Game music of the day: Grand Theft Auto IV

GR's ongoing tribute to the beloved world of videogame music

Words: on September 3, 2010

 

Game: Grand Theft Auto IV

Song: Soviet Connection

Composer: Michael Hunter

       
Above: Soviet Connection from Grand Theft Auto IV (which is actually available for free on Amazon, by the way)

The Grand Theft Auto series has always been known for including a fitting selection of music for each game's locale and time period. In GTA IV in particular, a lot of the tracks, like the lyrics-focused "Dirty New Yorker" and "Where's My Money" are quite literal in their interpretations of the setting and story. But Soviet Connection by Michael Hunter also does an excellent job setting the tone for the game through a purely instrumental track, and it's fitting that a remixed version of this track plays on the start screen. It has a subdued hip-hop feeling, with a good mix of strings and some interesting instrument choices.

       
Above: Holy Thursday by David Axelrod

Another instrumental track from the OST called Holy Thursday also deserves a mention - it plays on the Fusion FM radio station and is included in the Music of Grand Theft Auto IV soundtrack that was came with the special edition of GTA IV. It's a jazzy track that's great for laid-back driving around Liberty City.

Game music of the day: Elite Beat Agents
September by Earth, Wind & Fire



 

Game music of the day: Mirror's Edge
Still Alive by Lisa Miskovsky


 


Game music of the day: Hexic HD 
Underlow by Jerry Schroeder

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Games:


Grand Theft Auto IV (Xbox 360)

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Grand Theft Auto IV (PS3)

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Grand Theft Auto IV (PC)

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Platforms:

Xbox 360, PS3, PC

20 Comments
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  • Sala106

    Sala106  - 1 year, 5 months ago  - Report

    All the GTA themes fir the games perfectly San Andreas had a Gangster Hip Hop them, Vice City had a retro 80's theme Etc. I think Liberty City stories still has the best theme tho even if i didnt like the actual game.
  • philipshaw

    philipshaw  - 1 year, 5 months ago  - Report

    Great choice Carolyn. When I turned played the game on lauch day and heard the main theme, I knew I was playing the best game of the generation so far. Also Radio Broker is awesome, got every song from that station on my MP3 player
  • Rhymenocerous

    Rhymenocerous  - 1 year, 5 months ago  - Report

    And there's me thinking I was the only person who loved these songs. Cool choices Carolyn.
  • elpurplemonkey

    elpurplemonkey  - 1 year, 5 months ago  - Report

    I sometimes forget how great GTA 4 was, and the music- naturally the music was spot on. It's rare for me to do this but just I downloaded both of these songs right now (it helped that the first was free.) Great selection
  • SHEESHKAH

    SHEESHKAH  - 1 year, 5 months ago  - Report

    The beginning to the first song kind of sounds like the Fable theme...
    Or is that just me?
  • keefster

    keefster  - 1 year, 5 months ago  - Report

    I love this song...alot. Listen to it often lol... its great

    wow my recaptcha is ridiculous : logifis experimentai and yet the store ad people get thru.
  • GangsterJew92

    GangsterJew92  - 1 year, 5 months ago  - Report

    Soviet Connection is one of my Game Theme Songs.
  • Grand1nquisitor

    Grand1nquisitor  - 1 year, 5 months ago  - Report

    Tdar used soviet connection to as a intro song once and at the start I thought it was something from Fable II.
  • JoeMasturbaby

    JoeMasturbaby  - 1 year, 5 months ago  - Report

    i still cant believe they had Agnostic Front on there instead of FEAR.
  • AnonymouZ

    AnonymouZ  - 1 year, 5 months ago  - Report

    Vladivostok FM ftw. <---period.
  • CH3BURASHKA

    CH3BURASHKA  - 1 year, 5 months ago  - Report

    An unusual choice (not old) but a valid one. Rockstar has always nailed soundtracks. Speaking of soundtracks, Lazlow is fucking amazing. I used to just drive around in GTA3 listening to his station.
  • AngryScotsman

    AngryScotsman  - 1 year, 5 months ago  - Report

    "Axelrod" sounds like an adult film star.

    Great music choice, I really like the laid back Holy Thursday.
  • JADENkOTOR

    JADENkOTOR  - 1 year, 5 months ago  - Report

    God I didn't know that Soviet Connection was the name of that damn intro song... I have sat through far too many load screens listening to that shit. I loved Holy Thursday Though... It may be in American Gangster along with Across 110th Street.
  • GayforGilbert

    GayforGilbert  - 1 year, 5 months ago  - Report

    I bought the collector's edition at launch, complete with the sampler CD. I used to listen to the whole thing as I walked around my neighborhood.
  • mastersword369

    mastersword369  - 1 year, 5 months ago  - Report

    Playing that second on my drums would be no praaaablem.
  • sleepy92ismypsn

    sleepy92ismypsn  - 1 year, 5 months ago  - Report

    Great choice Carolyn. I was wondering when you guys were going to use a GTA game for GMOTD. I love both of these songs. Now do San Andreas and Vice City but use way more than 2 tracks if you can.
  • twishart

    twishart  - 1 year, 5 months ago  - Report

    These are both great, but the trailer theme really hit home for me - I was mildly impressed with GTA3/VC/SA, but when I first saw the initial trailer for GTAIV, I was floored - it actually came across as a living, breathing, REALISTIC city. Upon investigation, I learned that the music from the trailer (by composer Philip Glass) is also from Koyaanisqatsi, which I promptly tracked down and watched. Very cool stuff.
  • GamesRadarCharlieBarratt

    GamesRadarCharlieBarratt  - 1 year, 5 months ago  - Report

    David Axelrod? Didn't he run Barack Obama's presidential campaign?
  • Genericpenisjoketista

    Genericpenisjoketista  - 1 year, 5 months ago  - Report

    I've always loved this song. Grand Theft Auto 4 had an incredible soundtrack and I actually started semi-respecting Hipsters after Radio Broker.
  • Strangleme

    Strangleme  - 1 year, 5 months ago  - Report

    Fuck yea Carolyn!!! Excellent choice!! I am obsessed with this soundtrack. It's so damn perfect for this game. Definitely one of the best Game Music of the Day articles.
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