Game music of the day: Grand Theft Auto IV

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

Words: GamesRadarCarolynGudmundson on September 3, 2010

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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

Platforms:

PS3, PC, Xbox 360

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Sala106 - September 5, 2010 11:31 p.m.

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.
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philipshaw - September 4, 2010 11:08 a.m.

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
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Rhymenocerous - September 4, 2010 9:49 a.m.

And there's me thinking I was the only person who loved these songs. Cool choices Carolyn.
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elpurplemonkey - September 4, 2010 8:28 a.m.

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
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SHEESHKAH - September 4, 2010 5:11 a.m.

The beginning to the first song kind of sounds like the Fable theme... Or is that just me?
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keefster - September 4, 2010 2:20 a.m.

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.
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GangsterJew92 - September 4, 2010 1:53 a.m.

Soviet Connection is one of my Game Theme Songs.
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Grand1nquisitor - September 3, 2010 11:57 p.m.

Tdar used soviet connection to as a intro song once and at the start I thought it was something from Fable II.
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JoeMasturbaby - September 3, 2010 10:35 p.m.

i still cant believe they had Agnostic Front on there instead of FEAR.
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AnonymouZ - September 3, 2010 10:26 p.m.

Vladivostok FM ftw. <---period.
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CH3BURASHKA - September 3, 2010 10:20 p.m.

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.
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AngryScotsman - September 3, 2010 10:12 p.m.

"Axelrod" sounds like an adult film star. Great music choice, I really like the laid back Holy Thursday.
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JADENkOTOR - September 3, 2010 10:04 p.m.

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.
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GayforGilbert - September 3, 2010 9:57 p.m.

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.
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mastersword369 - September 3, 2010 9:50 p.m.

Playing that second on my drums would be no praaaablem.
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sleepy92ismypsn - September 3, 2010 9:40 p.m.

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.
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twishart - September 3, 2010 9:33 p.m.

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.
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GamesRadarCharlieBarratt - September 3, 2010 9:30 p.m.

David Axelrod? Didn't he run Barack Obama's presidential campaign?
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Genericpenisjoketista - September 3, 2010 9:28 p.m.

I've always loved this song. Grand Theft Auto 4 had an incredible soundtrack and I actually started semi-respecting Hipsters after Radio Broker.
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Strangleme - September 3, 2010 9:23 p.m.

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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