Breaking Down Every GTA Theme To Find The Most ICONIC One

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[@CharlesCornellStudios]

Which GTA theme wins for you?? IMPORTANT: Our course platform now supports gifting! So if you want to pick up any of the Holiday Sale bundles for someone in your life who is starting or continuing their piano journey, all you have to do is select "Send as a gift" at checkout! cornellmusicacademy.com/holidaysale2023

[@GuitarGrooveSessions]

It's gotta be San Andreas. It could be a bias that I spent a good part of my teens playing it, but I still think it's the best theme and soundtrack.

[@holybananapeel3795]

Liberty City Stories lmao, if only you had covered the spinoff titles.

[@Canucklover97]

a underrated one is the vice city stories theme

[@cezargervacio9082]

Please do a video on Godzilla Minus One film score!!!!

[@jay-rev]

Mr Cornell - I know this is terribly off-topic and maybe a bit rude…but I have the largest need to hear you give your illustrious understanding and relation to The Demon of Fleet Street’s Sweeny Todd musical with Johnny Depp….you have THE opinion we all want. Even with GTA! Lol Please, sir. You are a phenom of musical talent and your ear is pure perfection.

[@jja2000]

GTAIV's Soviet Connection was redone by the Danish Orchestra and it was an absolutely amazing version. It's on YT.

[@darkmike2040]

Unfortunately it doesn't match the original tempo BUT someone took the effort to change the speed of the video and it's glorious

[@wauthethird]

There's also the London Philharmonic Orchestra version!

[@roeymishal8009]

I absolutely love the danish orchestra!

[@Boxtermaiti]

YES!! I was at that concert myself. It was so well done!

[@SiPakRubah]

Kinda sad because they unlisted the video on YT, so good luck finding it

[@ikarusrq4299]

the Liberty City Stories theme "dark march" is great and underrated imo, probably bc it's sort of a side game

[@lonelyfireband7758]

It's the best

[@jan_kulawa]

it's my favourite theme, and contrary to Charles' assessment, I think *this* was the first GTA theme that felt truly cinematic and not "just a song." it's unfortunate how the Liberty City Stories and its theme is often not just underrated but completely forgotten

[@DJMasterWillyB]

IV's theme had to be influenced by the LCS theme, at least little bit.

[@davidgrossen3496]

Preach my fellow LCS Fan!

[@Alex_dlc]

It really is great, and not very well known since the PSP games were so underrated.

[@leojimenez5928]

GTA 2 has such an iconic theme, i played the hell out of that game when i was a kid, and i still play it to this day, is so groovy, i could listen to it for days. The music for the credits is cool too.

[@hamishmmc]

yes dude the intro scene with the white beamer 5 series

[@REDGREENBLUEGRAVITY]

I've never heard 2s until now

[@farterboy]

SOUL SHAKING

[@andersv20]

YES. Yes, I was about to leave that comment too. Hearing THAT music again in this video instantly made me want to go play it again AND listen to the whole soundtrack by itself. It's SO groovy and cool and noir, man. Especially that noir-element that's gotten kind of lost ever after. I mean there used to be a hint of seriousness behind all the farcical clownish light hearted comedy that's enveloped the series ever since. GTA 2 has easily the best soundtrack if the series. It would be cool if the new game would make nods to it in its soundtrack. I mean GTA 2 is so forgotten, but it's so so playable and rich still to this day. Oh, and that intro video to the game, can we talk more about that? Oh man...

[@leojimenez5928]

@@andersv20 That intro video was so iconic to me, seeing those men getting blasted at the end while Claude walks off laughing, so cool, the strange characters that appear, those cartoonish Zaibatsu crates he carries around, that game´s whole vibe is so special man

[@diazostreta4473]

Bro gta Vice city theme is probably the most pumpin one after gta 4’s theme. Shit sets the mood for the whole Miami backdrop

[@DougGlendower]

I would agree, but the theme was a bit overshadowed by the trailer's use of Wang Chung's Dance Hall Days, which I think a lot of people got into the game more with.

[@witnesszer0]

vice city was most movie like to me it resembles a scareface movie

[@Jo-Wilbe-Dina]

GTA IV's Soviet Connection is a perfect example if you mix Modern Music and Classical Music.

[@voxlvalyx]

It's so hard to decide between III, SA, and IV. They're all the definition of iconic. As soon as you hear them you get the entire vibe in a split second.

[@COG4L]

wrong vice city is better

[@rajput36000]

@@COG4LL

[@COG4L]

@@rajput36000 stay mad son 💀💀

[@magnoliy08]

​@@COG4Ldude you are here in every comment section crying. for all the deserved praise the soundtrack gets the theme is ass.

[@santi3256]

@@COG4L Bro why vice city fanboys are soo anoying??. Wtf

[@emirsunay]

GTA San Andreas theme is definitely inspired by the G-Funk era sound, fitting the location really well.

[@yobrethren]

GTA music is always very location and time based and very fitting (with it's own twist of course, lots of hip-hop influence even since the 2D games) And radios since GTA 3 (THE GOAT) are almost hand crafted, lots of writing, lots of thinking and lots of choosing (not a single bad track on them radios, not a single one out of place), that absolutely shows. And it doesn't even include JUST GTA games, MC series is also effing brilliant (opened my closed up heart to the world of trance techno with them "Brain" tracks)

[@hieratics]

San Andreas sounds like the theme song of Kenan and Kel

[@TheSkyGuy77]

I hear it and instantly think of Los Angeles in the '90s

[@Cosmoborracho]

GTA IV always gets my vote. I recently revisited all the GTA games during covid and the only one that still grabs me is IV. I believe V had some great advancements in terms of evolving the storyline and even some gameplay, but overall, IV is the apex of the series thus far. Also the soundtrack had so many bangers and it hasn't been matched, although I'd say VC is a very close 2nd in that dept. Excited for VI though.

[@tychothefriendlymonolith]

GTA London 1969 was the first to have a licenced soundtrack. Was really good too.

[@alanphurley]

and although it was licensed music, the theme song kicked ass

[@jordand431]

RDR2 has incredible original music, would love for you to do a deep dive into some of the tracks, particularly some of the cinematic tracks or the chase theme

[@arandompasserby7940]

I think my favorite RDR2 track is when the train hrist starts for "Our Best Selves". The bass piano riff is just ... Bliss.

[@hansbass8119]

No love for the American Venom?

[@burgerbeatz6293]

Great video as always. Song at the end is Baegel & Bomull - Moon Lilies For those interested

[@intrepidis1]

I only watched this to hear your take on GTA IV; and you nailed it as always! I used to listen to Soviet Connection on loop from my old MP3 player, after recording it from my TV. 😅

[@dhwajagarwal871]

opened for the theme but stayed for your energy and authenticity, loved the video man.

[@prism6]

For me, it's the *demo* for GTA 1. It was limited to 5 minutes of the first level. Reload and repeat. To keep the file size down, the devs cut a 5 minute mix featuring ~30s from each song on the soundtrack. That 5 min track has been stuck in my head for the last 25 years! 😅

[@Bi9Clapper]

The ending of the Vice city theme is SO iconic and memorable to me. I loved that they used that as the mission complete sounds as well

[@realblumenmann7152]

Its San Andreas for me. I played it with my neighbor when i was 14 years old. Iloved the music, the characters and the gameplay so much :D

[@cooldebt]

I've been listening to vgm jazz covers for around 10 years now and can't believe I haven't heard any of these GTA themes covered. Charles' playing made me want to sit at the piano and jam to the OST (but I'll need to take one of his courses first!). Great appreciation of music which is sometimes underappreciated.

[@westonashe5941]

Why did Charles' attempt at finding the notes for the first gta theme at 0:55 sound like seven nation army haha

[@Striker132K]

GTA IV theme is so good, its just on a complete diferent level

[@paradise5534]

GTA 3 and 4 have an iconic theme, and they depict the atmosphere of the game very well and of the time and place. These themes work very well with the Liberty City Theme also.

[@COG4L]

wrong vice city is better

[@Evilguy211]

​@@COG4L the hell those people talking about? Vc sucks

[@nickavenoso7851]

Soviet Connection from GTA IV is definitely the most iconic one and the best theme compositionally, but for me the one that resonates with me the most is definitely Vice City as it was the first GTA game I played and it evokes a lot of nostalgia. With GTA V, I feel like the soundtrack blends in so well that you sometimes don’t even notice it like you said. I personally think all of them are great though.

[@MrHackob]

GTA 4 got to be the most memorable👌 It would be sooo cool if you break down Assassin’s Creed’s theme songs 👏👏

[@ChemicalCalifornia]

my fav themes are gta 1 - 3. but gta v/online has the best game/backround music like the one while you fly a plane etc.

[@filenotfound_2416]

Vice City and San Andreas are the best two of the bunch. They both PERFECTLY encapsulate the themes and vibes of their respective games, and they’re both absolutely bangers.

[@nicogutyfranco]

San Andreas has to be the most iconic imo

[@foxfm1987ult]

I think the main reason that gta v music feels so alien comparing to all others is the lack of the theme's integration in-game. In almost all gta games except gta v when you finish a main mission or side mission at the mission passed screen, you hear a small part of the main theme. Like a nod to it. Gta 4 has different variations of the main theme based on the part of story you are in. Gta V doesn't have any and the main theme is not really used in any other places other than the intro cutscene.

[@curtywash]

I discovered a lot of awesome music on those radio stations. Radio Espantoso from Vice City kicks ass. Killer Latin Jazz.

[@MrReese]

The Vice City theme is so good, no other theme comes even remotely close. The GTA2 theme really surprised me, I completely forgot about that jazzy theme, really good.

[@WeissM89]

GTA V (and GTAO) has absolutely banger mission and free roam songs.

[@bustereriksson2322]

''Sleepwalking'' from the GTA 5 soundtrack is great as well

[@OFFtheCHIZANE]

Fun fact about Da Shootaz; the rapper was a student of chemistry at Dundee University called Jonathan Wilson. He’s now a Professor 😅

[@canoodlepoodle7892]

Gta 4 has so much depth and it always reminds me of Niko and his grim story. Also in my opinion the bassline for 5 carries its theme. The way it rides along with the music and lets it pop is such a nice vibe for me.

[@ElPayasoMalo]

You really should have done London, Liberty City Stories, and Vice City Stories. Hell, the ending theme of Liberty City Stories, "A Dark March," has haunted me for years.

[@BeyesRedd]

i grew up with a psp so personally LCS and VCS are the most memorable

[@Suraiel]

Michael Hunters - Soviet Connection is a masterpiece and gta4 is Rockstars Opus magnum! thx for the great memories

[@weetabixharry]

GTA London. It had much more memorable music than GTA1, in my opinion.

[@juancontreras2711]

The GTA San Andreas theme that plays when you see Tenpenny with Big Smoke is GREATTT

[@witchywanda666]

Every time I hear GTA 3's theme I just think of the amazing AMV of GTA mashed up with Cowboy Bebop lmao IT WAS SO CLEVER

[@DorseyFaught]

I absolutely loved the GTV IV theme, but with that said San Andreas has lived in my head since it came out.

[@KindredBrujah]

I think the key thing (maybe you touch on this later, only half-way through so far) is that each theme just perfectly encapsulates its game's setting.

[@thelifeandtimesofjohnmanny9705]

What no Ballad of Gay Tony ? That’s criminal not to include it !! One of the best ! Keep on Walking !! 😎💯

[@cpMetis]

SA absolutely has the most iconic theme. I can say that, because I'm saying it begrudgingly was someone who both thinks VC was better and IV had a better one. When people want to reference GTA musically, they reference SA.

[@Raptor3388]

I adore the VC theme, but it's not known much because if I remember right, you only hear it in the skippable intro when launching the game. So if you don't let it run, you ear only the beginning. Unlike the SA, IV, that you heard during loading screens.

[@n3whous3]

I can only agree with your analysation. By far also GTA IV was my favorite, but retrospectively seeing, I have better memories with gta vice city and san andreas though. But from tech perspective, the leap from SA to IV was like going to the moon after inventing the train. It was such a good game.

[@slendydie1267]

San Andreas is the most Iconic theme no questions asked. GTA IV has the most beautiful theme.

[@Light-Rock97]

Can we talk about how much the GTA IV theme was influenced by a previous R* game, Bully. Specially in the beginning of "The Soviet Connection", it definitely sounds like "Walking Theme" from Bully. I really wish R* made more of these, almost GTA spinoff with a paired back scale, where they can try stuff out more loosely.

[@angrytechaddict7803]

Agreed. GTA 4 theme is on my KZbin music playlist and I love listening to it!

[@Nikolas_Noseman]

The best theme from GTA is Toucan Pie from radio from GTA2. That game have all of its radio music unique, written only for the game, and exists only in that game.

[@thomasstephens6129]

Gta 4 theme will always be the best imo, not just because of nostalgia but because it perfectly fits the feel of the game

[@Mauricio-r9e]

Everyone talking about GTA SA, 4, Lcs, 5 but no one talks about GTA London 1969

[@mohammadjavadmonjezi]

all of them are music, some better than the other, but GTA IV's theme is the only one that feels like its alive; it has a playful quality to it,it creepily sneak ups on you and then launches you toward the sky...

[@scythelord]

GTA 4 clearly had the most iconic theme music. And you didn't even mention my favorite part of the GTA 4 theme, the hammered dulcimer.

[@TheGamerShelter]

I can't argue that the GTA 4 theme is fantastic, but I was humming the San Andreas theme from the moment I clicked on this video not remembering which game it was the theme of. It's obviously the one that my mind holds onto the strongest and believe is THE theme of GTA :)

[@itspaintosee]

Musically GTA IV is by far on its own. Impeccable

[@franciemcfrances9979]

Is there a video of all gta songs played fully, its breathtaking

[@RainbowPuschel]

GTA IV is still the GTA which stands out the most among all of them. Not just with its musical theme, but also its thematic theme. Its the darkest and heaviest of all the GTA Games. And i love it for that, because it FEELS like im doing crime.

[@LordTheft]

GTA IV and Liberty City stories are my two favorite themes

[@Jimmer93]

GTAIV for the win! "Soviet Connection" is an S tier theme! I love Vice City's theme as well though, that 80s sax goin' hard!

[@PotedePepes]

honestly every theme (excluding the first gta theme) are GREAT! my personal favorite is Vice City's because i grew up playing that one

[@cjeff99]

GTA V definitely has much more than theme music, the score is fantastic

[@THEBIGZED]

Would love to hear your take on the music from the Mafia games. The first game especially has just an incredible orchestral score that opens the game and really has that cinematic feel that even GTA was lacking at the time (with GTA3).

[@OodldoodlNoodlesocks]

GTA 1, Liberty City Stories, San Andreas and GTA 4 are my favourites :)

[@nectarinedreams7208]

GTA V's original score is absolutely fantastic, despite the lack of an iconic main theme.

[@jokester5130]

The GTA 2 theme just took me back wow

[@Chicken_Wing91]

Cheryl: "That not art and it's not ancient." Dr. Ray: "It is." Cheryl: "You drew that..." Dr. Ray: "Okay...I did..."

[@Mousymusic]

GTA Vice City Intro is best intro music of any genre.

[@micahsarm]

You did GTA5 dirty. It has some of the best 5 or 6 themes like The Long Stretch, Bury The Hatchet, Lamar Down etc... Comparing the most basic one to other games' iconic ones ain't fair.

[@Remix2366]

That's ost,not main game theme

[@micahsarm]

@@Remix2366 The game doesn't have a main theme that keeps playing more than one time like in loading (they have their own seperate themes) or main menu. Welcome to Los Santos is Franklin's intro music

[@Remix2366]

@@micahsarm idk exactly what you want. Franklin's intro is the main theme. If you wanna include the whole score then you gotta put in house gta3 songs

[@hamdhan._3511]

Gta 3 gta 4 and SA hits hard

[@yunusbbx8497]

Gta IV is the best one for sure. Most iconic, I gotta give to GTA III. They even used it in the remastered definitive version of the gta games that came out a few years ago. No score has been recycled but that one.

[@99worldz]

My first gta is san andreas and I grew up with it, but vice city theme is my favorite!!! It just soo unique, gta iv second place and san andreas third

[@indecutink]

Ngl... I think most of us are stomped on the loading screen music for 4 n 5 bcuz they were the most recent and most played among the masses, but GTAIV definitely is the most "iconic" theme for the cinematic impact imo

[@yorrickwi]

Ogdens nut gone flake was THE theme for 5 and I will die on that hill.

[@shantanubbhosale]

GTA IV Soviet Connection hands down

[@adultnewborn3460]

GTA 3 has the best theme. San Andreas has the most iconic. That piano on 3 though is unmatched

[@Reds-Retros]

Most iconic? San Andreas for sure. My personal favorite? It's between GTA I, VC, SA and IV. It's bloody hard too. Im going with IV.

[@DANCINGDARTH]

you need to check out liberty city stories. i think thats the best intro out of the ps2 era games. underrated.

[@RicoBanani]

for me the GTA2 one is the most nostalgic.. although i looove the GTA3 theme

[@dodgyhodgyo4]

Damn didn't know GTA 2 got funky like that

[@justude]

Lady (hear me tonight) or Midnight City are the GTA V Themes

[@legendaryboi1226]

> "Every GTA Theme" > Looks inside > No spinoffs and DLCs

[@BananaPhoPhilly]

The DLC’s have the same music and the spinoffs would take forever to cover lol

[@isaiahd2123]

I also love the one for Chinatown Wars. MF DOOM and Ghostface Killah

[@Kiwi2703]

GTA 4 is the winner for me, but GTA 2 is very close just because it was my childhood

[@substatikvideos]

What kind of English-speaking Jaime Altozano is this????😂😂😂😂 Nice video. 👍🏼

[@vereor6304]

I would have to go with GTA IV as well. The theme for San Andreas is close second and the original has to be my third choice. All the themes are great but those have to be my favorites.

[@gregsky01]

Most iconic in my mind is San Andreas. That seems to be the one that most people remember and it stands the test of time compared to others that seem more forgotten. But my favourite is Vice City. That shit is the jam

[@mr.intamin1081]

GTA IV easily

[@Tomiply]

You BARELY listened to the GTA V theme. I rank SA and GTA IV higher, but I was looking forward to some analysis on it, but it almost got skipped entirely.

[@hayk3000]

GTA V's score is actually very good and lengthy. Almost gets to the level of GTA IV's theme.

[@dirkdiggler5581]

GTA IV without a dam question

[@Matt92Machine]

I would put San Andreas as the most iconic, GTA IV in 2nd place, and Vice City in 3rd. I'm sure nostalgia has a lot to do with it.

[@cronus-kumo]

1. GTA 4 2. GTA SA 3. GTA 3 / GTA 5

[@K113-A]

GTA LCS also has a fun theme

[@frostbite1030]

"We all know which one is the Best" Carl Johnson (probably)

[@behemitch8287]

Top 3 for me is: 1. Liberty City Stories 2. San Andreas 3. GTA IV

[@Master-hunter2000]

Shame liberty city stories and vice city stories was not in this

[@WaechterDerNacht]

San Andreas is definitely the most iconic (for me at least). It is iconic to the point that you know what it is from the first measure... Somehow GAT IV didn't really hook me the same as SA did. And GTA V just didn't have reoccuring music theme.

[@Total2Gamerz]

My favourite has to be GTA 4 , but for second place i would say it s a tie between san andreas and liberty city stories that unfortunately wasn t present in this video

[@schlafanzyk]

Most iconic is definitely San Andreas. IV is a close second as the most impressive arrangement and composition. My personal favorites as someone who plays GTA since the very beginning is GTA 2 and 3. But I understand SA and IV are on another level overall.

[@AngelousXeroX]

Here is something to think about. GTA San Andreas had its theme playing every single time you started/launched the game. GTA V did not and only did it when you started the story for the first time. Repetition builds up memory?