I'm Made Of" Made The Metal Overlord Boss Fight Iconic
The only way to make a giant metal boss fight any cooler is to accompany it with a killer soundtrack. "What I'm Made Of," written and performed by Crush 40, plays during the Metal Overlord boss fight of Sonic Heroes. Its hard rock genre and lyrics make it a fantastic boss battle theme for the Sonic franchise.
During the finale of Sonic Heroes, whose story diverges into four separate narratives that eventually tie together, the ultimate antagonist is revealed to be Sonic's nemesis, Metal Sonic. "What I'm Made Of" plays during the game's final encounter, with lyrics that speak to both Sonic and Metal Sonic's journey throughout the adventure.
2 "Sonic Boom" Is One Of Sonic's Best Early Soundtracks
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First heard in 1993 during the intro of Sonic the Hedgehog CD, "Sonic Boom" is renowned as a classic Sonic theme. The original song was composed by Spencer Nilsen and performed by Pastiche, with eventual remixes performed by both Crush 40 and Cash Cash. It embodies the electronic rock genre of the early 90s, yet is still considered a fantastic song by modern day Sonic fans.
"Sonic Boom" plays twice during Sonic CD, once during the intro and once during the ending. Its lyrics are simple and straightforward, but set the tone well for the game as a whole. The lyrics speak directly to Sonic, encouraging him and reminding him of his heroic goals throughout his adventure.
1 "Gotta Go Fast" Might Be Sonic's Most Famous Song
Perhaps almost as famous as Sonic himself is his catchphrase, "gotta go fast," which originated from the Sonic X series' opening theme song, "Gotta Go Fast." The anime was first broadcast in Japan in 2003, with a localization by 4Kids Entertainment available later that year. "Gotta Go Fast" was the opening theme of the American dub, becoming popular for its upbeat tempo and recognizable lyrics.
While the song was fairly straightforward, "Gotta Go Fast" became nostalgic for Sonic fans who grew up watching Sonic X. With a catchy beat, simple lyrics, and an energetic tempo, the song wasn't only a great theme for a kid's show, but a classic soundtrack loved by Sonic fans to this day.