Video games have become such a significant part of entertainment that they are frequently mentioned in movies and songs by popular bands. Many performers not only play video games but also draw inspiration from them, leading to the creation of numerous songs influenced by these digital worlds.
These songs showcase how video games continue to inspire artists across various genres, blending the worlds of music and gaming in creative ways. Have you heard any of these tracks before?
DragonForce – Symphony of the Night
DragonForce may not be the most popular metal band, but they have a strong passion for dedicating their songs to video games. One of their most notable tracks inspired by games is “Symphony of the Night,” which clearly shows their love for the Castlevania series. The song’s lyrics tell an intriguing story that fits well with the game’s atmosphere.
Interestingly, DragonForce has also contributed to game development. They performed several tracks for Guitar Hero 3, but as the series declined in popularity, the band faded from the spotlight. Despite this, they have a number of high-quality albums, and if you’re a metal fan, I highly recommend giving them a listen.
Bring Me The Horizon – Shadow Moses
“Shadow Moses” is a popular song by Bring Me The Horizon that even those unfamiliar with the band might recognize. However, if you haven’t played Metal Gear Solid, the name might not mean much to you. Hideo Kojima named one of the locations in his spy franchise “Shadow Moses,” which appears in various games and significantly impacts the narrative. The band wanted to pay tribute to their favorite game but kept it a secret.
If you listen closely, you can hear lines in the song that indirectly reference the protagonist of the Metal Gear Solid series. These references are subtle, ensuring the song isn’t exclusively for gamers. Now you know the mystery behind Bring Me The Horizon’s “Shadow Moses” and the game that inspired it.
Billie Eilish – Ilomilo
Billie Eilish has some big hits, but not many people have listened to all of her songs. There are many performers with similar music today, and they do not differ much from each other. Nevertheless, at the peak of her popularity, Billie Eilish released songs for a very narrow audience. That’s how a song called “Ilomilo” came about, which is all about a small puzzle game.
You may not have heard of this project, as it belongs to the indie genre that only a few people know about. Yet, the authors managed to write such a fascinating plot that even Billie Eilish was hooked. In her song, she used the story of separation and reunion after the long journey of the two characters in the game. Naturally, no one says directly that the song completely retells the plot of the game, but its name speaks for itself. Billie Eilish didn’t really care and called the song exactly the same as the indie studio’s project. So you can find it and play around to see what the song was based on.
Tenacious D – Video Games
This composition is a mini-story of the rock band Tenacious D, founded by the notorious Jack Black. It is entirely made in the format of video games, which the author uses for comparisons with his band. Despite the song “Video Games” being quite short, it mentions popular series like Super Mario, Red Dead Redemption, Fallout, and others in the gaming industry.
The authors skillfully exploit various games and rhyme using words from them. While the song may not be as popular as others due to its niche, gamers should definitely check it out. The best way to experience it is by watching the video. In my opinion, this is one of the best works I’ve ever seen, as Tenacious D created it in the format of a short cartoon with high-level animation.
J. Cole – Dollar And A Dream 3
While not the most famous composition, it has a strong connection to video games. J. Cole, a fan of the Kingdom Hearts series, openly talks about his admiration. He used a melody from the game “Darkness of the Unknown” in his song “Dollar and a Dream III”. The specifics of how this was handled from a copyright perspective remain unclear, but it is likely the developers allowed it for promotional purposes.
“Darkness of the Unknown” fits perfectly into the lyrical track “Dollar and a Dream III.” J. Cole is known for his emotional and sincere delivery, which has contributed to his fame. Although this genre may not appeal to everyone, and the track might not be suitable for all occasions, it is worth appreciating. J. Cole skillfully pays homage to Kingdom Hearts, demonstrating that video games are an art form that can enhance any song.
Nicki Minaj – Chun-Li
From the title, it’s clear that Nicki Minaj wanted to remind everyone about the Street Fighter game, but there’s no information about whether she plays it. However, she successfully drew attention to one of the most famous female characters in gaming. The track “Chun-Li” became quite popular and caused a stir upon its release.
It’s also worth noting that the lyrics mention Lara Croft from the Tomb Raider series. It seems the track was initially dedicated to all strong female video game characters, but only two are mentioned. Despite this, it’s a solid rap composition that deserves attention from fans of the genre. The music video is also impressive, featuring Nicki Minaj dancing in one of the best Chun-Li costumes from the game.
Starbomb – SMASH!
Starbomb is a unique band known for their quirky and often “cringe” music, filled with a colorful array of swear words. Despite this, they have a dedicated fanbase, and their track “SMASH!” significantly boosted their popularity. This song, inspired by the game Super Smash Bros., was created to attract Mario fans.
The track has been a success, offering a humorous take on the adventures of a mustachioed plumber and his friends. It’s a hit among Nintendo game enthusiasts and rock music lovers alike. The vocalist of Starbomb also has impressive vocals, making the song enjoyable to listen to. If you’re looking for something original from the world of video games, this track is definitely worth checking out.
Gorillaz – PAC-MAN
At first glance, it may seem that naming your track after a video game is a direct reference to it. However, there are many such examples in the music industry, and it’s not always clear to the listener what the reference is. Gorillaz took it a step further with their song “PAC-MAN,” which uses the game’s main character as a basis to tell the story of a lost man with psychological disorders.
The video is particularly noteworthy, as Gorillaz have long used cartoon characters instead of real people. The video for “PAC-MAN” is executed flawlessly, featuring a captivating story with vibrant imagery created by true professionals. Additionally, the song incorporates the original melody from the PAC-MAN arcade machine, making it a real treat for gamers.
Lana Del Rey – Video Games
“Video Games” by Lana Del Rey played a significant role in revitalizing her career and establishing her as a prominent pop diva. Despite its title, the song isn’t primarily about video games; they are only briefly mentioned, without specific names. One verse, however, does describe a project reminiscent of World of Warcraft.
The song itself is quite popular, and you’ve likely heard it before. When it was released, “Video Games” became a massive hit and was everywhere. As for Lana Del Rey’s personal gaming preferences, she has never publicly commented on them. While there might be reasons for this, it’s clear that creating a song like this requires some familiarity with video games. So, she might be keeping her gaming interests private, but she has undeniably contributed to the popularity of video games with this song.
These tracks were created under the influence of video games. The performers were actively inspired by various projects or the gaming industry as a whole. We have collected the most interesting situations and information that can be found on the Internet, confirmed by the authors. If you know of such cases, be sure to write about them in the comments or share other cool albums or songs you play to.
