This Sonic Theme Is WAY More Intricate Than You Remember

[@CharlesCornellStudios]

We definitely shouldn't do a level-by-level breakdown of this entire soundtrack, right? I mean that just sounds like an awful idea...

[@bozojoecxxi]

dewit

[@CanadianBaconBack2Back]

Dewit

[@theoofer478]

I love how you already had the comment preloaded before you even posted the video.

[@analytical768]

dewit

[@Novuh1]

dewit

[@GuitarSlayer136]

Traditional musicians reacting to and dissecting videogame music is especially gratifying after spending a lifetime hearing people outside of the hobby belittle the entire subsection of music.

[@mikebliss3153]

You have to wait for the generational changeover.

[@drtaverner]

I remember the first time I heard TG-16 games. From _Ys_ to _Blazing Lazers_ I would access the debug menu just to play the music.

[@stewartmoore5158]

The origin of where a piece of music comes from will always colour people's perception of it. Imagine if you found out that Beethoven had written Cardi B's WAT.

[@fnjesusfreak]

Nakamura came from a band called Dreams Come True, so you had a traditional musician composing video game music.

[@krono5el]

we all could feel how good these tunes in our favorite games were, timeless classics : D

[@Mayhem_Inc]

I have to admit, hearing the Sonic theme played on the piano, I now realize HOW beautiful that music truly is.

[@thesrb2fan12]

and this is why sonic is said to have a great OST no matter the game

[@JoeDaBoi]

That's Sonic for ya

[@demo4044]

Yeah pal ❤😮

[@lulabros]

That's why it touched our childish souls

[@mrterry1756]

that's also what happens when you get a Pro Pianist that also happens to be a Piano Teacher and a Jazz Pianist, to get to "analyze" or review the song of a game that maybe he didn't even know. Or at least in the same level as a lot of 20-30-something dudes that grew up with Sega Genesis / Megadrive. But the best part I've seen about professional piano players the first time they get to play a piece from a videogame they didn't even know, they end up saying something like "This is very good music, I've never heard that before".

[@chrisnorman1902]

To make music that the player has to listen to repeatedly for hours, without it getting irritating or boring, and making it sound good on the limits of the video game system - so underrated

[@derekr3895]

Old-school game composers are the best composers of all time.

[@krono5el]

been hearing this tune since 91 and it never gets old : D

[@SirPoopsMagee]

While the player is probably getting extremely irritated by the game itself..

[@krono5el]

@@SirPoopsMagee remember water levels back then, frustration mania as a kid : P

[@kaitlyn__L]

⁠@@derekr3895and in this case they were originally J-pop composers! Which makes adjusting to the limitations of the sound chip more impressive. (The group is called Dreams Come True) The songwriter even went on record saying it improved his compositional abilities IIRC, and they went on to use a few melodies they’d made for Sonic in their own releases. (Green Hill, Star Light, and the Sonic 2 Credits. Maybe one more.) The strength of the compositions shine through brightly in those more involved arrangements too!

[@skybirdmakes]

Sonic 1-3 are filled with hit after hit it's honestly legendary

[@moesabawi4437]

Sonic CD is also legendary! 👍

[@hasbo]

Yeah what's up with Sonic & Knuckles? Still bangs! And Sonic R? Come on man!

[@SP-hs6bj]

Ice cap zone!

[@123lowp]

Sonic CD has the best music.

[@QactisX]

I grew up with Sonic 1 and 2 but never had 3. Many years later my bro got Sonic and Knuckles and honestly SnK had my favorite of the musics. Especially flying metal was a banger

[@greattheillusion]

Perfectly fine with an album of slow jazzy piano sonic songs. I won't stop you.

[@deusdragonex]

The breakdown of how the Ring triad works with the other chords in the song is EXACTLY THE KIND OF ANALYSIS I NEED IN MY LIFE.

[@ShineTermiten]

True...

[@maximilianocarrion1599]

I love how Charles focuses first on the bass. Nakamura, being a bass player himself, really went the extra mile in all of the songs for Sonic 1 and 2 on the bassline.

[@JPBrooksLive]

I used to ride around listening to the Sonic 2 soundtrack after highschool and thought "man, whoever wrote this must have been an awesome bassist" and years later I found out he, indeed, was.

[@kaitlyn__L]

Bassist composers are the best tbh

[@coffeedudeguy]

As a guitar player, the best songs have the best bass lines and not so much the sick guitar solo imo

[@bendale7693]

As a long-time Dreams Come True fan, I was about to mention Nakamura is an awesome bass player. I figured someone else would as well.

[@SiD3WiNDR]

Oddly for me the bass has always been very visible/audible in this song, I love how it comes in at the beginning. :)

[@dieselpcs]

Man hearing this on the piano made so emotional, I cried. So many great memories.

[@Ere.b.Israel]

Cried ? Lol

[@truth6261]

People are impacted differently. Shows he is still human. You are just... Robotic lol​@@Ere.b.Israel

[@PeopleWakeUP]

Music will do that to you It’s the memories Nothing compares to music

[@i_dont_care5499]

Really deciphering the depth in these songs always gives me a new found appreciation for the composers who made the songs we liked but never payed attention to

[@cooldebt]

First time I noticed vgm was when the kids played Club Penguin and I realised the music had to be loopable without the player getting sick of it. Then we discovered The Consouls vgm jazz covers and really started to appreciate the brilliance of vgm composers!

[@overlordkujo]

Would love to hear a breakdown of Chemical Plant from Sonic 2. It's such a banger of a tune, and probably my absolute favorite of any classic Sonic level themes.

[@metalheadcol]

Absolutely love to see this breakdown for this epic tune

[@lionelhuts875]

Agree. Metropolis Zone is a close second.

[@ubermensch3000]

Came to say this but then remembered that the Mystic Cave Zone exists. Absolute banger.

[@Gigawood]

@@ubermensch3000which one? The single player or the vs mode version of the track? They’re *both* bangers 😆

[@cmudd9788]

I love the Mystic Cave Zone music. The Carnival Night Zone from Sonic 3 actually uses the same beat, though it’s slightly modified.

[@DonnieSalas]

I might be one of the only 42 year olds' who listen to video game music for fun and relaxation in my life... and I've always loved this tune (especially the middle part) BUT This was absolutely wonderful..... I love this so much.

[@tyrellforeman9638]

Pls share your source of music (if it’s anything more than KZbin searches)

[@lorenzo032780]

Same her, 44 YO. an still hearing all shenmue orchestra disc everytime i want to chiil and concentrate

[@АлександрОвчаренко-ы6в]

31 here!

[@paradisebreeze1705]

Me too. Shem the best

[@WilbertAdams1]

33 here, definitely have video game music on my playlist.

[@bryanquick3349]

I'm enjoying the 'Charles Cornell discovers that 90s video game music is absolutely fire' narrative arc we've got going on here

[@cooldebt]

Agree. It's like he's going through the OSTs of the Consouls' brilliant catalogue of vgm jazz covers!

[@tylerromero]

Saammmee

[@HUYI1]

he's in awe! and it's so cool that it appreciates it regardless of his age in this matter, kudos! sonic 1 has one of the best soundtracks in the series, hands down, how did he handle starlight zone? lol

[@ThePallidor]

Can't wait til he discovers Phantasy Star 2

[@pcachu]

@@ThePallidorand the pleasant sensation of being repeatedly slapped across the head by a snare drum sample not to belittle the game's score, it's great, but that drum is mixed really strong

[@trevinodude]

That ‘Slow Sonic cover’ version of Green Hill Zone sounds like you are taking a stroll in a beautiful landscape made of dreams, dude. I would love to hear more slow Sonic covers!

[@patrickm.4469]

This one is amazing! kzbin.info/www/bejne/baetdYOpmZ1jnJY

[@ShaMan54321]

At the end of the Sonic movie, the Green Hills Zone theme is played slowly on the piano, and it was great

[@trevinodude]

@@ShaMan54321 Yes. That version was played by Stephen Colbert’s former piano player, Jon Batiste. I remember it quite well. Also the Olive Garden parts.

[@kaitlyn__L]

Amie Waters has a downtempo Sonic album called “Gotta Go Slow” which I adore. It’s more synthy but she uses lots of piano and guitar and stuff too! I totally agree that slow Sonic covers needs to be a way more widespread thing!

[@InventorZahran]

It felt like something that could've come from the soundtrack of Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood!

[@KawasakiCruiseControl]

The beautiful simplicity of songs coming out one after another in this era is nothing short of a golden age of musical talent.

[@FadkinsDiet]

The genesis actually had two sound chips in it, but they had to be controlled separately with careful synchronization. A technical feat as well as a musical one.

[@thecoolaydang8104]

WAIT REALLY???1?1?1??1!

[@clerian]

Yep, the YM2602 contained the FM sound channels whereas the 3 pulse wave channels were inside the TI SN76489, but it was all typically coordinated by the Zilog Z80 which was a sub-CPU included for backwards compatibility with the old Master System games.

[@VirajKathwadia]

@@thecoolaydang8104 Yes really.

[@doorknobs2369]

⁠​⁠​⁠​⁠@@clerianYM2612 (or YM3438). The SN76489 has 3 square waves but it also has a noise channel. There isn’t any great difficulty in “synchronizing” these chips. You write the registers out from the Z80 (or the 68k if you wish, it’s mapped to both). The timing is no more or less difficult than with one chip as the timing comes from one host. The YM2602 was actually the video chip for the Master System and contains the SN76489 (more precisely SN76496) functionality, it (and the Genesis) did not have the discrete SN76489 chip.

[@PhirePhlame]

If it had to be so careful, I'd imagine there'd have been way more issues, both with cheaper games and with early emulation. What blows my mind, though, is the fact that the Z80 - which in the Genesis is normally a sound controller to command the sound chips - can still be engaged as the primary CPU for the aforementioned backwardn compatibility! The Power Base Converter that serves as an adapter to connect Master System cartridges & cards to the Genesis is just a dry pin-converter with no smarts of its own!

[@IYPITWL]

The way Green Hill Zone transitions into the boss fight is also amazing. The whole thing flips with that constant bass note slowing and becoming more dominant, and then high notes come in pitched even higher. It sounds like they are afraid and hiding behind the bass almost.

[@xXCursedWorgenXx]

11:20 "oh man the memories, i had this game for pc" *sonic screech to a halt*

[@swordman521]

ikr

[@aleksavasic2612]

Sonic Mega Collection Plus

[@xXCursedWorgenXx]

should have mentioned: I still have a Sega, and still have Sonic The Hedgehog 2.

[@aleksavasic2612]

@@xXCursedWorgenXx That is great

[@LeeValentine001]

@@xXCursedWorgenXx Same here fam! Don't have the box for STH2 but have the cartridge still. Also have Sonic & Knuckles, with the flip-top lid that allowed you to stick another cartridge into it to unlock the "secret" emerald tracks (and other things from memory).

[@IamFluffY90]

Please make a “Slow Sonic Covers” album. If I ever hear that in a fancy hotel lobby, I’d be so filled with joy 😊

[@cooldebt]

Thr Consouls samba Sonic covers are great in the meantime

[@thefluentone]

I came to say the same thing

[@zerobatsu]

I feel like John Baptist has done some live versions of this.

[@kaitlyn__L]

@@cooldebtAmie Waters’ “Gotta Go Slow”, too! :)

[@Dazpowder.1754]

I need this in my life

[@JPBrooksLive]

I love how bass driven all the songs in Sonic 1 and 2 are.... Masato Nakamura is such a good bass player and melody writer. I love these soundtracks so much.

[@Toyota4Life]

The nostalgia and memories this song brings back unlocks part of my childhood that I forgot existed

[@Wagonball_Z]

easily one of the greatest and most iconic game/theme songs. sonic soundtracks never missed in those first few games

[@loweni7460]

First few games? The games quality may be somewhat sub par but almost every sonic game's ost slaps that's the one rule all sonic games go by even the fan games have phenomenal music

[@rampager1990]

​@@loweni7460"rolling around at the speed of sound, got places to go, gotta follow my rainbow" 😂

[@Nic_2751]

“First few games” Oh boy here we go…..

[@loweni7460]

@@Nic_2751 what are you talking about it's true the osts were very good

[@Nic_2751]

@@loweni7460 bro did not use the “in the first few games” and disrespect the rest like implying that ain’t a billion times better

[@OriginalGoggledGamer]

Seeing people react to music is one thing, having musicians react to music is another, having a musician actually breakdown and explain why a song works so well is a horse of different color. This channel is super informative and the passion for helping people understand the known theory behind music theory is simply beautiful. And to cover one of my favorites is just fantastic, always loved the counter melodies in Sonic, from the energetic and carefree to the imposing and mechanical, but always carrying a beat, a melody that pushes you forward. Also have noticed there's also a Megalovania breakdown aswell, I would recommend checking out Toby Foxx's number one inspiration as well. The musician known as ZUN, aka the creator of a series known as Touhou, has done a number of notable songs like U.N Owen was Her and Necrofantasia. But as those songs are very ZUN, the song I'd recommend for a breakdown would be Hartmann's Yokai Girl, as that song is so unique and baffles a good number of musicians (in a good way)

[@FSAPOJake]

You'd probably like Dan Spencer's channel then; Music Theory For Gamers. One of my favorite live streamers and does exactly that.

[@SonShani]

Your joy and excitement level breaking down this piece really hits home. Nostalgia is weird with this game I never played as a kid - I was a SNES user. If you ever get to analyze Star Zone I will just explode... this is my favorite Sonic theme ever.

[@deliriumzer0]

Right off the bat, I'm SO glad you mentioned the bassline! Nakamura is a bassist, and you can tell -- the basslines all OVER the sonic 1 & 2 soundtracks are absolutely absurd, I love them. Not even 2 minutes in, and I love this video lol

[@JoshWiniberg]

That makes so much sense! Ohtani is the best Sonic composer of the modern era imo and he's also a bassist.

[@cobrasys]

The place where the bass really shines for me is the theme for Star Light Zone. It's just incredible.

[@seanshankredemption1603]

8 & 16 bit era music was incredible. The limitations of the hardware seemed like anything but given the amazing melodies created over awesome bass lines & drum tracks. The soundtrack of my life here. Thanks for this.

[@KingUsyk]

Look up Retrowave

[@paulhawkins3763]

It’s called Chiptune. Check out the artist BlueNavi if you want to hear very well made modern chiptune 🤙

[@BrandonBlume]

I like how that opening bass riff makes you think of something revving up speed. And it starts right when you have control and can push the right button on the DPad. So it's like the music is echoing the acceleration of Sonic's movement and kicks you off with a bang.

[@zaphyy]

I didn't realize the rings, jump pads, checkpoint, and even the spin dash match the theme. Grew up loving Sonic music so much, thanks for breaking down why it's so incredible!

[@gameclips5734]

you'd be a terrible sound designer if you forgot to do that!

[@JaxxoonR]

I imagine they used the same tools to create the sound effects as they did to transcribe the music, and the game's audio engine is already designed to work with data in the form of notes + pitch/volume effects. It's no wonder it has so much musicality.

[@XxguaxinimxX.]

"We definitely shouldn't do a level-by-level breakdown of this entire soundtrack, right? I mean that just sounds like an awful idea." I can't wait for starlight zone! It's my favorite from this game!

[@arcturionblade1077]

I love Starlight Zone. Can't count how many times I just set the controller down just to listen to this level as a kid.

[@agusgolturbo]

its a song that no matter how much time passes, it always makes me cry.

[@deusdragonex]

Starlight Zone goes so hard. I'm right there with you. My favorite from that game.

[@cnett486]

Hell, they played it for the Olympics when it was held in Japan. Definitely a must I'd agree.

[@BeniRoseMusic]

@@arcturionblade1077Same!

[@Eight_Nine_G]

This music is literally so important to my childhood. Just pure melancholy when i heart it now I'm older. ❤

[@XenonSntax]

One fun fact about Green Hill's composer, Masato Nakamura, is that he's part of a band called Dreams Come True, and (if I'm not wrong), he'd later use Green Hill Zone as base for a track called 'Marry Me?'. Must be said, it's a odd, funny feeling to listen to that track and not think about Sonic all throughout lol For those that don't know it yet, Dreams Come True also have a sung version of Sonic 2's ending theme as well, which would eventually be remixed for Sonic '06, both worth a listen as well

[@seekertosecrets]

Aw! You beat me to it! I felt like I wasted my time typing the same factoid.

[@theassortedhobbyist]

While "Marry Me?" does carry over "Green Hill Zone"'s melody, Masato Nakamura and Miwa Yoshida also adapted the song into a full Dreams Come True track called "Up on the Green Hill". The melody of "Starlight Zone" can also be heard in the song "Kusuriyubino Kessin" from their album "Million Kisses" and "Namidato Tatakatteru" from "The Swinging Star" has a scratch sound effect that Nakamura used for the demo version of "Metropolis Zone" from Sonic The Hedgehog 2.

[@lilaccccc3892]

its actually kinda funny i discovered Dreams Come True independently, my favorite song of theirs being Wherever you Are. I looked them up and realized one of them just straight up made the sonic ost lmao

[@OsakaJoe01]

The Sonic 2 song you're looking for is "Sweet Sweet Sweet"

[@maxweb32]

Can we also talk about how the SEGA choir note interval also appears in a lot of places such as the checkpoint, green hill zone, and the title screen? I know it's just two notes but it is a neat coincidence that this is SEGA's mascot and his first appearance has so many little nods to the jingle

[@siminy12783]

Could be a coincidence, but I bet it was intentional! Nice observation!

[@JoshWiniberg]

Never noticed that! That's so cool! Another fun fact, Sega was so eager to show off their technological capability with that audio logo that they included it at significant expense - 1/8th of the total storage memory of the cartridge!

[@budgetcoinhunter]

@@JoshWiniberg Sonic Team had to compress the DAC samples because of it. That's why the drums sounded so different in the Sonic 1 proto: They weren't compressed yet.

[@JoshWiniberg]

😮 that's an amazing bit of game music history to know, thank you! I'm going to look up the prototype Sonic 1, I don't think I've ever seen it before without loads of commentary over it so never noticed the difference.

[@Teletheus]

This is a *fantastic* catch. I can’t believe I’ve missed that for all these years!

[@Dustii91]

Man, im born in 91, nostalgia is an understatement, but mostly, huge love for seeing you give this tune a whole new dimension! It's genuinely a pleasure to watch you do what you do sir❤

[@Cooe.]

You're a little young for peak Sonic 1 nostalgia lol. The game came out the same year you were born. You were about a decade too late.

[@NinjaBobPlays]

For real, you should do an album of slow 80s/ 90s video game music. Would love to put it on at a dinner party and see who recognises something first! Would be amazing!

[@eggjewla]

Yas! Agreed

[@spaceninja27]

I want to learn piano just to play slow Green Hill Zone now

[@who_glhf9113]

AGREED!

[@joshdv1977]

that would make for a really lame dinner party

[@cuddlingwolf2762]

​@@joshdv1977 the good news is I can promise you I'd never invite you to a dinner party so you don't have to worry about it

[@SlaughterDog]

The sound effects harmonizing with the music, amazing. I’d love to see modern games pull this off.

[@StephenCoorlas]

Good point 🤘🏼

[@tortoiselover7215]

It's actually more common than you'd expect, and I've listed the two that come to mind immediately. Peggle 2 matches the sound effect of pegs hit to go up the scale of the key of the music, even changing with the song's key. Mario Wonder has a similar thing with its note blocks, except it adheres to the chord, will play the current chord when you jump, and in some cases plays the melody.

[@Nobody_Cares913]

@@tortoiselover7215 peggle's sound design is mana

[@silver6380]

The Mario Galaxy games did it!

[@pointpathfield]

This song is burnt into my mind - “you know it is up to us now, it really is up to us now” ❤ Makes you think about how we recall music and imprint it to memory - I can hear this music (and lots of other music) in my mind’s ear. Last thing to say, this is such liminal, nearly throw away music and yet its structure is rich and the product of a master musicologist, largely unsung.

[@pointpathfield]

To boot, I used to just leave this on, to develop, and it does. Partly to wait to see if Sonic did anything weird, didn’t he go to sleep eventually. It’s the little touches. 🎉

[@frenchbassguy]

How many times have I heard this music?? And you're pointing out elements I had never noticed! Your enthusiasm and the joy you find in music that has defined my life brings tears to my eyes. I would never get tired of these kind of analyses of Japanese composers of 16 and 32 bit soundtracks!

[@940351579]

This guy can describe why I love the sonic music WAY better than I can. I'm so happy he makes these, cause I sure can't explain it lol

[@nodak81]

That theme brings my childhood flooding back! A lot of people feel that way about Mario but I was a Sega kid. I probably have thousands of hours in those first three Sonic games. Another game that I had a great soundtrack for the Genesis was Alien 3. Matt Furniss was the composer for that game. I think it was the music for the fourth stage in particular that was really amazing to me.

[@dutchkel]

Same. Sega kid. Love this video.

[@wbyrdsen]

The most iconic sound when thinking of Sega Genesis PERIOD! If you don’t get chills listening to this tune you weren’t born in the era of gaming most essential moments.

[@joseph-fernando-piano]

This track is the sound of my childhood... and Sonic games, especially the older 2D titles, have really incredible music for every single zone!

[@RBMDragon]

Limitations inspired a lot of creativity.

[@rockman22]

@2:16 I always sing to myself, "Sonic the fkn hedgehog, cause he's a mother-fkn hedgehog"...

[@YungP32208]

😂😂😂😂😂dawgggggg😂

[@Thorn_N_Yor_Side]

Hell yeah

[@XckBrm]

I love the pure joy Charles experiences while dissecting the composition. I feel like I experience something similar when I listen to music, but it's often diminished when I try to excitedly explain to my partner what I'm hearing and they just stare blankly back at me like "sure, hon."

[@Al-Sahem-Al-Ghul]

I think it's so cool that you can pick music apart like this. Especially when the music seems so chaotic to the uninitiated. The composers really pour their souls into the work, and it shows. Never told anybody this before, but when I was a kid, I used to think there was something wrong with me because I could pick instrumentals apart like this. My brother and I would always "sing" the songs from our favorite games, and while he would do the main parts that everybody knew, I would do that bassline that everybody ignored or simply didn't notice. Or I would do the notes that seemed randomly placed in the song. I would always get a giggle or a funny look, but then I would show him and everybody else where the part was in the song. My dad always asked, "Boy how the heck did you hear that?!" I've literally always been able to dissect music like that, and I still can to this day. I just love music. My issue is trying to learn how to actually play the keyboard... my brain is too busy to do it. At least that's how it feels. I'll get to it though. I just have to take the keyboard out the box and do it.

[@faudio5566]

I feel all this. I’ve always visualized the separate elements and picked the piece of compositions apart in my head. You ever try making music or producing?

[@lil_yugi]

I used to feel the exact same way, and I thought I couldn’t learn piano because my mind was also similarly too busy. But just start playing, it won’t sound good at first but I found that’s the best way to learn. Just take a few mins out of the day to fiddle around with it.

[@vadnegru]

​@@faudio5566i found that i could make like 30 seconds of meat and then can't make it into proper track.

[@faudio5566]

​@@vadnegru Yeah that happens a lot with nearly all producers, but that's the first part. After you build up a solid full 4-8 bar section, do you start creating variations and taking stuff away, changing elements and experimenting? Or do you find yourself getting sick of it and then moving onto a new idea?

[@vadnegru]

@@faudio5566 now i don't have any enjoyment from that process so i don't even try. I used to make some variations and as i did this, i realised that they just bad and moved onto something else.

[@AJ-on-youtube]

I haven't watched the whole video yet because it's long and I'm busy, so I don't know if this was mentioned, but Nakamura was the bass guitarist of a Japanese band called "Dreams Come True", and he based this level music on their song "Marry Me?". A couple other levels were also based on their songs.

[@slashwannabe2k]

This sounds so good on piano. Those slow chords are beautiful…I imagine this being played and going unnoticed at some event where people are eating with a pianist playing while you eat 🤣

[@priscilam.9808]

If you guys look up Dreams Come True's official KZbin channel, you can find Green Hill Zone released as a single with lyrics. Masato Nakamura's band is HUGELY famous in Japan and Ive been a massive fan of theirs for more than 20 years. They also have released the ending song from Sonic 2 as a song called "Sweet Sweet Sweet" that can be found also on their KZbin channel. Their music is not to be missed, it is absolutely mesmerizing. Thanks for making a video about their music!!!!

[@GamingGardevoir]

Interestingly, the ending of Sonic 2 was based on Sweet Sweet Sweet, not the other way around. Marry Me was indeed based on Green Hill though, and I seem to recall that they had a song based on Star Light

[@lovestarlightgiver2402]

Kusuriyubi no kesshin for Starlight Zone

[@keyblader1985]

​​​​@@lovestarlightgiver2402How did that never click for me... Also in the beginning "Tatakai no Hibuta," you can clearly hear the end of the Star Light Zone theme.

[@Oysterblade84]

They had another song called ''Killer Tomatoes Strike Back'' which had the Labyrinth bass line in it.

[@dank1280]

Dreams Come True has been my favorite band since I was a teenager in 1996. I spent a decent amount of time in Japan in the late ‘90s. When I made the connection that Masato Nakamura wrote the Sonic music I was blown away! I had loved Sonic as a kid, before ever hearing Dreams Come True!

[@syx3s]

i'd never once considered how the sounds of the game are designed to become a part of the soundtrack. it makes perfect sense when you actually spend five seconds to think about it. not many modern games have that kind of beautiful simplicity.

[@rhysgarland9295]

The slow piano rendition of this is soooo 'jazzy' I'm in love lol

[@death_seal2259]

I grew up on sonic music and I'm wanting to go into music production in college. Please continue to go through the entirety of this amazing sound track

[@Verz_The_Game]

Amazing how this theme transports me back. Good stuff. Miss the younger days😢

[@DodderingOldMan]

I remember hearing this tune through headphones for the first time rather than my crappy TV's tiny speakers, and being blown away by how much was going on, and how well it all worked together.

[@bigshaq12]

Real ones know... Spring Yard Zone is the true banger

[@AJ-on-youtube]

New Jack swing. Sounds like Bobby Brown.

[@mdccloud]

Shhh that’s my go to on the piano

[@dw8393]

(((Starlight zone))) tho 😅

[@andreabailey7245]

Facts!

[@NokturnalMTG]

The entire soundtrack is insane! As a kid I loved Marble Zone quite a bit too

[@digitaloracle3079]

Can we please have an entire album made of slow sonic covers? 😅 I've always seemingly enjoyed slower stuff, usually ballads and slower alternative rock (think slower Goo Goo Dolls, Matchbox Twenty, Lifehouse), so this idea you've planted fits right into my wheelhouse.

[@kadosho02]

1991, June. That day I was at a store, then this song is playing from a tv. Watching the animation go by, a blue hedgehog with sneakers. The music in the first game was amazing. The opening melody is beautiful. The rhythm in every note, makes you feel like Sonic running, keeping that speed going throughout. Excellent coverage of this timeless classic 🫡

[@paggamaster9900]

Damn, may I ask how old u are?

[@kadosho02]

@@paggamaster9900 I'm 38. But never could forget that awesome moment in time

[@angiegrau6550]

If I had you as a theory professor in college, man I woulda loved theory so much more. Thank you for reigniting this element of play and exploration and discovery in music!!!! ❤

[@DyadintheForce]

What is so fascinating is when you play it with different tempo and styling, its such an emotional and breath taking piece

[@spyda1221]

I’ve been trying to reach out to Charles for so long to cover this 😭. He needs to hear Casino Night and Marble Zone.

[@rafalucchesi1]

I was hearing to Casino Night one of these days, it has such a crazy ragtime rythm, i just love it

[@tragiclantern]

Well, now I need a full smooth jazz piano cover of the entire Sonic soundtrack. Thanks, Charles.

[@SirGriefALot]

The nostalgia is strong with this one. It might not be as complex as the main theme, but the Starlight Zone theme is pretty sick too. If I had enough lives I would waste one just standing around listening to it.

[@Fitzroy_Fox]

AGREED. Starlight Zone was GORGEOUS.

[@Winspur1982]

It was definitely a reward for kids skilled enough to survive Labyrinth Zone and ethical enough not to use the cheat codes in magazines.

[@fractalgem]

It was usually marble zone that killed me. I weirdly had far less trouble if i made it to labyrinth zone.

[@RebelionFiscal]

That descending harmony from the IV all the way to bVII and then to vi and bVI and finally V is incredible

[@cluelessbushcraft]

I grew up with Sonic and this has got to be one of the most recognized themes. I love this.

[@TheNickofTime]

0:29 I find it very endearing how his reaction to well-done music is always to laugh with joy at what he’s hearing.

[@Dimonds456]

I just discovered this channel, and I absolutely LOVE it. I wanna get into writing jazz, which isn't exactly easy music to write or even play, and I'm only two videos into this channel and I'm learning SO MUCH! Keep doing what you're doing! Love this channel!

[@bramman09animates]

The way you played the parts on the piano just gave me the best feeling

[@jellewils3974]

Sonic 2 - Aquatic Ruin zone is basically latin fusion, back then I didn't know Chick Corea yet. Now it's impossible to unhear how this track was inspired by him.

[@cooldebt]

You might like to check out The Consouls cover which really draws out the jazz roots of the tune

[@LupineTendencies]

Oh man, with all the VGM that you've been covering, I'd LOVE for you to tackle stuff by Tim Follin and his brother Geoff Follin. The things that they were able to do with the Silver Surfer game, Pictionary on NES, AND Time Trax on the Genesis? Absolutely monumental.

[@IgorRenato]

Yes!! Thumbs up for that

[@ShadyNetworker]

Holy shit YES!

[@HezrouDhiaga]

I remember being obsessed with this song as a kid when I first heard it because of how complex the music sounded. the other kids didn't get why I loved it so much cuz they only heard the main parts of the song and not what caught my attention - the bass xD

[@Jason-ir5ig]

I will never get tired of those quick zoom-ins when you accidentally bump the keyboard hahaha

[@billyalarie929]

They’re my absolute favorites. They’re SO funny.

[@bunnyishappy3779]

Just wanted to mention that I heard this the first time from Jon Batiste - Green Hill Zone and it's incredible! The original version is so nostalgic but Jon's version is very nice to hear too, check that out!

[@matthewvelazquez2013]

I will do, now.

[@navycb63]

Came here to say this. It's just beautiful how he plays it

[@UncleCornPop]

This song has so many layers to it that it really is amazing that it was produced with such restrictive hardware for it's time! I never learned music theory, but when I wanted to learn how to make music, I broke this song down to its 4 individual tracks to learn how the melody and bass line interacted and reconstructed it in a playstation music sequencer by ear and it helped me enough to learn songwriting to start my own projects and 16 years later I got to write music for a videogame! I still can't read music, but I owe my own personal successes to this one random videogame song I fell in love with when I was 8

[@JobForAMaxboy]

The music in Sonic is great, but the Aquatic Ruin music from Sonic 2 is the one that sticks with me most, its absolutely beautiful

[@apex2000]

Sonic 2 often overlooked. Since 1 is the originator & 3 the famous one.

[@NoxUmbrae]

@@apex2000 I disagree. Sonic 2 is *the* game the average person will point out as the game they like the most, and even in the top comments you can see several mentions of Sonic 2 and none of 3. Sonic 3 has resurfaced in people's consciences in the last few years because some people decided to make media talking about Michael Jackson's involvement in its soundtrack, but it is and was the one being overall overlooked.

[@propertymanager9149]

no that doesnt even sound like it belongs in sonic. green hill zone is sonic

[@BananaPhoPhilly]

@@NoxUmbraeSonic 2 also sold the most copies of any sonic game and outsold super Mario world

[@GilbertLMusic]

If you like the Aquatic Ruin theme then you should check out Sam Griffin's acoustic guitar cover. It's the best version I've heard of that theme!

[@grognack3745]

I love the energy you bring to these videos. I know nothing about playing music, but I am interested in the feeling a song can bring to something. This game was the first I ever played, and there is something pure about this song that feels me with joy. Having you express your own appreciation for it just makes my week ❤

[@Greenplastics]

One of the most beautiful videogame themes ever. Even as a non musician 14 years old I could hear how special it was. I have used it as my phone's ringtone or alarm tone for years. Alternating it with Megaman's Elecman theme (NES) and Tetris Theme (Gameboy)

[@BitcoinIsGoingToZero]

The song plus the level sound effects makes this game a sonic masterpiece.

[@tyrelllowery2074]

Saw 8 bit big band last night, and they absolutely KILLED this!

[@senor_leo]

This is my ringtone. This song always stuck with me and every time I would hear it, my ears always picked up something new. So many parts to it and love every bit of it

[@OwlOnFire]

Please absolutely do Slow Sonic Covers, so so perfectly named too

[@Bangaudaala]

You can feel the hapiness the composer felt when composing this The passion is tangible

[@jasonrodwell5316]

Dude i need to say your enthusiasm for this stuff is so infectious. Your like one of those people you see beaming and being way to happy than they have any right to be.... at 5 am on the morning news. Not that its a bad thing it always cheers me up your passion really shines through.

[@stevenfoster8601]

I only recently realized how foundational these soundtracks were for my musical identity when I discovered Casiopea and eventually made the link to videogame soundtracks of this era, explaining how Casiopea sounded so familiar!

[@SKRicochet]

I never had a Sega console growing up, but this track is still one of my all time favorites from gaming.

[@ThunderCat19D]

The bass line is ALWAYS what stood out to me more as a kid. But this video made me smile

[@taylortomblin]

I love the old Sonic music. My favorite Sonic game was Sonic and Knuckles (by itself, not paired with a second cartridge). It has some amazing music in there. The Lava Reef Zone Act 1 music in particular, but the whole soundtrack is great. If you check it out let me know what you think! 😁

[@tgpsonic]

This video is great ! The whole franchise is known for not always having the best games but always having amazing music. There is so much interesting stuff you could discover and analyse, it's crazy

[@theNSXman]

Listening to this track in 1991 blew my mind. Love how you break it down.

[@Kringlord97]

Composers are often highly involved with developing sound effects to the games they're composing. So with how much thought goes into developing a 16-bit theme I have no doubt that the sound effects were made to integrate with Green Hill Zone perfectly.

[@JJRay_Cinematics]

Absolutely love your appreciation, breakdown, and excitement over this piece of musical history 💯💙 much love and many blessings

[@Yella095]

I love this one! I’m a big music lover and never really paid much attention to how well everything went together seamlessly and hearing it on a piano was even better! It brought back memories of the sega! Well done man🎉

[@JaxsonGalaxy]

John Baptiste has a cover of Green Hill Zone that is also a Jazzy Banger, so you're in good company with this video. Also, since you seem to be covering all of my favorite things recently may I submit you cover literally any song from Mega Man X or any of the openings from Sailor Moon. The original animations for the Sailor Moon openings never aired and I think they deserve more attention.

[@chairforceoneYT]

Ive always loved this track and this breakdown made is appreciate it even more

[@NickopolN7]

This made me unexpectedly emotional

[@KCM25NJL]

This song is BEYOND nostalgic.... just pure happy vibes :)

[@JomasterTheSecond]

Masa is a fucking legend, Dreams Come True's music in general is awesome.

[@kit_withdrip]

I absolutely love this video. Hearing someone speak with such passion about the music of the Sonic games just makes me smile, not to mention how beautifully you play on the piano. I hope I can play to your level one day :)

[@DMoticon]

you should absolutely do slow sonic covers!!

[@drummond3761]

Amazing vid amazing music! Sonic music just hits different...

[@lifemantratarot]

Childhood memories unlocked! I come from a musical family, so I absolutely love watching a breakdown of a song. Gotta show my dad and son lol! ❤

[@Xemnasty]

Alex Yard does a great breakdown of sonic tracks and really goes into the music theory behind the choices that composer made when arranging the tracks.