Sonic 3's Hydrocity: Music Theory

[@skunthundler]

"Michael Jackson was once a suspect" is such a tense way to start a video lmao.

[@JamesR624]

Yeah, I knew this was a video about Sonic 3 and that intro had me going 😬

[@worlwr2]

I heard he was quite the smooth criminal back then.

[@johnmoser3594]

The lead-out about "selling the Michael Jackson sound" is a weird take, too. Turns out most of the tracks were Sonic Team; tracks like Ice Cap were outsourced by Jackson to other composers like Brad Buxer; and the actual Jackson tracks include Carnival Night Zone, which is a weird version of Entry of the Gladiators, basically 1897's Yakkity Sax. The only good Jackson song on the whole soundtrack is Launch Base, and it's good because having no content is a great sound for that level somehow. I'm starting to wonder how bad this guy was at music. Jackson could sing and dance alright, and his performance in songs like Beat It-which contained a legendary solo, unsurprising since it was written by Eddie van Halen-really shows these talents, but that's all. At this point I wouldn't be surprised if he wrote the lyrics and then took credit for the music after having other people write it for him.

[@amazingalliteration]

@@johnmoser3594 We are not doing this bullshit.

[@OrgHedgehog]

We all know that the transition between act 1 and act 2 was legendary, right?

[@ViltrumiteIsRite99]

No joke. You beat the boss, and then they overload your hearing with FUNK. Not even my favorite tracks, but easily phenomenal.

[@millenniumlaggus5176]

​@@ViltrumiteIsRite99agreed, the best goes to either Flying Battery or Ice Cap

[@Realtacl]

My favorite tracks are lava reef/hidden palace. Hydro city is a close second.

[@MikeJackson690]

@@millenniumlaggus5176 Launch Base Act 1 is unreal, however.

[@ViltrumiteIsRite99]

@@Realtacl Lava Reef 2 is top tier ✨

[@OMGpandemic]

One of the best water levels in gaming.

[@pecurka1]

*the best

[@Realtacl]

I like mania’s version of this level more

[@veg411]

You mean the ONLY GOOD ONE

[@kartersith]

Definitely the best sonic water level

[@callumbaines1568]

I prefer aquatic ruin zone

[@gigithehedgehog8469]

Gotta appreciate a man who doesn't limit himself to Hydro City or Hydrocity and instead uses both. Thanks for the epic video. Still hoping we get a video for Hill Top at some point. It always gives me a certain indescribable feeling that I think matches the level design really well, and you are always good at putting words to those feelings.

[@CurlyChop]

I always pronounce it Hydrock Itty

[@bitten2up]

ok how did i not notice that.....

[@Realtacl]

I like to use both in different ways. If I’m referring or thinking of act 1 if someone mentions the level I’ll call it hydro city If I think of act 2 I’ll call it hydrocity Sometimes I like to refer to 3&K’s version of the level hydro city and mania’s hydrocity.

[@gigithehedgehog8469]

@@Realtacl That's an interesting choice. Cool. In the past I would have fought anyone that it was Hydrossity, but as I've come to understand translation and regionalization oopsies I decided that it was probably intended to be Hydro City. So I try to correct myself, but the other still slips out. So I also use both, though not on purpose.

[@JoshWiniberg]

​​​@@CurlyChopdefinitely Chaotic Evil alignment 😂

[@generalZee]

Fans: Is it pronounced "Hydrosity" or "Hydro City"? Alex Yard: Yes.

[@firehedgehog1446]

NO, NO IT FUCKING ISIN'T! Dear god you people are so delusional. There is official evidence that confirms that it is pronounced Hydro City!

[@sup2069]

Hydro City.

[@AgentB7]

Both. Both is good.

[@andrewhoward2537]

Hydro City

[@vannillaAJofficial204]

my brain simply CANNOT process it being pronounced "hydro city"

[@HugeAckMan420]

That cover of Walkin on the Moon is fuckin amazing dude

[@simonbell6286]

YES!!! Plz give us a full cover with Hydro City's sound!

[@jerppursh7570]

This is NUTS. Definitely worth the Sonic Frontiers esque delays

[@syreh3536]

i love how not only the game is telling the story, but also the ost is too we end angel island by falling into a pit and the first thing we hear when we get to the next zone is a glissando, literally notes sliding down just beautiful

[@apmeehan]

omgg

[@ShihanZen]

2:57 I've literally played Sonic 3 and Knuckles hundreds (if not thousands of times) and I never knew that spring did anything...Wow!

[@cactomexicano_2012]

ikr

[@AlecTaylorMusic]

I love that each subsequent theory has started to include more and more references to tracks other than the video subject, it really helps me see the music itself in a much deeper way.

[@ViltrumiteIsRite99]

For sure! In my music theory book, to explain ‘intervals’ they display a list of songs that present that. Example: The Jaw’s theme intro plays E-F. A 1st to 2nd interval. Thank Luci for channels like this!

[@awesomecat9898]

I love the way he says "Because all the echidnas died ☹️ except knuckles 🙂" at 7:35 lmao

[@DarthAsthmatic]

It reminds me of Weird Al's Albuquerque when he's talking about how the plane ride was nice except that it exploded and everyone died. Except for Al, cuz he had his tray table up and the seat back in it's full upright position.

[@Crasher7]

It was the drastic pause that sent me into the worst frenzy lmao

[@twokool4skool129]

Let me just say that your trick for getting around KZbin's song copyright detection was brilliant.

[@jacobdean5065]

I love how you called it hydrocity, like velocity

[@nthgth]

He calls it both throughout the video. Some say it's to not trigger anyone, but I think it's a little joke about how something like that could possibly be controversial.

[@skakirask]

Hydro City is one of the best pieces of video game music ever. And I love how the differences between Acts 1 and 2 are far more drastic in this zone than any other set of levels in S3&K

[@imveryangryitsnotbutter]

Lava Reef Acts 1 and 2 are the most drastic, I'd say.

[@traptorb]

Lava Reef has entered the chat

[@natcharmusic]

Angle island?

[@imveryangryitsnotbutter]

@@natcharmusic If you think Angle Island is the Right answer, you must be rather Obtuse.

[@rjkmusicmedia]

"Hydrossidy" - Alex Yard, 2023 Yeesh!

[@Tangers3345]

I really didn't ask for early-era Mr. Plinkett to teach me Sonic music theory but I now understand that's exactly what I needed.

[@ZorrotheArtist]

I think one of the things that makes this song so memorable for me at least, aside from the catchy rhythm and slide-downs like the song itself is on the water slides in the level, was the pure shock of a water level being the second Zone in a Sonic game and it actually being fun. Having a fun water level in a Sonic game is like winning the lottery, it almost never happens.

[@carpathia808]

Thanks for the feature of my videos man! Always loved the music from hydrocity and am pretty confident that it's my favourite zone of the entire game, music and gameplay wise. I was surprised when I made the piano reel deconstruction when I looked at the main melody as I was sure it would be all pitch bends but it's mostly hard notes without any pitch bending. The square had some I had to change to hard notes to look proper on the deconstruction but the main melody had none. I agree on it being an actually fun water level and actually never realised that the red spring in act 1 leads you to the above water path, gotta try that!

[@NoWater-hr9iu]

Reply here

[@sanicmaniac]

Props to you for saying both Hydro City and Hydrossity, to not upset either side.

[@LuSiDious]

Something about this song always hit that feel good spot in my soul. From playing this back in the 90s to now, Hydro City, especially act 2, always has me smiling and bopping my head!

[@MasteredRealm]

It's very interesting the HC2 - CN2 - LB2 connection was only made apparent after the proto leaked. They sounded pretty different from each other in SK collection. HC2 was confirmed to be arranged by Masayuki Nagao. He was shown CN2 and LB2 and he thinks those sound similar to his style but he can't remember after 30 years haha. Thank you for making one more great video, Alex!

[@Waffletigercat]

Hydrocity Zone Act 2 is one of the all-time GOATs of Sonic music.

[@nthgth]

I'd say video game music in general. At least, of the era. Of the type that isn't orchestral or anything like that.

[@paradotgraf4066]

Man! Sonic 3 really took it up a few notches musically. I still remember the feeling when i first heard the soundtrack to each level as a kid in the 90's.

[@AlexYardZone]

Me too. It was surreal when finally making it to the next level, and hearing the music/atmosphere of the new level for the first time, soaking it in!

[@majman446]

Finally, the video we've all been waiting for. At this point, we have covered every Sonic 3 & Knuckles level, even the competition mode, with one exception being The Doomsday. I hope that after we cover each and every S3&K zone, we'll be able to move on to other Sonic games. We've already started CD, so things like S1, S2 or Mania can happen in the near future. Maybe even give Sonic 4 a shot, I know, the game is crap, but the music actually sounds nice in my opinion.

[@srb2er]

@majorse203 not really did you really forget the checkpoint bonus stage tracks? cuz (assuming Alex Yard wants to make a vid on them :] ) I would love to see a vid(s) on them.

[@majman446]

@@srb2er I don't think like they'll do bonus stages. Every single Sonic music theory was about a zone, so I think they'll keep it up. If they want to do bonus stages, they can, but I don't think they will.

[@srb2er]

​@@majman446 fair :(

[@BladedEdge]

​@@srb2ersonic 4's music is pretty okay melodies buried under garbage arrangement and instrumentation.

[@majman446]

@@BladedEdge yeah

[@joaopedropinheiro3904]

I just love the stereo effect on the drums in the beginning of act 2, is the perfect translation of the image to the audio

[@WaffleKingler]

The Stephen King reference wasn't lost on me. You are a man of culture and your videos are absolutely amazing

[@nimhard]

God... Sonic 3's music is pure brilliance... even if you're not playing the game there's so much to appreciate. As a Brazilan musician, I never made the connection between Partido Alto and Hidrocity music. Brilliant stuff.

[@fepaioe]

O que é partido alto? Desculpe a ignorância

[@FSAPOJake]

Act 1 gives off heavy New Jack Swing vibes. Sonic CD wasn't the only Sonic game to take inspiration from it!

[@eggrobo]

I swear by heart that hydrocity's soundtrack is super cool.

[@TristanBass-kw8ki]

You saying Ristar's 2nd level being a water level actually brings to mind a theory I made about how Ristar's levels are actually in the same order as Sonic 3! In both games, in order, you go through: A tropical jungle Underwater ruins A rocky mountain An illuminated city A snowy tundra And you end the game in an industrial landscape

[@UltimateDuck]

my life have led up to this point im over joyed

[@Rammy_Latin]

Exactly. Now my soul can be laid to rest; I've finally made peace...

[@KarlioDotExe]

Whether on purpose or not, I like how the pronunciation of Hydrocity is unconsistent throughout the video xD Great video! Overall, I rly love all of your Sonic Music Theories! Fun to watch and interpret :D

[@srb2er]

probably to please everyone possible

[@UltraMagnus3786]

One might say, it’s fluid 😅

[@ItsMeKukhai]

A truly Megamind move.

[@srb2er]

​​@@UltraMagnus3786 b r u h

[@taterthot1109]

Completely worth the wait, this is my new favorite video of Alex’s!

[@MikeJackson690]

Your analysis ability is outrageous. Your videos always boggle my mind. Also, I didn't know Act 2 tracks were actually remixed by someone else. Makes perfect sense!

[@andrewt7264]

Yo, I love how your videos show us these stories through music in the games that I never took the time to think about! Amazing!

[@pokemidgetstudios]

how come every time this guy does a music theory video on sonic, it always has something to do with collision chaos

[@NoveOficial]

The legendary video finally came to reality \o/

[@kylestillwell7031]

HydroCity and Flying Battery have some of the best music in all of Sonic history, which is especially high praise given the pedigree of Sonic music.

[@CrimsonBraveMaster]

I always like to picture beats geometrically, thanks to a certain game I’m a big fan of, and it’s actually helped me interpret and understand different beats better, being more of a math guy myself

[@tailpig6417]

Just Shapes And Beats?

[@CrimsonBraveMaster]

@@tailpig6417 No

[@tails183]

I'm so happy that someone else finally called a body of water "the drink." I freaking knew it wasn't something that I made up.

[@mathewrogers5993]

I love how the great debate between Hydrocity and Hydro City still exists even after Sega confirmed that it's Hydro City

[@TH-vo6hv]

I have no idea what any of this means but I can't stop watching these videos, keep up the good work 👍

[@phrygianphreak4428]

I've been following your channel for years. Every few months i remember to come check if you did hydrocity yet. *I am happy*

[@CalcProgrammer1]

This might be my favorite song in Sonic 3, and all of Sonic 3's songs are incredible.

[@ThisGreenDingo]

11:17 There's actually strong evidence to support that Masayuki Nagao was the true arranger behind Hydro City Act 2; the usage of PSG, glissandos, syncopated basslines and that delay effect on the lead were common devices he used in his other works such as the Sonic Chaos and Sonic Drift 2 soundtracks. Similar sounding Sonic 3 tracks include the CNZ Proto Act 2, LBZ Proto Act 2, Both acts of Lava Reef, Chrome Gadget, Desert Palace and I believe even the prototype competition theme.

[@FreshTillDeath56]

Okay I didn't think Hydro City zone in Sonic Mania was THAT bad... I thought the bubble manuvering was kinda fun. Lava Reef Zone was always the one where I was like, "okay that's enough Sonic Mania for today." lol

[@loonytunescrazy]

I love Hydro city

[@mjc0961]

Especially that terrible boss fight.

[@SubroOrbus]

The first act bass are sine waves, suitable for a bubbly sound. Nice touch for a water level!

[@TrepeSerafin]

Hydrocity Act 2 is my favorite Classic Sonic music, so I'm glad you analyzed it! I'm always impressed by the bass and rhythm patterns. Nice Video! Oh by the way, I found Sonic 3 & Knuckles music files on my hard drive, and the files' metadata have composer information! I'm not sure how reliable this is since I don't even remember how and when I got those files, but I figured I'd share. *Masayuki Nagao* Title Screen (Sonic 3) Angel Island Zone Hydrocity Zone The Doomsday Zone Boss- VS. Dr. Eggman Final Boss- VS. Mecha-Eggman Mk. II Desert Palance Chrome Gadget *Marasu Setsumaru* Game Select Miniboss- VS. Eggman Staff Roll (Sonic & Knuckles) *Miyoko Kabayushi* Marble Garden Zone *Brad Buxer* Theme of "KNUCKLES" (Sonic 3) Carnival Night Zone IceCap Zone Launch Base Zone Staff Roll (Sonic 3) 2P- Competition Menu *Howard Drosson* Title Screen (Sonic & Knuckles) Lava Reef Zone Pinball Machine Theme of "KNUCKLES" (Sonic & Knuckles) Alternate Credits *Tomonori Sawada* Mushroom Hill Zone Flying Battery Zone Sandopolis Zone Sky Sanctuary Zone Death Egg Zone Miniboss- VS. Eggman Mecha (Sonic & Knuckles) Azure Lake Balloon Park Endless Mine *Yoshiaki Kashima* Special Stage *Jun Senoue* Gumball Machine Slot Machine Continue?

[@BryanMorris-yc8iq]

I didn't know Jun Senoue was involved prior to SA1

[@alexohkay]

Loving the carpathia shout out

[@PrimordialChaos1]

Carpathia has a beautiful instrument break down

[@padillac16]

Thanks to this video, I didn’t just get a cool in-depth look at HydroCity’s composition, but I also realized that HydroCity Act 2’s bassline sounds like the Super Star theme from Mario. The More You Know (and knowing is half the battle)

[@Shadic-rf8dg]

G.I. JOE!

[@KnucklesTheEchidna.]

This was fantastic all around. I'm pissed no one told me about this channel till now. Love the channel name btw. 😏👍🏾

[@guyedwards22]

Pro tip for my fellow drummers: Sonic music in general is amazing to jam to, and Hydrocity Zone Act 2 is one of the best tracks in the bunch.

[@irishwristwatch4710]

Lovely video! I would absolutely love a music analysis for Ristar. It’s soundtrack is on par with S3&K imo.

[@AtlasBenighted]

Awesome video mate!

[@SimplestLoop]

I've been waiting for this for so long! This song just has a lot of really great touches, like how the melody slides around so much during the song, as if even the song itself is also going on the waterslides featured in act 2!

[@macemaster5295]

This is my favorite theme in Sonic 3.

[@notaprogamer2782]

7:31 - the silence after "knuckles" is so funny LMAO

[@cutman3931]

lmao

[@madttparedes1034]

Sos un Maestro Alex. La verdad Gracias por tu aporte. Siempre supe que Hidrocity tenía algo especial, la dinamica y la forma en que todo se combianaba. Admito que tube que poner subtitulos. Pero gracias a Dios que pude entender tu concepto y lo que realmente significa Hidrocity a nivel hostorico, musical y trasendental. Desde ya Muchas Gracias❤🔥🙌!!!

[@mh123_yt]

Oh boy!!! I can't wait to watch this over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and you get the point. I knew you were waiting to save the best for last, and I'm so glad you did, considering how you called back to other tracks you've covered. Makes it feel like a finale for the sonic 3 music theory videos. (Also i predicted you were saving it since it could share elements with the other tracks you covered so im so glad my guess was correct)

[@Spiralls]

This video gave me chills. The nostalgia overload is a bit much. The explanation was second to none. Thank you so much for the video. Subscribed

[@brianpso]

Ok, I've watched more than 400 thousand videos since youtube launched in 2005, and this video is on my top 10 most well produced and information packed videos. I don't know much about music theory, but you made me fall in love with it. I can only imagine how amazing it must be to be able to listen to music and understand so much of what's going on. This is incredible!

[@Shift17]

This zone is more a ghost town than a city. Because all the echidnas died.

[@BluJYay]

Never thought I’d find out how to get to the top route of Hydrocity from a music theory video. We live in a society

[@shiggamaru]

im an artist and by no means a musician and i am both enamored and baffled at the sciences behind music. i thought you just poke around until something feels good. i cant wrap my head around all the jargon needed for music theory and its amazement

[@shiggamaru]

im fascinated and so so so confused and i love it

[@JojoJere]

Actaully. It doesnt need tp be that planed out. Youcan just think of a couple of melody and make it a full song. ITs so easy to lean music theory and most of it you wont use in songs there is no "jargon"

[@bdhuffman42]

THE BEST water level and music of any game franchise. Period

[@Brian-bw9fh]

This was a beautifully written & edited video essay. It’s clear you truly care about the artistry of game music & the love the creators put into their work. Rare to see such coverage in the gaming sphere

[@disastrophi]

Your breakdowns are SO excellent. I love them!

[@Skelephone69]

Woke up to my favorite channel with a new video ready to watch. Love you man!

[@alexwood711]

I can't tell you how much joy you've given me by articulating the genius behind this track and all of the S3+K soundtrack. This video is an incredible achievement, you should be extremely proud of this- not just the subject matter/theory analysis but the editing and visual explanations make it so accessible and entertaining. Just, bravo mate. Bravo.

[@vapormermaid]

16:53 T.S. Eliot says as much in "Tradition and the Individual Talent", though in that case about separating poetry from the poet. Art has its own "art emotion" and significance that is separate from the artist that created it, and it's very satisfying to explore that.

[@SeJoHu]

Woah, YT hasn't shown me your new videos in 9 months! So excited to catch up on the backlog!

[@strohhutxP]

there it is! thank you for creating this. it's everything i hoped it would be for my favourite track! fine work and interesting insights

[@JNewsted1988]

6:46 WHAT?! I didn't know you could do THAT!

[@nthgth]

6:27 I _definitely_ never noticed Marble Garden, Carnival Night, Ice Cap, Launch Base, Sandopolis, or Death Egg had ANY change in tempo for Act 2. Thanks for this, Hydrocity is some of my favorite music in all of gaming.

[@darrentaylordigital]

I literally have an ornament of sonic running a green hill zone loop in the background of my videos, I am a mega classic sonic fan. Your videos mean I can keep being wowed by these games over 30 years after playing them as a child. And you finally covered my favourite sonic sound track of all time! Appreciate you dude!

[@MilkshakeSkunkette]

absolutely amazing video man, i love this music, and hearing your breakdown puts emotions into words

[@spaceman4390]

Omg, at 3:13 sounds so good. Someone needs to make mashup of this

[@edwardbruker79]

Untouchable video. I particularly love the moments when you tie the compositional elements to other games and talk about pop culture references that some of us were too young to experience. Its also refreshing to hear someone use mode names like mixolydian and Dorian rather than just saying major with a flat 7 or minor with a sharp 6. As a musician, educator, and video editor I applaud your excellent work.

[@AlexYardZone]

Thanks so much, Edward!

[@BrokamaGay]

Freaky, I was just watching your old videos last night and here's a brand new one. Love your content

[@lostboy626]

Act 2 is probably my favorite track in the whole series. I was anticipating this episode! So glad you finished it!

[@joaonitro5149]

OMG!!! Thank you so much for covering this track!

[@LaDeCR]

Music Theory in my Sonic Genesis soundtrack?? Subscribed! But seriously - your editing, jokes and wonderful illustrations of the chord movements, are as legendary as a certain Hyper Hedgehog

[@einarbassen]

Alex, im just gonna say it. I love you, you're such an expert when it comes with editing. I love that you use the act's blocks as chords

[@AlexYardZone]

Thanks so much, I love pouring myself into such details and really appreciate when they are noticed! The art direction in Sonic games is so amazing, it makes it easy for me at times.

[@Aemni1]

i never realised it featured segments of other songs because im really musically uneducated but i'm really glad you pointed it out to me and i really enjoyed the video !

[@AlexYardZone]

Thanks so much! Yeah, it's not so much references to other zones, as much as it is common compositional techniques that different zones share as a cohesive connective tissue.

[@budgoodrich6000]

Holy cow, I completely forgot about your incredible closing remarks in this video. Extremely well done, sir. Thank you for all of your hard work on our behalf.

[@WildSeven19]

I like your video format. It's indepth and accessible to musical imbeciles like myself. Chord flows and syncopated notes, explaining the rhythm, all with really clear movement and animation.

[@mmmmythical]

Just discovered your channel today and I want to say you earned my sub. This in depth analysis of Sonic 3’s music really makes me appreciate the amount of effort that went into these tracks for this game and it’s super nostalgic as a fan who grew up playing these games on PS2. It’s really amazing how much detail you can cram into a minute or so of just pure sound. Imma gonna do a binge of your other music theory vids now lol

[@-the_lumberjack-]

Always loved the solo in hydrocity. Also in the words of Radicalsoda, “It’s one word, ”

[@BiffTheBanana]

Been waiting for this for what felt like eternity, but now it's here... I'm completely satisfied, what a great video Alex!

[@blakfloyd]

Awesome reference to Nick in this video. I'm always glad to see a new video from you but especially when it's a top 10 all time Sonic track for me.

[@capntinwhistle]

That's some good analysis, mate - subbed.

[@joshp3446]

This video is incredible as usual, i wish i could tell you im surprised Alex but youre too consistent with good videos. I can not wait for the next one! Also my absolute favorite thing about this video is how you constantly mention "Having a water level thats actually good." and I could not agree more

[@naiyamay2356]

listening to it, you should totally do a cover of Walking on the Moon, you sounded fucking pheonominal

[@nathangabriel8888]

Seriously this might be the most incredible video I’ve seen on KZbin. This is amazing. I am seriously learning so much. Wowowowowow. You’re so good at this!!!

[@AlexYardZone]

Thanks for making my day! 🙂

[@technoguyx]

Your words at the end were touching and you're very right -- the fandom can, and has debated endlessly about the authorship of the tracks but in the end, we can all agree that the music perfectly encapsulates the idea of Sonic and the feeling of the levels.

[@olliezoop]

This channel is so damn good, I'm hooked on listening to these

[@redpanda-bj6dj]

I have been waiting for months and the video is finally here :)

[@Psycho_Nemesis]

We are so back 🔥

[@TheAlphazoneYT]

This channel is a treasure and these videos are always such a treat to watch! Please, never stop finding ways to add new layers to the games we love!🔥

[@xis350]

HURRAY! My favorite Sonic 3 track!! I was waiting for it so long!! Nice video :) And wow, I even didn't think about how much act 2 music speeds up!

[@Caesar_Online]

Finally learning about the real music theory