There was "no version" of Sonic 3 that wouldn't include Live and Learn according to director Jeff Fowler: "The fans would hunt me down"

Share

• Copy link
• Facebook
• X
• Whatsapp
• Pinterest
• Flipboard
• Email

Share this article

Join the conversation

Follow us

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Newsletter

Get the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more

Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors

---

By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

You are now subscribed

Your newsletter sign-up was successful

---

Want to add more newsletters?

Every Friday

GamesRadar+

Your weekly update on everything you could ever want to know about the games you already love, games we know you're going to love in the near future, and tales from the communities that surround them.

Signup +

Every Thursday

GTA 6 O'clock

Our special GTA 6 newsletter, with breaking news, insider info, and rumor analysis from the award-winning GTA 6 O'clock experts.

Signup +

Every Friday

Knowledge

From the creators of Edge: A weekly videogame industry newsletter with analysis from expert writers, guidance from professionals, and insight into what's on the horizon.

Signup +

Every Thursday

The Setup

Hardware nerds unite, sign up to our free tech newsletter for a weekly digest of the hottest new tech, the latest gadgets on the test bench, and much more.

Signup +

Every Wednesday

Switch 2 Spotlight

Sign up to our new Switch 2 newsletter, where we bring you the latest talking points on Nintendo's new console each week, bring you up to date on the news, and recommend what games to play.

Signup +

Every Saturday

The Watchlist

Subscribe for a weekly digest of the movie and TV news that matters, direct to your inbox. From first-look trailers, interviews, reviews and explainers, we've got you covered.

Signup +

Once a month

SFX

Get sneak previews, exclusive competitions and details of special events each month!

Signup +

---

An account already exists for this email address, please log in.

Subscribe to our newsletter

Sonic 3 director Jeff Fowler has explained the decision behind bringing Crush 40's iconic 'Live and Learn' song from Sonic Adventure 2 onto the big screen.

Spoilers for Sonic the Hedgehog 3 follow.

"You fire up your Dreamcast and Sonic Adventure 2 and the first thing you're hearing is licks from 'Live and Learn' and Crush 40," Fowler tells GamesRadar+ of the origins of the vocal track from the Japanese-American rock band.

While Sonic's tracks such as 'Escape from the City' and 'His World' are perennial fan favorites, the placement of 'Live and Learn' in the final act of Sonic Adventure 2 has ensured its staying power – and connection to Shadow – for decades to come.

"I just felt there was no version of this where we weren't going to make that a strong presence in the film. The fans would hunt me down if I didn't," Fowler joked. "Not only did I do it out of fear of my own life, but also because it's an awesome song and we're happy to get to use it."

In Sonic 3, Live and Learn is first gently introduced as a riff on Maria's guitar during the opening's brief flashback scene. It then carries through the film as a leitmotif for Shadow before bursting forth into the full vocal version as Sonic (Ben Schwartz) and Shadow (Keanu Reeves) first duel and then transform into Super Sonic and Super Shadow respectively to stop the Eclipse Cannon and Gerald Robotnik (Jim Carrey) from destroying the planet.

Sonic 3 is now in cinemas. For more on the threequel, check out our guides to the Sonic 3 ending and cameo-filled Sonic 3 post-credits scenes. Then sprint on over to all the Sonic 3 Easter eggs you may have missed.