Music is a powerful medium. Capable of stirring up long-forgotten memories and evoking powerful emotion in the listener, music can reduce even the burliest of blokes into blubbering, crumpled heaps. And who says that us guys are afraid to show their sensitive side? Poppycock. Of course, video games are no exception to this rule, and as often is the case, a stellar soundtrack can greatly accentuate the on-screen antics, elevating even the most perfunctory scene to hard-hitting greatness.
In a continued celebration of some of gaming’s ear-pleasing aural accomplishments, PSU presents yet another instalment in our on-going Classic Tracks series. For our latest entry, we revisit the 60s stealth outing Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, and the game’s eponymous theme tune.
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Title: Snake Eater
Soundtrack: Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater
Composer(s): Norihiko Hibino
Hideo Kojima’s Cold War-era sneak-‘em-up is full of standout components, from the superb stealth mechanics to its emotionally-charged storyline. Equally impressive is Harry Gregson-Williams’ stonking soundtrack, which evokes a distinct James Bond-esque feel to the proceedings. In particular, the main theme, Snake Eater, perfectly encapsulates the 1960s spy setting, and is sung to perfection by vocalist Cynthia Harrell. Lyrically the song is open to interpretation, though appears to transition between Naked Snake and The Boss. In particular, the passage “Sometimes you go through the rain” is ambiguous in the sense it could refer to either characters, possibly referring to The Sorrow revealing himself to The Boss during rainfall, or Snake’s own struggles against the elements as he presses through the jungle. Indeed, the following line “And someday you feed on a tree frog” gives the latter interpretation some clout. Regardless, this track – along with the emotive, tear-jerking ‘Debriefing’ – stands among some of the best in the series’ history.
Check out Snake Eater below, and if you like what you hear, you should probably take the plunge and fork out for the Metal Gear Solid HD Collection.